C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
– E S T. 18 51
– Midweek Edition – VOLUME 175 • ISSUE 30 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2026
Killer McFarlin to spend life behind bars Chris Woodard
Victim Witness Specialist Billie Feuerhelm read a statement written Darin McFarlin by J. Doe, where received two she said most consecutive life days, “It doesn’t sentences without feel real.” parole for the “Things that murders of his fiancée were happy don’t Marissa Herzog and feel the same her young son Josiah, without them,” handed down by Doe continued. El Dorado County DARIN BLAKE McFARLIN “I hope you Superior Court Judge understand Mark A. Ralphs how much this hurt me and my during an April 13 hearing. family.” Herzog’s daughter, identified by In addition to preparing a the courts as J. Doe, witnessed the statement, J. Doe crafted purple attacks and survived the Aug. 21, ribbons for her family members to 2025 encounter with McFarlin at wear during the hearing. Purple the Cameron Park home where is the official ribbon color for the victims and killer lived. domestic violence awareness. Family and friends filled every Herzog’s mother Joy Cavaghan seat in the Placerville courtroom retold the story of how she heard as tears and tissues were shared the news, a story that ended with while those impacted by this her on her knees screaming, “Oh tragedy read their statements into my God, my baby!” at the place of the court record. Herzog’s employment. Staff writer
Courtesy photo
Justice prevailed for murder victims Marissa Herzog and her son Josiah when their killer was sentenced Monday.
Herzog’s stepfather Peter Cavaghan detailed the events that occurred that August evening. He described what many people now have to refer to as “their new normal.” “It’s painful collecting the junk mail sent to Marissa, Verizon calling to get her phone back, even though it’s still in evidence,” he shared. “It’s the kids in her son’s class who see an empty seat every day, the news crew who had to break the news to me that day; I feel for all of it.” Tabitha Worler, Marissa Herzog’s aunt, finished the victim statements by telling the court and those in attendance she was lucky she “had the honor of loving two generations of light.” “Marissa made everyone around her feel seen and valued,” Worler said. “She loved deeply. She was an incredible mother with strong faith in God.” Most of the victim statements mentioned McFarlin hiding ■ See SENTENCED, page A8
Bill aimed at protecting SNOW MUCH FOR SPRING utility workers advances Shelly Thorene Staff writer
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
Prompted by last month’s shooting of a PG&E sub-contractor in Camino, Democratic Sen. Jesse Arreguín of Oakland has authored a bill that would expand legal protections for utility and other workers performing essential infrastructure work, making an assault on a worker on duty punishable by up to a year in jail or a fine of up to $2,000. SB 1330 notes that utility workers deserve the same protections as other public safety professionals. The Senate Public Safety Committee unanimously advanced the bill on April 7. Will Lajocies, a lineman with Intren performing work for PG&E, was shot at close range on Mountain View Drive in Camino during the March 12 incident that also resulted in shooting-related injuries to two El Dorado County deputies and the suspect. According to his family, Lajocies’ brother was working with him and was
Mother Nature was a bit stingy in March but she didn’t hold back last week, dropping rain in the foothills and snow in the higher elevations. Above, a dogwood tree on the corner of Gilmore Road and Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines retains its blossoms after a snowfall on April 12. More wet weather is expected early next week.
