In Your Town for Feb. 26, 2026
NOVATO
Appeal denied
in abuse case
A state appeals court has affirmed the 2024 conviction of an accused child molester in Marin County.
Erik Limeta Monterrubio, 48, of Novato was arrested in 2021 on allegations he committed sex crimes against an 11-year-old victim. A jury convicted him of two charges after a trial in Marin County Superior Court.
Judge Geoffrey Howard sentenced Monterrubio to 20 years in prison. A lawyer for Monterrubio filed a challenge with the 1st District Court of Appeal. A three-judge panel issued its decision on Jan. 29.
“He contends the trial court abused its discretion in allowing the detective who first interviewed the child to testify that she was credible and that she behaved like a victim of sexual abuse,” the ruling said. “We conclude his claims were forfeited by failure to object at trial on the grounds now raised and, in any event, any error was harmless. His alternative claim of ineffective assistance of counsel is also without merit.”
Monterrubio is incarcerated at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego.
WEATHER
Marin forecast
includes warmup
Following a bit of rain on Tuesday and early Wednesday, the forecast in Marin County is turning warmer and drier, according to the National Weather Service.
Rain totals for the last storm included 0.83 inches in Mill Valley, 0.79 inches in Kentfield and 0.35 inches in San Rafael, said Roger Gass, a meteorologist for the agency. He said the county has a 20% chance of rain Sunday night into Monday, and it will be a small amount if it happens.
High temperatures are expected to reach the upper 60s Thursday, the low 70s Friday, the upper 60s Saturday and the low 60s on Sunday, Gass said.
The Marin Municipal Water District reservoir system was at 100% of capacity as of Tuesday, the utility reported. The historical average storage for the date is 86.14%.
MILL VALLEY
Board approves
gymnastics site
The Planning Commission has approved a conditional use permit for a children’s gymnastics studio at 7 Locust Ave.
The business, Mill Valley Gymnastics, will be in the Gardner Building just west of Miller Avenue and next to the 7-Eleven. The proprietors plan to have hours daily with up to 12 students at a time. The building has no parking area of its own.
The commission approved the plan during a hearing on Tuesday.
NOVATO
Library offers
movie event
The Novato Library plans to present the movie “Clue” at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
Admission is free, and the library will provide snacks. The movie, which is based on the board game, is rated PG.
The library is at 1720 Novato Blvd.