Local News
11/06/2009
No Injuries From Sonora Residential Fire
Sonora, CA -- Officials are investigating the cause of a home fire that started during the six o'clock hour Friday evening along N. Shepherd St. in Sonora.
Sonora Fire Chief Mike Barrows says, "When the units arrived on scene the fire was coming out the front door and had already extended to the attic."
There were no injuries, as Barrows says no one was in the home when the fire started. The fire caused extensive damage to the home.
Written by bjhansen@mlode.com.
Residential Fire Reported In Sonora
Sonora, CA -- There is a residential structure fire on North Shepherd St. in Sonora near the intersection of E. Dodge.
Firefighters are on scene, so you will want to avoid that area if possible as of 6:20pm.
Written by bjhansen@mlode.com.
San Andreas Escaped Debris Burn
San Andreas, CA -- Officials are working to extinguish an escaped debris burn off Gold Strike Rd. in San Andreas.
It is approximately two acres and located on the San Andreas Sanitary District property. No structures are known to be in danger.
Updated at 5:30pm: The fire is contained.
Written by bjhansen@mlode.com.
Sonora, CA -- The Tuolumne County District Attorney's Office says that 19-year-old Jesse Daniel Burkett of Sonora has been charged with a felony count of carjacking for allegedly forcing a woman out of her car on November 2nd and stealing the vehicle.
The incident occurred around 10:30pm in the Sonora Crossroads Shopping Center. 20-year-old Duston Paul Jacobson and an identified juvenile female were arrested with Burkett when the vehicle was pulled over by the Modesto Police Department the following day.
No charges have been filed against Jacobson. The juvenile had a jurisdictional hearing continued until November 10th.
Written by bjhansen@mlode.com.
Sacramento, CA -- 1st District Republican State Senator Dave Cox feels the comprehensive water package approved in the legislature too heavily benefits southern California.
"What we essentially saw was north against south, as all of the southern delegates voted for the package and most all of the northern delegates voted against it," says Cox. "I was concerned about many of the items that were in the package. For example the aspect of conservation, there are some who will be asked to provide a conservation level of five percent and others at 20 percent. It didn't seem right to me that you can say to Los Angeles, Long Beach and Santa Ana that there won't be any conservation in your area, but there will be for everybody else."
Cox also feels that the package was rushed through the legislature without proper time for lawmakers to go over the specifics. Nearly $2 billion in earmarks were added to the package in the final hours to ensure that it would pass through both houses of the legislature.
"I believe that the bond is like a Christmas tree that had items placed in just to get someone's vote," adds Cox. "A hundred million here and a hundred million there."
Cox has written a letter to Governor Schwarzenegger asking him to veto the package. If it is signed by the Governor, it will go before voters in 2010.
Written by bjhansen@mlode.com.
Duffield To Depart Sonora Regional Medical Center
Sonora, CA -- Effective January 6, 2010 Doug Duffield will be leaving his position as Vice President for Business Planning and Marketing at Sonora Regional Medical Center to accept another position within the Adventist Healthcare System.
Duffield has accepted the position of Chief Operating Officer at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, a 154 bed acute care, not for profit hospital.
During Duffield's nearly five years at S.R.M.C. the medical center has dramatically expanded its services in the areas of Oncology, Heart and Vascular, Diagnostic Imaging and Rural Health Clinic Services.
Born in Portland, Oregon Duffield completed the business plan to develop the state of the art Sonora Regional Imaging Center and Women's Center. Additionally he led the expansion of the Sonora Regional Cancer Center by developing a hospital owned Radiation Oncology Service.
Duffield was also an integral part of the team that dealt with the transition of healthcare when the county closed Tuolumne General Hospital June 30, 2007.
Duffield also developed business expansion plans for wound care, surgical services and prison initiatives. In addition Duffield provided executive leadership for Diagnostic Imaging, Cardiac Cath Lab, Business Planning, Marketing and Development Departments.
Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com
Ridge At Trinitas Files Claim Against Calaveras County
Valley Springs, CA -- The owners of the Ridge at Trinitas have filed what could become a third lawsuit against Calaveras County.
The claim is for "unlimited damages." States co-owner Mike Nemee, "We've been denied our right to due process which is in the claim. Not only that we've been harmed to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. That's why the damage claim is unlimited. How do you put a price on ruining your entire life and your future?"
Nemee says the county actually encouraged them to continue construction of the 18 hole layout south of Wallace and even sent a county employee to help them secure a $2.4 million loan from the Community Bank of San Andreas. In addition the county has been taxing the property (approximately $60,000 a year) since 2005.
Nemee and his wife Michelle have already filed two lawsuits against the Calaveras County. Those are being handled by their attorney Ken Foley.
Nemee adds the course is open for play. "87 percent of those who come here to play golf and tour the olive orchards would like to stay on site but at this point they can only play golf and buy olive oil.
Our project was listed in the federal stimulus package to secure 30 plus million dollars for Calaveras County and that apparently didn't mean anything. It's really disappointing."
In addition to a clubhouse and pro shop, the Nemees were planning on building a 30 unit lodging facility.
