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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
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– Midweek Edition – VOLUME 175 • ISSUE 10 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2026
Retired teacher pleads not guilty Chris Woodard Staff writer
Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene
Rainbow Orchards owner and El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce board member Christa Campbell, center, is surprised to receive the Community Service Award at the chamber’s annual dinner on Jan. 29.
Former Oak Ridge High School music director Paul Varoff, accused of several sex crimes against a minor, pleaded not guilty to all counts on during his appearance in El Dorado County Superior Court on PAUL VAROFF Monday, Feb. 2. Varoff was arrested on Jan. 26 on suspicion of five counts of oral copulation of a person younger than the age of 18 and five counts of sexual penetration of a person younger than the age of 18. He was booked into the El Dorado County Jail and continues to be held there without bail. The alleged crimes occurred in 2023, according to the criminal complaint. The alleged victim is a girl, identified by the courts as J. Doe. Varoff was originally scheduled for an ■ See VAROFF, page A8
CELEBRATING SERVICE Chamber hosts 101st Installation and Awards Dinner Shelly Thorene Staff writer
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
The El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce held its 101st Installation and Awards Dinner at The Gathering Place on Cold Springs Road on Jan. 29. The program included a social hour, dinner, award presentations, speeches by the outgoing chamber President Mark Luster and incoming President Kirk Bone and an induction ceremony of the 2026 EDC Chamber Board of Directors officiated by Sheriff Jeff Leikauf. El Dorado County Film Commissioner Kathleen Dodge presented the Golden Slate Award
to El Dorado Hills entrepreneur Kevin Nagle for championing filmmaking in El Dorado County. Koby Pest Control owner Mike Kobus honored Davey “Doc” Wiser (not present) for his lifelong work of celebrating Gold Rush history, accepting on his behalf the Historical Preservation Award. Susie Davies, former CEO of Mother Lode Rehabilitation Enterprises, honored Rainbow Orchards owner Christa Campbell for making a difference in El Dorado County. Campbell received the ■ See CHAMBER, page A8
Courtesy graphic
Creekside Village in El Dorado Hills will include walking trails and open space. The residential development is designed by Winn Communities.
Creekside Village in EDH receives board’s support Noel Stack Editor
Koby Pest Control owner Mike Kobus accepts the Historical Preservation Award on behalf of recipient Davey “Doc” Wiser, who couldn’t attend the chamber event.
El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce board members take their oath at the installation dinner hosted at The Gathering Place in Placerville.
DON’T MISS
Gold Mine
The
Published bi-monthly in the Mountain Democrat and Village Life
The Creekside Village project — 613 active adult (age 55 and older) homes and 150 nonage restricted homes, plus parks, trails and open space — is a go on former El Dorado Hills Business Park property off Latrobe Road. The 200 acres was once considered for Project Frontier, a warehouse proposal vehemently opposed by residents. On a 4-1 vote, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors supported the residential project pitched by Sacramento-based Winn Communities. “No project is ever District 3 Supervisor perfect but this one Brian Veerkamp made the motion, comes remarkably which was seconded close.” by District 2 Supervisor George — El Dorado Hills Chamber of Turnboo, to: Commerce President/CEO 1. Certify the final Debbie Manning environmental impact report and adopt the California Environmental Quality Act findings of fact and statement of overriding considerations and the mitigation monitoring and reporting program;
1 Dentist Dentist!
#
nine times! New Patients Always Welcome!
Jeff Little, DDS
General & Cosmetic Dentistry
“Look For My Column On Page 3 Today!”
■ See CREEKSIDE, page A2
5.00% 5.30% 15 YEAR 15 YEAR 3.250 3.61 15YEAR YEAR 15 3.250 HOME LOAN3.250 HOME LOAN 15 YEAR 3.250 3.61 3.613.61 Fixed Rate
Annual Percerntage Rate
HOME HOME LOAN PLACERVILLE • 4040 El Dorado Road • 622-1492 • LOAN Purchase ReÀ nance Purchase • Refinance PLACERVILLE • 4040 El Dorado Road • 622-1492 HOME • LOAN Purchase ReÀ nance PLACERVILLE • (Downtown) 247 Main • 622-0833 •Advantage: Check the El Dorado Purchase ReÀ nance PLACERVILLE • (Downtown) 247Road Main • 622-1492 622-0833 4040 El Dorado
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Se Habla Espanol 800-874-9779 • •6310 193Driv•e•333-1101 MaximumServing loan $417,000.00, primary or vacation Member our local communities for overresidence. 54 years ELGEORGETOWN DORADO HILLS 3963Hwy. Park • 933-3002 ELOther DORADO HILLS 3963 Park ve • 933-3002 • 6310 Hwy. 193terms. •Dri333-1101 20% minimum on Espanol purchase. 25% nance. loans different Sepayment Habla Se GEORGETOWN Habla Espanol 800-874-9779 GEORGETOWN • 6310available Hwy. 193under • 6310 333-1101 Maximum loancash $417,000.00, primary or vacation residence. Member Serving ourdown local communities for over 54equity yearsrequired on refi GEORGETOWN • Hwy. 193 • 333-1101 Member Serving our local communities for over 54 years Payments do not include amountsonforpurchase. taxes and insurance premiums. 20% minimum down payment equity required on refinance. OtherEspanol loans available under different terms. Se Habla 800-874-9779 800-874-9779 Maximum loancash $417,000.00, primary or vacation25% residence. NMLSR ID 479256 Habla under Espanol 800-874-9779 Maximum loan $650,000, primary or vacation residence. Maximum loan $417,000.00, or25% vacation residence. 20% minimum cash down payment onprimary purchase. equity required on refinance. Other loansSeavailable different terms. 20% 20%minimum minimumcash cashdown downpayment paymentononpurchase. purchase. 25% 25%equity equityrequired requiredononrefinance. refinance. Other Otherloans loansavailable availableunder underdifferent differentterms. terms.
2 col (3.3”) x 1.5” Mountain Democrat 2 col (3.3”) x 1.5” Mountain Democrat 2 col (3.3”) x 1.5” Mountain Democrat