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Tuesday, 24 August 2010 06:46
Plymouth to Seek Extension on Comment for Miwok Casino FEIS
Amador County – Plymouth City Council on Monday moved to seek an extension for comment on the Final Environmental Impact Statement for a casino in Plymouth. The Ione Band of Miwok Indians last week released its FEIS for its request for a fee to trust to create the casino, and City Attorney Mike Dean briefed the council in a special meeting Monday. Dean said the Final EIS (for state environmental law purposes) was essentially the Final Environmental Impact Report of the casino project. Dean said in brief look at the 1,500-page document, “we found we have a number of problems with it still.” Dean said the legal environment is different from when the documents were created. The document “talks about the authority of the Bureau of Indian Affairs to take land into trust for this tribe.” Dean said the EIS fails to recognize or even acknowledge that the U.S. Secretary of the Interior 2 years ago decided that the Ione Band of Miwoks is not a landless tribe. Dean said the tribe must “at least acknowledge and explain how you get around these changes.” The city and Amador County also have adopted new General Plan documents, while old general plans are referenced in the EIS. Dean said the document continues to say relatively few development applications are pending before the city, “which is not true because there are several large applications pending.” He said “water assumptions in the FEIS continue to be insufficient,” and the FEIS failed to substantially address comments by the city or others on the project. Dean said an informal comment period expires September 13th, and BIA historically does not make extensions. The council voted 4-0 to send Mayor Patricia Fordyce, Councilman Jon Colburn and City Manager Dixon Flynn to speak or meet with Congressman Dan Lungren about what is going on with the fee-to-trust issue for the Ione Miwoks. They also voted to request an extension from the BIA for the comment period. Dean said after the 30-day period passed, there is no deadline for the Final EIS. Dean said: “you are at a point where if the city is concerned about the project, the city ought to respond, and that has to happen by the 13th.” He said the “BIA doesn’t have to do anything with it at any particular time,” and at any point it could approve the EIS and the project and issue a record of decision on the casino. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Tuesday, 24 August 2010 06:43
ACUSD Board Considers Move From 7 to 5 Members
Amador County - The Amador County Unified School District (ACUSD) Board of Trustees on Wednesday will consider whether to pursue a request to reduce its members from 7 to 5 in order to create a voting system based on trustee areas only, with no at-large influence. The Board previously provided direction to begin the process of selecting trustees by area, as required by the California Voter Rights Act (CVRA). As specified in the meeting’s agenda, the board will discuss approval of a resolution to submit a request to the State Board of Education for a “waiver of the requirement that decreasing the size of the Amador County Board of Trustees from 7 members to 5 members be submitted to the electors as set forth in education code section 1004.” The resolution states “that if the county committee on school district organization votes to create trustee areas which are coterminous with the supervisory districts of the county, then future elections of the county board of education must be consolidated with countywide elections.” It reads that since “Education Code 1004 is not listed as an exception…(it) therefore may be waived by the State Board of Education upon submission of a proper waiver application.” The resolution states that the board has determined the change to 5 trustee areas is “in the best interests” of ACUSD, taking into consideration that “litigation has been initiated against certain California school districts and cities alleging violations of the California Voting Rights Act.” The board recently received comments on the matter during a public hearing which was posted separate from the regular board agenda as part of the state waiver process. The resolution says the board “has considered the issue in light of the education code requirements, the one-person one-vote rule, traditional districting principles, and in light of the CVRA and the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.” Under a separate agenda item, the board will discuss whether to begin the “reduction of members” process, considering that the Ione Trustee area has only 1 person - Rose Andrews-Oneto – in line to fill two vacant seats. Lynette Lipp and incumbent Pat Miller were recently chosen to be seated to fill 2 vacant seats in the Jackson Trustee area. The board may prefer to size down in 2012, in which case a seventh board member will need to be appointed prior to the November election. Lipp said the board will likely hold off until 2012 considering the close proximity to the next election. When the new structure is put in place, citizens will only vote for the board member in the district in which they live. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Tuesday, 24 August 2010 06:40
$66.6M Broadband Project Awaits $6.6M Match From Calif. Utilities
