The Union Democrat

THURSDAY 11:51 a.m., Arnold — A found dog was returned to owner on the 1800 block of Tamarack. 12:32 p.m., Valley Springs — An online theft was reported at the 2200 block of Lake View Circle. Full Story »

To the editor: While many of us were in our homes, out of the cold, cold weather, our loyal PG&E crews were struggling to get our power on. After a long day and night — success at last! You are unsung heroes — thank you, thank you, thank you! Full Story »

Jamestown resident Lelana Jo (Ligtenberg) Randall died Dec. 9 at Sonora Regional Medical Center. She was 69. Ms. Randall was born in Chicago, Ill. and lived in Jamestown for 10 years. She worked as a travel agent at Heritage Travel in Sonora for 35 years. Full Story »

The Ridge at Trinitas golf course is going to trial. Calaveras County Superior Court Judge Grant Barrett set an April 22 trial date for a suit by owners Michael and Michelle Nemee alleging the county failed to properly prepare the development’s environmental impact report. Full Story »

Tuolumne County suffered its first H1N1, or swine flu, death this month. The victim, who was 60 and suffered from other medical illnesses, died of complications from the flu after being hospitalized, said Dr. Todd Stolp, county public health officer. Full Story »

In a move that county Public Works Director Peter Rei says is long overdue, the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors approved a $11.7 million road project priority list. Topping the list is the widening of Mono Way from Greenley Road to Fir Drive in Sonora. Clocking in at No. 2 is the widening of Highway 108 to five lanes from Fifth Avenue in Jamestown to the south entrance of Main Street. Full Story »

A fire broke out at the Bombay Indian Restaurant this morning, resulting in a 1.5-hour firefight that left the building destroyed. Full Story »

The Angels Camp City Council has several items on the agenda for its next meeting. Among the highlights are a scheduled presentation on the city’s 2010 sewer rehabilitation project, the consideration of accepting streets in the Greenhorn Creek development into the city road system, and an update on an abatement order issued for the downtown Lode Hotel. Full Story »

The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors could ink a resolution Tuesday asking federal officials to pursue long-considered plans that could result in development at the west end of New Melones Reservoir. But some worry that the move — if it comes to fruition, likely years down the road — could develop Copperopolis at the expense of Angels Camp, the county’s sole incorporated city. Full Story »

A Saturday morning fire caused moderate damage to the home of Frank and Colleen Latronico, on the 23000 block of Cresta Drive, in Twain Harte. The Latronicos had left the house before the fire was noticed. Full Story »

The Jamestown house that caught fire Wednesday has been burglarized twice since flames forced the family from its home, Tuolumne County Sheriff’s officials said. Owner Adair Biernacka returned to his home Wednesday morning, the day after the fire, to discover that his closet had been opened and rummaged through. Biernacka reported the burglary at 10:24 a.m. He did not know if anything had been ... Full Story »

The Calaveras Redskins defeated Bret Harte 57-50 on Saturday night in Angels Camp to capture the championship of the Bret Harte Invitational Basketball Tournament. “Overall, I was pretty pleased with how we handled their press,” said Redskin head coach Kraig Clifton. “It was the first time we were pressed all year.” Full Story »

The Tuolumne County Elementary wrestling meet was held Saturday at the Oak Pavilion in Columbia. Joey Johnson, of Sonora Elementary, (top, on top) tries to get the advantage on Alex Barnes of Soulsbyville Elementary. Full Story »

To the editor: We live just below the “snow line.” That is, most of the time. When the storm dips lower, we need lots of help to keep equilibrium. In the recent storm, our home was without power for 40 hours, resulting in no heat, no light, no water (on an electrical pump), and no way to cook. Full Story »

WEDNESDAY 8:11 a.m., Jamestown — A woman on the 10300 block of Willow Street reported identification and a set of clothing missing. She found the ID, but the fuschia exercise outfit is still missing. Full Story »

Janice Marie Belardes Brodeur died Nov. 26 at Sonora Regional Medical Center of a massive stroke. She was 82. Full Story »

Construction will start soon on new hangars at Columbia Airport. On Thursday, the Columbia Area Planning Commission approved construction of four new aircraft storage buildings totaling 44,520 square feet. Full Story »

The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday is set to consider sending a letter to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation regarding the agency’s upcoming management plan for New Melones Reservoir. The letter, which was still being finalized as of Friday afternoon, will be included as part of the public comment process for the plan’s environmental impact report. The deadline to comment is Jan. 4 ... Full Story »

Several feet of snow dumped on the Sierra just in time for a successful opening to the 2009-10 season for snow play enthusiasts and employees alike. Some 5 feet of snow was expected to fall by today from the series of storms that began last week. Full Story »

Sonora High School senior volleyball star Hanah Blume was named 2009 Co-Most Valuable Player of the Valley Oak League. “I’m proud of Hanah,” said senior teammate Ashley Pittman. “It meant a lot to her and she wanted to get this.” Blume shared the honor with Oakdale’s Jaci Powell. Full Story »

This week’s heavy snowfall has given area ski, snowboard and sledding resorts an early Christmas present. Dodge Ridge Winter Sports Area, off Highway 108 near Pinecrest, will open Friday, while Bear Valley Mountain Resort, off Highway 4 just east of Calaveras County, will be open Saturday and Sunday and then seven days a week starting Dec. 18. Leland High Sierra Snowplay, a snow tubing park off ... Full Story »

The Sonora Wildcat boys’ basketball team lost to Pitman 44-41 Tuesday night at Bud Castle Gymnasium. “We let one get away tonight,” said Wildcat head coach Rick Francis. “They’re a good team, but we’re really struggling shooting the basketball right now. We know how to shoot, but it’s a mental thing right now.” Sonora shot 16-for-45 from the floor (36 percent) including 4-for-19 from 3-point ... Full Story »

Summerville High School junior quarterback Zach Roberson was named 2009 Most Valuable Player of the Mother Lode League. “Well,” said Bears head coach Ben Watson, “it was a pretty easy choice for the guys (MLL coaches). As soon as we walked in the room to decide, they all felt that Zach was the league’s MVP — the guy that most helped make our stuff go.” The Bears won the league championship with ... Full Story »

“It was a 48-minute war,” said Placer head coach Joey Montoya. The Sonora Wildcat football team did everything but win the game Friday night against Placer in the semifinals of the Division IV Sac-Joaquin Section Championships. The Wildcats played their game and were successful. “Sonora did a great job of ball-controlling us,” said Montoya. Sonora’s rushing attack outgained the Hillmen 292-195 ... Full Story »

Tuolumne County has a higher suicide rate than the average in California and the nation, said Bea Readel, director of the Tuolumne County Behavioral Health Department. According to a study done between the years of 1990 and 2006, Tuolumne County saw nearly twice the number of suicides in the 20-to-24 age range than the rest of the nation — 12 per 100,000 people nationally and 21 per 100,000 in ... Full Story »