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C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
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– Weekend Edition – VOLUME 175 • ISSUE 61 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2026
DA Pierson joins opposition to retail theft diversion proposal Lance Armstrong Staff writer
El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson was among the speakers who joined in a virtual statewide press conference on July 28 to oppose Assembly Bill 2108, which would expand the state’s diversion program for those EL DORADO COUNTY DISTRICT who commit low-level, ATTORNEY VERN PIERSON nonviolent retail theft crimes. Authored by Assembly Member LaShae SharpCollins, D-La Mesa, this nonpartisan legislative measure would allow repeat offenders to avoid jail time and criminal records for certain retail theft offenses, including shoplifting and vandalism. This bill aims to decrease the number of retail theft cases that go to trial by offering alternatives such as rehabilitation programs, probation or supervised release, community service and restitution. If the bill becomes law, prosecutors and county probation officials would be required to decide whether the defendants charged with certain ■ See OPPOSITION, page A9
County cashes in on film productions, but not permit fees Noel Stack Editor
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Ang Lee’s film “Gold Mountain” is generating Oscar buzz and tax revenue for El Dorado County but not all decisions made since the county revised its role in show business, co-starring with the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, have paid off like a box office hit. The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors received a presentation at the July 28 meeting that offered an update roughly a year after the two entities entered into a memorandum of understanding and the county adopted an ordinance to set filming permit fees in the county. The
accompanying staff report notes that during the second half of the 2025-26 fiscal year, when the fees were in effect, the county collected “$765 in permit revenue, which is much lower than anticipated.” Per the adopted resolution, the report states, the filming permit fees “apply only to application fees for projects in the unincorporated areas of the county, while daily fees and prep/strike fees apply only to filming or still photography on county-owned property, facilities and roads. Much of the current production activity is occurring within incorporated city limits or on state-owned property — areas not subject to county permit fees — resulting in fewer county-issued permits overall.” Permit revenue is designated to help offset the general fund cost of the nearly $151,000 needed annually to fund the film commissioner position. State code requires each county to have a designated person to assist with commercial filming activities. Kathleen Dodge has been El Dorado County’s film commissioner since 1993. El Dorado County Planning and Building Director Karen Garner had high praise for Dodge at Tuesday’s meeting. “One of the things I’ve learned about Kathleen as I’ve gotten to know her and work with her a little more closely is that she’s really a connector,” ■ See FEES, page A5
Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene
Indian Diggings Elementary School Superintendent, Principal and teacher Grant Coffin said he and the staff are working together to implement the school’s name change to Omo Ranch Elementary School and hope to have everything in place before classes start.
INDIAN DIGGINGS NO MORE Elementary school changes name
Shelly Thorene Staff writer
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he Indian Diggings Elementary School District, one of California’s oldest and smallest school districts, has changed its name to Omo Ranch Elementary School District in response to the enforcement of AB 3074, which expanded the California Racial Mascots Act to include public schools. The law went into effect July 1 and the school’s staff is working to implement all the changes before classes begin next month. “Our parents have been supportive, those that I’ve talked to,” said Principal/Superintendent/ teacher Grant Coffin. “Staff understands that it is state law so we need to move forward. We are in the business of making that happen before school starts. With a small staff of four we don’t really have time for all the extras because we’re all teaching all day,” he explained. Coffin is the only certificated employee in the district, which will serve nine students from TK to eighth grade this coming school year. “We knew over two years ago that this was coming,” said Coffin. “There is a clause in the law that allows you to communicate with your local federally recognized tribe and ask them if they will allow us to keep our mascot and our school name. Back in August last year, I contacted the Ione Band in Plymouth. I worked with their office manager for a year — phone calls, emails, in-person visits and I talked to one member of the council. I never received a phone call back. “Either the tribe says ‘No, absolutely not,’ or you will change it or does not give an answer because they want to stay out of it. Or ‘yes, keep it.’ They told me their cultural department had been very busy reclaiming remains at various state and federal locations throughout the state, identifying, returning and re-interring them and they had just opened a casino,” he continued. “So, in the end, I don’t know if they were just too busy but ... I didn’t have any more time. I had to have had a letter (from them).” Many schools throughout the state have sought to keep their names. The Coachella Valley region’s Palm Springs High School, which also goes by the Indians, got written consent from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians in 2020 to keep the nickname as long as the school removed
A sign with the school’s old name is still attached on the fence near the front of the school on Omo Ranch Road. offensive imagery and its physical mascot. The Clark Intermediate School in Clovis got permission from the local North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians to keep Chieftains as a nickname. Sanger High School got approval from the North Fork Rancheria and the Lipan Apache Band to keep its Apaches nickname in May. “There were multiple things that could have happened to us if we didn’t follow the law,” said Coffin. “Many people argue that school names are not part of it. But if you read the phrasing, it really depends on where you put the pause. There is no comma. You can also read it as school names. So the legal recommendation was, ‘Don’t guess. Just do it.’ So we decided to do it and I waited as long as I possibly could for the tribe to get back to us. I did not want to be disrespectful.” Coffin noted the name has made him uncomfort■ See NAME, page A3
Marshall streamlines leadership to save money Andrew Vonderschmitt Features editor
Marshall Medical is undergoing a large leadership shakeupw, with the departure of its longtime chief executive officer followed days later by the elimination of five executivelevel positions as officials work toward long-term financial stability. Marshall announced July 17 that President and CEO Siri Nelson had stepped down after seven years leading the Placerville-based healthcare system. The Marshall Board of Directors immediately appointed Chief Medical Affairs Officer Martin Entwistle as interim chief executive officer. The announcement credited Nelson with leading the organization through a period of significant growth, including Marshall’s rebranding effort,
“While we cannot provide further details on the departure of specific personnel, reductions in personnel are never easy nor taken lightly,” — Interim chief executive officer Martin Entwistle expansion into El Dorado Hills, strengthened revenue cycle operations, expanded employee development programs and multiple national quality recognitions. Board Chair Tom Cumpston said Nelson led the organization with “vision, compassion, and an unwavering commitment” to patients, employees and the community. Nelson said serving Marshall had been “one of the greatest privileges” of her career and expressed confidence in the organization’s future. In a follow-up statement, Marshall thanked Nelson for her years of leadership and said she would assist with a smooth
transition. The organization added that Entwistle would serve as interim CEO during the search for a permanent leader but declined further comment, citing the matter as a personnel issue. Marshall said its focus remains on providing exceptional patient care and serving the community. Beyond the official press release, Nelson also declined to comment. Less than two weeks later, additional changes emerged. On July 28, the Mountain Democrat received a copy of an internal letter dated July 24 in ■ See MARSHALL, page A3