Crozier Fire containment grows
Marble Valley, Lime Rock plans vetted at Planning Commission
Eric Jaramishian
Senior sta writer
The proposed Village of Marble Valley and Lime Rock Valley specific plans proposed development had its debut county hearing at the El Dorado County Planning Commission meeting Aug. 8 where sta and residents had a new opportunity to share their views on the large development projects.
County sta presented the two projects, which would be located south of Highway 50 between El Dorado Hills and Cameron Park, covering more than 4,000 acres with mixed-density housing as well as multiple commercial projects and amenities; the property used to be ripe with limestone mining operations (an old quarry and kiln are still present on the land).
No action was taken, but some of the county’s planning commissioners shared their preliminary thoughts on the specific plans.
District 2 Planning Commissioner Bob Williams, who represents the district where the projects are located, wondered what the cost of the projects would ultimately be for local taxpayers.
“I’d really like to understand, in reviewing this project, what kind of additional community finance district requirements are being proposed and, in terms of infrastructure situations, what the developers are going to be requesting in terms of public finance, maybe o oads, in financing,”
Williams said. “We do need to have a better understanding of what the impact is going to be financially to the taxpayers — not just current taxpayers but future ones as well.”
Some residents who shared their opinions last week questioned whether the projects would address the need for a ordable housing and how the development would benefit the community, a prospect District 3 Planning Commissioner Lexi Boeger entertained.
“These are the things we really need to see — projects that have a benefit to the community that outweigh the negative impacts,” Boeger said. “And, for me, housing of multiple levels that shows a robust community within a project is important.
“The other thing is walkability, (if the project is) self-sustaining; is there going to be grocery there,” Boeger continued. “These are sort of the modern ways we want to see these projects go, that have a lot of benefits that the communities need. So, just in general, we get some of these things that were entitled a long time ago when we built di erently and we had di erent community needs, and I’d really like to see a little more modern inclusion of some of this stu .”
Marble Valley proposals are ambitious. In addition to around 3,236 housing units proposed, with emphasis on replicating Sonoma/Napa Valley and Tuscany wine regions, several amenities
■ Residents able to return home
As firefighters and first responders continue to battle and contain the Crozier Fire, which sparked near Slate Mountain in northern El Dorado County, residents have started to repopulate their communities after being evacuated for several days.
As of Tuesday morning, Cal Fire reported the fire has held at 1,938 acres and was 52% contained. Cooler-thannormal temperatures and higher humidity Monday allowed fire crews to gain additional containment, according to a Cal Fire report. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
“Dozer operations are improving secondary and tertiary contingency lines, which will serve as fuel breaks in future
Sen.
switches things up
Mountain Democrat sta
California Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil, representing District 4, announced Aug. 8 her switch from Democrat to Republican.
“Since my first day in o ce I have put the interests of my constituents first. I was elected to serve the public, not a political ideology,” AlvaradoGil states in a news release. “The status quo under a supermajority Democratic rule in the Legislature is simply not working for this state. It is after deep reflection I announce that I will be joining
MAIL LABEL
Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian
ESSENTIALS
Barbara Jean Somerville
June 24, 1929 – Aug. 7, 2024
Jimmie Earl Keen
March 21, 1932 – Aug. 5, 2024
Barbara (Bobbie) Jean (Ward-Ferguson) Somerville 95 passed peacefully at her home in Amarillo, TX on August 7, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. No services will be held. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors. She was born June 24, 1929 in Contra Costa County CA to Eugene Ward (Ferguson) and Nevelyn (Henderson) Ward, along with older brother John Ward and younger sister Helen (Ward) Bonner. The family moved to the Sierra foothill town of Camino CA in her early teens, where they owned and operated the 8 Mile House, a diner/cabin motel/service station/store on the highway to Lake Tahoe during the 1940’s. She attended gradeschool in Camino and El Dorado High School in Placerville CA, graduating in 1947. She lost her mother to illness one year later. She began her work life and held positions as a phone operator for Pacific Bell, then bookkeeper/receptionist with a local doctor’s o ce. During this time she met and married Allan William Silva of Placerville in 1949, and had 3 children: Gail Nevelyn (Silva) Garrett (1953), Stanley Spencer Silva (1958) and Wayne Robert Silva (1959). She was a stay-at-home mom during their early years, returning to work as a bookkeeper during the mid-60’s. By the late 60’s Barbara had dissolved her marriage and met and married Dale Somerville in 1968, and continued living in the Placerville area. By 1971 she and Dale and the two boys relocated to Dale’s childhood area near Central Lake MI. Soon she was hired by the Antrim County Sheri ’s o ce as a Dispatcher, the first woman to hold that position. Within a short time she and Dale opened Chain O’ Lakes Auto Body in Bellaire and operated it for many years, eventually selling it and retiring in the mid-90’s. Many in the area remember her during this time as Grandma or Aunt Daisy — she was active with the elementary school-age group known as Daisy Girl Scouts. After seeing her husband thru his final years in a battle with cancer, upon his passing in 1998 she re-grouped and became active for the next 25 years in local community activities. She held positions with the Grace Community Church of Central Lake, Central Lake Public Library, Bellaire Historical Society, and others. Barbara was a frequent sight at Meadow Brook Medical Care in Bellaire where she visited and cared for many friends thru the years. Some of her personal interests included both flower and vegetable gardening, doll and quilt making, reading, spending time with her grand and great-grandchildren, and visiting with friends. Her smiling face and easy caring personality will be missed by all. The Family will hold a private ceremony in her memory. Memorial contributions may be directed to Grace Community Church, 1817 South Main St., Central Lake MI 49622 Ph. 231544-5131. Online condolences may be shared at www.boxwellbrothers.com
Leslie James McIntyre
Oct. 3, 1925 – July 22, 2024
The world has one less true gentleman in it at the passing of Leslie James McIntyre on July 22, 2024. Les was born in Los Angeles on October 3rd. 1925. He was the 3rd. of 4 boys. He moved with his family to northern California during the depression where the family eventually developed a successful turkey farm located o Hazel Ave. in Roseville. Leslie enlisted in the Army Air Corp during WWII and served nearly two years flying 17 missions over Europe as a lower turret gunner in a B17. After an honorable discharge Leslie went home to marry his high school sweetheart, Norma Nelson, and start a dairy business in Ophir, California. Les & Norma had 3 children during this time. Leslie decided the dairy business had developed as far as he wanted to go so, he returned to school & was accepted to UCSF Dental School. After graduating in 1969 he set up a dental practice in Fair Oaks, California. He practiced dentistry for nearly 20 years, retired and served 2 18-month missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One in the Fiji Islands then Zimbabwe So. Africa with his wife Norma. He continued to the end of his life serving family & church faithfully. He was preceded in death by his youngest son Timothy James McIntyre & his wife Norma McIntyre. He is survived by his oldest son Peter L. McIntyre, daughter Priscilla N. Gibson; grandchildren: Leslie McIntyre Lungren, Joel McIntyre, Rory McIntyre, Scott McIntyre, Meghan McIntyre, Natalie Gibson Oakes, April Gi bson Ogren, Turner J. Gibson; great grandchildren: Daniel Lungren, Wyatt Lungren, Alena Lungren, Hayden Lungren, Mikayla McIntyre, Declan McIntyre, Hudson Oakes, Reese Oakes, Paige Oakes, Julia McIntyre, Brock McIntyre, Luke McIntyre, Ellie Rose McIntyre, Gabriel McIntyre, Rylie McIntyre & Jack T. Gibson. Leslie’s funeral service was on August 9th 10:00 a.m. at 3431 Hacienda Dr. Cameron Park, Ca. He will be interned in the Jayhawk Cemetery in Rescue, Ca.
Jimmie passed away in his home August 5, 2024. Born to Robert and Lillie Keen March 21, 1932, was the middle of five children. Married Doloris Flockhart Nov. 11, 1951, and had four children together. Moved to Placerville 2005. Member of the Placerville Church of the Nazarene. He leaves behind two daughters, Bonnie, Connie, 9 grand, 17 great and 12 great-great-grandchildren. Services will be held at the Placerville Church of the Nazarene, 10 am, August 23, 2024. He will be laid to rest next to his wife in the Gridley/Biggs Cemetery. If you would like to make a donation in his memory the family request all donations, be made to “Placerville Church of the Nazarene – Baptistry”
Nancy A. DuPonte
July 5, 1938 – Aug. 3, 2024
Nancy A. Duponte passed away August 3, 2024 at the age of 86. Nancy leaves behind three daughters Kathleen (Paul) Casbarrow, Sherry Kemp and Lora (Kevin) Miller. Nancy also leaves behind five grandchildren, six great grandchildren, two sisters, extended family in Northern California and Texas, to many friends to list and co-workers.
Nancy was born in Sacramento and lived there with her mom and dad (Kirchgater), brother Ronald, sisters Barbara, Linda, Carol and Sandy. Nancy attended McClatchy High School where she met Jordon DuPonte and married soon after graduation. Nancy raised her family in the Bay Area and Carmichael, before settling in Placerville in the mid 70’s.
Nancy had numerous jobs over the years but none were as fulfilling as her job At Raley’s in Placerville starting in 1979 until she retired in 1996. Nancy was an early riser working in the Bakery at Raley’s where she greeted the local customers and generations of families during her three decades while working there.
Nancy loved her daughters and was always present at all her grandchildren’s school events and sporting events. Nancy loved her trips with Jordon to the ocean, visiting friends, Sunday service, and neighborhood socials. Nancy loved the rain, cloudy days and a good cup of co ee. Nancy enjoyed listening to music, especially Elvis Presley with her best friend Sharon since Kindergarten.
Nancy was always present, always went out of her way to visit her family and friends. Nancy enjoyed sewing, watching golf and even golfed a time or two with Jordon. Nancy loved her dog Nelli (x2), long walks, well done hot dogs and daily phone calls to her daughter(s).
Nancy had such an amazing impact on everyone’s life and truly was a wonderful woman. We love and miss her dearly with her beautiful blue eyes.
Je rey William Buck
Nov. 25, 1965 – July 26,2024
Je was born on Thanksgiving Day in 1965 in Newport Beach, California. He is survived by his mother, Dona Buck of Pollock Pines. He is preceded in death by his father, Bill Buck in 2017. Je is also survived by his son Dylan Buck & Alexa and grandson Coen Buck and Tristan and Evan of Junction City, Oregon. Other surviving are his sister and brother in law, Diana & Jamie Garrido and their sons Matt Garrido & Family, Bryan Garrido & Family and Scotty Garrido & Family all of El Dorado County.
Je is remembered for his love of family, friends and animals.
Je ’s ashes will be spread in the Oregon Sand Dunes along with his beloved dog Moto.
