Terremoto de 5.6 sacude el condado de Mendocino el miércoles por la mañana

A former California State Parks superintendent faces serious charges after allegedly using hidden cameras to record naked lifeguards and other workers in a men's locker room at Bolsa Chica State Beach in Orange County, then sharing the images with friends, authorities announced today.

Kevin Pearsall, 59, of Long Beach, was charged with five felony counts of eavesdropping, 23 misdemeanor counts of secretly filming another, and three misdemeanor counts of unlawful dissemination of private recordings, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office. The alleged offenses occurred in the men's locker room at the Bolsa Chica State Beach Lifeguard Headquarters and victimized 23 lifeguards and other workers, none of whom consented to being recorded.

Pearsall, who had been subject to a $500,000 arrest warrant, turned himself in on Tuesday and was released on his own recognizance. His arraignment is scheduled for August.

According to the DA's Office, the case began in July 2025 when a USB memory stick containing a hidden camera was discovered in the men's employee locker room at the lifeguard headquarters. State parks officials reviewed the content on the device and contacted the California Highway Patrol, which conducted an investigation.

Prosecutors allege that Pearsall was responsible for placing hidden cameras in the locker room, which recorded both audio and video, and used them to capture numerous videos over an 11-month period starting in August 2024.

Pearsall served as a California State Parks superintendent from 2023 through July 2025, a sworn law enforcement position overseeing the management and operations of state parks in the Orange Coast District, including Orange County. He is further accused of sending images of nude or partially nude men from the locker room to two men and making sexually charged comments about the victims' anatomy.

"These victims had their privacy violated in such a disgusting way, and we will do everything we can to ensure they receive the justice they deserve," prosecutors said. Pearsall faces a maximum sentence of 18 years and eight months in prison if convicted on all counts.

The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to immediately stop unlawful mining activities at the Colosseum Mine within Mojave National Preserve. The mining operation, which ended in 1993, was in the final stages of reclamation by the National Park Service when the Trump administration approved new mining in April 2025.

Recent grading, bulldozing, and road construction have caused documented, irreparable damage to the fragile desert landscape and restricted public access to the preserve. The NPCA, represented by Earthjustice, filed a lawsuit in April challenging the administration's decision, alleging violations of federal laws protecting national parks from harmful mining impacts.

The injunction request urges the court to protect this environment, which Congress designated for perpetual preservation under the 1994 California Desert Protection Act. Chance Wilcox, NPCA's California Desert Program Manager, described the situation as gut-wrenching, noting that parts of the Clark Mountains are being stripped bare.

Katrina Tomas, an Earthjustice attorney, emphasized that bulldozing and mining will irreversibly harm one of America's most treasured public places and that the Colosseum Mine is proceeding in violation of national environmental laws. The NPCA is seeking immediate court action to halt the destruction before it is too late.

A man from Cambria has been arrested on suspicion of possessing child sexual abuse material, according to authorities in San Luis Obispo County. The arrest occurred on June 6, 2026, following an investigation by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies executed a search warrant at a residence in the 2800 block of Main Street in Cambria, where they seized multiple electronic devices. The suspect, identified as 42-year-old John Doe, was taken into custody without incident and booked at the San Luis Obispo County Jail on charges related to possession of child sexual abuse material.

The investigation was initiated after a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) indicated that a user in the Cambria area was uploading illicit images. Sheriff's detectives, along with the District Attorney's Office, are continuing to analyze the seized devices for further evidence.

The suspect is being held on $250,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court later this week. Authorities urge anyone with additional information to contact the Sheriff's Office.

This case highlights the ongoing efforts of local law enforcement to combat online exploitation and protect children.

A moderate earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.6 struck Mendocino County on [date], according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The quake was centered near the city of Willits, where shaking was described as “strong” on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office in Willits reported receiving numerous calls from residents who felt the temblor, though no immediate injuries or major damage were reported.

Shaking intensity varied across the region. In Ukiah, the shaking was classified as “moderate,” while Fort Bragg, Lakeport, Clearlake, and Cloverdale experienced “light” shaking.

Sonoma County cities including Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, and Petaluma reported only “weak” shaking. The USGS noted that the earthquake was widely felt across Northern California, prompting a flurry of calls to emergency services.

Residents in Willits described the event as frightening, with the strong shaking being enough to rattle nerves and send objects falling from shelves. The quake serves as a reminder of the region’s seismic activity, which is common along the San Andreas Fault system.

Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and check for any structural damage or gas leaks.

The earthquake did not trigger a tsunami warning, and no significant aftershocks have been reported as of the latest update. The USGS continues to monitor the area for any subsequent seismic activity.

This event highlights the importance of earthquake preparedness in Northern California, where residents are encouraged to have emergency kits and plans in place.

Mendocino County is brimming with live music opportunities this week, from June 22 through June 28, offering a diverse array of genres and venues for all ages. The week kicks off on Monday, June 22, with a weekly jazz session hosted by the Mendocino Jazz Society at Tall Guy Brewing in Fort Bragg from 6 to 9 p.m., with no cover charge but a food or drink purchase required.

On Tuesday, accordionist Jan Kessner performs at Cucina Verona in Fort Bragg at 5 p.m., also with no cover. Wednesday features Americana artist Bar Jay Bar at the Record in Fort Bragg at 6 p.m., free of charge, along with karaoke at Coyote Valley Casino in Redwood Valley for those 21 and over from 7 to 11 p.m.

Thursday presents keyboardist Billy Schieve at the 5200 Lounge in Little River from 5:30 to 9 p.m., and open mic night at Tall Guy Brewing from 7 to 10 p.m. The weekend highlights include the Ten Mile Creek Revival festival in Laytonville, running Friday and Saturday, with a lineup of roots music acts and tickets ranging from $65 to $125.

Friday also features the One Heart Virtuoso Concert Series at the Sudhana Center Recital Hall in Ukiah, showcasing saxophonists and pianists. Saturday brings major events like Tommy Castro and the Painkillers at the Arena Theater in Point Arena, celebrating his new album "Closer to the Bone," and the Boonstock Music Festival at Anderson Valley Brewing Company in Boonville.

Sunday winds down with jazz by the Dukes of Downward Mobility at Tall Guy Brewing and a Mimosas and Music event featuring Lauralee Brown at Epperson's Music Box in Mendocino. For full details and ticket links, residents are encouraged to check individual venue websites.