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Wednesday, 04 August 2010 06:26

Lyme Disease Documentary to Play in Pine Grove

Amador County - Every year it is estimated that thousands of patients with Lyme disease may go either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. The new documentary “Under Our Skin”, a 2010 Academy Award Semifinalist, aims to expose our medical systems failure in addressing one of the most serious epidemics of our times. A dramatic tale of microbes, medicine, and money, this eye-opening film investigates the untold story of Lyme disease and the emerging epidemic. Lyme disease was first discovered in the 1970’s around the town of Lyme, Connecticut and has since become known as one of the most misunderstood and potentially misdiagnosed illnesses of our time. Lyme disease is a vector borne illness transmitted from the bite of an infected deer tick, in California the only known tick to transmit Lyme disease is the Western Black-legged tick. According to the Centers for Disease Control, early indicators of the disease typically include flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, chills, and fatigue. Other symptoms may include: swollen lymph nodes, joint and muscle pain, and a circular “bulls-eye like” rash. While many of the symptoms of Lyme disease may clear up without treatment, the disease does require antibiotics. If left untreated Lyme disease may lay dormant for days, weeks, months, or even years before potentially affecting any of the bodies’ organs, muscles, and nervous system. The CDC admits that perhaps more than 400,000 people may acquire Lyme disease every year, a number greater than that of AIDS, West Nile Virus, and Avian Flu combined. “Under Our Skin” follows the stories of patients and physicians as they battle for both their lives and livelihoods; the film brings into focus the haunting picture of our current health care system and the inability to cope with the silent terror hidden under our skin. The film, which had been shown earlier this summer in San Andreas, drew a small crowd and was followed by the presentation “Prevention: Reduce Your Chances of a Tick Bite & Lyme Disease,” by Steve Diers, a Ranger/Naturalist with the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). “Under Our Skin” will be shown again on August 14th at the New Life Christian Center in Pine Grove off of Highway 88 at 4 p.m. The film will be immediately followed by a question and answer session. Story by Judee Schmidt This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in Health

Wednesday, 04 August 2010 06:24

Sierra Nevada Conservancy Updates Current Funding Opportunities

Amador County - The Sierra Nevada Conservancy has updated its Current Funding Opportunites page on their website. The list, which is updated monthly, includes funding opportunities, workshops, and resources specific to the Sierra region. The updated list includes ten new funding sources, webinars on USDA Rural Development renewable energy and business and cooperative programs; free classes for small business employers; an updated schedule for funding webinars and workshops; information on IRS requirements for nonprofit organizations; and registering interest in land donations from the Stewardship Council. Also on the site are 24 previously-listed opportunities that are still current, as well as information and other resources for potential grant applicants. The newly-listed funding sources include the following topic areas: support for artistic creativity and innovativeness and to encourage making the arts more widely available in underserved communities; funding for bicycle parks, paths, trails, BMX facilities and large scale advocacy initiatives; funding for public water system facilities which include sources, treatment, distribution, and storage in both the preconstruction and construction phases; land acquisition that conserves important habitat for fish, wildlife, and plants; the Sierra Nevada meadow restoration; National, Regional, State, and local energy efficiency programming through market-based approaches in delivery and design to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in homes and businesses; small business innovation research on agricultural problems including rural development, marketing and trade, air, water, and soil; animal production and protection; plant production and protection; food science and nutrition; biofuel and biobased products; the preservation of art, historical documents, and artifacts held in small to mid-size museums, libraries, and archives. Topics also include threats to biodiversity such as global climate change, loss of species and habitat destruction, toxins in the environment, waste generation, air pollution, and funding for recreational trails and trail-related projects for both motorized and non-motorized opportunities. New information, opportunities, and revisions are expected to be updated in late August. The Sierra Nevada Conservancy initiates, encourages, and supports efforts that improve the environmental, economic, and social well-being of the Sierra Nevada Region, its communities, and the citizens of California. Via Press Release This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in Region

