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C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
– E S T. 18 51
– Midweek Edition – VOLUME 173 • ISSUE 85 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2024
Progress at The Crossings
Mountain Democrat file photo by Odin Rasco
Erica Chambers, seen here with attorney Alan Donato during an earlier court appearance, has changed her pleas. She faced mutliple charges stemming from a car crash that left Camino resident Mason Visman dead.
Erica Chambers changes plea in manslaughter case Odin Rasco Senior staff writer
In the wake of a hearing in April where Judge Mark Ralphs ruled the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office had sufficient evidence to take a manslaughter case against Erica Chambers to trial, Chambers changed her previously-entered not guilty pleas in court Friday, Aug. 23. Agreeing to an offer made by the court, Chambers entered a mix of no contest and guilty pleas to all charges against her; in total, four felonies and seven enhancements. The charges stem from a vehicle collision the night of Nov. 11, 2022, when an SUV driven by Chambers struck a Prius that had just merged onto Highway 50 near Mosquito Road. Prior to the crash, Chambers and her partner, longtime Camino resident Mason Visman, had been attending Visman’s brother’s wedding. Witnesses at the wedding told investigators she had been drinking heavily at the event, and that she and Visman had left together. The crash injured both passengers in the Prius and reportedly launched Visman out the window from the passenger seat of the Mercedes-Benz which was registered under his name. Chambers temporarily stopped the vehicle before attempting to drive away from the scene of the incident; shortly afterward, Chambers left the SUV and attempted to flee from law enforcement on foot. When Chambers was apprehended, the vehicle was empty and she reportedly told officers she was ■ See PLEA, page A8
Mountain Democrat photos by Eric Jaramishian
A wall goes up for a building being constructed at The Crossings at El Dorado Aug. 21. Construction for the entire lot will finish in spring of 2025.
More businesses coming soon Eric Jaramishian Senior staff writer
B
ehind Dutch Bros. on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville construction of retail space us under way, a project 20 years in the making. The Crossings at El Dorado, owned by general contracting company Grado Construction, will include future retail tenants like Boots Barn, PetCo, Ulta, Five Below and Michaels. All are ready to go when the 125,000-square-foot center opens. Other businesses have yet to be announced. “After 20 years, retail development right on Missouri Flat is finally occurring,” said Grado Construction owner Leonard Grado. Already open in the area is Dutch Bros., and a recently constructed 7/11 is expected to have its grand opening Sept. 13. More businesses are expected
Earthwork and construction keep crews busy at The Crossings on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. to begin operating by spring of 2025, according to Grado. Once open, the stores will help keep commerce in the county, including jobs and retail sales, giving a local option to those who might be inclined to shop and dine in other areas of the greater Sacramento area, he explained.
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“You not only lose the retail, you lose the jobs because younger people will go to Folsom and work down there,” Grado said. “From my standpoint, I see the developments that I’m doing up here as a quality-oflife issue. If you can retail here ■ See CROSSINGS, page A9
Fire consumes Freshmex Express Odin Rasco Senior staff writer
Courtesy photo
Multiple fire crews arrived on the scene to stop the fire quickly, halting the fire’s progress before it could consume a neighboring restaurant and auto parts store. The damage to the structure is significant, and losses by the occupants total to more than $2 million, according to El Dorado County Fire Protection District Capt. Jacob Poganski.
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A go-to stop for Mexican food in Placerville was destroyed in a fire the evening of Sunday, Aug. 25, leaving two neighboring businesses with extensive smoke and fire damage, according to fire officials. Firefighters from the Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Protection District, assisted by crews from the El Dorado County Fire Protection District, Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit and El Dorado Hills and Rescue fire departments began to combat a ■ See FIRE, page A8
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