Local News
08/15/2012
Sonora Business Expansion Approved
Sonora, CA - The Sonora Planning Commission voted in favor of the Orchard Supply Hardware store in the Sonora Plaza on Mono Way to expand at a public hearing Monday. The request to remodel and expand the nursery and also get a conditional use permit to allow for outdoor sales and storage was unanimously approved.
Community Development Director Rachelle Kellogg says "Pinocchio's and the Donut Factory will be move to the vacant western wear shop and their current building will be demolished." She adds "It will be replaced by a concrete slab with a fence to house the expanded nursery."
Click here for a map of the site.
1.3 Million For Yosemite Youth Programs
Yosemite, CA -- Yosemite Conservancy will provide $1.3 million to fund Yosemite's many Youth Programs.
This is the first time the Yosemite Conservancy is funding the Parks in Focus program that connects low-income, at-risk and under-served middle school students to nature by combining hands-on camping and photography skills with lessons on ecology, geology and environmental stewardship.
There are nine new and established Youth in Yosemite programs that will benefit from $1.3 million provided by Yosemite Conservancy.
2012 Youth In Yosemite programs are:
- Adventure to Leadership: Youth Development Program with ARC
- Junior Ranger Program Expanded
- Parks In Focus: Youth Photography Program
- Restoring Popular Climbing Trails
- Teens Connect to Yosemite through WildLink
- Tuolumne and Merced Watershed Trails Rehabilitation by CCC Crews
- Wilderness Restoration with SCA Crews
- WildLink Alumni Explore Careers in Yosemite
- Yosemite Leadership Program Summer Internship
- Youth Crews (YCC) Restore Campgrounds, Trails and Habitat
According to Yosemite Conservancy president Mike Tollefson the nine youth programs provide 27 thousand children with the "Yosemite experience".
Tollefson says, "Building the next generation of park stewards is the goal of Youth in Yosemite programs." He notes that, "For some, these programs make it possible for participants to experience their first trip to the park or their first hike, and for others the programs affect educational, career and life choices. Providing funding for these programs opens a whole new world for young people of all ages."
The National Park Service and several nonprofit organizations conduct the programs, which involve the entire range of youth development from ages seven to the early twenties.
In 2012, the California Conservation Corps, Student Conservation Association and Youth Conservation Corps will improve more than 100 miles of trails, install bear-proof food lockers and rehabilitate 400 inappropriate campsites.
Additional details on Youth in Yosemite programs are at www.yosemiteconservancy.org/youth-yosemite
Yosemite Bear Encounters Down, Damage Up
Yosemite, CA -- Apple picking in Yosemite today will help reduce black bear and human contact by eliminating the non-native food source but bears hit by vehicles contrubute to a high damage total this year.
There are two historic apple orchards in Yosemite Valley (in the Curry Village parking area and near the stables) that produce apples which attract bears to highly concentrated visitor use areas. For the 15th consecutive year, the park will conduct an Apple Picking Event, in which park visitors and volunteers are asked to help collect the non-native apples from the trees in the Curry Village orchard. Park staff will be onsite to provide help in picking apples and provide public education and awareness.
Yosemite National Park Spokesperson Kari Cobb says park visitors have done an excellent job with proper food storage, thus severely reducing the availably of human food for bears.
Black bear and human incidents in Yosemite National Park have been reduced approximately 90 percent since 1998. An incident is defined as an interaction between a bear and a person or property. The significant reductions are attributed to an intensive public outreach and education campaign stressing proper food storage. 1998 the biggest year for bear incidents and property damage.
The most recent Yosemite report states that as of July 28th, there have been only 40 reported incidents. In 2011 there were 63 incidents with damage from the encounters estimated at $11,150. This year the damage from the 40 incidents is just over double last year at $22,827.
Thirteen bears were hit by vehicles by the end of July of this year. Four bears were hit in the last week of July along Tioga, Glacier Point, and Wawona Roads. Of the thirteen that were hit, four were confirmed dead. Park officials continue to warn visitors to slow down and drive at the posted speed limit.
