Mountain Democrat, Monday, October 24, 2022

PG&E details safety measures

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

El Dorado County will likely receive the most mileage in PG&E’s powerline undergrounding projects with 36 miles either completed or planned by the end of the year, according to PG&E local government affairs representative Brandon Sanders.

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors heard a Community Wildfire Safety Program presentation from Sanders at its Tuesday meeting.

In 2023 another 11 miles of electric lines are planned to be routed below ground.

“We have been working on Sly Park Road, up in Cool and Lotus, and a few other areas,” Sanders said.

“That is going to ramp up gradually in the coming years as we build a plan and do all the designing and engineering.”

Sanders reported 30 miles of planned overhead system hardening, which includes installing stronger poles and covering power lines, making the electric system more resistant to wildfire risk and weather, is expected to be completed this year. Twenty-one miles had

— Brandon Sanders, PG&E local government affairs representative

been completed as of Oct. 18.

Sanders said trees are one of the biggest threats to overhead equipment. PG&E completed around 566 miles of vegetation management in 2021 and is planning to conduct 477 more miles of vegetation management by the end of 2022. The company has completed 141 miles as of October.

“We understand that trees are very valuable to people and our communities,” Sanders commented to the board. “They’re valuable to us too but the reality we face is the forest is in

Mosquito Fire iMpacts GDPUD declares emergency

Gloria Omania Georgetown Divide Public Utility District

The Georgetown Divide Public Utility District has declared a local emergency due to Mosquito Fire’s damage to its water service infrastructure.

During its October meeting the GDPUD Board of Directors heard an update on impacts from the 76,788-acre blaze still smoldering in the Divide’s backyard. Operations Manager Adam Brown reported that approximately 3.5 miles of the district’s upper canal conveyance system were damaged by fire. The ditches were located within a highseverity burn area.

Flames also reached a tunnel that is part of GDPUD’s raw water conveyance system, charring a wooden flume covering its entrance.

General Manager Nicholas Schneider outlined the disaster assistance funding response that includes FEMA emergency protective measures. He indicated the district had filed a public assistance application by the Oct. 7 deadline. GDPUD is also filing infrastructure loss claims with the Association of California Water Agencies/Joint Powers Insurance

frontline heroes — heavy lifters

Michael Raffety Mountain Democrat correspondent

The Mother Lode Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution at its annual dinner Oct. 13 recognized three of El Dorado County’s most outstanding frontline heroes.

Speaking for El Dorado County Sheriff’s Deputy of the Year Det. Daryl Miller was his sergeant, Stephen Coburn.

Coburn said Miller is part of the Sheriff’s Office narcotics unit, where he works with state and local agencies. He recently investigated a fentanyl death, which eventually led to the arrest of several sources of

the drug and seizure of 6 pounds of fentanyl, “enough to kill 1.5 million people.” Miller is also part of the sheriff’s marijuana eradication team.

“It was an honor for me to write up Det. Miller. He has a great and positive attitude.” Coburn said. Miller thanked the SAR. He noted he is a military veteran. His job requires lots of hours but he said he is glad he works with friends and expressed gratitude to his family for their support in the long hours he spends doing investigations. He also thanked Sheriff John D’Agostini for his faith in him. Also, he has worked for Sheriff-elect Jeff Leikauf, whom

Photo by Michael Raffety

El Dorado County Sheriff’s Deputy of the Year Det. Daryl Miller, center, was joined by Sheriff John D’Agostini, left, and Sheriff-elect Jeff Leikauff at the Mother Lode Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution community awards night

“We acknowledge that it is a challenge for customers to be without power even for short periods of time but it is also important to note that this is a highly effective tool that we put in place.”

Courtesy photo

GDPUD workers remove Mosquito Fire debris from a canal as the water utility begins to recover from fire impacts.

obituaries

Morris Benghiat may 1, 1930 – o ct 4, 2022

Our dear friend, Morris (Moe, Morry) Benghiat left our world after a short illness at the age of 92. Born in Los Angeles as the second of three, and the only male child, he lived a long and remarkable life.

In the Navy, Moe served on the USS Iowa in Korea earning honors and a letter from the President of South Korea. He worked a career in the aerospace field as a welder and manager. Moe loved stock car racing and introduced his step son, Steve, who continues the sport.

After retiring, he loved to fish, sing in night clubs, make jewelry, and hang out with his friends. Some of his friends were Larry, Curly and Joe, which fit since his nickname is Moe. True story!

Moe was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Kathryn aged 18, sister Allegra (Legs to him!).

He leaves his dearest friend Judy Bryant, step-son Steve Benghiat, sister Mildred (Millie) McGinley, nephew Brian Blacker and three nieces. In addition, he left his loving extended family, Tonja, Triss, Melody, Sean, Cody, Kate, Wyatt and Molly as well as many friends living and some deceased. Moe Benghiat is truly missed.

Services will be held at Chapel of the Pines, 2855 Cold Springs Road, Placerville Calif., 95667 at 2:30 Thursday, Oct. 27 2022 and he will be laid to rest at the Veterans Cemetery in Dixon.

Donna Louise Torres (Faircloth)

Jan. 14, 1954 – o ct. 14, 2022

On Friday, Oct. 14, Donna Louise Torres (Faircloth), a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away at the age of 68 with her family by her side in Cameron Park, Calif.

