2008 was a year packed with memorable events, some historic and some tragic. Throughout it all, TSPN TV was there to bring you timely in-depth coverage and interview on issues ranging from government to community to family. For over 20 years, TSPN has been the proud leader in local news. Now, join us as we take a look back on 2008.

On Tuesday, February 5, the Amador County Recreation Agency accepted the gift of the Mollie Joyce Park in Pioneer from county Amador County educator Fred Joyce, who deeded the 86-acre ballpark and land to the agency. ACRA Executive Director Tracey Towner-Yep, who has been instrumental in building the agency from the ground up, called the ceremony a “historic moment.” ACRA immediately went to work renovating the property to suit the needs of its various programs. Upgrades included the transformation of the existing house into a darkroom, and building new bleachers. The agency plans to construct about 3 to 4 miles of trails on the property.

Also beginning February 5, the Foothill Conservancy began an aggressive campaign to designate a 37-mile stretch of the Mokelumne River as a National Wild and Scenic River. The proposed act would help to preserve the environment in which the river exists. The debate became the hot topic of conversation at Water Agency and Board of Supervisors meetings and symbolized the complex issues surrounding Amador County’s most important resource- water. The beautiful Mokelumne is both a source of water for Amador County and for 1.3 million residents in East Bay cities. Water Agency board members approved an engineering pact with PG&E, reasoning that water supply for Amador County came first.

Tragedy struck on Saturday March 15, after domestic violence and an attempted murder resulted in the abduction and death of a 2-year-old boy. Amador resident Charles A. Bailey was arrested and subsequently charged with the murder of his son. After the initial abduction, a massive ground search began along Highway 49 utilizing various search and rescue resources as well as those of the El Dorado Sheriff and the Amador County Sheriff. The body of 2 year old Andrew was discovered near a small creek behind the K-MART in Martell. There was an immediate outpouring of respect from the community. Flowers and gifts remained on the bridge near the creek for weeks.

Opponents of the proposed Buena Vista Rancheria Casino were granted a minor victory on March 11th after the Board of Supervisors deadlocked over a vote to participate in arbitration proceedings with the tribe, effectively ending negotiations and sending a clear message against new casinos in Amador. The issue became perhaps the biggest controversy of the year and compelled residents on both sides of the issue to make impassioned pleas to the Board. The Board’s deadlocked vote resulted in the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians issuing a seven-day notice to terminate negotiations. A lawsuit contending the tribe’s rights to build is currently awaiting decision in Federal court.

One of this year’s biggest races was for the Amador County Board of Supervisors. Beginning March 9, a number of candidates with diverse backgrounds began a very public competition for seats in District 1 and District 4. Long-serving incumbent Louis Boitano eventually retained his seat on the board and John Plasse, a fourth-generation Amador County resident beat out Jackson Mayor Rosalie Pryor-Escamilla and Planning Commission Board Member John Gonsalvez in District 4.

Wednesday, May 21 was the date the Board of Supervisors passed the long-debated Amador Economic Stimulus package. After a month of discussing contractor Paul Bramell’s proposal in front of a packed chamber, the Board approved a plan to temporarily cut impact and development fees in order to stimulate growth in the sinking housing market. The Board approved a variation from the original plan that allowed a 30 permit application limit up to December 31st, 2009. There was also a limit to how many homes a contractor could build under the new guidelines. Contractors and realtors alike were ecstatic about the decision and promptly used up the permits. The Board had to reconvene to file a revision allowing space for all applicants excluded in the first round.

A massive, 400-acre fire on Friday the 13th of May reminded citizens that fire danger is a very real threat in Amador County. The fast-moving blaze engulfed nearly 400 acres in the heart of Amador County. Dubbed the Electra Fire because of its origin near Electra Road below Pine Grove, the aggressive blaze was wrought with challenges on a day already associated with bad luck. The fire’s origin beneath 65,000 volt high tension lines effectively severed power to an estimated 13,000 Amador County residents. A voluntary evacuation was implemented. Crews continued to work throughout the night, and by 11am Saturday morning the fire was 100 percent contained. PG & E restored power and fixed the downed lines by late Saturday afternoon.

