PLACERVILLE (CBS13) — “What kind of human tortures a child?” That was an emotional question asked aloud in an El Dorado courtroom Friday directed at 11-year-old Roman Lopez’s stepmother, Lindsay Piper, who will spend 15 years to life in state prison for his death. The sentencing hearing came more than two years after Lopez’s body was found in the basement of his father, Jordan Piper, and stepmother’s Placerville home. Lindsay Piper listened Friday as Lopez’s paternal and maternal grandmothers, aunt, family, and Piper’s own sons shared what was described as her history of “destroying lives.” Jo ..read more

PLACERVILLE (CBS13) — An El Dorado County restaurant that defied state COVID-19 rules is being ordered to shut down. El Dorado County officials say Apple Bistro has been operating without a health permit since July 2020. The permit was pulled because the restaurant refused to close for indoor dining – which defied COVID-19 rules at the time. Now, an injunction issued this week by El Dorado County Superior Court bans Apple Bistro from opening until they get a health permit. The county says they’ve told the owners what they need to do to get their permit back, but say the restaurant hasn’t done ..read more

PLACERVILLE (CBS13) — Around 5 p.m. on Friday, crews responded to reports of an airplane crash at the Placerville Airport, said the El Dorado County Fire Protection District. Upon arriving at the airport, crews found a single-engine 2005 Legend Cub that had slid off of the roadway during a landing attempt. “The aircraft was stuck in dense brush approximately 10-20 feet down an embankment off of the south side of the runway. The pilot had self-extricated and was evaluated by Medic 61 of Georgetown Fire District prior to being released at scene,” reported the El Dorado County Fire Protection Dis ..read more

CAMINO (CBS13) – A Pollock Pines man is in custody after a hit-and-run in El Dorado County that left a teenage girl dead. California Highway Patrol says the incident happened around 4 p.m. Tuesday. The 14-year-old girl was on Carson Road, east of Barkley Road in the Camino area, when she was hit and killed by a vehicle that veered off the road and drove onto the shoulder. The driver reportedly left the scene before authorities arrived, the CHP says. Later Tuesday night, officers say he turned himself in. CHP has identified the driver as 23-year-old Pollock Pines resident Anthony B. Smith. He h ..read more

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A missing teen who was last heard from near the Oak Park area of Sacramento is being sought. Her name is Reylynn Pinon and she is from Placerville. She was last seen on December 9th and has been missing for just around 1 month. She has brown hair and eyes, is 5 foot 4 inches, and is around 150 pounds. The family is asking that anyone with any information please contact the Placerville police. The Placerville PD contact is Addison Randall, arandall@cityofplacerville.org ..read more

PLACERVILLE (CBS13) — A driver on Highway 50 was driving the wrong way on the 8 Mile Road Offramp, officials said Sunday. The driver was going westbound in the eastbound lane and had to be stopped by the California Highway Patrol. This occurred at about 3:40 p.m. in Placerville. At the moment there is no information about the state of the driver or other vehicles.   ..read more

PLACERVILLE (CBS13) — If you called it a cold-hearted crime and you wouldn’t be the only one. The Salvation Army is now warning people before they make a donation after someone stole their kettles in El Dorado County. They’re worried the thief is now scamming people to collect donations for themselves. Dan Ross has volunteered with the Salvation Army for 7 years. He’s proud to ring the bell and wish everyone a Merry Christmas as he stands next to that signature Salvation Army Red Kettle outside Walmart. But Friday morning no bell could be heard after someone stole the kettles, the stands, and ..read more

PLACERVILLE (CBS13) — At a third-generation Christmas tree farm in Placerville, there is no problem that goes unsolved may it be drought, water restrictions, or wildfire — the McGee Family knows their farm is part of other families’ holiday traditions. That promise to provide the Christmas staple of a tree, made by Eli McGee’s grandparents before he was born, is what he says makes the problems and the sometimes-elusive solutions worth it. He took over the McGee Christmas Tree Farm six months ago in the spring. His father, Mike, is still his go-to for advice, but he’s making his own way, too ..read more

PLACERVILLE (CBS13) — Jordan and Lindsay Piper, the dad and step-mom charged with murdering 11-year-old Roman Lopez last year in Placerville, say they are not guilty. The Pipers entered the pleas in Placer County. Roman was living with the Pipers and seven other kids in January 2020 when he was found dead in a bin in his family’s basement. The couple was arrested one year later on child abuse and torture charges. Lindsay is also charged with poisoning. Murder charges were added earlier this month after nearly two years of investigation into Roman’s death. Family members told CBS13 they know th ..read more

PLACERVILLE (CBS13) — Apple Bistro and Danette’s Brick Oven Pub in Placerville are facing consequences from El Dorado County after continuing to operate through the pandemic. “It’s unfair to the other restaurants that are following through,” said Placerville resident Michelle Chaidez. Owners of Apple Bistro can be seen in a video refusing to let people from California’s Division of Occupation Safety and Health (Cal OSHA) and California Highway Patrol officers inside with a warrant for an inspection. While both restaurants continued to deliberately defy public health guidelines, El Dorado Count ..read more