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Friday, June 25, 2021
Gumina pleads guilty in wife’s 2019 murder Thomas Frey Staff writer
Mountain Democrat file photo by Thomas Frey
Anthony Gumina sits in court in September 2019 after he was arrested in connection to the death of his wife, Heather Waters-Gumina. Gumina pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Wednesday.
breathing. Gumina then admitted to putting a rope around Heather’s neck to Anthony John Gumina move her out of the house. pleaded guilty Wednesday Heather and Anthony’s to first-degree murder in the relationship had a cycle of brutal July 16, 2019, killing violence, according to the of his wife Heather WatersEl Dorado County District Gumina. Attorney’s Office. On Jan. The Pleasant Valley man 31, 2019, Anthony tackled confessed in Department 7 of Heather to the ground and El Dorado County Superior Heather then kicked in the bathroom Court — a courtroom filled Waters-Gumina door where Heather and her with Heather’s family and 4-year-old child were seeking friends — saying he slammed safety. Heather called 911 and Heather to the ground and used her Anthony was arrested and ultimately charged forearm to hold her “right arm over her with felony domestic violence. head by pressing down on her throat and n See Gumina, page A11 arm at the same time” until she stopped
It’s official; it’s normal again Chris Daley Mountain Democrat correspondent El Dorado County supervisors met Tuesday for the first in-person session in nearly 18 months. “I can’t tell you how glad I am to have us all here together,” said Chairman John Hidahl, who opened the meeting. “After 3 p.m. we’ll be back to normal; whatever normal is now.” The sentiment was shared by all supervisors and staff as they launched a 40-item agenda. As scheduled, the morning session, which saw no public attendance except for a Mountain Democrat reporter, was cut short so county staff could attend the funeral of county Surveyor Phil Mosbacher, who died suddenly June 10. The meeting resumed at 3 Tuesday afternoon, when about two dozen streamed in and filled audience seating. PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
Before the early recess, supervisors approved 34 items from the consent calendar without discussion. Item No. 3, regarding the disbursement of $51,021 to the Georgetown Divide Recreation District was held over until the June 29 meeting. Other significant issues included a board vote to accept the recommendation from the Chief Administrative Office to disburse $3,785,392 to the El Dorado Hills Community Services District … “for expenditures related to the Bass Lake Park and Valley View Village Park.” Full funding comes from development impact fees. CAO Don Ashton further recommended a two-part resolution “… terminating two March 2020 board resolutions that ratified coronavirus-related health emergencies.” The original resolutions were passed in conjunction with the El Dorado County sheriff and county health officer. A collective sigh of relief was almost palpable after the vote. Agenda item No. 19 represented another big ticket item — a $3,291,338, threeyear contract with Summitview Child and Family Services. The agency will provide “specialty mental health services for children and young adults through June 30, 2024.”
Mountain Democrat photo by Thomas Frey
Ponderosa High School FFA’s Bryan Bloxsom shows his steer Malibu — named Supreme Champion Market Steer at the 2021 Junior Livestock Auction Saturday at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. There were a total of 199 sales and Bloxsom’s steer sold for $11,064.
Junior Livestock Auction
back to business Thomas Frey Staff writer
T
he 2021 Junior Livestock Auction at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds Saturday was a lively reminder things are getting back to normal as hundreds of kids selling their animals had a jam-packed audience bidding to support local Future Farmers of America and 4-H programs in the county. In 2020 the event was held online through an auction
website due to COVID-19 public safety guidelines. “I’m just happy to see people are out wanting to come and support FFA and 4-H,” said Bryan Bloxsom of Ponderosa High School FFA, whose 1,383-pound steer Malibu was named Supreme Champion Market Steer and was the first of 199 sales on the evening called by auctioneer Seth Seever. Malibu is the fourth steer that Bloxsom has n
See Auction, page A6
City Council returns to Town Hall Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer It was business as usual as the Placerville City Council returned to chambers Tuesday night after more than a year of Zoom meetings. Amid comments of people being used to calling in from the comfort of their own homes and that council members appeared to look larger in person than on their computer screens, the Placerville City Council and staff
went on with the business of governance in Town Hall once again. At the top of the meeting there were four or five people in the audience and as the meeting progressed more residents showed up to speak to specific agenda items. Mayor Dennis Thomas took a selfie with the chamber and audience, celebrating the return to Town Hall. Council member Michael Saragosa remarked that Council member Jackie Neau
had won her election during the pandemic and this was her first time on the dais. Asked for comment on the return to in-person governance, Thomas told the Mountain Democrat after Tuesday’s meeting it was good to see people in person again, “to see their faces and smiles.” “There is no great substitution for being in the same room and experiencing the energy and life n
See City council, page A3
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