Tom
Monday, 09 August 2010 06:10
Amador Residents Warn Against Fraud Census Workers
Amador County – Several Amador County residents have reported suspicious activities perpetrated by individuals claiming to be employees of the U.S. Census Bureau. In a series of emails distributed county-wide last week, several residents commented on their personal experiences dealing with these suspicious contacts. Pine Grove residents Mike and Bonnie Evans said they received “several phone calls” from a person claiming to be an employee of the Census Bureau who said he was “auditing the response.” They said the phone calls “felt suspicious” and the man threatened to make a note that they weren’t willing to cooperate. “We had enough self confidence to refuse the phone interviews but are concerned about elderly residents who may feel intimidated or bullied into responding with personal information,” they said. Another concerned citizen, Lynette Lipp, said a man had spoken to her while she was home alone and asked her information about a house across the street. She said she was concerned because the man came to her door when she was “the only one home at that time of the 8 homes very close to that particular house.” An Ione woman who asked to remain anonymous told TSPN that she received several phone calls two weeks previous from a man who “spoke poor English” and asked for personal information including her address and phone number. She said she asked questions about the man’s work location and credentials before he put her on hold and then eventually hung up. “I used my gut instinct and decided that this was someone I don’t think they’d ever put on the phone to call people for verifications,” she said. Sonny Le (LEE), Regional Media Specialist for the Census, confirmed that they are currently in the process of gathering information pertaining to statistical surveys, but warned that “they are literally finished with verifications for 2010 Census operations in Amador County.” Local Census operations are based in Placerville. Le said the census continues throughout the decade to gather information for government surveys pertaining to everything from commute time to small business income. “This is what we’ve been doing since 1790,” he said. Le said an official Census worker will have a badge with their picture and identification number, as well as the ability to recite a confidentiality disclaimer. He said Census workers are trained to stay put if someone they speak with decides to call law enforcement, while impersonators will likely run away. “Our workers go through four days of training in order to remember and recite all the information necessary to verify their identity,” he said. He encourages residents to contact the Census if they have more questions. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Local
Monday, 09 August 2010 06:08
Fist Fight Breaks Out on Main St. Jackson
Amador County – The Jackson Police Department confirmed Thursday that a bare-knuckle street brawl occurred on Jackson’s Main Street at approximately 3:40 p.m. last Monday. The incident is the latest in a growing number of fights and vandalisms reported from the struggling historic thoroughfare. The JPD said Jackson resident Tim Francis made comments to a man he passed on the street, resulting in a fist fight between the two individuals. The fight was immediately reported to law enforcement by workers at Agave restaurant who witnessed the commotion from inside the establishment. Jackson Police Chief Scott Morrison, Captain Christy Stidger and three other officers were reportedly on scene within minutes. The Amador County Sheriff’s Office also sent deputies. Morrison reported that it appeared that Francis had started the fight and also received the majority of injuries during the altercation. Francis was transported to Sutter Amador Hospital, where he was treated for a deep gash above his right eye and swelling in his face. The JPD subsequently arrested him for public drunkenness. It could not be verified whether Francis and the other man were familiar with one another. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Law Enforcement
Monday, 09 August 2010 06:06
UC California Extensions Expected to Close Local Offices
Amador County – Local University of California Extension offices in Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, and El Dorado counties may be closed and replaced with a single regional office to serve the area, if a new UC Extension proposal comes to pass in the Mother Lode. While the 4 counties have been invited to participate in the regional cluster, it is unclear what will comprise the regional center. Scott Oneto, Amador County director of the UC Extension program said that restructuring is an “exciting opportunity” that would allow for cost-saving measures in “eliminating redundancies and pooling resources.” Oneto said “the overall goal of restructuring is not to cut programs and services but instead to expand them.” The proposal to consolidate U.C. Extension offices in Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, and El Dorado counties has the goal of streamlining operations and continuing to provide services