nearly hit. The El Dorado County Sheriff ’s Department SWAT team was deployed and after hours of negotiation, two EDSO deputies, Joshua Stillman and Craig Reimche, were also shot. All those wounded by gunfire, including the suspect, Steven Carter, 66, were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. “Incidents of harassment and assault against utility workers create a stressful and unsafe work environment that can complicate the ability of workers to perform their duties,” said Arreguín, chair of the Public Safety Committee. “SB 1330 will provide a strong deterrent against these incidents, ensuring essential utility workers are able to do their work that is critical for the health and safety of our communities.” Incidents have been on the rise since the introduction of Public Safety Power Shutoffs, according to public utility officials. SB 1330 aims to create a safer working environment for utility employees, ensuring they can carry out their
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
■ See BILL, page A8
Boy dies after climbing accident near Emerald Bay Mountain Democrat staff SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — A teen is dead after a tragic fall on April 9 near Emerald Bay. First responders were called to the Eagle Falls Trailhead near Emerald Bay around 2:30 p.m. Thursday. According to authorities, the victim identified in social media as 15-year-old Noah Ortega-Pourol Wiley was found about 400 yards from the trailhead. The victim was apparently rock climbing and fell a significant distance, sustaining traumatic injuries. The Lake Tahoe Unified School District
1 DENTIST DENTIST!
#
Eleven Times! New Patients Always Welcome!
Jeff Little, DDS
General & Cosmetic Dentistry
“Look For My Column On Page 3 Today!”
sent a message to families, identifying Noah as a sophomore at South Tahoe High School. Counselors were available at the high school Monday to support students and staff. “Our hearts are with Noah’s family, friends, and all who are impacted by this loss,” the district’s message reads. “We hold them in our thoughts and extend our deepest condolences as they navigate this unimaginable grief.” A GoFundMe account has been set up for the family to help with funeral and associated expenses at gofundme.com/f/ in-honor-of-our-noah. More than $35,000
had been raised as of Tuesday morning. “To know Noah was to feel true happiness, his infectious smile and ability to keep us laughing will be deeply missed by all,” a message on the GoFundMe page notes. “Noah was your typical boy, full of energy and chasing adventure. You’d often find him playing sports, cheering on his beloved Raiders and spending time with his friends and family. “This sudden loss has left his family and friends in deep shock and overwhelming grief,” the message continues. “No parent should ever have to experience the pain of losing a child, especially so suddenly.”
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
ROOFING • SOLAR • SIDING
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
up to
Fixed Rate
Annual Percerntage Rate
HOME HOME LOAN PLACERVILLE • 4040 El Dorado Road • 622-1492 • LOAN Purchase ReÀ nance Purchase • Refi nance 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
1,750 OFF
$
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
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 • 4060Park Cameron ParkValDrive • 677-1601 Noprepayment prepayment DIAMOND Plvele•asant Local processing andpenalty servicing POLLOCK PINES• •4060 ✓ ✓No penalty Local processing and servicingDIAMOND CAMERON PARK Cameron •644-2363 SPRINGS •6462 694SPRINGS PlPony easantExpress Val• 694 leyDriTraiRoad •677-1601 626-5701ley 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
Hwy. Member Serving our local communities for over 54 years POLLOCK ELGEORGETOWN DORADO HILLS 3963 Park Dri3963 v•Trai e333-1101 •Pony 933-3002 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 EL DORADO HILLS 3963 Park ve • 933-3002 GEORGETOWN • 6310 Hwy. 193 •Dri333-1101 20% minimum on Espanol purchase. 25% nance. OtherEspanol loans available under different terms. Sepayment Habla Se Habla 800-874-9779 GEORGETOWN • 6310 Hwy. 193 • 333-1101 Maximum loancash $417,000.00, primary or vacation residence. Member Serving ourdown local communities for over 54equity yearsrequired on refi GEORGETOWN • 6310 Hwy. 193 • 333-1101
Serving ourpayment local communities overrequired 54premiums. years Payments do not amounts taxes and insurance 20% minimum cashinclude down onforpurchase. 25%for equity on refinance. OtherEspanol loans available under different terms. Se Habla 800-874-9779
Member
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
Mention CODE: MD
Your Next Project!
*Call for details. May not be combined with other offers, estimates or prior purchases. Quantities Limited.
2024
3811 Dividend Dr., Suite A, Shingle Springs (916) 985-9995 • (530) 672-9995 www.straightlineconstruction.com
Mountain Democrat
2010 2025