Local News
04/01/2011
Ruby The African Elephant Dies At Sancutary
San Andreas, CA-- Ruby, an African elephant who lived at the PAWS sanctuary in San Andreas has died. She was 50 years old.
After years of lobbying from animal rights activists, the Los Angeles Zoo delivered Ruby to the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), in 2007. Entertainer Bob Barker donated $300,000 to help pay Ruby's sanctuary expenses. According to the Associated Press, Ruby spent 20 years at the Los Angeles Zoo. She had also performed with Circus Vargas.
After being transferred to PAWS, a 2,300-acre sanctuary, Ruby lived with Mara and Lulu, PAWS' three other African elephants. Within days, Ruby had socialized with the other elephants and became an important member of the group, roaming the hills with her new friends. Ruby became the respected and beloved matriarch of the group over the next few years.
Ruby's veterinarian, Dr, Jackie Gai, PAWS director, Pat Derby, and the entire elephant staff were with her when she passed. A necropsy is being performed at the University of California at Davis, and final results are still pending. Ruby was one of the oldest African elephants in captivity.
Written by tina.falco@mlode.com
Highway 12 Collision Causes Fatality
San Andreas, CA-- A multi-vehicle accident in San Andreas yesterday caused major injuries and one fatality.
According to the San Andreas CHP, at around 3 pm, 53-year-old Jamie Patrice Pacheco of San Andreas was reportedly driving her Jeep Cherokee erratically on westbound Highway 12. She was drifting on and off of the shoulder and across the solid double yellow lines into oncoming traffic.
Pacheco swerved into the eastbound lane of Highway 12 at Central Hill, forcing 55-year-old Clifford Edison of San Andreas off the roadway. Edison lost control of his vehicle and it rolled down a dirt embankment. Pacheco continued to drive erratically westbound on Highway 12. She crossed into oncoming traffic again and this time collided with 65-year-old Jack Tucker of Valley Springs who was driving his vehicle eastbound on Highway 12. The impact forced Tucker's vehicle off the roadway.
Pacheco continued driving erratically westbound as she traveled up Briski Hill. She drifted off the road onto the north shoulder of Highway 12. As she attempted to gain control of her vehicle, it swerved sharply back onto the roadway. This action caused her to skid across the double yellow lines and collide with 36-year-old Darrin Mills of Altaville who was driving his truck and trailer eastbound on Highway 12.
Pacheco and Mills were extricated by Fire Department personnel. Pacheco, Mills and Edison suffered major injuries and were all transported to various hospitals. The CHP received confirmation this morning from Memorial Hospital in Modesto that Pacheco had succumbed to her injuries.
CHP Officer Rebecca Myers says the accident is still under investigation.
Written by tina.falco@mlode.com
Copperopolis, CA-- O'Byrnes Ferry Road opened to traffic just shortly before 2 pm today. PG&E repaired a power pole that was hit by a car earlier this morning.
The CHP directed traffic in the area for nearly five hours. For a short period, O'Byrnes Ferry Road was completely shutdown. The accident was near Conner Estates Drive on the Calaveras County side of O'Byrnes Ferry Road.
Written by tina.falco@mlode.com
Twain Harte, CA -- Tuolumne County Supervisor Evan Royce will be the guest on Mother Lode Views this weekend.
Royce was elected to the Board of Supervisors last year and his District Three includes the greater Tuolumne and Twain Harte region. Topics he'll discuss include the economy, snow removal, trash collection, fire protection and other pertinent items.
Mother Lode Views is in the midst of a five part series talking individually with the five Tuolumne County Supervisors. The following two weeks will feature Randy Hanvelt and Liz Bass.
Spellman Excited About Amgen Tour
Jenny Lind, CA -- The route for the Amgen Tour of California will go through a small portion of Calaveras County.
District Five Supervisor Darren Spellman has learned that the stage from Auburn to Modesto will travel down portions of Camanche Parkway and Burson Road. "I like the idea that they are looking for diversity in the geographic terrain, and it is a beautiful stretch where they will come through our county," says Spellman. "I'm hoping that they'll extend the route through more of the county in years to come."
Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen has been leading an effort to encourage organizers to eventually have the race go through Angels Camp and Sonora along Highway 49.
Spellman says he and a group of others will be cheering the group on in May. Among those joining him along the route will be local resident Seana Hogan, who is a 2004 inductee to the Ultracycling Hall of Fame.
The 2011 Amgen Tour will run May 15-22.
O’Byrnes Ferry Traffic Remains Slow
Copperopolis, CA -- There is now one traffic lane open on O'Byrnes Road.
PG&E is working to repair a power pole that was hit by a car earlier this morning. The CHP is directing traffic in the area. For a short period, O'Byrnes Ferry Road was completely shutdown. The accident is near Conner Estates Drive on the Calaveras County side of O'Byrnes Ferry Road. CHP Officer Rebecca Myers reports that it is unknown how long only one lane will be open.
Copperopolis, CA -- The CHP is on scene of a vehicle accident on O'Byrnes Ferry Road just south of Conner Estates Drive.
A car has reportedly struck a power pole. The accident is currently blocking O'Byrnes Ferry Road on the Calaveras County side. Be prepared for a delay and travel with caution.
O'Byrnes Ferry Road will remain closed until PG&E arrives to assess the situation.
Berryhill Optimistic About Budget Negotiations
Sacramento, CA -- District 14 Senator Tom Berryhill is optimistic that California lawmakers could soon strike a budget deal.
Governor Jerry Brown said this week that he had ended all budget talks with Republicans because the two sides were far apart. The Governor is hoping for a ballot measure that would ask voters to extend temporary tax increases to sales, personal income and vehicle licensing fees implemented under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. It would take a 2/3 vote of the legislature to place the proposal on the ballot, so a couple of Republicans would have to vote in favor in both the Senate and Assembly.
Senator Berryhill is one of only a handful of Republicans that have been involved in the negotiations with the Governor and believes that serious talks will pick up again shortly. Berryhill is asking for additional ballot measures to be included in the budget deal. Notably, Berryhill is hoping for reforms to the state's public employee pension system and a state spending cap.
"The Governor's done a sincere job in trying to move the state forward, and I know he's frustrated, like we all are," says Berryhill "As the case is in many of these negotiations and talks, when things get urgent, it is when things finally come together. So I think this weekend, or early next week, something could happen."
When it comes to the creation of state spending cap, Berryhill says, "Working families have to live within their means, and this bill would force California to live within its means. It would be a home run for future generations, and I'm really excited about the prospect of making it part of this deal."
Berryhill feels there is still time to reach a compromise and send the proposals to the ballot during a special election this summer.
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