Lionel Ernest Tholmer’s nearly four-decade incarceration rests on a conviction where evidence, subsequently conceded by prosecutors and increasingly documented, did not implicate him. With the recent appointment of Melinda Aiello as Yolo County District Attorney, the decision regarding a review of the case now resides with her administration.
Yolo County officials formally responded to the Civil Grand Jury’s report on the deadly Oakdale Fire, contending that investigators lacked critical information subsequently revealed through criminal proceedings alleging a protracted scheme to mislead federal, state, and local regulators regarding a fireworks manufacturing operation situated near Esparto.
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors is considering Cynthia Rodríguez for the district attorney position, with a local resident expressing support for her candidacy. The endorsement cited Rodríguez’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and fairness as central to her qualifications for the role.
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to appoint a new District Attorney next Tuesday. Acting District Attorney Melinda Aiello, previously appointed by former DA Jeff Reisig, is widely considered the leading candidate for the position. However, Cynthia Rodriguez, a Democratic nominee, has also emerged as a contender, reportedly backed by labor unions, local officials, and community residents.
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to determine the succession process for District Attorney Jeff Reisig on Tuesday. County staff presented two primary options: the direct appointment of Chief Deputy District Attorney Melinda Aiello to the permanent role, or the initiation of an abbreviated recruitment process to consider additional candidates.
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors is determining the process for filling the District Attorney vacancy following the May 15, 2026, retirement of Jeff Reisig, with Chief Deputy District Attorney Melinda Aiello currently serving as Acting District Attorney. County staff confirmed that state law and a formal California Attorney General opinion mandate Board appointment for the remainder of the term, which extends through January 8, 2029, rather than a special election. The Board is considering two primary approaches: either appointing Aiello to ensure leadership continuity or initiating an abbreviated recruitment process to evaluate additional candidates for the position.
Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig announced his retirement effective May 15, 2026, after serving nearly five terms as the county’s top prosecutor since 2006.
Seven individuals have been indicted on charges of second-degree murder and other crimes related to a deadly explosion in Esparto last summer, which prosecutors say was caused by a long-running illegal fireworks operation.
The Yolo County Civil Grand Jury report concludes that multiple local officials knew about an illegal fireworks operation in Esparto but failed to take action, leading to a deadly explosion in July 2025 that killed seven workers.
Judge Tom Dyer dismissed two misdemeanor cases due to a lack of sufficient judges and courtrooms, resulting in a denial of justice to the victims and a waste of resources, according to the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office.
The 100 Club of Solano and Yolo Counties provides financial support to the families of first responders who have died in the line of duty, and will host a fundraiser on January 24, 2026 to raise funds and awareness for their mission.
Judge Sonia Cortés dismissed felony vandalism and conspiracy charges against three UC Davis protesters who had spray-painted the university’s Egghead sculptures and other campus property during a 2024 protest, after they paid restitution, completed community service, and participated in educational activities reflecting an understanding of the artwork’s cultural importance.
Yolo County prosecutors are opposing California’s compassionate release law, which provides a humane safeguard for terminally ill or permanently incapacitated people, while advocates argue that it is necessary to protect public health and dignity.
Lionel Ernest Tholmer has been incarcerated for nearly four decades for the murder of Cynthia Sparpana and the disappearance of her daughter, but newly surfaced evidence and witness statements raise questions about the validity of his convictions and the potential for prosecutorial misconduct.
Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig is promoting his controversial “zero bail” study, which has been criticized by reform advocates, as part of President Trump’s push to eliminate cashless bail nationwide.
Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig has abandoned his moderate reformer image by repeating debunked claims of widespread ballot box stuffing, which undermines trust in democratic institutions and is in alignment with a national movement to cast doubt on legitimate elections.
Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig has paused referrals to mental health and addiction intervention courts in favor of a felony treatment scheme, revealing his true priorities of punishing over treatment.
Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig has transformed from a data-driven, reform-minded prosecutor to a hardline carceral advocate, aligning himself with right-wing media and embracing the politics of punishment over criminal justice reform.
Woodland, CA – Yolo County Interim Administrator Dirk Brazil has announced the appointment of Rachelle Gayton as…
Woodland, CA – In response to the Trump administration’s efforts to terminate USAID, Yolo County DA posted…