No services are planned
Dale Eugene Jackson
Jan. 12,1958 – March 31, 2024
Passed away March 31, 2024 at home after a heroic battle with cancer. He was born January 12, 1958, in Merced, California, the son of Ronald Jackson and Dorothy Shell. Dale proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1975 to 1979. For the past 29 years, Dale worked for El Dorado Water and Showers, where he managed emergency fire support equipment for multiple agencies during natural disasters and national emergencies. Dale is survived by his wife, Lesa Jackson; daughters, Cacey, Jami, and Julia; Grandsons, Aiden, and Vyvyan; brother, Rod Jackson; and sister, Beth Sargent. A celebration of life to honor Dale will be held at Green Valley Community Church on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at 1 PM. (3500 Missouri Flat Rd. Placerville, Ca 95667
John Thomas Taylor
May 31, 1970 – May 11, 2024
The following information was taken from El Dorado County sheri ’s reports:
July 14
8:31 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 29-year-old woman on suspicion of vehicle theft, possession of controlled substance and rearm, DUI and driving with suspended license on Pleasant Valley Road in Placerville. She was listed in custody in lieu of $110,000 bail.
9:31 a.m. Grand theft reported on Elder Court in Camino.
11:38 a.m. Trespassing reported on Vine Street in El Dorado Hills.
2:01 p.m. Battery reported on Sciaroni Road in Somerset.
3:15 p.m. Battery reported on Manx Road in Pollock Pines.
4:14 p.m. Petty theft reported on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.
4:50 p.m. Grand theft reported on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville.
July 15
1:53 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 33-year-old man on suspicion of two counts of probation violation on Streambed Lane in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $10,000 bail.
2:55 a.m. Assault with deadly weapon reported on Forni Road in Diamond Springs.
3:38 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 33-year-old man on suspicion of robbery on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $20,000 bail.
5:35 a.m. Vandalism reported on Country Club Drive in Cameron Park.
6:51 a.m. Battery reported on Grizzly Flat Road in Grizzly Flat.
11:32 a.m. Vandalism on Malcolm Dixon Road in El Dorado Hills.
1:29 p.m. Trespassing reported on Namaste Way in Garden Valley.
2:56 p.m. Vandalism reported on Polaris Street in Pollock Pines.
6:47 p.m. Petty theft reported on Green Valley Road in Cameron Park.
7:55 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 31-year-old woman on suspicion of shoplifting and two counts of probation violation on Coach Lane in Cameron Park. She was listed in custody.
9:21 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 46-year-old man on suspicion of burglary and possession of controlled substance on Lotus Road in Lotus. He was listed in custody in lieu of $100,000 bail.
July 16
9:59 a.m. Trespassing reported on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.
11:32 a.m. Trespassing reported on Coach Lane in Cameron Park.
3:21 p.m. Grand theft reported on Highway 49 in Lotus.
5:28 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 33-year-old man on suspicion of DUI, driving with suspended license and impersonation on Ellinghouse Drive in Cool. He was released on $5,100 bail.
7:51 p.m. Vandalism reported on State Highway 49 and American River Con uence in Cool.
July 17
1:52 p.m. Drunk in public reported on Fair Lane in Placerville.
3:32 p.m. Grand theft reported on Shoemaker Mine Road in
5:34 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 53-year-old man on suspicion
/ nstack@villagelife.net
/ mescabar@mtdemocrat.net
John Thomas Taylor, 53, of Placerville, CA, passed away on Saturday, May 11th 2024, due to complications of Type 1 diabetes. John was born on May 31st, 1970 in Santa Ana, CA to Thomas and Rosemarie Taylor. John is survived by his wife Cindy Taylor. His parents Thomas and Rosemarie Taylor of Diamond Springs. Brother, Daniel Taylor of Placerville, CA. Sister, Karen Peel and Brother in Law Nicholas Peel of Menifee, CA. Nephews: Liam, Alec, and Danny. Nieces: Zoey, Faith and Hope. A Celebration of John’s Life was held on Thursday, August 8th, at 1 p.m., at Green Valley Community Church. 3500 Missouri Flat Rd. Placerville, CA 95667
July 18
9:08 a.m. Burglary
/ lettyb@mtdemocrat.net
rescue a success
ADHD symptoms in autistic children linked to neighborhood conditions
UC Davis MIND Institute
News release
SACRAMENTO —
Autistic youth who were born in underserved neighborhoods are more likely to have greater attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder symptoms than those born in communities with more resources.
This is one finding of a new study led by researchers at the UC Davis MIND Institute.
This is the first time researchers have investigated how neighborhood factors are associated with ADHD in autistic and non-autistic children.
The study provides new insights into mental health conditions and has the potential to inform public policy changes to improve
health equity. It was published in the journal JCPP Advances.
“We found that some neighborhood factors are strongly related to ADHD symptoms in autistic children,” said Catrina Calub, the first author on the paper. Calub is a postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of Julie Schweitzer, a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the MIND Institute.
“In this study, we didn’t find this effect in typically developing kids or in kids with other developmental disabilities, only in the autistic children. It suggests that when autistic kids live in neighborhoods with fewer resources, they tend to have more pronounced ADHD
symptoms,” Calub said.
ADHD symptoms can include higher rates of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.
It is associated with:
• Challenges in school performance and relationships with friends
• Lower self-esteem and greater risk for anxiety and depression
• Higher potential for substance use disorders and accidents
• Emotional dysregulation and conduct problems
Study expands findings from longterm research
The researchers used data from two studies: the decadeslong Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment
led
at the MIND Institute and the ReCHARGE follow-up project.
PG&E expands energy bill assistance
Paul Moreno PG&E
OAKLAND — To provide additional financial assistance to more households with past-due energy bills, Pacific Gas and Electric Company is modifying guidelines mid-year for the Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help program. REACH and REACH Triple Match help qualifying low- to moderate-income customers pay their past-due energy bill and help prevent service disconnections.
“We want to ensure more customers have the support they need to get their energy bills back on track,” said Vincent Davis, PG&E senior vice president, Customer Experience. “With a more robust bill credit and broader income eligibility, we can provide greater financial relief to the households that need it most.”
Based on recent customer data, PG&E anticipates approximately 65,000 more customers can qualify for REACH and REACH Triple Match assistance under the new guidelines.
PG&E has provided more than $17.2 million in financial assistance to more than 25,000 incomeeligible customers through REACH and REACH Triple Match since January.
Expanded benefits & how to apply
Bill credit doubled: The maximum customer bill credit that can be applied to a past-due balance has increased from $1,000 to $2,000 for REACH and REACH Triple Match (total not higher than customer’s past due amount).
Increased income limit: A larger pool of incomeeligible customers now qualifies for REACH Triple Match, which provides a 3-to-1 match on customer payments of $50 or more to further reduce an unpaid balance. For example, a family of four making up to $156,000/year could qualify for assistance. Income limits for REACH and REACH Triple Match are set at different thresholds and both use federal income guidelines.
Past-due balance amount: Qualifying customers can now participate in the program regardless of their past due balance, which was previously capped at $2,000, and customers on a payment plan are also now eligible. Additional benefits available for 2024 recipients: Qualifying customers who already participated in REACH or REACH Triple Match will be offered
News release
Congressman Ton McClintock invites residents to join his staff at upcoming district office hours in El Dorado County to discuss important issues facing the nation and the district, along with any difficulties they may be experiencing with a federal agency. Field representatives will be available to assist at the following locations and times:
Noon to 1 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 14, at Congressman McClintock’s District Office (Conference Room), 4359 Town Center Blvd,, Suite 210, El Dorado Hills.
2-3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, at the El Dorado County Government Center (Conference Room A), 330 Fair Lane in Placerville.
Staff are also available to assist at both district office locations, 9 a.m.
and have
(CHARGE) study
by Irva Hertz-Picciotto
Photo courtesy of EDSO
An EDSAR rescue technician is lowered down to help an injured hiker at Lake Aloha.
fire events,” reads an Aug. 13 Cal Fire report on the incident.
The fire, which started early Aug. 7 near the Mosquito and Swansboro communities, increased in size in the steep, rugged terrain with little to no containment due to high temperatures and an abundance of dry fire fuel, threatening thousands of structures and concerning many residents who had to evacuate.
Those concerns were alleviated at a joint meeting hosted by Cal Fire, U.S. Forest Service – Eldorado National Forest, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and Incident Management Team 5 at Sutter’s Mill Elementary School on Sunday, where the incidentresponding agencies announced no homes were destroyed or damaged.
They also announced that evacuation orders in areas including Georgetown, Garden Valley, Quintette and Volcanoville were also lifted. Areas in Mosquito and Swansboro remain under evacuation orders, but are currently in the process of being repopulated while fire crews continue to mop up hot spots in the fire’s perimeter. Orders were lifted for Mosquito and Swansboro residents the following day. As of press time Tuesday, Rock Creek Road was designated the only entry route and Mosquito Road the only exit route for those communities. Nearby roads and trails in the Eldorado National Forest remain closed.
“This traffic flow plan will assist everyone in safely returning home and aid the emergency personnel who are still working in the area,” reads Cal Fire’s report. “Please be cautious as you return to areas that are being repopulated, being aware of emergency personnel, vehicles and equipment that will still be operating in the area.”
Approximately 1,600 personnel, 99 engines, 41 tankers, 33 dozers and 12 helicopters were working the Crozier Fire as of Tuesday. The Placerville Airport has served as a base for many flight operations and remained closed to the public as of press time.
“The challenges were obviously … the steep terrain, the fuels. For the last six weeks it has been so dry that it’s drying out the fuels, making them very receptive to rollout and spot fires,” shared the IMT 5 Operations Chief Jeff Loveless during the Sunday community meeting, who added the fire was “throwing embers kind of like a leapfrog,” causing issues in establishing a fire line after flames were first spotted in the middle of the night. Winds moving upslope during the day and then down at night allowed the fire to “breathe” creating dangerous conditions.
Fire responding agencies are cautiously optimistic; there is another hot spell that could move through the region this coming weekend, according to incident meteorologist Tom Wright.
“The good thing is we’re cresting this heatwave,” Wright said Sunday. “We’re starting to come down so we’re going to see a little bit better temperatures, a little bit higher humidities — especially at night.”
Crews on the ground performing firing operations and pilots in the air dropping retardant and water slowed the fire’s growth, according to Loveless.
“The aircraft was able to slow the fire down enough to end up getting some hotshots and our crews in there,” he said, adding these efforts pushed the fire back into itself, burning fuel more toward the center of the containment area. Teams will continue their efforts until the fire is “completely mitigated,” Loveless said Sunday.
Evacuation orders were implemented in the
Mosquito and Swansboro communities Aug. 7, which expanded to surrounding areas in the Divide the following day.
At the heights of evacuation orders, more than 3,000 people were evacuated with more than 5,000 under warning, with approximately 200 animals sheltered, according to Lt. Troy Morton of the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.
