Local News
06/05/2009
Lowe's Issues Going Before Planing Commission
Sonora, CA -- The design and site plan review for the Lowe's Home Improvement Center project will go before the Sonora Planning Commission Monday.
“These were items that the Planning Commission was going to conduct after the EIR had been completed by the City Council,” says Greg Applegate, Sonora City Administrator. “They are now being brought back for consideration.”
The City Council approved the EIR at the May 18th meeting.
Applegate adds, “This project has been rehashed over a four-and-a-half year period, and even after the full EIR, there’s really not a lot that has changed in respect to the project.”
The developer is California Gold Development Corporation. The company could break ground later this year.
Monday’s meeting will begin at 7pm at Sonora City Hall.
Sonora, CA -- A Modesto man was arrested on Tuolumne Rd. Friday morning at 4:35am on drug charges following a routine traffic stop.
40-year-old Curtis Don Miller was a passenger in a van that was pulled over for having an inoperable head lamp.
A computer check showed that Miller is on probation in Stanislaus County for narcotics violations. A deputy searched the vehicle and found 4.2 grams of methamphetamine and a glass smoking pipe.
Napa Students Safe After Hypothermia Concerns
Pinecrest, CA -- The Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office and CAL Fire assisted a group of Napa students today that showed signs of hypothermia while hiking in the Pinecrest Reservoir.
Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Ken Diaz says two teachers and 25 seventh grade students from Stone Bridge Charter School were camping in the area known as Cleo's Bath. The Students were taken to the Pinecrest Fire Station. Four students initially showed signs of hypothermia, but were warmed up and hydrated.
Diaz says all of the students checked out okay and are now heading home.
Written by bjhanse@mlode.com.
Yosemite National Park, CA -- According to Ranger Kari Cobb Tioga Pass has been reopened.
The 9,945 foot pass was closed earlier today due to the snow and rainstorm that doused the entire county.
According to Caltrans Ebbetts Pass is closed at the Mt. Reba turnoff while Sonora Pass remains closed seven miles east of Strawberry.
Yosemite Managers Allowing Grouse Fire To Burn
Sonora, CA -- Fire managers at Yosemite are allowing the lightning caused 26 acre Grouse Fire to burn.
According to Fire Education and Information Manager Gary Wuchner the fire is in an area that hasn't burned since the 1990 Steamboat Fire. That is the principle reason why managers are allowing the fire to burn to eliminate potential fuels.
The Grouse fire is bounded by Wawona Rd. to the west and Glacier Point Rd. to the south connecting to the black line on the northeast near the boundary of the Steamboat Fire.
The Grouse Fire is staffed with 83 firefighters. Crews are from Yosemite, the Black Eagles from Sequoia National Forest, Alpine Hotshots from Rocky Mountain National Park and the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area fire module.
Summerville High Commencement Moved Indoors
Tuolumne, CA -- Due to the inclement weather the Summerville High School Class of 2009 will stage its commencement ceremony in the Main Gymnasium this evening rather than at the football field.
Principal Dave Urquhart made that announcement late this morning stating that the dirt track had literally become a mud bath. In addition the grass field is soaked and the seating is so wet from the rain that it would simply be unacceptable for such a special occasion.
Urquhart adds that tickets are needed for entering the Main Gym. Overflow seating in the Small Gym (with big screen tv) will be on a first come/first serve basis.
Immediately following the commencement exercise the fireworks display will go on as scheduled at the baseball field regardless the weather.
Sober Grad Night for the seniors and the juniors who have permission slips will be held in the theatre and the classrooms in that same building. Seniors will be permitted to bring a guest of high school age.
Snow Temporarily Closes Tioga Rd.
Yosemite National Park, CA -- Due to the Friday morning snowfall Tioga Rd. has been temporarily closed by Yosemite Park officials.
Earlier today the National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory (6am-9pm) for the western slope of the Sierra Nevada.
The heaviest snowfall is expected above 7,500 feet.
According to Yosemite Fire Education and Information Manager Gary Wuchner during the three o'clock hour this morning lightning was prevelant in the Wawona area.
In addition chains or snow tires are required on Hwy 108 from 10 miles east to 13 miles east of Strawberry.
T.C. Visitors Bureau Fears Proposed State Park Closures
Tourism in the Motherlode is exceeding expectations this year, but the Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau fears what will happen if this region's State Parks are forced to be closed.
Nancy Sikes, The Bureau's Excecutive Director, was Friday's KVML "Newsmaker of the Day".
"We're mystified as to why the Governor and the Legislature might even do this because they are concerened about their general fund revenues, Sikes said. "They need every tax dollar that can possibly be generated."
According to Sikes, only one tenth of one percent of the general fund goes towards operating California's State Parks and yet the Parks generate billions in revenue to private businesses, resulting in hundreds of millions in state tax revenue.
Additionally , the amount of lost jobs would be yet nother blow to the local and state economy. Sikes said that it's not just jobs in the Parks but around the Parks as well. Sikes said several businesses in Columbia State Historic Park operate specifically because of the visiting tourists.
The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors has submitted a letter to Governor Schwarzenegger asking him to reverse course on his proposal to close the 220 designated state parks.
It specifically makes a claim that the benefits of Columbia State Historic Park and Railtown 1897 in Jamestown outweigh the costs of keeping them operational.
The "Newsmaker of the Day" is heard each weekday morning on AM 1450 KVML at 6:47, 7:47 and 8:47am.
Written by mark@mlode.com
