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VOLUME 173 • ISSUE 27 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2024
Humlick’s killer sentenced
Odin Rasco Staff writer
The gallery in an El Dorado County courtroom was awash with tears and frustration as the man who pleaded guilty to the Oct. 5, 2023, killing of Tina Humlick was sentenced Monday afternoon. Having admitted Jan. 19 to the second-degree murder of Humlick using a KA-BAR 1211 7-inch blade, Michael Thompson, 43, returned to court March 4 for sentencing. His guilty plea came as part of a deal offered by the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office that set Thompson’s minimum sentence at 16 years in prison — 15 years for murder and an additional year for the special allegation of using a deadly weapon.
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— Heather Humlick, sister of murder victim Tina Humlick Some in El Dorado County Superior Court Department 2 were unhappy with the minimum sentence, with one person saying, “That isn’t enough” as the sentence was read by Judge Mark Ralphs. Ralphs agreed with the sentiments of that onlooker, expressing his opinion on the matter while handing down the sentence.
530-358-9100 “The court will follow the terms of the plea agreement,” Ralphs said. “If I could, I would give the defendant more time, but I cannot.” Responding to a stabbing reported to the El ■ See SENTENCING, page A7
DECISION 2024
Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian
Mountain Democrat photo by Odin Rasco
District 3 Supervisor candidate Brian Veerkamp, left, talks with supporters during his election night party at Wally’s Pizza Bar in Cameron Park.
District 1 Supervisor hopeful Greg Ferrero is joined by friends and supporters for a private election party that quickly packed a portion of El Dorado Saloon in El Dorado Hills Tuesday night. Ferrero secured an early lead in the polls, with initial counts giving him 63.59% of the total vote.
District 3 supervisor race Ferrero takes firm lead shows Veerkamp ahead in District 1 contest Eric Jaramishian Staff writer
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
As votes continue to be counted, preliminary results show Brian Veerkamp in the lead for the District 3 Board of Supervisors seat. As of press time, 8,270 ballots had been counted in the race, approximately 30% of the district’s registered voters. Of those figures Veerkamp earned 4,016 votes, more than 52%. El Dorado County Elections
Department officials expect an updated ballot count to be released Friday. Veerkamp is looking to retake his former post and was challenged by current District 3 Planning Commissioner Lexi Boeger, commercial helicopter pilot Gary Martin and transportation and land surveying specialist Brian DeBerry. A candidate needs more than 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff election
■ See DISTRICT 3, page A3
Odin Rasco Staff writer
Early vote counts from Tuesday’s election indicate a strong and likely insurmountable lead for Greg Ferrero in the race for the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors District 1 seat. As of press time Ferrero, a former California Highway Patrol captain and local business owner, had 63.59% of counted votes. Margaret Fortune’s fortune may have run dry in the race,
with just shy of 30% of votes going her way while Linda Campbell trails behind in third place with 7.43% of the vote. All three are vying for the seat left open by current Supervisor John Hidahl, who has hit his term limit. District 1 covers the majority of El Dorado Hills. Ferrero held an election night gathering at El Dorado Saloon in El Dorado Hills, where guests quickly packed the space, waiting to see
■ See DISTRICT 1, page A5
Turnboo garners 54% of District 2 vote District 2 Supervisor incumbent George Turnboo views election results at his election party at Wally’s Pizza Bar in Cameron Park.
Eric Jaramishian Staff writer
On election night District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo found himself with a notable lead in his campaign to retain his seat. As the El Dorado County Elections Department rolled out its first ballot tally of the March primary, Turnboo had 54.84% of the district’s votes cast. The Elections Department continues to process ballots and as of press time his lead held. Out of the 8,270 ballots cast Turnboo grabbed 4,511 votes, followed by Kevin McCarty with 2,259 and Chris
Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian
■ See DISTRICT 2, page A6
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