It was fortunate that EDSO, in partnership with Cal Fire, U.S. Forest Service and other agencies held a town hall about fire danger and evacuations July 25, according to Michael Lilienthal, who is acting as the incidents liaison with the El Dorado County’s Office of Emergency Services.
“We had started working on a plan about what we would do if there was a large fire in Mosquito due to the remote nature of it and one of its biggest challenges, being the limited access,” Lilienthal told the Mountain Democrat. “You have the Mosquito Bridge, which is a very small, unstable bridge, in terms of heavy apparatus going across it, and the issues with access on Rock Creek Road. If you have fire engines going up and you have people trying to evacuate at the same time, (Rock Creek Road) becomes very problematic because the road is not big enough for that to occur.”
Many of the same residents who attended that town hall became Crozier Fire evacuees, according to Lilienthal.
Mutual aid from nearby first responding agencies, including those in Folsom, Placer and Sacramento counties and the Shingle Springs Rancheria Tribal Police, in addition to EDSO personnel, and the community being prepared to evacuate led to successful evacuations, Morton added.
the Senate Republican Caucus and the California Republican Party in their fight to Fix California.
“Since I’ve served in our state’s Capitol, I’ve had a front-row seat to witness the supermajority push California in the wrong direction, having a grave effect on our once Golden state,” she continues.
“The Democratic Party is unrecognizable to what I once knew and lacks the will to fix the problems plaguing this state. I cannot stand by a party that ignores the will of the people and disregards the core American values that my very community supports and believes in.”
District 4 covers a large area of California’s central, eastern edge and includes all or parts of Stanislaus, Calaveras, Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Alpine, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Madera, Mono and Inyo counties.
El Dorado County’s political groups predictably had mixed reactions to the news.
A statement sent to the Mountain Democrat from El Dorado County Democrats called Alvarado-Gil’s decision “disappointing.”
“Voters trusted her to represent them and she has betrayed that trust. There is a big difference between the values of the party of Trump and those of Democrats fighting to protect our basic freedoms,” the Democrats’ statement reads.
“This move may be politically expedient in the short term for Sen. Alvarado-Gil as she looks ahead to reelection in 2026, but siding with extremism is never the right choice. To be clear, the Republican Party in El Dorado County is extreme and that’s what she is beckoning others to join,” the message continues. “Sen. Alvarado-Gil will undoubtedly be celebrated in this moment by MAGA Republican politicians in Senate District 4, but once the dust settles Republican voters would be wise to ask themselves if they can trust her any more than Democrats can.”
Todd White with the El Dorado County Republican Party said he and fellow Republicans welcome Alvarado-Gil and any other legislator who might make the switch.
“With the rising cost of everything in this state and an unbearable tax structure, our party looks forward to more Democrats seeing the light and becoming Republicans,” White shared in an email to the Mountain Democrat. “In the coming days we will be working with the senator to ensure her commitment to conservative ideals and making life better for hard-working families in the 4th State Senate District.”
A statement from CAGOP Communications notes Alvarado-Gil is known for her “bipartisan approach, notably diverging from norms earlier this year as she was recognized by media for her efforts with Senate Republicans to compassionately clear homeless encampments. Showcasing bold action and her strength as a leader, she even revoked support for bills when the supermajority prioritized politics over public safety.”
“I will continue to aggressively advocate for fiscal
“(The residents) saw there was a fire in their community and recognized it was time to go and people started to leave on their own. Then, when we started placing warnings and orders, people were leaving in large groups,” Morton said. “They take it seriously and understand that a wildfire in the Swansboro and Mosquito area could be very dangerous.”
Evacuees who needed overnight accommodations were sent to the Cameron Park Community Center, which served as an emergency shelter until Monday.
During the Sunday meeting, law enforcement agencies also addressed arson arrest rumors, and requested the public vet their sources.
Placerville Police officers arrested a 50-year-old man on suspicion of arson in the early morning of Aug. 7 near a gas station on Forni Road, sparking rumors about the Crozier Fire’s possible cause.
Placerville Police Cmdr. Dan Maciel confirmed to the Mountain Democrat last Thursday the arrest was “in no way connected” to the Crozier Fire or any other recent fire in the county.
The best way to get information is to check with trusted sources like EDSO and Cal Fire, which is in charge of the fire investigation, according to first responder agency officials. County residents are also encouraged to refer to Perimeter Map online for the latest evacuation warnings and notices, and to sign up for EDSO’s emergency alert system RAVE, which can be found at ready.edso.org. El Dorado County also has a Crozier Fire information page online with important information. Visit eldoradocounty.ca.gov.
Noel Stack contributed to the article.
responsibility, policies that protect and restore community safety, that support our veterans, tackle the homelessness crisis with accountability, and lower living costs,” Alvarado-Gil explains. “I look forward to collaborating with my Republican colleagues on their plan to Fix California and continuing to lead with a pragmatic approach on issues affecting my district and this great state.”
Alvarado-Gil has led the charge on numerous anti-crime measures, including efforts to address the fentanyl crisis, combat human trafficking, protect child victims of sex trafficking, make the rape of an unconscious person a violent felony and crack down on the dumping of sexually violent predators in rural communities.
“It takes courage to stand up to the supermajority in California and Marie has what it takes,” Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones states in the CAGOP release. “Her record on tackling crime, protecting communities from sexually violent predators and prioritizing her constituents speaks for itself. Senate Republicans are committed to addressing the real issues facing communities across the state and look forward to adding an eager spit fire like Marie to the cause.”
Jones, who worked closely with Alvarado-Gil on several key Republican-priority measures in recent months, welcomes her with open arms.
“It’s no secret that California’s political landscape is heavily weighted to the left, but with increasing attention on issues worsened by Democrat policies, we can continue making strides in our fight,” he shares. “The pendulum is swinging in this great state. If we’re going to fix California, we need pragmatic leaders like Marie who have seen firsthand the impact of the supermajority’s policies on communities and want to change it for the better. For anyone else who might be tired of witnessing the supermajority run this state into the ground, we have a seat at our table for you, too.”
“Senator Alvarado-Gil has represented her community as an independent, fiscallyconservative voice in Sacramento, and we are honored to have her represent them going forward as a member of the Republican Party,” adds California Republican Party Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson. “While California Democrats continue to lose voters, the California Republican Party keeps adding in every congressional and legislative district and in every county. We are overjoyed today that this now includes Sen. Alvarado-Gil.
“California Democrats’ failed one-party rule has had disastrous consequences throughout the Golden State and instead of fixing critical issues like rampant crime, a homeless crisis and an outrageous cost of living, they have driven our state to the top of all the wrong lists,” Patterson continues. “Thankfully, the constituents in Senate District 4 have a leader in Sacramento who will fight alongside the California Republican Party to move our state in the right direction once again.”
the opportunity to participate a second time under the new guidelines, with up to a $2,000 total benefit available for 2024. The revised criteria are aimed at helping more customers address high past-due amounts, especially over the hot summer months when energy usage typically peaks. Information on how to apply is online at pge.com/en/account/ billing-and-assistance. html.
Dollar Energy Fund
PG&E recently
contributed $55 million to support the nonprofit Dollar Energy Fund, marking an expansion of the REACH program. This contribution is funded through PG&E and not customer rates. DEF operates separately from PG&E. DEF, a nonprofit entity, administers the funding for the REACH program, operating 170 offices across Northern and Central California. PG&E customers, including those in need of in-language support or help with their applications, can contact an agency in their
including office and retail space, public parks, a concert venue, a vineyard, potential public schools, a fire station and more are proposed for the specific plan.
Lime Rock Valley, which would be developed next to Marble Valley, would feature approximately 800 mixed-density housing units on 740 acres and have public and private open space with a multi-use trail system.
The projects are available for review at engageeldorado.us.engagementhq. com/edc-projects-in-your-area.
Though the chance for public comment for the draft environmental reviews for both projects have ended, some residents who live near the projects said the documents leave a lot to be desired. Traffic, wildfire danger, sudden increases in population and funding the large proposals were a few of the concerns expressed during the meeting, similar to those who attended at the projects’ open house June 11.
“There are a number of inconsistencies throughout the draft EIR that are either inaccurate or largely missing, so that is concerning, and also for the significant unavoidable impacts the draft fails to analyze and discuss potential mitigation measures that would reduce the impact,” said Beth Thompson, a resident of neighboring Cameron Estates. “They are also deficient in that they fail to disclose and analyze the growth reduction impacts of the project.”
Residents, like Thompson, said the draft EIR for both projects did not “adequately” address several issues, including how roads and the current existing roadway systems would operate, water supply and treatment, wildlife habitat, fire hazards, circulation and air quality.
Cameron Park Community Services District board members and some residents they represent questioned the benefits of building such projects.
“(The draft EIRs) fail to
CHARGE and ReCHARGE assess how genetics, environment and other factors affect development from early childhood (2–5 years) through adolescence (8-20 years).
The team looked at 246 autistic children, 85 with developmental delays (without autism), and 193 who were neurotypical. Then, they applied the Child Opportunity Index, which uses census data to track over 30 neighborhood traits. These traits include socioeconomics, green space, single-parent households and concentration of early childhood education centers.
The index encompasses three domains: education, health and environment, and social and economic resources. Higher scores are linked to better childhood health. Of the three domains, the education and social and economic resources scores were most strongly related to ADHD symptoms.
The analysis showed the Child Opportunity Index scores at birth were a strong predictor for ADHD symptoms in adolescence in the autistic children but not in the other groups. Calub noted the finding was unexpected.
“These results are quite concerning,” Calub said. “Those with both autism and ADHD are already more likely to have additional challenges — behaviorally, cognitively, emotionally and socially. Being born in a lowincome neighborhood puts them at an even greater disadvantage. This just adds to the evidence that more resources are needed for underserved areas and specifically for those who have conditions like autism.”
county or apply online at hardshiptools.org/ MyApp. Applicants can also call 1-800-933-9677 for assistance.
Other assistance programs
PG&E has other assistance programs to help income-eligible customers pay their energy bills: California Alternate Rates for Energy: provides a monthly discount of 20% or more on gas and electricity bills. New federal income eligibility guidelines
adequately address impacts on our parks and recreation services within the Cameron Park CSD and the impacts on our fire service,” CPCSD Director Tim Israel said. “The county operates under a mutual aid system and the first closest fire department that’s available ... is the Cameron Park Fire Department for all of Lime Rock and a large portion of Marble Valley. When would the fire station be built … 10, 15, 20 years? We need protection from fire, not just evacuation routes.”
Auditor-Controller Joe Harn also addressed the board with his concern about funding and traffic mitigation; due to the county potentially having to refund tens of millions of dollars due to a lack of following the Mitigation Fee Act from 2013 to 2016 and Geroge Sheetz vs. El Dorado County case, Harn said he believes the county “cannot count on our Traffic Impact Fee program to mitigate traffic caused by new development.”
