News Archive (6192)
Amador County – Emergency personnel extricated a man and a woman from a car after a vehicle they were riding in reportedly rolled over in the 10800 block of Highway 88 Thursday outside of Jackson. Sometime after 3 p.m. a caller reported that a red Chevy Blazer had rolled over in a crash, and that 2 people were injured and pinned inside the vehicle. The Blazer came to rest on its top facing east, in the west-bound lane of Highway 88, laying in the ditch next to the road. 13 emergency vehicles responded, including Jackson Volunteer Fire Department, the CHP, American Legion Ambulance, CalFire and the Amador County Sheriff’s Office. Firefighters using Hurst extrication tools cut away parts of the Blazer to remove the two people inside. A man was removed first, on a flat yellow stretcher board, and placed on a rolling ambulance stretcher. He then sat up and stood up from the stretcher, before being placed back onto it and rolled to an ambulance. A woman was then removed on a flat stretcher and placed on another wheeled stretcher, and she sat up as medics checked her. Both the man and the woman were reportedly injured. The man had an apparent arm injury and the woman had an apparent injury to her forehead. Both seemed to be alert and speaking with emergency personnel when they were removed from the scene. The crash occurred just east of Bonnefoy Lane on Highway 88, and backed up traffic for about a half mile toward Jackson. The Blazer was completely off the roadway and traffic was passing by as the extrication was under way. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Amador County – A strong and uncharacteristic hail, thunder and lighting storm pummeled Amador County for a brief period late Wednesday afternoon. At the time this story was written, the National Weather Service forecast additional pressure systems to bring more of the same weather through Wednesday evening. Pea-sized hail pellets coated downtown Jackson in white in a sudden downpour before giving way to sunshine. An Amador High School employed confirmed that lighting struck somewhere on campus, but no major damaged occurred. The National Weather Service forecast predicts clear skies and sunshine the rest of the week and into the weekend. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Thursday, 29 April 2010 07:03
Sue Slivick's Brother Restarts Father's Mexican 1,000 Offroad Rally
Written by Tom
Amador County – TSPN this week celebrates a familial tie to the 2010 Mexican 1000 Off-Road Rally race, which started Wednesday (April 28th). TSPN TV co-founder and Vice President Sue Slivick said her father, Ed Pearlman, founded the original Mexican 1000 race across the deserts of Baja California, Mexico, in 1967. 43 years later, her brother, Mike Pearlman, has brought back the race this week. The race kicked off on Wednesday and is a “rally” format, instead of the marathon format of the original races. The race goes for 3 days across the Baja peninsula, with overnight stops at hotels along the way. The race is sponsored by the National Off-Road Racing Association, and aims at honoring the association’s “hot rodding traditions and the forward thinking pioneers of the early days.” NORRA.com tells about the history of the races and fetes Ed Pearlman, saying his “legacy of contributions to the development of off-road motorsports is undeniable.” The site said Ed Pearlman first organized the Mexican 1000, and co-founded the national Off-Road Racing Association. He also founded the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame. Pearlman, Don Francisco and other off-road racing enthusiasts in Riverside founded the National Off-Road Racing Association in 1966, and with Francisco’s help they established the inaugural Mexican 1000 in 1967. The race began in Tijuana and 68 vehicles raced from Ensenada to La Paz. The winner was the Myers Manx Buggy driven by Vic Wilson and Ted Mangels. Organizers tout the 2010 Mexico 1000 as a “Who’s Who of the Off-Road Motorsport Hall of Fame.” It features racing categories that honor the sport’s past, and it has forward-looking categories, such as one for “alternative fuel technology vehicles.” The “all star line up” of entrants is called the “highest concentration of off road champions anywhere.” Race progress can be tracked online at NORRA.com. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council earlier this month put off a second reading of an amendment to its development agreement with Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort, in part to avoid unnecessary legal fees. The item was briefly discussed, then the council voted 4-1 to follow City Attorney Dennis Crabb’s recommendation to table the second reading until after the June 8th election. Crabb listed options of proceeding with a second reading and dealing with legal challenges that may arise; or, the council could “drop the ordinance (to amend the agreement) and accomplish the same purpose through an operating memorandum as authorized in the approved agreement.” Councilman Pat Crosby said he would “like to see the council vote on it, so people can see where