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Amador County - The new Mission Boulevard extension in Jackson officially opened on Tuesday afternoon. The recently completed project extends the Mission Boulevard cul-de-sac near Sutter Amador Hospital to intersect with Broadway for the cost of roughly $1 million. Completion of the project fulfills a commitment made to the Federal Highway Administration and Caltrans by the City of Jackson that this roadway segment would be constructed by 2014. “This project will improve local and regional traffic circulation, reducing congestion at the busiest intersection in the County at Highway 49 and 88 adjacent to the Jackson Civic Center,” said Jackson City Manager Mike Daly at a groundbreaking ceremony last month. The ceremony was attended by the Jackson City Council and various other dignitaries. Sutter Amador Hospital CEO Anne Platt said extending the road was a “tremendous opportunity to serve the community.” District 1 Supervisor John Plasse, representing the Amador County Transportation Commission (ACTC), said the commission “is proud of this project.” The project is partly financed by a state grant and Regional Traffic Mitigation Fees. In addition, ACTC obtained a Proposition 1B State and Local Partnership Program grant to fund half the construction costs. This is a competitive statewide grant program in which the Mission Boulevard project ranked No. 1 in the state. City of Jackson and ACTC staff led the effort, including design, applying for funding and acquiring rights of way. The original construction estimate was $1.6 million. Daly said they were in “a favorable bidding climate” that lowered construction costs. ACTC said in a release that “this project exemplifies the benefit agency and community cooperation can provide when construction activity is so scarce.” In an announcement Tuesday, Daly said the remaining punch list items were recently completed and the road officially opened at approximately 4 p.m. that day. “We're holding off on any official ribbon-cutting until Labor Day weekend, when officials from St. Sava Mission and the Western Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church will be in town for their annual gathering,” said Daly. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in Local

Wednesday, 04 August 2010 06:32

Amador County Fair Destruction Derby, Survivor Winners Announced

Amador County – The Amador County Fair wrapped up Sunday with winners in the Destruction Derby and the Amador Survivor Competition. Amador Survivor contestants faced their final challenge of their competition at the Destruction Derby opening festivities Sunday night. Contestants did their own version of the traditional Miss Amador court mud puddle dive, winning points for public acclaim of their style and effort. Amelio Petretti, representing Common Ground Senior Services, pulled ahead of Christian Mullen of the Amador Catholic Youth Group in the final event to win Amador Survivor. Petretti won $500 for his charity and $500 for himself. Other survivor contestants were James Tari representing A-Pal, and Jeremy Arellano representing the Amador Pregnancy Help Center. In Destruction Derby action, Chris Gascon returned to win 1st place, Ryan Duke took 2nd place with honors, and Bryon Belany came in 3rd. Via Press Release This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in Local

Wednesday, 04 August 2010 06:30

2010 Miss Amador Announced

Amador County - The results are in for the popular 2010 Miss Amador County and Mutton Bustin’ contests that took place at this year’s Amador County Fair. In the Miss Amador contest, the top honor went to Rachel Jenkins. First Runner Up was Arielah Dreksler, Second Runner Up was Morgan Hirschel, Third Runner Up was Savannah Gray and Fourth Runner Up was Angela Faryan. The 1st place “mutton buster” was Elise Lenz, followed by Luke Vasquez in 2nd place and Luke Hermanson in 3rd place. Congratulations to both the winners and competitors in these fun and popular events! Story by Alex This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in Local

Wednesday, 04 August 2010 06:28

Amador-based Fire Crews Assist in Fighting Palmdale Blaze

Amador County – Amador County-based fire crews have joined other firefighters in the region to assist in fighting fires in the Palmdale area of southern California. Last Thursday, 50 firefighters and 10 engines from the Sacramento region were sent south, according to Cal Fire. Officials said five engines from Cal Fire's Nevada-Yuba-Placer unit met with five companies from the Amador-El Dorado region in Auburn as the convoy readied to leave. Cal Fire said yesterday that most of those crews have now returned home safely. The wildfire that started five days ago has now consumed 13,918 acres in a blazing inferno. More than seven square miles were scorched, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes in the hills of northern Los Angeles County. As of Monday night, fire officials estimated that the fire was 97 percent contained. The cause of the blaze, which started around 2 a.m. last Thursday, remains under investigation. Authorities suspect the flames may have been ignited by someone working on their car in the Agua Dulce area. Final damage estimates have yet to be tallied. The cost of fighting the fire so far has not been determined. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in Fire