“I recommend that these proposed specific plans be conditioned to require precise road improvements be funded and constructed by these two applicants based on certain milestones and in some cases prior to the issuance of the first building permit,” Harn states in an email to the Mountain Democrat. “Further, I recommend that serious consideration be given to a joint traffic circulation study that includes these two projects, along with the proposed Town and Country Village project.”
Officials with G3 Enterprises (Lime Rock) and Parker Development (Marble Valley) will have opportunities to address these concerns at future hearings, as of yet unscheduled.
“It’s a really big project, two big projects, and our role is to make sure that it pencils out for the broader public, and I would just encourage (the developers) to continue having discussions with the community, because that’s going to be really important going forward,” said Planning Commission chair Andy Nevis.
The need for a larger, more diverse sample
Calub pointed out that more research is needed to determine if the results would apply to a larger group.
“It will be important for future studies to be larger and more diverse. That should help us learn whether neighborhood conditions might also influence ADHD symptoms in other groups such as youth without autism, or in Black, Asian and Native American individuals, who were under-represented in our sample,” Calub added.
These findings also offer clues for how to target preventive strategies to reduce the risk of increased ADHD symptoms, noted Schweitzer, who was also a co-author on the study.
“ADHD is highly prevalent in the general population and is common in autistic youth. If we can find ways to increase resources in these neighborhoods, we have the potential to improve academic, social, mental and physical health outcomes, particularly for autistic youth, and also decrease long-term economic costs,” Schweitzer explained.
Calub and Schweizer believe the study’s findings should encourage policymakers to provide more resources for underserved communities. In addition, they hope including the Child Opportunity Index and other neighborhood metrics could provide new insights into future studies to inform policy.
Co-authors on the study include Irva Hertz-Picciotto and Deborah Bennett, both in the Department of Public Health Sciences at UC Davis.
OPINION
State’s ballot initiatives become pawns in Democrat schemes
The shocking national political events have rightfully dominated the news of the past few weeks. But in relative obscurity, governments everywhere are still working and the California political establishment has been busy waging a war of deception and disempowerment against our citizens.
This time, they’re targeting the ballot initiative process, an important form of direct democracy.
First is the death of the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act, a voter-rights initiative aimed at putting the brakes on runaway taxes and fees plaguing our famously expensive state.
TPGAA would have put the tax- and fee-increase reins in voter hands, as summarized by the Wall Street Journal: “The initiative would require a majority of voters to approve taxes adopted by the Legislature.
Both the Legislature and voters would have to approve regulatory action that increases state revenue. Charges for specific government services or products like fishing licenses would have to reflect the actual cost of providing the service or product. The initiative would also raise the threshold for localities to pass all special taxes to twothirds.”
But the California Legislature is sadly and shockingly procriminal. To them, “the system” is always the problem, never the people who are lling up shopping carts and walking out of stores in broad daylight ...
When the initiative qualified to be placed on the ballot this November, what did Gov. Gavin Newsom, the man who supposedly represents all 40 million Californians, do? He sued to get it removed from the ballot and a hyper-partisan California court sided with the governor and removed the measure. The governor and Legislature can’t let anything disrupt their endless taxing and spending. The people won’t even have a chance to tighten the reins on government growth. So much for democracy.
Next up are two cynical, pro-crime smokescreens floated by the Legislature and Gov. Newsom
Richard B. Esposito
Letters to the Editor
Secret Service plans
EDITOR:
The reports coming from the assassination attempt on Trump have become very troubling to me. By all appearances, the Secret Service did very poor planning for, and execution of, their duties to protect Trump. It appears that the SS did not utilize the requirements imposed in federal law by the National Incident Management System in 2004 and that remain in e ect, as amended, today.
As background, I served as a search and rescue volunteer for 27 years in El Dorado County. Additionally, I was SMUD’s primary liaison to the Emergency Operations Center during the King Fire in 2014 and I had peripheral involvement at the Caldor Fire Command Post in 2021. I have undergone extensive NIMS training as a SAR volunteer.
NIMS provides very e ective management guidelines for wildland fire, SAR, political rallies and all medium to large events and emergencies. By federal mandate, NIMS was required to be used at the Butler County, Pa., rally; however, by all indications, NIMS was not used. The key front-end requirement of NIMS is to establish an incident action plan prior to the event. An IAP will establish, among many other things, radio communication plans and define the assignments, by location, of the protection. This planning was obviously not done. If an IAP was prepared, why has this not been made public?
GRANT NELSON Placerville
A stark contrast
EDITOR:
Iwas watching a documentary about children in China whose parents are convicted of a capital crime. These crimes include rioting, financial crimes and, my favorite, counter-revolution. What is interesting is what happens to the children after the parents are incarcerated. China’s government doesn’t feed, house or educate the children, regardless of age. And the children are treated as outcasts in a communist country. The grandparents are treated as outcasts also for the crimes their children committed.
The documentary explained the thought process with the Chinese proverb: A tiger does not give birth to a dog. This means that children are punished for what their parents did.
I don’t think that there is a better way to show the di erence between Communist China and the USA. America was founded on Judeo-Christian principle Ezekiel 18:19-23: “The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son” while the Communist Chinese have made the Bible illegal.
Election rhetoric
EDITOR:
Election rhetoric from MAGA Republicans is ramping up. Trump has said some strange things recently. He urged one group to vote because this would be the last time they needed to vote because he is going to “fix it.” To other groups he has said they do not need to vote because he already has enough votes.
Then there is his regular line the election is going to be “rigged” by Democrats, so he is urging his followers to stand ready. The FBI and CIA have already given notice there is increased activity among conservative militia groups.
Just as concerning is the rhetoric from some MAGA election o cials saying they will not certify the elections under their jurisdictions. The thought seems to be that if one or more counties do not certify, then the entire state cannot certify. Some sources even say these election o cials no longer believe in the electoral process, so it is an attempt to sabotage the entire system. It has already been tried in a few local and state elections, but they were unsuccessful because the courts forced them to certify. Will the courts continue to do the right thing in 2024?
Then there is the question of the Supreme Court. If chaos ensues and justices are called on to make decisions regarding the election or even who won, will the conservative judges do the right thing and follow the law or will they put their thumbs on the scale in favor of Mr. Trump?
Trump already has incited a mob to storm
■ See LETTERS, page A7
Will the Chevron decision fix big government?
The Supreme Court recently ruled to overturn the Chevron doctrine precedent that has stood since 1984.
Recent precedent reversals, such as the overturning of Roe v. Wade, have gotten much more attention. But this change is of enormous importance and everyone should know what it’s about.
In the 1984 Chevron ruling, an environmental group, the Natural Resources Defense Council, sued to overturn a decision by the Reaganera Environmental Protection Agency to ease regulation of emissions.
The court ruled to uphold the EPA decision, reasoning that, unless the point of dispute had been addressed by Congress, the federal agency’s interpretation of a statute should stand.
The growth of power of federal agencies over the years following this decision has been of great concern, with many seeing the executive
branch, of which federal agencies are a part, usurping both the legislative authority of Congress and the judicial authority of the court.
Per Scotusblog.com, the Chevron decision has been cited by federal courts more than 18,000 times.
Practically speaking, the scope and power of unelected bureaucrats over the lives of private citizens has increased dramatically over the years.
Per the Competitive Enterprise Institute, in 2023, federal agencies issued 3,018 final rules with the force and e ect of law, compared to 68 bills passed into law by Congress.
CEI estimates the annual cost of regulation to be $2.1 trillion. This is 2.5 times larger than our defense budget.
Supreme Court Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch has just released a new book entitled “Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law.”
Gorsuch estimates that since 1970, the number of federal crimes on the
The preamble to the Constitution notes its purpose is to “secure the blessings of liberty ourselves and our posterity.” But with the decline of faith, government has become the new religion.
books has doubled. Per the book, U.S. statutory law runs to 60,000 pages, with another 188,000 pages of regulations, imposing on the American people 9.8 billion manhours of paperwork annually.
The Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge by two fishing companies to a rule issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The court upheld the challenge, thus overturning the Chevron precedent.
Justice John Roberts in his decision noted the Chevron precedent is inconsistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, which directs that it is the responsibility of the court, not the federal agency, to decide if the agency is interpreting a statute correctly.
Justice Clarence Thomas weighed in, noting the Chevron doctrine is an a ront to the constitutional division of authority among the three branches of government, giving authority to the executive branch “to exercise powers not given to it.”
It is vital not to forget that the vision of the nation’s founders was a free country. But no matter how brilliantly a constitution is written and designed to limit government, ultimately it is human beings that pass, implement and interpret law.
The outcomes depend on the individuals who do all this.
After Congress passed Obamacare in 2010, with no Republican votes, the new law then went to the Department of Health and Human Services for implementation. The provision requiring that providers include preventative care in their plans necessitated a definition of “preventive care.” HHS included in the definition birth control, contraception and sterilization.
In 2015, the court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges to redefine marriage to include individuals of the same sex. How can we possibly leave
■ See PARKER, page A7
KEN STEERS Cameron Park
STAR PARKER
TED GAINES
Guest column
Continued from A6
to cloud the result of an actual tough-on-crime initiative on the November ballot.
The initiative, Prop. 36, would undo some of the infamous Prop. 47, which essentially legalized shoplifting under $950 and gave blessing to openair drug markets, turning California into a criminals’ paradise and pushing retailers to the brink.
Prop. 36 will put some teeth back into the criminal justice system, protect businesses and families, punish criminals for a change and mend the social fabric weakened by rampant crime and drug-den takeovers of our public spaces.
But the California Legislature is sadly and shockingly pro-criminal. To them, “the system” is always the problem, never the people who are filling up shopping carts and walking out of stores in broad daylight with no fear of punishment.
So, they sprang into action by drafting a package of bills that sounded tough-on-crime but included “poison pills,” meaning the bills would be voided if Prop. 36 passed. Voters reading the ballot summary for Prop. 36 could have been confused, thinking they were weakening law enforcement by voting for the measure.
Thankfully, this shameful deceit eventually collapsed under a massive outcry by law enforcement and a public weary of crime.
After the bills failed, Gov. Newsom floated another initiative to compete with Prop. 36, again to soften and undermine the commonsense changes found
in the people’s initiative. That last-minute e ort cratered as well because even legislative Democrats refused to support a competing proposition to Prop. 36, leaving the people with an honest chance to change the course of the state this coming November.
Sacramento Democrats also understand that having Prop. 36 on the ballot hurts their chances in November. Their e orts to thwart the reforms in the initiative are as much political as they are philosophical.
Instead of obsessive politicking, the Democrats should look at their own policies and try to understand why a measure that punishes criminals, creates safe neighborhoods and businesses and closes drug markets is considered an electoral threat to them.
The capitol is the people’s building, not a walled fortress to protect incumbents and special interests, and voters are not an inconvenience to be shooed away by the courts or by trickery.
