(WHAM) — An investigation is underway after a correctional officer was found dead at Groveland Correctional Facility Authorities said the officer was found at the state prison's nearby housing unit Wednesday after he didn't show up for his shift The correctional officers' union confirmed an officer was found dead but said it knew nothing of the officer being sick A Groveland officer who spoke with 13WHAM anonymously said the death of David Hilburger "A friend of mine texted me after he got out of work," the officer said "They had found Hilburger passed away in a state room especially in the situation that he was in." The officer said Hilburger had been his friend since 2010 when they both worked at Fishkill Correctional Facility Hilburger's family said he had mentioned feeling ill in the days leading up to his death "Nobody deserves to die in state housing because you're afraid to get medical attention if you need it," the officer said "The state's bullying everybody and scaring them using scare tactics about AWOLs and stuff like that A statement from the facility's superintendent The statement notes a CO or sergeant calling in would be marked AWOL An operator at Groveland confirmed to 13WHAM that employees would be marked AWOL unless they have medical documentation for their absences The NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) shared a statement in response to these claims reiterating the department's AWOL policy Hilburger's family is making funeral arrangements and I loved working with him," the officer said "There's not enough that I could say about what kind of person he was inside and outside the prison." DOCCS released a statement on Hilberger's death: GROVELAND – A 30-year-old Altamonte Springs woman was killed and two other drivers were injured Wednesday night in a wrong-way crash on U.S The FHP said the woman was driving a 2017 Dodge Charger south in the northbound lane of U.S 27 and struck the front and side of a northbound 2017 Toyota Corolla driven by a 45-year-old Leesburg woman The Charger then collided with a 2016 Jeep Renegade driven by a 27-year-old Leesburg woman who was traveling north on U.S The Altamonte Springs woman was pronounced dead at the scene The Corolla driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to Orlando Health South Lake Hospital The Renegade driver suffered serious injuries and was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009 When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us / Follow on Social Media Careers at WKMG Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications EEO Report Disability Assistance Copyright © 2025 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group A striking corrections officer stands Thursday morning in front of Groveland Correctional Facility The "wildcat" strike by state corrections officers continues Thursday morning at Groveland Correctional Facility The scene outside Groveland Correctional Facility on Thursday where corrections officers have been on strike since last week New York state and union officials have denied widespread rumors of an overnight incident at Groveland Correctional Facility The “wildcat” strike by state corrections officers continues Thursday morning at Groveland Correctional Facility SONYEA — State officials and the union that represents corrections officers had little to say Thursday about a rumored overnight incident at Groveland Correctional Facility that prompted the state to fly in an emergency response team from Albany The response from the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision arrived Thursday amid unconfirmed rumors of an inmate-led disturbance at the prison during an ongoing “wildcat” strike by officers Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content Email notifications are only sent once a day Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist  Would you like to receive our daily news? Sign up today Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account – A staff member at Groveland Correctional Facility was found dead in state housing on Wednesday according to the New York Department of Corrections told News10NBC that the employee was scheduled to return to work on Wednesday after being off for two days and the employee was found dead in his room Officials said the Department of Corrections Office of Special Investigations and the New York State Police were notified No evidence was found to suggest foul play Information on the official cause of death is determined and released by the County Medical Examiner’s Office Coroners and medical examiners determine if results will be released and to whom Any person with disabilities who needs help accessing the content of the FCC Public file should contact Richard Reingold at rreingold@whec.com or 585-546-1701 The City of Groveland invites residents and visitors to its Third Annual Star Party a free event offering an evening of stargazing from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm at Cherrylake Tree Farm (7836 Cherry Lake Road) for an unforgettable night under the stars and more while exploring the wonders of the night sky Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket, chair, and telescope to enhance their stargazing experience. Due to space limitations, registration is required at GrovelandStarParty.com Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with the cosmos and experience the beauty of the universe right here in Groveland 07mar(mar 7)6:30 pm26dec(dec 26)9:30 pmVFW Bingo March 7 (Friday) 6:30 pm - December 26 (Friday) 9:30 pm 25apr(apr 25)6:30 pm13feb(feb 13)9:30 pmVFW Bingo April 25 (Friday) 6:30 pm - February 13 (Friday) 9:30 pm 06may12:00 pm1:30 pmLunch With Clermont Mayor Tim Murry Clermont residents are invited to join Mayor Tim Murry for his monthly open forum community lunch held on the first Tuesday of every month at noon The May luncheon will be held on May 6 at Amores Italian Restaurant These informal gatherings provide a valuable opportunity for residents to hear updates on city plans learn about the opportunities and challenges facing the Clermont City Council Mayor Murry will share key developments and initiatives happening throughout the city offering insight into ongoing and future projects that impact the community the mayor encourages attendees to bring their questions “This is a time for open conversation,” said Mayor Murry “I want to make sure residents feel heard and informed about what’s happening in their city.” The casual setting fosters meaningful dialogue and helps strengthen the connection between city leadership and the community contact the city’s official website or call 352-227-2003 06may12:00 pm1:30 pmLunch With Clermont Mayor Murry Join Mayor Murry on the first Tuesday of each month for lunch and City updates at rotating Clermont restaurants (subject to change – check with the city of Clermont for updates) 08may10:00 am11:30 amBuild Your Bones! 