Donna was born on Jan.14, 1954 in Fort Bragg, Calif. Donna lived most of her life in El Dorado, Calif. Donna had a passion to serve and care for others. For more than 30 years she worked caring for the elderly and disabled as a certified nursing assistant and then caring for her husband with ALS and multiple family members. She raised her two grandchildren Jonathan Bolin and Melissa Bolin when her daughter was involved in a fatal car accident. She volunteered at food banks distributing food to people in need.

Donna was preceded in death by her Mother, Myrtle Shuster; father, Raymond Faircloth; Husband of 47 years, Daniel Torres Jr.; son, Daniel Torres III; daughter, Angela Torres; sister, Marie Marden (Faircloth); and brothers, Douglas and Steven Price. She is survived by her children, Christopher Faircloth and Nicky Torres; sisters, Florence Maggard and Diane Thomas; brothers, Raymond Faircloth, Clifford Faircloth, and Ernest Faircloth; 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She also leaves behind her precious little dog Finny, who she loved very much. Finny became her companion after her husband Daniel passed away.

Donna had a passion for the outdoors. She loved camping, gold panning, gardening and enjoying nature. Her favorite place was at the family property “Homeplace”. Donna also enjoyed traveling and cruising. She loved the ocean. She didn’t need expensive homes, fancy cars, or designer clothes as she truly lived a simple life and was thankful for everything she had. She was very proud of her Native American heritage and enjoyed being an active member in cultural events.

A viewing was held Friday, Oct. 21, at Green Valley Mortuary. A memorial service was held at Green Valley Mortuary Saturday, Oct. 22. Graveside services were held afterwards at El Dorado Cemetery followed by Celebration of Life at Mother Lode Lion’s Hall.

Harry Elmer Hopkins march 31, 1929 - sept. 21, 2022

Harry Elmer Hopkins, of Camino, CA was born in Wellfleet, Mass., the son of Grace Rich Hopkins and the late Harry E. Hopkins.

Educated at Univ. of Mass. and Yale University, he had a 33-year career at the U. S. Forest Service, mostly in northern California. He served honorably in the U.S. Army in Germany 1952-1954.

In 1957, he happily married Karen Adele Johnson of Yreka Calif., and enjoyed 65 years of marriage and five children. Vacations to his beloved Cape Cod were highlights, as were numerous cross-country trips after retirement and special trips to Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Africa. Harry enjoyed being in God’s creation and was a follower of Christ since his teen years.

Harry was pre-deceased by his father Harry, mother Grace, sister Barbara and brother Wendell. He is survived by his loving and faithful wife Karen, his five children and their spouses: Harry Hopkins Jr. of Camino, Shirlee and Lance Swift of Pollock Pines, Ernie Hopkins of Klamath Falls Ore., Karen and Tom Braithwaite of Camino, Kathy and Bob Warren of Grants Pass Ore., as well as many loved grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and friend and helper Buster Adams. His memory will be treasured.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 at Cold Springs Church in Placerville.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to “Leo Cooper Veterans Program”. Mail to Attn: David Sarmago, c/o Cold Springs Church, 2600 Cold Springs Rd, Placerville Calif.

crime log

The following was taken from Placerville Police Department’s Office records:

Oct. 13

8:09 a.m. Officers arrested a 30-year-old man who had an outstanding warrant on Forni Road.

12:45 p.m. Officers cited a 34year-old man reportedly found in possession of a controlled substance on Placerville Drive.

2:57 p.m. Officer cited a 42-yearold man who reportedly started an illegal fire on Broadway.

3:05 p.m. Officers arrested a 53-year-old woman on suspicion of public intoxication on

Broadway.

7:49 p.m. A 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault after he reportedly brandished a knife during an altercation with another man on Forni Road.

Oct. 14

1:44 p.m. Officers arrested a 32-year-old man on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance on Fair Lane.

Oct. 15

2:11 p.m. Officers arrested a 21-year-old man on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and warrants on Placerville Drive.

2:50 p.m. Officers arrested a 51-year-old man who had a felony warrant on Cold Springs Road.

4:40 p.m. Officers arrested a 40-year-old man on suspicion of prowling near residential property on Wiltse Road.

5:05 p.m. A 48-year-old man was placed on a probation hold after he was reportedly found intoxicated on Placerville Drive.

Oct. 16

1:39 a.m. Officers arrested a 52-year-old man on suspicion of being in possession of a stolen trailer on Marshall Way.

8:49 a.m. A 30-year-old man was cited after officers reportedly found him in possession of a methamphetamine pipe on Clay Street.

1:15 p.m. Officers arrested a 30-year-old man who had

lake levels

multiple warrants flowing a traffic stop on Davis Court.

2:23 p.m. Officers arrested a 65-year-old woman on suspicion of public intoxication and probation violations on Center Street.

Oct. 17

1:37 p.m. Officers arrested a 61-year-old man on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance on Tunnel Street.

3:50 p.m. A ukulele was reported stolen on Main Street.

7 p.m. Officers arrested a 50-yearold woman on suspicion of trespassing at a Placerville Drive business.

8:20 p.m. Officers arrested a 39-year-old woman on suspicion of drug-related offenses on Broadway.

