Groveland Fire Update

The Graham fire in Groveland is at 81 acres and 85% contained.

Crews are continuing to extinguish hotspots and improve containment lines around the fire perimeter with mop up 300’ into the fire’s interior. Concurrently, fire suppression repair is being actively performed. However, very steep and rugged terrain remains a cause of concern for firefighter safety. This incident is being transitioned back to the responsibility of the local CAL FIRE Unit.

Skillbuilder Workshop

Temps slowly climbing this week

• 7-30-12
• Today Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 8 mph in the morning.
• Tonight Clear, with a low around 61. West northwest wind 6 to 10 mph becoming north northeast after midnight.
• Tuesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.
• Tuesday Night Clear, with a low around 62. North northwest wind around 9 mph.
• Wednesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. North wind 5 to 9 mph becoming west in the morning.
• Wednesday Night Clear, with a low around 62.
• Thursday Sunny and hot, with a high near 98.
• Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 59.
• Friday Sunny and hot, with a high near 98.
• Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 58.

Dawn on Lake Tulloch - photos

 

Youngs IGA supporting the Wounded Warrior Project

Youngs Payless IGA is a proud sponsor of the Wounded Warrior Project. The projects mission statement is:

To foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation's history.

• To raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members.
• To help injured service members aid and assist each other.
• To provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members.

Honor the Fallen 7-19-12 to 7-24-12

Army Spc. Darrion T. Hicks

Died July 19, 2012 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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21, of Raleigh, N.C.; assigned to 54th Engineer Battalion, 18th Engineer Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Bamberg, Germany; died July 19 in Ghazni, Afghanistan; from injuries caused by an improvised explosive device. 

 

Army Pfc. Jeffrey L. Rice

Died July 19, 2012 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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24, of Troy, Ohio, ssigned to 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas; died July 19, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of unspecified causes.

 

Navy Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Michael J. Brodsky

Died July 21, 2012 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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33, of Tamarac, Fla.; assigned to Navy Region Southwest Security Detachment, San Diego; died July 21 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, from injuries caused by an improvised explosive device.

 

Army Staff Sgt. Brandon R. Pepper

Died July 21, 2012 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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31, of York, Pa.; assigned to 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 21 in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, of unspecified causes.
 

Pfc. Brenden N. Salazar

Died July 22, 2012 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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Army Pfc. Brenden N. Salazar, 20, of Chuluota, Fla., died July 22 in Puli Alam, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Caserma Ederle, Italy.

Spc. Justin L. Horsley

Died July 22, 2012 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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Army Spc. Justin L. Horsley, 21, of Palm Bay, Fla., died July 22 in Puli Alam, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Caserma Ederle, Italy. 

 

Sgt. Justin M. Hansen

Died July 24, 2012 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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Marine Sgt. Justin M. Hansen, 26, of Traverse City, Mich., died July 24 in Badghis province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations. He was assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Pfc. Adam C. Ross

Died July 24, 2012 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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Army Pfc. Adam C. Ross, 19, of Lyman, S.C., died July 24, in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by small-arms fire. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy.

Turning up the heat again

• 7-28-12
• Enjoy the mild weather weekend as things will start to heat up again this coming week.
•  
• 
  
• Monday Sunny and hot, with a high near 96.
• Monday Night Clear, with a low around 60.
• Tuesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
• Tuesday Night Clear, with a low around 60.
• Wednesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 96.
• Wednesday Night Clear, with a low around 60.

Inmate Dies at Sierra Conservation Center

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the death of an inmate early this morning at the Sierra Conservation Center  in Jamestown.
CDCR Officials report the inmate, 47 year old Daniel Gonzales, died of an apparent suicide in his cell. They say Gonzales was alone in his cell at the time of his death.
Gonzales entered the CDCR on April 19, 2007 from Tehama County, California to serve a 10 year and 4 month sentence for Assault with force with great bodily injury.
He was scheduled to parole in November 2014.

Source mymotherlode.com

What the SRA Fire Prevention Fee means to Copper Residents

The following is the states presentation on the SRA fee:

'The State Responsibility Area (SRA) Fire Prevention Benefit Fee was enacted following the signing of Assembly Bill X1 29 in July 2011. The law approved the new annual Fire Prevention Fee to pay for fire prevention services within the SRA. The fee is applied to all habitable structures within the SRA.
The fee is levied at the rate of $150 per habitable structure, which is defined as a building that can be occupied for residential use. Owners of habitable structures who are also within the boundaries of a local fire protection agency will receive a reduction of $35 per habitable structure.
This fee will fund a variety of important fire prevention services within the SRA including brush clearance and activities to improve forest health so the forest can better withstand wildfire.'

According to Daniel Berlant PIO CalFire, residents of Copperopolis that reside within the Copperopolis Fire Protection District are eligible for the $35.00 reduction on the assesment fee.

