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– Midweek Edition – VOLUME 175 • ISSUE 24 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2026
Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack
The entrance to EDH Fire Station 85 has become John Hidahl Way. Hidahl served 33 years on the EDH Fire Board and was set to begin another term when he died in 2024.
EDH Fire, community celebrate John Hidahl Noel Stack Editor
“It’s wonderful.” Eileen Hidahl clutched her hands and shared a smile after two signs were unveiled in front of El Dorado Hills Fire Station 85 honoring her late husband John Hidahl. The ceremony took place March 19 with dozens in attendance. “John left us too soon but he made a huge impact on our county, especially El Dorado Hills,” District 1 Supervisor Greg Ferrero said. “He was a great person,” District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo shared. “He dedicated his life to this community.” Hidahl, a 46-year El Dorado Hills resident, unexpectedly died at his home on Nov. 2, 2024. At ■ See HIDAHL, page A9
Arson suspect arrested after Pollock Pines blaze Wendy Oaks Cal Fire
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On March 21, Cal Fire Law Enforcement officers arrested Mark Mastin, 53, of Modesto, on suspicion of starting the Deep Fire in Pollock Pines. Mastin was booked into the El Dorado County Jail on charges of arson related to
the Deep Fire, which was reported in the early morning hours of March 20 and burned approximately 2 acres in the Randolph Canyon Road area. The fire involved heavy brush, timber and slash. While mopping up the Deep Fire on Saturday, Cal Fire firefighters located a male subject near the fire area. Due to the suspicious circumstances, Cal Fire law enforcement officers were requested. The individual, later identified as Mastin, claimed he had been disoriented in the area for the past two days. Firefighters assisted Mastin out of the canyon and provided a medical evaluation, along with food and water. Following an interview, Cal Fire law enforcement officers determined Mastin was responsible for ■ See FIRE, page A9
DON’T MISS
Mountain Democrat file photos by Shelly Thorene
Davey “Doc” Wiser and Beetle Bailey were an instantly recognizable team in El Dorado County — posing for countless tourist photos and having a great time doing so. Beetle Bailey died in 2020.
REMEMBER ING AN ICON Community mourns, celebrates Davey ‘Doc’ Wiser Shelly “Queen” Thorene Staff writer
T
here aren’t enough words to describe the loss of El Dorado County’s beloved cowboy Davey “Doc” Wiser who died on March 16. Wiser, 84, was best known for his passion for preserving local history and his belief that he was born 100 years too late. For a man born in the wrong century, he continued to work hard in the present to keep Gold Rush history alive in El Dorado County. Wiser was born Nov. 11, 1941, in Los Angeles and was the son of a conductor and grandson of a boilermaker. According to an early interview, Wiser said his love of the Wild West began when he was a boy attending the 9-cent Saturday matinees at the theater in the Los Angeles suburb of Eagle Rock. Wiser was quoted as saying, “Randolph Scott, now there was a hero, and don’t forget Ken Maynard and Bob Steele, Hoot Gibson, all of them.” Wiser said he was a fan of Hopalong Cassidy and that his mother sewed him an outfit to look like him. He was hired right out of high school by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1960 as a brakeman and rode inside caboose 1094, which incidentally was built in 1941. The caboose went to Roseville for salvage in 1970 and Wiser went on to conduct the Coast Starlight, which ran daily between Los Angeles and Seattle. Caboose 1094 was purchased for use as an art studio in Pleasant Valley and later donated to the El Dorado Western Railroad where Wiser was a volunteer. In 1975, when Wiser was
Gold Mine
The
Published bi-monthly in the Mountain Democrat and Village Life
Davey “Doc” Wiser brought history to life in El Dorado County. He was a gentleman and a cowboy born in the wrong century. The community will deeply miss him. introduced to El Dorado County he found out about the Highway 50 Wagon Train and Placerville’s love for Old West events. Wiser, who already owned a buggy and stagecoach, was just looking for a place to use them. In 1977, Wiser began working out of the railroad’s Roseville hub as a
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conductor and moved to Camino. He became involved with the Highway 50 Association in 1978. During Wagon Train Days he wore a top hat, coat and tails and began carrying a doctor’s bag, a bottle of Jack Daniels and a bottle of Excedrin, transforming himself ■ See DAVEY, page A2
4.750% 5.05% 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
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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