10may7:00 am1:00 pmThe Letter Carriers' Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive - U.S. Postal Service The Letter Carriers' Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive will take place on Saturday simply leave a bag of non-perishable food next to your mailbox for 11may9:00 am1:00 pmDowntown Clermont Farmers Markets (WHAM) — National Guard helicopters were seen Wednesday above Groveland Correctional Facility as a statewide prison strike continued into Day 10 A police presence on the ground was also seen outside of the facility after several sources told 13WHAM there was an incident inside the prison We reached out to the state's Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) which said there have not been any incidents at the facility This comes as the National Guard is deployed there and at dozens of other prisons as officers remain on the picket line Protestors are remaining steadfast in their calls for legislative reform including repealing the HALT Act and implementing better working conditions for officer safety Kathy Hochul have publicly condemned the strike calling it illegal and saying the state and the corrections union remain in an ongoing mediation effort People on the picket line at Orleans Correctional Facility said they haven't heard any updates from state officials They said they want to return to work so long as the state implements better practices specifically shorter shifts and better screening of visitors "(The) first big thing is they want to go back in with no retribution," said Ron Sessamen "They want the 24-hour mandates to stop so they can have an actual normal life They want the packages control so that the drugs aren't coming they're passed off from the visitors and stuff." LAKE COUNTY – Crews have contained a brush fire in a rural area south of downtown Groveland that damaged a structure and several vehicles The fire is estimated to be about 13 acres in size Florida Forest Service says crews will continue to monitor the fire there were concerns about gusting winds and what officials called erratic fire behavior Florida Forest Services firefighters and aircraft are working the fire and Lake County Fire Rescue crews are working to protect structures A burn ban is currently in effect in Lake County because the county has not had a significant amount of rainfall for some time or unauthorized piles of debris is prohibited Small contained fires in outdoor fireplaces Christie joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021 The Elese Tomlin Community Center is owned by the City of Groveland and managed and operated by Anointed Community Services International to offer community assistance to the Groveland community Anointed Community Services International (ACSI)  offers a wide range of free programs and support services to residents of Groveland and surrounding areas and provide tools for personal and professional growth The center is open Monday–Thursday from 12 – 5:00 pm.(Closed Fridays) Programs and Services include Women’s Ignite & Men’s Empowerment Network  support for single parents, G.E.M life skills development and free community classes youth internships (in partnership with Career Source) health letters and access to Florida assistance and additional resources for families and individuals in need ACSI was created in memory of their mother whose love and sacrifice shaped their path What began as a mission to distribute care packages to the mentally ill has grown into a thriving nonprofit supporting women a former executive assistant and office manager at Seminole State College and community service—ultimately channeling her experience into ACSI’s mission of empowerment and outreach Visit the Elese Tomlin Empowerment Center at 824 E Broad St. to explore programs designed to help you grow Call 352-404-7898 to learn more or schedule an appointment 05may7:00 pm9:00 pmGroveland City Council Meeting meets the 1st and 3rd Mondays' of the month meets the 1st and 3rd Mondays’ of the month – Corrections officers are still on strike at Groveland Correctional Facility in Livingston County on Friday after state leaders gave what they called their final warning The state’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said guards would be fired if they didn’t accept the state’s “third and final” deal on working conditions and return to their regularly scheduled shifts on Friday That announcement came during a Thursday news conference News10NBC went to Groveland to see whether the guards had returned to work for their scheduled 6:45 a.m as people walking the picket line pointed out the staff parking lot outside the prison wasn’t nearly as full as it normally would be for the start of the shift The strikes entered their 18th day on Friday Staff are still on strike at 32 of the state’s 42 prisons at last check and state leaders say they’re pursuing criminal and civil action to end the strike including possible charges against striking staff The state is also threatening fines of hundreds of dollars a day “We are prepared to and we will exercise all of our rights and all remedies and we will take action against those who continue to refuse to return to work illegally,” said Commissioner Jackie Bray of the Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services What’s in the “third and final” deal Guards went on strike to demand higher staffing levels and increased measures to protect them from being assaulted.  