Amador County – Amador County will be among 18 counties to benefit from $46.6 million in federal matching grants, toward a vast broadband fiber optic project. Janis Cortese of the nonprofit Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC) gave thanks to the 18 counties that helped the Central Valley Next Generation Broadband Infrastructure Project win funding last week from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and The National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Cortese said support from the local companies helped the project qualify, and she hoped that support continued. CENIC and private sector partner The Central Valley Independent Network, LLC, plan to improve the availability of broadband networking infrastructure for 18 counties in the Central Valley, including Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Placer, and Tuolumne counties. The $66.6 million project will build, operate and maintain “a fiber-optic network infrastructure” that will span 1,371 miles of California's Central Valley. The project will connect “community anchor institutions,” such as offices of education in 20 counties that serve more than 998,000 students. It will also connect 14 community colleges and districts serving 200,000 students, and CSU’s 3 anchor schools, serving 30,500 students. She said: “In addition to the NTIA grant, equal to 70 percent of the costs, the affiliated members of CVIN, LLC have committed $13.2 million in cash for a 20 percent match,” Cortese said, and CVIN is “now awaiting favorable action by the California Public Utilities Commission to provide a 10 percent match, or $6.6 million.” Cortese said the partnership is “hopeful for positive action soon so we can officially start the implementation phase.” As part of the partnership, she said: “Very early on, we will be returning to each county to involve folks in final input as part of locking down our design.” Once connected, non-profit anchor institutions will be supported by CENIC and become an integral part of CENIC’s statewide California Research & Education Network, a 3,000-mile fiber-optic network infrastructure “extending from the Mexican border to Corning and San Diego into Arizona, which reaches nearly 10 million students, faculty, and staff. Cortese said the CalREN has been serving California public research and education institutions since 1997. CVIN will utilize the new infrastructure for commercially, enabling businesses, residences, and government agencies in its project area to purchase a full range of telecommunications services. Services will be offered by CVIN directly, or affiliates and other local telecommunications providers with whom CVIN has strategic relationships. CVIN, LLC is a joint enterprise comprised of affiliates of 8 independent telephone companies covering more than 7,000 square miles in central and northern California, on 1,700 miles of fiber. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Tuesday, 24 August 2010 06:37
Local Sierra Nevada Geotourism Nominaiton Period Closes Aug. 31
Amador County – The process of creating a Sierra Nevada Geotourism MapGuide in the central Sierra Nevada is close to over, and those involved in the project are urging residents to submit their nominations in the remaining open categories. Martini Morris, an Americorp member and Sierra Business Council representative, said approximately 15 areas have already been nominated in Amador County. Due to the large amount of local interest, she said the nomination period has been extended until August 31st to coincide with the close of the active nomination period for the Tahoe Emigrant Corridor. The nomination period for Amador County was supposed to close in October 2009. Nomination periods for the Northern Sierra and Southern Sierra regions are set to close on January 2011 and June 2011, respectively. Morris said regional areas are based on Sierra Nevada Conservancy boundaries. Maureen Funk, Executive Director of the Amador Council of Tourism, said in a release that “geotourism is defined as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place - its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents.” The term was coined by National Geographic. Nominations can include events, local businesses, service opportunities, historical and cultural sites, local artists, natural attractions and outdoor adventures. She said nominations should include places that share these qualities. She said it is important to “keep in mind that Geotourism helps travelers to tread lightly and enjoy a locale’s sense of place.” The MapGuide can be viewed at www.sierranevadageotourism.org/map.php. To make a nomination go to: www.sierranevadageotourism.org/ . Once there, select the blue button that says, “Tahoe Emigrant Corridor -Nominate Now”. For more information, call 530-582-4800. The Sierra Nevada Geotourism MapGuide project is a partnership between National Geographic, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and the Sierra Business Council. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Tuesday, 24 August 2010 06:35
Sutter Creek Walgreens to Open Wed., Aug. 25
Amador County – Walgreens plans a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony 10 a.m. Wednesday (August 25th) at its new store at 475 Highway 49 in Sutter Creek. Vera Allen of the Amador County Chamber of Commerce e-mailed invitations for the opening, which expects local dignitaries to be in attendance. Store management invites people to preview the new store, enjoy refreshments, and welcome the branch manager, Cathy Bennett. During the party, Walgreens will offer a special 15 percent discount on purchases, and 20 percent off Walgreens or “W Brand” products. The store is at the corner of Highway 49 and Ridge Road. Story by Jim This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Monday, 23 August 2010 06:28
Broadband Project Gets $46M ARRA Grant for 18 Central Valley Counties
Amador County – Amador County is among 18 counties to share in a $46.6 million federal grant to bring broadband Internet technology to rural counties. The Central Valley Next Generation Broadband Infrastructure Project received notification of the funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and The National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Janis Cortese said her nonprofit Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC) and private sector partner The Central Valley Independent Network, LLC, have put together a project plan designed to improve the availability of broadband networking infrastructure for 18 counties in the Central Valley. The counties targeted for broadband infrastructure though the grant are Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Fresno, Kings, Kern, Mariposa, Merced, Madera, Nevada, Placer, Tuolumne, Tulare, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter and