Difficult Driving Conditions Spur Numerous Crashes

Motorists can expect delays on two Mother Lode highways this week, from February 5th to the 11th. On Highway 12 in Calaveras at mile marker 16 from the end of the passing lane to Central Hill Road, utility work with one-way traffic control will cause up to 10-minute traffic delays on Monday. The work is scheduled between 7 am and 5 pm.

Arnold, CA – The name of the deceased and his cause of death in a fatal crash in the Rail Road Flat area of Calaveras County nearly three weeks ago have been released. The deceased is 71-year-old Tom Swartz of Pine Grove in Amador County. He was killed on January 14th after he pulled his 1994 Jeep Wrangler over on Summit Level Road, southeast of Highway 26, and the shoulder gave way, causing the SUV to overturn. At the time, it was unclear whether the crash or a medical emergency was the cause of his death.

Sonora, CA – After allegedly threatening to kill and set his parent’s house on fire, and then disobeying deputies’ repeated orders to stop trashing the home, deputies tased a Sonora man. Tuolumne County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of Montgomery Road in Sonora after an elderly...

Update at 11am: Escaped Calaveras County jail inmate, Larry Albert McDonald, remains at-large. The sheriff’s office is reaching out to the public for help. Lt. Greg Stark says, “If you live in the San Andreas area, please take a moment to check your surveillance systems (including home or business security cameras, game cameras, etc.) for any signs of the escapee.”

Sonora, CA — As California will end its COVID state of emergency later this month, the Mother Lode’s LHI testing site at the fairgrounds in Sonora will be closing. Tuolumne County Public Health Director Michelle Jachetta has been notified that the last day of operations will be February 23.

Desmond “Desi” Robert Parrish Jr. born October 26, 1953 in Van Nuys, California passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2023 in Adventist Health, Sierra Care Center Unit 6, Sonora, California. Cremation is planned and his Cremains will be scattered off the coast of Anchor Bay, Mendocino County, California. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date. Terzich & Wilson Cremation-Funeral Home entrusted with Cremation arrangements.

Calaveras County, CA – Calaveras County leaders want to educate the public about mentoring programs and how they help not only kids, but their communities. Last week, Calaveras County Supervisors declared January as Mentoring Month to coincide with nationwide efforts during the annual National Mentoring Month. “This proclamation recognizes...

The Winter Storm Warning for the western slope of the northern Sierra Nevada and Yosemite National Park will remain in effect until 10 PM this evening (Sunday). The snow levels range between 3,500 to 4,500 feet. Additional snow accumulations, heavy at times, will range from half-a-foot to seventeen inches above...

Sonora, CA — Registration for the first annual Michael DeMasters Hunter Education Day to honor his legacy and vision of hunter education is underway, and there are only 100 spots available. Calaveras County, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Warden Michael DeMasters was tragically killed in a motorcycle crash...

Brenda Elaine Fields Richardson, born June 10, 1960 in Oakdale, California passed away Thursday, January 26, 2023 at her residence in Twain Harte, California. Cremation will be held and a Private Family Celebration of her Life will be held. Terzich & Wilson Cremation-Funeral Home entrusted with Cremation arrangements. Date of...

Tina Ann Dobler, born September 29, 1972 in Sonora, California passed away Monday, January 30, 2023 at Adventist Health Sonora. Cremation is planned and a Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Terzich & Wilson Cremation-Funeral Home entrusted with Cremation arrangements. Date of Death: 01/30/2023. Age: 50. Residence:...

Mary Jane Hansen, born October 7, 1940 in Murphy, Iowa passed away Sunday, January 29, 2023 in Lodi Memorial Hospital, Lodi, California. Cremation has been held and inurnment will be with her Daughter Deanna Childers in Mt. Shadow Cemetery, Sonora, CA. Terzich & Wilson Cremation-Funeral Home entrusted with Cremation arrangements.

Michael “Photo Mike” Lynn Maciejewski, born January 1, 1949 in San Diego, California passed away Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Avalon Care Sonora. Terzich & Wilson Cremation-Funeral Home entrusted with Cremation arrangements. Date of Death: 01/07/2023. Age: 74. Residence: Columbia, CA.

Sonora, CA — This weekend’s Mother Lode Views will focus on the Blue Zones project. Blue Zones are regions of the world where people are, on average, living longer and healthier lives. The five places identified through a study were Sardinia, Italy, Okinawa, Japan, Icaria, Greece, Loma Linda, California, and Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. The goal is to take some of the lessons learned from people living in those communities and bring them to other areas. Some of the focus is on reducing obesity, smoking, and body mass index, along with health and well-being improvements.