Alex S. Maclean

Sonora

Reporter for The Union Democrat in Sonora, California. Facebook: https://t.co/O6vvbkYG43 LinkedIn: https://t.co/xSzuVIf4lX YouTube: https://t.co/hHCOONYZYP

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Articles

Tuolumne County's first fentanyl-related murder trial set for August

1 week ago | uniondemocrat.com | Alex MacLean |Alex S. Maclean

Tuolumne County’s first fentanyl-related murder trial is scheduled to begin in August. The trial date was set for Aug. 18 at a brief hearing Monday in Tuolumne County Superior Court, where defendant Stacey Renee Christ, 28, of Sonora, also reentered a plea of not guilty following a preliminary hearing last month.
Suspect pleads not guilty to assault of gay man in Jamestown

1 week ago | uniondemocrat.com | Alex MacLean |Alex S. Maclean

Tuolumne County Sheriff David Vasquez said his office hopes to make an announcement as early as Wednesday afternoon on the outcome of an investigation into whether a hate crime was committed in the Jan. 28 beating of a gay man at a Jamestown apartment complex. Meanwhile, a 44-year-old man accused of participating in the attack pleaded not guilty to assault-related charges Monday at a brief hearing in Tuolumne County Superior Court.
Sonora Elementary principal to leave for same job at Summerville Elementary

1 week ago | uniondemocrat.com | Alex MacLean |Alex S. Maclean

Sonora Elementary School Principal Chris Boyles is leaving his post to take the same position at Summerville Elementary School in the town of Tuolumne starting next school year. Boyles’ hiring at Summerville El was announced Friday morning in a news release from Ben Howell, who currently serves as both superintendent and principal of the Summerville Elementary School District.
Cold case group IDs remains of another victim in 1980s Wilseyville serial killings

2 weeks ago | uniondemocrat.com | Alex MacLean |Alex S. Maclean

Cold case investigators have identified the remains of a woman who was murdered 40 years ago by Wilseyville serial killers Charles Ng and Leonard Lake, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday. Brenda Sue O’Connor was one of the 11 victims whom Ng was sentenced to death for killing between 1984 and 1985 with his accomplice Lake, who committed suicide by cyanide pill while in police custody.
Sonora High students organize fundraiser offering affordable prom dresses

2 weeks ago | uniondemocrat.com | Alex MacLean |Alex S. Maclean

An event happening this week at Sonora High School aims to ensure every girl has a chance to feel included and special at prom. About 70 lightly used dresses will be for sale from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 11, at the school’s dance studio as part of a “Say Yes to the Dress” fundraiser organized by the Sonora High Associated Student Body Leadership team.
Upcoming events aim to foster volunteerism in Tuolumne County

2 weeks ago | uniondemocrat.com | Alex MacLean |Alex S. Maclean

Anyone looking for ways to get more involved in the community and donate their time in support of causes that are important to them will have multiple options over the coming weeks. First up is the return of the Tuolumne County Volunteer Fair hosted by Love Tuolumne County and the Blue Zones Project from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora.
Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office seeks leads in case of woman missing since 2021

2 weeks ago | uniondemocrat.com | Alex MacLean |Alex S. Maclean

Tuolumne County Sheriff’s investigators are asking for the public’s help in locating a 23-year-old missing woman who hasn’t been seen or heard from in nearly four years. The Sheriff’s Office made a Facebook post last week that said it was again asking for the public’s help with any potential leads in the missing persons case of Kimana Councilman, who was last seen in the area of Rocca Park in Jamestown around May 2021.
Concerns grow over lack of clarity on Yosemite reservation system plans

3 weeks ago | uniondemocrat.com | Alex MacLean |Alex S. Maclean

Communities in Tuolumne County and others that rely on tourism to Yosemite National Park are anxiously awaiting an announcement about whether reservations will again be required for entering the park this summer, with recent news reports adding further confusion to the situation. U.S. Rep.
Tuolumne County supervisor announces California State Senate bid

3 weeks ago | uniondemocrat.com | Alex MacLean |Alex S. Maclean

Fresh off a successful reelection campaign last year, Tuolumne County Supervisor Jaron Brandon is now setting his sights on a higher office. Brandon, 33, announced Thursday night that he’s officially entered the race for District 4 state senator in the June 2026 primary election. He will be challenging incumbent State Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil, R-Jackson, and at least one other candidate who’s filed papers to run for the seat thus far.
Traffic stop for speeding uncovers more than 1,000 fentanyl pills

3 weeks ago | uniondemocrat.com | Alex MacLean |Alex S. Maclean

A routine traffic stop for speeding Saturday night west of Jamestown resulted in a large amount of fentanyl being taken off the streets. The California Highway Patrol said in information released Wednesday that one of its officers pulled over a 2018 Audi sedan on Highway 108 just west of Chicken Ranch Casino Resort that had been driving east at an unspecified speed in excess of 55 mph.