Mountain Democrat, Wednesday, April 8, 2026 by mcnaughtonmedia

Cameron Park woman pleads

Chris Woodard Sta writer

Cheyanne Wright pleaded not guilty on April 3 to multiple felony charges connected to a fatal DUI case. Wright, 35, was indicted by an El Dorado County criminal grand jury on March 25. Prosecutors charged her with murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI causing injury and two counts of child endangerment. The case had previously been ﬁled by the El Dorado County District Attorney’s O ce. The charges stem from a May 3, 2025, wreck in which Wright’s vehicle reportedly drifted o

CHEYANNE WRIGHT

■ See PLEA, page A7

Supervisors back new approach to setting salaries

Noel Stack Editor

El Dorado County will change the way it establishes salaries for employees, with the Board of Supervisors supporting a data-driven approach that also takes into consideration ﬁscal outlook, vacancy rates and hard-to-ﬁll positions.

The decision came after a lengthy discussion at the March 24 board meeting,

PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE

during which supervisors received a presentation on Section 602, the salary and beneﬁts resolution for unrepresented (nonunion) employees, and received a total compensation study for unrepresented classiﬁcations. Additional directions given to sta :

• Conduct a total compensation survey o all benchmark classiﬁcations, countywide at least every two years;

• Draft revisions to the unrepresented salary and beneﬁt resolution for unrepresented employees to require an annual board review each fall of compensation for unrepresented employees and the Board of Supervisors; and

• Develop benchmarks and internal linkages for all unrepresented classiﬁcations for positions that currently don’t have benchmarks

■ See SALARIES, page A8

DON’T MISS

Happy hoppers

The Easter Bunny and his community partners hid thousands of eggs around El Dorado County this past weekend — much to the delight of childcare eager to fill their baskets with goodies. Above, around 100 children ages 0-12 raced to collect 4,000 plastic eggs placed by volunteers with the Mother Lode Lions Club at Indian Creek elementary School on Sunday, April 5. Some of the eggs contained candy and others contained coupons for prizes or Dewey cash ($5) and Mary Ellen money ($1). A total of $400 was given out to the children. Top right, they’re off and running at the Marshall Gold Discovery Easter Egg Hunt. Hundreds of children lined up to partake in the mad dash to collect as many eggs as their little hands could grab on Saturday, April 4. It was a mad rush at the El Dorado Hills Town Center Spring Flower Festival, Butterfly Release and Egg Hunt also held Saturday. Children also got to meet the Easter Bunny. Bottom right, Ricky Bobby Mallot, 1, of Rescue, left, enjoys some candy and brother Brayden checks out what’s inside his Easter eggs. Mom Renee brought the siblings to Indian Creek for some sweet fun.

■ SEE MORE EGG HUNT PHOTOS ON PAGE A3

Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene

Mountain Democrat photo by Andrew Vonderschmitt

Photo by Laurie Edwards

Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene

ESSENTIALS

Donna Lee Cribbs

Feb. 4, 1938 - Jan. 20, 2026

Donna Lee Cribbs, 87, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2026, in Boise, Idaho. She was born on February 4, 1938, in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania, and lived a life marked by deep faith, generous love, and extraordinary hospitality.

Donna was the beloved wife of the late Robert (Bob) William Cribbs Jr., whom she married in 1957. Together they built a life rooted in devotion to one another and their family. She was also preceded in death by her cherished grandson, Royce William Cribbs.

She is lovingly survived by her children Robert (Bob) Cribbs III (Margaret), Mark Cribbs (Cathy), and Sherry Graf (Scott); her sister Faye Kenney; her grandchildren Jason Wetsel (Kristi), Sommer Wetsel, Anneleise Thompson (Julius), Gretchen Aubrey (Nick), Tensor Chen, and Weijing Chen (Weiling); and her great-grandchildren Taggart Wetsel, Trent Wetsel, Myles Aubrey, Lyla Lee Aubrey, and Adam Chen.

Donna was raised in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, where her parents, Charles and Alma Weitzel, owned Oklahoma Florist. It was there that Donna’s lifelong love of ﬂowers began. An exceptional gardener with exquisite taste, she spent countless joyful hours cultivating beauty, arranging home-grown bouquets, and creating spaces that felt both elegant and deeply welcoming.

In 1960, Donna and Bob moved to California with their sons Bob and Mark, welcoming their daughter Sherry in Orangevale before settling in Placerville, California. There, they built their family home on a cattle ranch, a place that became legendary for its warmth and open doors. Donna was a devoted homemaker, loving wife, and nurturing mother. To her children’s friends, she was simply “Mom.” To her grandchildren’s friends, she was always “Grandma.” Her home was a refuge, her table always full, and her heart endlessly generous.

A devout and dedicated follower of Christ, Donna loved the Lord deeply. Her faith in Jesus infused every part of her life, shaping her generosity, kindness, and servant’s heart.

Donna was well traveled alongside Bob, journeying the world for both business and adventure. Among their travels, Egypt held a particularly special place in their hearts, where they formed lifelong friendships that became family. Those connections remain a treasured part of the Cribbs family story.

Donna gave generously of her time, talents, and resources, serving as a CASA Youth Advocate in El Dorado County, a philanthropist, and a volunteer at her local church. She was a founding board member of Compassion Tea, beautifully blending her love for tea with her passion for philanthropy.

In 2021, Donna moved to Star, Idaho, with her daughter Sherry and family, where she continued tending her garden and surrounding those she loved with care until the end of her life.

A public service will be held on Wednesday, April 29th at North Coast Church in El Dorado Hills, CA. In Donna’s memory, all are also invited to plant ﬂowers, tend a garden, or pause to enjoy something beautiful - just as she always did.

Donna Lee Cribbs leaves behind a legacy of faith, hospitality, beauty, and love. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

Melvin Fisher

Aug. 16, 1930 - Mar. 24, 2026

Melvin Fisher, age 95, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. He is survived by one sibling, Rodney, who lives in Kentucky. He is also survived by 10 nieces and nephews and 13 great nieces and great nephews who are scattered around the United States. Melvin himself has one son, Mark, who lives in Idaho, and one daughter, Angela, who lives in California. Mark has one daughter, Julayne, who also lives in Idaho and she gave Melvin two wonderful great grandsons, Parker and Warner, also in Idaho. Angela has one son, Derek, and one daughter, Milo, who both live in California. Derek has also given him two wonderful greatgranddaughters, Aubree and Emma, who both live in California.

Melvin loved to socialize and play games with his friends but the thing he loved the most was playing with his great grandchildren.

We’re having a small celebration of life ceremony at the clubhouse at the apartments where he resided: 4015 Panther Lane, Diamond Springs at 11:00 a.m. on April 10th.

Charley R. Whitehurst

Nov. 1, 1939 – Mar. 24, 2026

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved Dad, Charley R. Whitehurst, on March 24, 2026, a man whose quiet strength and big heart touched every one of us.

Charley was born on November 1, 1939, to Troy & Betty Whitehurst in Visalia, California. He spent his youth in Asti, California with seven brothers and sisters. He loved his brothers, TN, Kenny, Richard and David Whitehurst and he was very protective of his sisters, Elsie Wilson, Nancy Weerts and Nelda Chumley.

Charley leaves behind his wife of 63 years, Elaine Whitehurst, brother and sister-in-law, David & Dena Whitehurst, and his three children, daughter and son-in-law, Veronica & Scott Holmes, son, Chuck Whitehurst, and daughter and sonin-law Genny Whitehurst & Don Robinson. He was loved by ﬁve grandsons, Jonathan & Melissa Holmes, Kenneth & Brittney Robinson, Tyler Holmes, Christopher & Brittney Brown, and Wyatt Whitehurst Snyder and nine great grandchildren, Brooklynn Holmes, Jonathan Holmes Jr, Jordan Holmes, Kyron Brown, Asher Brown, Emma Smart, Oliver Snyder, and Luna King Robinson who will forever cherish him. He also leaves behind several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and dozens of nieces and nephews.

After returning from the Navy in 1959 with his best friend, Ron Campbell, he met and married Elaine. Together, they raised three children in the small town of Healdsburg while he worked at Idaco Lumber, later named Boise Cascade. He later worked at Mead Clark. In 2000, he moved to Shingle Springs with Elaine where they made a lovely home in El Dorado County with their growing family nearby.

He will always be remembered for his love for cowboy movies, beautiful clocks, WWE, country music, his galluses (suspenders), his Dodge trucks, and road trips. His greatest joy was his family. He will be missed greatly.

There was a viewing on Friday, April 3rd at Chapel of the Pines in Placerville with a gathering immediately following at 4707 Koto Road in Placerville.

LEGISLATORS’ ADDRESSES

PLACERVILLE CITY COUNCIL Placerville City Hall 3101 Center St., Placerville (530) 642-5200

Mayor John Clerici jclerici@cityofplacerville.org

Vice Mayor Nicole Gotberg ngotberg@cityofplacerville.org

Ryan Carter rcarter@cityofplacerville.org

Jackie Neau jneau@cityofplacerville.org

David Yarbrough dyarbrough@cityofplacerville.

org ElL DORADO COUNTY SUPERVISORS

EDC Government Center 330 Fair Lane, Placerville

District 1 Supervisor Greg Ferrero (530) 621-5650

District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo (530) 621-5651

District 3 Supervisor Brian Veerkamp (530) 621-5652

District 4 Supervisor

Lori Parlin (530) 621-6513

District 5 Supervisor Brooke Laine (530) 621-6577 (Placerville) (530) 573-7918 (South Lake

95765 (916) 724-2575

EDH Fire douses two small blazes

Two small fires kept El Dorado Hills Fire Department crews busy this weekend. In the very early hours of Sunday, April 5, firefighters responded to a vehicle fire in a driveway on Brentford Way in the Blackstone community. Flames extended into the adjacent house, causing an estimated $75,000 in damage. The cause of the fire is a mechanical failure in the engine compartment of the vehicle, according to EDH Fire. About 12 hours before that nighttime blaze, firefighters on Saturday, April 4, extinguished a fire in a shipping container on the old golf course property near the intersection of Serrano Parkway and El Dorado Hills Boulevard. The property is owned by the El Dorado Hills Community Services District. The cause of the fire has not been released but EDHCSD interim General Manager Stephanie McGann-Jantzen told the Mountain Democrat it might have started due to homeless activity. Parks Superintendent Ryan Kukkola shared, “There wasn’t much in the container that was set on fire. Maybe some tree branches and an old golf course sod cutter. It’s a wood floor inside the container so that’s likely what was feeding the flames.”