The Amador County Unified School District opened the 2008-09 school year July 1. This marked the first official day for new Superintendent Richard “Dick” Glock. Glock quoted the book Results Now, How We Can Achieve Unprecedented Improvements in Teaching and Learning, saying “simple plans work best – those with a direct focus on straightforward actions and opportunities.”

A large crowd was in attendance for a ground breaking ceremony July 3rd for the new Ione fire station, at 600 Preston Ave. The station was scheduled to be completed in early 2009. According to city manager Kim Kerr, the design of the new fire house includes fire suppression sprinklers, a facility for waste oil, a trash collection site, and vinyl floor coverings.

In early July, after 19 years of business, Jackson’s Bonanza restaurant closed its doors. Owner Larry VanAnda, 69, said “after only two vacations in 19 years, I am beat. It is just time to retire.” He also said that there were a couple of parties interested in purchasing the place, and that there is talk of continuing the restaurant and also making Bonanza into a cowboy nightclub venue. “I would like to thank all of my patrons, I had a great time and have lots of fond memories,” VanAnda said.

At the July 14th Jackson City Council meeting, the council made several decisions designed to help rejuvenate downtown Jackson. The first decision was to adopt a “Strategic Plan 2008,” which outlines a vision and mission for the Economic Development Committee.

Ongoing talks between a labor union and Sutter Amador Hospital over labor contracts have – at least for now – come to a close. In statements issued in mid-July, the hospital declared that it will no longer negotiate with SEIU United Healthcare Workers, or UHW, until the union body holds a formal election. UHW is a major union representing thousands of healthcare employees, and absorbed Sutter Amador’s Local 4988 back in 2005. According to the statement, the hospital’s decision came after UHW refused to hold elections that would have allowed hospital staff to choose their own representation.

Judge Martin H. Ryan passed away Sunday, July 27 at Sutter Amador Hospital in Jackson at the age of 86. He was born Aug. 21, 1921 to William and Annie (Jones) Ryan in Pine Grove. Judge Ryan attended local schools, graduating from Sutter Creek High School in 1939. He attended U.C. Berkley and received his Juris Doctor degree from U.C. Hastings School of Law. Ryan married the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Lucot, on July 21, 1945 in the Jackson United Methodist Church. He was the long-time owner of Western Land Title Company and established a successful law practice specializing in real estate law, wills and probate. Ryan was elected Amador Superior Court judge and served from 1977 to 1990.

In National news, Oil Giant Exxon Mobile announced in late July, once again, it had broken the US national record for quarterly profit at $11.68 billion. Democratic House member Maurice Hinchey said “We’re dealing with this at a time when the budgets of households across the country are being stretched out to the limit and that stretching out is largely due to these skyrocketing gas prices.” The current national average for gasoline was $3.88 a gallon. Amador County gas at the time averaged $4.35 a gallon.

In mid-August, Amador County’s Exhibit took both the Silver and Superintendent's awards at this year’s State Fair. Titled, “Picture Yourself in Amador County,” the exhibit featured 4-by-6-foot photos by Eleanor Caputo, Craig Fouts, Carolyn Fox, Larry Angier, Larry Cenatto, Lisa Boulton, Kirkwood Ski Resort, and Kam Merzlak.

Congressman Dan Lungren on August 26th visited the former Cogen power plant near Ione, which will be the site of a proposed new green energy plant that could open by May 1st of 2009 and bring as many as 20 jobs and about $1 Million in salary to Amador County. Lungren met with Oneto Group owners Rux and Eddie Oneto at the plant on Coal Mine Road, along with Bob Buckingham of the Renegey Corporation, of Tempe, Arizona. Buckingham said the plant would burn 200,000 tons of biomass a year.

Retiring Amador County Museum Curator Georgia Fox was honored in an August 26th Board of Supervisors meeting. Fox worked for the County since 1989, was President of the Sutter Creek Woman’s Club, and served on the Amador County Sesquicentennial Committee and 15 years on the Amador County Historical Society.

In late August, Sutter Gold Mining Company was sold to Rand Merchant Bank Resources, a trustee for the Telluride investment trust of FirstRand, South Africa. RMB said “we are very much looking forward to commencing the detailed work and evaluation … to make an informed decision on the development of the project, for the benefit of all stakeholders including shareholders, the community of Sutter Creek and Amador County.”