Tom
Tuesday, 13 July 2010 06:27
Correctional Officers Foil Escape Attempt by Rancheria Shooting Suspect
Amador County – Gilbert Zaragoza, 19, a suspect currently being held for his alleged involvement in a suspected gang-related shooting at the Jackson Rancheria, was planning an escape from jail, according to reports Tuesday from the Amador County Sheriff’s Office. According to Undersheriff Jim Wegner, correctional officers conducted a search of Zaragoza’s cell on June 6th and “noticed the screws securing a light fixture had been damaged.” Upon removing the fixture, “alert corrections staff” discovered a crawl space containing “a threaded bolt, an adjustable end wrench and a contraband tee shirt.” Wegner says “staff found where the bolt and wrench were used in an effort to chisel a portal through an exterior wall.” Zaragoza had etched two small grooves into the wall. “Unbeknownst to the inmate, the jail walls are solid concrete, twelve inches thick and steel reinforced, so successfully chiseling out of the facility with the items possessed was extremely unlikely,” says Wegner. On the same day, Antonio Zaragoza, inmate Zaragoza’s nineteen year old brother from Manteca, was detained after taking cell phone photographs of “the visiting area and associated security measures” during a visit to the jail visiting area. Wegner said Antonio was issued a citation for bringing a cellular device into a correctional facility, a misdemeanor, before being released. Amador County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Technician confirmed through subsequent examination that the latent finger print transfers on the evidence collected from Zaragoza’s cell were positively identified as his own. Zaragoza was arrested by Sheriff’s Correctional Staff on June 30 for attempted escape, possession of a weapon and damages to a jail facility in excess of $400. According to the official booking form, Zaragoza received a new bail charge of $50,000. Zaragoza, a documented member of the Lathrop Hispanic Pride gang, is one of two suspects booked into the Amador County Jail on two counts of attempted murder for shooting two alleged members of an opposing gang inside the Jackson Rancheria Casino on March 14th at approximately 5:30 am. Surveillance video shows Zaragoza and others enter the casino and open fire on the victims in what was apparently a confrontation between rival gangs from the Stockton area. Video footage from multiple angles shows the shooting take place within a small area in the casino’s restaurant. Two Hispanic male victims, one an 18-year-old man and the other a 15-year-old boy, were shot in the neck or face during the shooting. They were subsequently transported to area hospitals where they eventually recovered from their wounds. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Law Enforcement
Tuesday, 13 July 2010 06:25
Sutter Creek Hears from Compaitant on Grand Jury Report
Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council heard both criticism and praise of its recently departed police chief and city manager last week, who later this week will be honored with a farewell banquet. The council also assigned a response committee to the extensive grand jury report that looked at 5 areas that received complaint. City resident Ed Arata at the meeting July 6th took credit for a written complaint to the Amador County Grand Jury that “ran to 4 pages and covered 8 areas of concern, plus 2 references to material that had been supplied to (Arata) by other citizens.” Arata said he wrote the complaint after he and his wife, Mimi gathered 350 signatures to petition the city council to not take out a loan to repay itself for money borrowed from the Sewer Fund. Arata said he made the complaint when he “saw no action” by City Manager Rob Duke “to make corrections to the city budget or to carry on meaningful dialog with the public.” Arata in a statement released only the introduction to his 4-page complaint, which ended saying that the city’s council in 1999 “decided to combine the position of city manager and chief of police into one staff person, and this decision does not seem to be working out very well.” Duke held those positions, along with the jobs of Director of the Amador Regional Sanitation Authority, and manager of the city’s wastewater treatment plant. All 4 were among areas investigated by the grand jury after complaints were received. The Grand Jury received complaints about the “spending of Sutter Creek Funds;” the “quality and effectiveness” of the sewer systems; and the city administration. It also received a complaint about “reasonable kennel sizes” in the field of animal control. The report included grand jurors saying that in attending city council meetings, they “observed some members of the city council managing by intimidation and being unresponsive to citizens’ concerns.” Arata in a statement last week said “this attitude has extended beyond the city council to ARSA meetings where Sutter Creek Mayor (Gary Wooten) acts as chairman of that agency.” Resident Andy Fahrenwald spoke in support of Duke, saying it was “a tragic loss” for the city, and a major loss of knowledge. Wooten agreed. Planning Commissioner Frank Cunha applauded the “post 2008” city council for its hard work, saying commissioners and citizens had been asking for and receiving change in the city. The response committee will prepare draft answers for the council to consider, possibly by the August 2 council meeting. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Local
Tuesday, 13 July 2010 06:24
Ione Gets Grand Jury Report on Building Department