Neighbors go to work for Firewise recognition

Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer

Residents in the Shingle Springs and Rescue area in the Sierrama Drive neighborhood can breathe a sigh of relief after four months of work. Now recognized as the Sierrama Firewise USA Community, on Oct. 13 the cadre of fireconscious residents held its kicko meeting to discuss what the o cial designation means to the community.

Over the past four months homeowners underwent a process that included education, street view assessments of residences and the creation of a threeyear Firewise USA,

such a condition that it poses a threat to many areas.”

Sanders said PG&E and contracted crews cleared more vegetation than usual to lessen the risk of line strikes and accommodate for tree growth in the future to avoid multiple entries onto residential property.

District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo noted his o ce gets inquiries regarding leftover debris after PG&E conducts vegetation management.

“I’ve been getting complaints from constituents, especially along Sand Ridge Road and a lot of people of Grizzly Flat have been having issues as well,” Turnboo noted.

Sanders chalked those concerns up to the volume of vegetation management the company is taking on.

“There is an opportunity for wood management so your constituents should seek out the inspector as they enter their property and have a conversation,” Sanders advised.

Sanders said the wood is still owned by the landowner.

“It wouldn’t be appropriate for us to just assume they don’t want (the wood) and to take it, but there are opportunities for them to work with the inspectors and crews to have that removed,” Sanders explained.

PG&E added five sectionalizing devices in the county, mostly in the Placerville area. The devices separate PG&E’s power grid into smaller sections meant to lessen the size and duration of public safety power shuto s.

PG&E installed two electronic weather stations in 2022. They help the company improve weather forecasts to better predict and respond to severe weather threats to its infrastructure.

Sanders shared that PG&E management aims to have a weather station every 21 miles in the future. The number of stations installed in 2021 was 44, mainly on the county’s West Slope.

District 5 Supervisor Sue Novasel pointed out weather stations were not installed in the high Sierra area of the county. Sanders responded that PG&E’s service territory ends at Echo Summit but the utility would look into installing weather stations there.

In 2021 PG&E installed 20 new, real-time wildfire detection cameras, which are used by the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Cal Fire and local fire departments. The county will have 24 by the end of 2022.

“I can’t remember the amount but it is an incredible amount of fires that have been caught and stopped because of the early detection systems,” Novasel said, praising the high-definition cameras.

The advanced technology in enhanced powerline safety settings automatically shuts o power within one-tenth of a second of detection of a threat to the electrical system, such as a tree branch or other object striking the line. PG&E

saw an 80% reduction in California Public Utilities Commission-reportable ignitions in districts with these settings in place in 2021, according to Sanders.

An outage can last around 3-6 hours, he said, adding that PG&E is not currently able to notify customers of those outages due to the automatic nature of the service.

“We acknowledge that it is a challenge for customers to be without power even for short periods of time but it is also important to note that this is a highly e ective tool that we put in place,” Sanders said.

Board Chair and District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin asked whether PG&E could utilize smaller circuits to a ect less customers during a power shuto event, noting the county has long electrical lines.

“That’s why when we have these fast trip outages, and they occur frequently, it takes a long time with these settings to get calibrated and it is inconvenient to people,” Parlin said. “Until we are undergrounded, that is going to continue.”

Sanders explained PG&E conducts outage reviews on enhanced safety settings circuits with frequent outages and installs fault indicators to allow faster power restoration.

Eric Lamoureux, who leads the utility’s Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings Program, stated the new system is making di erences in the county by stopping ignitions before they get worse. He added that the number of people a ected has increased, not the number of outages.

“We review these outages every day and when we start to see more than five outages on a circuit, we are conducting a multi-outage review,” Lamoureux said. “We are assigning our engineers to review the settings on that circuit, seeing if we can adjust them slightly to reduce the number of outages, while still providing the ignition reduction.”

Lamoureux commented that PG&E needs to do better at communicating its powerline safety program with the public.

“We initiated this program last year following the Dixie Fire and we did not do as good a job as we needed to do to in helping customers understand what these protection settings were and why we are doing it. That has been a huge priority for us,” Lamoureux said.

PG&E o cials say they plan to notify customers through automated calls, texts or emails about when they can expect power to be restored in the event of a public safety power shuto .

Red flag warnings, winds faster than 19 mph, gusts above 30-40 mph, low humidity levels or dry material conditions could lead to a shuto .

Customers can learn more about PG&E’s wildfire safety prevention e orts at pge.com/wildfiresafety.

FINALLY,

Most Insurance Companies Pay for Treatment of Neuropathy!

Nerve

Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves often causing weakness, pain, numbness, tingling, and may also lead to serious balance problems. This

Placerville, CA – Currently the most common method most doctor’s recommend to treat neuropathy is with the use of prescription drugs. Although these drugs may temporarily reduce your symptoms they may cause a feeling of discomfort and in some cases lead to a variety of terrible unwanted side effects. We have a different method!

The treatment to increase blood ow utilizes a specialized low-level light therapy (not to be confused with laser therapy) using light emitting diode technology. This technology was originally developed by NASA to assist in increasing blow ow.

The low level light therapy is like watering a tree. The light therapy will allow the blood vessels to grow back around the peripheral nerves and provide them with the proper nutrients to heal and repair. It’s like adding water to a tree and seeing the roots grow deeper and deeper.

The amount of treatment needed to allow the nerves to fully recover varies from person to person and can only be determined after a detailed neurological and vascular evaluation.

