In Your Town for April 9, 2025
NOVATO
Suspect charged
in lewdness probe
A Novato man has been charged with sending lewd material to a minor.
The investigation began when a student told a Novato school resource officer that a man had sent her inappropriate images of himself. Novato detectives arrested the suspect after serving a search warrant at his home on April 2.
Payam Jonathan Ravanfar, 25, pleaded not guilty to the felony charge at his arraignment Friday. Marin County Superior Court Judge Kelly Simmons scheduled his next hearing for June 5.
Ravanfar was released from jail after posting a bond. His attorney, Will Morehead, declined to comment, saying the prosecution has not provided him evidentiary details.
“I have no information about the government’s case and no present ability to respond to their publicizing of allegations against my client,” Morehead said. “When appropriate, there will be a vigorous response in court.”
District Attorney Lori Frugoli could not be reached for comment.
FAIRFAX
Town nixes board for
emergency planning
The Town Council has disbanded the Community Emergency Preparedness Committee.
The committee, formed in 2021, has had difficulty maintaining its membership and producing quorums for meetings, Town Manager Heather Abrams said in a report to the council. The seven-seat committee was down to two members.
“Meanwhile, the Citizen’s Disaster Council has been active when called to meet and fulfills a similar role in coordinating emergency preparedness activities,” Abrams wrote.
The council approved a resolution eliminating the committee on April 2.
THE COUNTY
Fair organizers
seek contestants
Registration is open for competitions at the Marin County Fair.
Artists, writers, home cooks, photographers, horticulturalists, homebrewers, ant-farm architects and fiddlers are encouraged to enter.
The livestock competition featuring youth exhibitors showing animals such as cattle, goats, sheep and swine also is planned. The fair is collaborating with the Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association.
This year’s theme is an ode to insects titled, “Bug-Tastic!” Bug-themed contests include Venus flytrap sculptures, insects built from fruits and vegetables, ant farms, and “bug hotels” or birdhouses for insects.
The fair is set for July 2-6 at the Marin County Fairgrounds, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael.
Deadlines vary by contest. Register at MarinFair.org/exhibits.