while simultaneously cutting mounting costs. One of the expected changes in the redesign is the potential closure of the 4 aforementioned existing county offices, with the intention to open a regional office covering the 4 counties. The proposed changes to the Mother Lode area are the first of their kind, but further changes to the UC Extension system are expected to follow throughout the state. The UC Extension Cooperative is a partnership among county, state, federal, and private resources. It operates roughly 50 Extension offices throughout the state. Each local Extension office works to tailor its programs and services to meet specific needs of a region. While the Extension offices provide much needed services to the community at large, the costs associated with running the program from both the UC and the county side is not minimal. County governments often contribute funds toward local services in providing office space and staff and other expenses. The University of California contributes its support as salaries for the researchers, advisers, and scientists assigned to work in county offices, as well as other researchers based on the participating UC campuses. In Amador County programs sponsored through the UC Extension include: Master Gardeners, 4-H, Farms of Amador, Viticulture, and Orchard Crops among others. Although cost cutting measures must be implemented, those services that some counties view as crucial must remain. The services include educational and outreach tools, working with families on issues such as nutrition and physical activity. Extension programs also aid farmers in marketing their produce and sponsor youth development programs. Extension programs also give opportunities for various demonstrations, meetings, conferences, and workshops in the local community. Story by Judee Schmidt This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Local
Monday, 09 August 2010 06:04
ACT Announces Social Media Marketing Session
Amador County - Amador Council of Tourism invites local business owners to the third session of Social Media Marketing on Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 8:30 a.m. in the banquet room of Mel and Faye's Diner. Non-members of ACT are welcome. Cost is $5. ACT wants to inform local businesses of the many free tools available on the Web. Businesses can improve relations with customers and bring traffic to their doors. Two of these sessions were held in late May at the Sutter Hill Transit Center. Participants learned how to do basic listings and business profiles, check online business reviews, learn about website optimization and choose at least one social medium that fit their business profile. Those attendees felt the program was worthwhile, whether they were experienced with social media or new to it. “The more information Amador has in multiple places on the Internet, the easier it is for people to find us,” said Maureen Funk, executive director of ACT. “By the same token, presence on the Web will bring visitors to your door, when they are here in Amador.” For reservations or questions, call ACT at 267-9249 or e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Via Press Release This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Local
Monday, 09 August 2010 06:02
Mammography Screenings Set for Safeway
Amador County - Women can conveniently receive mammography screening at the Jackson Safeway store on August 7 through an innovative partnership between Catholic Healthcare West-St. Joseph’s Medical Center and the Safeway Foundation. The screenings are available by appointment to any women with a physician’s referral and target underserved women. The Safeway Foundation is proud to continue its partnership with St. Joseph’s by renewing its $500,000 grant to continue the valuable services provided by the Mobile Mammography Unit. St. Joseph's Mobile Mammography Unit (MMU) is a full-service, self-contained mammography clinic on wheels featuring the latest in state-of-the-art digital mammography technology and service. Improved breast cancer treatments and increased awareness resulting in early detection are the two leading factors identified for decreasing the number of deaths from breast cancer in the United States. Grants from the Safeway Foundation and other groups across the U.S. have made great strides in raising funds to support research and awareness of this deadly disease. The Safeway Foundation - through Safeway’s Northern California Division - is proud to share in this effort and awarded $2.8 million dollars in 2009 alone to organizations fighting breast cancer. “Together with our employees and customers, the Safeway Foundation is making a significant impact by funding programs focused on finding a cure for and raising awareness of this disease,”said Karl Schroeder, President, Northern California Division of Safeway. The full-service mammography clinic, housed in an 18-wheel tractor-trailer, is licensed by the state of California and accredited by the American College of Radiology and the Food and Drug Administration. It meets all requirements for performing screening mammography. The digital images from all screenings are read by licensed radiologists, with results sent to patients and their physicians within two to three weeks of their exams. The screening takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on August 7 at the Safeway located at 12110 Industry Blvd in Jackson. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Health
