On to Omaha
The mountains are calling
Pair of county pitchers set for College World Series.
New exhibit showcases artist’s love of nature.
Sports, A6
News, etc. B1
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Volume 171 • Issue 71 | 75¢
mtdemocrat.com
Friday, June 17, 2022
Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian
Daniel, Matt and Luke Scharffenberg of Placerville brave Freak Out, a new ride at the El Dorado County Fair.
Community feeling fair’s
‘MagiC’
Eric Jaramishian Staff writer
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fter a twoyear hiatus the El Dorado County Fair is back and with it comes a new amusement ride — Freak Out. Riders dangle, rotate and are swung vertically, bringing an additional thrill for fair attendees in an already stacked four days of entertainment celebrating everything El Dorado County. “I was nervous at first but it was a great ride,” said Placerville resident Matt Scharffenberg, who brought his children to fair preview night Wednesday. “It is good to be back (at the fair) to come hang out and have the kids ride the rides.” Super Shot is also making an appearance as another of the fair’s wild rides, taking folks up 90 feet in the air before free falling in mere seconds. “That was probably my favorite ride but I don’t think I’ll do it again,” said Diamond Springs resident Skylar Waggoner. More kid friendly attractions are Dragon Wagon, Silver Streak, PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
the Super Slide and of course a merrygo-round. Younger children can get their adventurous side on by experiencing Raiders, as they crawl, climb, dodge, squeeze and slide through a maze of obstacles. For those at preview night the fair’s opening isn’t just about a return of amusement rides and other fair attractions. It also means a return to a county tradition after COVID-19 basedrestrictions in 2020 and the Caldor Fire base camp in 2021 caused cancellation of the fair. The Magic is Back is the appropriately donned slogan for this year’s fair, which will be open to the public beginning at noon each day through Sunday, June 19. “After losing the fair for two years this is a huge comeback,” said Camino resident Dusty Botting. “The summer culture of El Dorado County includes the fair. To not have it was a huge loss for the kids and the community at large.” There’s something for everyone at this year’s fair, including n
See Fair, page A8
Mountain Democrat photos by Thomas Frey
Milena Martin, 10, brushes her Grange project, a 1,315-pound steer named Milo, as she readied Wednesday for the Junior Livestock Auction at the El Dorado County Fair. Milena will be showing for the first time Saturday morning.
Herding up a show Thomas Frey Staff writer
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he excitement is evident at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds livestock arenas as Future Farmers of America, Grange and 4-H youth are ready to show off their steers, hogs, lambs, goats, rabbits and more. This week has been on their mind every single day, waking up early and putting in extra time after school to feed and take care of their animals. The Junior Livestock Auction will occur Saturday at 10 a.m. inside the Vicini Pavilion. In a tradition unlike any other, FFA and 4-H participants will walk their animals into a show ring to be auctioned. Many awards have already been earned and will continue to roll in through the end of the weekend. Last year Joseph Martin was with Southside Topnotch
Ponderosa FFA participants Payge Goodfellow, left, with Buffalo her market goat and Paige Fletcher with her market lamb named Ray Ban have been busy this week as the Junior Livestock Auction nears. 4-H where his steer was a Reserve Champion. When he and his cow entered the show ring bidding just kept going up and it didn’t end until $6.25 per pound was called out by the auctioneer. His 1,350-pound steer sold for a total of $8,437. Now he is part
of Union Mine FFA, where he is preparing for his sophomore year and he is back at the fairgrounds with a 1,285-pound homegrown steer named John — the 2022 Reserve Champion. “I’m stoked. I think this year is gonna be a good year,” said Martin,
who added he will put the money he earns tomorrow into a savings account and an IRA account and eventually buy a car. With a Grange project, his sister Milena Martin, 10, is competing for the first time and her 1,315-pound homegrown steer she named Milo has already soaked up the award for Champion Market Steer and she said she is excited to begin saving up money from the fair. She noted her brother’s experience helped lead her on the path to raise Milo. “My favorite part is trying to find out all of their personalities and having them run around in the pen where they jump around,” Milena said. “It’s really fun to watch.” Cheyenne Jones, 14, will auction a market hog named Pumba. She is also the vice president of the Rescue Up ‘n Comin’ 4-H Club and is showing a 5-year-old n
See Auction, page A8
CAO Ashton to step down next year El Dorado County CAO Chief Administrative Officer Don Ashton notified the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors June 14 of his intention to step down and resign from his position in March 2023. He suggested the board begin recruitment for the position this month to provide ample time to select the next CAO. “El Dorado County has been very fortunate to have Don at the helm for the last six and a half years, securing a healthy budget that puts us in a good position as we approach uncertain fiscal times, and navigating the county through unprecedented times related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Caldor Fire,” said Board Chair Lori Parlin. “And in true fashion regarding his forward and
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big-picture thinking, Don has graciously provided the board with more than six months’ notice so we can be best situated to carry on in his absence,” she added. Ashton began his career with El Dorado County as the chief fiscal officer for the Sheriff ’s Office in January 2011. He was director of the Health and Human Services Agency for three years before being appointed CAO in May 2016. During his time as CAO Ashton shepherded the development and updates to the county’s Strategic Plan and budget policies resulting in record amounts in contingency and reserves to address infrastructure challenges and the fiscal uncertainties facing the
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