On Sunday April 26, 2015 at approximately 0145 hours the Amador County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) received a 911 Emergency call from a Pacific Gas and Electric employee.  It was reported that a male subject had just shown up at a cabin at Salt Springs Reservoir reporting that he and a friend went canoeing in the reservoir when their canoe capsized.  The male subject reported that he made it to shore but his friend did not.

ACSO Deputies, American Legion Ambulance and fire personnel responded.  Deputies contacted and interviewed Jakob Kent Marhefka, 34, of Pioneer.  Marhefka reported that he and 38 year old, Pioneer resident Daniel Robert Pedersen were camping in the area and decided to go for a late night canoe trip on Salt Springs Reservoir.  Marhefka reported that at some point the canoe capsized.  He said they attempted to paddle it to shore but were unsuccessful so they decided to swim for shore.  Marhefka said that as he swam to shore he lost sight of Pedersen in the dark.  

Marhefka took deputies to where he exited the water.  No sign of Pedersen was found.  A California Highway Patrol helicopter flew over the lake and around the shoreline.  The partially submerged canoe was located, however there was no sign of Pedersen.

ACSO Search and Rescue responded to conduct an area search around the lake.  A dive team from El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office responded with an 

underwater remote operated vehicle/camera system.   Pacific Gas and Electric Company is providing a vessel which will be utilized to ferry divers, and to deploy a specialized ACSO side scan sonar.  Canines certified in locating drowning victims have been requested via the California Office of Emergency Services.  

At this time Pedersen has not been located. 

Event is at Sierra Ridge Winery on Ridge Road in Sutter Creek Saturday May 30^th 6-10 PM

Lots of raffle items and some silent auction items as well.

The Box Music Family will give us great  music to listen to while we munch on appetizers then buffet dinner.

10 FREE raffle tickets with each dinner ticket purchased

Tickets are $55.00

On June 2, 2014, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) received a report of a residential burglary on Mariposa Avenue in the unincorporated area of Jackson.  A Sheriff’s patrol deputy responded to the call and learned that the home was burglarized between 9:45 AM and 11:30 AM while the residents were away.  The victims in this case reported numerous items missing, including a full size gun safe containing numerous firearms, jewelry, an ammunition safe containing live ammunition, cash, personal documents, prescription medications, cellular telephones, hunting bows, and hunting accessories.  The total loss reported as a result of the burglary was estimated at approximately $23,000. 

On the evening of June 3, 2014, at approximately 8:41 PM, the ACSO received a report of gunfire coming from the area of the Old Well Motel in Drytown.  Deputies responded to the area to investigate and heard shots being fired near a residence immediately north of the Old Well Motel.  Deputies approached the residence and noted the presence of expended shell casings and multiple subjects inside the home.  After knocking, the front door was opened by the resident of the home, 46 year old Robert Allen Jarrell Sr.  Jarrell was known to the deputies on scene from prior law enforcement contacts and denied knowing anything about shots being fired.  Jarrell told deputies that he was alone even though other people were observed inside the residence.  While inside the residence the deputy that investigated the June 2^nd burglary noted the presence of a gun safe and an ammunition safe matching the description of those stolen in the previously reported burglary. 

Jarrell was placed under arrest for possession of stolen property, and the residence was secured so a search warrant could be obtained.  Jarrell was transported and booked into the Amador County Jail where he was later released after posting $20,000 bail.      

ACSO Detectives responded and drafted a search warrant for the residence.  Upon serving the search warrant, numerous items stolen from the residence on Mariposa Avenue were located, including the firearms, hunting bows, ammunition, and personal documents.    

ACSO Detectives conducted additional follow-up and ultimately submitted their case to the District Attorney’s Office recommending additional charges against Jarrell and two co-conspirators, 21 year old Michael Gaunt of Drytown, and 23 year old Nicholas Ray Carreira of Valley Springs. 

On April 2, 2015, an Amador County Superior Court arrest warrant was issued for Jarrell on charges of burglary, grand theft of a firearm, receiving stolen property, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon, and possession of a stun gun by a felon.  The bail amount for Jarrell’s warrant of arrest was set at $100,000.  Additional warrants were issued for Gaunt and Carreira for charges of receiving stolen property and grand theft of a firearm.  Bail on the warrants of arrest for Gaunt and Carreira was set at $50,000. 

On the evening of April 5, 2015, at approximately 8:00 PM, the ACSO received a call from a resident on Diamond View Drive in Pioneer reporting that unknown subjects were at a neighboring home with flashlights, and the reporting party believed they had broken a window.  Deputies responded, contacted and detained three subjects including Jarrell, 53 year old Glen Milo Mohr of Jackson, and 23 year old Henry Ralph Ramirez Jr. of Drytown.  During the course of their investigation Jarrell advised deputies he came to the property to collect a debt from a former tenant.

