News Archive (6192)
Jamba Juice of Martell wins a corporate Nor-Cal region service challenge award
Written by Tom
Amador County – Jamba Juice of Martell won a corporate performance award for 2012, the Encore Performance Service Challenge for the Northern California region.
The Martell Jamba Juice Store (Store Number 868), the Amador Ridge store, is owned by Abra Teague, a former Jamba company store general manager. Their contest region included 116 total stores when the contest began in early January.
To advance, Amador Ridge qualified for the regional round as one of the top 19 stores in the group based on customer satisfaction ratings from the end of 2011. They then had to fend off an additional 10 wildcard qualifiers to claim one of two finalist positions.
As finalists for their contest region, the Amador Ridge team faced off against Store Number 7 from Capitola, an older store, which has been open since 1994 on the coast, south of Santa Cruz, which locked up the top rank going into the final round.
In the end, the contest committee gave the edge to Amador Ridge based on consistency in engaging customers, and their strong upward trend in satisfaction measures such as friendliness, appearance, and interior cleanliness.
Abra said: “I’ve been the GM here since it opened as a company store on April 12, 2007. I love my store. I feel very proud and have always told our customers we’re the world’s best Jamba Juice,” she said. “Now I can tell them how we won the Encore contest.”
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Amador Public Health said National Public Health Week started Monday
Written by Tom
Amador County -- Monday marked the start of National Public Health Week and Amador County Public Health, together with Public Health Departments across the country, is promoting local health issues this week as a call to action to make a real difference in helping the community live healthier lives.
Diana Evensen, Tobacco Reduction of Amador County Program Director said Monday that residents can make a real difference in our community by committing to healthier behaviors for themselves, their children and families.” She said: We will find real change when we shift from a reactive health system to one focused on preventive measures. Many diseases and deaths are preventable through easy steps.”
Dr. Robert Hartmann, Amador County Public Health Officer, said health care costs are rising are rising across the country, with more than $2.3 billion spent in 2008, up 300 percent from 1990. He said in many cases, “costs are increasing because preventive measures are not being taken to eliminate future costs.
Connie Vaccarezza, Public Health Nursing Supervisor, said we need to recognize that improving our U.S. public health “can be done with small changes to our daily routine. From eating less fatty and unhealthy foods, to reducing communicable diseases in our community with vaccination, hand-washing and proper food preparation, to enacting measures that protect individuals from secondhand smoke, we can all make a difference in helping people live healthier and longer lives.”
Hartmann said “each year, chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes are responsible for millions of premature deaths and cause Americans to miss 2.5 billion days of work, resulting in lost productivity totaling more than $1 trillion.
With nearly a million Americans dying every year from diseases that could be prevented, even small preventive changes and initiatives can make a big difference in living healthier lives. These preventive measures can help create a healthier nation and reach the country’s goal of becoming the healthiest nation in just one generation.
Small actions are needed for communities, homes and families to see the large benefits of preventive care and grow the movement.
This week is the American Public Health Association’s annual celebration of the role of public health at the community level. Since 1995, communities around the country have celebrated National Public Health Week each April to draw attention to the need to help protect and improve the nation’s health.
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AWA says CFD studies will help fine-tune a consolidated water rate analysis
Written by Tom
Amador County – Amador Water Agency Board of Directors at its late March meeting heard a presentation on a consolidated water rate study and took questions from the public.
AWA Counsel Stephen Kronick said Bob Reed’s presentation March 22 was “somewhat interim” and the agency will come back in a month-and-a-half or two months with more fine-tuned figures. He said AWA is talking about forming two different Community Facilities Districts, and a company, SCI is studying CFD costs.
One would be a voluntary Facilities District for future customers within the Amador Water System service area, to fund the debt service of the Amador Transmission Pipeline. The other Facility District would be located in the Central Amador Water Project service area, and fund the debt service for the proposed Gravity Supply Line. Kronick said the tentative cost would be $45 to $50 annually for CAWP District members.
SCI is working on the Facilities Districts and in a month or two will bring back both matters. Kronick said people want to know overall what will be the financial impact. When the agency gets that, Reed will apply it to system-wide water rate analysis.
Kronick said some people in the public wanted an update on the Gravity Supply Line. He said staff is working hard to prepare concrete and solid information on both matters.
In public comment, Bill Condrashoff asked about the estimated $13.4 million dollar cost of the GSL, and whether it should be listed at $14.8 million, because of $1.4 million already spent on the project. Reed said the rate studies already include the spent money.
One man asked who would vote on a Facilities District. Kronick said by law, if more than 12 registered voters live in a proposed district area, then it must be put to a vote.
