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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 – FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2026
VOLUME 175 • ISSUE 19 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
‘In our hearts forever’ Buckeye Elementary community mourns teacher Shelley Snyder Shelly Thorene Staff writer
M
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
Discovery Church Lead pastor Christopher Feigles, far right, leads mourners in a prayer at a candlelight vigil for third- grade teacher Shelley Snyder at Buckeye Elementary School March 4. Snyder was shot and killed two weeks ago, and her husband is charged in her death.
ore than 200 parents, students and colleagues gathered on the quad at Buckeye Elementary School in Shingle Springs Wednesday evening to honor the memory of Shelley Snyder, a third-grade teacher who was shot and killed Feb. 17 with her husband charged in her death. Principal Kevin Cadden said Snyder, who he estimated taught around 600 students in her 20 years at Buckeye, was an “excellent teacher” and “an advocate for all of the kids.” “If a student had a need, she made sure people were aware of it,” Cadden shared. “She was the first one in and the last one to leave at the end of the day.” Cadden comforted Snyder’s students and former students as they took turns speaking at the podium. Former Principal Deedra (Divine) Moore lovingly recalled Snyder’s sometimes smelly science experiments and said the teacher had a knack for questioning everything. Students tearfully shared their favorite memories including “Shelley Circle” time and the classroom pet turtle, also named Shelley. Current student Mikaya said, “She taught me to read and write better.” ■ See SNYDER, page A10
Supervisors stick with salary increase Placerville plans for USA’s 250th Noel Stack
“And I think it was Supervisor Ferrero last time I was here who mentioned … we have to think about ourselves and our future board members who may Noting difficulty of the job and the fact that other want to apply for such a tough position,” Carruesco jurisdictions pay more, four El Dorado County told the board. “We want to make sure that the supervisors supported an ordinance amendment salary is, you know, equal to the amount of time you on March 3 to increase their monthly salary from all put into your job.” $6,908.66 to $7,392.67. “I just kind of want Supervisors Brooke to put on the record “We want to make sure that the salary is, Laine, George Turnboo, that this is a really, you know, equal to the amount of time Lori Parlin and Greg really tough job that Ferrero voted to approve we do,” Laine said. you all put into your job.” the first reading) of “(We’re) something — El Dorado County Human Resources Director Joseph Carruesco Ordinance 5254 to amend like 40% below the El Dorado County Code average when it of Ordinances Section comes to what other counties pay their supervisors 2.06.020, “Board of Supervisors Salary Provisions,” and, quite frankly, you get what you pay for, you to increase the board members’ salaries by 7%. know? The ordinance revision shall become effective 60 “And I’m not the smartest person in the world, for days after its final adoption, which is scheduled on sure. I’m willing to do this job, but it’s a hard job,” March 10. she continued. “And I think my colleagues also work District 3 Supervisor Brian Veerkamp voted very hard. I see you — the amount of effort that we against the salary boost, noting, “no disrespect to put into reading materials and understanding issues my fellow colleagues.” that we otherwise wouldn’t know a whole lot about.” El Dorado County Human Resources Director The District 5 supervisor also noted the board put Joseph Carruesco said the impact to the budget is a ■ See SLARIES, page A8 little more than $17,000.
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Editor
Spring Forward
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
Beautiful flowers are blooming and Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 8, at 2 a.m. when clocks “spring forward” one hour to 3 a.m. While some might be a bit groggy, losing one hour of sleep, the time shift results in the gain of more daylight in the evenings.
Andrew Vonderschmitt Features editor
With about four months remaining until the nation marks its 250th anniversary on July 4, Placerville city leaders are weighing how — or whether — the city should formally participate in the historic milestone. Community Services Director Denis Nishihara told the City Council while the question before them “may seem like a redundant” update on America’s semiquincentennial, time is running short. “Approximately 130 days remain until July 4,” he “I think we should said, noting there figure out a way to are currently no gussy up the town funds budgeted for additional events as much as possible.” this year. — Councilmember John Clerici The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission has designated July 4, 2026, as the national anchor date for parades, festivals and educational activities commemorating America’s founding. Locally, organizations have expressed interest in organizing a Fourth of July parade to complement the annual fireworks show at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. Nishihara said the 250th anniversary is “a pretty amazing thing to celebrate,” but cautioned that the calendar is filling quickly. In addition to Independence Day festivities, the city is already planning its annual fishing derby, Halloween on Main, Christmas tree lighting and a parade, among other events. “It may not feel substantial today as it sits in February of 2026,” he said. “However, I will caution us that it will probably feel substantial around June 1 of 2026 when everyone starts to realize” the milestone is imminent and begins asking what the city has planned beyond its traditional fireworks show. Nishihara said he had spoken with county representatives, council members and community groups, including Merchants on Main and Golden History Days organizers, about possible involvement. He emphasized he does not want to overburden smaller community-based organizations or commit the city to expenses it cannot sustain. “I want to make sure that we are all on the same page in regards to what we definitely want to do,” he said. “And I want us to understand that sometimes quantity is not ■ See 250TH, page A9