District o cials had planned to remove the entire container structure, which was not locked due to the latching mechanism being broken.

Couple injured in Highway 50 wreck

Shelly Thorene Sta writer

Two people su ered major injuries in a solo vehicle wreck on April 3, according to the California Highway Patrol.

LAnzini@EID.org Division

Alan Day, ADay@EID.org

Ronald Barrelli, 63, and Arlene Barrelli, 62, of Shingle Springs were traveling in their 2018 Chevrolet truck westbound on Highway 50, east of the Red Hawk Casino o -ramp, at around 10:30 a.m. Friday when for unknown reasons the vehicle went down an embankment and crashed. Both were transported to Sutter Roseville Medical Center. Ronald, the driver, was ﬂown and Arlene went by ambulance. The westbound lanes of Highway 50 were shut down for about 15 minutes for the helicopter transport.

CHP o cials noted alcohol or drugs are not suspected to be a factor in the crash but an investigation indicates the driver was not wearing a seatbelt.

The following information was taken from Placerville Police Department reports:

March 15

10:45 p.m. Trespassing was

Photo courtesy of EDH Fire Flames char the inside of a converted shipping container on the old golf course Saturday afternoon.

Noel Stack Editor

Eggstra-special events fill baskets to the brim

Rolling closures planned on portions of Mosquito Road

Small portions of Mosquito Road in northeast Placerville will be closed at times as PG&E undergrounds power lines to protect against wildfires. Emergency vehicles, school buses, mail carriers and local residents will be allowed through the closures, which will begin near Mosquito Cutoff Road, with crews working their way north to Rock Creek Road. The closures will occur from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on holidays. The closures started April 6 and will finish by June 18. Crews will only close between 500 and 2,000 feet of road at a time so as to reduce impacts. Residents within an active closure will be allowed passage through the work closure but may experience hold times up to 15 minutes or more while crews make the work zone safe to pass. Residents are heavily encouraged to plan around the road closure times to avoid delays. Their patience is greatly appreciated. Buckboard Road residents will

have free access at all times in and out of Buckboard Road but may need to detour north or south depending on which portion of Mosquito Road crews are working.

Other drivers will be detoured around Mosquito Cutoff Road and Rock Creek Road.

When crews need to work in the intersection of Mosquito and Buckboard roads, it may take about a day or two to finish the crossing. During this time, residents may experience hold time of up to 15 minutes while the crew makes the work zone safe to pass.

The foreman will door knock and reach out to the Mosquito Road and Riffle Court residents ahead of time when they will be working in front of their driveway/entrance.

Large trucks with trailers may also be allowed to pass through the work zone if they are unable to safely pass through Mosquito Cutoff Road but may experience hold times up to 15 minutes or more while crews make the work zone safe to pass. Drivers should speak to the onsite foreman regarding hold times.

of having veneers? Early visits to your dentist can help ensure healthy and beautiful teeth. We provide a full range of dental treatments, including preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. Except in rare cases, gum disease can be prevented through daily plaque removal by brushing, cleaning between

Photos by Laurie Edward

Laura McNulty of Folsom, above, holds up her 1½-year-old son Miles for a closer look at a live butterfly display at the El Dorado Hills event. At right, Cassius Cummings, 4, and his younger brother Camden, 2, of Folsom have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny in the EDH Town Center amphitheater.

Mountain Democrat photo by Andrew Vonderschmitt

Emma, 8, of Coloma holds tight to her treasure after the Coloma egg hunt had subsided.

Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene

Colin Nicolay, 9, of Placerville turns in coupons for cash with Mother Lode Lions Club member Glenda Crawford after the egg hunt in Placerville Sunday.

OPINION

California Matters

Governor’s race more like a game of chicken

Political media habitually use “race” to describe contests for public o ce. However the word implies movement and therefore would be inaccurate if applied to this year’s election of a new governor.

Sixty-one names will be on the June 2 primary ballot, including 10 leaders who profess to be serious about seeking the o ce.

However, they aren’t racing. Rather, the eight top-polling Democrats seem to be in a children’s game, sitting in a circle staring at each other, waiting for someone to blink. Meanwhile, the two top Republicans are taking potshots at each other, potentially undermining the GOP’s only chance to elect a governor for the ﬁrst time in two decades.

For weeks voter polls have found that three Democrats are locked in a tie, albeit at a puny level, around 10%, while the other ﬁve Democrats are buried in single digits.

California’s top-two primary election system has all candidates listed on the same ballot, regardless of party, with the two top ﬁnishers then advancing to the November general election.

Democratic Party leaders are openly worried, though, that the two Republicans — Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco — could nish 1-2, thereby ensuring the election of a GOP governor.

Given the size of the ﬁeld, anyone garnering around 20% in June would probably earn a place in the runo — or about twice what the three Democrats at the top — Katie Porter, Eric Swalwell and Tom Steyer — currently have.

With mail voting set to begin in a month, the calendar is beginning to be a factor. Every ballot that’s mailed removes that voter from having his or her mind changed. One should expect, therefore, that those with even semi-realistic chances of making the cut would be waging all-out campaigns by now.

However, the only highly visible campaign is that of billionaire Steyer, who’s not only hopping around the state for personal appearances but shelling out millions of his own bucks for television and internet ads.

Much of Steyer’s campaign is aimed at Swalwell, who has obtained substantial union support, most

Letters to the Editor

Endorsement for Posey for supervisor

EDITOR:

My name is Mary Chan. I am a veteran of the California Army National Guard, the U.S. Army Reserves and the U.S. Army for over 30 years. I have been a resident of El Dorado County since 2008 and have come to truly value this community I now call home.

I am proud to o er my strong endorsement of Gina Posey for El Dorado County District 4 supervisor. I met Gina when we ﬁrst served two terms together on the El Dorado County Civil Grand Jury, 2021-23. I found her to be intelligent, articulate and passionate about her research assignments.

Gina is exactly the kind of leader our community needs — someone with deep local roots, proven

leadership experience and a genuine commitment to protecting what makes El Dorado County special. Having lived in District 4 for over two decades, she understands ﬁrsthand the values, challenges and priorities of our community. With more than 40 years of business and executive leadership experience, Gina brings the skills necessary to manage complex issues, make informed decisions and deliver real results. Her service on the El Dorado County Civil Grand Jury demonstrates her dedication to accountability, transparency and improving county operations. Gina has consistently shown a willingness to step up and take action. From her leadership in ﬁre safety initiatives to her involvement in numerous community organizations, she has proven that she doesn’t just talk about solutions

How will Congress choose to handle the Iran war bill?

Whatever you think of the war in Iran, there’s a separate question — independent of the military merits — that Congress must answer: How will it be paid for?

The Pentagon has requested $200 billion to fund the campaign. While circumstances could change the price tag, interest payments on that much debt would add $87 billion over 10 years. So that’s roughly $300 billion. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, asked about this number, o ered a memorable contribution to the ﬁscal debate: “Obviously, it takes money to kill bad guys.” That’s true. It’s also true that the money must come from somewhere.

And with total U.S. government debt now at $39 trillion (up from $36.5 trillion in January 2025) and cumulative budget deﬁcits totaling $25 trillion over 10 years, that somewhere can’t be Uncle Sam’s

credit card. Congress must o set the spending with budget reductions elsewhere, regardless of which of two main funding options it chooses.

The ﬁrst option is to include the war spending in a supplemental appropriations bill. That’s a standalone spending measure outside the normal annual budget process, traditionally used to fund urgent and unforeseen needs like wars and disasters. Supplemental bills require 60 Senate votes to overcome a ﬁlibuster, meaning they need bipartisan support.

The second option is a budget reconciliation bill — the same fasttrack process used to pass last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill. Reconciliation allows legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority, but it comes with strict rules: It can only be used for provisions that directly a ect federal spending, revenues or the debt

O setting $300 billion may sound daunting, but it’s worth some perspective. The government will spend at least $94 trillion over the next decade. The extra cost of the Iran campaign amounts to three-tenths of 1% of that total.

limit, and the Senate Parliamentarian can strike provisions that don’t meet these tests.

Congress used to o set its emergency spending. It doesn’t anymore. Research by David Ditch at the Economic Policy Innovation Center shows that since 1991, Congress has passed $12.5 trillion in emergency spending for wars, disasters, pandemics, ﬁnancial crises and in some cases things that were emergencies in name only, like $450 million for space exploration. Almost none of it was o set. If you add $2.5 trillion in interest to the spending, the total amounts to one-third of today’s debt.

Democrats are quick to note that the same Republican majority that voted for cuts to the growth of Medicaid and food-assistance spending (on the grounds that the country simply can’t

a ord them) is now being asked to approve $200 billion in war spending with no o setting savings in sight. I’m sure the Democrats think they have a real “gotcha” moment on their hands. They don’t. Providing for the national defense is an explicit constitutional obligation of the federal government in a way that Medicaid is not. This distinction matters, but the argument has its limits. First, even constitutionally acceptable spending must be paid for. The ﬁscal argument for o setting a war’s costs doesn’t rest on one’s view of Medicaid, but on the knowledge that we’re inching toward the point where investors could be reluctant to lend the government money at preferential rates because they have lost conﬁdence in

VERONIQUE de RUGY

DAN WALTERS

SOAKING IN THE RAIN

Washington’s ability to repay them without resorting to inflation. It is also the right thing to do for future generations who will face higher inflation or taxes.

