Up for an Emmy
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
Union Mine grad in the running for three statues News, Etc. B1
Friday, may 29, 2020
Volume 169 • Issue 62 | 75¢
mtdemocrat.com
What will the 2020-21 school year look like? District administrators are also giving students an online, independent study option in the new school year. Stage 2 allows schools to open in a modified manner after July 1, while Stage 3, still off in the future, allows for greater numbers of students to gather and congregate on campuses. Because of all the uncertainty, El Dorado Union High School District Superintendent Ron Carruth on May 26 sent an update to students and parents. In it he notes that the district still has plans to open school Aug. 10 and “to return this fall as close to normal as we possibly can and be safe at the same time. Unfortunately the state
EDUHSD to offer distance learning option n
Dawn Hodson Staff writer Last week parents of students attending El Dorado Union High School District schools were notified that while the district is working on a plan to reopen schools Aug. 10, the extent to which they open would depend on what is allowed under whatever stage the county is in under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan for reopening the state.
and (Centers for Disease Control) have not yet articulated practical guidance for opening schools. For example, how do students social distance 6 feet in a classroom? How can we hire more teachers in an economic collapse? Can we create student cohorts and alternate days to lessen exposure or bring students to school for less time each day? Does everyone need to wear a mask? Students? Staff? Optional or mandatory? How much local discretion do we have to decide? Again, we have not been provided with clear guidance from the California Department of Education or the state, but we will keep you informed as time progresses.”
The district currently has a team of teachers, classified staff, administrators and parents helping to develop a plan for how schools will operate in Stage 3, which combines students attending class on campus with some work done via distance learning. Updates will be provided to parents well in advance of the Aug. 10 start date. While traditional graduation ceremonies for seniors have been replaced with drive-by graduations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, nonetheless the district is still hoping to hold more traditional graduations in July. n
See EDuhsd, page A6
Community says about time
Democrat photo by Dawn Hodson
Slim Lewis, a barber at Bowtie Barber Shop in downtown Placerville, gives a welcomed haircut to 11-year-old Bob Krunz Wednesday morning now that barber shops and salons have been included in Stage 2 of the state’s phased reopening plan.
Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum
Old Town Grill’s father-daughter team Genevieve Millward and John Sanders are prepping for another Friday night feast on Main Street, Placerville. The grill that gave now needs a little love back and that will be the mission this Friday in the ongoing Curbside for a Cause community fundraising effort.
Old Town Grill throwing dinner for … Pat Lakey Staff writer
Old Town Grill
B
ack in midMarch when all were ordered by California’s governor to shelter in place, to take their kids out of school, to close all businesses except those deemed essential — most people went home, locked their doors and hunkered down in worry. The immediate threat of the coronavirus pandemic appears waning but if you’re still worrying about what you should do, here’s some solid advice: Go see what John Sanders is doing and do that, as soon as you can. Sanders, owner and chief chef at Placerville’s Old Town Grill, on the very first day the stayat-home order became effective, stood with his daughter and co-chef Genevieve Millward in the wide-open doorway of their Main Street restaurant with smiles as bright as their scrubbedwhite aprons. Passersby were offered shouts of encouragement from the pair, “We’ll get through this together!” … “Don’t worry, our Lord will guide the way!” … even as not a single customer
Democrat photo by Kevin Christensen
Chef John Sanders, left, is joined by brothers Antone and Thomas Gaschler — all three sporting stylish pandemic bandanas — in the Old Town Grill kitchen as they churn out burgers, sandwiches and more. showed up for one of the best hamburgers in El Dorado County, at least not on that midmorning Saturday. That didn’t stop John and Genevieve, not for a moment.
Teaming up with the community
They put their heads together and, with the spiritual guidance that John makes clear is what anchors his life, they decided to not only keep their business going through these strange and scary times — they were going to try to help others do the same. Thus, the Friday “Curbside for a Cause” dinners that have benefitted groups like the MORE workshop,
— Cindy Akin, Ponderosa High School Foundation The first curbside dinner actually served as a catalyst for the ongoing effort, with the Ponderosa High School Foundation set to hold its annual springtime fundraiser March 10 as the pandemic started closing virtually all gatherings. The Ponderosa foundation’s Cindy Akin recalls how John and Genevieve jumped right into the fray. “With things beginning to close down, we brainstormed with John how we could still pull our fundraiser off … even if no one came,” said Akin. “The transformation to a n
Dawn Hodson Staff writer Tired of that shaggy dog look? Well fuss no longer because El Dorado County Public Health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams on Tuesday announced barbershops and hair salons in the county may open as long as they have a COVID19 safety plan in place that reflects the guidelines of Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health. “The release of these guidelines does not indicate that El Dorado County has entered Stage 3; it only means the state has moved this specific industry from Stage 3 to the current Stage 2,” according to Williams. “Therefore, barbershops and hair salons may open immediately as long as they have met the n
Dylan Svoboda Staff writer El Dorado County’s coronavirus case count continues to tick up this week. County officials reported one new COVID-19 case Wednesday, bringing the total confirmed cases to 81. With two new recoveries the number of known, active cases is now 22. The county reported four new cases Monday and two new cases Tuesday. County health officials on Tuesday also reported one COVID-19 patient was hospitalized, requiring intensive care, but that patient has since recovered. The Lake Tahoe area outpaces the rest of the county with 28 residents testing positive for the virus. El Dorado Hills sits behind with 19 confirmed cases. The county reported 193 additional tests since Tuesday afternoon. About 5,865 tests have been conducted on county residents to date, according to data provided by the county. No residents are known to have died from the coronavirus in El Dorado County.
See grill, page A10
n
Only
Your Sizzler Dining Room is now OPEN! Celebrate with 8oz Certified Angus Beef®
STEAK & LOBSTER
See barbershops, page A9
EDC’s active COVID19 cases number 22
2999
$
––Cheers To ––
DINE IN!
The Center for Violencefree Relationships, the Court Appointed Special Advocates that help kids in difficult situations — even the Music Program at El Dorado High School that had to cancel its major fundraiser this year — those groups and more shared in the proceeds from Old Town Grill’s sidewalk-service feasts to-go. The Friday events have proved so popular that it’s difficult to negotiate Main Street from about 4:30 to 7 p.m. on those evenings, with solid lines of vehicles lining up and parking to partake of the week’s special offering — often served with contributions like specialty beers and wines from other local vendors.
“Our weekly parade down Main Street gives us a sense of connection, for which John and his crew can take credit — although I know they won’t; that’s not their style.”
Barbershops and hair salons now open in county
CAMERON PARK 4085 Cameron Park Dr. Call (530) 344-5000 for convenient home delivery and free online access to www.mtdemocrat.com
See Covid cases, page A7