Amador County – The Ione City Council in late June held a special meeting to discuss the Amador County Grand Jury report based on a complaint in the city hall building inspection department. The board of supervisors released the report June 29th, and the city council met that same day to begin preparation of a response. Ione citizens were given a chance to respond at the meeting. City Manager Kim Kerr said Ione City Council “had a full house and most of the people did not agree with laying off the building inspector, and felt that it was an inappropriate investigation.” Kerr said the grand jury investigation was called inappropriate because “some assumptions were made,” and because Ione Building Inspector Don Myshrall “had not been interviewed by the grand jury.” The civil grand jury based its investigation on an October 6th, 2009, “complaint concerning inconsistencies in the fees charged by the building inspector for the city.” Kerr said the complainant’s identity is kept secret in the grand jury process. The city council directed Kerr to draft a letter for council to review, in conformance with requirements. The responses will be decided by the city council, likely at its July 20th meeting, and the council will recommend whether to agree with recommendations, partially agree, or totally disagree. The report recommends eliminating the “full-time building inspector position,” and contracting inspections on a part-time, or as-needed basis. The jury also recommended the city “establish a system to review permits that ensures the information is complete and that fees are charged consistently.” The report found that “building permit fees and sewer connection fees are levied inconsistently,” and “projects with no discernable difference in specifications are charged differing fees.” The report said the job did not merit a full-time inspector, noting that “in 2009, there were only 21 building permits applied for by JTS, a major builder in Ione.” Kerr said the council can’t be completely in disagreement, but “will respond on each question as necessary.” She said some of the findings were issues she was working on already. The city has been revamping its building fees, and some of those have changed, setting basic rates and specific fees for certain activities. Last week, the council voted 5-0 to approve a first reading of an ordinance banning medical marijuana dispensaries in the city. The ordinance is scheduled for a second reading July 20. The July 6th meeting included no public comment on the issue. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Local
Tuesday, 13 July 2010 06:22
Kirkwood Hearing to Debate Power Plant Alternatives
Amador County – A public hearing this Friday will review an appeal to a recently approved permit granting construction of a diesel engine power plant at Kirkwood Ski Resort. Both the Kirkwood ski resort and surrounding residences have been served by a temporary power plant after the permanent plant was destroyed by a powerhouse fire on new Year’s Day. The authority to operate the temporary generators will expire in January, 2011. As proposed, the new plant will truck in diesel to the area, which is independent from the national power grid. Construction of the new plant was approved by the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District on May 24. The appeal is sought by the SMART Energy group, which says in its appellant statement that “the District approved construction of an all-diesel power plant despite the availability of feasible alternatives that would reduce the proposed plant’s adverse impacts on air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and human health.” Instead, the group proposes the construction of a “bi-fuel plant powered by 90 percent natural gas.” Both natural gas and diesel gas would need to be transported to the plant by truck, but natural gas opponents feel that alternative will be cheaper and cleaner after the initial investment is made. Among other complaints, SMART Energy group says the cost of a grid connection may exceed $35 million for Kirkwood’s 600 residents, and a “fuel source should not be determined until all the environmental impacts associated have been disclosed.” Kirkwood Meadows Public Utilities District staff members are recommending a denial of the appeal based on concerns including safety, location, costs and technological feasibility. Those speaking on behalf of the plant at the meeting will include Everand Ashworth, a Principal with environmental consulting group Ashworth Leininger. He contends that diesel with pollution controls is the best means to supply residents with electricity. Under state law, the district must pick the best available control activity. If natural gas were chosen for Kirkwood, the district would have to extend the permit allowing the temporary plant while an assessment on transportation and storage was conducted, as required by the California Environmental Quality Act. The public hearing will take place this Friday at 10:30 a.m. in Markleeville, located approximately 42 minutes east of Kirkwood. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Region
Monday, 12 July 2010 06:12
Kids Bowl Free Program Provides Free Games
