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C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
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– Weekend Edition – VOLUME 175 • ISSUE 51 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2026
El Dorado Ready CHAMPIONS REIGN almost ready for the Nov. ballot Andrew Vonderschmitt Features editor
The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 June 23 to place the El Dorado County Emergency Preparedness, Healthcare Access and Wildfire Prevention Initiative on the Nov. 3 ballot while directing staff to return with additional information about the measure’s impacts. District 3 Supervisor Brian Veerkamp recused himself because of his position on the Marshall Board of Directors. Marshall is a major proponent of El Dorado Ready. The citizen-sponsored initiative would increase the county sales tax by three-eighths of a cent, generating an estimated $12 million annually for wildfire prevention, fire protection and healthcare access. Under the proposal, 50% of net revenues would go to eligible local hospitals, 45% to fire agencies and 5% to nonprofit wildfire mitigation organizations. Marshall is the only local hospital currently eligible for the funding. Marshall Executive Director of Business and Strategy Development Maia Schneider said more than 15,000 signatures were submitted to qualify the measure. “On behalf of the El Dorado Ready Coalition, n See READY, page A7
Photo by Laurie Edwards
Union Mine High School FFA member William Baumunk, holding his Supreme Champion market turkey, is pictured with Placerville Body Shop owner Mike Beals, second from right, who purchased the champion bird for $3,500 at the El Dorado County Fair’s Junior Livestock Auction. n SEE MORE PHOTOS ON A8
U.S. Whitewater Rafting National Champs roaring into El Dorado County News release
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The United States Rafting Association announced the 2026 U.S. Rafting National Championships will take place Aug. 13–15 on the world-renowned South Fork of the American River. The championship will bring together the nation’s top whitewater athletes to compete in sprint, slalom and modified RX/head-tohead racing disciplines at a spectator-friendly venue just below Chili Bar Dam. The event will serve as a key selection competition for athletes seeking to represent Team USA in international competition under the newly formed United Rafting Federation. “This championship represents the next chapter of competitive rafting in the United States,” said Aaron Tippett, race director for the 2026 U.S. Rafting National Championships and Vice President of the United States Rafting Association. “The South
Mountain Democrat file photo by Krysten Kellum
World-class rafting athletes will meet world-class whitewater when the 2026 U.S. Rafting National Championships comes to El Dorado County in August. Fork American offers an outstanding natural venue for raft racing, and we’re excited to welcome competitors from across the country to one of the sport’s most historical rivers.”
The event will be headquartered at Nugget Campground, with races conducted on a compact Class II whitewater course featuring reliable water releases, technical river
features and excellent spectator viewing opportunities. Athletes will compete in Open, Masters, U23, U19, Para, Development, and R2 divisions. The South Fork of the
American River holds a unique place in the history of competitive rafting. Widely regarded as one of the birthplaces of modern commercial rafting and raft racing in the United States, the
river has helped develop generations of elite athletes. Over the past three decades, many of the world’s top raft racers have spent part of their careers guiding on the South Fork, making Coloma one of the sport’s most influential communities. “Few rivers have contributed more to the growth of competitive rafting than the South Fork American,” Tippett said. “Bringing the National Championships to Coloma honors that legacy while helping build the future of Team USA and competitive rafting nationwide.” The championship is expected to attract competitors, coaches, volunteers, family members and spectators from across the United States, providing an opportunity to showcase both the region and the sport. Beyond the racing, visitors can explore the area’s rich Gold Rush heritage, including nearby Coloma, where gold was n See RAFTING, page A7
Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene
Pony Express Re-ride participant Casey Bebernes, above left, transfers the mochila to Denise Luckhart, 70, of Elverta, left photo, in a parking lot near the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce Thursday morning. Lockhart was a participant last year and said the route to Diamond Springs was challenging. She acquired her 5-year-old Appaloosa, Frosty, around a month and a half ago and believed the ride would go well. At the Main Street exchange, the riders were 18 minutes behind schedule. Pony Express riders carry the mail almost 2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Mo., to Sacramento. The Pony Riders travel 24/7 to make the 10-day trip. There is a GPS device (SPOT tracker) carried in the mochila, which sends a signal to a satellite every five minutes. At right, Pony Express Re-ride participants Pam Gibson, 40, of Greenwood, left, and Bebernes, 34, of Placerville, right, ride on Main Street from the El Dorado Trail near Town Hall after a 29-minute, 4.3-mile ride from Able’s Apple Acres on Carson Road. It was Berbernes’ first ride with the Pony Express on his 11-year-old mule, Rico. It was a short ride for Gibson’s 15-year-old Arabian, Taj. The pair participates in the 100-mile Tevis Cup endurance ride from Tahoe to Auburn.