Local News
03/21/2012
Wet weather will return to California this Saturday and Sunday.
An inch or two of rain is expected in the Mother Lode.
Snow levels will fluctuate between 4000 and 7500 feet.
According to the National Weather Service, four inches to a foot of snow accumulation is likely.
Winds gusts could reach forty to fifty mph in the Sierra Nevada.
Additional periods of precipitation is expected next week.
Kampa Addresses Water Supply And Demand
Sonora, CA -- Tuolumne Utilities District General Manager, Pete Kampa, explains the effect the lack of precipitation has on the TUD water system.
Kampa states, "TUD's water system does not operate anything like your typical valley city, such as the City of Modesto, Stockton, or Sacramento."
The snow and precipitation that occurred between March 16 and March 19, 2012 has improved TUD's outlook, but there is still very little snow melt runoff expected. TUD is still very concerned about water availability this summer and "In the event we have another dry year next year."
At the end of December, PG&E began voluntarily slowing its water flows from Pinecrest which reduced the amount of hydroelectric power they could produce. By January 20, 2012, PG&E had voluntarily shut down its local hydroelectric facilities in order to maximize water storage in Pinecrest for TUD's uses this summer and fall. PG&E cooperation has resulted in a steadily increasing storage volume in both Reservoirs.
TUD General Manager, Pete Kampa, says "This year, more than ever before, TUD needs the cooperation from our customers to reduce water consumption."
The further information from Kampa is available in his blog "TUD Water Source Details"
Yosemite Releases Five Preliminary Management Plans
Yosemite, CA - Yosemite National Park announced the release of a workbook that details the five Preliminary Alternative Concepts for the Comprehensive Management Plan for the Merced Wild and Scenic River.
This is the first opportunity for the general public to see what the park has developed, incorporating scientific analysis and public comment over the past years. The five preliminary alternatives will be refined and become a part of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Merced Wild and Scenic River Plan (MRP), which will be released in the fall.
The five Preliminary Alternative Concepts include plans to restore the river within the 100-year to 150-year floodplain. This would restore a minimum of 168 acres, or up to 336 acres.
Also addressed is the daily visitation within Yosemite Valley. The five plans range from managing a peak daily visitation within Yosemite Valley of 24,000 people, or a 17% increase down to 14,200 people, or a 31% reduction.
Yosemite Park officials say that public participation in the planning effort is vitally important. The park will be conducting six workshops this spring concerning various aspects of the plan. These workshops are designed to inform visitors and receive feedback about management issues necessary to complete the Merced River Plan.
Facilities, services and specific projects vary with each proposed plan and are detailed in the six megabyte Preliminary Alternative Concepts Workbook pdf file located on the nps.gov website here.
The plan that is chosen will establish the management strategy and actions for the next 20 years by modifying the General Management Plan. The plan is used to manage 81 miles of the Merced River, a federally designated Wild and Scenic River.
Each spring workshop will focus on a different and unique management concern that directly relates to the Merced River. The public is highly encouraged to attend all of these important workshops March 25th-May 13th.
For information on attending the workshop meetings, including online classes, visit www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/mrp_meetings.htm
Planning For Juvenile Detention Facility
Sonora, CA -- The Tuolumne County Supervisors have hired the group HMC Architects to complete the design work for the new Juvenile Detention Facility.
In March of 2009 the County was approved for a $16,000,000 state grant through SB 81 to build the facility, which is estimated to cost a total of $18.4 million. The remaining money will be covered by the county. The construction cost includes the $1.4 million contract with HMC.
The contract was approved Tuesday with a 4-1 vote. District Three Supervisor Evan Royce indicated that he'd rather see funding saved for the future Jail complex, or to repair county roads, than to build a Juvenile Detention Facility.
The Juvenile Detention Facility is on schedule to be completed by 2015. It will be located at the Law and Justice Center Property off Old Wards Ferry Road.
Several Arrests In Parole And Probation Search
Sonora, CA - Tuolumne County Sheriff's deputies conducted a large scale probation and parole search arresting five on various charges.
51 people were contacted at 34 locations. The search operation was conducted by members from State Parole, Tuolumne County Probation, California Highway Patrol, United States Forest Service, Tuolumne County District Attorney's Office, Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office Patrol, and Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office Investigations Unit.
