171
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Volume 171 • Issue 134 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
County fire district fired up about insurance rates Noel Stack Managing editor
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“If it doubles again next year … we’re going to have more serious conversations.”
Hard work reaps rewards but in the case of the El Dorado County Fire Protection District, effort put into achieving a lower Insurance Services Office public protection classification service rating couldn’t stop the district’s fire insurance costs from nearly doubling.
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— Tim Cordero, chief of El Dorado County Fire Protection District Last year the district spent about $88,000 to insure its properties and equipment. This year, according to Fire Chief Tim Cordero, the bill came in at more than $157,000.
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“We’re able to pay the bill but that equates to other areas of the budget being trimmed,” the fire chief told the Mountain n
Murder suspect commits suicide
See insurance, page A3
Noel Stack Managing editor A murder suspect on the run reportedly shot himself on Ice House Road Sunday afternoon after he was confronted by law enforcement. Alfonso Hernandez Jr., 56, of Sacramento was wanted in connection with the murder of a woman, believed to be his wife, at Canyon Creek Resort located at the 22000 block of Highway 128 in a rural area of Winters, according to Yolo County sheriff ’s officials. The victim, who has yet to be positively identified by the coroner, suffered a fatal gunshot wound. She was found dead in an RV by officers responding to a requested welfare check after the reporting party told law enforcement his friend (Hernandez) confessed to killing his wife and said he was going to kill himself. “A be on the lookout bulletin was issued to law enforcement agencies along the (Highway) 50 corridor where Alfonso was believed to be traveling in his vehicle,” Yolo County sheriff ’s officials state in a Facebook post. At approximately 1 p.m. El Dorado County sheriff ’s deputies, with the assistance of air support from the California Highway Patrol, located Hernandez in his vehicle on Ice House Road near White Hall. “EDSO approached the suspect vehicle at which point the suspect shot himself and was later pronounced deceased,” El Dorado County sheriff ’s officials announced Monday morning. The firearm believed to be used in the homicide was recovered, Yolo officials note, adding, “The motive is still being investigated and it appears to be an isolated incident with no further danger to the public.”
Mountain Democrat photos by Eric Jaramishian
Civil Air Patrol cadets retire the colors to conclude Veterans Day ceremonies at the El Dorado County Veterans Monument Friday. Five local veterans were honored with their names added to the monument in bronze.
Veterans saluted
Eric Jaramishian Staff writer
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ew additions to the Veterans Monument in Placerville were added this Veterans Day, Nov. 11 — bronze plaques for El Dorado County
heroes. In an event full of patriotic music, riflevolley solutes, a parade of flags and a color guard ceremony, Capt. Richard Buchanan, 1st Lt. Andrew LePeilbet, Lt. Col. Greg Etzel, along with the late Master Sgt. William Cathcart and late S. Sgt. Sky Mote were honored for their heroic acts and the military recognition they received for going above and beyond. The bronze plaques celebrating them now grace a marble slab at the El Dorado County Veterans Monument at 360 Fair Lane in Placerville. Veterans and supporters of those who serve and have served the cause for freedom witnessed as the county heroes were celebrated. When their names were
Sierra-at-Tahoe nears reopening Mountain Democrat staff Much work has been under way in the year following Caldor Fire destruction at Sierraat-Tahoe and come Dec. 3, the ski resort’s management expects to be spinning lifts once again. Five chairlift haul ropes damaged by Caldor’s flames were replaced, 15 million board feet of charred timber removed and 700 acres of hazardous trees mitigated, according to Sierraat-Tahoe officials. Work to rebuild a maintenance shop hit pretty hard by the forest fire is in progress. “We have essentially built a ski resort in a year,” states a Nov. 13 announcement of Sierra-atTahoe’s opening date. Resort staff invites skiers and boarders to explore “all new terrain.” A new trail map is soon to be released. “Sierra is back with a new landscape to discover,” reports resort management, noting all
1st Lt. Andrew LePeilbet salutes as he is named an Medal of Valor honoree. called, those present stood in recognition. U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kurt Raffeto presented honors to Etzel, Command Sgt. Maj. Leonard McAdams presented LePeilbet’s and Cathcart’s award and U.S. Marine Corp. Capt. Jack Babbitt presented Mote’s and Buchanan’s award.
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The late Cathart, awarded the Distinguished Service Cross during the Korean War, was posthumously honored for saving men from another unit, along with his own, while under heavy fire. As an Air Force captain, Etzel flew n
See Veterans, page A7
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