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1 HEMOl HER LODE'S LEADING INFORMATION SOURCE SINCE I854 • SO N0RA, CALIFORNIA
SonoraCitvCouncil
A specialthank you to Union Democrat subscriber Richard L. Rogers, of Jamestown.
NEVADA FALL
TOOAYS READER BOAR0 BRIEFING
Spirit, Mind and
Body Expo - The fourth annual Spirit, Mind and Body Expo, which focuses on holistic health and conscious living, was held Saturday at the Sonora Opera Hall.A2 By ALEX MacLEAN
Pinecrest water
The Union Democrat
delQR — Local groups want the minimum summertime water level at Pinecrest Reservoir to remain higher for recreation than the adjusted levels requested by Tuolumne Utilities District.A2
Rosascohouse
fi% — The cause of a fire that destroyed an historic Don Pedro-area homeThursday is still under investigation.A3
OpinlOn — MedCat not impervious to budget scrutinizing.A4
Weather change Forecast calls for cooler temps, chance of rain.Back Page
Monn sentenced Former Don Pedro High School teacher, Jeremy Monn, gets fouryear prison sentence for having sex with student. Back Page
Both sidesof a growing debate over a long-term plan to revitalize downtown Sonora came out to share their opinions with city leaders at a meeting Monday night. The Sonora City Council first heard from Ed Parsons, owner of the Main Street Shop, at 199 S. Washington St., who had requested time at Monday's meeting to present his petition against the city's "Vision Sonora" beautification plan that was approved by the council in late 20 13. "I ask you to review this thing and come up with a better idea," Parsons pleaded. The 'VisionSonora" plan, funded by a $250,000stategrant,was compiled by consultants based on public feedback from local residents. All projects and programs in the plan areaimed atim proving aesthetics, traKC Qow and commerce along Washington Street and Stockton Road. City officials have estimated the combinedcostfor allofthe plan's proposals at between $10 million and $15 million, which would be completed over about 10 years with funding mostly through state or federal grants. A number of citizens have publicly raised concernsabout certain aspects ofthe plan
Adventurers brave 594-foot drop over fall By GUY McCARTHY The Union Democrat
A week and a half ago, a Lodi man walked across a highline suspended above Nevada Fall, where the Merced River plunges 594feetto a steep field of boulders below. Scores of people watched transfixedfrom both sides of the Merced where it crests the fall. Many burst into whoops, applause and shouts of approval. Ryan Jenks, 3 1, said he's been highlining and slacklining for 10 years, and he claimed that his walk was the first time anyone has tried that location in Yosemite National Park. "Nobody has ever slacklined at Nevada Fall before," Jenks said on the north side of the fall's crest. "Today is the first time anybody's ever set up a line." Highlining is allowed in Yo-
in recent months, particularly the potential
loss of parking spaces in the downtown area as wellas proposed closures ofportions of Linoberg and Theall streets. Over the past several weeks, Parsons gathereda total 392 signatures &om li keminded people who feel the loss of parking and closuresof streets as proposed would See COUNCIL / Back Page
semite, but it's not encouraged,
Snapshots Photos feature Summerville Elementary School's FairyTale Day and Sonora Elementary School's Family Fun Night. B6
FOOD 5 DRINK
• GREEN EGGS AND HAM:A version of green eggs and ham full of spinach, leeks and dill, along with ham and havarti cheese.B1 • FOOD BY JUDE: Easy-pack recipes good for on the water.B1 • TASTY CHOPS:Apricot and mint elevate chop recipe.B1 • SAUTEED MIXED GREENS:Wilted greens get second chance.B1
said Ranger Scott Gediman, a spokesman for park administrators. Popular Yosemite locations for highlining in recent years include Upper Yosemite Fall, Lost Arrow Spire and Taft Point. aWe know where all the lines are in Yosemite," Jenks said. "I saw this potential line four years ago. So I brought my friends up here today. We were able to install three bolts and do the other side with cams and natural anchors, which is the best way. It makes for a
lake Don PedroCSO Guy McCarthy / Union Democrat
Several people made highline attempts above Nevada Fall on the Merced River in Yosemite National Park earlier this month. safe and beautiful line. You're hold 1 0,000 pounds each. not going to hit your head on a rock." Jenks said he takes safety se- 'Very legal' riously. He said the highline he Each person who attempted and his friends used a week ago to cross the highline attached can hold 15,000 pounds, and themselves to the line with a the bolts they used to secure one end of the line to rock can See HIGHLINE / Back Page
Groundbreaking set for juvenile ball By ABBY DIVINE The Union Democrat
Tuolumne County officials last week announced construction on a
scheduled for noon at the Old Wards Ferry Road site. The center isprojected to be staff ed and ready to receive juve' niles by December 20 16, Frank said. The 23,000-square-foot, 30-bed facility would accommodate male and female juvenile offenders from Tuolumne,Calaveras and Amador
planned juvenile detention center in Sonora is set to begin June 2. Deputy County Administrator Maureen Frank said the groundbreaking for the Mother Lode Re- counties. gional Juvenile Detention Facility is The project is mostly being
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funded through a $16 million state grant, with the county covering the rest. The total amount budgeted for the project was $20 million. The $15.36 million construction contract was conditionally awarded last month to F&H Construction Company in Lodi. The contract is awaiting formal
Mcclure pumps could serve through October By GUY McCARTHY The Union Denmcrat
Pumps that draw water out of Lake McClure could provide water through early October for about 3,200 people who live in the La Grange-Coulterville area, the Lake Don Pedro Community Services District generalmanager said Monday. The updated forecast was far more optimistic than District General Manager Pete Kampa gave less than two weeks ago, when he said his district's pumps at McClure could go dry by August. "As we get further along in the water yearitgetseasiertopredicttheendresult," Kampa said in response to questions about the change in outlook. Kampa said recent cooler weather at higher elevations, some snowmelt, and occasional microburst storms in the Merced
See HALL/Back Page
Weather Page C6
Today:High So, Low 49 Wednesday:High 7a, Low 4a Thursday™gh7a, Low 45
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