Groveland Woman Arrested For DUI Following Crash

Valley Springs, CA – A caller recently reported an unconscious woman inside a parked vehicle at a Valley Springs shopping center, but it was no medical emergency. Calaveras County sheriff’s deputies headed to the Valley Oaks Center strip mall off Highway 26 in Valley Springs. There they found 36-year-old Rehnee Briggs of Lodi slumped over the vehicle’s center console. After waking her, deputies found no medical emergency, but noticed drug paraphernalia on the steering column, according to sheriff’s spokesperson Lt. Greg Stark.

Martell, CA — In Amador County, a man was arrested after running from law enforcement and being caught with numerous stolen bank cards. Sheriff’s deputies approached 27-year-old Darian Keeling of Sutter Creek sitting on a park bench at around 10:30pm near the Lowes in Martell. He initially told the deputy he was someone else, and admitted the bank cards in his possession were stolen. As Keeling was being detained, he ran away on foot through the parking lot. After a brief chase, he was caught, and arrested. Keeling was later booked into Amador County Jail. An investigation into the stolen cards is ongoing.

Mariposa County, CA – Caltrans has reopened one regional highway and hopes to do the same for another today after both were damaged during the recent storms. A rockslide last week temporarily closed Highway 140 to Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County, as earlier detailed here. With crews having the roadway nearly cleared and repaired, Caltrans reports it could open this afternoon. Currently, it is open to one-way traffic through Briceburg in Mariposa County.

Sonora, CA – Travelers along Highway 108 and Mono Way may have noticed some tall fencing put up, all near former homeless camps. The fences are made of wrought iron and are 7 feet high. On Thursday, crews began installing the barriers along the Highway 108 eastbound off-ramp up to Stockton Road. That is near the former Camp Hope that was shut down last year after the City of Sonora and Caltrans joined forces, citing ordinance violations and health concerns for its closure, as earlier reported here. The two also worked together in 2021 to get fencing put up around a Caltrans property on Mono Way near the Greenley Road intersection, where fire was a concern, as detailed here. The third location is behind the Lowe’s and Walmart stores along Highway 108.

Sonora, CA – Those wanting to get a COVID test at the Sonora site will find the doors closed this weekend. Tuolumne County Health officials detailed that due to continued facility issues, the OptumServe COVID testing site at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds off Stockton Road in Sonora will be closed through Sunday, January 29th. They did not specify the exact reason for the site’s shutdown.

Sonora, CA – A surprise for a Phoenix Lake area resident last night as a security camera captured a cougar strolling by his home. The neighbor, who wanted to remain anonymous, wanted to make sure his neighbors were alerted, so he reached out to Clarke Broadcasting to get the word out. He says the video was taken around 7:45 p.m. Friday night in the Sonora Meadows area along Westwood Circle, near Creekside Drive, between Phoenix Lake Road and Highway 108. The video shows a large mountain lion passing right by a door to his home and casually walking into the darkness.

Jamestown, CA — John Petter, a local engineer, ham radio enthusiast, and friend to many, has died. Petter, 80, passed away peacefully this past Saturday. He moved to Tuolumne County in 1991, first working for Olsen Technology, and then spending 11 years as Clarke Broadcasting’s Chief Engineer, playing an integral role overseeing technical aspects for the radio stations KVML, Star 92.7 and 93.5 KKBN, until his retirement in 2013.

Billie “Bill” Lee Rife, Born March 3, 1928 in Kearny, Nebraska passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2022 in Our Lady of Perpetual Nursing in Stockton, California. Private burial was in Dudley Cemetery in Greeley Hill, California. Terzich & Wilson Cremation-Funeral Home entrusted with Funeral arrangements. Date of Death:...

Dorothy Dean Logan Born October 7, 1926 in Bakersfield, California passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at Avalon Care Center Sonora. Graveside services will be held. Terzich & Wilson Cremation-Funeral Home entrusted with Funeral arrangements. Date of Death: 01/25/2023. Age: 97. Residence: Sonora, CA (formerly of Bakersfield) Services: Graveside services...

Dianne Edith Burk, Born April 8, 1943 in Stockton, California passed away Thursday, January 19, 2023 at her residence in Sonora, California. At her request, private family graveside services were held in St. James Catholic Cemetery in Jamestown, California Terzich & Wilson Cremation-Funeral Home entrusted with Funeral arrangements. Date of...

San Andreas, CA – Those wanting to give in-person feedback on the Calaveras County Evacuation Needs Assessment and Preparedness Plan will have two chances next month. City of Angels Camp officials noted, “In the midst of a local and state-declared emergency, it is a perfect time to remember that we need to plan for evacuations. With our heritage roads (barely single lane) and steep grades, we need to identify a plan for our community safety.”

Sharrin Franklin, born May 25, 1939 in San Francisco passed away Jan. 24, 2023. She volunteered at the Senior center, and owned and was the bookkeeper at S&W Freight Service. She loved camping within RV with her husband (Warren passed in 2005) and loved her cat Lukas. Date of Death:...

Mother Lode Views featured District Two Tuolumne County Supervisor, Ryan Campbell. It is the final episode in our series featuring the individual board members. It is a chance to hear about projects specific to their district, and where they stand on county-wide issues up for debate. District Two covers the...

San Andera, CA – Two potbellied pigs are not the typical pets thought of when adopting a pet from a shelter, but they still need a forever home. Meet Dolly and Dexter, picture to the right, that are currently residing at the shelter. Dolly has been in the shelter for two weeks after she was confiscated from her owner for cruelty, according to shelter officials. Dexter arrived about a month and a half ago after animal control received repeated reports of him wandering into neighbors’ yards.

Sonora, CA – New data shows a hike in syphilis cases across the nation and right here in Tuolumne County, but there is one bright spot. In 2020, California had the 7th highest rate of primary and secondary syphilis in the United States. More statistics, such as the fact that syphilis was up 24% in newborns in 2021, can be found in the image box graphic.

Denise F. Longeway born Nov, 3, 1966 passed away Jan 21, 2023. Raised by her mother Carole, Denise grew up in Sonora where she participated in dance for many of her adolescent years. Denise was a caring soul who always took the time to help those in need. She was a protector and took her career at Columbia Elementry very personally. Her kids along with her mother were the light of her life. In 2014 Denise became “Nonnie” to her grandson Henry and soon after to Darci and William. She found a new depth of love being a grandparent. To those whose lives have been touched by Denise’s compassion, concern, and “get-it-done” attitude, she will forever be missed and always remembered.

Jamestown, CA – Those thinking of adding a four-legged member to the family will have plenty of choices, as the Tuolumne County Animal Shelter is full to capacity. “We are reaching out to the public for help. When animal shelters are over capacity, we are forced to make euthanasia decisions, which is something we never want to do. We have lots of highly adaptable pets! We currently have puppies, large dogs, small and medium,” relayed animal control officials.