A6 Friday, September 17, 2021 Mountain Democrat mtdemocrat.com
Special visit
Photo courtesy of the El Dorado County Fire Protection District
Flames can be seen coming from a home on Cable Road in Camino Wednesday night.
Courtesy photo
Seven-year-old Christopher Dale, who just might grow up to be a firefighter some day, put on his turnouts Sept. 6 and headed down to Mosquito Fire Protection District Station 75 to personally thank the local firefighters for keeping his “happy place” safe. He delivered a hand-made sign showing his appreciation to Chief Jack Rosevear and Capt. Morgan Lugo, pictured from left. Christopher was named an honorary member of Mosquito’s firefighting team and firefighter Devin Hern gave him a tour of the fire engine. While Christopher is from San Jose, he spent the majority of the summer with family friends in Swansboro.
Trip to Green pilot program hits red Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer Trip to Green has been postponed until next fall, according to a statement released by the El Dorado County Transportation Commission. “In the wake of the Caldor Fire it is unlikely that recreation and tourism travel patterns will return to normal this fall,” said EDCTC Senior Transportation Planner Jerry Barton. Officially called the Fifty Fix: Trip the Green Light Proof of Concept Pilot, the program hoped to test the validity of keeping stoplights on Highway 50 green during certain hours through the city of Placerville in an effort to relieve congestion during busy tourist weekends. The Mountain Democrat reported in July that the county transportation commission was moving
EDH death
Eric Jaramishian Staff writer A dog perished in a house fire on Cable Road in Camino Thursday night. El Dorado County Fire Protection District and Cal Fire firefighters responded to the incident at 7:30 p.m., finding the home in flames. Crews quickly took care of the fire, preventing spread into surrounding vegetation. No firefighters or residents reported injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Petitions going out by mail in City Council recall News release
Mountain Democrat file photo by Krysten Kellum
Drivers on Highway 50 through Placerville will not see solid green lights this fall after all. forward with the proof of concept pilot on Highway 50 scheduled for two weekends in the fall, one in September and one in October. “This simulates what had been proposed over the past three decades and that is some form of a flyover or bypass,” noted EDCTC Executive Director Woodrow Deloria at a City Council meeting earlier this
summer, adding that the proposal is a low-cost, high-impact solution that flushes traffic at peak times. During the Caldor Fire evacuations Placerville Police Department elected to utilized the Trip to Green protocol, making the evacuation efforts easier on residents and evacuees. “Many people are on edge with the
extraordinary fire season and we do not want them to mistake our pilot project for another evacuation,” said Barton. “We are currently working to finalize the selection of dates and times for the pilot project next year.” Once dates are announced they will be available in the EDCTCT website, edctc. org.
“I’m hoping somebody will feel some kind of remorse,” she said. “Even if it’s just a coincidence between the two events and the person who stabbed him is not the person that ran him over with a car. My children want to know
what happened to their brother.” Anyone with information relating to the incident is encouraged to contact the CHP – Valley Division or Renee at rdagsher70@gmail. com.
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exited the truck, jumped over the median and was trying to cross the eastbound side of the highway when he was struck by an oncoming vehicle — which did not stop. Although she says the hit-and-run is considered the cause of his death, his body was found with multiple stab wounds. A bloody knife found at the scene is being tested for fingerprints and DNA. Renee revealed that a headlight has been found and that the vehicle which killed Dominic is believed to have sustained frontend damage. California Highway Patrol could not confirm details as the incident is under active investigation. Renee describes her son as intellectually and creatively gifted, someone who appreciated healthy eating and liked to go on barefoot runs. “His cooking was amazing,” Renee said, reminiscing about Dominic’s pizzas with homemade sauces and the elaborate breakfasts he would conjure up for the family. An avid classical guitarist and composer, Dominic would often play while his siblings sang along. “They would all do music together; it was the most amazing thing, as a mom, to watch,” said Renee. Dominic, who attended Oak Ridge High School and graduated from Independence High
Dog dies in house fire
School in Diamond Springs, also had an entrepreneurial bent. At 19 years old he started a window cleaning business and had just begun to expand into power washing and gutter maintenance. Both suicide and foul play have been seriously considered by his family. Renee shared that Dominic occasionally battled sleep anxiety and had scheduled himself a doctor’s appointment. “He would be concerned about something like that,” she admitted, explaining that he didn’t like taking medications because of a heart arrhythmia. Ultimately she decided suicide was unlikely. “He just was too secure,” she insisted. “He was comfortable with who he was. I am open to finding out what happened and it doesn’t matter to me what it was — I want the truth.” As to a possible culprit? “We have no idea,” Renee said, at a loss, “absolutely none.” While the circumstances around her son’s death remain a mystery, Renee said she finds it difficult to move on herself. “At first I couldn’t function,” Renee shared about the immediate days after her son’s death. “For some reason I was living in his closet. I thought I was never going to leave.” Renee is now turning to the community to help piece together the details of her son’s death.
Every household with registered voters in the city of Placerville will receive petitions in the mail to recall four of five members of the City Council. If enough signatures are gathered Mayor Dennis Thomas, Vice Mayor Kara Taylor and Councilmembers Michael Saragosa and Patty Borelli would face a recall election. Organizers of the recall sent out a news release this week announcing petitions had gone out. “We are grateful for the blessing of generous donations from our community to make this possible,” states the release. Recall organizers say they seek leaders who “will work to address the serious issues that have affected the wonderful quality of life we enjoy in Placerville — homelessness, safety and roads.” “We seek to preserve our historical downtown and protect it from fundamental transformation, including a massive four-way intersection at Cedar Ravine and Main Street, and more chain stores replacing our vibrant and unique shops and restaurants,” continues the release. Signed recall petitions must be returned by Oct. 4. Placerville residents who are unregistered to vote may still register and then sign the petitions. The recall effort has until Oct. 11 to gather the signatures of — for each of the four councilmembers — 1,672 registered city voters. Once the required number of signatures has been collected, each will be verified. City Clerk Regina O’Connell said signatures will be checked against the Registrar of Voters’ records to ensure they are from registered city voters. For more information on the recall effort visit placervillerecall2021.org or call (530) 334-6390.
Gold Country is proud to salute our wonderful assisted living caregivers during
NATIONAL ASSISTED LIVING WEEK September 12–18, 2021 Mary Ann Cook, LVN, Manager Saralyn Arnold Mandy Bennett Nora Blaszak
Lizabeth Calderon Kim Gaeta Felipe Henda
Hannah Mackay Shannon Martinov Linda Odlin
Doreen Peter Rosario Santana Lauren Shannon
Jessica Staton Bonnie Stone Alexis Ster
“Frontline Heroes” COMPASSION, COMMUNITY, CARING The Staff & Residents of Gold Country salute you!
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Residential Apartments-Assisted Living-Skilled Nursing 4301 Golden Center Drive, Placerville (530) 621-1100 TDD# (800) 545-1833, Ext. 359 Language Assistance (562) 257-5255 RCFE#090317665
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