C a l i f o r n i a ’ s O l d e s t N e w s pa p e r – E s t. 18 51
Wednesday, april 29, 2020
Volume 169 • Issue 50 | 75¢
mtdemocrat.com
Graduation on the line
County to let stay-athome order expire n Statewide directive
still in place Dylan Svoboda Staff writer
Democrat photos by Kevin Christensen
Union Mine High School senior grad Morgan Hebert, left, receives a “diploma” via fishing pole from VantagePoint Church youth group leaders Saturday outside of her Placerville home. The out-of-the-ordinary mock graduation was an effort to adhere to social-distancing standards amid the COVID-19 pandemic while still celebrating a milestone for area youth.
Diplomas delivered by fishing pole Kevin Christensen Staff writer
Eleven local high school seniors in VantagePoint Church’s youth group received their “diplomas” Saturday. VantagePoint Church youth group mentors — Joe and Stephanie Yurkovic; Elijah and Karenda Caron; Kyle and Carly Brannam; and Hannah Mogannam and Jessica Cain — came up with a unique idea to show support and love for their graduating seniors with a traveling commencement ceremony. The group, all decked out in PPEs, made its own diplomas, placed them inside a ziplock bag and passed them out using a fishing pole. n
See Grads, page A3
El Dorado High School grad Hannah Ford, above, sporting her Cougar-blue cap and gown, shows off her “diploma.” Union Mine High School senior Luke D’Agostini, below, grabs his diploma off the hook on the end of a fishing line as a pink powder bomb goes off over his head. Luke was surprised outside a Placerville Starbucks where he works.
VantagePoint Church youth group leader Trevor Matson holds up a sign on the street outside the home of one of the graduates.
In a statement released Tuesday morning El Dorado County Public Health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams said a low coronavirus case count and high cooperation from county residents allow her to let the stay-athome directive expire April 30. “I am extremely pleased with how cooperative the vast majority of El Dorado County residents, businesses and California residents in general have been in complying with state and local “ … executives health orders at the two and directives,” hospitals in Williams said. “This our county, cooperation has Marshall resulted in very positive results Medical and with only 43 Barton Health, confirmed and five active cases do not believe in the county that a careful, as of April 27, 2020.” phased-in The statewide approach to stay-at-home relaxing of order remains in effect. El stay-at-home Dorado County orders would and the state each issued put them at directives undue risk.” March 19. Williams — Dr. Nancy said county Williams, El Dorado residents will County public health be “guided officer primarily by the governor’s order” going forward, but vowed to step in should the need arise. “I will remain vigilant and am prepared to reinstate county-level restrictions if necessary to protect our health care systems and our residents,” she said. County orders restricting nonessential travel to the unincorporated area of the Lake Tahoe Basin and allowing administrative fines for visitors to short-term rentals will remain in effect, according to the release. Williams got a green light to move n
See County orders, page A2
Martial artists show skills off the mat in community service Sel Richard Staff writer Perfecting armlocks and chokeholds may be what many strive for in a discipline that stems from traditions of war and hand-tohand combat. However, one local martial artist chooses to teach a doctrine that encompasses not only growth within oneself, but within the community. Soft spoken and modest, El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Self Defense owner Eliot Kelly doesn’t necessarily fit the Jiu Jitsu fighter stereotype following the martial art’s rise in popularity through UFC fame. Kelly’s manner belies the numerous championships he has earned throughout his career, including American National Champion, NoGi World Champion, Master World three-time medalist and Abu Dhabi Pro Trial Champion to name a few. The cauliflower ear is a dead giveaway to his fierceness in the ring.
CHOCOLATES • GIFTS • LOCAL WINES
1 DENTIST!
#
Three Years Straight!
Kelly’s focus for his students has evolved over the 10 years he has been inspiring young and old through his school. Components of his curriculum include martial arts terminology and history, setting personal goals as well as basic life skills. Then three years ago Kelly began incorporating a community service element for those looking to earn their blue belt promotion. Kelly looks for labor-based service requiring minimal financial outlay. “I’d rather people donate time rather than money,” he said. “The idea is to get people together interacting outside of training.” Kelly kicked off his community service idea with a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich drive. The school assembled sandwiches and delivered them to homeless in Sacramento. Photo courtesy of Jesse Jones Photography “It was heart-wrenching to see. You can Danny Freidig, Lexie Freidig, Emily Freidig and Lukota Jelich, left to right, be kind of detached from the homeless stand on the stools they made during a community service project hosted by Placerville resident Jesse Jones, an El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Self n See Martial arts, page A3 Defense student who founded Placerville Makes Things Better.
Remember Your Mom 20 14 -2
on
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Mother’s Day
• Large selection of handmade artisan chocolates • Dozens of wines from El Dorado and Amador Counties • Gift boxes of all sizes for any occassion
To donate, visit: https://ssl.charityweb.net/eldoradocf/CVRF.htm
New Patients Always Welcome!
Jeff Little, DDS General & Cosmetic Dentistry
“Look For My Column On Page 3 Today!”
Coronavirus Relief Fund
EL DORADO STRONG
2019
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