A deal has been on the table since Thursday night of last week when the union representing corrections officers reached a deal with DOCCS on working conditions Staff had until that Saturday to return to work without consequences people walking the picket line told News10NBC that the deal doesn’t do enough to ensure their safety Much of those safety concerns revolve around the HALT Act The union was not involved in negotiating the newest deal it’s between state leaders and individual corrections officers it agrees to eliminate mandatory 24-hour overtime shifts screen prison mail with technology to check for hazardous substances such as drugs and implement programs to recruit more staff it suspends some parts of the HALT Act for at least 90 days The HALT Act limits solitary to 15 straight days and bans solitary for pregnant people and anyone older than 55 or younger than 21 Advocates say the HALT Act creates more humane punishment But corrections officers say there is no longer a deterrent to dangerous behavior and the HALT Act has led to an increase in inmates assaulting staff since it went into effect in 2022 They also say the act is contributing to staffing shortages What is the union saying about the third deal the union representing the corrections officers said it wasn’t involved with negotiating the third deal Here is the statement from the union from Thursday:  we stated that there were outside parties interjecting themselves into negotiations on behalf of our members at selected facilities who continue to refuse to go to work   Many concessions that are being reportedly agreed upon  are already included in the mediator’s consent award that NYSCOPBA leaders negotiated with DOCCS and the State of New York last week.”  “NYSCOPBA was not appropriately engaged in the development of the currently circulating agreement This agreement was not negotiated with NYSCOPBA—the legally recognized entity through which all negotiations must be conducted There are substantial legal issues that must be addressed this agreement does not represent the best interests of our membership.” NYSCOPBA will not be signing this agreement we are actively working to engage DOCCS and New York State in reopening the Consent Award process with the mediator This approach would ensure that any resulting Consent Award is legally binding in court.” Are National Guard members still helping in prison Thousands of National Guard members are still deployed to prisons across the state to help with daily operations during the strikes we saw people in uniform get off a bus at Groveland Some corrections officers have returned to work at prisons that are still on strike. On Thursday, News10NBC was at Attica Correctional Facility and saw working corrections officers embracing and shaking hands with striking corrections officers What punishments has the state given so far over 5,200 corrections officers have lost health insurance coverage and at least 20 have been fired because they continue to strike March 1 to accept it and return to work or be fired the state is preparing to pursue criminal and civil action to try to end the strikes A.I. assisted with the formatting of this story. Click here to see how WHEC News 10 uses A.I (WHAM) — While the number of state prisons with striking workers has dropped to 32 those striking at Groveland Correctional Facility continued to do so Monday a retired correctional officer at Groveland Correctional Facility was back on the picket line Monday supporting prison guards who walked off the job to protest working conditions but we're still here and we'll continue to be here until the end." The state’s homeland security commissioner said fewer than 10 officers have been fired for participating in the illegal strike and the state terminated health insurance benefits for those who have remained on strike and their dependents "None of these actions we take lightly," Bray said "We have tried at every turn to get people back to work without taking these actions." "Being in the department for for several years they can't even begin the termination process until they send the employee certified letter and that only starts the process," Washburn said "Firing individuals over text messages That's not the way the system is." Officers rejected a tentative deal announced Thursday night to end the strike Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Commissioner Daniel Martuscello said he's traveled around the state talking with workers about their concerns "Corrections officers have a difficult job let alone being understaffed," he said "I see firsthand the impact it's had on correction officers and their families and I want to make sure that we continue to have this conversation as they play a vital role in public safety to this state." Bray said the state has already spent about $25 million in response to the strike and estimated it will cost roughly $106 million per month if it continues She said the National Guard will remain inside state prisons as long as they are needed "I want to thank the corrections officers and the sergeants and the lieutenants and the civilian staff in the facilities who have continued to work," Bray said "We want to encourage the corrections officers and sergeants who haven't come back yet to come back." Washburn said some officers have returned to their shifts but a majority of striking officers have had enough "I feel sorry for the for the men and women that did go back in," he said "They each have to make their own decision it's worse now than it was when they left They're still not seeing their families." (WHAM) — Inmates at the Groveland Correctional Facility spoke out Friday for the first time since their corrections officers went on strike The order remains in effect until March 21 allowing the National Guard to work inside the prisons to keep order while workers strike outside The officers' union said it did not authorize the strike, which has now expanded to nearly all prisons across the state 36-year-old inmate Colon DaCosta said he's worried as tensions began to rise behind the Groveland walls we're all worried," DaCosta said during a phone interview Public records show DaCosta has been incarcerated since 2023 after being charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon "The tension is definitely building up," DaCosta continued Since the strike among correctional officers statewide began Groveland inmates said their lives have been placed on pause they stopped all the movement in the jail," said DaCosta we haven't been nowhere besides our dorm." The strike started due to working conditions and grueling hours many officers face and he had 125 hours of overtime in one week," DaCosta concluded 45-year-old Bradley Zadul is another inmate at