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A bill pending in the California Senate would guarantee healthcare for all under what's known as a single-payer model - people pay into a fund, and a state agency handles coverage from there. The idea will be the subject of two town hall meetings at the Sonora Opera Hall on Thursday, one at 12:30 p.m., the other at 6:30 p.m. "We really think that with the federal attacks on healthcare, California has an opportunity to lead and has another path," said Pilar Schiavo, one of the presenters and a Sonora-area native who is coordinating the campaign on behalf of the California Nurses Association.

Two Mother Lode Republicans to attend D.C. ceremonies

Tuolumne County Republicans will host a free event Friday night at the Sonora Opera Hall for people 21 and over to celebrate President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, and at least two are scheduled to be in Washington, D.C., that day to witness the dawn of a new era in American politics. Becky Wilkins, of Sonora, and County Supervisor Evan Royce, who represents District 3, are planning to fly to the nation's capitol this week after snagging tickets to Friday's inauguration ceremony through Mother Lode U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock's office.

Hundreds gather in Sonora to honor Martin Luther King Jr.

Laurie Sylwester / courtesy Diane Magid presents Jay Bell with the Humanitarian Award in recognition of a life of service to economic justice and a commitment to civil rights and Dr. King's ideals. Laurie Sylwester / courtesy photo Diane Magid presents Sylvia Alden Roberts with the Humanitarian Award in recognition of a life of service to economic justice and a commitment to civil rights and Dr. King's ideals.

Rash of fake bills passed at stores

A 6-foot-tall blonde woman, dressed smartly in a white blouse and brown fedora, entered the jewelry and gift shop Benjamin Fig on South Washington Street last weekend. She collected a handful of small trinkets while purportedly on the way to the Burning Man Festival in Nevada.

Challenger goes after McClintock on tree mortality

Democrat Bob Derlet, of Sonora, will challenge Republican incumbent Rep. Tom McClintock, of Elk Grove, in California's GOP-leaning 4th Congressional District, which covers Tuolumne, Calaveras and five other Sierra foothill counties. The Democratic candidate who is challenging the Mother Lode's incumbent Republican congressman, Rep. Tom McClintock of Roseville, issued a statement Friday questioning whether McClintock is "dodging" constituent concerns about the tree mortality crisis that has killed 66 million trees in the Sierra Nevada.