The Union Democrat

The Union Democrat is a local newspaper that caters to the Sonora region in California. It has been part of Western Communications, the same company that publishes The Bulletin in Bend, Oregon, since 1998.

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Tuolumne County officials address hate crimes at public forum

4 days ago | uniondemocrat.com | Alex MacLean |Alex S. Maclean

Officials from law enforcement, criminal justice and other government agencies in Tuolumne County and beyond came to a public forum Thursday night at Columbia College’s Dogwood Theater with a message for anyone from a marginalized group who’s concerned for their safety: We’re here for you. The free event was focused on addressing the topic of hate crimes in response to the Jan.
Stepp crowned 2025 Mother Lode Roundup Queen; Sanguinetti honored

5 days ago | uniondemocrat.com | Guy McCarthy

Bailey Stepp, a 16-year-old Oakdale High School sophomore, was crowned 2025 Mother Lode Roundup Queen during festivities Thursday evening at Black Oak Casino Resort, and the Roundup Rodeo Committee’s Calcutta auction raised $4,300 for the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Posse Roundup Scholarships Fund.
Sonora High graduate rides, ropes his way to College Rodeo National Finals

5 days ago | uniondemocrat.com | Guy McCarthy

David Fraser IV, a sixth-generation cowboy who grew up ranching, riding, and rodeoing in Oakdale, Le Grand, and Sonora, has qualified for bareback and tie-down roping events next month at the prestigious College Rodeo National Finals in Casper, Wyoming, sanctioned by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. His family were ranchers and members of the Saddle Club in Oakdale, and he started going to rodeos to watch the people, the animals, and the action at age 2 or 3.
Summerville baseball shut out at Woodland Christian in D6 quarterfinals

5 days ago | uniondemocrat.com | Shaun Holkko

WOODLAND — After prevailing by 10 runs to advance in the Division VI CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Playoffs at home Tuesday, the roles were reversed on the road two days later for the Summerville High School varsity baseball team. The No. 7 Bears (14-14) were shut out Thursday afternoon at Joseph Trafican Memorial Field, falling 10-0 in five innings against second-ranked Woodland Christian (23-6) in the quarterfinals. “It was disappointing, for sure,” Summerville head coach John Baldwin said.
On Nutrition: More on oxalates

5 days ago | uniondemocrat.com | Barbara Intermill

A recent column on oxalates — natural components in plant foods that, when consumed in excess, can interfere with calcium absorption and contribute to kidney stones — brought these questions from readers:“Thanks for your recent article on oxalates and calcium. I have osteoporosis and I'm trying to get enough calcium, magnesium and vitamin D through both food and supplements. Do most forms of soy products (e.g. soybeans, soy burgers/sausage, soy milk, tofu, etc.) interfere with calcium absorption?
Birdman of Leavenworth? Famous Alcatraz inmate actually studied birds in Kansas

5 days ago | uniondemocrat.com | Lisa Gutierrez

He was arguably the most famous prisoner ever housed at Alcatraz, the federal prison perched high on an island off the coast of San Francisco. Meet Robert Stroud, aka the Birdman of Alcatraz. But some bird lovers call him the “Birdman of Leavenworth.”Stroud became famous for his work raising and studying canaries while in prison. But contrary to his nickname — also the name of the movie he inspired — that work was actually done at the federal penitentiary in Kansas.
Quick Fix: Shrimp Lettuce Bowl

5 days ago | uniondemocrat.com | Linda Gassenheimer

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, here's a quick and delightful recipe that you can whip up in under 10 minutes. This shrimp salad is served in a bowl made from fresh, tender Bibb lettuce — small, round, and crisp, and part of the butterhead variety. I always keep frozen shrimp on hand for a quick meal, as they defrost in just a few minutes with a simple soak in cold water. The recipe features a fast and foolproof method for cooking shrimp that ensures they stay juicy and plump every time.
OUT THERE: Revisiting the South Grove at Big Trees after prescribed burning

6 days ago | uniondemocrat.com | Guy McCarthy

On Sunday I went to Calaveras Big Trees State Park to join a guided tour of the South Grove of Giant Sequoias to see if prescribed burning last October and November has reduced fire threats in this primeval, old growth section of the park that lies in Tuolumne County and is home to about 1,000 mature monarch sequoias. That prescribed burning in late 2024 was the first significant fire treatment in the South Grove in 15 years.
Black Oak Casino Resort announces completion of hotel renovation and expansion

6 days ago | uniondemocrat.com | Guy McCarthy

The Black Oak Casino Resort Hotel has added 48 new suites and a new lobby that now connects the hotel directly to the casino, for a total 196 rooms, resort staff said Thursday in a news release announcing completion of a recent renovation and expansion. Completion of the new rooms and new lobby coincides with the 24th anniversary celebration of the casino’s opening, Black Oak Casino Resort Marketing Director Luis Torres said.
Vision Sonora pilot program to test closing part of Stewart Street for farmers market events

1 week ago | uniondemocrat.com | Guy McCarthy

The City of Sonora government is using voter-approved sales tax revenue to try to make downtown Sonora more vibrant and walkable seven days a week, and part of the plan will focus on making Saturday farmers market events more accessible for people on foot. A pilot program to try to improve pedestrian access for 2025 Sonora Certified Farmers Market events will close South Stewart Street from Lyons Street to Theall Street between 7 a.m. and noon each Saturday from May 17 to Oct.