“My feet hurt so bad after sitting I could barely take the rst few steps. I have had 11 treatments and no longer feel sharp or shooting pains and most of the tingling is gone. I now have full balance and can walk without pain. As Dr. Mooney explained the treatment is not painful, nothing uncomfortable, and is actually very relaxing.”

– Neuropathy Pain Patient

You

To

PG&E Continued from

Courtesy photo Sierrama Firewise USA President Gina Posey, Vice President Pam Wilson and resident Randa Anderson show their Firewise USA sign they will put up in the community.

Bureau of Redundancy Bureau

Much of what government does is wasteful, ineffective and redundant. For example, Senate Bill 679 was recently signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom as part of the “housing and homelessness package” of bills intended to address the state’s housing shortage. While no one disputes the severity of California’s housing crisis, this legislation is seriously flawed.

SB 679 establishes the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency and authorizes the agency to, among other things, raise and allocate taxes, incur indebtedness and place tax measures on the ballot in Los Angeles County. It was modeled on a similar bill, Assembly Bill 1487 enacted in 2019, that authorized a regional approach to housing and homelessness in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Letters to the Editor

Extinguishing high fire insurance costs

EDITOR:

Gov. Brown got a $7.5 billion water bond, Proposition 1, passed by the public in 2014; cwc. ca.gov/Water-Storage shows the status of this water bond.

authorizing new and increased parcel taxes when only 30% of Californians can afford a median priced home won’t do anything to increase homeownership …

Specifically, AB 1487 granted the Association of Bay Area Governments and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission — acting as the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority — the authority to raise billions of dollars to fund the production, preservation and protection of affordable housing. Its purpose is to facilitate a regional approach to support local jurisdictions by providing additional funding mechanisms (taxes) to address infrastructure and other housing related needs.

A legislative analysis on SB 679 described the earlier bill as being “formulated in partnership with the Bay Area’s local elected leaders and other regional leaders to collectively ensure that the entire Bay Area is on track to provide affordable housing efficiently and effectively to all residents. That bill [1487] set forth the governing structure and powers of the board, allowable financing activities, and allowable uses of the revenues generated.”

HJTA opposed 1487 because it was focused just on raising revenue without seriously considering real solutions to the housing crisis. Authorizing new and increased parcel taxes when only 30% of Californians can afford a median priced home won’t do anything to increase homeownership and, in fact, reduces affordability. While most housing decisions belong with local governments, state policies could help, including by lowering impact fees, reforming inclusionary zoning to actually incentivize unit development and removing costly mandates on new development.

Despite the bad housing policies in AB 1487, at least it recognized that the Bay Area needed a regional approach given the fact that nine different counties are in close proximity. But SB 679 had no such justification, a point specifically referenced in

Belltower

The price of our fire insurance is now so high many residents can’t make ends meet. Dr. Kermit Jones, who is running for the U.S. House in District 3, is going to sponsor bipartisan legislation for a federal program that provides tax breaks to harden our homes and create defensible space. He will work with Western states and insurers to lower insurance premiums by up to 40% and make the federal government take responsibility for fire risk on federal lands.

The Forest Service could better work with Cal Fire and other agencies to clear brush in high-risk fire areas of federal forests and create local jobs for those wanting to work to keep our communities safe from fire.

His federal fire insurance plan can lower the cost of premiums by up to 40% through three primary mechanisms. First, instead of a pool of the five million high-risk residents in Northern California, his federal plan could spread risk amongst the nearly eighty million people in the Western states. Second, it will tie lower premiums to individuals and communities that use the tax breaks to harden homes and create defensible space.

Because catastrophic wildfires affect us all, regardless of political party, this is a bipartisan issue we simply cannot ignore. It is going to require all stakeholders — agencies like Cal Fire that work to keep us safe, our local, state and federal partners and home and business owners — to work quickly together to find a viable and sustainable solution that lowers the climbing cost of fire insurance and keeps us safe.

Vote for Dr. Kermit Jones — veteran, physician and willing to fight for the things that matter as our District 3 representative in Congress.

Water

EDITOR:

MAUREEN DION PERRY Camino

History repeats itself. Remember the dry years/drought of 1976-77? Nothing new in 2022.

California is situated in the arid west. It is not called the arid west without reason. Have you heard of the Mojave Desert? Approximately 43,750 square miles (20 million acres), the Mojave Desert is the largest in California.

“If it’s brown flush it down; if it’s yellow let it mellow” — a cute jingle that still applies.

Jerry Brown served four terms as California’s governor, total of 16 years.

In his first term Gov. Brown was informed by the director of the California Department of Water Resources in a report, “Now that the two dry years are past, we must not allow the abundant water supplies of 1978 to lull us into a false sense of security.”

Why do we continually elect politicians who do nothing to accommodate the needs (water) of the increasing population?

According to current information on the internet, the last water storage facility in California was built in 1979.

How about the millions wasted on the Auburn Dam project? Since its inception, millions of dollars have been poured into the Auburn Dam project, but no work has been done since the 1980s and we have nothing to show for it.

The California Water Commission (nine members) advises the California Department of Water Resources board (five members). The California Department of Water Resources Control Board is a five-member board appointed by the governor that allocates water rights for California surface water and regulates, along with nine regional boards, state water quality.

