C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
– E S T. 18 51
– Midweek Edition – VOLUME 175 • ISSUE 37 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2026
HISTORY ON DISPLAY Studebaker wheelbarrow replica rolls into town
Andrew Vonderschmitt Features editor
A Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack
Sean Coppola, left, and Corey Leikauf get ready to answer questions at the League of Women Voters of El Dorado County forum. The El Dorado County treasurer-tax collector candidates shared their ideas to improve efficiency and customer service in the office.
Candidates talk roots, strengths Noel Stack Editor
Sean Coppola and Corey Leikauf took the stage at Placerville Town Hall last week and answered questions during the League of Women Voters of El Dorado County candidate forum. The two are running to be the county treasurertax collector. Coppola currently serves in the role. The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors ■ See CANDIDATES, page A9
Convicted arsonist may avoid trial Odin Rasco
Mountain Democrat correspondent
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
The El Dorado County Superior Court case involving a former Placerville resident and firefighter arrested in 2024 on suspicion of placing improvised explosive devices at
locations in El Dorado and Sacramento counties may soon come to a close, based on discussion at a May 8 pretrial hearing. Benjamin Cunha, a former Cal Fire firefighter and Diamond Springs Fire Protection District volunteer, was arrested on Jan. 12, 2024, after a joint search warrant operation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, California Highway Patrol and the El Dorado County Sheriff ’s Office Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team. The warrant for Cunha’s arrest was the result of an “exhaustive” investigation into multiple improvised explosives placed along roads and highways in Sacramento and El Dorado counties, according to an EDSO press release. ■ See CUNHA, page A9
decades-long vision to honor local history reached its conclusion April 28 as the Placerville City Council received a presentation on the completion of a replica Studebaker wheelbarrow. Kathi Lishman, representing Community Pride, and El Dorado High School woodshop teacher Lance Gunnersen detailed the project’s journey, which serves as a tribute to John Studebaker, the historical figure known as “Wheelbarrow Johnny,” who built his fortune in Placerville crafting wheelbarrows for gold miners rather than seeking gold himself. Lishman noted the project is the latest ■ See DISPLAY, page A5
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
The newly installed Studebaker wheelbarrow replica is part of the Monument Garden in historical downtown Placerville.
Program coming to double check checkouts Noel Stack Editor
Consumers and businesses will get an extra level of protection in El Dorado County as the Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved the Point of Sale Ordinance, which authorizes Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures staff to identify, inspect and register automated point-of-sale equipment, and to monitor those devices’ transactions. “If a store advertises a price, they’re guaranteeing that’s the price they’re going to charge you as a customer,” explained Corrie Larsen, assistant agricultural commissioner. “In order to enforce that regulation, the Department of Weights and Measures can do price verification inspections. We go into stores and we check the error rate on the point of sale devices. If we are able to recover regulatory costs, we can do regular inspections. “The state did have a program for this, the Division of Measurement Standards did do price verification regulation, but over the years through budget cuts, that program has gone away,” she continued. “As of right now, the only enforcement comes at the county level.” Under Business and
1 DENTIST DENTIST!
#
Eleven Times!
1,750 OFF
$
up to
Mention CODE: MD
Your Next Project!
*Call for details. May not be combined with other offers, estimates or prior purchases. Quantities Limited.
General & Cosmetic Dentistry
“Look For My Column On Page 3 Today!”
Professions Code section 12024.2, it is unlawful to compute at the time of sale of a commodity a value that is not a true extension of a price per unit or to charge a value that is more than the price that is advertised, posted or quoted. In 2024 and 2025, Weights
ROOFING • SOLAR • SIDING
New Patients Always Welcome!
Jeff Little, DDS
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
Placerville Food Co-op Front End Manager Diane Gutierrez scans an item at the store. The county has launched a new program in which Weighs and Measures staff will check scanner accuracy at local retailers on at least an annual basis.
