https://www.mymotherlode.com The Mother Lode's Local News, Sports, Weather, Movies, Classifieds, Yellow Pages, Real Estate Wed, 20 Jun 2018 04:28:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/373208/prepare-be-safe-in-this-weekends-triple-digit-heat.html Tue, 19 Jun 2018 23:14:37 +0000 Tori James https://www.mymotherlode.com/?p=373208 Tuolumne County's chief health officer says when high heat is in the wings, such as it is for Friday and the weekend ahead, it bears re-emphasizing best practices to deal with it. more →]]> Dress To Stay Cool Before going outside, he stresses the importance of dressing for the weather. "People should be wearing clothing that is light [colored], light-weight...wear a hat, [especially] people like myself with not so much hair anymore," he says with a half-chuckle. He adds, "You should certainly be using sunscreen if you are going to be spending a lot of time outside." While not altogether eschewing the desire of some for a summer tan, he ruefully shares, "As someone who spent nearly 20 years in tropical countries and has have had a couple of sun-damaged areas of my own skin, I am really careful about that these days and I think people should think 'prevention' and use the higher SPF factor products." When enjoying the outdoors, Bernstein advises, make sure to hydrate. If walking or hiking around take a time out to swim if you can. "Pace yourself, drink 16 to 30 ounces of water or other liquids [not alcohol] if you are going to be out and active in the heat," he cautions. Also, consider less rigorous activities during the hottest parts of the day. How To Avoid Heat Illness He further advises if you or someone you are with develops dizziness, headache, flushed skin or nausea it could be heat illness, aka heat exhaustion. Heat strokes happen when a person exposed to extreme heat loses the ability to maintain a normal body temperature. It can lead to confusion, unconsciousness and even be fatal so it is important to contact one's primary care physician or a health care provider for help if these instances occur. For folks without access to air conditioning, Dr. Bernstein suggests cooling off inside public buildings like the Tuolumne County Library branches, which are available during regular business hours. The Main Library on Greenley Road is open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. For other library hours, call 209 533-5507. The Tuolumne County Senior Center, also on Greenley Road, is open weekdays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. except on holidays. For more details call 209 533-2622. In the event of a prolonged heat emergency, Bernstein says provisions will be made to provide additional resources.]]> https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/372282/new-state-data-shows-strong-vaccine-rates.html Wed, 13 Jun 2018 22:36:29 +0000 Tracey Petersen https://www.mymotherlode.com/?p=372282 The figures indicate that immunization legislation implemented two years ago is working, according to the law's author. more →]]> here.]]> https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/371784/sullivan-creek-given-all-clear-after-sewage-spill.html Sat, 09 Jun 2018 00:32:06 +0000 Tracey Petersen https://www.mymotherlode.com/?p=371784 Although it was determined that the waterway was not contaminated, signs were posted for the public to keep out. more →]]> here. The problem arose when the private side of a sewage line was blocked prior to interfacing with the TUD main line, according to Tuolumne County Environmental Health officials.  At the time, contamination warning signs were put up as a precaution by the department until a determination that there was no sewage overflow could be made. Health officials returned to the creek today and found the steps taken to correct the pipe problem worked. They gave the all clear for the warning signs to come down allowing the public to once again swim, drink, fish or carry out any recreational activities near or in the water. However, health official do advise anyone utilizing the creek to wash their hands or any floating devices or toys after swimming.]]> https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/371656/raising-community-awareness-about-elder-abuse.html Fri, 08 Jun 2018 17:16:45 +0000 B.J. Hansen https://www.mymotherlode.com/?p=371656 144 flags are up in front of Adventist Health Sonora to signify the number of victims of Elder Abuse in Tuolumne County last year. more →]]> https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/371232/dignity-health-thanks-calaveras-voters.html Wed, 06 Jun 2018 23:36:24 +0000 Tracey Petersen https://www.mymotherlode.com/?p=371232 Measure A easily passed in last night’s primary election. more →]]> here, in January the Mark Twain Health Care District (MTHCD) board to passed two resolutions; one pertaining to the terms of a new Dignity agreement and the other resulted in placing Measure A on the ballot.]]> https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/369643/a-statewide-spike-in-sexually-transmitted-diseases.html Wed, 30 May 2018 22:33:09 +0000 Tracey Petersen https://www.mymotherlode.com/?p=369643 The jump in Mother Lode numbers has health officials sounding the alarm. more →]]> here for details.]]> https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/365971/experts-warn-rattlesnake-season-on-a-roll-this-year.html Thu, 17 May 2018 21:58:03 +0000 Tori James https://www.mymotherlode.com/?p=365971 Sonora, CA – It appears the rattlesnake population in the Mother Lode is rearing its head for an unusually active season. Rattlesnakes are normally out and about from April through October. However, due to a rising number of calls for … more →]]> Bites Beginning To Occur Locally As of last week, health officers in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties had not yet heard reports from local hospitals to alert the public. But Amador County Health Officer Dr. Rita Kerr posted a notice this past week because Amador Sutter Hospital admitted two patients for anti-venom treatment after they suffered bites in separate incidents. Kerr adds there is speculation that there may be more rattlesnakes this year due to the late wet spring and more rodents, their main food source. Because they can be fatal, rattlesnake bites should receive immediate