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Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene

Sheriff’s deputy Kyle Emmitt, Special Olympian Adam Fraser, 40, of Placerville and Shield K-5 Community Outreach Deputy Keith Dougherty, left to right, serve food to patrons at Wally’s Pizza in Cameron Park on Tuesday to help raise funds for Special Olympics of Northern California.

Courtesy photo

A photo taken by a member of the Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado crew dispatched to Los Angeles illustrates how the fires have completely razed buildings and neighborhoods.

■ Tip-A-Cop event benefits Special Olympics Local crews continue Shelly Thorene

aid in L.A. firefight

Staff writer

pecial Olympians Josh Rojas, Adam Fraser, both of Placerville, and Logan Wright of El Dorado worked alongside El Dorado County Sheriff Jeff Leikauf and several deputies, serving delicious food and beverages to patrons of Wally’s Pizza in Cameron Park on Jan. 21. Customers who mentioned Special ■ See TIPACOP, page A5

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Odin Rasco Senior staff writer

Debra and Scott Spellman of Cameron Park, left, make a donation to Special Olympics of Northern California after being served beverages by Special Olympians Logan Wright, center, and Adam Fraser and El Dorado County Sheriff Jeff Leikauf.

Local firefighting agencies have lent manpower, time and equipment to the efforts to contain and combat multiple wildfires that have burned away more than 75 square miles of land and homes in and around Los Angeles. The large wildfires have displaced tens of thousands of people, with more than 50,000 people under evacuation orders and warnings due to the Hughes Fire alone. Including damage from the Palisades and Eaton fires, as well as multiple smaller fires, more than 15,000 structures are reported destroyed and at least 28 people are confirmed dead. ■ See L.A. FIRES, page A5

Parking, affordable housing topics emerge in fair presentation Jo Carrerow

Mountain Democrat correspondent A presentation on the El Dorado County Fair Association budget and fiveyear Strategic Plan at a Jan. 7 meeting transitioned into a discussion of a dire need for more parking at the fairgrounds. So much so that the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors planned to set up an ad hoc committee to explore parking lot options. That committee will also discuss other topics, including an affordable housing apartment complex scheduled to begin construction this fall near the fairgrounds, at public meetings to be

scheduled. Fair Association CEO Kathy Dunkak said she struggles with not being able to rent out multiple buildings at once for events, or accommodate large events during the fair’s off season. “It’s not maximizing our facility to its fullest,” she explained. “There’s well over 100 events held (annually) on the fairgrounds, more than 1,500 people staying in hotels and more than 200,000 people coming through our gates.” In addition to parking, the fair has a shuttle, paid for with a grant from the Air Quality Management District and a transit works grant, that is much needed during

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the fair. “Without that shuttle, it would be a real bummer,” Dunkirk said. But, she said more parking is needed for larger private and nonprofit events that take place when the fair is not in session. The parking lot also has another use. During wildfires like the 2024 Crozier Fire, fire camps are set up at the fairgrounds. “There is not enough parking for fire camp,” District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin said. “It’s huge. It is this whole community that gets built on the fairgrounds. And ■ See FAIR, A4 Lic #page 559305

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