the council stands.” Mayor Gary Wooten said it would be better to avoid unnecessary legal costs. The council voted 4-1 to continue the second reading of the ordinance until the council meets after the election. Mayor Pro Tempore Tim Murphy dissented. The ordinance reading was continued to June 21st, after the June 8th referendum titled “Measure N,” which will allow registered voters in Sutter Creek to decide whether the city council’s approval of ordinances related to Gold Rush will be upheld. The decision on the second reading of the amendment ordinance “was continued from the last council meeting based upon an objection filed a few minutes before the meeting by the attorney for the local environmental group,” Crabb said. The filing said “that since a referendum measure has been filed an amendment to the development agreement cannot be processed until the referendum is decided.” Crabb said “on its face, the argument has merit, but is contradicted by the specific facts in this case.” He said the “proposed amendment does not make a material change to the already approved agreement or create any rights not already conveyed.” The agreement would charge fees for golf course related sales that were not taxed by the city. Crabb said it would presumably increase revenues from Gold Rush to the city “if the project is approved in the referendum.” Crabb said “while that debate might be of esoteric interest to the attorneys involved it has little or nothing to do with the realities.” He said if the “council decision is upheld in the referendum the objection fails. If the council decision is not upheld the entire development agreement is set aside.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Amador County – The Plymouth City Council last week voted to call an election for a 4 percent increase in the city’s Transient Occupancy Tax from 6 percent to 10 percent. The council passed a resolution that will call for the election and place the question on a city-wide ballot in the November election. The council on April 8th directed staff to prepare the resolution for an increase of the Transient Occupancy Tax on hotels, motels and mobile home parks inside city limits. The change would occur only with a 50 percent plus 1 vote of registered Plymouth voters. A non-binding advisory measure will accompany the TOT measure on the ballot. City Manager Dixon Flynn recommended a 12 percent TOT tax, or a 6 percent increase. The council unanimously agreed to start the paperwork for 10 percent earlier this month, and on Thursday approved the new resolution. City Attorney Steven Rudolph in a report said the ordinance and resolution would submit the changes to the voters, along with “an advisory measure,” as prepared on city council direction. The advisory would be “asking voters whether 2 percent of revenue form the increase in the Transient Occupancy Tax should be used for streets, parking and landscaping, and whether the remaining 2 percent should be used for tourism including promotions, events, signage, advertising and other related expenses.” Rudolph said the “transient occupancy tax is a type of tax that a city may levy on the privilege of occupying a room in a hotel or a similar place of lodging within a city.” He said the 6 percent TOT in Plymouth has remained the same since the tax went into effect in 1980. Plymouth’s 6 percent TOT tax raised $75,000 last year, and Finance Manager Jeff Gardner said the 4 percent increase could add another $50,000 to that total. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Thursday, 29 April 2010 07:07
Jackson Approves Ordinance Prohibiting Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
Written by Tom
Amador County – The Jackson City Council on Monday unanimously approved adoption of an emergency ordinance prohibiting the establishment and operation of medical marijuana dispensaries and other businesses prohibited by state or federal law. City Manager Mike Daly said staff brought the issue back to the council for “clear guidance” after receiving inquiries from at least three concerned citizens who sought clarification on current medical marijuana laws. Daly said there remained many unanswered questions since the state electorate voted to approve of Proposition 215, also known as the compassionate Use Act of 1996, and Senate Bill 420, also known as the Medical Program Act of 2003, which clarifies the scope and application of Proposition 215. In response to those acts, Jackson adopted Ordinance No. 640 in 2004 “regulating the location and operation of medical cannabis dispensary operations,” but repealed that ordinance in 2007 shortly after the federal Drug Enforcement Administration began prosecuting dispensary operations. Daly said state and federal laws are “contradictory.” He said federal guidelines announced in 2009 by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder “clarify that so long as people comply with state and local law regarding medical marijuana, they will not be the ‘focus of federal resources’.” Even though dispensary operations are still illegal under federal law, Holder’s announcement sparked a