medical treatment for symptoms that can range from painful swelling and or bruising to tissue damage and bleeding issues. Victims may experience nausea, swelling in the mouth and throat making it difficult to breathe, drooling, muscle-twitching and/or lightheadedness. In some cases they might collapse or fall into shock in rare cases. Oddly, some human victims report a metal or minty taste in their mouth. Kerr says rattlesnake bite victims should remain calm, remove jewelry and constrictive clothing and refrain from running. If bitten on a limb, immobilize it in a level position at or below heart level. Do NOT cut or suck the bite area -- or apply ice or a tourniquet. Animals Already Getting Nailed Of course, pets are also at risk. This reporter’s naturally curious Australian shepherd-terrier mix recently spent the night at Angels Camp Veterinary Clinic while Dr. Alyssa Thomas gave him the canine version of the anti-venom treatment. While we did not witness his rattlesnake encounter, we quickly recognized something was wrong. He had trouble breathing, became completely listless and had dark gunk on his snout that turned out to be blood from twin oozing wounds about a half-inch apart. She shares that the clinic had already treated several animals for rattlesnake bites since April 1 and that bite cases generally turn up earlier in the season at vets' offices than in the hospital ERs. Our boy Bodhi, who we rushed in for treatment within two hours of his bite, rebounded nicely; our wallet however is still feeling the bite of a $1,700 emergency treatment bill due to the pricey cost ($960!) of the required anti-venom serum. Besides looking out for our pets and kids, experts say best prevention practices are to take precautions when outdoors. Avoid looking under rocks, disturbing woodpiles or kicking loose brush and bushes where snakes may quietly lie. They are most active at dawn and dusk. However, since rattlesnakes do not always make a rattling sound, be aware you could stand next to one and not even be aware it is there. More Common Sense Prevention Tips • Wear boots and long pants when moving through areas where snakes may reside • Stay away from underbrush and tall weeds and travel along trails and paths • Do not touch or disturb a snake, even if it appears dead • Carefully inspect logs or rocks before sitting on over stepping over them. • Never visit remote areas alone and have someone along who can assist in an emergency • Teach children to respect snakes and to leave them alone • Consider a rattlesnake vaccine and/or avoidance training for your dog(s)]]> https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/365761/tuolumne-county-receives-99-cents-store-settlement-money.html Wed, 16 May 2018 16:19:33 +0000 B.J. Hansen https://www.mymotherlode.com/?p=365761 Sonora, CA — District Attorney Laura Krieg says settlement money came to Tuolumne County as part of a wide ranging environmental lawsuit that was filed against the 99-cents store. At yesterday’s board of supervisors meeting Krieg noted that the county … more →]]> https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/364225/adventist-health-sonora-gets-new-rural-health-director.html Thu, 10 May 2018 23:08:02 +0000 Tori James https://www.mymotherlode.com/?p=364225 Sonora, CA — The rural health clinics at Adventist Health Sonora have a new chief. Hospital officials today announce Adventist Health is bringing on Dr. Ado Leporati, a board certified internist from Southern California who shares that he and his … more →]]> A Focus On Facilitating Tests, Screenings Dr. Leporati plans to assess what is going well at the rural health clinics to help improve community health. The clinics, which include primary, pediatric, dental and specialty care, are dedicated to serving individuals and families with Medi-Cal. Leporati says he is focused on helping patients receive the tests and screenings they need to maintain and improve their health and has a special interest in endocrine diseases, especially diabetes. Other areas of focus include heart health, women’s health and cancer prevention. “I see Adventist Health as really providing needed and heartfelt work in an ethical and moral way,” Dr. Leporati states. He adds “The focus is about helping people and I look forward to contributing and being a part it.” Sharing that he has dedicated his life to helping people by caring for patients, he says, “I have seen miraculous things happen. I have the opportunity to apply a skill that might help someone. I am inspired when I see patients get better. People can enjoy their lives and have more possibilities by achieving a healthy life.”]]> https://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/363195/relay-for-life-sets-pace-for-20th-running-this-weekend.html Thu, 03 May 2018 23:54:42 +0000 Tori James https://www.mymotherlode.com/?p=363195 Sonora, CA — Relay For Life of Tuolumne County organizers are setting an ambitious pace for the event’s 20th annual running this weekend. Spokesperson Morgan Vaughn confides they have set a hopeful local goal of raising $45,000 for cancer research and … more →]]> Activities, Music, Lights!  Sound Extreme DJ music and hourly activities for the teams that the public can participate in are also part of the event, she says. Black Oak Resort and Casino has also arranged for the band Burn Permit to perform in the late afternoon and during the taco dinner. On Saturday night, following the Luminaria ceremony, the gates will close at 10 p.m. to those not participating in the relay. However, they will reopen early Sunday ahead of the closing ceremonies at 8:30. Vaughn says things are tracking well for this year's relay with over 140 participants and 30 survivors registered and more than $22,600 already raised. "We usually rake in about $20,000 during the 24-hour event," she estimates. Last year's event raised $36,000 between 200 registrants and attending members of the public. The American Cancer Society no longer has a Calaveras County Relay event, due to insufficient turnout; so Vaughn encourages anyone there or in any other surrounding counties to come out. As she puts it, "Cancer never sleeps…does not discriminate so we would like to open the event to as many people as possible." For more details and ways to volunteer or donate, click here.]]>