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– E S T. 18 51
– Weekend Edition – VOLUME 175 • ISSUE 1 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2026
NEW DAWN, NEW DAY
Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene
Students from Pleasant Valley Middle School, led by their music teacher Jo Stiles, left, perform holiday tunes for senior citizens at The Club in Placerville last month.
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
The sunrise illuminates morning mist in the foothills east of Placerville near Highway 50 and Still Meadow Road — a beautiful sight for the New Year. The Mountain Democrat wishes everyone a healthy, prosperous and safe 2026.
It’s happening at The Club
Coleman travels into new career E
Seniors enjoy compassionate care and companionship
Shelly Thorene Staff writer
Noel Stack Editor
Karen Coleman began the new year in a new role. El Dorado County’s treasurer-tax collector first elected in 2018 has retired from county service and started her own business centered KAREN COLEMAN around her love of travel. “It’s time,” Coleman said of her retirement. She has worked for the county since 2009. “I want to live out my life enjoying time traveling with my husband and spending time with family and friends.” Exploring new places around the world will assist with her new endeavor — Coleman’s Custom Escapes, LLC, a Nexion Travel Group affiliate. The business will help clients “make their travel dreams come true,” she explained. After 33 years in public service, Coleman said she’s ready to help people in a different way. She held roles with the El Dorado Irrigation
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
■ See COLEMAN , page A5
l Dorado County Older Adult Day Services or The Club is a place where individuals with mild to moderate stages of dementia as well as those with other disabilities can take part in fun group activities and enjoy nutritious meals, allowing their caregivers to continue working or simply take a break from the demands of caregiving. The Club is located at 935 A Spring St., near the Senior Center in Placerville. Participants are charged a daily rate for attendance and can choose to go one to five days a week; the daily fee is discounted with more frequent attendance. The cost is less than assisted living, in-home care or nursing home care.
Program aide Patti Williams, right, leads a chair exercise class for senior citizens at The Club. Founded in 1989 in response to the need for daytime support for older adults, The Club is partially subsidized by El Dorado County’s general fund. Clients fund 60% of the cost and other funding sources include the Del Pro Caregiver Resource Center, the Alzheimer’s Association, El Dorado
County’s Family Caregiver Support Program and the Multi-Senior Services Program. Nancy Wilson, 63, who has served as the program supervisor for the past 11 years has a degree in psychology and has extensive training in geriatric care management and
dementia. She leads an exceptional team trained in dementia care, CPR and agingrelated issues. “We bridge the gap between isolation at home and the high cost of residential care,” Wilson explained. “Our program offers ■ See THE CLUB, page A8
Late December storms deliver much-needed snowpack and water supply for California Department of Water Resources News release
Photo by Xavier Mascareñas / California Department of Water Resources
California Department of Water Resources Engineer Jacob Kollen, left, and Engineer Anthony Burdock conduct the first media snow survey of the 2026 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada.
SACRAMENTO — The Department of Water Resources on Dec. 30 conducted the first snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 24 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 5 inches, which is 50% 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 71% of average for this date. These results are welcome news for water managers who rely on the statewide snow surveys to make water supply decisions for the year ahead. California’s statewide snowpack had been lacking in early December with above-average temperatures and very little storm activity. Recent storms have turned that around and provided a significant boost to the snowpack and the state’s water supply. “The dry conditions and warmer temperatures in early December delayed our snow-building season, but the return of storm activity, especially in the last ■ See SURVEY, page A5