At the conclusion of their investigation, deputies placed Jarrell, Mohr, and Ramirez under arrest for burglary.  In addition to the fresh burglary charge, Jarrell was arrested and booked on his arrest warrant, making his total bail amount $120,000.  Ramirez had outstanding warrants for state parole violation and a misdemeanor warrant out of Sacramento County for domestic battery and violation of probation.  Ramirez is being held without bail.  Mohr’s bail is set at $20,000. 

Following Jarrell’s arrest, Amador County Combined Narcotics Enforcement Team (ACCNET) executed an unrelated search warrant at Jarrell’s residence in Drytown. 

ACCNET Agents located evidence of a Butane Honey Oil (BHO) extraction lab, approximately 3.8 pounds of processed marijuana, methamphetamine, and evidence of drug sales including unused packaging materials and three scales. 

Jarrell was additionally charged with possession of marijuana for sales, manufacturing a controlled substance, and possession of methamphetamine.

While executing the search warrant, ACCNET personnel also observed numerous rabbits, chickens and birds found locked in filthy cages, many without food or water.  A goat was found tied to a stake with a two and a half foot long lead.  The goat had no access to food or water of any kind and was trapped on a small ledge with no room to move more than a foot in any direction.  Amador County Animal Control was notified and responded to the scene.  An animal control officer subsequently removed the endangered animals.  

On June 2, 2014, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) received a report of a residential burglary on Mariposa Avenue in the unincorporated area of Jackson.  A Sheriff’s patrol deputy responded to the call and learned that the home was burglarized between 9:45 AM and 11:30 AM while the residents were away.  The victims in this case reported numerous items missing, including a full size gun safe containing numerous firearms, jewelry, an ammunition safe containing live ammunition, cash, personal documents, prescription medications, cellular telephones, hunting bows, and hunting accessories.  The total loss reported as a result of the burglary was estimated at approximately $23,000. 

On the evening of June 3, 2014, at approximately 8:41 PM, the ACSO received a report of gunfire coming from the area of the Old Well Motel in Drytown.  Deputies responded to the area to investigate and heard shots being fired near a residence immediately north of the Old Well Motel.  Deputies approached the residence and noted the presence of expended shell casings and multiple subjects inside the home.  After knocking, the front door was opened by the resident of the home, 46 year old Robert Allen Jarrell Sr.  Jarrell was known to the deputies on scene from prior law enforcement contacts and denied knowing anything about shots being fired.  Jarrell told deputies that he was alone even though other people were observed inside the residence.  While inside the residence the deputy that investigated the June 2^nd burglary noted the presence of a gun safe and an ammunition safe matching the description of those stolen in the previously reported burglary. 

Jarrell was placed under arrest for possession of stolen property, and the residence was secured so a search warrant could be obtained.  Jarrell was transported and booked into the Amador County Jail where he was later released after posting $20,000 bail.      

ACSO Detectives responded and drafted a search warrant for the residence.  Upon serving the search warrant, numerous items stolen from the residence on Mariposa Avenue were located, including the firearms, hunting bows, ammunition, and personal documents.    

ACSO Detectives conducted additional follow-up and ultimately submitted their case to the District Attorney’s Office recommending additional charges against Jarrell and two co-conspirators, 21 year old Michael Gaunt of Drytown, and 23 year old Nicholas Ray Carreira of Valley Springs. 

On April 2, 2015, an Amador County Superior Court arrest warrant was issued for Jarrell on charges of burglary, grand theft of a firearm, receiving stolen property, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon, and possession of a stun gun by a felon.  The bail amount for Jarrell’s warrant of arrest was set at $100,000.  Additional warrants were issued for Gaunt and Carreira for charges of receiving stolen property and grand theft of a firearm.  Bail on the warrants of arrest for Gaunt and Carreira was set at $50,000. 

On the evening of April 5, 2015, at approximately 8:00 PM, the ACSO received a call from a resident on Diamond View Drive in Pioneer reporting that unknown subjects were at a neighboring home with flashlights, and the reporting party believed they had broken a window.  Deputies responded, contacted and detained three subjects including Jarrell, 53 year old Glen Milo Mohr of Jackson, and 23 year old Henry Ralph Ramirez Jr. of Drytown.  During the course of their investigation Jarrell advised deputies he came to the property to collect a debt from a former tenant.

At the conclusion of their investigation, deputies placed Jarrell, Mohr, and Ramirez under arrest for burglary.  In addition to the fresh burglary charge, Jarrell was arrested and booked on his arrest warrant, making his total bail amount $120,000.  Ramirez had outstanding warrants for state parole violation and a misdemeanor warrant out of Sacramento County for domestic battery and violation of probation.  Ramirez is being held without bail.  Mohr’s bail is set at $20,000. 

