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Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack
Stacy Minnich, left, holds her awards as she poses for a photo with kidney recipient Oscar Barrera.
LIFESAVING AND LIFE CHANGING
Firefighter donates kidney, grows her fire family Noel Stack Editor
H
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
ugs, tears and a lot of gratitude brought dozens together at the Jan. 15 El Dorado Hills Fire Board meeting, during which EDH firefighter/ paramedic Stacy Minnich received a Life Saving Award — the highest honor bestowed by the EDH Fire Department. Minnich didn’t rush into a burning building or pull a victim out of crumpled wreckage; she donated a kidney to one of her brothers in the fire service — retired Stockton Fire
VOLUME 175 • ISSUE 6 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2026
Department Capt. Oscar Barrera. The two strangers shared a long hug and happy tears last Thursday. ■ See DONATION, page A3
Mountain Democrat photo b y Shelly Thorene
Vicky Vail of Placerville carries a torch as Lady Liberty and together with flashlight wielding Keith Atwater, of Lotus, right, they lead marchers downtown in a walk to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 17.
AEventdream remembered promoted protecting our neighbors
Shelly Thorene Staff writer
P
lacerville Town Hall was filled to capacity Monday night for a program honoring the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. followed by a candlelight walk to the Belltower and back.
Keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Tecoy Porter Sr., pastor for over 25 years at Genesis church and civil rights leader in Sacramento, was introduced by Marshall Hospital Trustee Michael Saunders as a “builder of bridges.” Porter is a member of the National Action Network, which promotes ■ See MLK, page A7
Art appreciation and so much MORE Shelly Thorene Staff writer
M
otherlode Rehabilitation Enterprises hosted Art and Wine with Something More in the Forni Building at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Jan. 17. The Mardi Gras-themed fundraiser featured food and beverages from local eateries, wineries, breweries, distilleries and a coffee roaster out of Shingle Springs. MORE artists Kasey Dean and Randy Roberts answered questions about their work and demonstrated their techniques during live art sessions. Colorful and creative art in several different mediums were available for purchase, everything from dragons to ■ See MORE, page A7
DON’T MISS
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
MORE staff member David Yapp, left, and MORE board member Mindy Jackson, right, stand next to a painting titled “Sunday Afternoon at La Grande Jatte” by MORE client Michael Wallander. Yapp said the painting in the style of French post-Impressionist artist George Seurat and the technique is known as chromoluminarism and pointillism. The painting, with a $650 price tag, took Wallander around 4-5 months to complete. Find more event photos in Friday’s paper.
Gold Mine
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Published bi-monthly in the Mountain Democrat and Village Life
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Jeff Little, DDS
General & Cosmetic Dentistry
“Look For My Column On Page 3 Today!”
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