Tom
Friday, 23 April 2010 04:22
Lungren Pushes to Repair Monte Wolfe Cabin
Amador County - The historic Monte Wolfe cabin located at the convergence of Amador, Alpine and Calaveras counties could soon see repairs nearly seven months after it was damaged by U.S. Forest Service personnel. 3rd District Congressman Dan Lungren, who represents Amador County, called a meeting last January to address the issue after inquiries from concerned citizens and local government officials. A news release said that “for a time, it was the forest services' position that they could not make the repairs because that would be contrary to goals of the Wilderness Act of 1964 and might elicit lawsuits from wilderness proponents who want the cabin removed.” Lungren argued in a February letter to the secretary of agriculture that the cabin “was damaged by man, and man should restore it.” The cabin, which is situated near the 5,000 foot elevation in Alpine County, has been a source of local pride since friends of the legendary mountain man decided to preserve it after his mysterious death in 1940. Last winter, forest service personnel removed the stovepipe, flue, and door to the cabin for unconfirmed reasons. “I am pleased to hear that discussions will be underway leading to the restoration of the Monte Wolfe Cabin,” Lungren said, adding: “It has been my position that the forest service was wrong in taking the actions that damaged the cabin.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 23 April 2010 04:24
Celebration of Life Scheduled for Khylee Monson
Amador County – An upcoming Celebration of Life ceremony will honor the memory of Khylee Monson, a 5-year-old Pioneer girl who recently passed away after a 10-month battle with terminal cancer. Khylee died Wednesday afternoon, April 14th, 2010. She was diagnosed last June with pontine glioma, a rare form of brain tumor. “On the day of her death, she was surrounded by the love and comfort of her family, some of her best friend’s mommies, favorite preschool teachers, our Pastor and her Hospice nurse. It was wonderful to have them all there,” said Khylee’s mother, Jackie Harrison, in a letter to the public. “Although she may not be here with us physically, her spirit is all around us and she will continue to be a part of our daily lives,” she said. Since the initial diagnosis, community members rallied together to raise money for her family to help pay for a barrage of medical treatments, including six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy. The Khylee Fundraising Group on the website “Just One Dollar” reported recently that it has raised more than $12,000 in donations from canisters around Amador County and online. The dinner last August raised more than $14,500. Coworkers of Harrison at Volcano Communications generously donated over $15,000 to her family. Harrison said the ordeal made her aware “that our children our struck down by this type of disease at a rate I had no idea was happening until Khylee’s diagnosis.” She urges support of organizations that are specifically geared toward finding cures for pediatric brain tumors. Jennifer Wilson, a close friend and supporter of Khylee’s family, said the experience has changed her life and made her more aware of cancer and its effect on the lives of children. “If there is anything I’ll take away from this, it’s that I’ll never, ever pass up a cancer fundraiser again,” said Wilson, adding: “We must find a cure for this horrible disease.” Wilson arranged the fundraising dinner last August. Wilson suggested donations to the bank account at Bank of Amador for the family. The Celebration of Life will take place on May 8th at 1 p.m. at the Calvary Chapel of Amador County on Ridge Road in Pine Grove. The general public is welcome to attend. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 23 April 2010 04:18
SAH Diabetes Program Awarded Recognition From ADA
Amador County –The Outpatient Diabetes Education Program at Sutter Amador Hospital was recently awarded continued recognition from the American Diabetes Association. The program, which was originally recognized in May of 2000, offers high-quality diabetes education services to patients from Amador County and the surrounding areas. “Through our diabetes education program, patients with diabetes are taught the skills they need to manage their own diabetes,” says Dr. Geraldine O’Shea, the program Medical Director. “And,” she added, “because we are recognized by the American Diabetes Association, patients and their providers can be confident knowing they are being cared for by professionals who have met and comply with National Standards.” All diabetes education programs approved by the ADA cover the following topics as needed: diabetes disease process; nutritional management; physical activity; medications; monitoring; preventing, detecting and treating acute complications; preventing, detecting and treating chronic