Following Jarrell’s arrest, Amador County Combined Narcotics Enforcement Team (ACCNET) executed an unrelated search warrant at Jarrell’s residence in Drytown. 

ACCNET Agents located evidence of a Butane Honey Oil (BHO) extraction lab, approximately 3.8 pounds of processed marijuana, methamphetamine, and evidence of drug sales including unused packaging materials and three scales. 

Jarrell was additionally charged with possession of marijuana for sales, manufacturing a controlled substance, and possession of methamphetamine.

While executing the search warrant, ACCNET personnel also observed numerous rabbits, chickens and birds found locked in filthy cages, many without food or water.  A goat was found tied to a stake with a two and a half foot long lead.  The goat had no access to food or water of any kind and was trapped on a small ledge with no room to move more than a foot in any direction.  Amador County Animal Control was notified and responded to the scene.  An animal control officer subsequently removed the endangered animals.  

The Amador County 4-H Goat Group is hosting a Goat Field Day on Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Howard Park in Ione. The event is open to the open to to all 4-H, FFA, and Grange members, as well as the general public. Lunch will be available for purchase. For more information please contact William Bullard at 209-304-0700 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Due to the weather, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) closed State Route 4/Ebbetts Pass at Lake Alpine and State Route 108/Sonora Pass at Kennedy Meadows on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 22, 2015.  Caltrans will reopen the pass once weather permits and crews make the necessary repairs to the road.

For the latest road condition information, the radio may be tuned to the Caltrans Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) at 530 AM, 1610 AM or 1670 AM or call the Caltrans Road Condition Hotline at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).  Real time conditions are also available online and for mobile phones at http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov.  Changeable Message Signs with flashing beacons will have information regarding the pass closures.

Please remember, weather and road conditions can change rapidly.  Motorists should expect the worst conditions and be prepared.

(Jackson, CA) May 2nd, 2015 –The Master Food Preservers of Amador/Calaveras Counties presents a free class covering Jams and Sauces. Achieve the perfect gel with your jams and jellies and create an appetizing product that will please even the most sophisticated palette. Also discover canned sauces, perfect as a condiment or side to a meal or available for last minute desserts. This class will offer an inspiring discussion and demonstration of boiling water canning and go home prepared to line your pantry with beautiful preserves and sauces.

Join us for the UCCE Master Food Preservers’ Jammin’ Jam & Sassy Sauces class on May 2nd between 10 a.m. and noon at the Amador County GSA Building, 12200-B Airport Road in Jackson.

Contact the UCCE Master Food Preservers of Amador/Calaveras Counties at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for any questions.

Event:

BEFORE AND AFTER THE FLAMES: FIRE, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE SIERRA NEVADA

Thursday, April 30^th, 7:00PM

GSA Building, 12200B Airport Road, Jackson

The Amador Fire Safe Council presents, “BEFORE & AFTER THE FLAMES: FIRE, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE SIERRA NEVADA – IMPLICATIONS FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE FOREST MANAGEMENT”,

a talk with guest speakers Hugh Safford, PhD, Regional Ecologist for the US Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Region (including California, Hawaii and Pacific Islands) and Becky Estes, PhD, Province Ecologist with the El Dorado National Forest, US Forest Service.

It’s not about if, but when…there was the Rim Fire in 2013 and the Sand and the King Fires in 2014. When and where will the next raging fire arise? Will it be here in Amador County and what will be the cause? After decades of believing we needed to put out fires we have learned that suppression isn’t the answer to healthy management of our forests or fires. What do we do now that we know quashing a fire isn’t always the best response? What are the implications for forest management now and in the future? How do we create healthy forests, “fight” fires, and address the complications of climate change?

Dr. Hugh Safford and Dr. Becky Estes will address these, and other questions. You are invited to attend on Thursday, April 30^th at 7:00PM in the GSA Building, Jackson. Dr. Safford’s areas of professional expertise are community and landscape ecology, climate change, and forest and disturbance ecology. He will include information on how past, present, and future climate change interacts with recent fire-suppression practices and wildfires in the Sierra Nevada. Dr. Safford will explain how knowledge of the effects of climate change and wildfire on carbon, water, and soil affect forest management practices.

Dr. Becky Estes is an ecologist for the El Dorado National Forest. She will be discussing the specifics of forest recovery and emerging recovery plans following the King Fire.

There will be an opportunity for questions at the end of the presentations.

The presentation is Thursday, April 30^th, 7:00PM at the GSA Building, 12200B Airport Road, Jackson and is free and open to the public.

The Amador Fire Safe Council, formed in 2002, is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, active in the community, dedicating thousands of hours every year to the community. The mission of the Amador Fire Safe Council is to protect the people of Amador County and their property from the catastrophic effects of wildfire through education and outreach, innovation and action.

Amador Fire Safe Council, 209-295-6200, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.