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in a Technical Advisory Committee meeting on the development but were told the public was not invited so CPHAC has organized a public design review meeting regarding the project March 30 at 6 p.m. at the Pilot Hill Grange, 1701 Highway 193 in Cool.

CPHAC was advised by the El Dorado County Planning and Building Department that Melvin Higginbotham/ HBD Capital, LLC, is proposing a “two-phase, automobile-based commercial development” on parcel No. 071-080007 in the Cool area, next door to Dollar General, according to a news release from CPHAC. This site is located on the east side of Highway 49, approximately 100 feet northeast of the intersection with Highway 193. Proposed in phase one of construction is a 9,787-square-foot commercial building with four suites — a 1,250-square-foot visitors’ center, a 1,500-square-foot nondrive-thru tenant, a 2,525 square foot drive-thru quick serve restaurant and a 4,284-square-foot fuel canopy alongside the

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Springs. It will be staffed by recently pinned paramedics Bradley Gates, Kyle Lopez, Taylor Ferguson, Fallon Braithwaite, Aaron Fields and Brain Duffy of EDC Fire. The trained paramedics n See shooting, page A9 n

See Medic 49, page A9

Leslie Arlene McClone

Sept. 24, 1935 – Dec. 18, 2022

Greeted by her parents, Rosa and Leslie Fiechter, her sister Joyce, and an assortment of farm animals, Leslie Arlene arrived at the Kansas homestead on September 24, 1935.

Motivated by the desire to provide their daughters a better education (and indoor plumbing), Rosa and Leslie moved their family into Goodland, Kansas, a small urban island surrounded by a sea of wheat and corn. Leslie (Arlene if you’re from Goodland) was a majorette, leading the marching band down brickpaved Main Street.

After graduating from Goodland High School, Leslie set o to see the wide world and made it as far as Denver. With a teaching degree under her belt, she began searching for an escape from the Midwest. Bill McClone conveniently appeared and fell hard for the Kansas beauty queen. After their marriage in 1958, another arrival threatened their westerly migration. But Scot, their first born, couldn’t keep the couple from their California dreaming for long. They were soon living in Long Beach, where they were joined by Mark, their second child. Moving two rambunctious boys around southern California convinced Leslie that enough was enough. But the couple’s third baby, Jill, had other plans, and in 1962 she showed us all who was and would be boss. A short stint outside of Reno rekindled the California dreams, and Bill and Leslie agreed that the west slope of the Sierra might be a nice place to settle. A new house in El Dorado Hills proved the right place to introduce the family to polite society and allowed Leslie an opportunity to earn her teaching credential.

With the e ort to teach her own kids some manners proving to be an unachievable goal, Leslie decided to teach other peoples’ children. She did so with love and patience, first as a substitute, then at Brooks Elementary School and subsequently Charles Brown School. Her former kindergarten students will remember someone who was a mother to all the children she encountered. Leslie and Bill co-founded McClone Construction Company, predicting accurately that their sons would need employment at some point. The company grew with the founders’ spirit to include hundreds of families throughout the country. After retirement, Leslie and Bill have explored the wide world, travelling to Europe and spending lots of time in Hawaii.

Leslie’s path to heaven was swept clean by her loving parents. On December 18, 2022, her first footfalls on that path were calm and peaceful, departing with the same grace with which she moved through life. Her sixty-six-year romance with Bill enduring still, she gazes proudly upon her three children Scot (Carolyn), Mark (Jamie), and Jill Hemington (Mark), six grandsons, and seven great grandchildren. Leslie’s spiritual beauty a lingering presence, she will be remembered for her laughter, her beautiful smile, and the love she showered on her husband Bill, her kids, grandkids, greatgrandkids, and indeed everyone she met. Leslie is also survived by her loving sister Joyce Dempewolf, three adoring nephews, and their children and grandchild.

The totality of Leslie’s life and the impact she had on those she loved could not possibly be contained in a paragraph, page, or even a book. She was so much more than words can express. Leslie’s life will be celebrated in a private family gathering, and in toasts and prayers for years to come.

