Local News
07/04/2012
Sacramento, CA - The Associated Press says the Service Employees International Union Local 1000 said today that 66% of voting members supported the agreement for 12 unpaid days of leave.
Unlike past furloughs that imposed unpaid days off, employees will have some flexibility to schedule time off.
The Local 1000 President Yvonne Walker says "The agreement with Governor Brown not only represents a compromise, but achieves some of the union's goals, by setting up a task force focused on reducing private vendor contracts."
The administration also agreed to eliminate student assistants and some retired state workers who come back to work for the state.
The AP says initially Brown proposed moving the state to a four-day workweek.
SACRAMENTO, CA - The Associated Press reports Governor Brown wants to keep talking with Democratic leaders about overhauling the state's pension system during a month long recess. That break begins at the end of the week.
The governor says he couldn't reach a deal with lawmakers on his comprehensive proposal that included raising the retirement age and moving workers to a hybrid pension-401(k) system.
No Fireworks, But Expect A Blast Thursday
Sonora, CA - Caltrans will close highway 108 from Hess Avenue to Cavalieri Road for blasting on Thursday, July 5, 2012, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. They say motorists may face up to 30 to 60 minute delays so you may want to go a different route.
This work is part of the $53 million Highway 108 East Sonora Bypass Phase II Project which began in April of 2012. The project received nearly $15 million from Proposition 1B, a 2006 voter-approved transportation bond.
Phase II is the building of a two-lane expressway on a new stretch from Peaceful Oak Road to Via Este Road. The new roadway will contain fewer curves, making the highway safer for more than 20,000 motorists who travel the existing highway daily.
Other improvements include a partial interchange at Peaceful Oak Road; a grade separation at Mono Way and a temporary intersection connecting Mono Way to the new expressway. Also, there will be a frontage road connecting Highway 108 with Seaborn Road and Waif Road.
Phase I of the East Sonora Bypass from the Sanguinetti Overhead to just west of Peaceful Oak Road was completed in 2002.
Click here to view a map of the blasting area.
More Room For Sonora Regional Medical Center
Sonora, CA - Sonora Regional Medical Center Officials say they have purchased the old Andy's Home Center property at 900 Mono Way in Sonora.
They say this will improve their healthcare services. They plan to move some support and ancillary services out of the acute-care hospital and develope a new medical pavilion that can house a cancer center, rehabilitation and medical offices.
Medical Center officials say this will free-up space and provide expanded acute care services to meet the demands of the community over the next 10 years.
They plan to demolish the existing building on the property, but no word on when they will do that.
Click here for a satellite map showing the property.
Friends Of Mother Lode Fair Ready For Crowds
"Friends of the Fair" are ready for next week's fair crowds from Thursday July 12th through Sunday July 15th.
Tony Wagner, Friends of the Fair spokesperson, was Thursday's KVML "Newsmaker of the Day".
Friends of the Fair is a non-profit group that helps support and promote fair projects, programs and needs.
Wagner said this year should be especially exciting, as the Mother Lode Fair is celebrating its 75th Anniversary.
"We've put a lot of emphasis on the local community this year" said Wagner, "including some local food retailers and a number of local music groups such as Chains Required."
Thursday July 12th is half price admission day. The admission all four days includes the entire range of the fairgrounds, with extra charges specifically for some of the motorized events at the grandstand arena and the carnival ride wrist bands
Anyone can be a member of Friends of the Fair for just twenty dollars.
More information on all of the events taking place this year at the fair can be found by calling the fair office at (209) 532-7428.
The website is http://www.motherlodefair.org
The "Newsmaker of the Day" is heard each weekday morning on AM 1450 KVML at 6:47, 7:47 and 8:47am.
Many Fourth Of July Celebrations
All federal and state offices, the post office and banks will be closed today as America commemorates 236 years since our Declaration of Independence.
There are several events going on in the area today.
There is a big July 4th celebration and parade in Twain Harte starting at 9am.
Columbia State Historic Park will have its Columbia's Glorious 4th of July Celebration starting at 10am.
Christian Heights will host a Family 4th of July Celebration also starting at 10am. With a light show and family activities. For more read the "Newsmaker of the Day" story here.
A Fourth of July Concert will be held at 7pm at Turner Park in San Andreas.
The Mokelumne Hill 4th of July Parade and Celebration starts at 11am.
An Old Fashion Fourth of July Celebration starts at 1pm at Utica Park in Angels Camp
The Tuolumne Market & Music in the Park starts at 4pm at the Memorial Park in Tuolumne
Lastly, this weekend on Saturday, July 7th, Ironstone Vineyards will host their Independence Day Celebration starting at 4:30pm. The fireworks show begins at dark, and lasts about 30 minutes.
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