NEWS, ETC.
SPORTS
Dig in to what makes the menus at Sierra-at-Tahoe.
Get ready to laugh; ‘The Odd Couple’ to visit Oak Ridge.
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EL DORADO C
OUNTS
CENSUS 202
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BE COUNTED , BECAUSE WE ALL MATTER! mtdemocrat.com
MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020
VOLUME 169 • ISSUE 31
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County declares emergency; COVID-19 cases anticipated Dylan Svoboda Staff writer El Dorado County has declared a public health emergency in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The county still has no confirmed cases of the virus but that is likely to change soon, according to county public health officer Dr. Nancy Williams. “(There is a) high likelihood that Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum a case will be confirmed Shelves where toilet paper is stocked at Raley’s in Placerville are at some point in the left bare as area residents stock up amid fears of a coronavirus near future in El Dorado County,” she said. contagion.
The declaration opens up additional resources, mutual aid and staffing opportunities as the county ramps up its efforts against the spread of COVID-19. “It is a prerequisite for requesting and receiving any available federal or state funding and will allow us access to the resources necessary to keep people as safe as possible and lessen disease transmission in El Dorado County,” Williams stated. The county is working with the Centers for
“(There is a) high likelihood that a case will be confirmed at some point in the near future in El Dorado County.” — Nancy Williams, El Dorado County public health officer Disease Control and California Department of Public Health on testing, investigating and monitoring for signs of the illness and detecting and confirming possible cases. The announcement comes just days after California’s state of
emergency declaration March 4. The state Department of Public Health is recommending the cancelation of large gatherings to slow the spread of coronavirus across the Golden State and beyond. Gov. Gavin Newsom n
See COVID-19, page A3
Coronavirus fears postpone gatherings Dylan Svoboda Staff writer California officials are recommending the cancelation of large gatherings to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus across the Golden State and beyond. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the advisory Wednesday night, stating that large assemblies of 250 people or more and smaller gatherings in intimate or crowded settings should be canceled or postponed. “Changing our actions for a short period of time will save the life of one or more people you know,” Newsom said in a statement. “That’s the choice before us. Each of us has n
See GATHERINGS, page A5 Photo courtesy of American River Conservancy
Lewis Ranch is currently being used for cattle grazing and would continue being used in this way if the planned sale to ARC goes through.
Local sporting events called off
Conserving the watershed $1 million grant to help preserve 927-acre Lewis Ranch
Thomas Frey Staff writer With confirmed coronavirus cases on the rise in California, many local sports events have been canceled. Games were called off Thursday and Friday at Oak Ridge, Ponderosa, Union Mine and El Dorado high schools. “We were told that on Monday afternoon our district will make a decision as to how to move forward,” said an Oak Ridge coach who did not want to be identified. Hangtown Little League organizers announced Friday they were suspending all league activities until April 6. El Dorado Hills Little League canceled its flag ceremony, which was scheduled for March 13 at 7 p.m. The league also canceled all practices and games through April 6. “Due to the state’s new guidelines and related concerns expressed by parents, coaches, class instructors and other staff members, Terry Zeller, director of Community Services, and I are reviewing our special interest classes and recreation programs that may be affected,” said Dave Warren, n
See SPORTS, page A3
Dawn Hodson Staff writer A major conservation project in El Dorado County just got a huge boost after it was announced March 5 that it will be the beneficiary of $1 million in grant monies from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy. The million dollars will go to the American River Conservancy for the purchase of the 972-acre Lewis Ranch, which is currently being used for cattle grazing and hunting. Located about 4 miles east of the Auburn State Recreation Area and about 3 miles north of Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, the property lies between the communities of Coloma, Georgetown and Auburn and encompasses a lush topography of oaks and
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Greenwood Creek, which is located on the Lewis Ranch, is a major perennial tributary to the South Fork American River.
“After going out to the site and seeing where it was and looking at it on maps, we felt it was a strategic opportunity to do conservation work in the South Fork American watershed ...” — Elena DeLacy, American River Conservancy executive director various tree species along with other flora scattered over rolling hills.
The property includes Greenwood Creek, a major perennial tributary to
the South Fork American River, as well as tributary streams and seasonal ponds. A natural habitat for wildlife, it's home to rainbow trout, foothill yellow-legged frogs, river otters, turtles and other aquatic animals, as well as hundreds of other species including mountain lions, grey foxes, black bears, mule deer, American kestrels and golden eagles. According to the SNC, the total purchase price of the property is $4,470,000, with the total cost of the project put at $4,523,250. But the deal won't be sealed until the rest of the purchase price is secured. Other grant funding being sought includes $1,493,250 from the Cal Fire Forest Legacy Program, $1 n
See LEWIS RANCH, page A7
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