Second, offsetting the war spending creates necessary discipline that pure borrowing does not. When Congress must find $300 billion in cuts, it’s forced to ask whether every one of those dollars is actually necessary (or is actual war spending). Such discipline, I hope, will strip out the farm bailouts, the specialinterest provisions and the other nonemergency items that always creep into these spending bills precisely because no one is checking everything that gets through when it’s labeled “emergency” or “national security.”

Offsetting $300 billion may sound daunting, but it’s worth some perspective. The government will spend at least $94 trillion over the next decade. The extra cost of the

Walters Continued from A4 prominently from the California Teachers Association. Swalwell also benefits from the threats of Donald Trump’s FBI to release files from its investigation of Swalwell’s relationship with a supposed Chinese spy.

Steyer and Swalwell seem to be vying for the most left-leaning bloc of Democratic voters, while Porter is coasting on the name identification gained during her losing campaign for the U.S. Senate two years ago and hoping that being the only woman in the trio will lift her into one of the top two finishes.

Democratic Party leaders are openly worried, though, that the two Republicans — Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco — could finish 1-2, thereby ensuring the election of a GOP governor. They would like the five lower-tier Democratic candidates to publicly surrender, thereby enhancing chances that a Democrat would make it to November. However, members of that Democratic quintet show no signs of quitting, and if they continue to soldier on, despite scant support, the possibility of a 1-2 Republican primary finish continues.

The GOP’s only chance of achieving

Letters Continued from A5

— she works to implement them. Her commitment to public safety, responsible growth and fiscal responsibility reflects the priorities of the residents she seeks to serve.

Perhaps most importantly, Gina is committed to preserving the rural character, natural beauty and quality of life that defines El Dorado County. She understands that growth must be balanced with preservation, and that government should serve the people — not the other way around.

I am confident that Gina Posey will be a strong, principled voice for District 4. I encourage you and others to join me in supporting her candidacy.

MARY CHAN El Dorado Hills

Save the children

EDITOR: Iwas born right after Pearl Harbor and never knew what could have hit me. The worst thing was I had to protect my little brother from

Iran campaign amounts to threetenths of 1% of that total. Start by targeting the taxpayer cash being stolen outright through fraud, such as by autism-therapy providers in Indiana recently exposed for billing $340,000 per child per year. That’s imperative, but the bigger opportunity lies in reforming health programs that consume an ever-growing share of the budget while delivering their greatest benefits not to patients but to hospitals, insurers and states.

In the end, the $300 billion question isn’t really about Iran. It’s about whether Congress will admit that nothing the federal government does is free, and that the bill always comes due. The only choice is who pays for it and when.

Veronique de Rugy is the George Gibbs Chair in Political Economy and a senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.

such an upset would be for Hilton and Bianco to operate as a team, pushing their support — 16% and 14% respectively in the latest poll — to the magic 20% level. However, they are campaigning as opponents, even though if just one of them makes the November ballot he would almost certainly lose to whichever Democrat survives the primary.

This static, who-will-blink-first scenario does contain one surprising aspect — the failure of San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan to unleash the blitz he needs to climb into contention, despite having apparently unlimited support from wealthy Silicon Valley figures who want a techand business-friendly governor.

Lasy Wednesday, Politico reported there was a shakeup in the Mahan campaign due to what were termed differences over strategy. Maybe that explains why his campaign has been so anemic after his much-ballyhooed late entry. He hasn’t been racing much either.

Dan Walters is a journalist and author who writes for CALmatters. org, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

any mean kids where we played in the street. When I could read Alexandre Dumas’ “Three Musketeers,” I asked my mother why the pope had children. She said he wasn’t supposed to. Satisfied, I went back out in the street to play. I could deal with things there. Maybe a bigger kid picking on my small brother. God help him ... the bigger kid. He wasn’t bigger enough. So I am quite concerned about the children of Lebanon having to evacuate on account of my people. Not once. Over and over. Evacuating over and over. If they still can. I keep wanting to protect them. Like I was protected.

ELIZABETH CAFFREY Placerville

de Rugy

Continued from A4

Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene

Beautiful flowers on Bedford Avenue in Placerville weathered the recent rain storms that came to El Dorado County. More precipitation is in the forecast beginning Thursday and going into the weekend. Make sure the gutters are cleared and the sunroof is closed.

SPORTS

Brooks surges to initial SCCT win at Placerville Speedway

Gary Thomas Placerville Speedway

Landon Brooks made the move by Jake Andreotti with 10 laps left and proceeded to lead the remaining distance, grabbing his first career Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour victory on opening night in Placerville.

Brooks topped a 41-car field to claim his third career Placerville Speedway triumph after earning his first two at the Forni-Humphreys Classic, including last September in his debut for Hamilton Racing with Tiner-Hirst Enterprise.

At the waving of the green flag in the Shop Kyle Larson feature it was Castro Valley’s Jake Andreotti who blasted into the lead following his win in the High Sierra Industries Dash.

Andreotti had his way with things up front and kept the field at bay until a red flag period for Sean Becker, who got upside down big in turn one. The Shark luckily emerged okay but was done for the night.

When getting back underway things clicked off until another caution right at the halfway point in the 30-lap contest. At this point it became a classic battle between Andreotti and Brooks as the duo exchanged the top spot on, prior to a yellow flag period on lap 19.

On the restart, Brooks charged under Andreotti to claim the lead, only to have a red flag occur shortly after and negate the pass. Brooks was not deterred however and executed the same move shortly after scooping up the top spot. Once up front he pulled away from the field until Andreotti cut the gap down over the final few circuits. The driver of the Buchanon Auto Electric No. 7P gave it one final stab on the final corners but Brooks held his marks and crossed under the Ed Entz checkered flag for victory.

Andreotti came home in second with 14-year-old Landon Henry making a lap 28 pass to record his first career Sprint Car Challenge Tour podium finish. Roseville’s Jodie Robinson had a strong run to finish in fourth, with “Ville Challenge” winner Dominic Gorden rounding out the top five.

Completing the top five in the main event were Clarksburg’s Justyn Cox, who set the Sierra Foothills Wine Services Fast Time to begin the night, Pit Stop USA Hard Charger Justin Sanders, Placerville’s Shane Hopkins, Marysville’s Dawson Hammes and Fremont’s Shane Golobic. Gorden brought home $1,250 for his highest average finish between

2026. The location is at the Denny’s Restaurant, 3446 Coach Lane in Cameron Park. Call 530 919 7515 for information and programs.

Do you have an announcement that you would like to include here?

Contact Elizabeth Hansen (530) 344-5028 or ehansen@mtdemocrat.net

Photo courtesy of Tim Holland

Driver Landon Brooks and crew/family celebrate his first

Speedway on

April 4.

the edge of Green Valley Road in El Dorado Hills, hit a raised curb, re-entered the roadway, crossed into the opposing lane and struck a silver Toyota Camry. The Toyota’s driver, 84-year-old Joan Allison, died and two children riding with Wright suffered minor injuries. The 7-yearold boy and a 3-year-old girl were transported to UC Davis Medical Center along with Wright after the wreck.

“This is a devastating and entirely preventable tragedy,” El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson said in a statement. “An

Speedway Continued from A6

Watsonville Friday and Placerville Saturday. Jett Barnes claimed $600 for the second-best average and Landon Henry accumulated $300 for being the third best average finisher. The Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour returns to action at Merced Speedway on Saturday, April 25.

SCCT opener results

A Main 30 laps — 1. 21L-Landon Brooks[5]; 2. 7P-Jake Andreotti [1]; 3. 93-Landon Henry [3]; 4. 14W-Jodie Robinson [2]; 5. 10-Dominic Gorden[12]; 6. 42X-Justyn Cox[8]; 7. 2X-Justin Sanders[19]; 8. 21-Shane Hopkins[7]; 9. 55D-Dawson Hammes[14]; 10. 17W-Shane Golobic[15]; 11. 14-Jett Barnes[11]; 12. 83T-Tanner Carrick[18]; 13. 9L-Luke Hayes[9]; 14. 121-Caeden Steele[24]; 15. 2A-Austin Wood[10]; 16. 75-Tony Gomes[16]; 17. 3-Kaleb Montgomery[4]; 18. 7C-Colby Copeland[6]; 19. 2XM-Max Mittry[20]; 20. X1-Chance Grasty[21]; 21. 26-Corbin Rueschenberg[17]; 22. 25-Seth Standley[13]; 23. 35-Sean Becker[22]; 24. 29-Cole Croft[23] B Feature 12 laps — 1. X1-Chance Grasty[2]; 2. 35-Sean Becker[6]; 3. 29-Cole Croft[4]; 4. 121-Caeden Steele[5]; 5. 17-Jesse Schlotfeldt[9]; 6. 15X-Nick Parker[3]; 7. 56C-Carson Hammes[13]; 8. 51-Jake Morgan[12]; 9. 61-Travis Labat[8]; 10. 28K-Bryant Bell[10]; 11. 92-Andy Forsberg[1]; 12. 24K-Koa Crane[11]; 13. 1W-Trey Walters[7]; 14. 56-Taylor Hall[14] C Feature 10 laps — 1. 56C-Carson Hammes[2]; 2. 56-Taylor Hall[4]; 3. 24S-Izaak Sharp[1]; 4. 7H-Jake Haulot[7]; 5. 7CS-Corbin Seay[5]; 6. 85-AJ Alderman[3]; 7. 8-Justin Henry[8]; 8. 15-Michael Sellers[6] Dash eight laps — 1. 7P-Jake Andreotti[1]; 2. 14W-Jodie Robinson[2]; 3. 93-Landon Henry[4]; 4. 3-Kaleb Montgomery[3]; 5. 21L-Landon Brooks[6]; 6. 7C-Colby Copeland[5]; 7. 21-Shane Hopkins[8]; 8. 42X-Justyn Cox[7] Heat 1 eight laps — 1. 14W-Jodie Robinson[2]; 2. 7P-Jake Andreotti[3]; 3. 14-Jett Barnes[1];

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innocent life was lost, and two children were placed in harm’s way because of a decision to drive under the influence. Our office remains committed to holding impaired drivers accountable and protecting our community from the deadly consequences of DUI.”

