C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
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– Midweek Edition – VOLUME 174 • ISSUE 81 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2025
Mountain Democrat photo by Andrew Vonderschmitt
Placerville Mayor John Clerici presented City Manager Cleve Morris with the key to the city in recognition of his 14 years of service to the city. Morris’ retirement began on Oct. 3.
Mountain Democrat photos by Noel Stack
Construction crews work on platforms built on the new Mosquito Bridge’s supports. The teams have begun pouring concrete for the bridge deck, evenly working on each side of each support to keep things balanced. The cranes are used to deliver materials to the elevated worksites. Below, the new Mosquito Bridge towers over the historical structure, which will be converted to pedestrian and bicycle use.
Thanks, Cleve MOSQUITO BRIDGE DECK accolades heaped on retiring city manager
Noel Stack
INCHING ALONG
Editor
Andrew Vonderschmitt Features editor
A
fter 14 years of service the city of Placerville bid farewell to City Manager Cleve Morris during the Sept. 23 City Council meeting. “This is a little tough,” said Mayor John Clerici at the top of the meeting. “You know why we’re here,” he said, gesturing to the crowd assembled to wish Morris bon voyage. “I have the world’s longest resolution here,” he said, showing the city’s resolution to Morris, which lists his many accomplishments over the years. Clerici then, after bestowing many thanks to Morris, presented him with the key to the city. “The perfect person for the job when we needed him,” Clerici concluded. Councilmember Jacki Neau said she remembered Morris’ first day on the job and telling him he had big shoes to fill. “You have filled them; you really have,” she said. “I have appreciated your leadership, your kind and calm, yet firm, demeanor and always leading by example.” Vice Mayor Nicole Gotberg said she appreciated
T
he two 230-foot-plus-tall supports rising from the American River canyon and towering over the historical Mosquito Bridge are coming together — slowly, very slowly. Contractors have begun pouring concrete for the new Mosquito Bridge’s deck between the support pillars and for the deck that will connect to the abutments built on each side of Mosquito Road. When completed the new bridge will span 1,180 feet over the top of the gorge at a height of 400 feet above the river. “It’s probably some of the most technical work we have done,” noted El Dorado County Department of Transportation Senior Civil Engineer Aradhana Kochar of this phase of the project. Regular inspections, stress tests and engineering reviews, all necessary to ■ See BRIDGE, page A4
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
■ See MORRIS, page A4
Suspect in meth bust pleads not guilty Chris Woodard Staff writer
A man arrested after California Highway Patrol officers reportedly found him in possession of more than 80 pounds of methamphetamine on Highway 50 pleaded not guilty to two felony drug charges during his arraignment on Oct 1. CHP officers arrested Jorge Carillo-Gomez on
Sept. 26 following a traffic stop on eastbound Highway 50 near Ponderosa Road. Prosecutors with the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office charged CarilloGomez with possession of methamphetamine for sale and transportation as well as sale or importation of methamphetamine. During last Wednesday’s arraignment, El Dorado County Superior Court Judge
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Mark Ralphs confirmed bail at $6 million and granted a 1275 bail hold at the request of prosecutor Matthew Gallagher. A 1275 bail hold requires defendants to prove that bail money comes from legitimate sources before being released from custody. “I find it important to mention that in 2024, an estimated 80,000 plus overdose deaths occurred in the country. During the
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Vietnam War, we lost 58,220 American soldiers. The defendant shows a clear risk to public safety, with no ties to the community,” Ralphs said as he confirmed the hold. As of Oct. 7, Carillo-Gomez was still listed in custody at the El Dorado County Jail in Placerville. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 15 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 2 of the El Dorado County Superior Court.
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