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Volume 172 • Issue 44 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
C10-000752-LIC
Spring catch
Online sting leads to charges against former youth coach Mountain Democrat staff Authorities served a search warrant at Daniel Robert Tracy Jr.’s Cameron Park residence April 13 following an undercover online chat investigation by the Sacramento County Sheriff ’s Office in which he reportedly had sexual intent when he contacted an officer posing as a minor. Sacramento County sheriff ’s officials say the 44-year-old is a former youth sports coach. The investigation was led by Sacramento County’s Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force that
Daniel Robert Tracy Jr. has a unit specifically assigned to cases involving internet crimes against children. The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office n See sting, page A3
Bias training stays for some committees Eric Jaramishian Staff writer Some county committees and commissions will still have to complete implicit bias training after a Board of Supervisors ruling March 21. Members of the Assessment Appeals Board, Agriculture Commission, Civil Service Commission, Child Abuse Prevention Council and the Planning
Blooming trout lilies, above, catch some afternoon sun beneath manzanita at the Pine Hill Preserve in Cameron Park. These flowers were spotted on the ridge line not far from Rosebud Drive. On the way hikers pass through pink petals on redbud, right photo, the white blossoms of Pine Hill ceanothus and the yellow blooms of mule’s ear, among other flora growing in the biodiversity hotspot. The California Native Plant Society El Dorado Chapter will lead Pine Hill field trips April 23, April 29 and May 13. For more information go to eldoradocnps. org/news-events/field-trips.
Mountain Democrat photos by Krysten Kellum
n See Training, page A3
Pioneer Fire plans to add to its Somerset station Eric Jaramishian Staff writer
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The Pioneer Fire Protection District is getting an addition to its Station 31 facilities on Grizzly Flat Road in Somerset. Pioneer Fire officials debated March 14 whether to replace the fire station in Grizzly Flat or add to Station 31. The district will receive money from FEMA after
losing Station 35 in Grizzly Flat in the 2021 Caldor Fire. Station 35 consisted of one garage that held a firefighting SUV with no living quarters. The amount of FEMA money coming in is unknown, according to Pioneer Fire Chief David Whitt. Since FEMA is allowing the money to not necessarily be used to rebuild Station 35 but also for alternative projects, the district’s board unanimously decided to build an apparatus room at Station 31 to add storage capacity for firefighting equipment.
“What we can do is split the difference since we already have a facility on Grizzly Flat Road that is halfway between Mt. Aukum Road and Grizzly Flat proper that can currently house staff.” — David Whitt, Pioneer Fire Protection District Chief Station 31’s location, between Four Corners and Grizzly Flat, makes it ideal for the district’s call volumes, Whitt said. “It is a long way up to (the Grizzly Flat) location and ideally we don’t want to leave a fire engine up there
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even if we could afford to staff it, which we cannot right now,” Whitt explained. “What we can do is split the difference since we already have a facility on Grizzly Flat Road that is halfway between Mt. Aukum Road and Grizzly Flat proper that Call us to help you plan trips of a lifetime anywhere in the world!
can currently house staff.” The station is currently staffed by the U.S. Forest Service by contract with Pioneer. Whitt said expanding Station 31 would be ideal in the future if it comes across extra volunteers or resident firefighters straight from the fire academy. The district plans to construct a 30- by 40-foot garage to house firefighting apparatus. Plans for the future include n See PIONEER, page A3
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