A proposed AT&T cell tower site at the Sonora Fire Department station would pave the way for high-speed wireless Internet in the area, according to the telecommunication company.

The Sonora City Council at Monday night’s meeting heard a presentation from AT&T officials regarding the local benefits that would come from the construction of the new site, including positioning the city for future network upgrades.
   

 It’s been a long winter for local businesses that rely on snowy conditions to make ends meet.

With more than a month still left in the winter season, it’s hard to say exactly how much snow will eventually fall at ski resorts like Dodge Ridge, Bear Valley and Badger Pass. But the numerous other businesses that rely on the white stuff are already seeing profits well below average.

Three local fashionistas are teaching a generation of would-be seamstresses the fine art of sewing at the Mother Lode’s very own sewing school.

The Sonora School of Sewing opened last year as part of a nonprofit program to teach youth to design and sew their own garments. The program proved to be so popular that organizers began offering classes to adults as well, according to school director Karen Griffin.

“At that point we said, ‘let’s open it to the general public and see if they’re interested in sewing,’” she said.
  

Ron and Lorie Gianelli, owners of Gianelli Vineyards in Jamestown, were honored with five medals in the prestigious 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition — three golds and two bronze.

“We were hoping and praying for one gold and were ecstatic when we found out that we had won five medals from the six wines we entered,” Lorie Gianelli said.
   

 The unemployment rate in Tuolumne County rose slightly in December, putting an end to a nearly two-year decline in jobless claims.

Unemployment stood at 12.8 percent in December, up from 12.4 percent in November, according to Employment Development Department figures released Friday.

Prior to last month’s rise, the unemployment rate fell consistently since February 2010, when unemployment was well above 14 percent, according to EDD analyst Pedro Vargas. He said the slight increase in joblessness shouldn’t be cause for alarm because the overall number of people out of work is down compared to December 2010, when unemployment stood at 13.9 percent.
   

 Mark Banks’ first job is a lot different than the one he has now. But in a lot of ways, it’s pretty similar.

On one hand, he’s not pushing a broom around a Sonora glass shop like he did in high school. But his name is still on the sign out front of his family-run business, Banks Glass.

Banks is now president of the local glass installation company. Started by his father and mother, Vernon and Gloria, the company is celebrating its 50th year of business as a family-owned contractor.
   

The Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce will install its 2012 Board of Directors Wednesday at its annual dinner in San Andreas.  

The event begins at 5:30 for networking and dinner at 6 p.m. It will take place at The Metropolitan, 59 N. Main St., San Andreas.

Business of the Year awards and Leadership Class graduation honors also will be presented.