Groveland charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon "There were three (National Guards) last night when they finally came in yesterday but they also left his shift from the night shift," Zadul said "He actually just walked out and kept the door locked and we were in here for three and a half hours with no officer and no guidelines." He said changes need to be made for better working and living conditions "There should be certain instances or certain acts that if someone commits then they have to deal with the department corrections segregated confinement," Zadul concluded "The governor is forcing these men and women to work mandatory doubles and triples 40 hours extra after already working a regular week." Striking COs told 13WHAM the pickets will continue into the weekend Family Day is Saturday when loved ones will be joining those outside state facilities to support them A corrections officer from Erie County was found deceased Wednesday in state housing at Groveland Correctional Facility GROVELAND — Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday for a state corrections officer found dead Wednesday before his shift at Groveland Correctional Facility of Angola had his regular days off Monday and Tuesday officials from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision confirmed CA— The CHP has released the details of a serious injury crash near Moccasin in Tuolumne County this past weekend that was first reported as a hit-and-run but later determined to be an accident involving just the cyclist on Priest Coulterville Road south of Highway 120 at the Old Priest and New Priest grades intersection Sonora Unit CHP spokesperson Officer Steve Machado tells Clarke Broadcasting that 55-year-old Susan Perez of Escalon was riding at an undetermined speed on her Trek bicycle southbound through a right curve in the roadway “Perez was riding with a group of competitive cyclists,” shared Machado “She lost control of her bicycle in the curve and it overturned onto its left side.” Perez and the bicycle came to rest in the northbound lane of Priest Coulterville Road She was airlifted to Doctors Hospital in Modesto Perez was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and that drug or alcohol use is not suspected as a factor in this incident Written by Tracey Petersen Sign up for our Breaking News Alerts and the myMotherLode.com Daily Newsletters by clicking here. Report breaking news, traffic or weather to our News Hotline (209) 532-6397. Send Mother Lode News Story photos to news@clarkebroadcasting.com For local news delivered to your email daily, sign up myMotherLode’s FREE Daily Newsletter here The South Lake Chamber of Commerce hosted an informative and well-attended business breakfast at the E.L where Groveland Mayor Keith Keogh and City Manager Mike Hein delivered a keynote address focused on the city’s remarkable growth known as “Chef Keogh” due to his culinary background shared his unique journey from the kitchen to city hall the Florida native is a retired chef and owner of Olive Isle Family Farm in Groveland including work on the launch of EPCOT Center a publicly traded culinary education company in San Francisco and served as Senior Vice President of Culinary & Beverage Excellence at Darden’s Red Lobster Division Now residing on his farm with his wife Vicki near their two daughters and five grandchildren Keogh’s passion for innovation and community remains central to his leadership brings more than 30 years of public service experience including leadership roles in several Arizona cities A University of Wisconsin – Steven’s Point graduate Hein holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Arizona and has completed executive training at Harvard University’s JFK School of Government Known for his signature green jeans and entertaining presentations Hein adds a personal touch to his professional style Keogh and Hein emphasized Groveland’s rapid rise noting its recent ranking as the #10 fastest-growing city in the U.S. Their address underscored priorities including education Community Development: The Elese Tomlinson Empowerment Center is poised to become a vital hub for resident support and empowerment so does the need for accessible and comprehensive healthcare The city is focused on attracting and supporting providers to meet these demands Business Growth: Projects like Green Valley Commons—which will feature a car wash and additional businesses—and the continued success of the Groveland Exchange connecting residents with locally grown produce Infrastructure & Transportation: Major roadway improvements are on the horizon. The SR 50 bypass will break ground next year, with upgrades planned for SR 19 and Highway 33 to ease traffic and improve regional connectivity. Environmental Stewardship: One of Groveland’s ambitious projects involves acquiring more than 750+ acres of land stretching from Lake Lucy to Lake Minneola for conservation and recreation Youth Engagement: Mayor Keogh proudly highlighted the Groveland Youth Council underscoring the city’s commitment to nurturing future leaders both leaders praised the Live Well Foundation for its essential role in supporting many of these transformative projects “Groveland is being heard in Tallahassee,” Mayor Keogh said with conviction The presentation concluded with a strong call for continued collaboration and community involvement as Groveland—the city with natural charm—continues to grow with purpose and heart is set to open in Fall 2025 with an enrollment of 615 students The school’s mission – WISH: Wellness and Health—paired with a Village and Classical approach—reflects its forward-thinking mission helped spotlight the school’s role in the city’s future Chamber President Dave Colby shared that membership has reached an impressive 951 members reflecting a thriving local business community CA— A Groveland woman was arrested in Jamestown after drugs were found in her vehicle and hidden on her A Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Deputy patrolling the area of Highway 108 recognized 46-year-old Alicia Belt exiting a vehicle at the 76 gas station at the corner of Rawhide Road The deputy knew she had two misdemeanor drug-related warrants one out of Tuolumne and the other out of Mono County the deputies searched Belt’s vehicle and found a small bag of suspected cocaine but did not specify exactly