June Crabtree asked about the CAWP system’s existing pump and pipeline, and if it was deteriorating, how could it be used as a back-up system to the Gravity Supply Line.
AWA General Manager Gene Mancebo said it’s an asset AWA could use if needed. He said if one pump fails on the existing system, they would not have full capacity, but about 60 percent capacity of the water flow. He said that would be sufficient as a backup, and if it was being used to supply water to the Buckhorn plant, the agency would send conservation notices to customers. He said many other AWA systems don’t even have a back-up.
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AWA consultant compares project costs in the Central Amador Water Project service area
Written by Tom
Amador County – Amador Water Agency discussed preliminary estimates for the cost of a Gravity Supply Line, and estimates of fixing the existing system according to an agency-wide water consolidation rate study.
Bob Reed presented the analysis March 22 showing costs to water customers in four water systems across the AWA, and costs with and without the Gravity Supply Line. He estimated the cost to fix the existing system, which pumps water up to the Buckhorn water plant for the Central Amador Water Project service area.
Reed said water rates across the systems would be $20 more per month for the pump and system replacement in the CAWP system if a Community Facilities District was not formed to fund the Gravity Supply Line. Those estimated debt service fees would go from $12 to $32 in monthly bills.
Agency Counsel Stephen Kronick said in Reed’s preliminary study, a Community Facilities District to fund the GSL for Central Amador customers would cost $45 to $50 annually.
GSL critic and former AWA board vice president Debbie Dunn said she thought Reed’s study was aimed at getting USDA support, and the agency never even looked for a grant to replace the pumps.
Reed said the USDA has tentatively approved a $5 million dollar grant for the Gravity Supply Line, along with an $8.3 million dollar loan at 3.25 percent interest over 40 years, with an annual loan payment of $412,000.
Reed said pump-related charges are eliminated and in consolidation, “all customers would have lower water bills with this system.”
Replacing the existing pumps and pipeline would cost $9.7 million, and likely have a higher, 5.5 percent loan over a shorter term, and a 30-year loan would have annual payments of $750,000 dollars. Reed said a $900,000 Water Development Fund loan from Amador County would have to be repaid from loan proceeds, likely $161,000 annually for seven years.
Reed said there would be higher pumping costs and significantly higher water bills. He said CAWP Retail pump-related costs are $194,000 in the study of system-wide cost allocation. Total debt service among the four water systems is $1.6 million, and system-wide other costs are just over $5 million.
The pumping lifts the water 1,300 vertical feet, and using a Gravity Supply Line would save $260,000 dollar a year over the pumping costs. Reed said it would reduce costs by over a quarter-million dollars a year.
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California Transportation Commission allocates $326,000 for improving Jackson Vista Point park
Written by Tom
Amador County – The California Transportation Commission last week allocated $271 million in new funding to 73 projects for transportation improvements, including $326,000 to the Jackson Vista Point park improvement project.
Jackson received the funds through the Amador County Transportation Commission with an application written by Jackson City Councilman Keith Sweet and local grant writer Rene Chapman.
The California Transportation Commission description of the work said the Jackson Vista Point Improvement Project will update and improve interpretive signs, expand the scenic overlook viewing areas, create compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act for all parking and pedestrian areas, provide a drinking fountain and lighting and greatly improve the appearance of this gateway area in the city of Jackson.
The Vista Point park is located above Highway 49 & 88 as it descends past the Kennedy Mine, and toward downtown Jackson. Jackson City Council is also considering moving a monument the Caminetti Monument from Sutter Street and Highway 44/88 up to the Vista Point Park, depending on how much it will cost. The Council in February approved the move in concept, but will look at the cost of moving the 15-foot tall, 4x4-foot obelisk, which has been at the park since 1938.
Chantel Miller of Caltrans Stockton District 10 said the $271 million in allocations will “improve the state’s highways and rail systems and enhance the state’s economic recovery.”
Acting Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty said Caltrans is “focused on reducing traffic congestion, increasing safety, and improving goods movement to boost California’s economy.”
The awarded funding includes $214 million from proposition 1B, a transportation bond approved by voters in 2006, Miller said. In total, more than $11 billion in proposition 1B funds have been distributed statewide. The remaining $57 million in allocations came from assorted transportation accounts funded by state and federal dollars.
Mammoth Lakes in Mono County received $343,000 to build a “College Connector Path,” a quarter-mile long recreational multi-use paved path.
Stanislaus County received $140,000 for landscaping in the city of Patterson. Placer County received $8.3 million for 16 miles of highway pavement improvements.
The Sacramento Tree Foundation received $340,000 for the Stones Lakes Blue Heron Trails visitor station, to “restore lands on the Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge,” where “four acres of oak savannah habitat will be created and five acres of native grasslands will be enhanced.”