Despite the worst e orts of Sacramento Democrats, the people still have a chance to support Prop. 36 in November and build a brighter future for our state.
Sen. Ted Gaines (ret.) was elected to represent the Board of Equalization’s First District, representing nearly 10 million constituents in 34 counties of northern, eastern and southern California. For more information visit boe.ca.gov/Gaines.
it to judges to define what is marriage?
The preamble to the Constitution notes its purpose is to “secure the blessings of liberty ourselves and our posterity.”
But with the decline of faith, government has become the new religion. When citizens want government to run their life the Constitution will get interpreted to accommodate this.
In 1965, 70% said religion is “very important” in their life and in that year government consumed 15.9% of GDP.
In 2023, 45% said religion is “very important” in their life and government consumed 22.4% of GDP. We might say the cost of big government is the price we pay for a heathen society.
Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and host of the weekly television show “Cure America with Star Parker.” Her recent book, “What Is the CURE for America?” is available now. Parker Continued from A6
the Capitol to prevent the certification of the 2020 election. The Heritage Foundation is also threatening a violent second revolution if Democrats do not stand aside. Will MAGA Republicans truly resort to violence if Trump does not win?
What the MAGA Republicans are saying could not be clearer. If they lose the election, they will do everything they can to force their conservative authoritarian and Christian nationalistic views on America. They seem to believe they have the right if not the obligation to do so under some illusion that they know what is best for all Americans.
Given the anti-democratic, bizarre and racist rhetoric, it’s hard for me to believe the polls are so close and Trump could win the election. Is Trump’s authoritarian vision what they honestly want? Is it that they do not understand the potential consequences of a Trump victory? Is it simply denial?
While MAGA Republicans seem to have given up on democracy and the Constitution, Democrats have not. We will continue to strive for equality and justice for all Americans. We will continue to push for health coverage for all Americans. We will continue to look forward to a better future and not slide back to our racist, homophobic, sexist past. We will fight for an economy that provides goodpaying jobs for all Americans. We will make the changes necessary to save our planet from climate change. We are not afraid of the future, change or di erence. The choice is ours to make.
SCOTT TAYLOR Placerville
Announcements
AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 3342970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot.com
AMERICAN ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 4177138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net
AMERICAN LEGION POST 119 welcomes Veterans and guests to attend our monthly membership dinner and meeting the rst Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM. Legionpost119.org
El DORADO COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheri ’s o ce, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net
LEARN & PLAY CRIBBAGE
Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels **Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress) **Beginner instruction available **Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments. Call 916-212-2465 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday, 12 noon at Steve’s Pizza, 3941 Park Dr., El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762
Struggling with life? CELEBRATE RECOVERY is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/ DEMOCRATS – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems.org for more information.
GOLD RUSH CHORUS now welcomes both men and women to share the joy of singing four-part harmony in the barbershop style. To learn more or to book a performance, call Howard at (530) 647-6513 or Kent (530) 651-3575
HANGTOWN WOMEN’S TENNIS CLUB. Come play tennis for fun and friendship. Meet at El Dorado High School, Acacia Street, Placerville, Wed 9 AM – 11 AM. (June - Aug 8 AM –10 AM). Social activities, lessons. Minimal cost. Not a beginners group. Some tennis experience/ability required. Call Cindy 805-540-8654. MONDAY CLUB BRIDGE seeks more players. The club is a very informal, friendly group and invites interested men and women party bridge players to join. The club meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at Denny’s Restaurant on Fair Lane in Placerville at 10:00 am. Addiction or Relationship problem? Call 530 231-7728 our free counseling can help you. Positive Realism, 3430 Robin Ln., Cameron Park. Meet rst and third Wednesday of every month, 7pm. Come and have a paid lunch with the Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA) for CalPERS retirees and spouses. The meetings are held at 11:30AM on May 20, July 15, September 16, November 18,2024 at Denny’s (3446 Coach Lane) Cameron Park. Call 530 919 7515 for programs and information.
SENIOR PEER COUNSELING Seniors 55 and over who are grieving, depressed or having issues related to aging can meet one-on-one with a caring senior, professionally supervised and trained to listen and encourage. Call (530)621-6304 to leave a message and get started.
TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION OF EL DORADO COUNTY Our mission is to educate the public on tax issues that a ect them. Our meetings are held every Monday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 at Denny’s Restaurant, Fair Lane Drive, Placerville. Meetings are open to the public. For more information call Louis (530) 622-6763. We are a non-partisan organization.
Barton Health, nurse union still without a contract almost seven years after unionization
Katelyn Welsh Tahoe Daily Tribune
SOUTH LAKE
TAHOE — A majority of nurses at Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe voted to unionize in November 2017. Now, after almost seven years, two strikes and countless negotiations, the union and hospital still have no contract.
Concerns over patient safety surrounding nurse breaks, nursepatient ratios and other matters sparked unionization, which 80% of nurses supported. “It was overwhelmingly a majority,” said California Nurses Association labor representative Shawn Bartlett, “and a mandate against the hospital’s way that they had been treating nurses for years.”
Also of note, he added, are the two strikes, one in 2019 and the other in 2021, resulting in almost 100% of nurses honoring the picket line. “… which is unheard of in any strike that you see.”
On the other hand, Barton leaders have said they prioritize nurse health and happiness and strive to meet state standards.
Although years of negotiations have passed with still no contract, that’s not to say that nurses haven’t seen any progress.
Lisa Malone, nurse and union bargaining representative, said she has seen
positive changes since unionization in her 20 years on and off at Barton. Nurses are now getting breaks with relief nurses. Previous to the union, Malone said many nurses didn’t take breaks or lunches, making it challenging to find time for a meal or bathroom break.
“Not only does it have a physical impact on you, but it has a mental health impact on you,” Malone shared. “The nurses are dealing with extremely stressful situations.”
“I worked nights in the ER before the union was a thing, and we would just chart and eat
at the nurses’ station,” she added. “… that’s just what you did; that’s all we knew.”
Dorothy Dean, nurse and another member of the union bargaining unit, explained nurse breaks aren’t just for the nurses. “Breaks are patient care,” she said, “because you want a well-rested, mentally fit nurse taking care of you.”
Another improvement nurses have experienced since unionization involve nurse-topatient ratios. In 2004 California implemented AB394, establishing nurse-to-patient ratios statewide and dictating
how many patients a nurse can take on in one shift.
The ratio differs from hospital unit to hospital unit, or patient to patient, due to the difference in patient severity or stability. For example, the ratio is one nurse to one patient for a trauma patient in an ER, whiles it’s one-totwo for ICU patients and for postpartum women only units it’s one-to-six.
Numerous studies over the last 20-plus years on nurse-topatient ratios find that as more patients are added to a nurse’s workload, patient outcomes get worse in terms of mortality, length of hospital stay, re-admission and quality of care.
One study in 2010 specific to California’s ratios found the mandated ratios were associated with lower mortality and better nurse retention.
Although the state implemented ratios as early as 2004, Barton did not implement the state mandated ratios in medical/surgical units until around the time nurses unionized in 2017. A rural waiver approved by the California Department of Public Health allowed the hospital to get by on a more lax ratio of one-to-six in medical/ surgical units. Without the waiver, the state requirement in those units is one-to-five. The law mandating the ratios provides flexibility for rural general acute care hospitals in response to their special needs.
The hospital said it did adhere to state mandated ratios in all other units both before and after the exemption.
were moved to the medical/surgical unit.
“You would have a [telemetry] patient, a pediatric patient and four regular patients,”
Dean explained. “Well, that exponentially makes the job so much harder.”
According to the state mandated requirements in telemetry and pediatric units, the ratio of nurse to patients is one-to-four.
Barton Chief Nursing Officer Carla Adams said the hospital does meet or exceeds these ratios consistently. “In the very few instances where a surge of patients admitted exceeds the staffed ratio, supervisors may request a nurse from the float pool or from another unit to come help or the supervisor will step in and accept patients until staffing ratios are resolved during the shift,” she explained. Although improvements have been made in certain aspects, the union wants the security of a legal document to ensure the improvements continue, especially as the hospital prepares to move across the border to Nevada. Barton recently released proposed plans of a new building where the old Lakeview Inn and Casino resided.
California is one of the few states with nursepatient ratios and the requirement would go away with the move.
articles of a potential contract with less than 10 still on the table.
However, Bartlett said those outliers that can’t be agreed upon are some of the most important. The hospital and union have gone back and forth on these issues for about four years. Although once a culprit, COVID and the Caldor Fire are now no longer to blame for lack of progress.
“We’re kind of at a point now where we’re just a little bit stuck it seems like,” Malone said. This has led to nurses at union meetings expressing uncertainty over how long they can continue if things don’t change.
Befu said the hospital has no barriers to coming to an agreement. “In fact, Barton presented a full contract proposal to the union in February 2020. The union chose not to share that proposal with nurses.”
Bartlett, with the union, said nurses are fully informed about what’s on the table.
“Nurses demonstrated multiple times through striking, op-eds and petitions about what they think of Barton’s proposals.
“Nurses are independent thinkers and there are nurses at the bargaining table every session, so it’s insulting to the very nurses they claim to care for to act as though they struck without knowing why,” he added. It doesn’t appear change will come soon. One of the outstanding articles is now caught up in a complaint to the National Labor Relations Board. The union filed the complaint on April 22 regarding per diem changes the hospital made without consulting the union, according to another California Nurse Association labor representative Felix Huerta Jr. Barton officials filed a complaint with the labor board shortly thereafter, on April 30. However, the hospital’s administration has declined to comment on both matters until the board makes a ruling.
The union considers just about every element of a would be contract as a safety proposal, including another outstanding articles concerning wages.
“You’re not going to get seasoned, quality nurses if you’re not willing to provide and make the investment in them to come here and to get them to stay,” Bartlett said.
Dean said the way to acquire nurse-patient ratios in states that don’t require them is to have language requiring ratios in a union contract. The union’s proposal to the hospital incorporates California standards into the contract so the standard would be honored in Nevada, but the hospital has yet to accept that part of the proposal.
Dean said her issue with the rural exemption is exemplified on a good ski day or in the summer, when population increases.
According to the Tahoe Fund, year-round resident population is 40,000 around Lake Tahoe but the total population can reach 300,000 on peak days.
Dean said while the hospital stuck to one-to-six in medical/ surgical units during the period of the exemption, nurses were particularly stretched in this unit when patients from higher acuity units, like telemetry or pediatric,
Mindi Befu, spokesperson for Barton Health, provided the following statement regarding the union’s ratio proposal with the move to Nevada. “California and Nevada each have state regulations to ensure hospitals meet safety standards. Both states ensure safe care is provided to patients. Barton has and will continue to meet or exceed its state and federal safety regulations.”
