Public Safety · Tuolumne County
The Twain Harte Fire Department acquired a $28,000 Rosenbauer BEST battery extinguishing system funded by a Sonora Area Foundation grant to combat lithium-ion electric vehicle battery fires. Training sessions were held last week at the Sonora Fire Department on South Shepherd Street in downtown Sonora. The equipment belongs to Twain Harte Fire but will be available to all fire agencies throughout Tuolumne County under existing mutual aid agreements. Fire safety experts note that EV battery fires can burn above 1,832 degrees Fahrenheit and require specialized protocols due to toxic gas release and re-ignition risks.
Education · Tuolumne County
About 1,000 students from fourth grade through high school attended a career technical education expo hosted by the Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools Office at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora. The event featured hands-on demonstrations in construction, forestry, law enforcement, health care, agriculture and hospitality, including heavy equipment operations by Caltrans and log processing by Joe Cover & Sons and Sierra Resource Management. It was the second CTE expo organized by the county schools office this year, following a May 29 inaugural event that drew more than 300 students. County Superintendent Zack Abernathy, who lost his reelection bid to Gabe Wingo in the June primary and will leave office at year's end, described the expo as a personal priority for connecting students with local career pathways.
Social Events · Sonora, CA
Organizers have announced the 2027 Mother Lode Fair will run Thursday, July 1 through Sunday, July 4 at the fairgrounds, 220 Southgate Drive in Sonora. The theme is "Wish You Were Here!" and confirmed attractions include two days of CCPRA rodeo competition, a destruction derby, entertainers Slim & Curly and Rebecca Fireplug, and the Hometown Voice singing competition. Traditional competitive exhibits, junior livestock programs, and community participation opportunities will also return. Additional entertainment lineup details, exhibit information, and ticket sales are expected in coming months.
