Happy Healthy Pets
C a l i f o r n i a ’ s O l d e s t N e w s pa p e r – E s t. 18 51
Got pets? Locals share their love for pets. mtdemocrat.com
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Volume 169 • Issue 105 | 75¢
Inside
Fire risk forces California forests to close n Emergency closes campgrounds
Labor Day evening Democrat staff With wildland fires erupting throughout the state, National Forest officials on Monday announced an emergency closure of campgrounds and day use areas in the forest. The El Dorado Irrigation District has closed its Silver Lake West campground until further notice and is no longer taking reservations at Sly Park Recreation Area until further notice, according to a spokesman with EID. Red flag fire restrictions are in place at all EID recreation locations; no open fires are permitted. The Eldorado National Forest is one of five forests where recreation sites have been shut down in Northern California. All ignition sources on National Forest lands (campfires, gas stoves, etc.)
are also prohibited. Camping in wilderness areas and within 500 feet of the Pacific Crest Trail is allowed, as is hiking, but some trailhead parking areas will not be accessible. Cabin owners are permitted to use cabins. The emergency closure went into effect Monday at 5 p.m. after many Labor Day weekend campers had already vacated campsites; those who remained were asked to leave. Other Northern California forests affected include the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Lassen National Forest, Plumas National Forest and Tahoe National Forest. “These are extreme circumstances,” said Forest Supervisor Jeff Marsolais. “We have a red flag wind event in the forecast with vegetation conditions that are as flammable as they were during the 2014 King Fire. That fire ran 15 miles and burned over 50,000 acres in a single day. (Firefighting) resources will be scarce with so many other large wildfires in California right now.”
The temporary closures of developed campgrounds and recreation sites plus the prohibition of dispersed camping and the temporary fire ban on all campfires regardless of ignition source or location, will be reevaluated as conditions change, states an Eldorado National Forest press release. For more information visit the Eldorado National Forest website at fs.usda.gov/eldorado. “The wildfire situation throughout California is dangerous and must be taken seriously. Existing fires are displaying extreme fire behavior, new fire starts are likely, weather conditions are worsening and we simply do not have enough resources to fully fight and contain every fire,” said Randy Moore, regional forester for the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region. “We are bringing every resource to bear nationally and internationally to fight these fires but until n
See Forests to close, page A9
Power cut countywide n Electricity expected to
be restored today Dawn Hodson Staff writer
More than 25,000 PG&E customers in El Dorado County lost power early Tuesday morning after the utility cut their electricity in the face of high temperatures, low humidity and predictions of gusty winds. Of the 25,430 customers impacted by the power shutdown, most were in Camino, Cool, Garden Valley, Georgetown, Greenwood, Grizzly Flat, Kelsey, Kyburz, Mt. Aukum, Pacific House, Placerville, Pollock Pines, Somerset and Twin Bridges. Customers were warned in advance by phone that power would be shut off Tuesday between 1 and 5 a.m. with the majority of customers in El Dorado County expected to have their power restored by Wednesday at 7 p.m. The power shutdown appeared n
Democrat file photo by Shelly Thorene
Davey “Doc” Wiser gives his old buddy Beetle Bailey a carrot at their home in Camino. Beetle, the mighty steed that pulled wagons over Echo Summit on many a Highway 50 Association Wagon Train trek, died late last month.
Beetle Bailey
See shutdown, page A9
Bader pleads not guilty a sweet goodbye to ‘a good old guy’ Dawn Hodson Staff writer
Longtime Shingle Springs veterinarian Dr. Dean Bader, charged with animal cruelty and failure to report animal abuse after 300 animals were removed in May 2019 from a property rented by Alma and Charel Winston, entered a plea of not guilty Friday in El Dorado County Superior Court. The Deputy District Attorney for the case maintains that Bader was the veterinarian of record for the Winstons and a search of their home in 2019 found prescriptions for different animals that were being treated by Bader. Bader’s attorney Dain Weiner argues the veterinarian was last on the property two years prior to a search warrant being served to the two women. Bader is scheduled to be back in court Oct. 16 at 9 a.m. for further proceedings and to set a trial date. The Winstons later admitted to five counts of felony animal cruelty and were given five years of probation and required to pay restitution for the treatment, care and feeding of the animals impounded by El Dorado County Animal Services last May.
Pat Lakey Staff writer
The dark bay standard-bred trotter that came Davey’s way from the harness racetrack eetle Bailey has trotted circuit, the dappled horse that off into the sunset was happy to trot along in to join Davey “Doc” the shadow of a show-stealer Wiser’s other beloved horses, named Jet as they pulled a Jet, Sophie stagecoach and Melba, full of at rest in a thrilled kids “He was sweet lovely spot and their not far from and he had a parents in where Davey downtown heart of gold. And and wife Placerville, he was a working Sherry live in fell victim to Camino. old age. machine, always Davey “His liver ready and willing Wiser now and kidneys has absolutely were starting to do his job …” no horses, to go,” said — Slate Creek Animal a fact that a subdued Hospital’s Kayla Ekelund nickers at the Davey last back of his week. “It was brain — but just time — he said it is Beetle was simply too soon after Beetle’s 34 years old.” death Aug. 26 to consider And that’s a pretty fair run getting another. After all, he for any horse, according to said, how do you replace one veterinarian technician Kayla of the “most loving, sweet, Ekelund with Slate Creek kind and true” steeds that Davey has ever had? n See Beetle Bailey, page A9
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Democrat file photo by Pat Dollins
Beetle Bailey, right, and Jet pull the Wiser Overland Stagecoach down Main Street Placerville in 2007 with Davey “Doc” Wiser and wife Sherry at the reins.
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