Wright, represented by local attorney Dain Weiner, entered her not guilty plea during her arraignment in El Dorado County Superior Court. She is being held without bail at the county jail in Placerville. A prepreliminary hearing has been set for Friday, May 1.

4. 17W-Shane Golobic[5]; 5. 2X-Justin Sanders[6]; 6. 92-Andy Forsberg[4]; 7. 121-Caeden Steele[7]; 8. 17-Jesse Schlotfeldt[9]; 9. 24S-Izaak Sharp[8]; 10. 7CS-Corbin Seay[11]; 11. (DNS) 8-Justin Henry Heat 2 eight laps — 1. 7C-Colby Copeland[1]; 2. 9L-Luke Hayes[2]; 3. 25-Seth Standley[3]; 4. 26-Corbin Rueschenberg[5]; 5. 93-Landon Henry[4]; 6. 15X-Nick Parker[7]; 7. 1W-Trey Walters[10]; 8. 24K-Koa Crane[8]; 9. 85-AJ Alderman[9]; 10. 7H-Jake Haulot[6]

Heat 3 eight laps — 1. 3-Kaleb Montgomery[2]; 2. 2A-Austin Wood[1]; 3. 42X-Justyn Cox[4]; 4. 55D-Dawson Hammes[3]; 5. 83T-Tanner Carrick[5]; 6. 29-Cole Croft[8]; 7. 61-Travis Labat[7]; 8. 15-Michael Sellers; 9. 28K-Bryant Bell[10]; 10. 56C-Carson Hammes[9]

Heat 4 eight laps — 1. 21L-Landon Brooks[1]; 2. 21-Shane Hopkins[3]; 3. 10-Dominic Gorden[5]; 4. 75-Tony Gomes[6]; 5. 2XM-Max Mittry[8]; 6. 35-Sean Becker[7]; 7. X1-Chance Grasty[4]; 8. 51-Jake Morgan[2]; 9. 56-Taylor Hall[9]; 10. (DNS) 15-Michael Sellers

Qualifying A — 1. 92-Andy Forsberg, 10.383[17]; 2. 93-Landon Henry, 10.387[14]; 3. 14-Jett Barnes, 10.401[8]; 4. 7C-Colby Copeland, 10.422[9]; 5. 14W-Jodie Robinson, 10.448[13]; 6. 9L-Luke Hayes, 10.450[1]; 7. 7P-Jake Andreotti, 10.460[16]; 8. 25-Seth Standley, 10.474[15]; 9. 17W-Shane Golobic, 10.478[11]; 10. 26-Corbin Rueschenberg, 10.506[10]; 11. 2X-Justin Sanders, 10.548[3]; 12. 7H-Jake Haulot, 10.558[12]; 13. 121-Caeden Steele, 10.588[18]; 14. 15X-Nick Parker, 10.656[19]; 15. 24S-Izaak Sharp,

10.828[4]; 16. 24K-Koa Crane, 10.835[5]; 17. 17-Jesse Schlotfeldt, 10.890[7]; 18. 85-AJ Alderman, 11.414[2]; 19. 8-Justin Henry, 11.529[20]; 20. 1W-Trey Walters, 11.982[21]; 21. 7CS-Corbin Seay, 12.801[6] Qualifying B — 1. 42X-Justyn Cox, 10.363[10]; 2. X1-Chance Grasty, 10.523[1]; 3. 2A-Austin Wood, 10.538[8]; 4. 21L-Landon Brooks, 10.578[18]; 5. 3-Kaleb Montgomery, 10.595[12]; 6. 51-Jake Morgan, 10.696[5]; 7. 55D-Dawson Hammes, 10.725[4]; 8. 21-Shane Hopkins, 10.727[7]; 9. 83T-Tanner Carrick, 10.748[17]; 10. 10-Dominic Gorden, 10.774[19]; 11. 12J-John Clark, 10.790[3]; 12. 75-Tony Gomes, 10.794[15]; 13. 61-Travis Labat, 10.816[20]; 14. 35-Sean Becker, 10.828[2]; 15. 29-Cole Croft, 10.837[6]; 16. 2XM-Max Mittry, 10.898[9]; 17. 56C-Carson Hammes, 10.909[16]; 18. 56-Taylor Hall, 10.929[11]; 19. 28K-Bryant Bell, 11.007[13]; 20. 15-Michael Sellers, 11.007[14]

Dwarf Cars results

A Feature 20 laps — 1. 508N-Steve Costello[2]; 2. 15N-Shawn Whitney[4]; 3. 72N-Mike Reeder[1]; 4. 41N-Brandon Aylesworth[9]; 5. 29N-Corey Eaton[7]; 6. 12N-Mike Grenert[12]; 7. 42N-Isaak Geil[11]; 8. 99N-Gage Meyers[5]; 9. 32N-Dan Geil[14]; 10. 05NTim Dodson[8]; 11. 21N-Fred Dickey[10]; 12. 198N-NaRyan Shores[16]; 13. 16N-Brian Quilty[13]; 14. 294D-Daniel Martin[3]; 15. 8N-Aron Mosier[15]; 16. 19N-Patrick Weger[17]; 17. 57N-Ben Wiesz[6]; 18. 5N-Cheyanne Dickey[18]; 19. 616N-Tyler Quilty[19]

COMICS

ARIES (March 21-April 19). No need to meet the expectations of others. In fact, no need to meet your own expectations either. All improvement comes from joyfully handling what’s in front of you — something you do naturally and unthinkingly. You can trust yourself.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). No one seems to handle things the way you would today, and it may test your patience. Not every deviation is a mistake, though. Someone’s different approach will reveal an outcome you wouldn’t have considered.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Making others happy isn’t enough for you because you want to do it with style. You want your signature on the effort, and, quite frankly, the recognition that comes with it. Being seen is a basic human need.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You get more done today because you stick to the basics. There’s elegance in this — efficiency, economy and dignity. No extra drama, no getting pulled in five directions. Just one clear goal and steady effort.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Misunderstandings can happen in even the best relationships. Even someone who truly knows you well — someone who sees your layers and history — will occasionally misread you. That doesn’t mean the bond is weak, it means you’re both human.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Someone is bringing the fun and kindness to your world. Maybe this person is generally charming and engages in a similar way to just about everyone. Or maybe this is a burgeoning attraction.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You don’t want to do anything that looks good on paper while making you miserable in practice. Why? Because you’re wise, and your wisdom shines through the decisions you make to honor your mental and emotional health.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Today’s quick fix only really works if it makes sense for tomorrow, too. You’re looking ahead to make your future life sweeter. The long line of tomorrows that will be impacted by today’s decision are worth heavier consideration.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Not every ‘no’ is a rejection. If someone passes on your idea, don’t interpret that as a verdict. It could very well be a sizing issue. In a relationship context, the same idea applies. The “yes” comes when the chemistry and timing are right. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’re less attached to how things “should” be today and more open to how they actually are. If anything gets confusing, lead with love. Say it aloud. Love, unexpressed, might go unreceived. Love expressed will quickly smooth out misunderstandings. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Wild ideas are flying around today. Most are easy to dismiss, but one of them might be just strange enough to work. Keep listening. Inspiration has a funny way of showing up from unex-

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

or linkages to roughly maintain structure within Section 602. Debate and discussion at the meeting focused on Section 602’s link to voter-approved Section 504 of the El Dorado County Charter. Section 504 determines salaries

at least equal to the average of the salaries for the comparable positions in those other jurisdictions; 504 currently covers 181 positions and 25 other positions are linked through a handful of resolutions, including not, ‘automatic pay increases’ for those 602 classiﬁcations,” he explained. “In fact, we have to bring an item to the board for your approval every year, and the board could simply choose not to apply those increases to those

conversation suddenly becomes about costs, limits and what the county supposedly cannot a ord. And that’s exactly why people are starting to pay attention to this.”

Rimoldi noted that hourly rate increases for lower-paid workers pale in comparison to those received by management.

Shannon Starr with Operating Engineers Local 3 asked for fair wages for all county

“If you keep a fair space between wages at all levels, including the lower level sta that I represent, Local 1 represents, then you keep fairness throughout,” she said. “If you raise a lower level and you keep a spacing between the levels then everybody has fair pay and fair wages.

“But those at the lowest levels are underpaid. We can’t recruit. We can’t keep people,” Starr continued. “We get them, and we’re a training ground. You’ve heard this for years. You’re training the people that then go to the surrounding agencies because they pay better. It’s time to start making those lower wage employees fairly paid and stop inﬂating the salaries of those high-paid o cials automatically.”

Hold El Dorado Accountable, a coalition of taxpayers, El Dorado County workers and community members, earlier this year ﬁled a ballot initiative with the county Elections O ce aimed at eliminating the 504 salary links not approved by voters. El Dorado County shortly after ﬁled a complaint with El Dorado County Superior Court seeking the court’s opinion on the validity of the proposed initiative.

Lee Tannebaum, president of the Taxpayers Association of El Dorado County, which is a member of Hold El Dorado Accountable, wrote a lengthy letter to the board maintaining that the solution is to return to 504’s original intention.

“The county’s current position attempts to have it both ways. On one hand, Section 504 is treated as mandatory and binding when it drives salary increases. On the other, it is treated as ﬂexible when it comes to expanding its scope to additional classiﬁcations,” the letter notes. “Those positions are mutually exclusive. Either the charter controls, or it does not. It cannot be selectively applied depending on the outcome.”