Sheriff's Office Spokesperson Sgt. Jeff Wilson says, "The purpose of the event was two fold. First to check for compliance of Probationers and Parolees terms and conditions and [second] to search for possible stolen property due to several residential burglaries in recent months."
The five arrests were made for charges ranging from possession of controlled substances, paraphernalia, misdemeanor and felony warrants, and one was a felon in possession of a firearm.
Stolen property from the residential burglaries was not located, the investigation will continue.
Population Group Makes Recommendations
Sonora, CA -- A group looking at ways to grow the population base in Tuolumne County has released a new report.
Tuolumne County's population grew by just one percent over the past 10 years, which is much lower than the state average. The Population 2010 Working Group's report looks at what led to this, and lists ideas to boost population growth. The report was supplied by Chamber of Commerce Executive Director George Segarini, who helped lead the group.
The report is listed below:
What were the causes?
(From one to five are in no particular order of importance)
1. Lack of businesses and industry support and diversification
2. Lack of competitive infrastructure
3. Lack of diverse demographics
4. Lack of affordability, quality and needs for specific housing
5. Perception of not being business friendly
Fixing the Problem!
1. Lack of businesses and industry support and diversification
• Improvement in the housing market that will bring back construction jobs
BIA, Real Estate, Business Council, Housing Policy Committee
• Continue recruiting for small industry
EDA & TCCC
• Expand healthcare infrastructure
Sonora Regional & Columbia College
• Need more land zoned for commercial use
City, County, EDA
• County staff needs to facilitate, not negotiate (Development)
CAO, BIA, Business Council, TCCC
• Further streamlining of planning process
• More clear language on county rules and regulations
Business Council, BIA, County
• Continue to support those organizations involved in economic development missions
• Support local business expansion
EDA, Business Council, TCCC
• That the community (including government) continue to support economic development partnerships in both political and monetary ways
2. Lack of competitive infrastructure
• Develop commercial and industrial sites where infrastructure exists
EDA
• Continue development of internet with fiber optics and high speed broadband
Local government
• Tuolumne Utilities District needs to expand water and sewer service and find means of financing
TUD
• Investment in infrastructure, i.e. roads
City, County, TCTC
• Further utilize Columbia airport/shuttle
County, private enterprise, EDA
• Improve road access/Utilize prorated share
County
• Develop partnerships
Business Alliance as an example
3. Lack of diverse demographics
• Continue to grow services
Expand medical services-Sonora Regional
• Pursue services that promote diversification
Columbia College, schools
• Increase local medical market share that will create more healthcare jobs
• Develop a community place for young people, like a YMCA
4. Lack of affordability, quality and needs for specific housing
• More choices and attractive pricing
Real estate market-need for Town Homes
• Incentive for more specific housing
Realtors
• Need to make higher density work in county
Public support for projects
• Rehab older homes
Government grants, publicize
• Education and marketing to retirees and young families branding Tuolumne County as a place to locate and promote affordable home prices
Realtors, BIA
5. Perception of not being business friendly
• Celebrate our successes
EDA, TCCC
• "How can we make this work"-Development philosophy
Simplify process, collaboration of county offices
• Publicize positive changes
EDA, expand outlets
• Continue to improve government Customer Service
• Upfront disclosure for development of construction projects
CRA, know all that is required for a project up front
Todd Schroeder And Guests Return To Sonora
Musician and Composer Todd Schroeder (SHS class of '84) will return to the Mother Lode this Saturday for the Young Artist Grant Benefit Concert at Sonora High School.
Schroeder was Wednesday's KVML "Newsmaker of the Day".
Each time Schroeder performs at Sonora High School, he plays on the school's 1964 Model B Steinway Grand Piano. This is the same piano that Schroeder learned to play as a student. The piano has been completely refurbished, at a 2009 fundraising cost of $16,000.00.
"At one time, I tried to stay away from my series of concerts," says Schroeder, "but Sonora is my heart, my home, my roots and my school."
Joining Schroeder on the stage this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. will be Wendy Tuttle, Sam Harris, Brooke Lundy, Kevin Fischer, Caroline Stainsby, Tim Christensen and Thomas Lauifi.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Please call (209) 532-5511 ext 112 for ticket information.
Proceeds will help fund grants for graduating seniors to further their studies in fine arts.
The "Newsmaker of the Day" is heard each weekday morning on AM 1450 KVML at 6:47, 7:47 and 8:47am
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