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Volume 172 • Issue 30 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
Friday, March 17, 2023
EDH dog hoarder gets 30 days in jail Odin Rasco Staff writer
German shepherds and Husky breed dogs, 15 adult dogs An El Dorado and 10 puppies, Hills woman kept in inhumane was sentenced conditions on felony animal according to an cruelty charges El Dorado County Tuesday morning Animal Services in El Dorado press release. County Superior Tidwell had the Sandra Tidwell Court. animals in her Sandra Tidwell, 1,200-square50, pleaded guilty to the charges foot home, operating what she Feb. 14. The case involved 25 claimed was a legitimate animal
rescue called Sierra Nevada German Shepherd Rescue. Tidwell was found to have been conducting the operation illegally and without a license. Following calls to law enforcement from neighbors due to significant odors emanating from the home, a search warrant was executed by El Dorado County sheriff ’s deputies and Animal Services officers. The dire conditions the animals lived in were described
Twentyfive German Shepherd and Husky breed dogs were rescued from inhumane conditions In July 2022. Courtesy photo
n See hoarder, page A9
Vote goes 3-2 to dissolve Human Rights Commission Eric Jaramishian Staff writer Despite overwhelming opposition from the public Tuesday morning, El Dorado County took another step toward disbanding its Human Rights Commission. In a divisive vote, the Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to make an amendment to an ordinance that established the commission to state that it has been terminated. Some board members previously expressed concerns regarding the commission, including allocation of proper resources and unclear direction and they said they felt the group had gotten too “political” in its practices. Robin Valicenti, who serves on the commission, told supervisors the
commission was not political and provided a forum for marginalized people to be heard, including homeless individuals and victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. “We need to allow for a space for our marginalized communities like LGBT and domestic violence (survivors) to speak to the county, for it to witness,” Valicenti said. Many who wrote in to the county and spoke during public comment during the board’s March 14 meeting felt a commission dealing with human rights was necessary and urged reconsideration of dissolving the group. “Human rights does not matter if you are Democrat, Republican, rich, poor or what culture you are from,” said Sheryl Trainor, a pediatric occupational therapist. “I think it is great to have many n See Human rights,
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page A8
Mountain Democrat photos by Eric Jaramishian
With Harmony and Hive clients and staff at Exhilaration Station aren’t all work and no play. Pictured from left are Willow Withrow, Natalia Withrow, Cory Knapp, Judy Knapp, Maiz Velasco, Luli Velasco, Everett Bixler, Ben Bixler and Lincoln Bixler inside Exhilaration Station’s indoor playground in Placerville.
Co-working (and play) comes to Placerville Eric Jaramishian Staff writer
E
xhilaration Station in Placerville is looking to help support the community by becoming a hub for children to play while parents can focus on their daily activities, including work. Opening a space for adults in a children’s setting, youngsters can whoop and holler while being provided an educational setting, meanwhile taking a load off workfrom-home parents. Complete with a work room/parent room, a nursing room, sensory room and n See Co-working, page A9
Youngsters socialize and play at Exhilaration Station.
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