Two drops of magic
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
Rotarian’s efforts showcased in documentary. Wednesday, September 2, 2020
News, Etc., B1
Volume 169 • Issue 103 | 75¢
mtdemocrat.com
Former medic faces sex crime allegations; trial set n Suspected abuse
allegedly occurred inside ambulances Pat Lakey Staff writer A former El Dorado County Fire Protection District firefighter/ paramedic who has been languishing in Joshua Stephen the Placerville Huffman jail since 2018, with bail set at $4 million, is set to go to trial Sept. 22 on charges of molesting females who were being transported by ambulance while he was on duty. One of the victims reportedly was younger than 10 years old when the alleged sexual contact occurred; the other was in her mid-teens, the Mountain Democrat has learned. n
See huffman, page A3
Man charged in crossbow attack Kevin Christensen Staff writer
Mountain Democrat photos by Kevin Christensen
Demonstrators attempt to cross Main Street in downtown Placerville to confront counterprotesters Friday night.
Protesters and counterprotesters stand off in downtown Placerville n Anniversary of ‘I Have a Dream’ speech
spurs demonstration on courthouse steps Kevin Christensen Staff writer
Michael Raley, 35, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder charges after he reportedly Michael Raley shot his 68-yearold roommate in the chest with a crossbow Saturday night. Raley and the victim were acquaintances staying at a Rescue property where a disturbance occurred at about 11 p.m. between Raley and another individual. The victim attempted to intervene and was shot by crossbow, according to El Dorado County sheriff 's investigators. The victim was transported in a private vehicle to Marshall Hospital where sheriff 's officials said he was listed in critical condition Monday. Raley reportedly fled the scene but was apprehended several hours later by detectives.
Protesters and counterprotesters came face to face in downtown Placerville Friday night as Black Lives Matter demonstrators took their message to the courthouse steps. Marking 57 years to the day since Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, it was a mostly peaceful evening with confrontations local law enforcement officers were able to minimize. King Jr. on the historic day delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, standing in front of the Lincoln Monument before some 250,000 marchers — calling for equality and an end to segregation. Elizabeth Dubose of Pollock Pines, one of the organizers of BLM demonstrations held locally over the past several months, on Friday recited King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech through loudspeaker, with others recalling the words of civil rights activist John Lewis, who also spoke at the 1963 March on Washington. “Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis and Malcolm X were similar to people like me and you ... just normal people who started a grassroots movement,” she said. “During that period Black people were beaten, sprayed with fire hoses and killed. They still moved forward and I will too. I keep hearing people say there has been so much progress since than. If so then why are Black people still being shot and killed by police? Why did I just yesterday meet with people to n
See Protesters, page A9
Black Lives Matter demonstrators fill the steps and sidewalk in front of the courthouse.
Counterprotesters assemble across the street from Friday’s demonstration.
State’s new COVID-19 plan eases restaurant restrictions Indoor dining allowed at 25% capacity n
Kevin Christensen Staff writer
Mountain Democrat photo by Thomas Frey
Mary Crevelt and Jack Mearns eat breakfast at Sweetie Pie’s Restaurant and Bakery Monday morning.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new plan Friday to ease restrictions on a California economy struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s good news for El Dorado County eateries. El Dorado County restaurants were allowed to resume indoor service in a limited capacity of 25% beginning Monday. “We are excited to be able to have customers come back inside, even if in a limited capacity,” said Christina Azbill owner of Red Rooster Burger and Brew in Garden Valley. “It’s been hot and smokey so a lot of the regulars have wanted to sit inside and said they would show back up when they
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could,” Azbill said. “It will be wonderful to have them back.” At a bustling Sweetie Pie’s Monday morning tables on the outdoor patio were all full and inside, with tables spaced 6 feet apart, hungry folk were digging into their flapjacks and sipping on hot coffee. Pilar Cortes, manager of the popular bakery and cafe said, “I’m happy for it. We’ve been waiting for this. We were waiting the last 3-4 months. We are just happy to be open.” Under the governor’s new plan counties are rated by risk level. There are four, color-coded tiers: Widespread (purple) — Non-essential, indoor business operations are closed. Daily new cases are more than 7 per 100,000 population and new positive tests are more than 8% positivity rate. Substantial (red) — Some nonessential indoor business operations are n
See Restrictions, page A3
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