Yuba. Applied for March 26th, the funding was announced August 18. Cortese said the companies believe “the implementation of this robust network infrastructure can dramatically change the ways citizens in these 18 counties learn, work and live together.” She said the funding in the short term will also “create jobs associated with network deployment and contribute to economic growth in the longer term.” Coretese said “widespread support from various groups and constituencies in these counties helped make the case for this funding.” The total project costs are projected to be $66.6 million. The project “involves building, operating, and maintaining a fiber-optic network infrastructure that will traverse 1,371 miles of California's Central Valley. Cortese said the project will initially “focus on connecting community anchor institutions via fiber, including 19 county offices of education sites, 14 community college sites, 3 California State University campuses, 20 county/main libraries, and 7 public safety sites.” For more information, visit www.cvngbip.org. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Monday, 23 August 2010 06:14
Hayward Man Arrested for Alleged Sexual Harassment of Amador County Girls
Amador County – Ione Police Department last week announced the arrest of a Hayward man on charges that included attempted seduction of a minor, and sexual harassment by mobile phone text messages. On Wednesday (August 18th), officers from Ione Police Department served a search warrant and an arrest warrant on Steven E. Sharp, 30, of Hayward, for multiple cases which began with “annoying and harassing telephone calls to victims throughout the city of Ione.” Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe said “criminal allegations against Sharp involve many more cases” than the 5 Ione cases. He said his “office will actively pursue additional charges against Sharp for any pending cases” presented by the sheriff’s office and police in Jackson and Sutter Creek. Riebe said Sharp is being held in lieu of $150,000 bail in the Alameda County Jail. Ione police said the “investigation, which began in early July, stemmed from Sharp calling and texting women and girls in Amador County with some of the victims receiving hundreds to thousands of texts and calls a week.” The 6-week long investigation culminated in the serving of 2 separate search warrants and the arrest warrant for Sharp, which included felony charges of an attempt to send harmful matter “with the intent of seduction of a minor via telephone.” Sharp faces another felony charge of “dissuading a witness,” and 5 misdemeanor counts of “annoying and harassing telephone calls.” Sharp was booked into the Alameda County Jail by Ione Police officers, pending extradition to Amador County. Ione Police Chief Michael Johnson said “the investigation was time-consuming and demanding of his officer’s time and attention.” Johnson said “the importance of stopping the victimization, not only for the victims in Ione but throughout the county, was a priority for him and his department.” Johnson said Riebe’s office and the Jackson Police Department gave assistance that was “vital to the successful culmination of the Ione Police Department cases, as well as potentially 22 other cases pending county-wide.” Johnson said: “The real achievement here is that Sharp’s victimization of Amador County women and girls will now end.” Johnson said Sharp’s arrest should be credited to interagency cooperation between the Amador County Sheriff’s Office, Sutter Creek Police Department, JPD, IPD, the DA’s Investigations Bureau and the Hayward Police Department. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Monday, 23 August 2010 06:33
Jackson Rancheria Gang Shooter Pleads Guilty, Will Get 22-Year Sentence
Amador County – A gang member who shot 2 people at the Jackson Rancheria Casino in March made a plea bargain Thursday (August 19th) in exchange for a 22-year prison sentence. Gilbert Zaragoza, 20, a resident of Stockton, “pled guilty to the felony charges of assault with a firearm and child abuse;” and “admitted that he personally used a firearm and committed the assault for the benefit of a criminal street gang,” Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe said in a release. He said “in a separate case, Zaragoza pled guilty to a felony charge of damaging jail property,” and “as a result of the pleas and admissions, Zaragoza will receive 22 years in state prison.” The latter charges stem from an attempted escape from a cell in the Amador County Jail, after his arrest in March. The shooting charges “stem from a gang-related encounter that occurred inside the Jackson Rancheria Casino on March 14th,” when a “group that included Zaragoza, a known member of the Norteno street gang, dressed in predominantly red clothing, approached a group that included people from a rival street gang, which included victims Hamid Flores, 19,” and a male juvenile. “Words were exchanged and one of the people in Zaragoza’s group spit on the male juvenile’s shoe. The victims thought that there was about to be a fist fight, when Zaragoza pulled out a firearm and shot Flores in the face.” He also shot “the fleeing juvenile in the neck,” and “both victims survived.” Surveillance video at the Jackson Rancheria Casino helped to quickly identify Zaragoza and aided in his capture. Riebe credited the Amador County Sheriff’s Department in aiding the case by “promptly capturing Zaragoza and conducting a thorough and effective investigation.” He said the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department “provided valuable assistance in the investigation by assembling the evidence proving that Zaragoza was a gang member and that the crimes were committed to benefit the Norteno street gang.” Riebe said because Zaragoza pled guilty to a violent crime, considered a “strike” crime under the state’s “Three Strikes” law, he must serve 80 percent of his sentence before he can be released. Sentencing is scheduled for September 30th. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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