where the drug was found in the vehicle revealing a small bag of suspected methamphetamine inside one of her shoes Belt was arrested on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance including bringing a controlled substance into the jail The City of Groveland welcomed families and visitors for a day of festive fun during its annual Easter Egg Hunt and Celebration at Cherry Lake Park on Saturday brought together the community for a springtime celebration There were lots of Easter eggs……Plenty to fill every basket With free admission and activities for all ages Children dashed through the park in timed Easter egg hunts eagerly scooping up colorful eggs filled with sweet surprises and goodies to fill their baskets to the brim Adding to the excitement were live bunnies and lively tunes provided by DJ Mix on Wheels Families also had the opportunity to take festive photos to capture the day’s memories Local food vendors added delicious flavor to the celebration with popular offerings from Lingo’s Fish & Loaves Grill The City of Groveland once again created a joyful and inclusive event bringing the community together in the spirit of Easter celebration – Prison guards on strike at Groveland Correctional Facility in Livingston County say the latest deal on working conditions is still “no good” Guards across the state had until on Monday at 6:45 a.m to accept the deal and resume work for their scheduled shifts or continue to strike and face consequences The union representing corrections officers and the state’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision reached the deal on Saturday night nearly a week after the two parties reached their first deal News10NBC spoke with guards on the picket line on Sunday who said the latest deal still doesn’t address their concerns for safety in the workplace The deal will go into effect if 85% of striking corrections officers return to work by Monday morning We’re still working to learn how many corrections officers returned The deal says the state will rehire and reinstate the health insurance of any guard who was fired or resigned and will work towards ending mandatory 24-hour overtime But striking guards say it fails to address their biggest concern – permanently eliminating the HALT Act That’s the policy that limits solitary confinement and guards say it has made prisons more dangerous Of the dozen or so on the picket line on Sunday a majority said they wouldn’t be returning to work on Monday Geri Kraiza has been bringing supplies to striking guards since day two of the strike She says she’ll continue standing with the guards for as long as she’s needed we’ve stood out here and they’ve cried,” Kraiza said Their wives are so mad at them because they can’t leave and then they can’t afford to quit their job Kathy Hochul has deployed the National Guard to serve in the prisons while corrections officers are on strike and she says she will keep them there for as long as they are needed This is far from the first deal that corrections officers have been offered. Guards had until 6:45 a.m. on Friday to return to work and accept a deal that the state offered but the union wasn’t involved in negotiating it suspends some parts of the HALT Act for at least 90 days but doesn’t repeal it That’s a similar promise to the first deal reached That deal agreed to eliminate mandatory 24-hour overtime shifts Corrections officers had until Monday to return for their scheduled shifts but the strike continues for many A.I. assisted with the formatting of this story. Click here to see how WHEC News 10 uses A.I CA— The installation of public restrooms in Groveland will impact parking and access to EV charging stations until the end of next month Tuolumne County Public Works has hired Njirich & Sons Crews will build a restroom in the public parking lot near the Tesla Supercharger site on Ponderosa Lane off Main Street/Highway 120 The work will run from April 15th to June 30th County road officials provided these details regarding the estimated month-and-a-half project to be completed: • Parking and access on the northern portion of the lot will be blocked for the duration of construction • Expect construction noise and some limitations to supercharging during utility underground work and the delivery of restroom material Motorists are asked to obey all construction signs and flaggers while also slowing down especially when personnel and large equipment are operating in the construction zone For Caltrans traffic information for Highway’s 4, 49, 59, 108, and 120 plus a view of traffic on other Mother Lode roads click on “Traffic” or keyword: traffic and our local gas price page is here. For an overview of extreme weather news stories go here. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More hugs and smiles during the official dedication of the Oak Tree Union Colored Cemetery of Taylorville after a race against time to save the historic Black cemetery that was inaccessible and neglected for decades The Oak Tree Union Colored Cemetery of Taylorville is located in the area now known as Groveland on State Road 19 Some of the descendants of the 10 Army veterans buried in the cemetery attended the dedication Their loved ones never received a formal military funeral until now The results of a ground-penetrating radar survey showed there are 229 people believed to be buried in the cemetery but for decades it was overgrown and inaccessible until Groveland’s Fire Chief Kevin Carroll volunteered to find a way to save it and restore it He said there were many volunteers and businesses that stepped up to help on the project a $499,000 restoration grant for the project.  