The State Water Board is separate from and has different responsibilities than the California Department of Water Resources, which manages state-owned water infrastructure, such as dams, reservoirs and aqueducts. DWR, like any other water user, must apply for water rights permits from the State Water Board. I found this interesting, the agencies/departments listed in the website, watereducation.org/state-agenciescalifornia-involved-water-issues, are involved in the decision-making process regarding water. This website list 20 plus reasons that water projects become gridlocked in California.

We certainly know these projects are very time consuming. According to Gov. Newsom’s water plan, he will speed up the process but he doesn’t tell us how or when. No details necessary when talking to California voters. Could be just hearing the governor has a water plan is enough information.

Gov. Brown signed an executive order creating the Drought Emergency Task Force. Will Gov. Newsom do something similar? We will have to wait and see. Meanwhile, waterboards.ca.gov mentions some emergency water measures.

News flash, Gov. Newsom revives Gov. Brown’s Delta Tunnel Project but reduces the tunnels to

October is a busy month for me and a propitious one

October is my month. I like the weather as it gets cooler in October. I got married in October, something which I cherish even more than my birthday, which also falls in this month.

And since we joined the German Club, Oktoberfest at the Shakespeare Club has become another plus for this month. This year I invested in an Oktoberfest hat. Not going to do those lederhosen unless I lose 25 pounds.

I always find events at the Shakespeare Club to turn out well. That’s where we had our reception after getting married in the Episcopal Church around the block more or

less.

We’re also due to have our parking area in front of the garage paved this month.

Our Lions Club’s election crew took training with the Election Office. It’s been one of our major fundraisers as I set up a schedule of volunteers to work an election center for which the club is paid.

Also, I have collected more useful information for my file on the elk hunting trip I have planned with my son and son-in-law to Montana next month. Sixty years ago my dad took me on a horse packing trip in the Bob Marshall Wilderness when we lived in Great Falls, Mont., and I was the only one who got an elk on that trip. My

year i invested in an oktoberfest hat. not going to do those lederhosen unless i lose 25 pounds.

dad had borrowed a lever action rifle for me. Now I’ve got his rifle. We had elk salami for years afterward.

This month I was assigned to cover a Sons of the American Revolution event at the Legion Hall. Besides honoring a sheriff’s detective, they also honored a sheriff dispatcher and a COVID nurse from South Lake Tahoe. The nurse had worked at a number of other places, including Helena, Mont.

Helena is the state capital. Since the folks making the award pronounced it “Heleena,” I’ll have to put the pronunciation correctly. It’s pronounced “Hellahnah.” I can see where they get that mispronunciation from. St. Helena in Napa County is pronounced that way (“Heleena”).

The town took its name from the mountain of the same name that covers both Napa Lake counties. The town itself was named in 1855 for the St. Helena Chapter of the Sons of Temperance, which had been named for the mountain itself, according to “1000 California Place Names.” Very strange.

After I finish this short column, I’ll get to work on my report on the DAR dinner meeting. Then my next project is to complete the Lions Club bulletin before our Thursday meeting, for which I am also cook. I work out the menu Monday by shopping at Sam’s Club to see what inspires me.

Michael Raffety is retired editor of the Mountain Democrat and a resident of the Placerville area.

Richard

Krysten

Stack

Authority as well as the California Office of Emergency Services.

The local emergency declaration, a requirement for disaster assistance funding, allows the GDPUD’s Board of Directors to allocate emergency funds for postfire recovery and stabilization projects. Expenses related to the fire are being closely tracked for reimbursement through disaster funding programs.

“The emergency for the district will continue during the aftermath, dealing with erosion, landslides, blocked ditches, clearing debris and making repairs to the system,” Brown states in an update to the Association of California Water Agencies.

District officials also reported their roadways are being stablized and repairs to drainage points are under way.

In an assessment from the district’s contracted engineering company Bennett Engineering, coordinating with property owners to remove fallen trees for landslide prevention and erosion control was necessary.

GDPUD is working with the

U.S. Forest Service’s Burned Area Emergency Response and Watershed Emergency Response teams to identify stabilization issues, threats to property, life and natural resources, as well as hazards from flooding, debris flow and falling rocks.

“The BAER and WERT reports will be a valuable resource in the district’s post-fire recovery and restoration efforts, as well as the disaster funding assistance application process,” notes GDPUD officials.

More than 3 miles of the GDPUD’s upper canal conveyance system were damaged by fire. The ditches were located within a highseverity burn area.

When the Mosquito Fire started in early September, GDPUD informed incident command of the threat to district infrastructure. Between Sept. 10 and 23, GDPUD workers received escorted access into the burn zone to maintain water supply. Staff and Bennett Engineering assessed the damage Sept. 22-23 and identified immediate concerns of maintaining water supply, levee road repair, water quality, erosion control, infrastructure repair and tree mitigation.

update

In “$28K in sick time overpay settled” published Oct. 21 on page A1 of the Mountain Democrat the El Dorado County Auditor-Controller states a $12,000 payment from former HR Director Tameka Usher had not been received. That payment came in the day the story published.

