SPECIAL BUY 3 TIRES GET 1 FREE* On select Sailun and National brand tires in stock. 4 tire installation purchase required.
Terms and Conditions:* Offer good at participating locations. Tread designs may vary. Most vehicles. No cash value. One coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Offer expires 6/15/25.
FREE
ALIGNMENT CHECK BRAKE INSPECTION BATTERY CHECK AIR CHECK
Good at participating dealers. See store for details. Not good with other offers. Expires 6/30/25.
89 99 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT 10 %OFF SHOCKS & STRUTS $
Most vehicles.
On Labor. Most vehicles. Installation required.
Good at participating dealers. See store for details. Not good with other offers. Expires 6/30/25.
PLACERVILLE • 85 Placerville Drive (530) 303-8962 • JACKSON 705 S. State Highway 49 • (209) 560-6676 C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
– E S T. 18 51
– Weekend Edition – VOLUME 174 • ISSUE 40 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2025
When I grow up Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack
Thompson Way, the main route to Sierra Elementary School in Placerville, will get new pavement … but not until next summer.
Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene
Madi Scott, 11 of Placerville, center, tries on a fire resistant jacket as Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Station 49 personnel Capt. Spencer Morgan, left, and EMT firefighter Brad Jones, right, look on at Career Day at Herbert C. Green Middle School on May 12. Around 345 students met with a dozen professionals from different occupations along with two students working toward career goals.
Career Day inspires middle school students Shelly Thorene Staff writer
S
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
tudents at Herbert C. Green Middle School met representatives from a variety of professions at the first annual Career Day held May 12 on the Placerville campus. Principal Carmen Glaister said the event was her idea as she wanted to “expose the children to as many different careers as possible and to show that they don’t have to go to college and go into debt to earn a good living.” She reached out to colleagues, parents, the community and family for Career Day presenters. Her daughter, Shelby Christy, 28, is studying to become a midwife
and traveled from Reno to be at the event and answer questions. Christy brought her 18-month-old son Elijah and shared how she became interested in the profession after giving birth at home. She told the students there are many options for self-study with online courses available. Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Protection District Capt. Spencer Morgan and EMT/ firefighter Brad Jones stood next to a fire engine in the parking lot of the school and showed equipment and gear used in firefighting to the students. Madi Scott, 11, of Placerville asked if she could try on the nomex jacket. ■ See CAREER DAY, page A5
Placerville to ‘hit the ground running’ on street repairs Andrew Vonderschmitt Features editor
At Placerville’s regular City Council meeting on May 13 two capital improvement projects slated for Thompson Way and Sherman Street were unanimously approved. Phase one will begin this summer. City Engineer Melissa Savage laid out the scope of the projects before the council. The Thompson Way and Sherman Street repaving projects include pavement repair, city sewer drain repair, water system maintenance and storm drain repair and replacement. Underground utility repair will be phase one of the project and be accomplished over summer, 2025. Phase two, pavement rehabilitation ■ See ROAD WORK, page A9
Board ponders planning tweaks Jo Carrerow Student John Gregorio of Folsom, right, tries out a pair of wire strippers with help from Angel Romero of KSR Electric, left, while Jeremiah Walters, 14, of Cameron Park, center, waits his turn during Career Day.
Ken and Linda Santoro brought their mobile coffee stand and showed kids how they make a coffee with frothed milk during the event. Students also received stickers and coupons.
Mountain Democrat correspondent El Dorado County staff asked the Board of Supervisors for direction on the Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance, cannabis growers’ setbacks and rezoning of two parcels in El Dorado at Tuesday’s meeting. Questions arose on these and other topics during a Planning Division report on fiscal year 2024-25 and key priorities for the coming fiscal year, 202526. An ordinance effective Nov. 22, 2024, has been implemented to assist county staff on confronting residents who are offering their ADUs as shortterm rentals. Last November, the board gave staff direction to enforce the ordinance and provided the funding to do so. “And boy have we responded,” said Brendan Ferry, deputy director of the county’s Tahoe Planning Division at the May 13 meeting, which was held in South Lake Tahoe. Ferry said since then there have been random occurrences “where folks have been operating an ADU and using it as a short-term rental that has ■ See PLANNING, page A8