Recently the Board of Supervisors upheld a Planning Commission decision by a 3-2 vote to close the operation. The Nemees responded by filing for Chapter 11 protection to avoid having their property placed on the auction block.
Click GOLF JUNKYS for a recently posted interview with Ridge at Trinitas co-owner Mike Nemee.
Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com
Week 9 Arrives For The Prep Football Season
Sonora, CA -- The ninth week of the prep football season is coming up this evening.
7-1 Sonora will be hosting 2-3 Weston Ranch. The Wildcats are 4-1 in VOL play and tied for second place with Sierra. The 'Cats will be going after their third win in a row.
7-1 Summerville High continues to lead with Mother Lode League with a 3-0 record. The Bears will put their six game winning streak on the line this evening when they travel to meet cellar dwelling Amador.
3-5 Bret Harte will be on the road to meet Linden while 4-4 Calaveras will host Argonaut. Down the road undefeated Oakdale (7-0) will host Sierra.
The Wildcats and Bears broadcasts will be on STAR 92.7 and 93.5 KKBN respectively at seven o'clock. Both games will also be audio streamed on myMotherLode.com.
Law And Justice Center To Be Profiled On Mother Lode Views
Sonora, CA -- An updated look at the proposed Law and Justice Center will be the focus of this weekend's Mother Lode Views.
All three guests, CAO Craig Pedro, Sheriff Jim Mele and Chief Probation Officer Adele Arnold, will comment on the need for a centralized campus for the elements that constitute the criminal justice system in Tuolumne County.
Pedro will also break down the expenses for the Law and Justice Center between the county and the state. Mele will comment on the current outdated jail facility and the need for a new complex, if for nothing else, the safety of his deputies and the inmates. Ms. Arnold will discuss the sociological need for a Juvenile Detention Facility within the county.
Mother Lode Views is aired on AM-1450 KVML at 9:30 Saturday morning and 8:30 Sunday morning. Mother Lode Views can also be heard on 93.5 KKBN at 8am Sunday and an hour later on STAR 92.7.
If by chance you miss one of the broadcasts click onto myMotherLode.com and select MULTIMEDIA, then AUDIO, then MOTHER LODE VIEWS.
Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com
$18 Vehicle Fee Proposed To Save CA State Parks
An exploratory committee comprised of parks supporters, earlier this week filed a proposed statewide ballot measure, called the "California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010," which would, in theory, create a stable source of funding to protect state parks and conserve California wildlife.
The committee, Californians for State Parks and Wildlife Conservation, is currently considering the feasibility of the proposed ballot measure. If it decides to go forward with the initiative and qualify it for the ballot, via signature gathering, the statutory measure would appear on the November 2010 statewide ballot. Early supporters of the proposed ballot measure include California State Parks Foundation, The Nature Conservancy and Save the Redwoods League.
The President of the California State Parks Foundation, Elizabeth Goldstein, was Friday's KVML "Newsmaker of the Day".
California has two hundred seventy eight state parks including Calaveras Big Trees in Arnold and Railtown 1897 in Jamestown.
According to the State Parks Foundation, budget cuts have starved state parks, causing them to accumulate a backlog of more than $1 billion in needed maintenance and repairs.
Earlier this year, state parks were on the brink of being shut down. Only last minute budget reprieves have kept them open. But nearly 60 state parks will be shut down part time or their hours of operation reduced because of this year's budget cuts, and more park closure proposals and budget cuts are expected after June 30, 2010.
"California state parks are in peril because of chronic underfunding," said Goldstein, "This parks measure would create a dedicated funding source to prevent park closures, eliminate a backlog of more than a billion dollars in repairs and properly maintain parks and other natural resources for our children and grandchildren to enjoy."
The ballot measure would protect state parks and conserve wildlife by establishing the State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund in the state treasury where, by law, it could only be spent on state parks, urban river parkways, wildlife, natural lands and ocean conservation programs.
Funding for the Trust Fund would come from an $18 annual State Park Access Pass surcharge on all California vehicles, including motorcycles and recreational vehicles. Larger commercial vehicles, mobile homes and permanent trailers would be exempt. Vehicles subject to the surcharge would receive free, yearround admission to all state parks throughout the year. Californians will no longer pay day use fees at any state parks. In comparison, park visitors currently pay up to $125 for an annual pass or $10 to $15 per day at most parks. Out-of-state vehicles would continue to pay full entrance fees at parks.
The voters' investment would be protected by strict fiscal and accountability safeguards, including an annual audit by the State Auditor and a Citizens' Oversight Committee would be created to ensure funds are spent appropriately. The State Legislature would not be able to reallocate the Trust Fund for any other uses.
State parks attract millions of tourists, who spend $4.32 billion annually on park related expenditures in California, according to a recent study. It found state parks visitors spend an average of $57.63 in surrounding communities per visit. They generate so much economic activity that every dollar the state spends on state parks generates another $2.35 for California's treasury.
The "Newsmaker of the Day" is heard each weekday morning on AM 1450 KVML at 6:46, 7:46 and 8:46am.
Written by mark@mlode.com