Announcements

AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 334-2970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot. comt

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) 417-7138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

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 Sheriff’s office, 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 916-768-4452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at the Moni Gilmore Sr Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

Ready for real change?

ceLeBrATe recOvery meets Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm at Bayside Church of Placerville, 4602 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. We are a Christ centered recovery program to find healing and recovery from our hurts, habits, and hangups. Email elebratercovery@ baysideplacerville. com. Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/ CRBaysidePlacerville.

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 fourpart 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. Join fun-loving women Wednesdays 9am-11am at El Dorado High School. Lessons, social events, only $35/year. Call Cindy 805-540-8654.

seNiOr Peer cOUNseLiNG of El Dorado County is seeking volunteer counselors. Do you possess such qualities as warmth, empathy and nonjudgement, as well as having varied life experiences, and being over the age of 55? If you do and would like to help and listen to fellow seniors who are dealing with age related issues such as loneliness, isolation, health and grief, we would love to talk to you. Counselors receive training and are supervised by a professional in the field. SPC Clinical Supervisor Jayann Askin, MFT, shares “We are looking for volunteers who are interested in psychology, counseling, and mental health and would like to be a part of a supportive group of ongoing learners in this field.” For more information on this greatly rewarding volunteer opportunity, please call 530-621-6304

Letters Continued from A4

one. It would be educational for us voters if an honest competent news agency reported a story regarding the creation of a water storage facility in California from start to finish. We should never forget that we delicate human beings can go about three days without water.

JOEL WILLIS Somerset

Coupal Continued from A4 the Assembly’s own Committee on Appropriations staff report: “Such powers and capacities already exist within the county government.”

Further, “[s]ince Los Angeles County governs all 88 cities, unlike the Bay Area, which is made up of nine counties, it is unclear whether a new bureaucracy is needed to undertake actions that can already be carried out by Los Angeles County in conjunction with its cities.”

In opposition, the California Taxpayers Association made the same point: “The creation of an additional housing agency with the same taxing authority as local jurisdictions is unnecessary and inefficient. Additionally, the new agency would have the ability to impose countywide taxes and use the revenue for projects that do not benefit the taxpayers in all of the cities being taxed.”

We suspect that the real purpose of SB 679 is to give local politicians “plausible deniability” that they are responsible for raising taxes. “It’s not us,” they’ll be able to claim. It’s the state’s high taxes and onerous regulatory regime that slow development to a crawl and dramatically drive up the cost of construction. Adding another layer of taxation isn’t the solution.

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

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PUZZLE BY LESLIE YOUNG AND ANDREA CARLA MICHAELS

PUZZLE BY REBECCA GOLDSTEIN AND RACHEL FABI

Photo courtesy of GDPUD

TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The luck is not handed down or handed out. The luck is stumbled upon by seekers or by soldiers on the job. Keep after your project and don’t worry about good fortune; it will find you quite on its own.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The thought may cross your mind that if you let one thing go — a token, a possession, an idea, a relationship — you’ll lose a part of yourself as well. You own what you own. Be confident in your ability to hold on to what you have.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The cosmic backdrop is compli cated, and so are you. Something felicitous is likely to form out from the unique chemistry of this day. You’ll magnetize a new friend.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Like a blink, a thought can be invol untary or voluntary. The thoughts of the world will drift like clouds through the sky of your mind. Also, you can choose a thought and think it at will -- a highly recommended and lucky choice today.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). If you leave it up to the fates, they will fill in your agenda, no problem, with the call of duty at every hour and a responsibility around every corner. The fates don’t do fun. You’ll have to take the reins; throw it into the mix yourself.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). If you want people to know what’s on your mind, you’ll send the signal, likely through action and not the inferior system known as words. When you don’t want people to know what you’re thinking, they won’t be able to read you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Loyalty is the quality you admire and uphold. There may be an opportunity to sacrifice a bit of it at the altar of humor and gossip, but you’ll be hap pier if you don’t. Ask your better angels to guide your tongue.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). “The warm, calm nest in which a bird sings recalls the songs, the charms, the pure threshold of my old home,” wrote the French poet Jean Caubere. You will be similarly reminded of a childhood sense of home -- how it was or how you wished it would be.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You could turn a sympa thetic ear, and such a compassionate reception would be welcome, although it brings but mild results. Nurturing and sympathy are soon forgotten. Inspire action instead. Bring about change.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’re working on a problem even when you think you’re not. Unusual thoughts pop to mind, and your dreams take a highly creative turn, too. This will influence a relationship and where you take things next.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Remember when you had excel lent financial timing? You bought low and watched the value increase, and then you took things to market at the perfect moment to make a profit. Get ready because another such moment is coming.

he also thanked.

D’Agostini introduced Dispatcher of the Year Kelsey Hartshorn, noting she is part of the dispatch training program. “She takes total care to callers.”

When the county dispatch center is short-staffed “she is the first to roll over” a shift, D’Agostini said. She’s also been named Dispatcher of the Year three times.

Hartshorn thanked the sheriff and said she looks forward to working under Leikauf.

The Emergency Medical Service Commendation Award went to Elke Houser, a nurse practitioner at Barton Community Health Center in South Lake Tahoe.

Houser was a 1981 graduate of Ponderosa High School. She spent 14 years in the U.S. Air Force and then used her GI Bill to become a nurse.

She was on the frontline of the

COVID-19 pandemic, with South Lake Tahoe having the highest percentage of cases in El Dorado County for a while.