Wednesday, 04 August 2010 06:12

AM Live - 8-4-10: Wine, Dine and Good Times with Gale

Published in Wine, Dine, & Good Times

Tuesday, 03 August 2010 06:03

Lynette Lipp - Amador Student Music Fund 8-3-10

Published in News Interview Videos

Tuesday, 03 August 2010 06:03

Lynette Lipp - Amador Student Music Fund 8-3-10

Published in Local

Monday, 02 August 2010 06:20

AWA Brainstorms Cost Reductions, Revenue Increases

Amador County - On the heels of a third successful rate increase protest, this one on the CAWP Retail System, the Amador Water Agency Board of Directors has scheduled a meeting with all Water Agency employees to brainstorm ideas for both cost reductions and revenue increases at AWA. The meeting is an opportunity for the Board and Agency staff to discuss possible concepts that may ultimately improve the financial health of the Agency. The meeting will be held Tuesday, August 3 from 8:00-11:00 am in the Agency Board Room. Just like other local government entities, the Water Agency has been challenged by recent years of economic downturn. AWA General Manager Gene Mancebo says closed businesses, vacant homes, reduced water usage, and virtually non-existent development have all contributed to a dramatic decrease in income to the Agency. Rate increase protests in La Mel Heights, Lake Camanche and CAWP systems have prevented scheduled rate increases and reduced Agency revenues further. Most recently in the upcountry CAWP Retail system, 1,396 signatures opposing a proposed three-year water rate increase were verified, successfully halting the rate hike. Under the state’s Prop. 218 rate protest procedure, opponents of the rate increase needed over 50 percent of the system’s 2,625 water users to formally protest the rate increase to succeed. In the meantime, the Agency must continue to provide service to all of Amador County’s water and wastewater customers and fulfill its commitment to public health and safety. “Many of the Agency’s costs are out of our control,” says Mancebo. “The cost of fuel for vehicles, electricity for pumps and treatment plants, water treatment chemicals, state reporting fees – we can’t make cuts in these kinds of operating costs.” The Agency has reduced staffing costs by approximately 25 percent over the past two years. In 2008 there were 62 regular full-time equivalent positions and four temporary positions at AWA; currently there are 46 regular full-time equivalent positions and no temporary positions. Four full-time workers were laid off as of July 23. Over $1.23 million in total salaries and benefits have been cut since the 2008-2009 budget year. At their last Board meeting, Directors approved implementing the 4 percent balance of a previously approved 12 percent rate increase for the Amador Water System, which was only partially implemented at the beginning of last fiscal year. This rate increase allows the 2010-2011 budget to balance but requires already depleted cash reserves to be reduced by at least another $300,000 to meet expenses. Mancebo says the pattern of reducing reserves is not sustainable and the Water Agency can’t absorb another year of reserve reductions without severe financial consequences. “Everyone at the Amador Water Agency recognizes that these are also difficult economic times for ratepayers and many others in the county,” said Mancebo. “We have very talented and committed employees here at the Water Agency and we hope the meeting Tuesday will result in some creative ideas that will help us meet our current economic challenges.” Via Press Release This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in News Archive

Monday, 02 August 2010 06:11

2010 AC Fair a Huge Success

Amador County – Another successful Amador County Fair has come and gone, leaving behind lasting memories for all those who were in attendance. While the final numbers have yet to be tallied, the strong turnouts for most of the Fair’s popular events was an indication that this was a year to rival any other. Traditional fair events, including the CCPRA rodeo, destruction derby and tractor pull all had sell out or close to sell out crowds. The fair is always a great place to catch a wide variety of talented musical and stage acts, and this year was no exception. Local and regional performers included Mario Manzini performing like Houdini, Chrystal Image, Hero’s Last Mission, Erin McKinney & HoTT LeDD, Whiskey Dawn, the Dave Russell Band and James Garner with a standout tribute to the late Johnny Cash. “Bringing people together is really what the Amador County Fair is all about,” said fair CEO Troy Bowers shortly before the opening of the fair last Thursday. “I so look forward to this every year.” This year’s theme, “County Fair Safari – It’s a Jungle Out There!” was also a hit. Visitors seemed to get a big kick out of the jungle decorations and fair employees wearing safari caps. The theme was made all the more authentic by a special jungle animal exhibit that included boa constrictors, scorpions, porcupines and geckos. “This is all so entertaining,” said Donna Priestley, a resident of Lodi and first time fair attendee. “I can guarantee that if it is always this fun in Amador County I will bring my family back to the fair every year.” TSPN will relay the results of various fair events throughout the week, including the destruction derby and the Miss Amador Contest. Stay tuned to TSPN for more information on your 2010 Amador County Fair! This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in News Archive

