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Driver dies after crash into boulder Odin Rasco Senior staff writer
Mountain Democrat photos by Andrew Vonderchmitt
Tyler Villa a junior at El Dorado High School is assisted by volunteer artist Dean Bullert in transferring a finished bowl from the wheel in preparation for coloring and firing before it heads over to Empty Bowls fundraiser set to commence on March 8 at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds.
Students fill Empty Bowls with goodwill
Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer
An adult man was found dead at the scene after crashing his vehicle into a boulder near Wrights Lake Road shortly before 1 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16. The driver, the sole occupant of a Toyota Tacoma, appears to have been traveling eastbound on Highway 50 before leaving the roadway for unknown reasons, ultimately crashing into a boulder, according to early information shared by California Highway Patrol officer Andrew Brown. Evidence at the scene indicates no other vehicles were involved in the incident. The identity of the driver has not been released to the public. Though early reports indicated the vehicle had caught fire after the crash, CHP officials state that information is inaccurate. Investigators are working to determine what caused the driver to leave the roadway, Brown said.
Veterans again asked to review monument honor criteria
E
l Dorado High School students are in the midst of making upward of 150 bowls to donate to the annual Empty Bowls Supper fundraiser set for March 8 at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. “It’s a good way for the kids to get involved and give back to their community,” said Brigid Bourque, art teacher. El Dorado High has collaborated with the El Dorado Peace and Justice Community’s
Jo Carrerow
Mountain Democrat correspondent
■ See BOWLS, page A10
MAIL LABEL
Taylor DeShelter, a junior at El Dorado High School, smooths the inside of her contribution to the Empty Bowls Supper donation.
Veterans groups and county leaders still have a long way to go before seeing eye to eye on eligibility for plaque placement on the Honor Wall of El Dorado County Veterans Monument in Placerville. Of the several veterans in attendance at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, most criticized the new criteria presented, sending it to the chopping block once again. Eric Nelson, Marine Corps veteran and life member of the Marine Corps League, SSgt. Sky Mote Detachment #697 in Placerville, objected to an expansion of the word “honor” within the new criteria. He said the term is outlined in the Department of Defense Manual 1348.33, Volume 1. “It is succinct, unambiguous and has stood the test of time. “There is no room for expansion,” he said. “Only the commanders of congressionally chartered veterans organizations who maintain a chapter in El Dorado County should review matters of honor as they pertain to applications for additions to the monument.” The last time supervisors visited the subject was nearly four years ago, but this time they stressed the importance of fast-tracking the process and unanimously agreed to meet again to discuss the subject within 90 days, after collecting input from all the veterans organizations and stakeholders. Assistant Director of Health and Human Services Timalynn Jaynes presented the new draft criteria, which she said was a follow-up to a Board
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