I had the men and women of the fire department but a community came together and supported all of us but because the community came together to make this happen.” The city of Groveland owns the cemetery and will maintain it It is now officially open from sunrise to sunset CA — Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil stopped by today’s Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors meeting to give a special honor to a Groveland woman The Senator recognized Patti Beaulieu as her pick for Woman of the Year for Tuolumne County The selections for each county are made annually as part of Women’s History Month Patti has been at the heart of local civic life Whether leading the Groveland Republican women Patti has embodied the very spirit of public service but because she believes in this community and what it stands for.” Alvarado-Gil added that Beaulieu has been an active member of the non-profit Helping Hands Executive Board and manages the group’s local thrift store She is also a strong supporter of local schools and is active with the Pine Mountain Lake Association Her nomination came from District Four Supervisor Steve Griefer Beaulieu was on hand to accept a proclamation from the California Senate Written by BJ Hansen Sign up for our Breaking News Alerts and the myMotherLode.com Daily Newsletters by clicking here. Report breaking news, traffic or weather to our News Hotline (209) 532-6397. Send Mother Lode News Story photos to news@clarkebroadcasting.com — Nearly two weeks into the unauthorized prison guard strike across New York State tensions remain high as correction officers demand better working conditions News10NBC reports from outside Groveland Correctional Facility where many officers continue to strike despite warnings from the state “New York State and the Department of Corrections trained us to not be bullied.” “I lived out of a suitcase for five years never got a chance to spend any time with him before they passed away Governor Hochul is working with the union to address the striking officers’ issues like eliminating mandatory 24-hour overtime shifts and the temporary suspension of the HALT Act which limits solitary confinement – which officers argue has made prisons more dangerous for both them Striking workers received a text warning them to return to work by Sunday or face civil penalties “This is the kind of stuff that we got to put up with,” Serediuk said the National Guard is acting as prison guards at Groveland Governor Hochul stated she is willing to keep the National Guard in prisons for as long as needed A.I. assisted with the formatting of this story. Click here to see how WHEC News10NBC uses A.I The deadline for striking officers to return to work without receiving any penalties was Saturday David Washburn has been the spokesperson for those on the picket line at Groveland Correctional Facility Washburn told 13WHAM that several officers at Groveland are now turning in their badges "The general thought on the line is that they would be treated better as incarcerated individuals than they would New York state employees," said Washburn "There was at least two of them that I know of today, several are very close to that retirement date, and they have filled out their papers," Washburn said. The agreement outlined a deal including a 90-day suspension to parts of the HALT Act, which would limit the way solitary confinement is used. It would also increase overtime pay, and a plan to hire short-term hourly officers. "I think statewide, the answer is no, and that's because they don't feel their voice was heard," Washburn said. Correctional officers said they received a message Saturday evening informing them of penalties for those who did not return back to work by Saturday. Termination of health insurance and employment mentioned as well as fines and imprisonment against those that continue to strike. "I think the frustrating thing is coming back from Albany, it all has been threat after threat after threat after threat, and listening to the guys on our line there at Groveland, we don't really respond to threats that well," Washburn concluded. Department of Corrections Commissioner Daniel Martuscello issued a statement regarding the correctional officers returning to work. We recognise you are attempting to access this website from a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU which enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore cannot grant you access at this time. For any issues, e-mail us at circulation@midfloridanewspapers.com or call us at 863-385-6155. Flash flood warning until 12:45 Tuesday morning for portions of Genesee, Livingston and Wyoming counties RadarStrikers: National Guard has arrived at Groveland Correctional Facilityby WHAM (WHAM) — Striking corrections workers at the Groveland Correctional Facility said the National Guard has arrived and started work there They told 13WHAM that troops arrived around 9 p.m Kathy Hochul announced she signed an executive order declaring a statewide disaster emergency and activating the New York National Guard amid an ongoing strike at state prisons allows the National Guard to be inside state prisons while workers strike outside Picketers continue to call for better staffing and working conditions The union representing the workers said it didn't authorize the strike which grew Wednesday to some 30 state prisons — Groveland city leaders planned to meet with homeowners Monday night to discuss higher-than-normal water bills Homeowners say they have seen significant rate increases after new changes took effect in October Some residents say they have seen their rates double in the past months following the city’s announcement back in August that rates would increase by around 40% Homeowner Cassandra Woodin and her husband have lived in their Groveland house for 13 years and don’t own a swimming pool They say their water billed jumped from $150 dollars a month to $300 dollars and especially if you consider our usage is down from last month,” said Woodin The city warned homeowners like Woodin by mail in August of an impending rate hike citing aging infrastructure and the $265 million need for two new water facilities “It would be OK to have a little bit of a rate hike but the amount it’s gone up is insane,” said Woodin Groveland resident Christine Boothe’s property relies on well water owns several rental properties where tenants have been shocked by recent water bills and says it’s going to drive those people away “They live paycheck to paycheck," she said Both homeowners were expected to meet at the Puryear Building on Monday when city leaders met with homeowners to discuss the rate hike In addition to the changes that took effect in October there will also be a year-over-year increase for homeowners in Groveland The City of Groveland is thrilled to announce the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Elese Tomlin Empowerment Center a transformative initiative aimed at fostering education The Elese Tomlin Empowerment Center is a collaborative effort made possible through a generous grant from