During his presentation, Carruesco told the board and

SECTION 602

UNLESS OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:

• The base salary of the district attorney shall be maintained so that it is equal to the base salary of the sheri /coroner/public administrator.

• The base salary for the sheri /coroner/public administrator shall be set and maintained 2.5% above the classi cation of undersheri , calculated at step 5 of the base salary of the undersheri classi cation plus 5% education di erential and 13% POST certi cate pay.

• Step 5 of the base salary for the public defender shall be set no greater than 15% below the district attorney’s base salary. The public defender shall receive base wage adjustments at the same time as any given to the district attorney in equivalent percentage adjustments.

• Step 1 of the base salary for the alternate public defender shall

•

public the 602 positions’ salary adjustments have a comparatively small impact.

“The seven classiﬁcations that are outlined in Section 602 (DA, sheri , CAO, County Council, public defender, alternate public defender and chief probation o cer) are a very small fraction of the total number of employees that have their salaries linked to 504,” he said. “The majority of them are represented folks, and it’s laid out in the charter. I don’t know how many deputy sheri s we have, but that’s a huge chunk of the salaries. So I don’t want there to be a misconception that the board added hundreds of employees to Charter 504 (and) is giving them automatic pay raises every year. That is not a fact.”

“I think your data shows that 504 and the associated 602 are really not blowing the budget up,” District 5 Supervisor and board Chair Brooke Laine noted.

Looking to the future of the county’s compensation philosophy, District 3 Supervisor Brian Veerkamp advocated for a simple, fair approach — from bottom to top.

“Years ago, there were unintended consequences of 504 and we made some adjustments to make sure the severe compaction issues were dealt with,” Veerkamp said. “in my opinion, we need to keep it as simple as possible, and that’s really addressing

base wage. It’s the base wage is the major comparison. Yeah, there’s going to be an advantage here or an advantage there ... but by the time you try to sort all those things through in a comparison, it really comes back to that base wage. That’s what somebody’s really looking at.”

“I’m totally agreeing with you,” Carruesco responded. “Where you have to ... balance business needs, certain positions that are hard to ﬁll (and) how our budget looks, it’s a big picture. But at the end of the day, it’s data, and I think that going down that path and bringing your board data to make your informed decisions is the way to go.”

District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo suggested cost of living adjustments be part of the process. Noting the county’s previous attempts to bring county employees’ salaries up to the median — as determined by looking at comparator agencies’ salaries — Turnboo stressed the urgency of having a compensation philosophy that keeps up with the data and supports sta on the county payroll.

“We’re way behind right now, and now we have to play catch-up, especially when it comes to our employees,” he said.

Veerkamp agreed, making the motion to provide direction to sta . District 1 Supervisor Greg Ferrero seconded the motion, which was approved 5-0.

PG&E wants its customers to be smart, ‘slam the scam’

Paul Moreno PG&E

With scams that target utility customers continuing at a high rate, Pacific Gas and Electric Company joined the Federal Trade Commission in educating customers on how to spot the signs of a scam and avoid falling victim.

In 2025, PG&E received nearly 24,000 reports from customers who were targeted by scammers impersonating the company, and customers lost approximately $301,000 in fraudulent payments, with the average customer losing $590. Unfortunately, that number is likely just the tip of the iceberg for overall scam attempts, as many go unreported.

Scammers calling customers by phone and demanding immediate payment to avoid disconnection continues to be the most common scam. But there has been an increase in recent months of customer reports of utility imposters coming to their door and asking to see their PG&E bill, indicating that scammers are adopting new tactics.

“If you receive a phone call threatening disconnection if you do not make immediate payment, or if someone at your door asks to see your utility bill, hang up, close the door and slam the scam. Then, call our 800 number or log into your account at PGE.com to verify your billing details,” said Matt Foley, lead scam investigator for PG&E. “Remember, PG&E will never ask you for financial information over the phone or for payment via prepaid debit cards or money transfer services like Zelle, and we won’t ask to see your bill at your door,” he said.

Small and medium-sized businesses are also a target, and scammers will focus their efforts during busy business hours, preying on business owners’ sense of urgency to keep the doors open and the lights on. In fact, PG&E received nearly 850 reports of scam attempts targeting business customers during 2025.

Signs of a potential scam

• Threat to disconnect: Scammers may aggressively demand immediate payment for an alleged past due bill.

• Asking to see your bill: If someone comes to your home and asks to see your bill, they are not with PG&E.

• Request for immediate payment via prepaid

debit card or money transfer service: Scammers may instruct the customer to purchase a prepaid debit card then call them back supposedly to make a bill payment, or they may ask for payment via a money transfer service like Zelle.

• Refund or rebate offers: Scammers may say that your utility company overbilled you and owes you a refund, or that you are entitled to a rebate, and then ask you for your banking information.

How customers can protect themselves

Customers should never purchase a prepaid card to avoid service disconnection or shutoff. PG&E does not specify how customers should make a bill payment and offers a variety of ways to pay a bill, including accepting payments online, by phone, automatic bank draft, mail or in person.

If a scammer threatens immediate disconnection or shutoff of service without prior notification, customers should hang up the phone, delete the email or shut the door. Customers with delinquent accounts receive an advance disconnection notification, typically by mail and included with their regular monthly bill.

If someone comes to your door claiming to be with PG&E, customers should know that PG&E personnel

carry identification and are always prepared to show it upon request. If a customer still has doubts, they can call (800) 743-5000 to confirm whether an individual is there on official company business. And remember: If someone asks to see your bill, they are not with PG&E and you should close the door. Signing up for an online account at pge.com is another safeguard. Not only can customers log in to check their balance and payment history, they can sign up for recurring payments, paperless billing and helpful alerts.

Impersonating trusted phone numbers

Scammers are now able to create authentic-looking 800 numbers which appear on the phone display. The numbers don’t lead back to PG&E if called back, however, so if you have doubts, hang up and call PG&E at 1-833-500-SCAM. If customers ever feel that they are in physical danger, they should call 911. Customers who suspect that they have been victims of fraud, or who feel threatened during contact with one of these scammers, should contact local law enforcement. The Federal Trade Commission’s website is also a good source of information about how to protect personal information. For more details visit pge.com/scams or consumer.ftc.org.

NEWS, IN THE KNOW

April

from 8 a.m. to noon at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden, 6699 Campus Drive, Placerville. For more information visit ucanr.edu/site/uc-mastergardeners-el-dorado-county.

The El Dorado County Mineral and Gem Society will host the Rock & Gem Show at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information visit edcmgs.org.

The city of Placerville will host its Spring Fishing Derby at 11 a.m. at Lumsden Park, 3144 Wiltse Road. For more information visit cityofplacerville.org.

Arts and Culture El Dorado will host an Opening Reception for Pictures and Pages: Illustrators of El Dorado County, at Switchboard Gallery from 5-7 p.m. For more information visit artsandcultureeldorado. org.

Gwinllan Estate Vineyard and Winery in Fairplay will host its Anniversary Celebration to commemorate 13 remarkable years. For more information visit gwinllanestate.com.

The Stage at Burke Junction in Cameron Park will host Intro to Improv for Real Life with Luminous Linda from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke.com.

1850 Wine Cellars will host its Menu Change Out Party from 6-8 p.m. For more information visit 1850winecellars.com.

Cripple Creek Band will perform at 7 p.m. at Sutter Creek Theatre in Sutter Creek. For tickets and more information call (916) 425-0077 or visit suttercreektheater.com.

filmmaker’s journey

A filmmaker’s journey

Andrew Vonderschmitt Features editor

ﬁlmmaker

hen

WJoshua B. Porter talks about his work, one word keeps resurfacing: journey.

Not in a vague, inspirational sense, but in the tangible reality of spending 11 years willing a ﬁrst feature into existence — then turning around and doing it again, faster and sharper, with a second.

Porter’s debut feature, “No Evidence of Man,” now available on Amazon, did not begin as a microbudget passion project. Ironically, it grew out of a larger ﬁlm that never made it to production.

Before “No Evidence of Man,” Porter and his longtime collaborator and lead actor, Matthew Donaldson, were raising money for a more ambitious project, “To Find a Monster,” largely set in El Dorado County. The cast was coming together, with recognizable names attached.

Then, like many independent ﬁlm projects, it fell apart.

“As happens on a lot of projects … it just fell through,” Porter said. “We just didn’t get the money.”

Instead of shelving their plans, Porter and Donaldson pivoted.

“We thought, let’s try to make the ﬁlm we can make with whatever means we have,” Porter said. “We’ll beg, we’ll borrow, we won’t steal … we’ll put our pennies together.”

What emerged from that decision became the foundation for “No Evidence of Man.”

A title, two ideas and a ‘scriptment’

The ﬁlm’s origins trace back to a now-closed San Francisco café, where Donaldson arrived with a title — “No Evidence of Man” — and a character: a man retreating into the mountains to reset his life.

Porter brought a separate idea focused on modern life’s constant noise — device addiction, sensory overload and a 24/7 stream of information.

“We ﬁgured out pretty quickly that those two ideas went pretty well together,” Porter said.

Instead of writing a traditional screenplay, the pair developed what Porter described as a “scriptment.”

The ﬁrst third of the ﬁlm was

fully scripted. Once the story moved into the mountains, it shifted into outlined beats, allowing for improvisation and discovery during ﬁlming. That approach reﬂected both creative preference and necessity. With limited resources, the production would rely heavily on performance, environment and adaptability.

An 11-year production Filmed across El Dorado County, the Bay Area and Sacramento, much of “No Evidence of Man” was shot near Fair Play, where Porter grew up after moving from the Bay Area in the late 1980s. The process was far from smooth. Working with a small budget assembled over time and a crew with limited feature experience, Porter and Donaldson took on multiple roles as writers, producers and, in Donaldson’s case, the ﬁlm’s central on-screen presence. After principal photography, Porter stepped away from the footage for months. Life intervened — including the birth of his ﬁrst child — and he returned to the material late at night.