The hospital and union have agreed to 44
The average wage for a full-time nurse at Barton is $69.84 per hour or an equivalent of a full-time annual salary of $145,267 per year. New employees receives 4.5 weeks of paid time off a year, increasing to seven weeks after five years. Their healthcare plans cost between $25-$74 per pay period if the nurse completes an employee wellness program and the hospital matches up to 5% on retirement plans, according to Barton officials.
“I know that this is a highly paid profession here in California, I get it,” Dean said, adding
File photo by Bill Rozak / Tahoe Daily Tribune
COMICS
Local youth marksmen hope to follow in the footsteps of Olympian
Special to the Mountain Democrat
Two El Dorado County youth are hoping to follow in the footsteps of their fellow Northern Californian, Sagen Maddalena, who recently won silver in the three position rifle competition in Paris. Sean Kirkpatrick and Drake Montgomery shoot air rifles for American Legion Post 119 located on Greenstone Road. Both ranked in the top 100 in the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s national postal competition over the past two quarters.
The program is designed to build confidence, foster attention to detail and develop athleticism — all through marksmanship training. Like Maddalena in Paris, participants shoot air rifles from the standing, kneeling and prone positions, at a reduced distance of 10 meters. The national program, which is administered by the Civilian Marksmanship Program, supports training for marksman of all levels all the way up to the athletes who represented the United States in Paris, who qualified earlier this year at a CMP facility in Alabama.
Sean and Drake, both 16, have been shooting with the program for five years. They can consistently hit a target the size of a pencil eraser from prone and the size of a dime standing. While many experienced shooters may be able to shoot so accurately from a supported position in prone or off a bench, it is the ability to shoot accurately unsupported or standing that is exceptional. Their skill is the result of regular, disciplined practice.
The local program is sponsored by the NRA Foundation, which is supported by the local branch of the Friends of the NRA, a group that sponsors an annual fundraiser in El Dorado County. The American Legion Post 119 provides the facility and a staff of military veterans to establish a safe environment and coach the athletes.
Space in the program is limited, but the Post 119 is currently accepting new participants. The program is open to all youth and no prior experience is required. The season runs from September to May. Those interested should contact Lee Kirkpatrick at albert_kirkpatrick@ live.com.
Knight Monsters welcome Boeing as assistant coach
News release
STATELINE, Nev.
— The Tahoe Knight Monsters, proud ECHL Affiliate of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights and the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights, recently announced the team has hired Brett Boeing as assistant coach.
Boeing, 29, joins the Knight Monsters coaching staff from the U.S. Hockey League’s Dubuque Fighting Saints where he served as a volunteer assistant coach. Boeing was a member of a coaching staff that helped guide the Fighting Saints to a President Cup Finals appearance this past season.
“I am really grateful for the opportunity to join the Tahoe Knight Monsters organization,” said Boeing. “I’m excited to work under Alex (Loh) and to be able to learn from him and assist in building a winning culture. I want to thank Alex and the Tahoe Knight Monsters organization for giving me this opportunity. I am really looking forward to getting to Tahoe for the inaugural season.”
Contract Continued from A8
order to keep nurses, Barton has to stay competitive with wages. Hospital officials noted increases the economic offer on March 25, 2024. In addition to regular, individual increases as nurses gain more years of experience offered in December, Barton’s proposal also includes annual increases to the wage grid: a 4% increase in the first year of the contract, 4% the second year of the contract and 4% in the final year of the contract.
What the union takes issue with in Barton’s wage proposal is it doesn’t provide some nurses with raises for the entirety of their contract, which could mean those nurses won’t have an incentive to stay.
It’s a disservice to patient care, Dean said, to not work to keep experienced nurses. “You want the nurse (who) knows where that thing is that’s going to save your life,” she explained, “(who) knows the right phone number off the top of their head to call to get that specialist to you.”
This institutional knowledge can take months to a year to learn.
According to labor representative Huerta, the union has provided a wage proposal that is fair addressing concerns of recruitment and retention. The hospital has not accepted it.
This will mark Boeing’s first season as a coach in professional hockey, but he is no stranger to the ECHL, having played three seasons in the league in stints with the Toledo Walleye, Reading Royals and Wichita Thunder from 2019-23. In total, Boeing posted 87 points (38g, 49a) in 164 career ECHL games played during his career.
Prior to his professional playing career, Boeing played collegiately at UMass where he registered 31 points in 90 games. In addition, the Barrington, Ill., resident was also a standout player with the Dubuque Fighting Saints where he remains tied for the eighth most goals scored in team history with 44.
The Knight Monsters will host the inaugural home opening weekend on Oct. 24 & 25 against the Jacksonville Icemen at Tahoe Blue Event Center. Ticket packages for the 2024-25 season are available. For more information, visit knightmonstershockey.com.
“I know that this union has improved patient outcomes at Barton,” Dean said. “I don’t need an award to tell me that.”
Barton has been listed on Newsweek World’s Best Hospitals for the fourth year in a row, starting in 2021. Dean said she hopes to keep the ratios and working conditions the union has fought for that she believes led to those awards.
Her and Malone said their interest in the patient safety a contract brings isn’t just for the patients.
“I have a selfish interest in seeing this hospital provide the best possible care,” Dean shared.
“Sometimes we are the patients,” Malone added. “Sometimes our children, our families, our parents are the patient.”
The hospital and union go to the bargaining table again Oct. 3. The parties meet about every other month.
Barton Officials note during bargaining, the hospital continues to ensure nurses and all team members are fairly compensated through a rich wages, benefits and time-off package.
“Additionally,” Befu said, “safety and quality care remain a focus and our nurses’ are essential to delivering this level of care. We are grateful for their efforts as well as the efforts of all team members at Barton.”
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Run your day through your mental projector before you launch into it. See yourself with your hands on the steering wheel. This is no time to compromise the vision. Collaboration is ill-advised. Your project needs your unique touch.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You know what you want, but you don’t know the cost or if it’s even possible or reasonable to have it. Are others asking for the same thing? What would it take to make it happen? Test the waters and trust your instincts.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Consider your loved ones and role models. Do you believe their worth is diminished by flaws or mistakes? Of course not, and neither is yours. Allow yourself the same grace you afford others.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). No choice is entirely personal. Today, your life events will reflect broader societal themes, and you’ll be increasingly aware of how your actions tie into the larger picture. You have influence, and you’ll use it.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ll learn by doing, which is a thrill. You’ll experience excitement in the wrong moves and right ones alike. This is the quickest way to become proficient, but it also takes the most energy. You’ll rest well when it’s over.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You hit the right tone at the right times, and it’s the secret to creating harmony in your world. It works in relationships, at work, and especially in your relationship with yourself and the
environments you most enjoy.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). People may be initially attracted by a surface quality in you, or so they think, but there’s actually something deeper and mysterious drawing them in. Trust in this magnetization. You don’t have to chase anyone or oversell your assets.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Some people will advise you even when they know less than you do about the situation. You’ll save time and effort by doing your own research and using your own judgment.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Often, the right move feels a little scary. Take notice and keep moving. Let feelings inform your experience, but don’t let them be the only factor in your decision-making.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Whether or not you take things very seriously, you’ll still get a lot done. Just don’t take any of the events too personally, which can only slow you down. With the mindset of a team player, you’ll give your peak performance.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Before you have to speak
n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly
n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter
n RUBES by Leigh Rubin
n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly
by Holiday Mathis
SUDOKU
BRETT BOEING
Move to the largest senior apartments in
e spacious Independent Living apartments at Ponté Palmero mean you can continue your independent lifestyle with room to entertain friends and access to all the life-enriching community services and amenities we o er.
Floor plans up to 1,482 square feet | Private, attached garage | Full kitchen | In-suite laundry
You can continue to cook and entertain in your own home, or enjoy our chef-prepared meals in the community dining room with friends. We take away the worry of housekeeping and home maintenance, and provide social opportunities all month long. You can relax and spend your days with friends and family, and doing the things you enjoy most.
INDEPENDENT LIVING HOMES FEATURES
• Kitchen with full-size appliances and granite counters
• Private patio
• Attached garage
• In-home washer and dryer
• High ceilings
• Housekeeping, laundry, and trash service
• Utilities and basic cable included
• Air conditioning
• Pets welcome!
COMMUNITY SERVICES & AMENITIES
• Restaurant-style dining
• Swimming pool, hot tub, and outdoor grills
• Clubhouse and tness center
• Library and full-service beauty salon
• Activities, clubs, outings, and celebrations
• Transportation services
• 24-hour emergency maintenance
• Gated electronic entrance
We also o er Assisted Living Villas & Memory Care apartments for a full continuum of care.
NEWS, IN THE KNOW
Aug. 14
Master Gardeners and Master Food Preservers combine for All About Berries, 9 a.m. to noon at the Cameron Park Community Center, 2502 Country Club Drive.
Master Gardeners will discuss how to grow and care for common berry plants with an introduction to less known varieties and review common diseases and pests in our area. Master Food Preservers will show you how to preserve berries in fun and creative ways and share what to do with your preserved foods once you have them in your pantry. Register at surveys.ucanr.edu/survey. cfm?surveynumber=43101.
Snowline Health
Dementia Connection
hosts Dementia Connection
Basic Training, 1:30-3 p.m. at the Placerville Senior Center, 937 Spring St. This free, in person and online class you will learn how to best support your older adults who may be experiencing cognitive impairments. You will also learn more about common symptoms of dementia and how they di er from normal aging, tips for communicating with those experiencing memory loss, warning signs and resources for additional support.
B Street Theatre in Sacramento presents “Pickleball” at The So a in Sacramento, Aug. 14 through Sept. 22. For tickets and more information call (916) 4435300 or visit bstreettheatre.
org. Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Valhalla Tahoe. For tickets and more information visit valhallatahoe.com.
Aug. 15
The El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce hosts a business luncheon with speaker Je England with El Dorado Disposal, 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Koto Bu et inside Red Hawk Casino. To register visit business.eldoradocounty.org/ events.
The El Dorado State monthly planning meeting will be held 5-8 p.m. at The Breakroom, 4131 South Shingle Road in Shingle Springs.
Crystal Basin Cellars in Camino hosts After Five, a barbecue trip tip dinner with wine and music, 5:30-8:30 p.m. RSVP required. Visit crystalbasin.com or email rsvp@crystalbasin.com. The next performance is Matt Rainey.
One of the most iconic and enduring groups in R&B history, The Spinners will perform at the Harris Center starting at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information visit harriscenter.net or call (916) 608-6888.
The Crocker Art Museum presents “Lady Bird” at 7 p.m. as part of its Movies O the Wall series. For tickets and more information visit crockerart.org.
