CRIME & SAFETY

TUOLUMNE COUNTY, Calif. — Two women were found dead in the river over the weekend in Tuolumne County. Search and rescue teams with the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office responded to the area of Clavey River off Cottonwood Road Saturday after a woman's body was spotted downstream of Clavey Bridge.

Sonora, CA — Two suspects found driving a truck that the Sonora CHP was looking for led to their arrests, but not for stealing the pickup. A CHP officer recently spotted on Hospital Road near South Washington Street near the old Tuolumne General Hospital a 1999 white Dodge Ram pickup where a “Be On The Lookout” had been issued. It stemmed from a trailer theft in a local grocery store parking lot. Near the pickup, a man and woman were rummaging through a dumpster.

Update at 3:55 p.m.: Tuolumne County Sheriff’s officials update that the “pair has been located safe.” No further details regarding where or how they were found were released. Further details on their disappearance are below. Original post at 11:45 a.m.: Sonora, CA – The public is being...

Tuolumne County, CA – The search continued this afternoon for a missing Galt woman who was swept downstream on the Clavey River on Monday in Tuolumne County. This is the second day of the search, as Tuesday members of the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue and a CHP helicopter scoured the area, but did not get into the water due to its strong current being fueled by snowmelt from the mountains. Sheriff’s spokesperson Ashley Boujikian tells Clarke Broadcasting that they used a helicopter again today to comb the river near God’s Bath. Boujikian added that they did not search on the ground as “accessibility by foot is extremely limited due to the high water.” The aircrew was unable to find any sign of the 22-year-old woman.

It involved two vehicles.

Update at 4:58 p.m.: The CHP has provided additional information regarding this traffic incident. According to reports, the driver was allegedly trying to leave the crash site but was apprehended within five minutes, walking north of the scene. No injuries were reported in the collision; however, three utility poles suffered damage, leading to a three-hour disruption of traffic. Upon conducting a records check, it was discovered that the driver, identified as Daniel Douglas Broady from Groveland, had an active felony warrant with no bail for his arrest. Consequently, he was taken into custody and subsequently booked into the Tuolumne County Jail on the warrant charges, in addition to being cited for drug possession.

Jamestown, CA – The CHP has released some new details about a fatal crash that occurred on Sunday just after 5 pm on Highway 108/49 at the roundabout near the Chicken Ranch Rancheria resort construction. A 40-year-old unidentified Modesto man was driving a 2009 GMC Yukon westbound at a...

Sonora, CA– Significant headway has been made by fire managers in tackling the Strawberry Prescribed Fire, with an estimated 500 acres already burned as of May 30. Drivers traveling along Highway 108 should be prepared to encounter fire and smoke along the roadside, as well as fire vehicles, starting from Wednesday, June 1, and continuing through June 9.

A woman who deputies have been searching for in connection with a murder in March was arrested on Thursday afternoon, according to the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office. Sabrina Starkweather, 28, was one of three suspects in the death of 63-year-old Ben Lindsey, who lived in Columbia on Calle Quartz Drive. An autopsy revealed that blunt force trauma was the cause of his death.

Sonora, CA– Law enforcement officials from the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) apprehended homicide suspect Sabrina Starkweather yesterday, thanks to a valuable tip provided by a member of the community. The timely information, which came in response to TCSO’s public appeal on May 24th, in a story that was covered here, played a crucial role in leading detectives to the Stockton area, where the arrest was successfully made in collaboration with the Stockton Police Department.

Sonora, CA — CHP officers are out in force this Memorial Day weekend in the Mother Lode, making sure motorists are following the rules of the road. The CHP Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) began at 6 p.m. yesterday. They advise drivers hitting the road to remember to buckle up, obey speed limits, and avoid distractions. Also, never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you do celebrate, plan ahead and designate a sober driver or use rideshare services.

Sonora, CA – A Jamestown man could spend the rest of his life in prison for murder. Yesterday (Thursday, May 25), Tuolumne County District Attorney Cassandra Jenecke announced that 51-year-old Steve Berrigan was sentenced to 9 years, 4 months, plus 55 years to life in state prison. He was convicted of the first-degree murder of 76-year-old Craig Arthur Hale of Twain Harte, as well as identity theft and driving a stolen vehicle.

Crews with Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue say they tendered first aid to a hummingbird that was knocked down by a thunderstorm. Crews at Station 42 in Cold Springs assisted the injured hummingbird by providing mixed sugar water and administered it through a syringe. The team then placed the hummingbird...

INDIO (CNS) – A man and a woman who robbed and assaulted a 69-year-old man in an unincorporated area of Riverside County near Indio pleaded guilty to felony charges and were immediately sentenced to state prison Thursday. Brooke Cassidy Prentiss, 36, and Morgan Kenneth Styre, 27 — residents of...

Update, 9:13 p.m.: Cal Fire TCU reported that firefighters have fully contained the Reed Fire. Update, 5:13 p.m.: Cal Fire TCU reported that the fire is 60% contained. It was determined that equipment (a grinder) was the cause of the fire, and the responsible party was cited. Update, 3:39 p.m.:...

Sonora, CA– A residential structure fire involving a building started on Lyons Street at Hope Lane. The fire was located in the attic of the house. No people were occupying the building at the time of the fire but firefighters did safely remove one dog from the residence. The cause of the fire is unknown and is being investigated. The fire did cause a road closure in this location.

May 26, 2023 - Sonora, California –– Tuolumne County District Attorney Cassandra Jenecke announced today that on May 25, 2023, 51-year-old former Jamestown resident Steven Matthew Berrigan was sentenced to 9 year 4 months plus 55 years to life in State Prison. This the maximum term that he was facing. He will first complete the determinate term of 9 year 4 months in state prison before he begins the 55 years to life indeterminate term.