C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
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– Midweek Edition – VOLUME 174 • ISSUE 5 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2025
‘IT IS SO HARD TO LOSE TWO BEAUTIFUL SOULS’ Community comes together at candlelight vigil to honor fire victims Shelly Thorene Staff writer
Hundreds of mourners gathered at the Belltower at 5 p.m. Sunday night to mourn the loss of two local teens, Joslyn Mae Walthers, 14, and Noah Chesterman, 15, both of Placerville who perished in a house fire in Somerset on Jan. 1. Friends and family tearfully signed memorials placed near the teens’ photos and lit candles. According to loved ones who spoke with media outlets, the fire started from a space heater that was too close to a Christmas tree at the friend’s house where the teens spent New Year’s Eve. Green Valley Church Pastor Rebekah Townsend thanked everyone who attended. “When we face tragedy it’s really important that we come together and support one another and so just you being present here communicates love and care for the family but also those of you who are friends and knew Noah and Joslyn, you also need comforting tonight,” she shared. “As a community, we need comforting, so this is for you.” Buckets of candles were placed at the base of the Belltower beside the banners with photos of each child and poster boards for friends and family to write messages. Townsend invited friends and family to share memories and thoughts of Noah and Joslyn and the first person to step up was Noah’s stepbrother Kaden Tappan, 10, of
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Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene
Friends of Joslyn Walthers, 14, above, write messages on a memorial created for the teen who perished alongside Noah Chesterman, 15, in a house fire in Somerset Jan. 1. Below, Addy Gilmer, 14, of Placerville, right, and Arianna Hernandez, 15, of Camino comfort each other, mourning the loss of their friends at the Jan. 12 vigil for the teens at Placerville’s Belltower. Placerville. “We were really close,” Kaden said. “I loved him very much. He was strong, funny and I loved him very much. I am sure that he is having a real fun time in Heaven right now.” Addy Gilmer, 14, of Placerville and Arianna Hernandez, 15, of Camino were the next speakers on the platform. “Joslyn was the most bright person ever,” Addy shared. “She was there for any person, no matter if she knew them or not. She always saw the bright
in everything. She was just the sweetest soul, ever, and took care of everybody around her and put everyone before her.” About Noah, she added, “Noah was a really good person and (he) put everyone before him. They were both beautiful souls that deserved so much and I’m praying for their families because it is so hard to lose two beautiful souls.” Many students went up to the stage, two at ■ See VIGIL, page A5
Small project to make a big difference Odin Rasco Senior staff writer
Mountain Democrat photo by Odin Rasco
First responders, Marshall leadership and top donors gathered in front of the construction site with golden shovels for a photo opportunity at the groundbreaking ceremony. The project will provide an awning to cover the ambulance bay and keep patients and emergency personnel out of harsh weather at a critical moment.
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First responders, Marshall staff and leadership and community donors gathered at the back of the Emergency Department Thursday, Jan. 9, to celebrate the ensuing construction of an awning which will cover the Placerville hospital’s ambulance bay. “When you come up out of the ambulance and straight into harsh weather, that is not what we want to see,” Marshall CEO Siri Nelson told the crowd that gathered at the brief ceremony. “We want a caring environment that starts from the moment you get into the ambulance, with no interruptions along the way.”
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