December Public Health Update

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.

Sonora, CA — Members of the California Office of Emergency Services and FEMA were in Tuolumne County this week to review and document damages from the recent storm systems. Tuolumne County OES Coordinator Dore Bietz notes that a main purpose of the Wednesday visit was to determine if Tuolumne County meets the threshold to be included in the federal disaster declaration.

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.

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...

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.

There are a few events happening in the Mother Lode this weekend. The Columbia Jazz Artist Series Program will host the 42nd annual Jazz Festival on February 3 and 4 on the school campuses of Summerville High and Sonora High. Students will have a chance to learn from top jazz performers as detailed here.

Sonora, CA — The Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) announced the election of three new board members and two that were re-elected, including one from Calaveras County. The association’s mission is to promote the statewide importance of Sierra Nevada water resources through advocacy and collaboration. Its board is...

Motorists can expect delays on two Mother Lode highways this week, from January 22nd to the 28th. 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.

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:...

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...

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...

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.

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.

Chinese Camp, CA – A foot race this weekend will shut down a section of Highway 120 to traffic and create delays. This Saturday, February 4th, is the annual Oriental Express Run, which passes through Chinese Camp. Caltrans reports that the highway will be closed between Sims Road and Highway 49 North from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. for the race. They added that one-way traffic control will be in place to Red Hill Road.

Barbara Ann (Sharrock) Paris, born January 24, 1931 in Galion, Ohio passed away Monday, January 23, 2023 in Avalon Care Center Sonora. Terzich & Wilson Cremation-Funeral Home entrusted with Cremation arrangements. Date of Death: 01/23/2023. Age: 91. Residence: Sonora, CA.

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...

Greg was born June 26, 1979 in Stockton. He passed away January 24, 2023 in Columbia. Greg is survived by his parents, Glen and Rosie Valente, his sister Janeen Loewen, her husband Josh and his nephew, Roland, whom he adored. He is also survived by his loving girlfriend, Alana Finlan, numerus aunts, uncles, other family members and friends.

David Lee “Cracker” Wainwright, born June 27, 1945 in Oklahoma passed away Monday, January 30, 2023 at Adventist Health Sonora. A Celebration of his life with Military Honors will be held. Terzich & Wilson Cremation-Funeral Home entrusted with Cremation arrangements. Date of Death: 01/30/2023. Age: 77. Residence: Groveland,...