Monday, 02 August 2010 06:23

Job Connection Amador Hosts Well-Attended Open House

Amador County - Close to 30 people attended a first-of-its-kind open house Thursday afternoon at Job Connection Amador’s One Stop Career Center in Jackson. Among those in attendance were representatives of 3rd District Congressional candidate Dr. Ami Bera and Assemblymember Alyson Huber, as well as members of the Amador County Board of Supervisors, Mother Lode Job Training (MLJT) and the California Department of Corrections. Pamela Hill, Career Counselor for the career center, said the “goal of this open house is to expand and diversify our elected officials’ understanding of their local Workforce Investment Board and to increase the positive image of California’s workforce investment system.” She explained that the event was less a formal tour of the tiny Jackson office and more a “one on one, casual meet and greet.” Lisa Hines, Business Service Coordinator for Mother Lode Job Training, was in attendance along with two members of her board. The MLJT board oversees the dollars distributed to this and other job centers throughout the region for supportive services. That money begins at the U.S. Department of Labor before being funneled through the state and then local system. Hines said the California Workforce Investment Board encouraged the open house. She said she was “really satisfied and impressed” with the turnout. Supervisors Louis Boitano, Brian Oneto and John Plasse echoed Hines’ sentiment. “It’s great to see so many in our community taking an interest in what this center has to offer,” said Plasse. This reporter later discovered Oneto and Plasse testing out the center’s impressive computer systems. In the past year Job Connection Amador has served an average of over 30 job seekers each day. Last summer they placed 47 young people with 26 employers as part of their Summer Youth Employment Training Program. Among its many services, the center provides office space for local employer interviews and orientation meetings and assists in job applications. “Today we’ve demonstrated to community leaders the efforts we are making to help build up and support a skilled workforce here in our area,” said Hill. “It looks like a success.” For more information on Job Connection Amador, call 209-223-3341 or visit www.motherlodejobconnection.org. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in News Archive

Monday, 02 August 2010 06:26

BV Tribe Chairwoman Comments on County Lawsuit Appeal

Amador County – The Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians released a statement Thursday regarding the Amador County Board of Supervisors decision to continue appealing a lawsuit in federal courts aimed at stopping the tribe’s efforts to construct a $150 million casino on land south of Ione. The County’s lawsuit argues that the land is ineligible for gaming under federal law and challenges approval by the Secretary of the Interior of an amendment to the gaming compact between the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians and the State of California. Rhonda Morningstar Pope, Chairwoman of the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, said “it’s discouraging that County leaders are trying to keep the lawsuit alive, and it’s truly shocking that they’re using taxpayers’ money to pursue baseless claims to appease the political agenda of a few dissenters in Amador County.” She singled out “Friends of Amador County,” an anti-casino activist group, as one example. “We hope the people of Amador County recognize these disgruntled individuals for what they are: obstructionists,” said Pope. She said the Buena Vista Tribe has always maintained that the Supervisors’ lawsuit is without merit. “The Supervisors’ efforts thus far to delay our project have already cost the County potentially millions of public services dollars and hundreds of good paying jobs,” she said. “We hope the County will now focus its efforts on working with the Tribe to implement off-reservation mitigation measures and invest millions of dollars set to be paid to the County by the Tribe.” In a release issued by the board last week, County Counsel Martha Shaver explained the County’s decision to appeal. “The court’s ruling dismissing the case was on procedural grounds,” she said. “The court stated that the Secretary’s ‘approval by inaction’ of the compact amendment was not reviewable by a court. We believe this decision is wrong, and welcome the chance to submit our case to the Court of Appeals.” In addition to appealing the federal ruling on the gaming compact, both Amador County and “Friends of Amador County” are appealing a recent decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authorizing the tribe to discharge treated wastewater into an unnamed tributary of Jackson Creek. “It’s time for County leaders to start acting in good-faith with respect to the contractual relationship created by their Intergovernmental Services Agreement with the Tribe,” said Pope. “It’s time for them to stop the divisive politics and start reciprocating our efforts to be good neighbors, working together for the betterment of the County as a whole.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.