Amador County - Kids Bowl Free.com and over 750 participating bowling centers from coast to coast have teamed up to provide kids with two free games of bowling every day all summer. Local bowling centers provide the Kids Bowl Free – two free game program as a way to give back to their local community for all of their support throughout the school year and winter months. Local bowling centers are partnering with schools, churches and businesses to distribute information now so that families can register online for the Kids Bowl Free program in their community. The Kids Bowl Free Program currently has over 750 participating bowling centers in 45 states. Given the current state of the economy Kids Bowl Free is a fantastic way for families to have a great time together without breaking the bank. During the summer of 2009 over 475,000 families and 1,076,000 children participated in the Kids Bowl Free program. Families that register will receive coupons valid for Two Free Bowling Games each day sent to their email address every Sunday morning from the starting date at their center until the conclusion of the program in their community. Most Kids Bowl Free programs end in late August 2010. If you would like to learn more, contact Bruce Davis at (239) 272-2738 or Darin Spindler at (920) 632-7018 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
Friday, 09 July 2010 06:21
AWA Talks Budget, Sees Cash Flow Slump Worsen
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors Thursday discussed revenue shortfalls that were bad in April and worse in May, leaving a gap between budget revenue and expenditures. General Manger Gene Mancebo said May 2010 numbers show revenue down $500,000 compared to last May, and this April was $200,000 down from April 2009. He said that should be taken into account as they discuss the budget July 22nd. The board approved the budget last week, with layoffs equivalent to 4 full-time employees. Mancebo said the board on July 22nd will look at whether to make a 4% rate increase in the service area known as the Amador Water System. They must also look at “debt service coverage” and whether they can lower the amount they pay toward Amador Transmission Pipeline financing. The board must also look at a cash flow problem, which Mancebo said “has the potential to be much more significant than the other 2 items.” Vice President Debbie Dunn said May “actuals” were e-mailed to the board by Finance Manager Mike Lee on July 1st, and she would have liked to have had those numbers before approving the budget earlier that day. Lee was on vacation this week, but last week warned of eminent cash problems, saying agency “operating money,” or total cash, was $500,000. He said the agency was “marginally close” to being able to pay July bills, and it was a “critical juncture” to “be able to make the bond payment in 6 months.” Lee said “cash isn’t there,” due to the fact of “what’s coming in the door, what’s going out the door.” Also last week, Mancebo said “we know we are at the ragged edge,” and options to cut costs could potentially come from furloughs, but he did not know how much more they could reduce costs, other than salaries and benefits. In a staff report, Engineering Manager Erik Christesen announced some development moves, including that the Wildflower Subdivision in Ione has a new owner. He said Wal-Mart is ready to take water, and Pine Bluff has sought to extend its permits. Quail Ridge owners heard about the AWA’s 5% conditional will-serve fee payments, and applied for 10 of those, instead of 82, in “first phase” developing. Christesen said a Big 5 sporting goods store has taken over about 5 Martell storefronts including the former home to Mountain Mike’s Pizza. The storefronts are between Save Mart and Triple A Insurance. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
Monday, 12 July 2010 06:15
AWA Discusses CAWP Capacity Constraints
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors last week discussed capacity constraints of the Central Amador Water Project service area. The board gave staff direction to bring back information about a water rights application filed with the state. General Manager Gene Mancebo said the board wants to see how much time and money it would take to increase water rights. The CAWP has a capacity “limitation of 1,150 acre feet annually,” and as recently as 2004, the usage was “up to 1,133 acre feet.” The agency set about the “process of expanding the water right,” Mancebo said. “Since then, water demands have dropped off significantly,” which could be due to cooler, milder weather, or the economy. Current usage is “probably less than a 1,000 acre feet annually,” or “at least 10 percent less that it was a few years ago,” but he said the agency must be prepared “if it gets hot again and people use water more like they have in the past.” Staff is also concerned about allowing new connections to CAWP. Mancebo said the application would expand AWA’s capacity usage from 1,150 acre feet a year to 2,200 acre feet a year. Amador County water rights through the CAWP total 1,150 acre feet. The Jackson Valley Irrigation District uses another 3,850 acre feet. Mancebo said AWA also has “the water right that came with the Amador Canal, which is substantially larger, and we are not using all of that.” It totals another 15,000 acre feet of water. One thought was to “use some of that canal water in CAWP” on an interim basis. Mancebo said an increase to 2,200 acre feet of rights in CAWP matched the capacity of the proposed Gravity Supply pipeline, but if that were not built, the agency could improve the CAWP pump stations to handle that flow. He said they were hoping to hear something from the USDA soon about a possible $5 million grant for the GSL project. Staff Thursday reported that the CAWP system’s Pump Number 2 at Silver Lake Pines was reparable. The “pump can” had developed a leak, which the company, Don Pedro, repaired and reinforced by welding a bowl to its bottom, and creating a mid-can seam, instead of a bottom seam. It was the second time in three years that Pump 2’s can developed such a leak, likely due to the constant pressure of the pump. It still needed to be sandblasted, coated with epoxy and installed. Staff said the pump motor looked really good and they did not bother to rebuild it. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