complications through risk reduction; goal setting and problem soling; psychological adjustment; and preconception care, management during pregnancy and gestational management. Patients from both Amador and Calaveras counties can take advantage of SAH’s ADA-recognized diabetes program by being referred by their health care provider. A monthly diabetes support group, which meets the fourth Thursday of each month at the hospital, is also available and is offered free to all members of the community. If you are newly diagnosed with diabetes or have been a person with diabetes for many years, call to learn about the newest up-to-date information on how to manage your diabetes. For more information about SAH’s Outpatient Diabetes Education Program, call (209) 223-7448. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 23 April 2010 05:50
Antonio Moreno - Plymouth Fire Coverage 4-23-10
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News Interview Videos
Friday, 23 April 2010 04:10
Amador County News TSPN TV with Christian Toma 4-23-10
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News Broadcast Videos
Friday, 23 April 2010 04:24
Celebration of Life Scheduled for Khylee Monson
Amador County – An upcoming Celebration of Life ceremony will honor the memory of Khylee Monson, a 5-year-old Pioneer girl who recently passed away after a 10-month battle with terminal cancer. Khylee died Wednesday afternoon, April 14th, 2010. She was diagnosed last June with pontine glioma, a rare form of brain tumor. “On the day of her death, she was surrounded by the love and comfort of her family, some of her best friend’s mommies, favorite preschool teachers, our Pastor and her Hospice nurse. It was wonderful to have them all there,” said Khylee’s mother, Jackie Harrison, in a letter to the public. “Although she may not be here with us physically, her spirit is all around us and she will continue to be a part of our daily lives,” she said. Since the initial diagnosis, community members rallied together to raise money for her family to help pay for a barrage of medical treatments, including six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy. The Khylee Fundraising Group on the website “Just One Dollar” reported recently that it has raised more than $12,000 in donations from canisters around Amador County and online. The dinner last August raised more than $14,500. Coworkers of Harrison at Volcano Communications generously donated over $15,000 to her family. Harrison said the ordeal made her aware “that our children our struck down by this type of disease at a rate I had no idea was happening until Khylee’s diagnosis.” She urges support of organizations that are specifically geared toward finding cures for pediatric brain tumors. Jennifer Wilson, a close friend and supporter of Khylee’s family, said the experience has changed her life and made her more aware of cancer and its effect on the lives of children. “If there is anything I’ll take away from this, it’s that I’ll never, ever pass up a cancer fundraiser again,” said Wilson, adding: “We must find a cure for this horrible disease.” Wilson arranged the fundraising dinner last August. Wilson suggested donations to the bank account at Bank of Amador for the family. The Celebration of Life will take place on May 8th at 1 p.m. at the Calvary Chapel of Amador County on Ridge Road in Pine Grove. The general public is welcome to attend. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 23 April 2010 04:23
AWA Seeks County Loan To Fix Cash Flow Woes
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors authorized staff to prepare paperwork for a “bridge loan” from Amador County to correct agency cash flow problems and shuffle funds to make a $1 million bond payment in May. The bond finances the Amador Transmission Pipeline, and the loan would help pay “sunk costs” of $1,050,000 spent on the Gravity Supply Line, freeing up other funds to make the bond payment. Finance Manager Mike Lee recommended the agency seek a 30-year loan for $1.25 million from the Amador County “Water Development Fund.” He said the loan would pay Central Amador Water Project’s “GSL sunk costs as well as costs to complete the Water Right application and plant expansion.” As of Thursday morning, the agency had $800,000 in cash reserve, Lee said, and “on May 15th, I have to send $1 million to the Bank of New York,” the bond payment. Lee said the money spent on the GSL “has been borrowed from other systems.” He said the agency spent it “with the intention of paying ourselves back” with a USDA grant. AWA President Bill Condrashoff said the board was “setting ourselves up for a big fall if we don’t get the USDA grant and don’t get the rate increase” in CAWP. He said they should tighten their belts instead of just putting “a Bandaid on it,” because it will “not get better.” Director Terence Moore said he could not believe anyone on the board would