the Live Well Foundation of South Lake in partnership with Anointed Community Services Int’l and the City of Groveland This center stands as a testament to the city’s commitment to innovation and community development Mayor Chef Keith Keogh expressed his enthusiasm for this groundbreaking project “This center represents a true turning point for Groveland where innovation and community spirit come together It’s a reflection of our dedication to providing opportunities and building a brighter future for our residents I’m excited to celebrate this milestone and see the incredible impact it will have.” Anointed Community Services Int’l is dedicated to empowering individuals and enhancing community welfare through essential programs and services. By fostering partnerships and initiating innovative solutions, the organization aims to create opportunities for growth and development for all residents. For more information, contact Dr. Linda Cowels at 352-404-7898 or info@anointedcs.org Established in 2019, the Live Well Foundation of South Lake is committed to enhancing health and wellness in the South Lake community. The foundation, born from a landmark agreement between Orlando Health and South Lake Memorial Hospital, seeks to fund sustainable initiatives that promote healthy living and expanded healthcare options. Learn more at lwfsl.org Located just 27 miles west of Downtown Orlando Groveland prides itself on being one of the safest and fastest-growing cities in Florida blending its diverse community into an eco-agrarian landscape that supports vibrant and innovative living Don’t miss this momentous occasion as Groveland opens the doors to a brighter future for its residents — While the holidays can be a time full of joy love and making new memories with friends and family it can also be a heartbreaking time remembering those we have lost Some set aside time to visit their loved ones’ final resting place that was almost impossible to do for seven decades Lifelong Groveland resident Sam Griffin says he remembers visiting the Oak Tree Union Colored Cemetery of Taylorville which was established around the 1895 to 1900 time period He is a Vietnam veteran who was named after an uncle who served during World War I Griffin said he grew up hearing the stories about his Uncle Doe But paying respects to his uncle was challenging “Because the property around the cemetery here was owned by other people and we couldn’t cross over that,” he said explaining that even when they had permission a real close picture of just how this place looked," Griffin said Nothing but solid woods and everything." Griffin said over the years the condition of the cemetery worsened until a call for action lit a flame in one man’s heart: Groveland’s Fire Chief Kevin Carroll who is the project manager for the effort to save the cemetery he volunteered to take on a new project to revitalize the site who is a public archaeologist with the Florida Public Archaeology Network and has 25 years experience in the field.  it was the worst condition cemetery I’d ever seen,” Rudolph said and Carroll said the cemetery was in immediate danger of being erased from history forever The Oak Tree Union Colored Cemetery of Taylorville was in such a poor state it would take hundreds of thousands of dollars to restore right around the time he reached out to me a new grant had come up from the division of historical resources," Rudolph said Rudolph says Carroll went for the African American Cultural and Historical Grant a $495,000 grant that would clear the way to uncover history Rudolph found about a half-dozen buried grave markers and a ground penetrating radar survey discovered 229 possible gravesites “The folks that are buried here built this community,” Rudolph said He calls them the backbone of the Groveland community in the turpentine industry and for the sawmill industry But his most compelling find was something many headstones had in common Each one of the non-military ones all have a symbol of a fraternal organization on them Rudolph said there is so much you can learn here about who the people were and how they lived It is a history long-time journalist and church musician Linda Charlton made it her mission to discover She set out to visit numerous local churches to try to track down aging elders who could share firsthand memories of the cemetery and its occupants She says she remembers interviewing at one time one of the oldest people in Groveland Olea Mitchell told her she remembered going to funerals at the cemetery Griffin was skeptical at first about yet another effort to turn things around at the cemetery he says he is encouraged that he and others can now visit this restored burial ground He points to new strong friendships he has made in the process The Oak Tree Union Colored Cemetery of Taylorville will be open to the public in early 2025 It will be open from sunrise to sunset and is located near downtown Groveland on State Road 19 (Howey Road) Editor's Note: This article has been edited to correct the name of the grant program which is the African American Cultural and Historical Grant CA — The Stanislaus National Forest will begin a prescribed burning project next week in the Groveland Ranger District Looking to take advantage of recent wet weather and fuel conditions burning will take place over several days on the China Ridge Burn Units in the area of Hobron Hill crews on the district have been able to get a significant amount of prep work done in the area,” said Groveland District Ranger Jim Junette we have the right conditions to begin burning on these units.” Smoke may be visible from Smith Station Road and Highway 120 with some down canyon drift smoke visible in the evening and early morning BALTIMORE (WBFF) — A 50-year-old woman was carjacked on Monday morning in Baltimore's northwest district officers went to the 5500 block of Groveland Avenue for a report of a carjacking ALSO READ | 20-year-old held without bail after AK-47, stolen car recovered in Towson traffic stop officers say they learned that a 50-year-old woman was approached by two unidentified male suspects while retrieving packages from her vehicle The suspects announced a robbery while implying they were armed Citywide Robbery Detectives are investigating CA— Two men were arrested in Groveland after a traffic stop uncovered drugs and a “ghost gun.” A Tuolumne County