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News, etc., B1
171
C ali forn ia’s Olde st Ne w spaper
st
– E s t. 18 51
Volume 171 • Issue 29 | 75¢
mtdemocrat.com
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Student to be ‘held accountable’ for racist taunts Thomas Frey Staff writer
Hispanic and Black players from Buchanan. The student suspected of making the animal noises has been identified, according to Oak Ridge Principal Aaron Palm in a message sent out to parents Monday night. “Our investigation today has determined the student who made the sound,” Palm states in the letter. “This individual is being held accountable.”
Saturday’s Division 1 CIF NorCal girls soccer championship had all the feels of an instant classic between Clovis’ Buchanan High School and El Dorado Hills host Oak Ridge until racist and derogatory animal noises were aimed from the Oak Ridge stands toward
After Oak Ridge won the game, “the victory felt hollow,” Palm’s letter continues. “It was truly a tragedy that these two excellent teams had their game scarred by this incident.” The two teams, each ranked nationally in the top 10, played near flawless soccer through regulation and overtime before heading into penalty kicks, tied 2-2.
“It was truly a tragedy that these two excellent teams had their game scarred by this incident.” — Aaron Palm, principal of Oak Ridge High School Each team would shoot five penalty kicks to decide the winner. Up first for Buchanan was Logan Nidy, who is white. The crowd was silent as she took her shot and it remained
quiet as the ball went into the goal. Up next for the Bears was Daisy Torres, who is Hispanic. As the referee signaled for her n
See taunts, page A6
NORCAL CHAMPS Courtesy photo
Red is pictured in recovery from recent surgery. He was found dead near his Mosquito home Feb. 27.
Mosquito dog shot; owners seek justice Eric Jaramishian Staff writer
Mountain Democrat photo by Thomas Frey
Oak Ridge players celebrate their win over Buchanan in the Division I CIF NorCal championship Saturday. It’s the first NorCal championship in Oak Ridge history.
Trojans win on PKs Thomas Frey Staff writer The Division 1 CIF Northern California girls soccer championship
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was on the line as Oak Ridge senior Emily Lieber walked calmly to the 4-yard line to take the Trojans’ fifth and final shot in penalty kicks against Buchanan Saturday night. Both teams came into the game ranked nationally in the top 10 and Trojans’ junior goalkeeper Kate Plachy had just made her second save of the penalty kicks to send the team jumping for joy with a near capacity home crowd screaming at the top of its lungs. Seniors Grace Goins, Samantha Torres and junior Sophia Moness each made their penalty kicks, giving Oak Ridge a 3-2 lead with the team’s leading goal scorer stepping to the line for a final shot and a chance to
accomplish everything the team wanted. As soon as the referee signaled for Lieber to shoot, she didn’t hesitate and kicked the ball into the right corner while the Buchanan goalkeeper dove left, earning the Trojans the NorCal title. “I had a responsibility to my team,” Lieber said. “We came this far and I knew they were counting on me. I was counting on me. I wanted it so bad and I just knew at the end of the day, it’s just a pass to the goal and that’s what it was and it worked out.” Loud sirens went off and the team sprinted in toward Lieber and Plachy, celebrating the victory for more than a minute. “(Kate) steps up in moments when we needed her the most and I think
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today she really showed how amazing she is,” Goins said. It was a game where players on both sides of the ball gave everything they had on every play of game. The Trojans controlled the ball most of the game, yet trailed 2-0 with 20 minutes to play. The Buchanan team features at least eight players who will continue to play soccer collegiately and the team’s second goal of the night was scored by California State University, Fresno signee Wilson. Later, Wilson stopped a shot just before it crossed the goal line to keep the Trojans off the board but Troy continued to attack. n
See Norcal champs, page A7
A Mosquito couple is seeking justice after their dog was fatally shot Feb. 27. Linnea and Randy Uggla were searching for their 2-year-old husky named Red after he escaped from their backyard when Linnea said they heard two gunshots. “When we heard those two shots ring out we just literally sat there and hoped for the best — hoping they were just warning shots,” Linnea said. Red’s body was found the next day in a ditch near the Uggla home by mutual friends who brought the dog to the couple, said Linnea. Red was one of Linnea and Randy’s three rescue dogs. Red had endured “egregious” abuse before the couple adopted him in August 2020, then an 8-month-old pup. At the time of his escape Red was recovering from a $7,000 surgery to repair a ruptured eardrum. Linnea had just removed Red’s postsurgery cone when he escaped that day. The person who shot Red has not been identified. Randy and Linnea say Red had no history of aggression. “We’ve had an outpouring of support from the community and that’s kind of what’s getting us through things at the moment,” Linnea said. “We hope we can prevent someone’s pet being shot and killed, whether its taking care of loose animals that are a nuisance appropriately or even using bear spray. “A dog can come back from that, not a shot to the head.” El Dorado County Animal Services is currently investigating the case. According to California Penal Code 597, the shooter could face up to three years of jail or prison time, a fine of $20,000 or a combination of both, unless life or limb were in danger.
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