say they should take no action, “throw it to the wind and hope we have enough money to get by.” Moore said: “I am not considering letting this agency go under from lack of action. It’s malfeasance of the board.” Moore made a motion to seek a 30-year loan of $1.25 million, and “draw down money necessary.” He said community input supported the loan and rate increase. Vice President Debbie Dunn said “when do we recover?” Lee said recovery could begin in June, when operating expenses typically are less than operating revenues. Dunn motioned to direct staff to seek a “bridge loan” from the county, to be repaid by the end of this year, with the amount of the loan to be recommended by staff. The board approved the motion 4-1 with Moore against. Dunn said she was not worried about getting a loan extension from Amador County Supervisors, who have given a 1-and-a-half year extension on a loan to the Jackson Valley Irrigation District. Lee said they likely would need a loan of $400,000 to $700,000, and a May 13th quarterly meeting will give a clear indication of the amount needed. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Water
Friday, 23 April 2010 04:22
Lungren Pushes to Repair Monte Wolfe Cabin
Amador County - The historic Monte Wolfe cabin located at the convergence of Amador, Alpine and Calaveras counties could soon see repairs nearly seven months after it was damaged by U.S. Forest Service personnel. 3rd District Congressman Dan Lungren, who represents Amador County, called a meeting last January to address the issue after inquiries from concerned citizens and local government officials. A news release said that “for a time, it was the forest services' position that they could not make the repairs because that would be contrary to goals of the Wilderness Act of 1964 and might elicit lawsuits from wilderness proponents who want the cabin removed.” Lungren argued in a February letter to the secretary of agriculture that the cabin “was damaged by man, and man should restore it.” The cabin, which is situated near the 5,000 foot elevation in Alpine County, has been a source of local pride since friends of the legendary mountain man decided to preserve it after his mysterious death in 1940. Last winter, forest service personnel removed the stovepipe, flue, and door to the cabin for unconfirmed reasons. “I am pleased to hear that discussions will be underway leading to the restoration of the Monte Wolfe Cabin,” Lungren said, adding: “It has been my position that the forest service was wrong in taking the actions that damaged the cabin.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 23 April 2010 04:20
Ione Sets Annexation, Sphere Of Influence Committees
Amador County – Ione City Council on Tuesday designated representation on Sphere of Influence and annexation ad hoc committees to meet with Amador County. City Planner Christopher Jordan said staff is working on an amendment to the city Sphere of Influence and an annexation, both to be decided by the Local Agency Formation Commission. Jordan said part of the amendment includes coordination with the county. After an initial meeting, supervisors created an ad hoc committee including the county planning director, 2 board members, and up to 3 city representatives, along with LAFCO executive director Roseanne Chamberlain. Jordan said the county intends the committee to discuss the Sphere of Influence Amendment application, and specifically “land owner consent” for inclusion; sphere area policies “that need to be included in both the county and city general plans”; “the merits of the SOI amendment”; and the city’s ability to provide services to the sphere area, should it be annexed. Jordan said state “law does not require that the city and county meet to discuss the merits of the SOI application. In fact, the only agency that can analyze the merits of a sphere of influence is LAFCO.” He recommended leaving that topic out of the meeting. Jordan said questioning a city’s ability to provide sewer service to a property “if it annexes tomorrow” was unfair, and annexation of Q Ranch would take a year just to get entitlements. He said “we have shown good faith to work toward serving wastewater customers” with work on opening a new treatment plant. Jordan recommended and the board approved sending 2 council members, the city planner and the city manager to the SOI ad hoc meeting. Councilman Lee Ard said he didn’t want Supervisor Richard Forster to “come in and control the meeting.” City Manager Kim Kerr said “they can say anything in that first meeting. We don’t have to agree to it.” Vice Mayor David Plank said he “took heat from 2 supervisors” and he thinks “they are more concerned about taxes.” Plank said: “I think this is going to be a learning process – for them, not us” – as they address state requirements. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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