Her past experience includes being an emergency room and trauma nurse at Mercy San Juan, Dominican, Mercy Redding and St. Elizabeth Hospital in Red Bluff, director of nursing for the Santa Cruz County Jail, supervising nurse for Avenal and Pleasant Valley state prisons and nursing supervisor for the Montana VA Center in Helena, Mont.

It was the ninth community awards banquet for Sons of the American Revolution, held at the American Legion Hall in Placerville.

SAR recording secretary Thomas Douglas was also recognized; he founded the Mother Lode Chapter of the congressionally chartered nonprofit organization that promotes patriotism and preserves and teaches American history to future generations.

defensible space action plan.

In attendance at the meeting held at El Dorado County Fire Protection District Station 38 in Shingle Springs were Sierrama Firewise President Gina Posey and Vice President Pam Wilson, local fire chiefs Ron Phillips and Braden Stirling and District

4 Supervisor Lori Parlin, as well as area residents.

During the Firewise community kick-off session, residents received some expert advice from Phillips and Stirling, including defensible space best practices such as clearing vegetation or any fire fuels at least 5 feet from a home.

Other best practices include making homes more visible for emergency vehicles with the addition of reflective address numbers. Fire officials also recommend inspecting and replacing a home’s vent screens with eighthinch screens to help prevent embers from entering attic spaces.

Sierrama Firewise Community organizers said they plan to hold annual clean-up days while continuing ongoing defensible space work year-round.

An important aspect of being a Firewise Community, according to Posey, is possible discounts on homeowners’ insurance.

The state Insurance Commissioner’s new insurance pricing regulation, part of the Safer from Wildfires framework, recognizes and rewards wildfire safety and mitigation efforts made by homeowners and businesses in Firewise USA communities.

n TODAy

HOROSCOPE by Holiday Mathis

SUDOkU

Solutions to puzzles in Classified section of newspaper.

Heroes Continued from A1

Firewise Continued from A3

Neighbors looking to make their homes more fire safe attend Sierrama Firewise USA’s kick off meeting Oct. 13 at El Dorado County Fire Protection District Station 38.

Courtesy photo

SAR Mother Lode Chapter President Douglas Drake, above, presents the Emergency Medical Service Commendation Award to Elke Houser. Kelsey Hartshorn, right, with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office has been named Dispatcher of the Year three times.

Photos by Michael Raffety

A better mammogram sees more than ever before

Marshall Medical Center News release

Preventable Fires:

detail is incredible,” said Dan Weaver, director of Diagnostic Imaging at Marshall Medical Center.

Breast

cancer is sneaky. And it’s scary. It’s silent and has almost no symptoms in its early stages. Experts encourage regular selfexams, but even if you do them it can be difficult to know when you feel something abnormal. Mammograms have been around for decades and are touted as a basic diagnostic tool.

But is there something better?

Consider the 3D mammogram. It’s a new type of digital X-ray that creates 2D and 3D-like models of the breasts.

“The image is made up of thin image slices, allowing a radiologist to flip through the images much like going through the pages of a book. The

3D visibility is especially useful in women with dense breasts, which account for about half of all women. According to the CDC, women with dense breasts are also at higher risk for breast cancer. What’s more, dense breast tissue can mask tumors. Fibrous and glandular tissue can look similar to tumors. It can be difficult to discern.

3D mammography allows doctors to “see through” breast tissue, vastly improving visualization and more accurate readings.

3D mammograms are approved for all women who would need to undergo a regular mammogram. To schedule a 3D mammogram, call your doctor for a referral or make an appointment with Marshall Diagnostic Imaging at (530) 626-2861.

The number one lifesaver for homeowners is to check their smoke alarms to ensure they are working in the event of a fire. Have a 2 and 2 plan. Two ways out of your home, and two ways out of your neighborhood!

PLAN. PRACTICE PREPAREDNESS.

Better cancer care available in El Dorado County

“I love going to the cancer center for my appointments. It feels like they are invested in my care, they greet me by name, and I feel so bonded with my doctors and nurses. It’s like being cared for by my own family.”

— Nancy Getz

Marshall Medical Center News release

As an ICU nurse, Nancy Getz was focused on healing very sick patients she saw at work every day. Health care was her business. Then she found a lump and everything changed. Last February, Getz received her COVID-19 vaccine and later found a lump near her underarm.

“I just assumed it was a side effect from the vaccine. I knew a few people who had experienced this but I went to see my doctor anyway,” she said.

Her doctor sent her to get a mammogram. Just 18 months after a negative mammogram, this one came back positive for two lumps: the one Getz found and a larger one in her breast. A biopsy confirmed they were malignant and she was diagnosed with aggressive, triple-positive breast cancer.

While no one is happy about a cancer diagnosis, Getz was pleased to know that this type of cancer could be treated at the Marshall Cancer Center in Cameron Park.

“It’s only 11 minutes from my home,” she said. “I was relieved to not have to deal with an hour’s drive to Sacramento while feeling ill and uneasy.”

Her course of treatment began with chemotherapy at Marshall’s infusion center, followed by a lumpectomy and concluding with six weeks of radiation. All of this took place in Cameron Park, except for the surgery.

“I love going to the Cancer Center for my appointments,” explained Getz. “It feels like they are invested in my care, they greet me by name, and I feel so bonded with my doctors and nurses. It’s like being cared for by my own family.”