2024
3811 Dividend Dr., Suite A, Shingle Springs (916) 985-9995 • (530) 672-9995 www.straightlineconstruction.com
Mountain Democrat
2010 2025
and Measures staff conducted point-of-sale inspections at retail establishments in the county and found 42.9% had overcharges and 41.3% had undercharges. Some stores’ systems had both. “We went back to those stores ■ See ORDINANCE, page A8
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
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
FixedMonthly Rate PaymentsAnnual PercentageperRate$1,000 Borrowed 180 of $7.78
Fixedof $7.03 Rate per Annual Percentage Rate Fixed Rate Annual Percentage Rate 180 Monthly Payments $1,000 Borrowed Fixed 180 Rate Annual Rate$1,000 Borrowed 180 Monthly Payments of $7.03 per $1,000 Borrowed Monthly Payments ofPercentage $7.03 per 180 Monthly Payments of $7.03 per $1,000 Borrowed
Check the El Dorado Advantage: PLACERVILLE • 4040Lawyer El Dorado Road • 622-1492 • feeReÀ Purchase nance ✓ Nothe application Check Advantage: • Pl• (Downtown) acerviEll e•Dorado Dr.Placerville & RayRoad W. PLACERVILLE &• 626-3400 Ray Lawyer • 626-3400 PLACERVILLE 247 Main Dr. 622-0833 4040 • 622-1492 Check theEl Dorado El Dorado Advantage: W. PLACERVILLE
PLACERVILLE •ValRay(Downtown) 247 Main • 622-0833 prepayment Notheapplication application fee ✓ No Check El Doradofeepenalty Advantage: DIAMOND SPRINGS •(Downtown) ynRoad 626-5701 W. PLACERVILLE • Pl•SPRINGS a694 cerviPll easant Dr.•247 &694 Lawyer • 626-3400 PLACERVILLE MailePleasant • 622-0833 DIAMOND Valley • 626-5701 application W.PARK PLACERVILLE & RayRoad Lawyer • 626-3400 Local processing andfee servicing prepayment NoNoapplication prepayment penalty vlee •Dr.•677-1601 ✓ ✓No feepenalty DIAMOND SPRINGS •a694 Pll easant Val leLawyer yDriRoad 626-5701 W.CAMERON PLACERVILLE ••Pl4060 cerviCameron Dr.•&PlPark Rayacervi 626-3400 CAMERON PARK • 4060 Cameron ParkValDrive • 677-1601 Noprepayment prepayment DIAMOND SPRINGS • 694 Pl e asant l e y Road • 626-5701 Local processing andpenalty servicing POLLOCK PINES • 6462 Pony Express Trai l • 644-2363 ✓ ✓No penalty Local processing and servicingDIAMOND CAMERON PARK • 4060 Cameron Park Dri v e • 677-1601 SPRINGS • 694 Pleasant Valley Road • 626-5701 Local processing and servicing CAMERON EL DORADO •Cameron 3963 DriPony vDriTrai eCameron •v933-3002 POLLOCK PINES 6462 TrailDri•v644-2363 ✓ ✓Local processing and servicing POLLOCK PINESHILLS 6462 Pony•Park Express • •644-2363 CAMERON PARK • 4060 Park e • 677-1601 PARK • •4060 Park el Express 677-1601 Serving our local communities for over 54 years
Hwy. Member ELGEORGETOWN DORADO HILLS 3963 Park Dri3963 v•Trai e333-1101 •Pony 933-3002 POLLOCK PINES • 6462• •6310 Pony Express lPark • 644-2363 POLLOCK PINES •193 Express l • 644-2363 EL DORADO HILLS •6462 Drive • Trai 933-3002
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 overrequired 54premiums. years Payments do not include amounts forpurchase. taxes and insurance 20% minimum cash down payment on 25% equity on refi nance. Other loans available under different terms. Se Habla Espanol800-874-9779 800-874-9779 Maximum loan $417,000.00, primary or vacation 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