“We did have something,” Porter said, adding that it ran a little short and still missed something. That missing piece centered on a character named Genevieve, originally introduced only through a brief “Dear John” video message before disappearing from the narrative.

“I thought, I don’t know if anyone’s going to buy this story … without knowing her,” Porter said.

Years later, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and amid the Santa Cruz ﬁres, the team returned to shoot additional scenes. They cast Spanish actor Sarah Casanova and expanded the character into a fuller presence, adding nearly 20 minutes of screen time.

“We ﬂeshed out who she was, how they met,” Porter said. “Through that, they understand where he’s coming from.”

The reshoots, delayed by both ﬁres and pandemic restrictions, ultimately reshaped the ﬁlm’s emotional core, turning it into a story about heartbreak, grief and healing.

The journey from ﬁrst shoot to ﬁnal cut took nearly 11 years.

“At ﬁrst I was kind of embarrassed … that it took almost 11 years to make a darn ﬁlm,” Porter said. “But the long journey allowed us to pay for it very slowly. That was just the journey of it.”

Onstage to behind the camera Porter’s interest in performance began in sixth grade, when teacher Paul Franks cast him in a school production.

That experience led him to Theatre El Dorado, where he auditioned for Eugene O’Neill’s “Ah, Wilderness!” “I walked in and walked out with the starring role … and I had no idea what I was doing,” Porter said.

He continued acting through high school, studying under drama teacher Pete Miller at El Dorado High School, graduating in 1997. He later performed in productions including “A Few Good Men” and worked with local theater groups, including what would become Imagination Theater.

In his early 20s, a friend encouraged him to explore directing. A visit to the New

Courtesy photos

Matthew Donaldson plays Peter Mann in Joshua B. Porter’s directorial debut, “No Evidence of Man.”

Porter directs Donaldson in a bar scene of “No Evidence of Man.”

Guided birding stroll to highlight spring migration

News release

The Sierra Foothills Audubon Society is inviting the public to celebrate spring migration during a guided birding event at Auburn State Recreation Area from 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Thursday, April 16. The free, beginnerfriendly outing will follow a scenic 2.5-

mile loop through the recreation area near Cool. Participants will walk along a dirt trail, which may be muddy, passing large ponds, open fields with bramble patches and oak-pine woodlands — habitats that support a variety of foothill bird species.

Spring is a peak season for birding in El Dorado and Placer counties, as migratory birds return and

resident species become more active. Organizers say attendees may spot a range of birds, from common foothill species to more elusive varieties such as the yellow-breasted chat, along with year-round residents including the white-tailed kite and phainopepla.

The walk will be led by Sarah Roeske, a member-at-large of the Sierra Foothills Audubon Society. Participants with questions about weather conditions are encouraged to contact her at (916) 281-4914. Participants should meet at the Catecroft Gate entrance to Auburn State Recreation Area, about 1.5 miles south of the intersection of highways 193 and 49 in Cool, on the west side of Highway 49. Parking is available in a dirt pullout.

SUTTER CREEK

— The Great Sutter Creek Duck Race returns on Saturday, April 25, at Minnie Provis Park, continuing a beloved community tradition while taking on an important mission: preserving one of Sutter Creek’s most treasured historical landmarks, the Monteverde Store Museum.

Proceeds from the 2026 Duck Race will support critical structural repairs

The event is free and open to all experience levels. Attendees are encouraged to bring binoculars, wear sturdy footwear suitable for muddy conditions and dress for the weather.

between the barn and the store has severely decayed after more than a century of water damage. These urgent repairs are necessary to stabilize and preserve the building for future generations.

Originally opened in 1896 by John Monteverde and his son, the store served as a central hub for the community, offering everything from dry goods and hardware to clothing, groceries and penny candy.

The Sierra Foothills Audubon Society, headquartered in Grass Valley, serves Nevada, Placer, Yuba, Sierra and El Dorado counties. The organization’s mission is to educate members and

the public while working to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, with a focus on birds, wildlife and their habitats. Learn more about the Sierra Foothills Audubon Society at

immediate investment to ensure its survival.

After operating for generations under the Monteverde family, the store closed in 1971 and was later reopened as a museum in 1992. It now serves as a rare and immersive window into Gold Country’s past — one that requires

The Great Sutter Creek Duck Race, first established in 1987 and revived in 2025 after a long hiatus, has long combined community celebration with meaningful local impact. The 2025 event raised funds for improvements to the community pool at Amador High School and supported additional community projects, including Concerts in the Park, sponsorship of youth organizations and improvements to the Sutter Creek Fire Station Garden.

The park’s ballfield will be transformed into a vibrant nonprofit fair, where local organizations can connect with the community, raise funds, and share their work.

Attendees can enjoy a full day of familyfriendly activities, including live music, food and drinks, games, and entertainment for all ages. Individuals can support the effort by adopting a duck, becoming a sponsor, or joining the festivities on April 25. Duck adoptions are available and participants do not need to be present to win.

The event will feature 5,000 rubber ducks racing down Sutter Creek, with participants competing for over $5,000 in prizes.

For tickets and more information visit suttercreekfoundation. org.

Be a Junior Ranger at Marshall Gold

Young nature enthusiasts are invited to explore the outdoors this summer through the Junior Ranger Summer Day Camp, a four-day program focused on environmental education, creativity and hands-on discovery.

Designed to connect children with the natural world, the camp offers activities including plant identification, forest ecology, wildfire safety, geology and water awareness. Campers will also participate in nature-based crafts, such as basket making, and learn how to keep an observation journal like a park ranger.

The program emphasizes learning through experience, with games, guided exploration and interactive lessons aimed at building confidence, curiosity and environmental stewardship.

Each session concludes with a

Junior Ranger Swearing-In Ceremony, where participants are officially recognized for their accomplishments. Two sessions are available. Session One, for ages 7 to 9, runs June 29 through July 2 and focuses on hands-on, play-based learning designed for younger campers. Session Two, for ages 10 to 12, runs July 20 through July 23 and offers more in-depth exploration of science concepts, teamwork and environmental responsibility.

Each session takes place Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A daily snack is provided, and campers are asked to bring their own lunch.

The camp is open to children of all experience levels and is designed for those interested in exploring, creating and learning in an outdoor setting. More information and registration details are available at golddiscoveryparkassociation.org.

Registration open for art camps

is now open for summer art camps at the Crocker Art Museum, offering weeklong sessions for children ages 6 to 11. The all-day camps run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are led by the museum’s professional art educators. Weekly sessions emphasize creative exploration through individual and collaborative artmaking.

For ages 6 to 8, sessions begin June 15-19 with “Planet Paws and Claws,” where campers explore dragons, reptiles and other creatures through painting, drawing and sculpting. “Land Trek,” scheduled for July 6-10, focuses on outdoor-inspired art, with participants observing natural elements and creating landscapes in a variety of mediums.

From July 13-17, “Under the Sea and on the Shore” introduces ocean-

themed projects inspired by seascape paintings, while “Color Lab,” July 20-24, explores color theory through hands-on experimentation. The final session for this age group, “Comic Capers and Jokes in Strokes,” runs Aug. 10-14 and teaches cartooning and storytelling through comics.

For ages 9 to 11 camps begin June 22-26 with “Forces of Nature,” where campers study weather and environmental processes and translate their findings into artwork. “A Coastal Expedition,” July 27-31, examines shoreline environments through sketching and mixed-media projects.

The final session, “Comedy, Creativity and Hands-On Fun,” takes place Aug. 3-7 and focuses on humor in art, guiding campers as they create comics and develop original characters inspired by works on display.

More information, including extended care details, is available at crockerart.org.

News release

Announcing 2026

Master Gardener plant sales

Spring is right around the corner, and the UC Master Gardeners of El Dorado County have announced dates for its 2026 plant sales.

Edible plants will be featured April 11, while ornamental plants will be the focus April 25. Both events will be held at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden, 6699 Campus Drive in Placerville, behind the Folsom Lake College El Dorado Center.

Sale hours are 8 a.m. to noon, rain or shine. Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the garden for a $2 fee, payable at kiosks. Payments may be made by cash or check. Visa and Mastercard will be accepted for purchases exceeding $25. Organizers recommend arriving early for the best selection.

Edibles

The April 11 edibles sale will feature herbs, vegetables, fruits and edible ﬂowers grown

locally by Master Gardeners. Available herbs include chives, lemon verbena, dill, blue borage, cilantro, cardoon, curry plant, English lavender, lovage, oregano, lemon balm, pineapple and sweet mints, scented geranium, parsley, bloody dock, sage, rosemary, winter savory, comfrey, thyme and 12 varieties of basil.

Tomatoes will be a highlight, with 39 varieties o ered, including cherry, dwarf, paste and slicing types. Other vegetables include bok choi, cucumber, eggplant, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash and tomatillos. Ten hot chili and nine sweet pepper varieties will also be available. Fruit o erings include

LIVING YOUR FAITH

All that Jesus did, we can do greater

Have you read the passage that says, “And greater works will you do because he went to be with the Father?” (John 14:12). Many are condemned, thinking they are supposed to be doing greater things than Jesus. What greater things? Have you walked on water lately? Have you healed the sick lately? Have you sacriﬁced yourself lately? Have you caused the blind to see? Have you cast out demons lately? These are the things Jesus did, and more, so can we honestly say that we will do greater things than Jesus did? Think about it. What things are greater than these? Many get confused on this passage because it is not saying you will do greater things than what Jesus did — no one can. But what it is saying is that we have more time to do the things that Jesus did. He only lived 33 years, and three of those years were in ministry. How old are you? I am 70, and for 49 years I have had the opportunity to minister to countless thousands through a nonproﬁt organization called “Life Application Ministries.” Along with that, I was able to

Linda Lange Mountain Democrat correspondent

conduct conferences called “Restoring Your Life.” For many years, I also had a TV program with the same name that was done out of Jackson. I also pastored a church for a few years and did radio programs. I have had time on my side to do many things, but I could never do greater than what Jesus did. I have seen many restored, but restored to the heart of the Father.