Friday, 06 August 2010 04:48
AC Peace Officer’s Association Seeks Nominations
Amador County - The Amador County Peace Officer’s Association is seeking nominations for Peace Officer and Citizen of the Year for 2010. Any nominations should include a brief statement to support the nomination. Please submit nominations to the ACPOA, care of the Awards Committee at P.O. Box 1632, Sutter Creek, CA 95685, on or before September 8, 2010. The Awards Committee will be selecting this year’s winner at their September 9th meeting. The Awards Dinner will be held at the American Legion Hall in Martell on Saturday, October 23, 2010. No host cocktails are at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets for the dinner are $25. For more details, contact Mark Estey, retired Amador County Deputy Sheriff and ACPOA Treasurer at 209-267-1820. Via Press Release This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Friday, 06 August 2010 04:50
Sonora V.A. Clinic Seeks Volunteer Drivers
Amador County - Volunteer drivers are needed to operate a seven-passenger van being assigned to the Veterans Affairs (VA) Sonora Medical Clinic on Mono Way in Sonora. The van will bring veterans to the clinic from Tuolumne, Calaveras, and Amador counties. According to Susanne Scott, the Voluntary Services Specialist at the Livermore VA Hospital, “Drivers must be oriented and approved by the VA. We expect the van to be in operation no later than Friday, October 1, 2010.” Those interested in volunteering should contact Scott at (925) 449-6448 or Frank M. Smart at (209) 536-0439 or 559-1908. The qualifications for being a part-time, un-paid driver are to pass a Tuberculosis test which can be administered at the Sonora Medical Clinic, and each volunteer drive must provide a copy of their driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles. Each volunteer must be fingerprinted by the VA. “The applicant does not need to be a veteran,” says Scott. For more information contact Scott at the above numbers or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Smart at the above numbers or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Via Press Release This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Friday, 06 August 2010 04:53
Tuolumne Biz Alliance Gets Local Financial Support
Amador County - The Business Alliance of Tuolumne County, a partnership of small business service providers that include the Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE), Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce, Tuolumne County Economic Development Authority, and the regional office for the Alliance Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has been receiving an inflow of financial support from local organizations and businesses. As a small business owner, free services are available through the newly formed umbrella organization comprised of these four well established agencies with the mission of the alliance stated as “Building Tuolumne County, One Business at a Time.” Presently, over $17,100 has been donated to fund free business assistance including counseling and training for small business owners, startup businesses and entrepreneurs. Oak Valley Bank’s Branch Manager Debbie Kempton was the first to make a donation of $500 to this new entity stating, “We believe in the value of small businesses to the health of our community, and support the ongoing efforts of the Business Alliance.” The Economic Development Authority of Tuolumne County Fund provided $12,000 to the Business Alliance to assist the Alliance and its partners. The Alliance SBDC, partially funded by the Small Business Administration, donated $500 toward marketing and promoting the Business Alliance. The Alliance SBDC provides business consultants, free of charge, that are available to assist in the areas of business startups, financing, website development, and human resources. They also provide specialized training and one-on-one counseling throughout the year. In addition, the Economic Development Company of Tuolumne County Fund provided $12,000 to the Business Alliance to assist the Alliance and its partners. Through the Business Alliance, SCORE also provides business consultants who are business experts in many industries, and offers ongoing workshops and trainings. SCORE sponsors contributed a total of $3,600 toward an online marketing campaign on a news website called Mymotherlode.com to reach small to medium sized business owners. Sponsors of this marketing campaign include: Hohne & Hoyt, CPA; Sam Wheeler, CPA; Clarke Broadcasting; HRM Consulting; Success Capital; Tuolumne County Economic Development Authority; Sonora Regional Medical Center; and Sonora Insurance. Story by Judee Schmidt This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Friday, 06 August 2010 04:55
Reyman Bros. Firm Agrees to Inspect AC Museum Gratis
