HOT TO TROT
It’s brew time
Oktoberfest festivities take over Main Street in Placerville this Saturday.
Ponderosa’s Natalie Wieland smokes the competition at the Tom Laythe Invitational.
News, etc., B1
Sports, A9
170
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
th
Volume 170 • Issue 118 | 75¢
mtdemocrat.com
Friday, October 8, 2021
Mt. Murphy Bridge repairs to be tested Krysten Kellum Associate editor If a load-bearing test planned for Friday goes well, the Mt. Murphy Bridge in Coloma might not be closed for months after all. El Dorado County Department of Transportation Maintenance Division staff discovered “severe structural damage” to the bridge after it was struck by a truck Saturday, Sept. 25. The driver, who was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after the 2 a.m. incident, reportedly ran into one of the main columns and damaged railing on both sides of the bridge as he attempted to cross. DOT crews have since made repairs to
the railing and structural components. A structural engineer was also brought in to consult on repairs. It was initially anticipated that fixing the bridge could take months. If Friday’s test shows the Mt. Murphy Bridge is holding, it will reopen that day under limited conditions, according to Kelly Carnahan, assistant to the director of the county Department of Transportation. In the meantime, the bridge remains closed to all traffic — vehicular, pedestrian or cyclist. The Mt. Murphy Bridge is the most direct route from Coloma’s Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and n
See Bridge, page A8
Photo courtesy of DOT
El Dorado County Department of Transportation crews have been busy making repairs to the Mt. Murphy Bridge in Coloma after it was damaged by a truck.
Show-offs
Firefighters hope for weather to wrap up Caldor Krysten Kellum Associate editor
Mountain Democrat photo by Thomas Frey
Bob and Marilyn Clay, above, show off their 1955 Chevy Bel Air — their first date car— at Thunder in the Park at Cameron Park Lake Oct. 2. The couple has been married 63 years. The Niello Concours at Serrano celebrated the Shelby Cobra, right photo, this year at the Oct. 3 event. Phil White of Portola Valley poses with his 1965 Cobra 427. “There are only 23 of them, total. I get offers for it every month,” White said. “I love Cobras; I’ve got five of them. They’re so unique and they’re American.”
n SEE MORE PHOTOS ON
PAGE A6
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
Weather is on the way that could end the Caldor Fire fight. Firefighters are already seeing cooler fall weather but that might start to look a little bit more like winter with snow forecast for 8,000- to 7,000-foot elevations Friday and Saturday. California Interagency Incident Management Team 13 Meteorologist Derek Williams said at Wednesday evening’s community briefing it is possible that several inches of snow could accumulate. He added that a stronger, colder weather system is expected to move into the region Monday and Tuesday next week. Matt Ahearn, Team 13 operations section chief, said containment lines near the Forni Meadows area have been extended but “there is one section that is going to remain until we get weather.” He explained that until then there is nowhere for the fire to go as it is held by a rock barrier — the 9,984foot Pyramid Peak. There are just a couple segments of uncontained perimeter left on the Caldor Fire and Ahearn said Wednesday he saw the least amount of smoke to date on the 221,775-acre, 93%-contained blaze. Near Wrights Lake a small fire outside the Caldor perimeter called the Smith Fire is no longer posing a threat. “That whole edge is in very good shape,” Aheard reported. South of Sierra-at-Tahoe containment lines have also been extended. The containment line in that area that has not yet been fully secured stretches from well south of Sierra-at-Tahoe, along Schneider Camp Road and clear to near Lake Magaret a few miles north of Highway 88. But Ahearn said progress is coming along there and “that line looks excellent.”
Mountain Democrat photo by Sel Richard
n
See Caldor, page A3
Nevis appointed to Planning Commission Eric Jaramishian Staff writer District 4 supervisor Lori Parlin has appointed Andrew Nevis to fill one of two vacant El Dorado County planning commissioner positions. Nevis’ appointment comes on the heels of Planning Commissioner James Williams’ stepping down last month. Nevis, 31, is a legislative analyst for the state where he reviews proposed or changing legislation to determine its effects on the
State Water Board and the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Nevis focuses on California Environmental Quality Actrelated legislation for his unit. “Similar to planning commissioners, my job requires me to review, interpret and convey in layman’s terms complicated law and policies,” Nevis wrote in his application for the planning commissioner position. Nevis also serves as president of the Taxpayers Association
E OAKS SENIOR CARE VILLAG
of El Dorado County, a role he took on in late December 2020, moderating meetings concerning local government affairs. A Shingle Springs resident, Nevis said he intends to encourage the community to participate in planning decisions, stating in his application, “Too many residents feel that their voice is not heard in how their community and our county is developing. “If you live in El Dorado
Brand New!
Our There’s No Place Like Home
n
See Nevis, page A3
Andrew Nevis
Where Seniors Are Family. 24/7 Assisted living that keeps residents engaged and active. • 15 Private rooms with outdoor living space. • Our smaller facility allows for personalized care for each resident. • Our on-site chef can easily accommodate any special diet needs. •
(916) 294-7685 1011 St. Andrews Dr., El Dorado Hills (2.5 miles off Hwy. 50 on El Dorado Hills Blvd.)