Unemployment in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties rose in January, remaining higher than statewide averages but lower than a year ago at the same time, labor statistics released Friday showed.

Tuolumne County’s unemployment rate was 12 percent in January, up from 11.2 percent in December, but down from 13.2 percent in January 2012, the California Employment Development Department reported.

A Tuolumne County man will stand trial for allegedly burning down a restaurant in Columbia State Historic Park in December. 

At a preliminary hearing in Tuolumne County Superior Court on Friday, Judge Eleanor Provost ordered Daenon Vincent Brewer, 22, be held to answer to charges of arson and being under the influence of opiates. 

PUBLIC MEETING: Calaveras County Board of Supervisors, 9 a.m. regular meeting, 11 a.m. Lake Tulloch hearing and 1 p.m. study session, Government Center, 891 Mountain Ranch Road, San Andreas.

A study session on economic development is scheduled Tuesday afternoon at the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors meeting.

The session fulfills a campaign promise by Cliff Edson, the District 1 supervisor for San Andreas and Valley Springs.

A Valley Springs man convicted of involuntary manslaughter is living in a state prison hospital more than a year after authorities believed his brain cancer would kill him.

His former attorney said he may soon return to county jail. James Alison Livezey, 43, received a three-year sentence one year ago this month for his role in the June 2011 death of Marvin Brown, 52, at a Valley Springs mobile home park.

Fire crews are responding to a structure fire in Rancho Calaveras.

The fire on the 2200 block of Gallius Lane was reported at 2:05 p.m., according to Cal Fire.

Responding are engines from Cal Fire and Calaveras Consolidated Fire Authority and water tenders from San Andreas and Mokelumne Hill fire protection districts. 

A wooden brace supports a pier at the Sonora Inn. Maggie Beck / Union Democrat, Copyright 2013.

The wooden bracing on South Washington Street at Stockton Road was installed on the eve of the Amgen Tour of California bicycle race last May after a driver lost control of his car and crashed into a supportive pier.

Dozens of students and parents turned out for a Summerville High School board meeting Thursday to discuss an alleged student bullying incident, only to be turned away by the district’s board.

Most audience members wanted to speak about a parent complaint lodged by Al Dieste, father of freshman Beto Dieste. Dieste says his son has been targeted by bullies who, he claims, have formed a “Hate Beto” club.

This year’s bills for a controversial state fire fee will be delayed due to a high number of challenges filed by property owners.

According to representatives with both the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the state Board of Equalization, the bills for the $150 State Responsibility Area fire fee will not go out in April as expected. 

PUBLIC MEETING: Utica Power Authority, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, agency headquarters, 1168 Booster Way, Angels Camp.

The Utica Power Authority may be no more after its meeting Tuesday night.

The joint agency that brings water to Angels Camp, Murphys and points in between is expected to be called by a new name that reflects its primary purpose.