OBITUARIES

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Recent heavy storms in California have wiped out much of the state's abnormally dry conditions. Two months ago, the U.S. Drought Monitor categorized more 81% of the state as abnormally dry because of above-normal temperatures and a lack of precipitation six weeks into the water year that started Oct. 1. The percentage climbed to 85% as recently as last week.

But heavy rains throughout the state have shrunk the percentage to a sliver along the Oregon-california border.

This was the 10th straight year the state was considered abnormally dry since record-keeping began in 1895, said David Simeral, a research scientist at the Western Regional Climate Center in Reno. The category put most of the state one step above moderate drought level and indicates the soil is dry, snow pack is minimal and fire danger is high.

The U.S. Drought Monitor is a product of federal agencies and the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-lincoln. It makes assessments but does not declare drought in affected areas; individual states and regions use the information from the monitor to declare drought. California had seven years of drought that ended March 2019.

California's Department of Water Resources reported earlier in December that Lake Oroville was at 54% of capacity and Shasta Lake was at 71% of capacity.

Karla Nemeth, the water agency's director, said in a Dec. 2 statement that they are grateful for recent rains and the above-average reservoir storage.

Death notices

CALLAHAN — Ruth M. Callahan, 100, of Sonora, died Monday, Dec. 9, at Avalon Care Center in Sonora. Heuton Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements.

DUNLOP — Former Sonora resident Frances “Janet” Dunlop, 93, of Elk Grove, died Wednesday, Dec. 11, in Sacramento. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at Heuton Memorial Chapel, which is handling arrangements.

HARATANI — Joseph Haratani, 96, of Sonora, died Dec. 6 at Skyline Senior Living in Sonora. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

MILLER — Steven “Steve” Miller, 65, of Jamestown,

died Nov. 24 at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Death notices are free and include name, age and town, date of death, service information and memorial contribution information.

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