Californians should see the first wave of bills, sent by the Board of Equalization, by the second week of August.

Murphys Fire Update

7-28-12 7:30 pm
134 acres 100% contained.

7-28-12 7:30 am Update:
134 acres 90% contained.
Expected containment today.

7-27-12 7:00 pm
134 acres 80% contained.
Expected containment 7-28-12.

Tactical Handgun class discount

Calaveras Tactical is offering a promotional deal to those that wish to attend the Level 1 Tactical Handgun class on SUnday July 29, 2012. 50% off!!!! The next 6 people will get the class for $50.00. Register soon, the class is Sunday morning at 0800!

 

For more information visit    http://calaverastactical.com/

CalFire press release re: Evacuation warning lifted, Graham Incident

San Andreas – As of 2:00 PM, Friday, July 27, 2012, the Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services and the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Department in conjunction with CAL FIRE, has lifted the Evacuation Warning for the Clements Road area of Pine Mountain Lake east of Groveland.  The Evacuation Warning was issued yesterday, Thursday, July 26, 2012, at approximately 9:00 AM, as a precautionary safety measure for approximately 20 homes toward the end of Clements Road due to increased fire activity on the Graham Incident.  The Graham Incident started Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at approximately 3:10 PM, and has burned 100 acres, and is 20% contained.  As a reminder residents should remain vigilant and immediately report any smoke or fire seen outside containment lines.

Sheriff Dept Press release re:Five Arrested After Probationary Compliance Search

(San Andreas, CA) On July 27, 2012 at 7:30 A.M.investigators from the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office conducted a probation compliance check on Eric Gabriel Sosa (34) of San Andreas at a residence on the 300 block of Russell Road in San Andreas. Suspect Sosa, along with Leah Ruth Robitaille (29) of Burson, Curtis John Kesterson (33) of Burson, Jason Wesley Andahl (28) of Mokelumne Hill, and Amber Hawthorne (30) of San Andreas, were ultimately arrested at the scene.

Letter from Lungren re:Energy Solution to Nation's Needs

California consistently sees the highest gas prices in the nation and gas prices nationwide continue to trend upward.  In January 2009, the average gallon of gasoline cost $1.67.  Today the same gallon will cost the average American more than double its value less than four years ago: $3.44.  And that is still a deal compared to the $3.81 we are paying in California!  In case you’ve forgotten the days when we paid $1 for a gallon – this dramatic increase is not a pattern the United States has experienced.  Eight years ago in January, a gallon of gasoline was $1.75, 12 years ago it was $1.38, and 16 years ago it was $1.22. 

Sierra Repertory Theater Presents ' There Goes the Bride'

There Goes the Bride is a madcap race to the altar for the Westerby family. The father-of-the-bride tries to handle his daughter’s wedding arrangements while juggling his frenetic advertising business. After a bump on the head, he meets a beautiful and rambunctious 1920’s Flapper, but only he can see her. Compounding his problems are his intrepid wife, a critical mother-in-law, his hard-of-hearing father-in-law, a sarcastic business partner and a suspicious father-of-the groom. This warm comedy is full of laughs. "I found myself surrendering to the ceaseless bombardment of familiar nonsense laughing outright." London Daily Mail. 

For ticket info visit  http://sierrarep.com/

Prime Rib tonight at the Old Corner 7-27-12

Board of Supervisors 7-24-12 meeting video

BOS 7-24-12 VIDEO

Video of Calaveras Planning Commission meetings and Calaveras Board of Supervisor’s meetings graciously supplied by Calaveras Public Access and accessed though the Community Action Project.

Bear Valley Music Festival Opens this weekend

7-27-12
For more information visit http://www.bearvalleymusicfestival.org/

Motherlode VW Club - VW SHow and Swap meet 7-28-12

Saturday, July 28, 2012 12th Annual Mother Lode VW Show & Swap Meet Utica Park, Angels Camp, California

The Mother Lode Volkswagen Club would love to again invite everyone to the beautiful Mother Lode. Utica Park is lined with large, shady trees and has a terrific playground for the kids. Bring the whole family!
There is no pre-registration for car show or swap meet participants. First come, first served. Show cars will be parked on the grass in the park. Swap meet booths will be located in the parking lot, so you are encouraged to bring something to shade you from the sun.
GATES OPEN AT 7:00 A.M.   

Weekend Weather

• 7-27-12
• Friday Sunny, with a high near 89. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.
• Friday Night Clear, with a low around 55. North northwest wind 8 to 11 mph.
• Saturday Sunny, with a high near 92. North wind 5 to 8 mph becoming west in the morning.
• Saturday Night Clear, with a low around 57.
• Sunday Sunny, with a high near 95.
• Sunday Night Clear, with a low around 57.