Aug. 16
The Sierra Renaissance Society presents How Development Has A ected Wildlife by Shelly Blair, 1-2:30 p.m. at the Mother Lode Lions Hall, 4701 Missouri Flat Road. Admission free for members; public invited to attend two meetings for free. The Sierra Renaissance Society of El Dorado County is dedicated to lifelong learning and hosts presentations and workshops throughout the year. For
Sister city guests see the sights and explore local history
Special to the Mountain Democrat
After missing a scheduled youth exchange in 2020 due to the pandemic, El Dorado County families were excited to host 10 Japanese youths and three adult chaperones from Sister City, Warabi, Japan, July 22 to Aug. 1. Warabi is a small city in the south-east of Saitama Prefecture, about 10 miles north of Tokyo.
El Dorado County People-to-People sponsored the summit and organized tours and activities with local youths’ input.
American Whitewater Expeditions took the group down the American River and smiles were seen on all their faces. They camped that night and truly bonded with each other. Other activities involved a movie and mall day, as well as a day camp at the River Cats stadium that included watching a baseball game.
The group toured local attractions: the 150-plus-year-old Celio Ranch at Lake Tahoe, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma and the historical Wakamatsu Farm in Gold Hill, which is the site of the first Japanese colony in
■ See VISIT, page B5
students from
GENERATION GREEN helps local students grow
Special to the Mountain Democrat
This summer Golden Sierra High School worked with the Eldorado National Forest to provide Youth Conservation Corps Generation Green opportunities to six of GSHS students.
Generation Green connects local high school students with National Forest lands in the area through a paid summer internship. They get to work with Forest Service employees such as archeologists, foresters, biologists, rangers and firefighters to complete important projects such as campground renovation, trail maintenance, archeological surveys, fuels reduction, planting trees and more. They develop leadership skills and work ethic and learn how to take care of public lands.
The six students selected for the Georgetown Divide crew went through a competitive application
process that included writing an essay and going through an interview with Forest Service sta . The crew consisted of Sam Parr, Abigail (Bug) Watkins, Rowan Galliano, Noah Wilson, Violet Lind and Lola Van Tatenhove. Through this full-time seven-week internship, the crew learned about natural resource management, contributed to projects that improve national forest lands, and gained new and fun experiences engaging with the outdoors. The summer culminated with a four-day backpacking trip assisting Desolation Wilderness Rangers with backcountry projects and a graduation ceremony at Golden Sierra on Aug. 1. At the graduation, each student gave a speech about what they learned and took from the program.
The Eldorado National Forest
Photos courtesy of El Dorado County People-to-People
On July 24, visiting students from El Dorado County’s Sister City toured Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma with their host families.
Visiting
Japan honored Okei Ito at her grave \site on the Wakamatsu Farm in Gold Hill, above. Okei, who died at the age of 19 in 1871, was the first Japanese immigrant and the first Japanese woman buried on America soil. Below, after attending the day camp at River Cats Stadium the exchange students performed the Mickey Mouse Club House theme song in Japanese during the Sayonara Party at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center.
Courtesy photo Local Generation Green students helped U.S. Forest Service staff with projects like campground renovation, trail maintenance, archeological surveys, fuels reduction, planting trees and more.
Dine in style at upcoming Mother Teresa Maternity Home benefit
lacerville’s Mother Teresa Maternity Home has provided support for pregnant women in crisis for 25 years. The six-room home adjacent to St. Patrick Church was once a convent. Hundreds of children and mothers have resided at the home, through pregnancy and up to three months after birth of their baby. Full-time staffing is required 24/7, plus a director with special skills experience work there. It is expensive to manage with all the regular bills of maintaining a house, food purchases plus payroll. Fundraising is critical to the home’s existence as it receives no state or federal assistance.
St. Patrick Church Ladies Society has once again organized the Mother Teresa Maternity Home Fall Luncheon, this year under the direction of Chairwomen Colette Polaski, with the event scheduled on Oct. 5. The fall luncheon has a long history for great excitement and competition. Those who purchase a table for eight for $200 can
decorate based on a theme of choice. As the 25 years passed, the luncheon has grown larger and many table displays have been a big hit.
For the first time a limited number of single tickets are offered at $25. Those who purchase an open seating ticket will be seated with others who purchase open seating tickets. This event sells out; the last day to register is Sept. 7. For a registration form or more information about the luncheon contact Polaski at (530) 677-1285 or (530) 957-4021 or email jcpolaski@sbcglobal.net.
The doors will open at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, in Gurnell Hall at St. Patrick Church. Lunch is served at noon.
Lunch menu
Appetizers: Basil cream cheese filled cucumber cups. English cucumbers topped with cream cheese and smoked salmon.
Entrée: Caramelized hot ham and Swiss cheese and Hawaiian sweet rolls, skewered fruit, Thai café salad and coleslaw.
Dessert: Chocolate surprises
The menu is subject to change based on availability of food items.
Donate items to SWR bazaar
News release
It’s that time again for the community to come together and raise funds and awareness for Sierra Wildlife Rescue and its mission to rescue, rehabilitate and release local wildlife.
The fourth annual Sierra Wildlife Rescue’s Wildlife Bazaar Yard Sale Fundraiser and Food Festival will take place Sept. 13-15. But before the organization can hold its annual bazaar, it needs donations. Dates for donation drop-offs are Aug. 14, 17, 21, 24, 28 and 31 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Items not accepted are shoes, pictures, picture frames, large furniture, electronics and clothes. Items accepted are working small appliances, small furniture, garden décor and supplies,
crafting supplies, tools and antiques and collectables. For an expanded list please check the website, sierrawildliferescue.org. As always, monetary donations are accepted as well.
Bring donations to the Sierra Wildlife Center, 777 Pleasant Valley Road in Diamond Springs.
“All the money raised through this yard sale fundraiser will help feed and house these creatures in need,” said Sierra Wildlife Rescue board President Debbie Buckles, “It will allow us to continue to buy specialized foods and formula for the various species, housing of safe enclosures during their rehabilitation process, and pay for much needed veterinarian expenses. Your donations are tax-deductible and very much appreciated.
Women’s fund grant to help launch mobile meals program
Cathy Harris
Women’s Fund El Dorado
Earlier this month, Women’s Fund El Dorado members selected the Upper Room Dining Hall as the first multi- year grant recipient.
The $50,000 grant will be used to serve more individuals and families by implementing a Mobile Meal Program, giving the Upper Room the flexibility to be “where we need to be when we need to be there.” The Upper Room previously raised funds to purchase a new Ford F59 truck. The WFED grant will be used in the coming months to build out the kitchen in their new food truck. Upper Room expects to put the food truck into operation in early 2025.
The two-year grant cycle began on Aug. 12.
Women’s Fund El Dorado, a fund of the El Dorado Community Foundation, is a collective giving organization whose mission is to support community philanthropy to enhance
the quality of life on the western slope of El Dorado County.
WFED welcomes anyone who wishes to join for a minimum donation of $200 a year or more. Collected funds are pooled and leveraged in the form of grants. Grant recipients are selected by member vote. Since its inception in 2007, the organization has awarded more than $1.26 million in grants. For more information about WFED visit womensfundeldorado. org or call (530) 6225621.
News release
The El Dorado County Library system has a new catalog that will go live on Aug. 19. The transition process is scheduled begin at 5 p.m. on Aug. 16 and will continue until the morning of Aug. 19. Books can be checked out on Aug. 17 but patrons will need their library card to check items out. At that time staff will not be able to look up
accounts, place items on hold or pay bills. Checkouts, holds and bills will still be on patrons’ accounts. Checkout history and lists will not migrate over to the new system. Ask library staff before Aug. 16 for more information on how to save history or lists. For those who want to keep a history of checkouts in the new system they will need to set that preference in Aspen Discovery, the library’s new online catalog, after Aug. 19.
Courtesy photo
Diners deck out their table at a previous Mother Teresa Maternity Home luncheon. Tickets are on sale.
Photo courtesy of SWR
Donations to the Sierra Wildlife Rescue’s Wildlife Bazaar Yard Sale Fundraiser and Food Festival help birds like these Steller’s jays, which were rescued by the local nonprofit.
Courtesy photo
Women’s Fund El Dorado members recently awarded a special grant to the Upper Room Dining Hall in Placerville.
ON DUTY
Lt. Cmdr. Jesse Routsong
M AYPORT, Fla. — Jesse Routsong has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy. Routsong recently served on the command staff as the supply corp officer on the USS Lassen, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer.
Routsong has been selected by the Navy to attend the MBA program in Petroleum Management from the School of Engineering at the University of Kansas starting in the fall 2025.
Routsong is a graduate of Ponderosa High School in 2010.
As a four-year varsity wrestler, he earned a wrestling scholarship and attended EmbryRiddle Aeronautical
University where he was a two-time Academic All-American. He graduated in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in global security and intelligence studies.
Routsong entered
the U.S. Navy in 2016, attending Officers Candidate School in Newport, R.I., and has served numerous assignments around the United States and abroad.
GROW FOR IT!
Gardening for wildlife habitat
Birds and butterflies will flock to your garden if you offer them cover, water and food. Backyard habitats are increasingly important as wild creatures lose more of their native habitats to development. Birds and butterflies like environments featuring many tiers of dense arrangements of deciduous and evergreen trees, under story fruiting vines and shrubs and ground-level grasses and perennials. These tiers are a combination that supply food and cover through the seasons.
Debbie Hagar
UCCE Master Gardener of El Dorado County
Planting a mix of heights also creates safe travel corridors and adding shrubs is the fastest way to achieve good cover.
Native plants are ideal because wildlife are familiar with these plants. Native plants are adapted to our climate and soil and use less water once they are established. Birds are accustomed to using natives for nesting niches, nest materials, food and cover. Many native plants host insects that birds like the best. Natives offer some of the best nectar needed by pollinators, including bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and moths.
Plant diversity is the best approach to gardening for wildlife habitat. Combine a variety of natives that bloom at different times to provide successive food throughout the growing season. Leave parts of the garden to grow naturally, if possible, to create havens for wildlife. Wildlife gardens also reward the procrastinator: delaying garden cleanup in the fall is good for the birds, who will help cleanup if you leave seed heads standing on annuals, perennials and grasses. Grasses serve up seed in fall and winter and, if left standing, supply nesting materials in spring. Avoid using chemical pesticides when gardening for wildlife habitat. Chemical controls wipe out the good with the bad insects and the effects are felt up the food chain. Pesticides kill butterflies, their larvae, beneficial insects and their predators indiscriminately. It is better to tolerate a chewed leaf or blossom
and handpick voracious insects or knock them off plants with water from the hose. More insects equal more birds.
A birdbath is an effective way to introduce water to the garden. Birds prefer shallow basins that have a rough surface for good gripping. A birdbath should be in the open but close enough to sheltered perches for protection from predators. Add fresh water frequently and scrub the basin weekly with a stiff brush to keep it clean.
