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Coloma Business Booms From Meteorite Hunt

COLOMA (CBS13) - Coloma's Union Town Cemetery may be open to the public but it also sits on private property, Nikki Holme's property.

"We always expect to see visitors," said Holme.

But last week she had a few unwanted visitors.

"I thought it was night of the living dead all over again because there were these zombies walking through the cemetery," said Holme.

Turns out those zombies were meteorite hunters who told her its path went right over her property.

"I realized shortly thereafter it was meteor frenzy," said Holme.

Thousands from all over the country are flocking to get their piece of the rare rock.

"I flew all the way from Florida, a one way ticket to get here," said meteorite hunter Greg Hupe. "Got a fresh meteorite.

Lately it hasn't been the meteorite hunters finding them, it's been the locals that stumbling on meteorites on their private properties in Coloma and nearby Lotus.

"Luckily I was able to purchase one from a local finder here," said Hupe.

Some fragments are going for as much as a $1,000 a gram.

The explosion in the sky is also causing an explosion of business for the locals.

The Sierra Nevada Hotel's been booked, as well as Holme's vacation home.

"All the restaurants are busy. The parking lots are busy," said Holme.

The meteorite mania doesn't seem to be dying down at all. The hunt continues as long as the meteorite's exact path remains a mystery.

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