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, july 22, 2020
Volume 169 • Issue 85 | 75¢
mtdemocrat.com
County records first COVID-19 death Dylan Svoboda Staff writer
Despite recent upticks in local cases and nearly four months since the first case was reported March 20, El Dorado County had avoided any coronaviruscaused fatalities until last week. El Dorado was by far the largest California county without a COVID19 death. Health officials reported the county’s first death on a weekend when coronavirus cases jumped by 49 over a three-day period, Saturday through Monday. As of Monday evening, officials reported 443 confirmed coronavirus cases across the county; 200 are active cases and three patients are hospitalized
A Lake Tahoe area resident died from the coronavirus Friday, July 17, El Dorado County Public Health officials announced in a statement. “This morning we received the very sad news that a male over 65 years of age died yesterday of complications from COVID-19,” county Public Health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams states in the announcement released Saturday. “Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends during this very difficult time.”
with the virus — one of whom is in the ICU. With 12 new cases reported Monday, the Lake Tahoe region accounts for nearly half of the countywide cases with 210. Twenty-one new cases were reported in the El Dorado Hills area, bringing that area’s total to 102. This weekend’s count found cases throughout most of the West Slope’s less populated locales with three cases in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, two in Diamond Springs, seven in the greater Placerville n
See Covid-19 death, page A6
Battle over ancient tribal village still simmering
Grinning grads
Pat Lakey Staff writer
Democrat photo by Sel Richard
Oak Ridge High School graduate Nate Howard is all smiles while getting his tassel adjusted by the photographer at the El Dorado Hills school’s drive-thru graduation ceremony Friday. Howard plans to attend Cal Poly in the fall.
ORHS celebrates grads — drive-thru style Sel Richard Staff writer
I
t was a quiet but celebratory atmosphere as Oak Ridge High School 2020 graduates finally had their moment. Friday evening cars snaked through the Oak Ridge parking lot for a drive-thru ceremony where each graduate was announced as they walked across a stage. Oak Ridge Principal Aaron Palm
said he had hoped to provide the seniors with a more classic ceremony by planning the event for later in the summer. But with COVID-19 cases rising across the state and nation, Palm made the difficult decision to implement the back-up plan that followed strict social-distancing guidelines and provided minimal contact between graduates. n
“I thought it was pretty great that Oak Ridge was still holding something for graduates.” — ORHS grad Trent Hew
Calling the city of Placerville’s bulldozing in the area of an ancient Indian village on Upper Broadway a “act of war,” the Wopumnes NisenanMewuk Tribe of El Dorado County is gathering signatures at local farmers markets and other venues in a skirmish to turn the tide their way. During construction of a $6 million bikeway project in the area, work halted mid-April in one relatively small section after it was found that an Indian grinding rock was in the vicinity, with the contractor immediately shutting down the heavy machinery that already had scraped a driveway to the private property. City officials have called the find at the apparent archeologically significant site “inadvertent” and contend the hired construction team was within its contract rights to cut into the dirt bank there, seeking to better accommodate the building of a retaining wall. But Wopumnes tribe members, who said they were aware of the significance of the site for at least 100 years, say the city shut down the work only after the tribe told the city it was about to destroy an important piece of their history. (City Engineer Rebecca Neves has publicly thanked the tribe for bringing the matter to the city’s attention.) Because the city did not consult with the Wopumnes tribe, its members contend, but rather listed the Native American tribe that runs Red Hawk Casino as legally fulfilling the city’s obligation to screen for the possibility of uncovering historical sites, mistakes were made that if not caught by the Wopumnes easily could have destroyed the village site. City Engineer Neves has said the city’s hands are tied when it comes to which tribe may be used as a consulting party to such projects, with the Native American Heritage Commission in Sacramento confirming that the Mewuk is not currently recognized as a tribe for that legal standing. Neves said any tribal consultants on city projects must be validated by the NAHC; that’s the law.
See graduation, page A7
n
See Battle, page A6
Locals back the badge Dawn Hodson Staff writer Waving flags, banners and signs, about 100 locals gathered in Placerville along Highway 50, on Main Street and on the Bedford Avenue pedestrian over-crossing to show their support for law enforcement Friday afternoon In turn they were greeted with a cacophony of horns from passing cars and trucks as well as a river of flags on display by those driving by. The purpose of the demonstration was to support, stand up and speak up for law enforcement, American businesses, President Trump and for America as a nation of law, according to a press release from the Republican Party of El Dorado County, “It was wonderful,” said participant Vicki Cecil. “Every truck that went
by gave us a big honk and all but two people either gave us a honk or a thumbs up. “There was no destruction, just smiles and happy people,” she added. “It was like America was coming together to say we want our police to protect us.” Sad about the destruction occurring elsewhere in the country, especially in places like Seattle and Portland, Cecil noted that people can disagree without burning down or vandalizing buildings. “As the saying goes: ‘Your freedom stops where my nose begins,’” she said. “The people in Oregon don’t want this. It’s sad we’re afraid to speak out. But we need to start taking a stand or we’re going to lose the country. George
Democrat photo by Dawn Hodson
See back the badge, page A2
Demonstrators supporting the police and rule of law wave flags and share their message in downtown Placerville Friday.
n
LEES’ FEED
1 DENTIST!
#
Three Years Straight!
20 14 -2
Largest selection of mens workwear and western wear. Summer dresses arriving daily.
01 6
New Patients Always Welcome!
Jeff Little, DDS General & Cosmetic Dentistry
“Look For My Column On Page 3 Today!”
, Walk in de, or Curbsivery! Deli
Shop locally! 530.677.4891
Mountain
Democrat 2019
4110 Datsun Ct., Shingle Springs • leesboutique.net
15 YEAR 2.625 3.250 2.90 3.61 HOME LOAN Fixed Rate
Purchase • Re�nance
Annual Percentage Rate
Monthly Paymentsofof$6.72 $7.03 per 180180 Monthly Payments per $1,000 $1,000Borrowed Borrowed
PLACERVILLE • 4040 El Dorado Road • 622-1492 PLACERVILLE • (Downtown) 247 Main • 622-0833 ✓ No application fee W. PLACERVILLE • Placerville Dr. & Ray Lawyer • 626-3400 ✓ No prepayment penalty DIAMOND SPRINGS • 694 Pleasant Valley Road • 626-5701 ✓ Local processing and servicing CAMERON PARK • 4060 Cameron Park Drive • 677-1601 POLLOCK PINES • 6462 Pony Express Trail • 644-2363 EL DORADO HILLS • 3963 Park Drive • 933-3002 Serving our local communities for over 61 years GEORGETOWN • 6310 Hwy. 193 • 333-1101 Member Serving our local communities for over 54 years
Check the El Dorado Advantage:
Se Habla Espanol 800-874-9779 Maximum loan $424,100.00, $417,000.00, primary or vacation residence. 20% minimum cash down payment on purchase. 25% equity required on refinance. Other loans available under different terms.
Call (530) 344-5000 for convenient home delivery and free online access to www.mtdemocrat.com 2 col (3.3”) x 1.5” Mountain Democrat