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• CAMERON PARK 3321 Durock Rd Bldg A (530) 676-2446 • EL DORADO HILLS 4640 Post Street (916) 293-5665 • PLACERVILLE 85 Placerville Dr. (530) 622-6956
C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
– E S T. 18 51
– Weekend Edition – VOLUME 175 • ISSUE 11 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2026
Courtesy photo
The glassy-winged sharpshooter is a dangerous threat to wine grapes, one of several reasons why El Dorado County isn’t holding back in its efforts to eradicate the insect.
UNWANTED Photo by Melissa Sanchez Robinson / California Department of Water Resources
California Department of Water Resources Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Unit Manager Andy Reising, Hydrometerologist Angelique Fabbiani-Leon and Engineer Jacob Kollen, from left, conduct the second media snow survey of the 2026 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada.
Dry January cuts into early season snowpack gains ■ As dry conditions reduce snowpack levels, seasonal outlook remains uncertain
Department of Water Resources News release
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
SACRAMENTO — The Department of Water Resources recently conducted the second snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 23 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 8 inches, which is 46 percent of average for this location. The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast. Statewide, the snowpack is 59% of average for this date. Three weeks ago, the snowpack was 89% of average after a series of atmospheric rivers provided relief from a slow start to the snowpack. A dry January, which is historically the wettest month of the year
year. While there is still time for in California, has now eroded February and March to deliver the gains made at the start of additional snow, the farther the year and forecasts currently into the season show no major we get with precipitation “Recent California below average in the next two conditions, the weeks. winters have seen harder it will be “After the this pattern of to catch up.” storms at the DWR’s start of the long, dry and warm electronic year gave way stretches interrupted readings from 130 to warm, dry by intense storms.” stations placed conditions, those early — Andy Reising, manager throughout the gains we saw of DWR’s Snow Survey’s and Sierra Nevada have flatlined indicate that Water Supply Forecasting Unit or slightly the statewide eroded,” said snowpack’s snow Andy Reising, water equivalent manager of DWR’s Snow is 9.7 inches, or 59% of average Survey’s and Water Supply for this date, compared to Forecasting Unit. “Recent 67% on this date last year. California winters have seen this On average, the largest snowpattern of long, dry and warm producing months in the Sierra stretches interrupted by intense Nevada are January, February and March. storms. We are now two-thirds through what should be the best ■ See SURVEY, page A9 snow-producing months of the
Glassy-winged sharpshooter Noel Stack Editor
Wanting to protect El Dorado County’s multimillion-dollar grape industry, Agriculture Department staff and pest control specialists have declared war against the glassy-winged sharpshooter. Discovered in fall 2024 in El Dorado Hills’ Serrano community, the sap-sucking insect is a vector of Pierce’s Disease, which is caused by bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, according to a presentation made to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 3. ■ See PEST, page A8
Info pours out for water, sewer rate hikes Andrew Vonderschmitt Features editor
City officials have outlined proposed water and sewer rate increases intended to close widening budget gaps, fund long-deferred maintenance and comply with state and federal regulatory requirements, prompting extended public criticism over affordability and equity.
Rates aimed at closing budget gaps City Manager Dave Warren told the City Council on Jan. 22 the five-year rate study is designed to ensure Placerville can continue ■ See RATES, page A9
Local students protest ICE operations in Minnesota Shelly Thorene Staff writer
El Dorado High School students carried signs and gathered downtown Jan. 30 in conjunction with a nationwide strike calling for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to withdraw from Minnesota. The gathering began on Placerville’s Main Street in front of the El Dorado County Courthouse and later moved to Bedford Street and Highway 50. Parent Kurt Seckington of Coloma said he joined the group to support his son Ian, 17, and was inspired by students who organized the protest “to make their voices heard to ■ See PROTEST, page A10
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
El Dorado High School students hold signs and wave to Highway 50 travelers during a student protest last Friday, Jan. 30.