C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
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– Midweek Edition – VOLUME 174 • ISSUE 69 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2025
Murder suspect arraigned Noel Stack and Chris Woodard
special allegations that a firearm was used in the crimes. He also faces Mountain Democrat staff charges of domestic violence and child abuse. The man suspected The criminal of killing a mother and complaint filed by the El her son, and attempting Dorado County District to kill another child, Attorney’s Office alleges appeared in El Dorado on Aug. 21 McFarlin County Superior Court attacked Marissa Herzog Monday afternoon. (previously identified Darin Blake McFarlin, as Marissa N. Divodi47, entered not guilty DARIN BLAKE MCFARLIN Lessa) in the bedroom pleas to all charges in of the Oakwood Road Judge Mark Ralphs’ home the couple shared in Cameron courtroom shortly after 1 p.m. A prePark. After Herzog left the room and preliminary hearing has been set for used her cellphone, McFarlin obtained Sept. 29 with a preliminary hearing the gun and “did unlawfully, and with scheduled at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 16. malice aforethought, murder Marissa McFarlin, a Cal Fire captain, faces two counts of first-degree murder and ■ See MURDER, page A5 one count of attempted murder with
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
An EDSO vehicle blocks the Cameron Park residence where a woman and child were shot and killed on Aug. 21. Suspect Darin Blake McFarlin has pleaded not guilty to the crimes.
Gavin Newsom’s redistricting plan on its way to voters
■ What you need to know Maya C. Miller and Jeanne Kuang CalMatters
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Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to counter President Donald Trump’s election gerrymander in Texas with his own redistricting play in California is on its way to voters. The California Legislature on Aug. 21 approved his proposal calling for a special election on a ballot measure that would suspend the state’s current congressional districts, which were drawn by an independent commission, and replace them with a map intended to favor Democrats. The Assembly passed the measure 57-20, and lawmakers on the floor erupted in applause even before they closed the vote. The Senate passed it hours later on a party-line vote, 30-8. Newsom declared a Nov. 4 special election shortly afterward. At a press conference to promote the upcoming campaign for what will appear on the ballot as Proposition 50, he said it was
time for Democrats to “play hardball” in response to the Trump administration’s moves to “advance their power.” “We tried to hold hands and talk about the way the world should be,” he said. “We can’t just think differently; we have to act differently.” California voters in a 2010 ballot measure backed independent redistricting for congressional districts, a process meant to cultivate fair, competitive elections. Democrats say they’re reluctant to give up that system, even temporarily, but believe they have to in order to counter Trump’s bid to retain control of Congress after 2026. “If unaddressed, Texas’ actions — which occur without the vote of the populace — will disenfranchise California,” said Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, a Long Beach Democrat whose father had pushed for nonpartisan redistricting as a state lawmaker and Congressman. “It’s imperative that Californians have a voice in selecting the political party that controls Congress in 2026,” said Lowenthal in an emotional speech from the floor before ■ See REDISTRICTING , page A5
Photos courtesy of Cal Fire
A firefighter douses a hotspot in the Coyote Fire footprint. The blaze engulfed 624 acres of wildland near Omo Ranch.
Cleanup begins on Coyote Fire Mountain Democrat staff Fire crews continued to hold the Coyote Fire to 624 acres with containment reported at 78% as of Tuesday morning, according to Cal Fire officials. “With containment steadily increasing, crews are beginning the hard work of cleanup,” a Cal Fire incident post noted. “Even as equipment is removed, firefighters continue checking for hot spots, reinforcing the line, and patrolling the fire’s edge throughout the day to keep it secure.” The blaze near Omo Ranch broke out at about 2:16 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, ballooning from 30 acres to 400 acres in six
A quick response has kept the Coyote Fire to 624 acres for several days.
hours due in part to the fire’s remote location and steep terrain. At one point, more than 1,500 personnel came together to battle the flames that started in southern El Dorado County. The
fire footprint includes private property and Sierra Pacific Industries lands. Evacuation warnings for residents who live on Omo Ranch Road south to Farnham Ridge Road were put
in place around 5 p.m. Wednesday and lifted early Saturday evening. No damage to structures has been reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Jury convicts serial abuser; sentencing scheduled next month El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office News release
A Placerville jury has found 30-year-old Joseph Marquez guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child. The verdict was returned on Aug. 20 at the conclusion of a trial presided
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over by El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Vicki Ashworth. The jury also found that the victim was especially vulnerable, that Marquez abused a position of trust and that he carefully planned and carried out the crime. After the verdict, Judge
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Published bi-monthly in the Mountain Democrat and Village Life
Ashworth ordered Marquez taken into custody, where he will remain until his sentencing on Sept. 15. If given the maximum penalty under California law, he faces up to 16 years in state prison. “I want to commend the bravery of the victim for coming forward in this case,”
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said District Attorney Vern Pierson. “Our office remains committed to seeking justice and supporting survivors,” he continued. “Protecting children from this kind of harm is one of the most important responsibilities we have as a community.”
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