Local News
07/05/2012
Man Arrested For Threatening A Deputy
Valley Springs, CA -- This afternoon just after 4pm Calaveras Sheriff's Deputies responded to a home on the 700block of Quail Oaks Drive in Valley Springs.
They went there to do a welfare check on 59 year old Richard Pierce of Valley Springs. Sheriff's Officials say Pierce was acting bizarrely and making threats towards his own safety.
They say while the deputy was speaking with him Pierce yelled that he was going to kill the deputy. Pierce then picked up a metal cane and came at the deputy like he was going to hit the deputy. Additional deputies were called to the scene.
Sheriff's Officials say deputies ordered Pierce to drop the metal cane numerous times, but he refused. That's when a deputy tasered Pierce. They say Pierce fell onto a recliner chair and struggled with deputies as they handcuffed him.
Pierce was arrested and taken to Mark Twain Hospital for medical clearance. He was released from the hospital and is now behind bars at the Calaveras County jail.
Pierce is charged with felony Threat of Injury Made to an Officer and Battery against a Peace Officer. He is also charged with misdemeanor Exhibiting a Deadly Weapon other than a firearm and Obstructing a Peace Officer.
It is unknown what brought about Suspect Pierce's behavior.
Angeles Camp, CA -- It looks like Angels camp will be in the black this 2012-13 fiscal year.
The city council is holding a special work shop next Wednesday, July 11th at 6pm. They will be reviewing the 8.8 million dollar budget details.
City Administrator, Michael McHatten says the budget is nearly the same as last year. He says there are no lay-offs, cuts or furloughs in the budget.
In fact, he says they will have a surplus of $170,000, but McHatten has some recommendations for that money. They include hiring a new police officer and buying two new patrol cars. McHatten says that could put them $60,000 in the red, but he says the cities revenue income is stable and that is not a large amount to make up in the future.
The city council is expected to vote on the budget at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
Fireworks Blaze In Tuolumne County
Tuolumne County, CA -- Cal Fire reports it happened Wednesday afternoon in the 11000 block of Highway 108 near Green Springs road by Jamestown.
They say only a spot of grass went up in flames from the fireworks blast. CAL Fire reports it took firefighter about an hour to put out the blaze.
They don't know who set off the fireworks.
CAL Fire wants to remind you all fireworks are illegal in Tuolumne County.
Click here for a map of the fire area.
The Highway Patrol reports a a busy, but safe, July Fourth Holiday.
Most Mother Lode motorists managed their conduct well during the July 4th, 30 hour CHP Maximum Enforcement Period. The CHP was out in force from 6pm July 3rd through Wednesday at midnight.
The Sonora area CHP reports three arrests for driving under the influence. There were six non injury accidents, one was a hit and run that caused some property damage. The CHP was not involved with any fatalities over the holiday.
CHP Officer Rebecca Myers in San Andreas reports it was quiet in the area they cover. There were no fatalities and not a single driving-under-the-influence arrest.
Blasting Means Delays And Detours For Motorist
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 on the bypass so you may want to go a different route like Mono Way.
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.
The number of people nationwide seeking unemployment benefits dipped last week to the lowest level in six weeks.
The Associated Press reports that weekly applications dropped by 14,000, down to a total of 374,000.
However, California was one of the state's that went in an opposite direction. The number of people seeking unemployment benefits was up by 8,200. The main reason cited was a loss of jobs in the service sector. Other states that saw an increase in requests include New Jersey, Massachusetts, Michigan, Connecticut and New York.
Tuolumne County's unemployment rate for May was 12.3 percent and Calaveras County was 12.9 percent.
Sacramento, Ca -- A bill that would outlaw the use of dogs to hunt bears has passed a California Assembly Committee.
It is a proposed law that Tuolumne County leaders are watching closely. Last month the Board of Supervisors sent a letter to Democratic Senator Lieu, who introduced the legislation, arguing that it would significantly reduce bear hunting opportunities, and the revenue the sport generates for Tuolumne County.
The Supervisors argued that the total impact of the loss of revenue, combined with the potential impact of an increased bear and bobcat population, poses not only a negative economic impact, but health and safety concerns as well.
SB 1221 passed the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee this week, a crucial test before moving onto the full Assembly. The law has the backing of organizations like the U.S. Humane Society.
Rail Project Could Impact Tax Vote
A new Field Poll shows strong support for Governor Jerry Brown's November tax measure, but there is concern over high speed rail.
The poll finds 54 percent of likely California voters in favor of the November tax measure and 38 percent in opposition. However, one-fifth of the voters that approve the taxes say that they would be less inclined to vote yes if the legislature proceeds with the high speed rail project. A vote to issue high speed rail bonds could come as early as today or tomorrow.
The poll also found that voters are split on a competing tax initiative pushed by Molly Munger. That measure would increase income taxes on most all Californians, not just the highest earners. 46 percent are in favor and 46 percent are in opposition.
Revolution Rally Deemed As A Success
What was being referred to as a "Revolution Rally" was held Wednesday evening at Courthouse Park in Sonora.
Tuolumne County Supervisor Evan Royce was Thursday's KVML "Newsmaker of the Day".
Royce was one of the two main organizers, who said the event was designed to celebrate the Declaration of Independence. Royce said one of the demographics he was trying to attract at the rally was the "younger generation."
"We wanted to inspire young people to show up and start taking responsibility for our future," says Royce. "We feel that the future of our country is at stake, and everyday our liberties are being eroded, and our national debt is piling up."
Royce had encouraged the public to attend. It began at 5pm at Courthouse Park, and ran for one hour.
According to Royce, the park was filled with around one hundred people of all ages.
Several dignitaries spoke at the event including Sonora City Council Member Matt Hawkins, Sheriff Jim Mele and Tuolumne County Supervisors Liz Bass and Randy Hanvelt.
Dignitaries in the audience included Tuolumne County Supervisor Dick Pland, Tuolumne County School Superintendent Joseph Silva, Tuolumne County County Clerk and Auditor-Controller Deborah Russell (who was helping register people to vote) and Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce President George Segarini.
Republican Assembly candidate Rico Oller also spoke to the audience. Frank Bigelow, the other Republican Assembly candidate, was not invited.
"People can perceive that however they'd like," said Royce. "Bigelow lives further away and Oller is a friend of mine."
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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