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mtdemocrat.com
Friday, December 8, 2023
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Volume 172 • Issue 141 | $1.00
Rebuilt Grizzly Flat Post Office a ‘sign of hope’ Eric Jaramishian Staff writer
More than two years after their small community burned in the Caldor Fire, Grizzly Flat residents are anticipating the reopening of their local U.S. Postal Service post office currently in its final stages of construction. Hundreds of structures in Grizzly Flat burned in the massive forest fire, including n See Post office, page A6
Photo courtesy of Tabatha Walker
A near-completed U.S. Postal Service post office in Grizzly Flat sits on Sciaroni Road as a sign of hope in rebuilding the community fire-torn by the 2021 Caldor Fire.
Pollock Pines shines The community of Pollock Pines celebrated the lighting of its Christmas tree Saturday, Dec. 2. Despite a drizzle of rain, residents gathered for the event along Pony Express trail near El Dorado Savings Bank, where holiday performances and sweet treats made for a festive night. Pollock Pines mother and daughter Alicia Solorio and Azaleia, 13, take a selfie in front of the tree after it was illuminated.
Photo by Daniel Linhardt
n see more
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
photos on A7
The Pollock Pines Trees for Teens are also adding festive holiday glow. The trees are sponsored by businesses, organizations and individuals to support and purchase gifts for youth in the community.
Photo by Cecilia Clark
Courtesy photo
Luna the 10-month-old German shepherd mix is pictured about 35 feet up a gray pine on her owner’s Lotus property Monday morning.
Looking for Luna low and ... high Krysten Kellum Editor
N
o one thought to look up when 10-monthold pup Luna went missing Sunday morning. It wasn’t until the next day the German shepherdLabrador mix was spotted about 30 feet high perched between branches of a gray pine tree on her owner Becky and Brian Spies’ Lotus property. Becky described Luna as “always by (her) side,” so when she didn’t come when called after being let out at 7 a.m., Dec. 3, a search of the Spies’ 10 acres off Clark Mountain Road began. Posts to social media alerted nearby residents to be on the lookout as Becky and Brian loaded up in their UTV to cover more ground. Neighbors joined in the effort, one of whom had captured a photo of Luna on his game camera not too far away. Not letting out a bark, whimper or growl, Luna watched it all from above, in a tree not more than 300 feet from the Spies’ home. “We literally drove around all day looking for her and checking with neighbors,” Becky told the Mountain Democrat. Becky was up all night calling for Luna, who still “didn’t make a sound.” Monday morning Becky was at work when she got a call after friends and neighbors Rick Wilson, Jared Johnson and Luka Bogdanovich set out on foot in hopes of finding Luna. They had found the dog. Becky recalled Bogdanovich telling her, “She’s fine but I don’t know how we are going to get her.” Fortunately for Luna, Brian is a painter by trade and knows his way up a ladder. Owner of BT Custom Painting, Brian grabbed one of his tallest ladders and with the help of his neighbors carried it n See Luna, page A7
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