C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
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– Weekend Edition – mtdemocrat.com
FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2025
VOLUME 174 • ISSUE 42 | $1.00
CARTOGRAPHERS IN THE MAKING SAGE hosts 2025 map contest
Shelly Thorene Staff writer
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Mountain Democrat file photo by Shelly Thorene
The El Dorado County Veterans Alliance/Friends of the Monument once again host Memorial Day ceremonies at El Dorado County Veterans Monument. The public is invited to attend at 11 a.m. Monday, May 26.
Remember and Honor Memorial Day event planned in Placerville
Joseph Thuesen
Special to the Mountain Democrat
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PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
t 11 a.m. Monday, May 26, the annual Memorial Day ceremonies to remember and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice will be held at the El Dorado County Veterans Monument, 360 Fair Lane in Placerville. The ceremonies at the El Dorado County Veterans Monument were first dedicated on Nov. 11, 2006, after being envisioned by U.S. Marine and Navy Cross recipient Richard W. Buchanan. During the Vietnam War, Buchanan witnessed numerous examples of the
aggressive fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty by his fellow Marines and Navy Corpsmen of the Third Battalion, 27th Marines, First Marine Division. In the book “Every Marine,” author Robert A. Simonsen writes about Buchanan and his fellow Marines and Navy Corpsmen during Operation Allen Brook, whereby 72 would be killed over the duration of a few days in May 1968. Additionally, fellow Marine PFC Robert C. Burke would be awarded the Medal of Honor-posthumously; two Marines were awarded the Navy Cross, Cpl. Buchanan and Private Charles R. ■ See MEMORIAL DAY, page A8
he El Dorado County Board of Supervisors honored the winners of the 31st annual SAGE Map Drawing Contest during the May 20 meeting. Maps were on display by kindergarten through 12th grade students from 15 local schools and included a variety of themes from Bands of the ‘70s, a map of California Road Trips and Inventions of America. There were 29 honorable mentions and Super Star awards went to: Riley Randall, Isavella Lopuga, Avelyna Lopuga, Logan Neal, Grant Seckington, Arianna Lopuga, Jacob Neal, Samiya Thakur, Priya Abbott, Adele Lisonbee and Wyatt Little. Camino Polytechnical school was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award for the most winning entries and Gold Trail won the School Spirit Award for the most map entries.
Award winners Kindergarten
1. Opal Grano, Camino Polytechnic 2. Scarlett Shanks, Camino Polytechnic 3. Stetson Grgich, Camino Polytechnic
First grade
1. Mason Powell, Camino Polytechnic 2. Jack Daly, Sutter’s Mill 3. Riley Randall, Camino Polytechnic ■ See MAPS, page A3
Above, Camino Polytechnic School first grade student and first place winner Mason Powell talks about his map, “Mason’s House,” with District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo during the Surveyors, Architects, Geologists and Engineers’ 30th annual Student Map Drawing Contest awards ceremony at the Board of Supervisors chambers on May 20. Right, District 1 Supervisor Greg Ferrero, right, listens as Wyatt Noriega, third grader at Northside, center, describes his map of the war in Ukraine. Seventh grade student Wyatt Little, Gold Trail School, left, and the younger Wyatt were tied for third place in the map contest’s Open Category. Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene
Former Guiding Hands School staff enter guilty pleas Chris Woodard Staff writer
Three former staff members of the nowclosed Guiding Hands School pleaded guilty May 19, avoiding a trial in the death of a 13-year-old student with autism, according to the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office. Max Benson died in 2018 after he was held in a restrained prone position for
about 90 minutes at the El Dorado Hills school that served students with special needs. Witness testimony in preliminary hearings noted Max begged to be stood up before he became unresponsive, according to witness testimony, which also alleged school staff delayed seeking medical care. Max was transported to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, where he died on Nov. 28, 2018. An investigation by California
IN CELEBRATION The Mountain Democrat dedicates this issue to Multi-Media Sales Representative
Chris Jones
— Chris, we will miss your amazing friendship, your hard work and dedication to your clients and all the wonderful stories about your dogs and dog shows. You are loved. You are missed. You are remembered.
Department of Education officials determined Guiding Hands staff violated state rules regarding student restraint. Teacher Kimberly Wohlwend pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, while site administrator Cindy Keller and Principal Staranne Meyers pleaded guilty to misdemeanor child abuse. The People v. Guiding Hands School was ■ See PLEAS, page A8