C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
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– Weekend Edition – VOLUME 174 • ISSUE 3 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2025
Local teens identified as victims of fatal fire Odin Rasco Senior staff writer
Two victims of a fatal fire in Somerset on New Years’ Day have been identified as a 15-year-old male and a 14-year-old female, both county residents, according to officials with the El Dorado County Sheriff ’s Office. Firefighters with the Pioneer Fire Protection District received a report of a blaze which had engulfed a double-wide mobile home in Somerset at 3:50 a.m. Jan. 1. Though crews arrived swiftly to Candlelight
In the
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Village, where the residence was located, the fire was already fully involved. A cause has not been revealed. “When we got there, it was already completely engulfed,” PFPD Chief David Whitt explained. Four occupants escaped from the flames; two were transported to Marshall Hospital for minor injuries, and two others were uninjured. Tragically, the two teens died before the fire could be extinguished. Though EDSO officials declined to give the names of the two victims,
2024
the 15-year-old has been identified by family members as Noah Chesterman, a Union Mine High School freshman. “Noah was such a light to his family,” reads a GoFundMe fundraiser set up to help the Chesterman family with funeral expenses. “He always had a smile and would light up a room when he entered. He had the biggest heart and would love and help anyone and everyone. He loved to hang out with his sister and friends, ride his dirt bike, and wrestle with friends.” As of press time, community members have donated more than
$16,600 to the fundraiser. A message sent to El Dorado Union High School District parents identified the the other victim as an El Dorado High School student, but no other details have been made public. “It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we confirm the loss of two of our precious students from El Dorado and Union Mine high schools this past week in a tragic fire,” the EDUHSD message states. “Words fail us — we cannot imagine the immense grief and heartbreak that their families must be enduring.”
Blessings to creatures great and small
The Mountain Democrat wraps up its look at some of the top headlines of the past year.
Court cases and crimes make headlines Odin Rasco Senior staff writer
The dockets at the El Dorado County Courthouse in Placerville were full to bursting throughout much of 2024, with some big cases reaching conclusions while others continue to progress through a series of pretrial meetings and motion hearings.
Justin Bales 49-year-old Justin Bales was convicted to 15 years in prison on Jan. 22, 2024, for multiple felony charges of sexual assault involving a minor. Originally charged with 10 felony charges, Bales ultimately pleaded guilty to three charges — a charge of sexual penetration involving a child under the age of 10, and two charges for lewd acts with a child younger than 14 — as part of a plea deal offered by the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office in late December 2023. ■ See CASES, page A8
Mosquito Bridge replacement project making headway Odin Rasco Senior staff writer
Travelers along Mosquito Road would be hard-pressed to not take notice of the significant strides made by the Mosquito Bridge Replacement Project in 2024. With much of the less-apparent groundwork completed by the middle of the
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year, the two support pillars began to climb into the skies, with the project making it past the 70% mark before construction efforts slowed down for the winter months. Although the project has been pushed back by more than 100 days due to heat, rain and fire concerns, work continues at a steady pace. The two support pier columns reached completion by the end of 2024 and crews set up winter erosion countermeasures to keep the project safe and ready for more progress once the worst of the winter weather starts to taper off. The $93 million project (fully funded through the federal Highway Bridge Program) is the most expensive capital project ever constructed in county
Photos by Shelly Thorene
The Sacred Arts of Tibet Tour of Gaden Shartse Norling Monastery hosted by Placerville Friends of Tibet at Federated Church has returned to the foothills. During their time here the Tibetan Buddhist monks will compete a Wheel of Life sand mandala at the church and host community events like the traditional pet blessing ceremony held Sunday. Above Geshe Phuntsho, left, performs a blessing for Roz Smythe, 81, of Sacramento, right, and her 1-year-old mixed breed dog, Max. At right, Lindsey Edwards of Cameron Park, right, smiles as her 6-yearold parakeet, Bogart, receives a blessing from Phuntsho. The tour continues in Placerville through Jan. 12 and then moves to Folsom. Check out the full schedule of events at placervillefriendsof tibet.org.
■ See BRIDGE, page A8
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