170
th
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 170 • Issue 140 | 75¢
mtdemocrat.com
Monday, November 22, 2021
Pipers plead not guilty to new murder charges Thomas Frey Staff writer
Mountain Democrat photo by Thomas Frey
Lindsay Piper sits with her attorney Matthew Johnson prior to pleading not guilty to a murder charge in the death of Roman Lopez.
Jordan and Lindsay Piper each pleaded not guilty Friday morning to a new murder charge in the death of 11-year-old Roman Lopez. The suspicion of murder comes after new interviews with the kids who were living at the Coloma Street house in Placerville with Roman, his father Jordan and stepmother Lindsay, according to El Dorado County Deputy District Attorney Jay Linden. Investigators traveled to the childrens’ new home in a different state. The attorneys representing Jordan and Lindsay each objected to the murder charge before Judge Vicki Ashworth in El Dorado County Superior Court’s Department 1. Roman was found dead in the Coloma Street house’s basement Jan. 12, 2020, the Pipers were arrested Feb. 3 on suspicion
of child abuse and torture and the added murder charges came Oct. 28. Linden said the other kids in the Pipers’ custody were interviewed for the first time since being out of the Pipers’ custody, revealing new information that called for the murder charges. Bail, which was more than $1 million for each of the Pipers, has been eliminated as Ashworth allowed the new murder charges added. Roman had moved to Placerville from Michigan in late 2019 with his father, stepmother and seven other children. When Roman was reported missing Placerville residents, search teams and the boy’s father were out searching the neighborhood late into the night. The next day — Jan. 12, 2020 — authorities said they searched the Pipers’ rented n
See pipers, page 9
Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian
Owner of Placerville’s Apple Bistro Jennette Waldow addresses the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors Nov. 16, expressing her opposition to the state COVID-19 mandates.
Photo by Sherry Hawk
Eldorado National Forest Supervisor Jeff Marsolais speaks to attendees of a community meeting Nov. 10 at the Pollock PinesCamino Community Center on Caldor Fire firefighting success and recovery.
Leaders give behind-thescenes look at Caldor Fire Thomas Frey Staff writer Representatives from the U.S. Forest Service, Cal Fire, El Dorado Irrigation District and the El Dorado County Resource Conservation District held a community meeting in Pollock Pines Nov. 10 on the topic of Caldor Fire recovery now that the blaze is in the rearview mirror. “The fact that folks may not know unless you’re in the fire service is that the system was as taxed as it ever has been,” said Eldorado National Forest Supervisor Jeff Marsolais. Dry fuel conditions this year
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
were setting all-time records for almost 60 days before the Caldor Fire began, according to Marsolais. He reported that the cause of the fire is still under investigation but that “it won’t be too long” until information is released.
Fire fuel reduction Speakers made the case that fuel treatments on the forest lessened Caldor’s destruction. Years before the Caldor Fire preparations were in place, such as the Caples Watershed Project that included a control burn to protect portions of El Dorado
County water supply, in addition to a forest-wide resilience strategy that removed fire fuels. “Once you have an area that has had those fuels removed, burning them and maintaining those areas is pretty easy,” said Mark Egbert of the Resource Conservation District. Fuel reduction treatment also helped hotshots fighting the Caldor Fire on the ground with firing operations. Other areas treated even as recently as this spring include El Dorado Irrigation District and National Forest land around n
Restaurant owners speak out against fines, COVID mandates Eric Jaramishian Staff writer Two local restaurant owners recently slapped with lawsuits for operating without valid health permits spoke out against the litigation at the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting Nov. 16. The county filed lawsuits against the two family-owned restaurants Nov. 8. The eateries’ health permits were revoked last year due to violation of COVID-19 restrictions. “These two businesses did what they believe they had to in order to survive,” said Danette’s employee Alicia Selby during public comment. “We who work for them are grateful but now they are under attack. Little family-owned establishments being strong-armed by the full force of their county government, which announces that they seek to shut them down until their demands are met.” Danette’s owner Danette Inman also addressed the board, expressing her opposition to mask and vaccine mandates, urging them to drop the charges against her business. “You guys are closing me down because I’m
See Caldor fire, page 9
n
See Restaurant owners, page 2
To Lake Tahoe we go
Mountain Democrat photos by Eric Jaramishian
An El Dorado Transit bus awaits passengers as a ribbon is cut to mark a new route, left photo. Whether you are looking to get to the capital or are in need of some good scenery and fresh air, you are in luck. El Dorado Transit has opened up a route that extends from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe with stops in Cameron Park and Placerville. El Dorado Transit Executive Director Matthew Mauk, right photo, speaks to community members and elected officials at Placerville Station on Mosquito Road Nov. 18, announcing El Dorado Transit’s new route. The bus line was made possible thanks to a partnership with Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor. One bus will run the route with tickets priced at $20 from the Cambridge Road Park and Ride or Placerville Station stops. Find the schedule at tinyurl.com/trtj9fuj.
CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE (530) SENIOR DISCOUNTS VETERAN DISCOUNTS Thank You for your Service
Non-Contact Heater Tune-up
NOW ONLY
58
303-2220 $
www.airtechpros.com Lic#955202
A Properly Tuned-Up Air Conditioner Will: • Cool Your Home More Effectively • Lower Your Monthly Utility Bills
Please mention coupon when scheduling your service. Not valid with any other offer or discount. Please present coupon. Not good with any other offer. Expires 11.30.21 Air Tech HVAC • 530-303-2220