C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
– E S T. 18 51
– Weekend Edition – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2026
VOLUME 175 • ISSUE 15 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
Sierra storm packs a frigid punch Mountain Democrat staff The several-day storm that dumped snow in the Sierra and rain in the foothills has kept first responders busy as they manage an influx of weather-related incidents with normal service calls. El Dorado Fire County Protection District Chief Tim Cordero said fire crews county-wide are extremely busy responding to increased calls for emergency crews due to accidents, fallen trees causing downed power lines and calls for medical aid — all while navigating the cold, snow and rain. He noted increased call volume and extreme weather can delay response time but that the district is fortunate to have additional resources provided by California Governor's Office of Emergency Services. Placerville received more than 4 inches of rain over a threeday period and on Wednesday snow flurries were reported
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
Drivers headed eastbound on Highway 50 near the Newtown Road exit are warned about chain controls Thursday morning. Highway 50 was closed during part of the storm and drivers are encouraged to check roads.dot.ca.gov before traveling. as low as Shingle Springs. Sierra-At-Tahoe reported 74 total inches of snow at its much higher elevation as of Thursday morning. The ski resort was closed Wednesday and planned
to stay closed Thursday due to severe weather conditions. The California Highway Patrol in Placerville sent out several social media messages urging
everyone not to travel on mountain roadways unless absolutely necessary during the storm and asking those willing to take the risk to have chains, know how to install them and
expect extreme delays. A second alert also warned drivers there are no “secret backroads” that will get people from the west slope to the Tahoe Basin. The Eldorado National Forest has
closed Mormon Emigrant Trail (a viable alternative in warmer months). “From our area, U.S. Route 50 is the only reliable, maintained route into the basin,” the CHP post reads. “Every winter — and even during storms outside of winter — GPS apps attempt to reroute drivers onto unmaintained forest roads, narrow mountain spurs or seasonal access routes. These are not viable alternatives. Many are not plowed, not treated and not passable. Some will leave you stuck for hours — or overnight — with limited cell service and dangerous conditions. We respond to stranded motorists every year who simply ‘followed their GPS.’” California Highway Patrol Officer Andrew Brown said the agency received multiple reports of trees and power lines down throughout the county and due to ■ See STORM, page A8
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
Photo courtesy of DOT – Road Maintenance
Photo courtesy of CHP – Placerville
A snow covered horse sculpture seems ready to escape its wintery corral on the corner of Carson Road and Union Ridge Road in Placerville.
An El Dorado County DOT plow clears a roadway, creating a wall of snow on the shoulder. Plows are out in force trying to keep roads clear throughout the county.
A CHP vehicle sits in the snow that has covered Highway 50 at the Sly Park Road exit in Pollock Pines during this multi-day winter storm.
Tahoe area avalanche claims several lives Katelyn Welsh Tahoe Daily Tribune
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
TRUCKEE — Search and rescue teams are
now shifting their focus to recovering the eight, potentially nine bodies, after rescuing six survivors Tuesday night from the avalanche site near Castle Peak. “It’s a difficult conversation to have with loved ones,” Nevada County Sheriff, Shannon Moon said in
a press conference held Wednesday. What started as a return trek from a three-day backcountry hut tour through Blackbird Mountain Guides turned into the deadliest avalanche in Tahoe’s known history. Six group members were initially reported,
however, as authorities gathered details from the tour company, they learned that one person backed out of the trip last minute. The group of 15 consisted of nine women and six men. The emergency call hit the Nevada ■ See AVALANCHE, page A9
Photo courtesy of the Nevada County Sheriff ’s Office
A pair of rescuers prepares to head out in challenging conditions to assist avalanche victims in Nevada County on Feb. 17.
Teacher found dead, husband faces 1st-degree murder charge Mountain Democrat staff A Placerville man was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder of his wife Tuesday morning, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff 's Office. Earlier on Feb. 17, deputies responded to a residence in the 1400 block of Big Oak Road south of Placerville in response to a report of a male subject brandishing a firearm. Upon arrival, deputies detained Geoffrey Snyder, 57, at the residence. The responding deputies also located Shelley Snyder, 56, inside the residence — deceased from a suspected gunshot wound. Geoffrey Snyder is being held without bail at the El Dorado County Jail in Placerville on the firstdegree murder charge. EDSO officials note the investigation is ongoing. Shelley Snyder was a third-grade teacher at Buckeye Elementary School in Shingle Springs. The Buckeye Union School District sent out a message following her death that read, "This loss is profound and will be deeply felt by our entire Buckeye Elementary community and beyond. Mrs. Snyder was a valued member of our school family, and we know many students, staff and families will be affected by this news in different ways." Geoffrey Snyder was expected to be arraigned Thursday, Feb, 19, at El Dorado County Superior Court in Placerville.