Worried your child will turn into a couch potato this summer? 

Don’t fear — there are plenty of options for keeping kids occupied, reminding them of what they learned in school and helping them find new interests. 

This year they can choose from music and theater camps, classes taught by local artists, youth soccer, a variety of Tuolumne County Recreation Department activities and more. 

Sophia Bicocca, 2, of Springfield, Ore., jumps a frog at opening day of the Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee Thursday afternoon. Maggie Beck / Union Democrat, Copyright 2013.

Frog jumping contests are held daily, with the International Frog Jump Finals beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday.

Travelers looking to get to Yosemite from Sonora, Jamestown or Groveland have a second option today.

The Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System today will launch its second summer transportation service on the Highway 108 and 120 corridor between Sonora and the Yosemite Valley.

Surrounded by tribal elders, Me-Wuk Tribal Chairman Kevin Day cuts the ribbon as tribal elders Mildred Hawkins (left) and Dorothy Standage (center) hold the large scissors at the grand opening. Maggie Beck / Union Democrat, Copyright 2013.

Members of the public and Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians gathered for a special ribbon cutting ceremony for the hotel, which quietly opened earlier this month. Tribal leaders also celebrated the 12th anniversary of the Black Oak Casino, recognizing how far the popular destination has come since opening as a 28,000 square-foot hall with some slot machines and a few table games.

A 12-year-old boy charged in the stabbing death of his sister, Leila Fowler, 8, appeared in Calaveras County Superior Court on Wednesday but did not enter a plea.

The District Attorney’s Office is charging him with second-degree murder with a special allegation for use of a dangerous weapon. Second-degree murder indicates the killing was not premeditated. 

Joan Jett performs at Ironstone Vineyards in 2010. Gary Linehan / Union Democrat, Copyright 2013.

“This year has been a challenge for us and a challenge in numerous ways,” Ironstone President Stephen Kautz said in announcing the series Tuesday. “There are a lot of logistics, a lot of challenges and a lot of funds when dealing with musicians.”

The Tuolumne Utilities District will continue to examine whether it makes sense to lower connection and capacity fees for future developers in an attempt to spur growth.

Multiple people criticized the idea during a Tuesday meeting of the TUD Board of Directors, though board members said they are considering lowering the fees and want more information on how it could impact TUD’s water supply and bottom line.

A 911 dispatch tape released Tuesday by the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office shows the chaos surrounding the initial report related to the stabbing of 8-year-old Leila Fowler.

The recording, released at the request of The Union Democrat and other media outlets, documents a conversation between Leila’s mother and a Calaveras County 911 dispatcher on April 27. It indicates the mother, Crystal Walters, was not yet aware of the seriousness of the situation when she called authorities.