Local News
07/28/2011
Drift Smoke Visible From Lion Fire
Sonora, CA-- Drift smoke from a fire in the Sequoia National Forest has been visible in the Mother Lode this week. CAL Fire's Lisa Williams says it is from the Lion Fire.
The 16,000 acre fire inside the Golden Trout Wilderness area began July 8th and is now fifteen percent contained.
A U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman says the blaze was sparked by a lightning strike.
The fire is burning in a remote area about 70 miles southeast of Fresno.
See the Jordan Peak Sierra Fire WebCam view of the fire other webcams on our webcam page.
Written by tina.falco@mlode.com
Twain Harte, CA-- Fire crews contained two small vegetation fires and two vehicle fires this afternoon in Tuolumne County.
Shortly after 1 pm on Highway 120 near Chinese Camp, the CHP reported that a pickup truck was fully engulfed and the fire spread to ¼ acre of nearby vegetation.
About 20 minutes later, another vehicle fire was reported in Twain Harte on eastbound Highway 108 at Twain Harte Drive. CAL Fire says an RV caught fire and the fire spread to ¼ acre of nearby vegetation.
Multiple resources assisted with both of these fires including air attack from Columbia.
Written by tina.falco@mlode.com
Reception For New Columbia College President
Sonora, CA-- Next month, a welcome reception will be taking place for the new President of Columbia College.
Members of the Yosemite Community College District Board of Trustees and the District Chancellor, Dr. Joan Smith, invite the community to the Manzanita Building Wednesday, August 17th from 5:00-7:00 pm to meet Dr. Dennis Gervin.
Dr. Gervin began his appointment on July 1st after a 6-0 vote in June by the Yosemite Community College District Board approving him as the next President of Columbia College.
Gervin served as Columbia College Vice President of Student Learning since 2005.
Before coming to Columbia College, he served as Dean of Instructional Services at Modesto Junior College (MJC) for four years, MJC Interim Dean of Library and Learning Resources for a year, and MJC Dean of Science, Mathematics and Engineering from 1999-2002. His career began in 1995 as a Professor of Microbiology and Biology at MJC.
Written by tina.falco@mlode.com
Twain Harte, CA-- Firefighters are on the scene of an RV on fire on eastbound Highway 108 at Twain Harte Drive.
Multiple resources are responding to this fire including air attack from Columbia. The fire has spread to about 1/4 acre of nearby vegetation, according to CAL Fire.
Update at 2:00 pm: The RV fire has been contained and firefighters have stopped the forward spread of the 1/4 acre vegetation fire.
Written by tina.falco@mlode.com
Road To Union Reservoir Closing For Repairs
Sonora, CA-- Forest Road 7N75 to Union Reservoir on the Calaveras Ranger District of the Stanislaus National Forest, will be closed soon.
According to the Forest Service, between July 29th and August 13th road work and additional work to improve campgrounds and a boat launch will be accomplished in partnership with the U.S Marine Corp Reserve Heavy Equipment Unit from San Jose.
Marine Corp heavy equipment operators will repair road damage caused by the heavy rain and snow from last winter, construct a drainage ditch on the uphill slope of Road 7N75C, and add water bars across roads to help prevent erosion.
Additional work includes construction of parking areas, individual campsites and reconstruction and improvements of boat launch areas.
Written by tina.falco@mlode.com
Two Men Arrested In Guard Rail Theft
Sonora, CA-- Tuolumne County Sheriff's authorities arrested two men early this morning suspected of stealing a portion of a guard rail.
According to Sheriff's Office spokesperson Jeff Wilson, a report was made Monday regarding a 200 foot section of guard rail valued at approximately $2000 missing from Shawmut Road.
After the Sheriff's Department conducted an investigation this week, Deputy Paul Speers discovered two men this morning at around 2 am, near the section of the missing rail. He also noticed another section of rail had been unbolted from its posts and was laying on the ground. Speers says he had checked the area earlier and knew the rail was still on its posts at that time.
While Deputy Speers questioned the suspects, Greg Curtis Troedson, 47 of Denair, and Darrel Kevin Deaton, 42 of Modesto, he also noticed a tool bag, a pry bar and a set of channel locks in the bed of their truck. After searching the inside of the truck, two receipts from a metal recycling plant in the central valley were also found.
Although Troedson denied having any connection with the guard rail theft, he was arrested when Deputy Speers found one of the square nuts from a guard rail bolt in his pocket.
Deaton was also arrested. Both men were booked at County Jail on charges of conspiracy and attempted grand theft.
Written by tina.falco@mlode.com
Suspect In Sonora Beating Turns Himself In
Sonora, CA-- One of the suspects believed to be involved in the brutal attack of another man in Sonora has turned himself in to authorities.
23-year-old Conor Brown of Sonora, surrendered himself to the Tuolumne County Jail yesterday, according to the Sonora Police Department.
Brown is suspected of being one of the men involved in the beating of another man outside a Rite Aid parking lot May 9th. He was also listed as the Department's Most Wanted suspect on June 27th.
The Sonora PD is still seeking information regarding the identity of the second suspect involved in the assault. Anyone who may have information on the second suspect's identity is asked to call the Sonora Police Department at 532-8141.
To read an earlier article about the incident click here.
Written by tina.falco@mlode.com
San Andreas, CA-- Firefighters contained an 83-acre wildfire in Calaveras County that earlier had forced the temporary evacuation of three homes.
CAL Fire says crews gained full containment of the Murray Fire at 7 o'clock last night. No damage was reported.
The fire started Monday afternoon in the 3000 block of Murray Dale Lane, just outside of San Andreas. The cause remains under investigation.
Written by tina.falco@mlode.com
'Dancing With Tuolumne County Stars' Will Return
A local version of "Dancing with the Stars" will return to the Motherlode on Saturday August 20th.
Event spokesperson, Mike Ayala, discussed the event as Thursday's "Newsmaker of the Day"on AM-1450 KVML.
The location for "Dancing with the Tuolumne County Stars" will be at the Oak Pavilion at Columbia College on Saturday August 20th beginning at 6:30pm. Doors open at 5 pm. The Kiwanis will sell tri tip sandwiches starting at 4:30 pm.
Four couples will be dancing the Foxtrot. Five couples will dance the Cha Cha and four couples are dancing the Waltz.
The winning couple, as selected by the audience, will have money donated to the charity of their choice.
A few of the featured "Stars" include Jim Jacobs from the CHP and his wife Joleen, Jeff Costello from Mt Brow Winery and his wife Cindy who works for Columbia Elementary, Chet White who heads transportation for Sonora High School and his wife Holly Chandler White who is a local nurse.
The event benefits Omega Nu and the Kiwanis of Sonora. Each dance couple will also raise money for the charity they have selected to dance for.
Individual seats or full tables can be bought. Call (209) 694-0259 or visit Joans Boutique in downtown Sonora for tickets.
More information can be found at http://www.dwtcs.com
The "Newsmaker of the Day" can be heard each weekday morning at 6:47, 7:47 and 8:47 on AM-1450 KVML.
Written by mark@mlode.com
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