To Dine or Not to Dine...

This week I have chosen Bristols' Ranch House Cafe in Arnold.

If you have read my To Dine or Not to Dine articles before you can probably surmise that I thoroughly enjoy dining out...anyone else cooking for me and then washing the dishes, is far and away the best! So suffice it to say when I visit a place where I walk in and am greeted like family, treated like family and fed like family...I know I have found home! Bristol's Ranch House Cafe is home.

After discovering the serene beauty of Whitepines Lake while on a photo hunt for new views to see through my lens, I had worked up an appetite. After all, sitting on a white sand beach, my feet sunk in the sand, watching the kayakers and ducks paddle through the crystal clear water and the fishermen casting again and again, had me exhausted! Dragging myself to my car I ask a local enjoying an early lunch on a nearby picnic bench where I might stop for a nice bite to eat. Bristols was the first and only restaurant that came to mind. Bristols it was.

Located right on Hwy 4, you would think it would be easy to spot, but ha, its wood cabin exterior nestled into the pines may cause you to miss it..so keep your eyes open. When you pull into the parking lot its much like pulling into a campground. Squirrels, birds and pine needles everywhere! I entered the door and was instantly greeted by the owner Richard who had been sitting with a customer chatting. Quickly seated with menu in hand and coffee on the table I perused the menu. As it was morning the menu offered everything you could want for a hearty country breakfast. An elderly lady at the table next to me leaned over and whispered...'try the biscuits and gravy, they're the best, I come each week just for that!' I took a look at her plate...wiped clean. I took a look at her frail frame and wondered just where she had put all that food.

Not able to make up my mind I watched as plate after plate of food appeared from the kitchen and was delivered with friendly chatter to the tables. Watching the plates made my decision even more difficult as the omelets were bursting at the seams with vegetables, meats and cheeses. The biscuits and gravy servings were so huge I was surprised it fit on the plate. I was pretty sure my ever widening rear was not going to appreciate what I was going to order, but I did it anyway. Oddly enough I ordered a Belgian waffle with seasonal berries.

Poll results

7-27-12
Poll question:
Will you vote in the November 6, 2012 election?
28 votes cast

28 yes
0 no
0 not sure

Groveland Fire Update from CalFire

GRAHAM FIRE

Incident Update

7-26-12, 6:30 PM

www.fire.ca.gov

Fire Information Line: (209) 754-5527

Location:

Near the community of Groveland

County:

Tuolumne

                                                                 

Acres:

100 Acres

% Containment:

20 %

Start Date & Time:

7-25-2012, 3:10 PM

Expected Containment:

7-30-2012

Injuries:

1

Cause:

Under Investigation

Structures Threatened:

20

Structures Destroyed:

0

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT ASSIGNED:

Fire Engines:

43

Fire Crews:

19

Bulldozers:

4

                                                                                               

Airtankers:

3

Helicopters:

6

Water Tenders:

5

                                                                                               

Total Personnel:

514

                                                                                          

                                 

Current Situation: Crews will continue to secure containment lines; however, very steep and rugged terrain is a cause of concern for firefighter safety.

                 

Evacuations: An evacuation warning was issued for Clements Rd, from Cliffton Way to the end of Clements Rd

               

                                 

Road Closures:  None

                 

Cooperating Agencies:   USFS, PG&E, California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, Groveland Community Services District, Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office, Tuolumne County Fire

                 

Additional Information:   The fire is established in an inaccessible area and continues to smolder and creep in the brush, with a possibility of roll out which will involve handcrews taking direct action on the line, with air support for the most difficult terrain.

Penn Fire Update from CalFire

PENN FIRE

Incident Update

7-26-12, 6:30 PM

www.fire.ca.gov

Fire Information Line: (209) 754-5527

Location:

Pennsylvania Gulch Road

County:

Calaveras

                                                                 

Acres:

134 Acres

% Containment:

40%

Start Date & Time:

7-25-12, 3:24 PM

Expected Containment:

7-28-12

Injuries:

1

Cause:

Under  Investigation

Structures Threatened:  12

Structures Destroyed:

1 outbuilding

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT ASSIGNED:

Fire Engines: 35

Fire Crews:

19

Bulldozers:

5

                                                                                               

Airtankers:

4

Helicopters:

4

Water Tenders:

5

                                                                                               

Total Personnel:

424

                                                                                          

                                 

Current Situation: Crews will be working throughout the night to complete and improve fire lines.

                 

Evacuations: None

               

                                 

Road Closures:  None

                 

Cooperating Agencies:  USFS, CHP, CDCR, NPS, Murphys Fire, Calaveras SO, Altaville Melones Fire, Ebbets Pass Fire.

                 

Additional Information:   Firefighters are making good progress and will be mopping up 300’ interior to the fire line.