Local News
04/02/2010
Washington, DC, -- Jobs are being created across the United States, according to a new report from the U.S. Labor Department.
The Department says the economy gained 162,000 jobs in March, after losing 36,000 jobs during the month of February.
It isn't all rosy news as an estimated 15 million Americans are still unemployed, and 6.5 million have been looking for a job for over six months. The U.S. unemployment rate remains steady at 9.7 percent.
California's unemployment rate is 12.5 percent, Tuolumne County is 15 percent and Calaveras County is 16.8 percent.
Written by bjhansen@mlode.com.
T.U.D. Will Repair Tuolumne Waterlines
Sonora, CA -- T.U.D. will be making repairs to a main section of waterlines in Tuolumne next week.
Crews will be working in the area of Chestnut Street starting on Monday. Traffic detours will be set up during the work hours of 8am to 3pm. Customers along Chestnut St. will experience a water outage on Tuesday, April 6th while repairs are being made.
Written by bjhansen@mlode.com.
More Access To Crime Information
Sonora, CA -- Tuolumne County residents will be able to learn more about crimes that have been committed in their neighborhoods.
The Sheriff's Department is rolling out a new website entitled, "Citizen Rims," (Records Information Management System).
Sgt. Jeff Wilson says the website will allow residents to access various information including statistics, logs and details about crimes reported in different areas of the county.
The site is still under construction, but much of the information is already online. It can be viewed at http://tcsd.crimegraphics.com. You will need Internet Explorer 7 or better to view Citizen Rims.
Completion is expected by the second week of April.
Written by bjhansen@mlode.com.
Renovation Set For Old Priest Grade Rd.
Sonora, CA -- Starting in June Old Priest Grade Rd. (Hwy 120) will start taking on a new look.
According to Tuolumne County Director of Public Works Peter Rei the overdue renovation project will include widening and repaving the two lane roadway along with the installation of 2,600 feet of guardrail.
The renovation saga actually started in the 1990s with the deaths of several motorists. The county was subsequently sued and ended up paying a heavy price.
In 2002 the County secured a $900,000 Highway Safety Improvement Program grant that will pay 90 percent of the total cost. The County is responsible for the final 10 percent. Rei adds that it took approximately six years to complete all the environmental impact reports.
All the old guardrail will be removed and the new guardrail will cover every turn where there is potential danger.
Bids are scheduled to be accepted in May with the project to get underway in mid-June. Rei is hopeful the accepted bid will be below the $900,000 mark. Whatever the outcome it'll be that 90/10 split between the Federal government and the County.
Construction time should be in the neighborhood of two months. During that time period all traffic will be re-routed to New Priest Grade Rd.
Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com
Countdown Continues For Voter Registration
Sonora, San Andreas, CA -- The countdown for voter registration for the June 8 Primary Election now stands at 53 days.
The last day to register for the Primary Election is Monday, May 24 (or 15 days prior to the election) in both Tuolumne and Calaveras counties.
In Tuolumne County registration cards can be picked up at any branch of the U.S. Post Office, the Public Library or the Elections Office on the main floor of the County Administration Building, 2 S. Green St. in Sonora.
In Calaveras County registration cards can be picked up at the Post Office or you can contact the Elections Office at (209) 754-6376.
Even if you have moved but have stayed within the county, you must re-register if you have changed districts so you can vote should there be a supervisorial race in your new district.
Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com
Sonora, CA -- Tuolumne County Administrative Officer Craig Pedro will discuss a number of economic and business issues this weekend on Mother Lode Views.
Pedro will discuss the economic downturn in the international community, the U.S. and the direct effect on Tuolumne County.
Pedro will also comment on projected reductions in the County workforce and the factors that will determine how deep the cuts will be.
On a positive note Pedro will speak on the first year success of the Economic Development Authority. He'll discuss the significance of the opening of the Tractor Supply Company store and the planned openings of Lowe's Home Improvement Center and Kohl's.
Mother Lode Views returns to its Saturday-Sunday schedule this weekend. The show can be heard Saturday morning at 9:30 on AM-1450 KVML and again Sunday morning at 8:30. Mother Lode Views can also be heard Sunday morning at eight o'clock on 93.5 KKBN and an hour later on STAR 92.7.
Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com
Bridgeport, CA -- If you felt a bit of a jolt late last night there is a very good reason.
A 3.9 magnitude earthquake occurred at 11:00:18 11 miles northwest of Bridgeport. The hypocentral depth of the shaker was six miles.
Several people in the Sonora area felt what they labeled to be a sharp jolt.
No damage has been reported.
Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com
A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for the Sierra Nevada through 5am Saturday.
Snow levels will range from 2500 through 4000 feet.
Snow totals will be around eight to fourteen inches above 3500 feet. One to two feet of accumulation is expected in the highest elevations.
Consistent winds of 15 to 30 mph are blowing with some gusts reaching 40 to 50 mph over the ridgetops.
More wet and cool weather will arrive Easter Sunday night.
One to two inches of rain is expected in the Motherlode from Sunday through Monday afternoon. Up to three feet of snow is expected to fall above 6000 feet.
Written by mark@mlode.com
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