Amador County - On the morning of Monday, August 9th, at invitation of the Amador County Historical Society and with the concurrence of Lee Anne McIntyre, the General Services Administration director proceeding over the Amador County Museum, two representatives from Reyman Brothers, a Nevada-based general contracting firm, will travel to the gold country to inspect the Amador County Museum, located at 225 Church St., and the purported structural weaknesses associated with the building. Also on the agenda Monday morning will be a tour of the courthouse, and if time permits, an inspection of the Kennedy Wheel 4. The firm is noted for its work in historical preservation, renovation, and preservation projects with past structures including the Kennedy Mine Tailing Wheel in Jackson in June of 2001, the Leland Stanford Mansion in Sacramento. Piper’s Opera House in Virginia City, Nevada as well as The Eureka County Courthouse located in Eureka, Nevada. The firm is known for their attention to detail on projects while drawing from a multitude of sources including old photographs, drawings and drafts, and personal diary entries and consulting with their clients, engineers, historians, and architects to properly replicate the authenticity of its structures. The Reyman Brothers have agreed to provide their consultative services and expertise to the Amador County Historical Society gratis. The Amador County Museum has been closed to the public since 2008 after the county defunded the property for financial and other miscellaneous reasons. Earlier this summer county supervisors and the Amador county historical society came together and signed a five year agreement allowing the society to not only “manage the museum and grounds” but also specifically authorizing the group to proceed with the disability modifications needed to reopen the out-building mining exhibit. Although the historical society is now able to proceed with the ADA modifications, provisions in the agreement stipulate that the county must approve any plans before work begins, and the society must provide for the upgrades or otherwise raise the funds necessary for the modifications. Story by Judee Schmidt This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 06 August 2010 04:57
Ione Approves MOU Modifications Between City, Bargaining Units
Amador County - The Ione City Council approved modifications to its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the city and its various bargaining units and unrepresented employees Tuesday evening. Those affected by the changes approved at the meeting include the Police Chief, Ione Police Officers Association (IPOA), the Service Employees International Union Local #1021 (SEIU), and unrepresented employees under the Management and Confidential Unit. The modifications to the MOU are in response to the city’s “structural budget deficit” and are an attempt to encourage cost savings and reductions for the rest of the fiscal year. Flexible Furloughs and Sick Leave Payout were two of the options negotiated and approved that are specific to the Ione Police Officers Association. The employees represented by the IPOA and also the Police Chief will be required to take 57.25 hours of unpaid leave between August 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011. The hours will be spread out over the year as a 3 percent salary reduction and will be operated under a “use or lose” plan. For employees hired prior to November 1, 2008, they must decide whether to opt into an unlimited accrual of sick leave in lieu no later than August 20, 2010. The total costs savings negotiated with the IOPA equal $21,247. The Service Employees International Union Local #1021 also agreed to a negotiated furlough program in which the City’s Building Inspector/Public Works Project Manager will be required to take 384 hours of unpaid leave between July 25, 2010 and November 13, 2010. This allows for 16 hours of work per week for the entire 16 week period. Modifications for the Management and Confidential employees include continuation of the voluntary furlough program and a $50 city match cap per pay period for those employees who are eligible for the medical in lieu payment for non-participation in the city’s medical insurance program. As for cost saving measures, which equal approximately $65,445, City Manager Kim Kerr, stated that “these are the initial things we can do right now” but the city will continue to discuss potential options throughout the fiscal year. New contract negotiations with each bargaining unit will be due by the date of contract expiration on June 30, 2011. The city council also approved modifications to the contract between the City of Ione and the City Manager. These included no city match for the deferred compensation plan for non-participation in the city’s medical insurance program as well as the personal responsibility of the City Manager to pay her portion of the Old Age Survivor Disability Insurance contribution, bringing the total amount of cost savings for the City of Ione to approximately $81,889. Story by Judee Schmidt This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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