Face To Face With A Mountain Lion
San Andreas, CA -- Calaveras County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to the San Andreas Cemetery on Pixley Avenue around 11:30 Tuesday night to check on a person walking around with a flashlight.
While searching the area the deputies came face-to face with a large mountain lion. The mountain lion charged one of the deputies but did not make contact. The animal ended up running away. Sheriff's Officials notified the California Dept. of Fish and Game about the close call.
Sgt. Chris Hewitt warns residents "Be aware of your surroundings and the safety of family members and pets, especially while walking at night." Hewitt says lf you spot the mountain lion don't try to approach it and call 911.
Click here for the area where the big cat was spotted.
Cottage Springs, CA -- The Ramsey Fire is now 1000 acres down from 1250 acres reported earlier by Forest Officials and it is now 15 percent contained.
Forest Officials report the heat and winds continue to fan the flames. They say the heavy smoke and fires continue to cause Highway 4 in Calaveras County to be shut down or one lane closed off intermittently, so motorists will want to find an alternative route this morning. The closed section is along a seven mile stretch from the Cottage Springs Picnic area to the Caltrans Cabbage Patch Service station about 15 miles above Arnold.
Forest Officials say the rate of spread is moderate to high. They say crews will hit the flames from the air and ground today.
Besides the rough terrain, Forest Service Spokesperson Jerry Snyder say bees are causing a problem. He says two firefighters were repeatedly stung by a swarm of bees on Tuesday. They were air lifted to Modesto and treated and released.
Snyder says a fire strike team did their job and the half a dozen homes in the Ganns Meadows area that were threatened are now out of danger. He says containment of the blaze, which started as an escaped campfire, is estimated on August 21st.
Agencies assisting include the Ebbetts Pass Fire District, CAL Fire and the CHP
Cottage Springs, CA -- The Ramsey Fire is now 1250 acres and 10% contained. Forest Officials report the heat and winds continue to fan the flames. They say the heavy smoke and fires continue to cause Highway 4 in Calaveras County to be closed intermittently, so motorists will want to find a alternative route this morning. The closed section is along a seven mile stretch from the Cottage Springs Picnic area to the Caltrans Cabbage Patch Service station about 15 miles above Arnold.
Forest Officials say the rate of spread is moderate to high. They say crews will hit the flames from the air and ground today. Besides the rough terrain, Forest Service Spokesperson Jerry Snyder say bees are causing a problem. He says two firefighters were repeatedly stung by a swarm of bees on Tuesday. They were air lifted to Modesto and treated and released.
Snyder says a fire strike team did their job and the half a dozen homes in the Ganns Meadows area that were threatened are now out of danger. He says containment of the blaze, which started as an escaped campfire, is estimated on August 21st.
Agencies assisting include the Ebbetts Pass Fire District, CAL Fire and the CHP
Film Festival Twain Harte Returns For 2nd Year
Twain Harte, CA -- Businesses are hoping that Labor Day weekend's Film Festival in Twain Harte will provide another boost to the local economy.
Film Fest President, Founder and Program Director Zack Gold was Wednesday's KVML "Newsmaker of the Day".
The event, also founded last year by Twain Harte resident Roger Haughton, will draw film goers and industry officials to the Mother Lode from Friday August 31st through Monday September 3rd.
Gold notes that the idea for the festival got off the ground in 2011 when he and others were looking for ways to help the Twain Harte community following a hard winter. He notes that business was slow for a few months partly due to prolonged power outages, some lasting for 4-5 days.
Gold, who is an L.A. based actor, says the event caught the eye of many in Hollywood, as 400 films have been submitted this year for consideration. Fifty films have been selected for the Festival. Most are independently produced, and have a small budget. "For many of these films it will be the West Coast premiere, and for some a world premiere," notes Gold.
Organizers say most of the films selected will be "family friendly." It is noted that some of the event proceeds will benefit Connections Academy at Summerville High School, and a select group of students may have the opportunity to show their work at the event.
Films are scheduled to be shown at the American Legion Hall, the Twain Harte Golf Course and the Twain Harte School campus.
For additional details on the Film Fest Twain Harte click http://www.filmfesttwainharte.com/
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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