C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
– E S T. 18 51
– Midweek Edition – mtdemocrat.com
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2025
VOLUME 174 • ISSUE 55 | $1.00
Photo courtesy of EDSO
An EDSO law enforcement officer walks with cuffed suspect Alejandro Figuerosa, who is accused of multiple crimes involving a minor.
Sac area school psychologist accused of attempting to lure underage girl Mountain Democrat staff A monthlong undercover investigation led to the arrest of a Yolo County school psychologist who was allegedly trying to meet an underage girl. That girl he was chatting with online was in fact a law enforcement officer, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff ’s Office. Early last month, EDSO detectives with the High Tech Crimes Unit launched their investigation, which was prompted by an online profile solicited ■ See ARREST, page A5
NAVIGATION CENTER UPDATE
Homeless population decreases; center violations still high Andrew Vonderschmitt Features editor
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
Noting successes and goals, El Dorado County Assistant Director of
Health and Human Services Timalynn Jaynes presented an update on the El Dorado County Navigation Center during the June 24 Placerville City Council meeting. The intent of the center located at the old juvenile hall next to the El Dorado County Government Center in Placerville is to allow for enforcement of the no camping ordinance in the city, abatement of encampments in the county, mitigate fire risk and provide emergency shelter for unhoused county residents, Janyes shared. The annual update covers February 2024
Thousands packed El Dorado Hills Town Center for the annual Fireworks and Freedom Concert on July 3 — the only fireworks show left in town after the El Dorado County Fairgrounds was forced to cancel its fireworks display due to the Esparto fireworks facility tragedy that occurred July 1. Events in El Dorado Hills include children’s activities and bounce houses, live music, food and beverages plus a spectacular fireworks display from three Town Center locations. Above, sporting patriotic face paint, Mila Koupal, 5, of El Dorado Hills joins the hula hoop contest amidst the bubbles in the Kidz Zone at Thursday’s event celebrating Independence Day. At right, the grand finale fireworks light up the night sky from one of three locations in Town Center. Bottom left, Caleb Burgess and Charissa Isom of Rancho Cordova dance to music performed by Funk Shui at EDH Town Center’s Theater Plaza. Below right, El Dorado Hills Fire Department Engineer Brad Willock, right, hands a sticker to Damian Lara, center, while his mom Rachel Gonzalez looks on. Willock said the boy was lost in the crowd for a few minutes and he helped reunite the youngster with his mother. Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene
■ See CENTER, page A5
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Published bi-monthly in the Mountain Democrat and Village Life
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