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Monday, 02 August 2010 06:32
Amador County News TSPN TV with Alex Lane 8-2-10
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Friday, 30 July 2010 06:10
West Point Woman Arrested for Embezzeling from PG Ace Hardware
Amador County – The Amador County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday the arrest of a West Point woman for embezzling from Pine Grove Ace Hardware. Sheriff’s deputies initially responded to the report of a crime on April 21, 2009. The owner of Pine Grove Ace Hardware and the victims in this case reported that in August 2006, they hired Ashley Marie Alaway, 26, of West Point, as a bookkeeper and accounts payable representative for their business. The victims stated they were ultimately forced to close the business and file for bankruptcy. During the process, some irregularities in bookkeeping were identified. The victims began checking their records and found that Alaway had fraudulently given herself raises and used business funds to pay personal bills and expenses. An Amador County Sheriff’s Detective was assigned and began the financial investigation. The investigation included additional interviews with the victims, the drafting and execution of multiple search warrants, a lengthy and complex financial analysis and numerous attempts to interview Alaway, who declined all interviews. Amador County Sheriff’s Detectives working with the victims and various financial institutions have identified no less than $106,000 in loss. Alaway, who was employed at Ace Hardware for approximately 18 months, gave herself raises within six months of employment, to over 33 percent of her authorized pay. She additionally arranged a direct deposit, effectively doubling her already inflated salary. Alaway also used funds from the Ace Hardware business accounts to pay personal bills and expenses, and to filter funds through various personal accounts. After Alaway’s employment was terminated due to the business closure, Alaway reported her fraudulently earnings to the California Employment Development (EDD) Department to acquire increased unemployment benefits. EDD has been advised of this investigation and Alaway’s fraudulent reports to that agency. The case was subsequently presented to the Amador County District Attorney’s Office for review. The District Attorney’s Office drafted a complaint alleging Alaway committed embezzlement. On July 8, 2010 the Amador County Superior Court approved and issued an arrest warrant for Alaway based upon the complaint filed by the District Attorney’s Office. On July 14, 2010, Alaway turned herself in at the Amador County Jail wherein she was booked for embezzlement. Via Sheriff Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 30 July 2010 06:06
New Oil, Filter Recycling Center Opens in Plymouth
Amador County - The Amador County Waste Management Department recently announced the newest addition to the Used Motor Oil and Filter Recycling program. Located in Plymouth at Foothill Garage and Wrecking, 9408 Pacific Street, the new center will accept used motor oil, filters, antifreeze, and auto batteries at no charge from the public, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The center was introduced to the public at a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony in late July. Guests of honor included Amador County Board of Supervisors Chairman Brian Oneto, Plymouth Mayor Patricia Fordyce, and Director of California Department of Resources, Recycling, and Recovery (CalRecycle), Margo Reid Brown. Members of the public also attended and refreshments were served. The county’s oil program includes free used motor oil recycling locations in Jackson, Martell, Ione, Pine Grove, Buena Vista Transfer Station and now Plymouth. For more information on used motor oil recycling or any other questions, please call the Amador County Waste Management Department at 209-223-6429. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 30 July 2010 06:15
Calaveras County Experiences 2 Fatal Accidents In 24 Hours
Calaveras County – Calaveras County experienced two separate fatal vehicle collisions in less than 24 hours, as confirmed Thursday by the San Andreas California Highway Patrol (CHP). The first collision took place at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday evening on Gold Strike Road just south of Leonard Road near San Andreas. Matt Thien, 21, was operating a 1993 Dodge occupied by Michael G. Thien, 50, and Karen Lundy, 54. Thien, who later admitted to driving while intoxicated, said he observed another vehicle turning onto Gold Strike Road from Leonard Road in front of him. The CHP report said that “due to (Thien’s) intoxication and unsafe speed, he applied (the vehicle’s) brakes and turned into the northbound lane from the southbound lane. Leah Montoya, 30, who was driving a 1999 Mercedes occupied by her 10-year-old daughter Felicia, observed Thien’s vehicle cross the double yellow lane divider headed straight toward her. She applied the brakes and swerved to the right, but the front end of her vehicle struck the front end of Thien’s. Both Michael J. Thien and Karen Lundy died as a result of the accident. Thien was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. A second vehicle collision was reported by the CHP to have occurred Thursday at 6:50 a.m. A driver whose identity has yet to be released was driving a 2005 Pontiac Sedan eastbound on Highway 4 near Brice Station when he crossed over the center divider for unknown reasons and collided with a 2007 Kenworth truck towing a trailer loaded with logs. The unidentified driver “collided with the fourth axle of the driver side of the logging trailer” and suffered fatal injuries as a result. The driver of the truck was uninjured. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 30 July 2010 06:08
Rattlesnake Bites at Record Number
Amador County - Seven Amador County residents required treatment at Sutter Amador Hospital for rattlesnake bites this year. “Six of those victims were admitted to the hospital and required anti-venom,” according to Eduardo Morin, Pharmacy Director at Sutter Amador Hospital. Dr. Bob Hartmann, Amador County Public Health Officer, notes that the emergency department usually sees three to four bite victims per year. “No one keeps official statistics, but the most we can remember in any year is seven. We’re already there and the season’s only half over.” A recent bay area news paper article suggested that there are more rattlesnakes this year because of the late, wet spring and more small rodents which are their main source of food. More bites occur in the hand, when the person is attempting to pick up the snake or working in brush or wood piles. Alcohol consumption is involved in over 50 percent of bites. Symptoms are usually pain and stinging at the site, swelling, oozing of blood from bite and bruising. Sometimes a person will have a metallic or mint taste in the mouth or muscle twitching. There about 8,000 venomous snake bites per year in the United States. Only about five to six people die from rattlesnake bites per year. If bitten, the best thing you can do is get to the emergency room right away. Fortunately Sutter Amador Hospital keeps an adequate supply of anti-venom on hand. “The anti-venom is very effective and most victims require six to ten vials given intravenously,” says Morin. “The hospital stay is one to two days and most people recover without long lasting effects.” Morin notes that the cost of the anti-venom is close to $2,000 per vial. Hartmann adds that, “The only rattle snake native to this area is the Northern
Pacific Rattlesnake. Therefore, it’s not important to catch the snake. Actually it is more dangerous to attempt that. Every year someone brings a rattlesnake to the emergency room and it stirs up a little commotion.” Prevention is the best medicine. In order to avoid bites, never handle dead or living snakes, know the habitat where the snakes live (wood piles, brush), know snake habits (out more at dusk and dawn), keep rattlesnake enemies around (including dogs, cats, guinea hens, and pigs), wear boots and long pants, and
trim bushes and shrubs so you can clearly see underneath. Via Press Release This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 30 July 2010 06:24
Amador County News TSPN TV with Alex Lane 7-30-10
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Monday, 02 August 2010 06:29
Board of Supervisors Pre-Agenda Report with Richard Forster 8-2-10
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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.
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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.
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