I believe that is what the scriptures mean. We have an opportunity, with time on our side, to reach more people for the Lord.

Jesus did so many things, and more. How do I know? Because John 21:25 says, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.” So again, we can never do more.

Ka r lime, figs and dwarf figs, strawberries, honeyberries, black mulberry, thornless blackberries, raspberries, seedless red grapes, cantaloupe and watermelon. Edible flowers will include anise hyssop, blue borage, German chamomile, lemon bee balm, nasturtiums, sunflowers, violets and pansies. An inventory preview is available on the Classes & Events page of the organization’s website.

Ornamentals

The April 25 ornamental sale will feature a variety of landscape plants, including ornamental grasses and ground covers, perennials, native plants, succulents, shrubs and trees.

Proceeds from the sales support the Sherwood Demonstration Garden, which includes 16 themed gardens and hosts activities throughout the year. The garden is open to the public Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon, March through October, weather

Some Christians get condemned because they do not think they are doing greater things than Jesus. I want you to stop thinking that way because you never will. That is the devil causing you to think you are not doing enough. Just breathing today is enough. Just waking up and thanking God for your salvation is enough. Even Jesus said, “Rejoice not that you can cast out demons, but rejoice that your name is written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). That is the bottom line and the only line. Do not let others put anything on you that you are “supposed” to be doing. You can hear from the Lord yourself, so do what you know to do. It could actually cost you your friends, reputation and more, but what does the scripture say? “Those who do the will of my Father are my family” (Matthew 12:50).

So, I hope that I was able to help some of you reading this, that knowing your name is written in heaven is enough. Because when we truly know that and believe it, our actions will follow. We will be excited to go to church, to share our faith with others and to live godly. It will be the “fruit” that comes because of who we believe in. Do not let that

permitting. Admission is free. First Saturday garden tours begin at 9 a.m. monthly, and private tours may be arranged through the Master Gardener o ce. Free public education classes are o ered throughout the year, including “Growing Peppers and Tomatoes,” “Summer Fruit Tree Pruning,” “Attracting Birds to Your Garden” and “Pruning 101.”

The annual “Fall into Gardening” open house and celebration is scheduled for Oct. 10.

Public support for the plant sales and the Master Gardener program is appreciated. For more information about UC Master Gardener classes, events and garden resources visit mgeldorado.ucanr. edu.

For garden hours and activity information for the Sherwood Demonstration Garden visit ucanr. edu/sites/EDC_ Master_Gardeners/ Demonstration_Garden. Have a gardening question? Use the “Ask a Master Gardener” option on the website or leave a message at (530) 621-5512.

scripture beat you up any longer. You are free. Just be.

Linda Lange is a Christian minister and author of over 30 books. She has been a speaker, teacher and life coach since 1996. She lives in Mount Aukum with Tom, her husband of 35 years.

Photo by Summer Brasuel

The April 11 edibles sale will feature herbs, vegetables, fruits and edible flowers grown locally by Master Gardeners.

CALIFORNIA RAMBLING

You

day-to-day life without the stress of homeownership. With maintenance-free living and convenient amenities, they can focus on what brings them joy. And with caring sta on site, support is available when needed — giving them con dence, and you peace of mind.

Magical Mendocino County — We all need more Mendocino

Barbara L. Steinberg

Special to the Mountain Democrat

The road to Mendocino County isn’t as long as it seems. Traveling some of California’s most pastoral back roads, past rustic farmland and small towns, Mendocino only feels remote. That’s half its appeal. The other half is its untamed beauty. From the landscapes and views to the breathtaking coastline, Mendocino offers a tranquil, splendid retreat.

The journey begins along scenic byways that provide plenty of distractions. A favorite route, especially from Sacramento or Napa, is Highway 128. Meandering through Napa Valley, past vineyards and open fields, from Cloverdale to the redwoods of Navarro, the road twists and turns. Take it slow and savor each moment. You’re heading to a place where, “back in the day,” people escaped and dropped out. Those same adventurers created an eclectic, artcentered lifestyle rooted in nature — and Mendocino County embraced its organic roots long ago. You will, too.

a short walk across Highway 128. Wood-fired pizzas, pastas and starters are memorable, and the Winter Green Salad is a highlight.

Once you reach Highway 1, you’ll encounter rugged headlands, expansive coastline, crashing waves, blue skies and a sense of freedom. California’s remarkable state parks — 22 in Mendocino County alone — offer beaches, redwoods, waterfalls, sand dunes, grasslands and a historical lighthouse.

The tiny Village of Mendocino is postcard-perfect, with Victorian architecture preserved yet evolved. The Agate Cove Bed & Breakfast Inn is nearby, offering a dozen cottages with views of the gardens, beach and Mendocino Headlands. We stayed in the Crystal Cottage, which boasts a 35-foot deck overlooking the ocean and Headlands. Lodging includes a full breakfast buffet featuring housemade granola, bread and made-toorder pancakes.

Pace yourself. There’s much to see, eat and drink. Highway 128 winds through bucolic Anderson Valley, a small but notable American Viticultural Area. The valley features well-known wineries such as Goldeneye, Roederer, Scharffenberger, Husch and Navarro, two of the county’s eco-friendly wineries. The annual Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival is held in June.

Passing through the countercultural town of Boonville, stop at Mosswood Market for your first taste of Mendocino’s culinary scene. You’ll often hear, “handmade, homemade, freshly made and locally made.” The county has long prioritized a locavore lifestyle. Empanadas, scones and pastries make a perfect start to any Mendocino morning.

For accommodations, don’t miss the Boonville Hotel & Restaurant. The two-story hotel offers a variety of rooms, plus one-of-a-kind cottages and three refabricated “road houses,” all set amid manicured gardens. Each room, whether upstairs or tucked in the courtyard, offers a noteworthy stay. Breakfast is included in the hotel’s main dining area. Located on Main Street, the hotel is within walking distance of many dining options. Insider tip: Rooms with outdoor bathtubs and showers are popular, so ask early.

Bee Hunter Winery & Tasting Room sources grapes from sustainable, organic and biodynamic vineyards across Mendocino and Sonoma counties, producing small-batch, award-winning wines. Dining options are plentiful. The hotel also inspired Offspring @ the Farrer Building,

Local shops and dining filled our days. Since 1988, Out of This World Optics has attracted a local and worldwide following, offering toys, games, puzzles, books and a wide selection of spotting scopes, binoculars and telescopes. Slug Sister Vintage, run by two sisters and their mother, sells vintage clothing and handmade scented candles. Mendocino Country Store features local and regional crafts, with a hidden wine bar and shop, Mendo Vino. The village also offers art galleries, home décor and fashion.

Dining is equally memorable. Patterson’s Pub, 21 and over, has 26 beers on tap and a full bar, plus hearty pub fare. Flow Restaurant & Lounge offers breathtaking ocean views. The Apple Salad, made with local apples, candied walnuts, dried cranberries, Point Reyes blue cheese, red onions, arugula and apple Dijon dressing, is unforgettable. Shared appetizers, like steamed clams with garlic, cherry tomatoes, oregano, white wine and Calabria chili butter, with toasted ciabatta and pan-seared shishito peppers with aioli and Maldon salt, are also memorable. For a quick meal, Harvest Market at Mendosa’s offers grab-and-go sandwiches, chips, beverages and desserts, ideal for a picnic.

In Fort Bragg, the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, set on 47 oceanfront acres, showcase perennial, Mediterranean, heather, dahlia, vegetable and rhododendron gardens thriving in the coastal air. More than 400 dahlias bloom from July through August. The gardens are also home to more than 150 bird species and offer bluff-top whale watching.

Mendocino is unforgettable. The ebb and flow of Pacific tides, the cooing of a mourning dove, the small circle of forget-me-nots — all linger long after you leave.

To learn more visit visitmendocino. com.

Lake Tahoe ranked a top fishing spot

News release

in the nation, with Lake Tahoe earning a place among them.

LAKE TAHOE — Lake Tahoe has been named one of the 15 best trout fishing lakes in the United States, according to a new ranking by FishingBooker, the world’s largest platform connecting anglers and fishing guides.

Ahead of the spring fishing, FishingBooker highlighted lakes across the country known for strong trout fisheries, trophy potential and notable scenery. The resulting list showcases destinations where anglers can find some of the best trout fishing

Lake Tahoe pairs iconic alpine views with a fishery known for producing large trout. The lake is especially recognized for its trophy mackinaw, or lake trout, which grow to significant sizes in its deep, cold waters.

Spring and early summer are among the most productive times to target mackinaw, as the fish move closer to shore. Anglers may also encounter rainbow and brown trout, as well as kokanee salmon.

Learn more at fishingbooker.com.

Courtesy of Visit Mendocino County

The view of the Village of Mendocino from Mendocino Headlands State Park.

April 12

Sew4Vets will host its Quilt Sale at the Veterans Memorial Building in Placerville during the Veterans Breakfast from 8-11 a.m. Proceeds from the quilt sale will support the work of Sew4Vets.org. Proceeds from the Veterans breakfast will support the work at the Veterans Memorial Building. For questions contact Sew4Vets President Karen Wilson at (530) 306-2814.

April 14

Senior Helpers Cameron Park will host Caregiver Support and Activity Enrichment Group from 1-2:30 p.m. at Foothills Church, 2380 Merrychase Drive, Cameron Park.

The Stage at Burke Junction in Cameron Park will host Country Western Line Dancing with Sara Schindler with lessons at 6 p.m. and open dance from 7-9 p.m. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke. com.