Plants that attract butterflies include host plants for the butterfly larvae and nectar plants for the adults. Host plants for caterpillars could include common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), common fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and wild buckwheat (Eriogonum). Nectar plants to attract the greatest variety of butterflies to your garden should be a selection of bright colored flowers that produce nectar throughout the season. Columbine (Aquilegia), butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberose) and Jupiter’s beard (Centranthus ruber) are good nectar choices. Sunny areas that are sheltered from the wind are welcoming to butterflies. Hummingbirds, like butterflies, are attracted to flowers that produce nectar. A hummingbird uses its long beak to sip nectar from tubular, bell, and funnel shaped blooms. Hummingbirds most readily see red and orange but once in the garden will visit other blooms. Coral bells (Heuchera), penstemons and salvias will attract hummingbirds. Seed and berry plants attract numerous birds to the garden. Fruiteating birds such as robins and cedar waxwings flock to landscapes planted with toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), cotoneasters, currants (Ribes) and elderberry (Sambucus). A garden that attracts birds also helps naturally control insect pests, and hummingbirds pollinate plants as they forage for nectar. Gardening for wildlife habitat creates an environment that is alive with birds, butterflies, bees and beneficial insects. The Sherwood Demonstration
Pixabay image
Simple additions to your garden, like birdbaths, can attract beneficial wildlife.
Grand opening planned for new Kings Beach center
NORTH
center. Designed to serve as a hub for
and the business community, the facility houses an educational video exhibit created by the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, a retail component where local makers and artisans can feature their works and a well-informed sta happy to give tips and insights in-person to all who enter and to connect visitors with the local business community in support of the region’s economic health. The center also features a satellite o ce for the North Tahoe Chamber.
“Opening a permanent visitor center in Kings Beach truly has been a long time coming, and we’re thrilled to finally have a presence in this
vibrant part of our community,” said Kimberly Brown, North Tahoe Chamber executive director. “The North Lake Tahoe Visitor Information Center in Tahoe City has successfully been used to help educate visitors about things to do and see, expected behaviors and the delicate Tahoe environment. This new space will serve a similar function in the Kings Beach commercial core.”
A North Tahoe Chamber mixer and grand opening celebration is planned 4-6 p.m. Thursday,
Aug. 15, that will be open to the public. Register at northtahoechamber.com.
Following the grand opening event, the new visitor center will be open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The new Kings Beach Visitor Information Center is located at 8611 North Lake Blvd. at the intersection of SR-28 and Raccoon Street. Learn more at northtahoecommunityalliance.com/visitorcenter.
Photo courtesy of the North Tahoe Chamber
Kings Beach visitors have a new place to stop when traveling into town. The Kings Beach Visitor Information Center opens this week. Photo courtesy of the North Tahoe Chamber
4-H enrollment now open to youth searching for a spark
News release
All youth ages 5-18 years old as of Dec. 31, 2024, are invited to find their “sparks” in 4-H. Sparks are the things young people are passionate about; these could be animals, leadership, technology, public speaking, teaching, volunteering, fashion design, hiking or cooking — the possibilities are endless With the new 4-H Sparks Achievement program youth are encouraged to set their own goals and work toward accomplishing them throughout the year.
Sponsored by the University of California, El Dorado County 4-H has more than 400 youth members and nearly 100 adult volunteers engaged in a wide variety of learning and leadership experiences across eight club programs on the western slope and after-school programs in South Lake Tahoe. Each club offers a unique variety of projects and leadership opportunities to help youth members find their spark. Adults interested in sharing their time and talents with local youth are invited to join 4-H as volunteers.
Tax program volunteers
News release
There are openings for Volunteer Tax-Aide counselors, a technology coordinator, client facilitators, appointment schedulers and leaders for the next tax season during which free personal income tax assistance is offered in El Dorado County to seniors and low- to moderate-income residents under the AARP Tax-Aide program.
The program operates Feb. 1 through April 15, 2025. Volunteers are asked to work a minimum of six hours per week. Self-study materials and introductory classes are provided in November. Classroom training on federal and California income taxes
more information visit srsedc.org.
Hey Monkey will perform at Skinner Vineyards in Rescue, 5-7 p.m. For more information visit skinnervineyards.com.
Julie & The Jukes will perform at 5 p.m. at HWY 50 Brewery in Camino. For more information visit hwy50brewery.com/live-music.
Ed Wilson will perform at The Vine in El Dorado Hills, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Lance Michael Cornwell will perform at the Red Hawk Casino Stage Bar, 8 p.m. to midnight. For more information visit redhawkcasino.com.
Son Little will perform at 8 p.m. at The Sofia in Sacramento. For tickets and more information call (916) 443-5300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.
Gardener
Continued from B3
Garden is open 9 a.m. to noon Fridays and Saturdays. Check the website for further information at ucanr. edu/sites/EDC_Master_Gardeners/ Demonstration_Garden. Master Gardener classes are offered monthly throughout the county. Find the class schedule at mgeldorado. ucanr.edu/Public_Education_Classe s/?calendar=yes&g=56698 and recorded classes on many gardening topics at mgeldorado.ucanr.edu/
the USA, the birthplace of the first JapaneseAmerican and the gravesite of the first Japanese immigrant (and Japanese woman) buried in the USA. Local Rotary clubs (Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills, Placerville and Pollock PinesCamino) sponsored an ice cream social with stargazing at the Rotary Club of Cameron Park Community Observatory on the Folsom Lake College – El Dorado Center campus in Placerville. Guests were thrilled to see the night sky with chief docent Randy Hodges using his laser to point out prominent stars, the Big Dipper and the Milky Way. Afterward the double star Albireo, the Ring Nebula, the Dumbbell Nebula, the M13 and M5 globular clusters and the Whirlpool Galaxy were viewed through powerful telescopes.
Host families spent a long weekend with their guests independently providing unique experiences for them. Some went to San Francisco, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Santa Cruz among other places. This free time gives the
sought
and form preparation takes place in January. Computer knowledge is required as all returns are prepared with software provided by the IRS for electronic filing.
In addition to tax preparers, volunteers are needed to make appointments by phone from home and as facilitators at the tax preparation site. These positions do not require as much training or computer knowledge.
The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is presented in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service and the California Franchise Tax Board. For more information contact Joanne Allen at d23instructors@ gmail.com.
Aug. 17
Folsom Lake Symphony is looking for talented musicians. The annual additions will take place at Folsom Lake College. There are openings in all string sections and backup positions in wind, brass and percussion sections. For more information visit folsomlakesymphony.com/auditions-2024-25.
Shadow Ranch Vineyard in the Fair Play area hosts Back to School Wine Education, noon to 1:30 p.m. Learn the intricacies of wine tasting and some winemaking secrets from Shadow Ranch’s owner and winemaker, Sam Patterson. You’ll have the opportunity to taste several different varietals side by side and learn how to pick up on the notes that distinguish one from another. For more information
n See KNOW, page B7
Public_Education/Classes.
Have a gardening question? Master Gardeners are working hard to answer your questions. Use the “Ask a Master Gardener” option on the website, mgeldorado.ucanr.edu, or leave a message on the office telephone at (530) 621-5512. To sign up for notices and newsletters visit ucanr. edu/master_gardener_e-news. Master Gardeners are also on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
host families time to get to know their guests, which strengthens the friendship.
Warabi will host local youth in 2026. In May 2025 the El Dorado County Peopleto-People group will welcome adults from Warabi to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Sister City relationship. The celebration will continue with a trip to Warabi in late October 2025. If you’re interested in
participating, now is the time to get involved and help with the planning. Refer to edcpeopletopeople.org for contact information. Spaces are limited. The El DoradoWarabi Sister City connection has been dedicated to fostering cultural understanding and peace for nearly five decades, which has been strengthened by countless lasting friendships and unforgettable memories.
FREELANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Like writing?
Have journalism experience?
Enjoy photography?
Email resume and writing samples to Noel Stack at nstack@mtdemocrat.net.
4-H is the largest youth organization in the U.S. and empowers young people to reach their full potential by working and learning in partnership with caring adults. The 4-H slogan “Learn by Doing” sums up the educational philosophy of the 4-H program as research shows young people learn best when they are involved in their own learning.
In addition to online open enrollment at 4h.zsuite.org, El Dorado County residents are welcome to stop by the Enrollment Night event, 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at the
University of California Cooperative Extension offices in Placerville, located inside the Bethell Delfino Agriculture Building at 311 Fair Lane. UCCE staff and 4-H volunteers will be available to answer questions and assist with the enrollment process. Annual membership fee is $71 for youth and $30 for adults; however, fee waivers are available to anyone who needs one. To learn more about 4-H in El Dorado County visit sites.google.com/ ucdavis.edu/eldorado4h or email eldorado4h@ucanr.edu.
Fairytale Town gets its brew on News release
SACRAMENTO — Kids, families and especially beer enthusiasts will flock to Fairytale Town for its upcoming event, the Tales & Ales Brewfest Fundraiser. This family-friendly event will take place 5-9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24 at Fairytale Town, 3901 Land Park Drive in Sacramento.
Tales & Ales Brewfest will feature live music by AKAlive, food from a many food trucks, raffle prizes and more than 20 craft brews, ciders and wines.
Drewski’s will offer fried chicken and grilled cheese. Tacos International will serve Mexican food. Kados Asian Grill will dish up an assortment of rice bowls. Faded Foods BBQ will prepare its barbecue and The Mini Donut Shack will have donuts for dessert.
in Placerville since 2015 and typically attracts El Dorado Union High School District students. This summer was the first year Forest Service and Golden Sierra High School staff worked together to establish a Generation Green program in Georgetown, opening the door for more Golden Sierra students to participate in the program. Requirements for applicants are as follows: To be at least 15 years of age at the
Featured breweries and pourers: Acheson, Alaro, At Ease, BarmHaus, Bike Dog, Canyon Club Brewery, Common Space, Crooked Lane, Enelalma Tequila, Hop Gardens, Jackrabbit, Mattie Groves Brewery, Mckenzie Vineyards, McManis Vineyards, New Helvetia, Oak Park, Red Bus, Strad Meadery, Three Mile Brewing, Two Pitchers and Urban Roots.
Kids can enjoy root beer floats and indulge in sweet treats.
VIP ticket holders get early entry at 4 p.m., exclusive pours from Mad Fritz Brewery & Dutton Cider, catered food from Bennett’s American Cooking and a souvenir Tales & Ales mug. VIPs also get private access to an air-conditioned lounge. For tickets and more information visit fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.
start of enrollment and must not reach age 19 before completion of the program; a United States citizen or permanent resident of the United States or its territories; actively committed and willing to complete the assigned work project; and have a 2.0 GPA or higher. “We are incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity at Golden Sierra for our students,” said teacher Amara Smallwood. For more information visit fs.usda. gov/detail/eldorado/learning/ kids/?cid=fseprd538050.
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and Presch l Where Learning and Love go Hand in Hand! Celebrating service to the community since 1999! We offer education and care for babies, Preschoolers, Pre-K, private Kindergarten. Teachers are educated in Child Development, CPR and First Aid certi ed, and make it a priority to continue their education.
