Fort Bragg Police are getting help from several agencies in the continuing search for 15-year-old Roy Mora who was last seen before the Lighted Truck Parade last weekend. Police Chief Neil Cervenka says they had been chasing down pings of his cell phone until the cell phone provider confirmed the battery was dead, but the last location was near the railroad yard which Cervenka says was thoroughly searched. He says there was also a thorough search of the Headlands. Cervenka says they have asked the cell phone provider for more data and records from the teen’s phone which will take a few more days to process. FBPD has also reviewed dozens of videos and followed up many leads and continues to interview and re-interview friends and school officials. Mora’s mother, Jen Mora, has issued a message through the police department asking anyone who knows anything to please come forward, saying they will not be in any trouble. You can see pictures of Roy Mora on the Fort Bragg Police social media.
We are learning more about the case against a Clearlake man accused of a murder earlier this month. Lake County News reports that this week Martin Jimenez-Patricio made his first court appearance since being arrested for the December 4 killing of Jose De Jesus Gutierrez-Castillo. Prosecutors allege that Jimenez-Patricio used a metal stake in the killing, but have not yet released a motive. Police were called to a home on James Street for a report of a dead person. Officers say they found the body after an hours-long standoff with Jimenez-Patricio. He has been charged with murder and assault with a deadly weapon and was being held without bail at the Lake County Jail.
The trial has been postponed for a man accused of setting two fires in Lake County earlier this year. Donald Shawn Anderson was arrested in October after CalFire investigators alleged he started one fire off Seigler Canyon Road west of Lower Lake in September and another one off New Long Valley Road in Clearlake Oaks in October, both in the midst of a busy fire season. Anderson faces two counts of arson and two counts of arson during a state of emergency. The Record Bee reports a jury trial that was set for this month has been continued into January following a request by his defense attorney. Anderson has pleaded not guilty.
It could be prison time due to a second strike felony for a Redwood Valley man found guilty this week of vandalism. The Mendocino DA’s Office says on Wednesday Aldar Sebastian Fragoso was found guilty of two counts of felony vandalism and four counts of misdemeanor vandalism for spray painting six businesses across town on the night of September 19. Fragoso was on parole at the time for a prior felony animal abuse conviction that was also alleged by the DA as a strike because he used a weapon against a dog. There is a strike hearing December 23 and the DA’s Office says if the judge concurs, Fragoso could see about 7 years in prison.
The status of the Clear Lake hitch is the subject of a meeting next week of the State Water Board. The hitch is a large minnow found only in Clear Lake and its tributaries. Officials say the hitch population has been struggling for some time and the recent drought exacerbated the situation. In 2014, the hitch was listed as a threatened species and the governor ordered the Water Board to come up with a plan. The December 18 meeting will provide an update on hitch emergency activities and discuss next steps for 2025. The meeting is at the Central Valley Water Board Office in Rancho Cordova but you can also attend virtually and give comments. Speakers are scheduled from the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, California Department of Fish and Game, Lake County Watershed Protection District, Lake County Farm Bureau and Lake County Land Stewards.
The Mendocino Coast Recreation & Park District is moving its District Office and Gymnastics Studio-Local Motion to Fort Bragg. The District says they will open next month at 100 N Main St in what they call a modern, centrally located facility that will elevate their gymnastics program which has served hundreds of kids for over 30 years. They say the new space features climate control, easy drop-off access, and viewing areas for families to watch the action. It will also be the site of the District’s administration where you get help with registration and programming support. Official;s say the move follows the successful opening of their martial arts studios at 579 S Franklin where they say martial arts and fitness programs have been booming.
