News. etc.
sports
El Dorado’s twin captains excel in athletics and academics.
EL DORADO C
National tour of ‘The New Colossus’ coming to Harris Center.
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mtdemocrat.com
Monday, February 24, 2020
Volume 169 • Issue 22
| 75¢
BE COUNTED , BECAUSE WE ALL MATTER!
No word on boy’s cause of death n FBI assisting with
out-of-state interviews Pat Lakey Staff writer It has been 42 days since Placerville police reported they expect findings from an autopsy on an 11-year-old boy whose January death was termed “suspicious.” Back on Roman Anthony Jan. 14, police Lopez told reporters
“The pathology report is not taking any longer than most cases.”
Democrat photo by Dawn Hodson
Bill Bryant with Squadron Area One, Post 119, El Dorado and Placerville of Sons of the American Legion, awaits donations outside of the VFW Hall in Placerville Tuesday Feb. 18, where he set up his Helmets for Heroes collection tent.
— Cmdr. Kim Nida, Placerville Police Department and the public that it would take “four to six weeks” for the coroner to complete tests and release resultant findings, long weeks that have faded the flowers and covered with dust the stuffed toys comprising a makeshift memorial for Roman Anthony Lopez that graces the sidewalk at the corner of Bee and Coloma streets in Placerville. It is thought the boy died at the house next-door to the red-brick church on the corner, the small house at 2892 Coloma St. where Roman and seven other children apparently were living when the 11-year-old was reported missing Jan. 11. Except for a Sacramento TV station reporting this week that the FBI has become involved in the case — in an apparently limited capacity — there is no new information forthcoming from the Placerville Police Department. Commander Kim Nida did confirm to the Mountain Democrat that local police sought FBI n
See Lopez, page A7
Helping veterans one helmet full of change at a time
n Collections points
distributed around state, county Dawn Hodson Staff writer
I
t may have been a tad windy Tuesday but that didn’t stop Bill Bryant from setting up his colorful easy-up in front of the Veterans Memorial Building in Placerville and collecting donations for veterans through his Helmets for Heroes fundraising campaign. Bryant, the vice commander of Squadron Area One, Post 119, El Dorado and Placerville of Sons of the American Legion, is not a veteran
himself but his father was and Bryant is proud of his father’s service and that of other veterans. With a goal of helping past, present and future veterans, Bryant said the campaign, which he started in this county in early 2018, had already collected $5,000 between Sep. 18 and June 19. Since then he’s collected $4,500 more. A statewide fundraising effort, Bryant said Sons of The American Legion collected $42,000 last year and expect to collect even more this year. The funds collected go to veterans service organizations like the California American Legion Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Foundation. Bryant said he will be attending events to raise money for his Helmets for Heroes campaign — setting up his
easy-up at an upcoming olive festival as well as American Legion events and biker events. “Bikers are very generous when it comes to veterans,” he said. Bryant has also put out more than 100 helmet banks that have a slot in the top for inserting change. So far he said he’s placed more than 100 of them at different supermarkets, convenience stores, feed stores, restaurants, gas stations and gun shops — anywhere people have change they’d like to contribute to help a veteran. People can also purchase a helmet bank for $25 which will go toward the cause. “I’m having fun doing it,” Bryant said, but added that he’s also doing it because a lot of veterans need help. n
See Helmets, page A7
New terms move Serrano Village’s J7 project forward after appeal Roundabout could ease traffic concerns around the 12.5-acre park
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Dylan Svoboda Staff writer After an appeal from County Auditor-Controller Joe Harn, Serrano Associates is moving forward with its Serrano Village J7 project under new conditions. In early December Harn appealed the original El Dorado County Planning Commission’s approval of the project because, he said, the park construction
requirements were vague and with a “good faith” agreement of the nearby Bridlewood planners failed to require regarding future construction Canyon neighborhood. satisfactory traffic mitigation of the park, EDHCSD and But any future roundabout efforts of the developer. Serrano Associates agreed on hinges on the compliance Now Serrano of Bridlewood Associates and residents. “We were told that Bass Lake Road county staff Serrano have worked out would be fixed ... that was 25 years ago.” Associates an agreement has pledged — Debra Simon, Bridlewood Canyon resident centered on a to contribute potential Bass $200,000 Lake Road roundabout and a deal to dedicate park design toward the roundabout. an arrangement between and construction rights to the Department of Transportation the county, El Dorado Hills agency. Director Rafael Martinez Community Services District County planning manager indicated that the county and developer aimed at finally Mel Pabalinas said the would seek a similar amount, getting the park built. agreement should bolster but wasn’t yet ready to give a Recent efforts have moved the timing of the park’s specific total. all parties involved closer to construction. Martinez estimated that the constructing the 12.5-acre County staff is aiming to roundabout project would park, county staff noted. remedy traffic concerns with cost about $2.3 million in After nearly moving forward a roundabout at the entrance total.
e out th Check ING & SPR R! D WEA N E K E WE
Bridlewood Canyon Homeowners Association leaders, who are concerned over future area traffic flow, have shown willingness to potentially dedicate funds to the project, according to a letter from county planning manager Mel Pabalinas. The funds would provide key “seed money” that could be used to obtain additional outside grants, which could then be used to fully fund the project, according to Department of Transportation Director Rafael Martinez. The roundabout would provide a safer environment for nearby residents, Martinez n
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See J7 project , page A7