Getz later learned Marshall and UC Davis Health announced an affiliation for cancer services, giving Marshall patients access to the renowned UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. “My first thought was that this is great,” she shared. “UC Davis has everything. My next thought was that now Marshall patients will be able to participate in the latest clinical trials. That could mean the difference between life and death.”

Placerville’s Mary Beth Fahy also received a breast cancer diagnosis last year. Hers was found early thanks to Marshall’s recently acquired 3D mammographic system.

“It had been a couple of years since my last mammogram, so I curiously asked my oncologist if the tumor would have shown last year,” Mary Beth said. “She told me that it might not even have been visible even this year had it not been for the 3D machine.”

Fahy was similarly pleased to hear the announcement about the affiliation with UC Davis Health. Her husband suffered from a brain tumor a few years ago and required treatment at a different Sacramento hospital.

“It was so inconvenient,” she explained. “It felt like a big impersonal machine.”

Dr. Mamatha Siricilla, a Marshall hematologist and oncologist, offers that in addition to access to clinical trials, treatment will be more streamlined if a patient has cancer that requires a sub specialty.

“Those patients will be seen by a UC Davis specialist in a timelier manner since we won’t have to transfer the patient between systems, and they can undergo their radiation, chemotherapy and other infusions in Cameron Park,” she explained.

Affiliation with the UC Davis Cancer Care Network allows Marshall oncologists to work directly with UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center oncologists to ensure the latest diagnostic and treatment options are available to their patients. Marshall’s providers and clinicians will have access to continuing medical education opportunities at UC Davis Health. UC Davis oncologists will also be involved in the tumor board meetings for Marshall patients, where diagnoses and treatment plans are discussed and knowledge is shared.

“Our cancer center is an amazing community resource for people going through the cancer journey,” Nancy said. “And now the advanced level of care, together with that special family atmosphere, gives Marshall cancer patients the best of both worlds.”

Mary beth Fahy

NaNcy Getz

Lucas Hill earns student leader award

Dina Gentry News release

Kiwanis Club of Placerville has awarded October’s Student Service Leader of the Month Award to Lucas Hill, an El Dorado High School junior and co-vice president of the student Key Club. After receiving the award at a Kiwanis evening meeting located at the Cold Springs Golf Club, Lucas expressed, “I really appreciate this award and our Key Club.”

“Lucas has been an active member of the Key Club for the last two years. In his efforts supporting the club, Lucas has the responsibility of fundraising to support service projects, such as the community garden the club is building at Duffy Park,” said Sophie Cabrera, EDHS Key Club advisor. “Lucas was part of a small group of members that met with El Dorado Disposal to discuss a partnership and funding for the project. He has recently completed and submitted a grant proposal requesting funds and in-kind services.

“He also supports the club by participating in activities like the EDHS Club Day that recruits new members to various enriching

opportunities,” she added. “In addition to his Key Club activities, Lucas has volunteered for events for Ag in the Classroom and events at St. Patrick Church.”

El Dorado County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ed Manansala, an active Kiwanis member, added, “Lucas exemplifies the spirit of service and leads by example. He is a model student with great

promise.”

Bob Verzello, Placerville Kiwanis President, concluded the award presentation by noting, “Our service clubs provide so much to our communities in a variety of ways. We are thankful for our students’ commitment to service.

Congratulations, Lucas!”

For more information regarding Placerville Kiwanis visit placervillekiwanis.org.

Maggie’s House Cleaning

Courtesy photo

El Dorado County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ed Manansala, Lucas Hill, Key Club advisor Sophie Cabrera and Kiwanis Club of Placerville President Bob Verzello, left to right, celebrate Lucas’ award.

Culinary students embrace farm-to-fork

Jessica Trumble-Pitel

El Dorado County Office of Education

As summer heat turns into crisp fall mornings, the sounds, smells and comfort come forth from the school teaching kitchen at El Dorado County Office of Education Charter College and Career Prep campus. Thursday mornings are an exciting buzz with students taking local produce and ingredients to make healthy dishes to nourish the body and mind in CCP’s Foods and Nutrition class.

Lisa Boyle, longtime CCP teacher, shares her perspective of bringing together hands-on cooking lessons connected to El Dorado County Farm-toFork. “Students participating in the Foods and Nutrition class at Charter College and Career Prep learn diverse ways to use farm fresh foods in their daily cooking,” she explained. “They become aware of the accessibility of foods grown locally by farmers, community farms and farmers markets. With a variety of nutritious food choices, students develop skills and knowledge to promote lifelong health.”

El Dorado County is an ever-evolving place with the opportunities to welcome the new but continue to stabilize through traditions. A staple that continues within El Dorado County is the vibrant farm-to-fork and agriculture movements. Strong education systems and health start within individual students and CCP is excited to have the ability to teach the next generation of students about nutrition, food preparation and local food systems.

In conjunction to CCP’s Food and Nutrition class, CCP is in the development stages of revitalizing on-campus garden areas, creating a composting system to lessen food waste and developing partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, schools, businesses and community

members. This will aid in creating a truly transformative and representative farm-to-fork learning experience for all students in El Dorado County.

For more information about CCP visit the website at ccp.edcoe.org.

Courtesy photo Foods and Nutrition classmates learn diverse ways to use farm fresh foods in their daily cooking.