Gordon H. Smith

Dec. 28, 1940 - Jan. 21, 2023

Gordon was raised in Richmond, Calif., and served in the U.S. Army. A resident of El Dorado County for 47 years where he worked as a truck driver.

Gordon passed away suddenly after a short illness. He is survived by his wife Norma; daughter Christina Bist; son Edward Smith. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and his brother Edgar Smith. He was preceded in death by his father Harry Smith, mother Evelyn Smith and is sister Jeanine Munson.

A Celebration of Life will be held April 2, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Wilkinson-Hupcey Building, 681 Main Street, Placerville.

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Tina Marie Bills (Toland)

April 26, 1960 – March 20, 2023

Tina Marie Bills (Toland) died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on March 20. She was a beloved wife, daughter, mother, friend, and grandma.

She was preceded in death by her father, Larry Toland, and her two grandmothers, Alice Grace Toland and Jewel Bell Cowen. She is survived by her husband, Reggie Bills, her mother Carolyn Burton, her children Jamie and Jason Dustrud, her grandson Jaxon Dustrud, her puggles Daisy and Molly, and the grandkitty Flower.

She had a passion for travel, taking her and her family to hidden gems throughout the country. Wherever she went, stories would follow. Her heart and soul were firmly rooted in nature, with a special love for the ocean and the mountains. She had a great love for animals and bestowed this love freely and completely onto all the fur babies in her life.

As big as her heart was, she was still able to deftly balance her passions with the challenges of day-today life. She had the mind of a scholar even if she didn’t believe so. She worked on multiple missile projects as well as the Space Shuttle program during her years in Aerospace. She had an in-depth capability to visualize a project and see it through to its completion. She also had the ability to stretch a dollar in inconceivable ways to provide stability for her family.

Some knew her as a hippy, others as a biker gal, and even others as a concert fanatic and freespirited dancer. We knew her as all those things, as well as a wife, daughter, mom, and/or grandma.

In lieu of having a service, we will hold a celebration of life with the immediate family. However, we hope that those who loved her will celebrate her life in whatever way you best feel represents your relationship with her.

She recently achieved a lifelong goal of being baptized.

She was a self-proclaimed flower child and wild angel and we know she now has a new frontier to explore in heaven.

Caroll S. Tuttle

July 13, 1930 - Jan. 9, 2023

Caroll Tuttle, 92, of Placerville, California, passed peacefully, surrounded by family on January 9, 2023.

A native Californian, Caroll lived in the Bay Area most of his life. He graduated from San Leandro High School and earned degrees from CSU Hayward, Santa Clara University, and Eastman School of Music.

A musician, college teacher, and psychotherapist, Caroll made a lasting impression through the years. Most will remember Caroll best as a musician spreading joy through his music. He began performing at a young age and later toured throughout the country with various shows and bands. He was still arranging and performing music locally into his 92nd year!

Caroll was a life-long learner, with interests which included gourmet cooking, entertaining, and deep conversation.

Caroll is survived by his much-loved blended family.

A celebration of Caroll’s life will be held on April 8, 2023. Please contact the family at TuttleCelebration@gmail.com for information.

Rebecca Hiles

Feb. 15, 1953 – March 19, 2023

Rebecca (Becky) Hiles passed away peacefully on March 19, 2023 in Placerville, CA. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA where she started her career with the L.A. County District Attorney’s O ce. It was there that she met the love of her life, Raymond Hiles. They later married and moved to South Lake Tahoe. The two enjoyed travel and loved spending time with family and friends.

Becky was the Deputy Director for El Dorado County Department of Child Support Services until her retirement. She mentored many of the sta and was always there to encourage and support her coworkers.

In 2020 Becky lost her beloved Raymond and recently experienced many health issues. She was a kind, generous person and many people were fortunate enough to share her friendship, love and generosity. She will be missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing her. Rest in Peace Becky, in the arms of your beloved Raymond.