The city of Placerville will hold a public hearing on water and wastewater rates for Placerville residents at Town Hall during the regularly scheduled city council meeting at 5 p.m. Learn more at cityofplacerville.org.

April 16

John Adams Academy in El dorado Hills presents Oklahoma!” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For more information visit tinyurl. com/8pw9cs4e.

Join the Camino Fire Safe Council at 6 p.m. at The Extraordinary Camino Hotel, 4130 Camino Road at its monthly gathering. Learn about what to do if a wildfire heads your way and what the council is doing for the benefit of the community. Copies of the FireWise certificate will be available.

April 17

Imagination Theater at the El Dorado Fairgrounds presents Narnia the Musical” through May 10. For tickets and more information visit itplacerville.org.

The Pollock Pines-Camino Community Center is having an All-you-can-eat Taco Fiesta Fundraiser from 4:30-7 p.m. at the center. This menu will feature beef, chicken or pork tacos plus Chef Allie’s roasted turkey enchilada pie, salsa verde and sides. The bar will be selling beer, wine, margaritas, sodas and water. For more information call (530)647-8005.

The Stage at Burke Junction in Cameron Park will host Home Grown Comedy with Stephen B., Ryan Holloway and host, Marcus Peverill at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke.com.

Falcon’s Eye Theatre at Folsom Lake College presents “Godspell” at Harris Center for the Arts through April 26. For tickets and more information call (916) 6086888 or visit harriscenter.net.

The Sofia in Sacramento presents IN A NUTSHELL: Storytelling Series at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information call (916) 4435300 or visit bstreettheatre.org.

Now

Registration is now live for the 2026 Wheelbarrow Races to take place Saturday June 20 from 5-8 p.m. at the El Dorado County Fair. For more information or to register visit studebakerwheelbarrowraces. com.

Registration is now open for Gold Discovery Park Association’s Junior Ranger Summer Day Camp — Four-day outdoor camp for youth featuring hands-on activities in nature, including ecology, geology,

fire safety and crafts. Sessions are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Session One (ages 7-9): June 29-July 2. Session Two (ages 10-12): July 20-23. Snacks provided; bring lunch. Learn more at golddiscoveryparkassociation. org.

Registration is open for the free Professional Advisors Forum on May 7 from 8-11 a.m. with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at Serrano Country Club. This educational event hosted by the Legacy Planning Committee of the El Dorado Community Foundation offers continuing education credits for MCLE, CFP and CPE requirements. To register visit tinyurl.com/22d5ndtk.

Registration is open for the 43rd annual Bob West Drive for Marshall golf tournament to take place on June 26 at Cold

Springs Golf and Country Club. For more information or to register visit marshallfound.org. Art on Center, Center for Native, Latino & Indigenous Arts will host Echoes of the past 50 Years of Native, Latino & Indigenous Resilience on display through April 26. For more information email artoncenteredc@gmail.com or call (530) 626-3314.

El Dorado County Historical Society and Fountain and Tallman Museum presents East of the Golden Gate, a new temporary exhibit at the Fountain & Tallman Museum through May 8. For more information visit edchs.org.

The Atrium Gallery EDH at El Dorado Hills Town Center hosts the Spring Studio Artists Exhibition through May 17. For more information visit

edhtowncenter.com.

Explore Boeger Winery’s history on the “Stories in the Cellar Guided Tour,” a walking tour through historic sites and cellar spaces at Boeger Winery in Placerville, followed by a seated wine tasting with small bites in the historic cellar.. For more information and to make reservations, visit boegerwinery. com.

Cantiga Wineworks, 5980 Meyers Land in Somerset, is having Happy Hour with Fritz on Fridays from 3-6 p.m. Come for the wine, stay for the games, conversation and community. For more information call (530) 621-1696.

Shadow Ranch in Somerset will host Grilled Cheese Sundays every Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. through April 12. For more

information visit shadowranch. com.

Capital Stage in Sacramento presents “Fat Ham” through April 19. For tickets and more information call (916) 995-5464 or visit capstage.org.

Folsom History Museum presents Ride ‘Em Cowboy – the Folsom Rodeo Exhibition through Jan. 4, 2027. Learn more at folsomhistory.org.

Crocker

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York Film Academy’s Los Angeles campus solidified that interest.

“That kind of gave me the vocabulary and the understanding, the know-how, how to at least attempt to make a film,” he said. Even if those early student films were, “just god awful,” he admits that he learned a lot during the process.

He returned to the region to make short films, including “Hatched,” a 25-minute silent period piece set in the 1950s.

“Overly ambitious … for the means we had,” he said. “But that was kind of my second film school.”

Porter’s transition from acting to directing was gradual.

“At a certain point … everything was going really well,” he said. “But I just thought, I don’t want to do it on this side anymore.”

He described the shift as less about ego and more about authorship — a desire to tell stories that felt personal.

“I wanted to kind of tell the stories I wanted to tell … not inherently original, but original to me,” he said.

That philosophy shapes his directing style. He prefers to establish structure, then allow actors room to explore.

“I like to take what we’ve written, and I want the actors to make it their own,” Porter said. “I love to improv a little bit on set … and find that magic.”

A school of many hats

On “No Evidence of Man,” Porter learned firsthand the challenges of balancing multiple roles.

“Being a co-writer and a lead producer and director on a first feature — it’s just way too many hats,” he said.

That experience informed how he approached his second feature, “I’ve Got You.”

If “No Evidence of Man” was a marathon, “I’ve Got You” moved at a pace closer to industry standards.

The project came through producers Karyn and Kevin Yarris, who joined “No Evidence of Man”

late in its development and helped bring it to completion.

After seeing the finished film, they approached Porter with a script.

“They said, ‘We’re really proud of you … and you did great work,’” Porter recalled, the couple asked to meet.

At that meeting, they introduced “I’ve Got You.” Decades in the making

Porter had read an earlier version of the script nearly 20 years earlier. Originally written by Greg Stetchman and later revised by Kevin Yarris over more than a decade, it had long been a passion project.

“It was one of the few scripts that ever actually made me cry,” Porter said. “

At the time, he lacked directing experience. Now, after completing “No Evidence of Man,” he was invited to take the helm.

Originally set in Pacific Grove, the story was relocated to Calaveras County, where the Yarris family owns a cabin.

With financing in place, production moved quickly. Porter collaborated closely on rewrites, and a cast and crew came together for an 18- to 19-day shoot of a 120-page script.

“We were moving fast,” Porter said. “We’ll never do it that way again, but … we were punching above our weight class.”

He credited the cast and crew for elevating the production.

“I was very blessed and humbled to work with that type of cast,” he said.

The film is now in postproduction, with multiple edits completed and a sales agent already presenting it at markets, including Berlin. Festival submissions are planned.

This time, Porter was able to focus solely on directing.

“They were like, ‘You’re just directing,’” he said. “I’ve never had that experience.”

Art, money, modern reality

Like many independent filmmakers, Porter balances creative work with day jobs, supporting his family while pursuing projects.

“You’re always going to get into it for the love of the game,” he said. “If you get into it for money, you’re in the wrong business.”

He sees both of his features as driven primarily by artistic intent.

“These are very personal, emotional stories to all of us,” he said.

He also points to the influence of independent film pioneers such as Kevin Smith’s “Clerks” and Richard Linklater’s “Slacker.”

“Kevin Smith taught us that you can just get a camera … and make ‘Clerks,’” Porter said. “Instead

Barton

of just relying on hope … we bet on ourselves. We just made the movie.”

Looking ahead

Porter does not describe his career in terms of a single long-term goal.

“Some people have that sort of internal, ‘This is what I want to do,’” he said. “I don’t really have that yet.”

Instead, he focuses on growth.

“When we get done with something, we kind of change,” he said. “From that experience, I’d like to try this.”

Throughout Porter’s career, collaboration has remained central.

From his partnership with Donaldson to his long history with local theater groups and film collaborators, he emphasizes trust and shared effort. He cites director Richard Donner’s description of directing as “just directing traffic.”

“You get the right people,” Porter said. “If something’s going off the rails, you bring them back. But mostly, you let talent work.”

Whether filming in the hills near Fair Play, working in a cabin in Calaveras County or shaping scenes in an editing suite, Porter continues to build films on his own terms.

The timelines may be long. The budgets may be tight.

But the work, he said, remains deeply personal.

And for now, that is enough.

Health named among world’s best

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — Barton

Health has been recognized on “Newsweek’s” World’s Best Hospitals 2026 list for the sixth consecutive year. Compiled by “Newsweek” in collaboration with global data research firm Statista Inc., the list evaluates hospitals based on quality and safety metrics.

The recognition reflects Barton Health’s focus on advanced medical technology, clinical expertise, and a patient-centered approach to serving the Lake Tahoe community.

“We are honored to once again be named among the world’s best hospitals,” said Dr. Clint Purvance, president and CEO of Barton Health. “This recognition reflects the work happening across our organization every day. It’s the result of rigorous standards, continuous improvement, and a team of physicians, nurses, and staff deeply committed to delivering safe, compassionate and high-quality

care.”

The World’s Best Hospitals ranking is based on a global evaluation that includes recommendations from physicians, hospital leaders and healthcare professionals, along with patient experience data, hospital quality metrics and results from the PROMs Implementation Survey. Patient-reported outcome measures, or PROMs, are standardized, validated tools used to assess patients’ functional well-being and overall quality of life.

Barton Health’s commitment to safety and quality is further demonstrated by national achievements, including three Cal Hospital Compare Honor Roll placements for excellence in patient safety, maternity care and opioid stewardship. The hospital has also earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing patient safety.

More information on Barton Health is available at BartonHealth.org.

“No Evidence of Man” is available now on Amazon.

Courrtesy photo

Porter, right with cinematographer Paul Nordin, left, and first AC Jerome Stolly, center, shoot a one-person scene with Donaldson in the woods of El Dorado County

Bri Alamilla Barton Health