Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 6-1-11 - "Today's Seniors" host Laurie Webb sits down with Anne Lintz to discuss some of the bennefits that come with having local insurance.

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 6-1-11 - Michael Johnson of Daneri’s Mortuary stops by the "Today's Seniors" set to discuss funeral scams.

Amador County – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection warned people of risks heading into summer and the dry season, including the overabundance of grass and brush, and the high amount of water expected to be coming from the impending melt.

Teri Mizuhara, prevention specialist with Cal Fire said last week that the “wet spring brings hidden dangers,” and she stressed safety. She said “this spring’s above average rainfall has led to an abundance of grass, brush and water throughout the state.” While the weather is ideal for Californians and tourists to enjoy outdoor recreation, Mizuhara said Cal Fire officials “are reminding everyone of the importance of safety” heading into the summer holidays.

Despite rain falling as recently as this week, she said “the grass and brush in many areas has begun to dry out and is becoming increasingly flammable. Cal Fire crews have already seen an increase in the number of wildfires, even with the late rain.”

Chief Ken Pimlott, acting director of Cal Fire, said: “Many people don’t realize that most of the low lying grass only takes an hour to dry out.” He said weather forecasts appears “to be great for outdoor activities, but people still need to be cautious this time of year, because the grass can burn.”

Wildfires are not the only danger posed by the outdoors, Mizuhara said. She said instances of drowning “dramatically increase during the Memorial Day weekend.”

Pimlott said: “All the runoff from this winter’s storms has increased the amount of water and flow in our rivers and lakes.” He said “in California, drowning is the leading cause of deaths among children under 14, and every year Cal Fire responds to water rescues across the state, many of which tragically claim the lives of both adults and children.”

Cal Fire said a number of important steps can help make summer safer. When camping, people should obtain the necessary permits needed for campfires. They should clear away grass, leaves and other debris within a 10-foot perimeter of any campfire. It is also good to have a responsible person in attendance at all times, and ensure that all campfires are completely extinguished before leaving. When barbequing, never leave the grill unattended.

In the water, Mizuhara said to always wear a life jacket. Children should always be supervised by a responsible adult and people should never swim alone. Drinking alcohol and swimming “is just as dangerous as drinking and driving,” she said.

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Amador County – The U.S. Department of Agriculture last week announced that it has canceled a portion of its “Sierra Cascades Dialog” program that was scheduled for Saturday in Sutter Creek.

The dialog in Sutter Creek, called “Improving Social and Economic Conditions in Rural Forest Communities,” would have been the “third in a series of Dialogs over the coming years to discuss a range of critical issues that affect the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades and people who live, work and recreate there,” according to USDA information on the meeting. The Sutter Creek Dialog was canceled, and will be moved to Sacramento and held on Oct. 13.

The Dialogs focus on the future of national forests, “providing an opportunity for learning, aligned actions, and understanding different perspectives.” Previous Dialogs were “Ecological Restoration” last November, and “Values, Attitudes & Beliefs: Shaping the Assessment for Forest Planning,” in February.

Future Dialog topics include “An All Lands Approach to Fire Protection and Ecological Restoration” and “Utilization of Wood Waste for Multiple Benefits.” Others include “Monitoring & Adaptive Management” and “Changing Climate.”

Michael T. Chapel, the Regional Forester’s Representative USDA Forest Service in Sacramento announced the postponement in an email to participants in the Sierra-Cascades Dialogs. Chapel said the “registration for this event is far lower than our previous meetings,” and “after visiting with representatives from a variety of interests, we have decided to postpone our discussion about improving social and economic conditions in rural communities.”

Chapel said people “may know that we planned this meeting to respond to requests from some of you to move our discussions into the Sierra-Cascades region. Others recommended that we meet on a Saturday to accommodate those who cannot meet during the week.”

He said the “arrangements do not work for the majority of you,” so they “will move the meetings back to McClellan.” Since the summers are busy, they plan to postpone the discussion until the next scheduled Dialog, Oct. 13.

Those who had registered for the June 4 event will be getting a refund sent to them from Sacramento State.

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Amador County – Pine Grove Camp’s “Crew Two,” led by Captain Chris Waters, participated in the city of Ione’s 135th annual Homecoming celebration by marching in the community parade.

Superintendent Mike Roots of the Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp announced the participation in a release last week.

