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C ali forn ia’s Olde st Ne w spaper
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mtdemocrat.com
Monday, November 20, 2023
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Volume 172 • Issue 133 | $1.00
County continues to challenge syringe exchange Eric Jaramishian Staff writer El Dorado County leaders continue to make efforts to discontinue Sierra Harm Reduction Coalition’s syringe exchange program after the California Department of Public Health reauthorized the organization’s operations in the county. The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved sending another letter to the CDPH disapproving of the coalition’s activities, which will be signed by the board chair and Sheriff Jeff Leikauf. County leaders including Board Chair Wendy Thomas and Supervisor Lori Parlin, along with Leikauf, District Attorney Vern Pierson and police chiefs Joe Wren of Placerville and David Stevenson of South Lake Tahoe, along with others, met with
“We are seeing needles around our community. It is creating a public health and safety nuisance and hazard along our public spaces like our parks and the harm greatly outweighs any potential benefits that they see.” — Wendy Thomas, District 3 supervisor the Department of Public Health representatives Nov. 8 to discuss why the county believes the syringe-exchange program should be discontinued. Though the syringe exchange program is meant to help prevent spread of HIV, hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases, county leaders insist SHRC has been doing more harm than good. “It is primarily the homeless population they serve which is working against everything we are trying to accomplish with our very fragile response that we
are making strides on, but it is in flux and is a fluid situation,” Thomas said. “We are seeing needles around our community. It is creating a public health and safety nuisance and hazard along our public spaces like our parks and the harm greatly outweighs any potential benefits that they see.” SHRC exists to swap out dirty paraphernalia with clean in an attempt to stop the spread of diseases and to create a “recovery-ready” environment for n See syringe exchange, page A7
West Nile virus death reported Eric Jaramishian Staff writer
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El Dorado County public health officials on Thursday reported a resident died of West Nile virus. The individual was older than 55 and lived on the West Slope of the county, according to a press release sent by county spokesperson Carla Hass. The death occurred at the end of October. The victim of the virus, whose name and city of residence was not released, was one of three cases reported in humans in El Dorado County in 2023, Hass confirmed to the Mountain Democrat. Records as far back as 2005 show no other West Nile virus deaths reported in the county. In 2022 the county saw no virus cases and just two over the two previous years. Between 2019 and 2009 six cases were reported, according to data shared by Hass. As of Nov. 10 state data shows 317 cases have been reported this
year in 33 counties, 10 of which were fatal. In 2022 cases of the virus statewide numbered 120; the five-year average is 147.4. In August the county saw its first human West Nile virus case of the year, one of 26 reported in 12 California counties that month. In July a house finch found in the Lotus area tested positive for West Nile, county health officials confirmed. The mosquito-borne virus causes disease in humans, horses and birds, and spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquito mitigation efforts such as trapping and identifying mosquitoes, treating neglected swimming pools and testing and reporting dead birds are in place throughout the county, states the press release. Those older than 60, individuals who have received an organ transplant and people with certain medical conditions, including cancer and diabetes are at most risk for developing severe symptoms from the virus. According to information from the Centers for Disease Control, most people (8 out of 10) infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms. About 1 in 5 people infected develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Most people with fever due to West Nile virus recover completely, n See west nile, page A8
Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack
Karen and Geri Hyder, along with the rest of the Hyder and Indian Rock Tree Farm family, continue the Trees for Troops tradition and are asking for names and addresses of those deployed.
Trees for Troops sends soldiers
a piece of home Noel Stack Managing editor
T
he El Dorado County tradition of sending small Christmas trees and other goodies to local servicemen and women deployed during the holidays continues. The Hyder family of Indian Rock Tree Farm in Camino asks residents to submit names and addresses now so those serving can have a reminder of home while they are so far away. Email the name of the serviceman/woman and the address to karen@IndianRockTreeFarm.com before Thanksgiving to ensure a special delivery. Started by the late Carl Borelli and championed by Larry and Geri Hyder for more than four decades, Trees for Troops began during the Vietnam War. Larry died in 2020 but his family refuses to let the tradition fall away. “It is my commitment to do this always … forever,” Larry and Geri’s daughter Karen Hyder told the Mountain Democrat. “One of my earliest memories was my parents
sending the trees to hostages in Tehran,” she shared, explaining that through special connections, someone was able to smuggle the packages over a fence to get them to the hostages held in 1979. “It really means something to them to have someone personally send them (the trees and goodies),” Geri said of those serving away from home. “I’ve had people say they feel like they’re not forgotten.” Trees for Troops care packages include a Christmas tree, handmade decorations, treats, toiletries and personal messages from county officials, law enforcement and local youth. The Hyders accept donations year round and put together the boxes Thanksgiving week — before the Christmas tree rush hits the popular tree farm. “It is a privilege and an honor to do this for the men and women who are serving,” Geri said. “It’s our way of showing respect and admiration for those serving, regardless of where they are,” Karen added. “They’re putting their lives on the line.” Lic # 559305
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