Pandemic times in the vines
Fair must go on COVID-19 backup plan could move county fair back one month.
Flexibility keeps Madroña going.
See page 8
See page 7
C a l i f o r n i a ’ s O l d e s t N e w s pa p e r – E s t. 18 51
Volume 169 • Issue 43 | 75¢
mtdemocrat.com
Monday, April 13, 2020
‘Somebody to lean on’ Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum
The community has not forgotten about the “suspicious” death of young Roman Anthony Lopez back in January. Fliers showing Roman and his mother Rochelle Lopez, with the boy depicted wearing angel wings, are posted outside of businesses around Placerville.
Cause of 11-year old’s death still not revealed Pat Lakey Staff writer With the world turned upside down in response to the coronavirus, causing a tidal shift since mid-March in dayto-day life in El Dorado County, there remains one constant in Placerville — residents want to see justice for an 11-year-old boy whose mysterious death in January leaves a disquieting unease to this day. Among those who venture forth for food and necessities during these government-ordered shelter-in-place days and weeks, particularly those driving past a memorial of stuffed toys, flowers and balloons at Coloma and Bee streets, there often is heard a familiar refrain: “When are they going to tell us how that boy died?” You don’t have to ask, to know they’re n
spirits soar with song
See Roman lopez, page 10
Homeless shelter considered for armory site
S
taff at Eskaton Village in Placerville serenaded its residents last week — lifting their spirits while sheltered in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. The inspiring singalong to “Lean On Me” by Bill Withers was the idea of Eskaton employee Christy
Dylan Svoboda Staff writer El Dorado County and the city of Placerville are one step closer to having a homeless shelter. The city and county will discuss possibly establishing the Placerville Armory as a transitional housing navigation center for homeless individuals on the Western Slope during the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, April 14. n
Democrat photos by Kevin Christensen
Eskaton Village Placerville resident Betty Ketelle waves and smiles as Eskaton Village Placerville staff dance and sing to the tune of “Lean on Me” Thursday afternoon. With Eskaton’s elderly residents observing the stay-at-home order amid the spreading COVID-19 outbreak, the performance brightened everyone’s day because “We know that there’s always tomorrow.”
Nordell. “We have the best employees and this was amazing,” Nordell said. “We wanted to do something to spread some happiness around here.” “We did this for our residents to lift their spirits and in the process it lifted our staff ’s spirits as well,” added Jennifer Davis, Eskaton
Village sales counselor. “We also want our families to see their loved ones smiling and having fun through these tough times when they can’t see them. It’s such a difficult time and we’re honored and blessed to be able to be a part of their lives and help them through this unprecedented time.” Eskaton staff made signs and some even dressed up as part of a three-day, spirit-raising serenade April 7-9.
See homeless shelter, page 10
County’s COVID19 cases tally 30 Dylan Svoboda Staff writer The number of coronavirus cases in El Dorado County continues to tick up. County health officials reported one additional case of COVID-19 Thursday evening, bringing the county total to 30. The uptick brought the number of cases in the El Dorado Hills area to 11. There are nine cases of COVID-19 in the South Lake Tahoe region and five in the greater Placerville area, according to data provided by the county. Three cases have been found in the Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue area and two cases have been found in the north county. n
See Covid-19 cases, page 10
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