Sheriff’s deputy recently pulled over a pickup truck on Merrell Road near Highway 120 for failing to stop at a stop sign and several vehicle code infractions including an expired registration and an obscured license plate who initially refused to identify himself but acknowledged that he had arrest warrants Sheriff’s spokesperson Ashley Boujikian tells Clarke Broadcasting “A search of the car turned up several used hypodermic needles one of which was loaded with a material that was likely from intravenous drug usage Ringer lied and said his name was “John Doe” when the deputy gave him a citation.” A loaded pistol and magazine were found under the passenger seat “The gun was known as a “ghost gun” since it lacked a serial number.” A record check also showed that Ringer had many felony and misdemeanor drug-related warrants from outside agencies The deputy then patted down Ringer and discovered his driver’s license The two men were arrested without incident more methamphetamine turned up in his pocket Ringer was charged with a felony knowingly bringing a controlled substance into a jail a felon in possession of a firearm and a controlled substance and giving a peace officer a fake identity “Several additional charges related to possession of the unserialized handgun were recommended to the District Attorney.” Barnes was arrested on multiple driving infractions and possession of a restricted drug CA — The Tuolumne County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to review plans for a Groveland area lodging project known as Tiny House Village and associated infrastructure to be constructed on a 14 acre parcel in the 23000 block of Sprague Road East (approximately six miles east of Groveland) The project proponent is Stephanie Wohlfiel The guest cabins would be prefabricated mobile units that would be rented for overnight stays They would be built on a chassis with wheels and meet the definition of a park trailer by the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development The applicant is seeking a Site Development Permit for the project and it will be reviewed by the Planning Commission on Wednesday at 6pm in the Board of Supervisors meeting room at 2 South Green Street CA — Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Detectives are actively investigating a shooting that happened early this morning in Groveland The sheriff’s dispatch was alerted to the shooting in the area of Black Road near Harper Road Sheriff’s spokesperson Ashley Boujikian relayed that a caller reported a man with a gun had been beating on his camper and he shot him deputies learned the wounded man had fled on foot to a nearby fire station and then flown to a Modesto hospital to treat his gunshot wound The sheriff’s office has not identified either the caller/shooter or the wounded man detectives are actively following up on all available investigative leads “We are asking our community to stay clear of the area while our detectives do their work.” This is an ongoing investigation and sheriff’s officials advise that more information will be released as the investigation progresses Groveland, CA– More details have been released about a weekend shooting in Groveland that was initially reported here. Authorities say Tuolumne County Sheriff deputies and a California Highway Patrol officer responded to reports of a shooting at approximately 6:25 a.m on Saturday the 28th near Black Road and Highway 120 A caller told dispatchers that a man with a gun had been banging on his camper a 53-year-old man arrived at the Groveland Fire Station with a gunshot wound to his torso Firefighters provided first aid until paramedics arrived The man was later transported to a hospital in Stanislaus County for further treatment Officials say he remains in stable condition at an undisclosed location Deputies arriving at the scene detained 42-year-old Jonathan William Luczak and a female associate for further investigation A firearm was discovered on the hood of a vehicle Detectives from the Tuolumne County Investigations Division took over the case detectives arrested Luczak on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm a felony under California Penal Code 29800(a)(1) He was booked into the Dambacher Detention Center The investigation remains active as detectives continue to interview witnesses and pursue additional leads Written by Nic Peterson many prison guards at Groveland Correctional Facility returned to work following a third agreement between the state and the union Monday’s crowd size was diminished compared to previous visits hundreds of guards and their families were at the camp all day News10NBC’s Kristi Blake only saw a handful of striking guards which limits solitary confinement and protects vulnerable inmates from being placed in isolation Some striking guards believe the new agreement is still too vague and doesn’t adequately address their concerns One active guard who did not want to speak on camera expressed the agreement “feels like a rewrite of the others.” Those guys are in there doing 12-hour shifts now.” He went on to say he does not think the 12-hour shifts will ever stop The most recent agreement says 12-hour shifts will remain until prisons are staffed at pre-strike levels Governor Kathy Hochul deployed the National Guard early in the strike to maintain prison operations New York Republicans requested President Trump activate the National Guard under Title 10 benefits and legal protections as active military members the National Guard will continue to assist with staffing The state has committed to rehiring and reinstating the health insurance of any guard who was fired or resigned contingent on 85% of striking guards returning to work News10NBC has reached out to the state about how many striking guards returned to work assisted with the formatting of this story Click here to see how WHEC News10NBC uses A.I — A homicide investigation is underway following an inmate's death at a state prison in Livingston County New York State Police responded Saturday to Groveland Correctional Facility to investigate a stabbing was pronounced dead at the scene.Police said an altercation led to Belle's death was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries Prison records indicate Belle was serving a sentence of 2-4 years for attempted assault He arrived at Groveland July 11 after being convicted in Brooklyn