surge in dispensary applications throughout California, and Daly said the number of “potential applicants” in Jackson has increased over the past month. The new ordinance, known as Ordinance No. 664, declares that “the fact that the City has received two inquiries within the past month concerning the process for opening a dispensary in Jackson suggests that there is an imminent risk that a dispensary will attempt to open in Jackson.” It states that “some California cities that have been permitted the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries have witnessed an increase in crime, such as burglaries, robberies, and sales of illegal drugs in the areas immediately surrounding such dispensaries,” as shown in various studies and reports. One audience member, a lady who chose not to identify herself, raised questions about the status of a dispensary versus a cooperative under the law. Daly told TSPN that U.S. Attorney General’s guidance documents
state that a cooperative or a collective must get a business license or permit from the city, and that a collective is not a business. The council approved the ordinance 4-0. The new ordinance prohibits “in all zones medical marijuana dispensaries and other land uses that are illegal under state or federal law.” Councilmember Marilyn Lewis was absent from the meeting. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Amador County – The Jackson City Council on Monday unanimously agreed to direct staff to prepare the formal documents necessary to hire full-time firefighters as part of a city fire plan. City Manager Mike Daly said this is the latest step in a process that began after the “Amador Fire Protection District’s decision to reject a proposal from the Amador County Board of Supervisors to hire a Fire Services Manager to provide leadership for a consolidated fire agency.” Daly said the city council does not disapprove of the County’s action, but “feels we will be better served by hiring our own people.” The new organizational structure will include the hiring of a Fire Chief, Fire Captain and two Fire Engineers. Daly said the Fire Chief reports to him “and will direct and manage all City of Jackson Fire Department operations, including the current volunteer Fire Chief who would be reclassified as a volunteer Battalion Chief along with the current Assistant Fire Chief.” The Fire Chief, Fire Captain and Fire Engineers would all be full-time employees. Daly said “the job descriptions were developed by Jackson Fire Captain Mike Olivarria, who works full-time for CalFire as a Battalion Chief.” In preparing his descriptions, Olivarria evaluated the descriptions prepared by the AFPD and similarly structured fire agencies. The plan will be completely funded through Measure M, a ½ cent sales tax to support local firefighting services which was passed by voters last November. Daly projects the City will receive around $360,000 a year and currently has $341,463 “reserved for firefighter costs as stipulated in the ballot measure language.” City staff estimates the total hiring cost will range from $306,629 to $333,249. The council expressed concern over how this full-time fire department implementation will affect the City’s public safety retirement plan, known as PERS coverage. City staff is still looking into this matter. Council member Marilyn Lewis was absent from the meeting. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Wednesday, 28 April 2010 02:57
Sheriff Reports Include Prophylactic Theft, Ice Cream Rage
Written by Tom
Amador County – Amador County Sheriff’s Office’s call-log the last month included a variety of incidents, ranging from an apparent ice cream-induced vandalism, to the reported theft of a single prophylactic. Last week a vandalism was reported at Munnerlyn’s Ice Creamery on Highway 88 in Pine Grove. The caller said that the “ice cream shop did not carry a child’s favorite flavor so he got mad and kicked the counter and left a big hole.” The incident occurred March 29th. On April 15th, a caller reported that he had been advised that his stolen saw mill was seen being towed by a vehicle east-bound on Highway 88 in Pine Grove. The saw mill was a “Timber King 1600” on a 16-foot black metal frame. Also April 15th, a disturbing the peace complaint was received about an incident involving 2 sisters. The caller said her sister was driving a 4-door green Chevy Tahoe and rammed her vehicle twice on Lake Canyon Road, and then left the scene. The incident reportedly occurred after a physical disturbance between the 2 sisters. The woman did not need medical attention. Disturbing the peace was reported April 18th on Aqueduct Grove Road at Sky High Boulevard in Pine Grove. A man reported that he was driving along Aqueduct Grove Road, when some dogs jumped onto his vehicle. The man said he yelled at the dogs to get down, and the dogs’ owner then yelled at the reporting party. The incident was verbal only. Monday (April 19th), a woman reported that her ex-boyfriend, who has a restraining order against her, put all of her belongings on the street, with a “free” sign. A friend of the woman