The Union Democrat 08-07-2015

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HELPING HISTORY:Columbia docents sought, B1 MORE IN COMMUNITY:Third annual writers retreat set, B1

INSIDE:Trumpcombative at GOPdebate, Back Page

lHE MOl HER LODE'S LEADING INFORMATION SOURCE SINCE 1854 • SONORA, CALIFORNIA

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FRIDAY

AUGUST 7, 2015

Forest lands

TOD AY'S READER DOARD

Case of human plague reported

NEW MELONES RESERVOIR

BRIEFING

Animal shelter — Calaveras County Human Society makes progress on shelter plans.A2

News NotesUpcoming events in the Mother Lode.A2

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Running dry-

By GUY McCARTHY The Union Democrat

Calaveras County wells struggling during prolonged drought.A3

Giving spiritNonprofit group donates tablets to foster children.A3

Seen andHeard-

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This week's photo opinion asks, "What is your favorite potluck food?" AS

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Vital Stats —Alist

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of births, marriages and deaths recorded in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties.A5

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Maggie Beck / Union Democrat

Robbery suspect

Cables are used Thursday to pull a van up a 400-foot embankment on New Melones Reservoir to Parrotts Ferry Road.

nabbed- one of

two suspects in a July 21 bank robbery at Umpqua Bank in Twain Harte was arrested Thursday.A6

Van stolen in 2008 revealed by low water

Arrest made -Two men booked after Calaveras County vehicle chase.A6

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By MAGGIE BECK

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The Union Democrat

See PLAGUE / Back Page

Authorities received a call on July 22 that the top of a vehicle in the ever-lowering New Melones Reservoir was visible on the Calaveras County side of the Parrotts Ferry Bridge. San Andreas California Highway Patrol officer Mike Joslin hiked down more than 400 feet to get the vin number of the wheelchair-lift van and discovered it was stolen in 2008. The van was parked

Not guilty plea — Man denies starting Fourth of July fire.AS

Summerville

High- School board

to interview candidates. Back Page

SPORTS

Airport land Ilse Commission

with a for sale sign in an Ar-

nold parking lot. Joslin said he believes the van has been in New Melones ever since. After trying to contact the original owners and finding the number had been disconnected, Joslin called the Army Corps of Engineers and requestedthat it be removed. Progressive, the i n surance company associated with the car, called Sam Berri Towing out of Douglas Flat to remove it. The extraction took several hours on Thursday.

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• ACKERMAN:What a catch! Sonoran Carter hooks monster trout. C1 • MLB: Giant rally falls short in Chicago.C1 • SWIMMING:Small TCAM squad cracks top 10in San Jose.C2

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Sam Berri, owner of Sam Berri Towing out of Douglas Flat (above, at left), and San Andreas California Highway Patrol Officer Mike Joslin stand on the edge of the precipice Thursday above New Melones Reservoir as they discuss the retneval of a stolen van that surfaced more than 400 feet down from the Calaveras County side of Parrotts Ferry Road. Extracting the van (left) took several hours Thursday. Working to remove the van are (far left photo, from left) Sammie Franks, Bradley Borbe, 11, who was helping his stepfather, Sam Berri.

NEWSROO MFNL 5324451 SUBSCR IBERSERVICES: 533-3614

Hotel plan discussed, cell tower endorsed By ALEX MacLEAN The Union Democrat

The developers behind a controversial apartment com-

plex proposal in Columbia that was ultimately scrapped are now exploring the possibilityofconstructing a shopping center and hotel near the same location. The Tuolumne County Airport Land Use Commission on Thursday evening met at Columbia Airport with Gary Simning of RC Equities to discuss whether it would be feasible to include a multistory hotel in plans for a potential commercial center at

the northeast corner of Highway 49 and Parrotts Ferry Road. "My primary purposein this was just to get a sense and a feel from the commission about bringing in a hotelas part ofthe developSee HOTEL / Back Page

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State and federal health officials are investigating a case of human plague that may have originated in the Stanislaus National Forest, Yosemite National Park and unspecif ied surrounding areas. Assessments have been conducted at locations including the forest's popular Rainbow Pool picnic area and the Crane Flat campground in Yosemite, Park Service and Forest Service officials said Thursday in phone interviews. A child from Los Angeles County who visited the Stanislaus National Forest and camped at Crane Flat in midJuly became ill and was hospitalized, stateDepartment of Public Health officials said in an announcement Thursday. Nobody else got sick or reported symptoms, public health officials said. The child is recovering.

Calendar.....................................A2 O b ituaries........ Comics........................................C5 Opinion............ Community/Religion................ S1 Sports............... Crime ..........................................A6 T V......................

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