Officer Mitch Karr drove the Emergency Crew Vehicle while Crew Two, wearing wildland firefighting gear and fully tooled up, walked the route. Roots said “although the Ione Homecoming Parade was relatively short in distance, it was long on public participation and enthusiastic support.” Pine Grove Camp’s wildland firefighters rounded out a number of fire engines, rescue rigs, and assorted fire support vehicles driven by CAL Fire and the city personnel from the Ione Fire Department.

All fire service entries were well received and publicly acknowledged for their continuing public service contribution to the greater community.

Ione’s 135th Homecoming celebration opened Friday, May 13th with a new event called “Holy Smokes! It’s a Rib Cook-off.” There was music by “30 Years After” and “FreeZeout”. During the day, a children’s costume contest, junior frog jump, and a Little League baseball game occurred at the elementary school.

A carnival was held at Howard Park where fireworks lit up the sky when the sun went down. Saturday kicked off with the Bedbug Challenge run and walk, the Cub Scout pancake breakfast and other festive events at Howard Park.

The parade down Main Street began at 10 a.m. with Grand Marshal Dolores Larrigan leading the way. Larrigan said she has participated in the parade for 65 years and “Hats, Horses and Hay” are just her style.

Right after the parade was the ever popular soap box derby. The Saturday night Homecoming dance was held on Main Street from 9 p.m. until midnight.

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Amador County – In an early May public hearing, Ione City Council discussed a draft noise ordinance, which drew criticism from the public.

City Manager Kim Kerr said municipal code only addresses “public nuisances,” and doesn’t apply to every noise complaint, nor do all complaints concern time of day, so interpretation “becomes very subjective.” An ordinance would “remove the subjectivity.”

City Planner Christopher Jordan said the ordinance was drafted from other cities’ ordinances. It included noise decibel limitations, and would require buying a decibel meter and calibrating equipment for $3,100. Kerr said the city had $1,100 invested in the issue so far, including advertising the public hearing.

Kerr said JTS Community rules have been applied to the city but “there was nothing on the books that allowed us to enforce those rules.” She said the council could try to address some scenarios in the ordinance, such as noise from a party at Pardee Lake, or bicycle riders shouting during rides through town.

In public comment, James Nevine complained repeatedly of a neighbor who uses “bullhorns and whistles out in front of the house,” to celebrate birthdays. Laurie Lord said trying to fix a problem for one or two people will “throw a blanket on the rest of us,” though “it would be nice to have guidelines to go by.”

Kerr reiterated that one complaint was not addressed by city code, and was therefore not in the city’s power to resolve. Gary Thomas said it was “going over the edge” with an ordinance. He said he resolved a noise issue with 40 neighbors in an apartment complex, with the help of police, who then spoke to the residents.

Councilman Lloyd Oneto said he would like to level the playing field, but if they “put in more teeth, it could come back to bite you.”

Jack Brotherton said the city should have a budget going into these things,” and “front-end” the budget, so that you don’t have to count the money as you go. He said “somebody celebrating their birthday with a bullhorn at 2 a.m. is unacceptable.” Judy Eisner said she works nights, and “your ordinance wouldn’t allow me to complain.”

Mayor David Plank said they should “make something very simple to address this issue.” Vice Mayor Ron Smylie said letting a good community work out the issue was “better than having a 5-page ordinance.” Kerr said “I agree, but we do have complaints which we can’t resolve at that level.” She said they could make changes and further clarification in city code, but “unfortunately, one line” in the city code about public nuisances “cannot resolve all of the issues.”

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Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-31-11 - TSPN's Tom Slivick sits down with Jon Plasse, Chairman of the board of supervisors, to discuss what’s next with the General Plan.

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-31-11

·       Ione discussed a draft noise ordinance that drew criticism, then discussed possible remedies.

·       Pine Grove’s CYA “Crew 2” marched in the Ione Homecoming parade.

·       Cal Fire warned of abundant grass, brush and water entering the summer outdoor recreation season

·       The USDA canceled its Sutter Creek “Sierra Cascades Dialog” on rural forest communities due to a limited number of sign-ups.

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-31-11

·       Ione discussed a draft noise ordinance that drew criticism, then discussed possible remedies.

·       Pine Grove’s CYA “Crew 2” marched in the Ione Homecoming parade.

·       Cal Fire warned of abundant grass, brush and water entering the summer outdoor recreation season

·       The USDA canceled its Sutter Creek “Sierra Cascades Dialog” on rural forest communities due to a limited number of sign-ups.

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-31-11 - TSPN's Tom Slivick sits down with Jon Plasse, Chairman of the board of supervisors, to discuss what’s next with the General Plan.