reportedly saw the items on the street, and some of the property was damaged. The day before, a female “restrained party” requested a “citizen assist” when her ex-boyfriend told her that “she needs to come get her things now or she will take it all out and put it on the highway with a ‘free’ sign on it.” The restraining order restricted her from going to the residence. Tuesday (April 20th), a caller reported seeing a male standing on top of the head frame at the Kennedy Mine. The caller saw the subject from the road. The male was wearing a white T-shirt. Raley’s grocery store on Highway 49 in Jackson reported a petty theft by a male juvenile on Wednesday, April 21st. The male allegedly “took one condom from the box,” and left the store. The subject was described as wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans and white shoes; and he left the area in a 2007 to 2009 silver Mustang hatchback with a spoiler. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Amador County - The Central Sierra Mining Association (CSMA) conducted its first dinner meeting of 2010 on Friday the 16th of April in Sutter Creek. CSMA Director Tim Smith said the meeting was very well attended with 60 on hand for dinner and informational discussions. The discussions covered issues dealing with The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA), General Planning for both Calaveras and Amador Counties and how the Association could best be involved for the protection of the local mining industry. Presentations were given by Steve Testa, Chairman of the State Mining and Geology Board, Susan Grijalva, Amador County Planning Director, Nathan Lishman, Amador County Planner, Mike Del Orto, Association Director, Calaveras County and Tim Smith, Association Director, Amador County. Smith said a lively discussion with questions and answers was directed at the differences of interpretation of SMARA requirements and implementation between the Association and the Mines and Geology Board. Smith said the Association and the County of Amador seemed to have similar understandings and concerns. Amador County Supervisors Louis Boitano and John Plasse were in attendance and provided questions and comments to Testa and the members. CSMA pledged to put together a committee from the Association, Amador and Calaveras Counties and the Department of Conservation to work to bring the Counties, the State DOC and the mining community together on their understanding of what works within SMARA and changes that need to made to the current regulations. The Association’s Mike Del Orto was to testify at a joint Planning and Supervisors hearing on the Calaveras County General Plan on April 19th in Angels Camp. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Wednesday, 28 April 2010 02:55
Caltrans Workers Clean 73 Bags Of Trash From Highway 88 Roadsides
Written by Tom
Amador County – The California Department of Transportation held a highway litter pickup day last week and reported picking up 73 bags of trash from Highway 88 roadsides in Amador County. The statewide Litter Removal Day, in coordination with Keep California Beautiful, and California Highway Patrol, was held on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, last Thursday, April 22nd. Stockton-based District 10 publicist Chantel Miller said Caltrans maintenance crews in Amador County picked up litter and debris for the entire day along Highway 88 from the San Joaquin/Amador County border to just west of Wicklow Way. They filled more than 73 bags with litter. The cleanup day was an educational activity designed to enhance public awareness of costs associated with removing litter, and the volume of roadside waste the state encounters. Caltrans spent approximately $60 million in 2008-2009 to pick up litter and debris from state highways and roadways. Caltrans forces, combined with Adopt-A-Highway Program participants, special programs personnel such as probationers, inmates and the California Conservation Corps, and contractors for litter removal, removed 160,000 cubic yards of litter from highways last year, which would fill roughly 10,000 Caltrans garbage trucks. Miller said Caltrans encourages people to carry litter bags in automobiles, and to always cover and properly secure loads of trucks and pick-ups. Besides economic costs, litter creates a range of serious threats to the environment and human health. Wildlife can suffer from plastic in the environment, and roadside vegetation can be damaged by large debris. Improperly discarded cigarettes can start fires that can threaten human health, and harmful chemicals and biohazards can cause a serious threat to human health. Also, litter can clog roadway drainage systems and lead to highway flooding, congestion, and accidents. Miller said litter can also aid in the spread of disease. She said the “best anti-litter campaign is to ensure trash never makes it onto the highways in the first place.” For more information on the District 10 Adopt-A-Highway Program, call (209) 948-7462. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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