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VILLAGE CAMERON PARK
life
■ DIVING INTO COMPETITION Former Cameron ™ Park swimmer has his sights set on a record. ■ INSIDE, A3
SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF EL DORADO HILLS AND CAMERON PARK
VOL. 32 ■ ISSUE NO. 13 ■ JULY 2, 2025
DAZZLING DISPLAY END
F AN ERA
Village Life file photo by Thomas Frey
ORHS head coach Steve White, right, hugs senior Teagan Brown as other girls celebrate their Division 1 Sac-Joaquin Section championship victory at Golden 1 Center in February 2022.
Photo by Laurie Edwards
Fireworks create a dazzling reflection in the still waters at Cameron Park Lake during the Summer Spectacular finale on Saturday, June 28. Families, friends and visitors gathered for the annual patriotic event that also included a kids’ carnival, food trucks and live music. See more photos on page A9
■ Tireless Trojans atheltics leader and supporter
will stay on as assistant girls basketball coach Thomas Frey
MAX BENSON DEATH
Village Life correspondent
Sentencing delayed for defendants Odin Rasco Village Life correspondent Three employees of the now-closed Guiding Hands School in El Dorado Hills who recently entered no contest pleas to charges related to the death of Max Benson, a 13-year-old with autism spectrum disorder, were not sentenced as expected on Monday, June 16, following a decision by Judge Mark Ralphs to postpone the hearing in light of concerns raised with the plea deals proffered by the El Dorado County District ■ See DELAY, page A7
Steve White steps down as ORHS athletic director, teacher and head coach
STARANNE MEYERS
Since 1994 Steve White has been an encouraging presence who led Oak Ridge through exponential growth as athletic director, head girl’s basketball coach and math teacher. Now, the leader is stepping down from those three positions and will remain on the El Dorado Hills campus as an assistant girl’s basketball coach. Former head football coach and current flag football head coach Eric Cavaliere will take over as athletic director. “I’ve got big shoes to fill,” Cavaliere said. “He just set an incredible example for me on how to lead a program like this.” White became the head girls varsity basketball coach in 1995 and won 704 games, four section titles and one state championship in his tenure. “I like trying to instill life lessons through sports,” White said. “When you get out into the real world and have jobs, the hard work, determination, time management, communication, getting along with people in the workplace, all those kind of things, sports just provides that kind of avenue to give you a lot of those experiences that you don’t get if you don’t participate in athletics.”
CINDY KELLER
■ See STEVE WHITE, page A7
INSIDE NEWS VOL. 32 ■ ISSUE NO. 13 FOR GUARANTEED WEEKLY DELIVERY, SUBSCRIBE BY CALLING 530 3445000
■ CUSTOM HOME WITH CHARM
■ BIG FAIRS AND EVEN BIGGER FUN
This stunning Serrano home is the perfect blend of timeless charm and modern convenience.
Two of the golden state’s grandest fairs are just around the corner.
■ VILLAGE HOMES, B1
■ INSIDE, B2
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