Bubbles work
Familiar faces
Curtains of bubbles keep Lake Tahoe’s waters blue.
Wood sculptor brings out nature’s personality.
Inside, A8
ACCURATE TAX SERVICE
News, etc. B1
GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIM E
Providing Qualit y Tax Services fo r Over 38 Years 1345 Broadw ay, Pla
mtdemocrat.com
Friday, February 26, 2021
Volume 170 • Issue 24 | 75¢
(530) 622-55 46
cerville (Acro
www.Accurate ss from Tractor Supply) TaxService.co m
Noose conversation continues with national attention Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer In an open letter dated Feb. 10 from UnidosUS, a national Latino advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., and signed by other racial justice and civil rights organizations, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Faith in Action and the National Urban League, the city of Placerville was once again called upon to look at the use of a noose and the moniker Old Hangtown on official seals and documents. The letter urges the Placerville City Council to “immediately remove the graphic illustrations of the noose, hanging tree, the
term ‘hangtown’ and any related symbols and phrases from its seal, logo, emblems, stationery and all other official materials.” As the item was not on the agenda no action was taken by City Council but council members did listen to public comment. One member of the public who did not identify himself accused the writers of the letter of intimidating and bullying the city into removing the noose and said that he was, “in the camp of putting it to a vote of the people.” He ended his time limit for comment stating that Placerville is “quite comfortable with its image.” The next caller, Placerville resident Melinda Velasco, didn’t agree. Velasco, who said she has lived in Placerville for 40 years,
argued she was not “quite happy with the noose” and went on to quote several differing accounts of the original hangings on which the name Hangtown is purportedly based. Velasco said claims of the issue being about historical preservation are not supported when “not even the history is clear.” Leo Bennett-Cauchon of Shingle Springs quoted the UnidosUS letter, “Justice delayed can be justice denied,” and urged the council to move forward with a decision as an action item on a future agenda. Michele Greene of Camino asked if the council is “prepared for national attention,” and further said the council cannot defer this decision with bureaucracy.
Courtesy graphic
The proposed change to the Placerville city seal would omit the noose hanging from the tree behind the miner.
23,000 doses of vaccine given so far in EDC Dawn Hodson Staff writer The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday received an update on the county’s response to the coronavirus with an emphasis on vaccination appointments and vaccine clinics. Carla Hass, director of communications and outreach, reported the latest virus data for the county. She noted so far the county has received 38,000 doses of vaccines and has administered 23,000 doses. The remaining doses are reserved for current and upcoming clinics, many of which will be at Red Hawk Casino. Hass reported 77% of vaccines have gone to those on the West Slope and 23% to South Lake Tahoe residents. About 50% of vaccine doses will be the second injection for some and the other 50% for those receiving their first injection. As far as who has received the COVIDn
See doses, page A3
Traffic congestion at Carson Creek worries supes Thomas Frey Staff writer The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors held a conceptual review hearing of the proposed Carson Creek Village Specific Plan Tuesday that could bring a housing community to nearly 100 acres of land near the Sacramento County line off Latrobe Road in El Dorado Hills. The proposal, which would be developed by Oregon based-PacTrust, calls for about 600-800 medium-and high-density residential units to sit on nearly 47 acres. The plan also calls for 10 acres of commercial buildings, 1.5 acres for research and development, 8.5 acres for a park and paseo, 26.5 acres of open space and 4.4 acres for a road on Carson Crossing Drive. Project engineer Dan Dameron of Environmental Science Associates said the plan is to build close to the El Dorado n
See carson Creek, page A6
Photos courtesy of El Dorado County Fire Protection District
Firefighters attack a fully engulfed house under construction in Pleasant Valley after a blaze broke out there Tuesday afternoon. Winds blew burning debris into nearby fields, sparking spot fires.
Pleasant Valley house under construction destroyed in fire Dawn Hodson Staff writer A house under construction in Pleasant Valley caught fire Tuesday afternoon. Firefighters say the house was totally destroyed. No one was living in the home at the time, according to El Dorado County Fire Chief Tim Cordero, and no one was injured, although two dogs were rescued. Cordero said a few spot fires started in adjacent fields due to wind spreading debris from the house fire. The fire started around 3:45 p.m. and was out in two hours followed by two hours of mop-up operations. Pleasant Valley Road
near Leisure Lane had to be closed for several hours due to crews having a fire hose connected to a hydrant across the street. Crews from El Dorado County and Diamond
Springs-El Dorado fire protection districts, Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit and Pioneer Fire Protection District worked to bring the fire under control.
“This is another example of teamwork,” said Cordero, noting how the different fire agencies came together. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Flames rip through the structure, photo above. Charred framework, right photo, is all that remains of much of the house.
SOLAR + BATTERY IS NOW AFFORDABLE! • 10KW solar plus 18.9KWH Battery installed for just $236 per month and see if you qualify for $17,000 in tax credits • Includes Premium US made 340 Watt solar panels and Premium microinverters each with 25 year manufacturer and labor warranty
26% Solar Federal Tax Credit extended through the end of 2021 Financing with 1.49%APR and ZERO Out Of Pocket!
(530) 344-3237 • 4420 Commodity Way, Suite A, Shingle Springs • info@SolarSavingsDirect.com • solarsavingsdirect.com Call (530) 344-5000 for convenient home delivery and free online access to www.mtdemocrat.com