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Supervisors work on a program to waive or reduce biulding fees for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans
Written by Tom
Amador County – An Amador County Board of Supervisors committee and staff will draft a resolution for a one-time reduction or waiving of county-imposed building or remodeling fees for veterans returning from active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan conflicts, so the veterans can build or remodel a home in Amador County.
Committee member Supervisor Ted Novelli brought the item back after discussing the issue with Al Lennox of American Legion, Veterans Services Officer Floyd Martin, and Ret. Marine Col. Fraser West.
Novelli said: “I’m getting people from past and present services that think it would be a good thing if we were to adopt something that waive the fees in regards to our young men and women coming back from conflicts that we are in now. That would be Afghanistan and Iraq.”
He said according to the U.S. Army, “we have doubled our suicide rate for young gentlemen that are coming back from these two conflicts.” One month had a higher suicide casualty rate than the death rate on the battlefield.
Novelli said “we as a board, I think, we should go forward with this, go on a one-on-one basis, and say that any returning veteran, being disabled or not disabled, returning back to Amador County that has property, has a house, that wants to do an add-on could come before this board and maybe we could either possibly waive the fees, or cut the fees in half” for building a house or doing an add-on.
Novelli said it would be for returning veterans from Afghanistan or Iraq. He said Lennox and Martin realized “we’re putting some time limit, we’re drawing a line in the sand, but they think that if we draw it for these two conflicts that it would be sufficient.”
Committee member, Supervisors Brian Oneto asked if it included veterans already returned from the two wars. Novelli said it should apply to any veterans from those two conflicts. Supervisor John Plasse and Chairman Louis Boitano agreed.
CAO Chuck Iley asked if it would be capped at one per veteran. Novelli said that was his preference. He said the “one-on-one basis” would not be a blanket offer. Veterans would apply and he and Oneto would verify service.
“If someone walks up here and says he is an Afghanistan veteran, I’m just not going to say, yes I believe you,” Novelli said. “Before they waive or cut the fees in half, we would make sure that he is correct.” Oneto said they would check that the applicants “indeed did serve there.”
Novelli said applications would go to Building and Planning, which would send them to the committee to approve their application to go before the board. Boitano suggested the committee sit with County Counsel Greg Gillott and work out a resolution to bring back to the board.
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Volano home invading group sought drugs before beating and stabbing a man
Written by Tom
Amador County – A Volcano man was flown to a Roseville hospital Sunday after suffering a severe beating in a home invasion by a group trying to steal his prescription drugs.
Amador County Undersheriff Jim Wegner released details of the incident Thursday, saying that on Sunday, March 25 at about 1:30 p.m., Amador County Sheriff’s Department received a 9-1-1 emergency call from a resident on Buckeye Drive in Volcano. The caller said his friend had just arrived at his residence and had been badly beaten.
Deputies responded and found a 60-year-old man suffering from significant blunt force trauma to the head. Deputies were able to get limited information from the victim before he was transported by helicopter to Sutter Roseville Hospital.
Deputies went to the victim’s residence in the 19000 block of Shake Ridge Road in Volcano. They found evidence of a significant fight at the residence as well as on the deck. A sliding glass door leading to the deck had been shattered, the residence was in disarray, and there was blood smeared and spattered in the residence and on the deck. Deputies found no other victims and no suspects.
Sheriff’s Detectives interviewed the victim at the hospital. A neighborhood canvas was conducted and a witness with information on possible suspects and a possible motive was interviewed.
Wegner said the investigation thus far has determined that at 3 a.m. Sunday, after disabling electricity to the victim’s residence, multiple suspects unlawfully entered the residence and began beating the victim as he slept. The victim was punched and kicked in the face, and was stabbed multiple times in the chest.
The suspects then rummaged through the residence in an effort to locate and steal the victim’s prescription medications. At some point during the altercation the victim was able to access a rifle and discharge one round in the direction of one of the suspects. At least one of the suspects is known to the victim.
The investigation continues and anyone with related information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at (209)223-6500 or Secret Witness at (209)223-4900.
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Second installment of secured property taxes is becomes delinquent April 10
Written by Tom
Amador County – Amador County Treasurer and Tax Collector Michael E. Ryan announced that the second installment of 2011-2012 secured property taxes is due.
Ryan said he is reminding property owners that they have until 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 10 to make the second installment payment of their annual secured property taxes for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. The deadline should not be confused with the Income Tax deadline which is several days later.
The second installment of secured property taxes was due and payable on Feb. 1 and will become delinquent if not paid by 5 p.m. on April 10. Thereafter a 10 percent delinquent penalty and $20 cost charge will be added. Taxes remaining unpaid after June 30 accrue additional statutory penalties at the rate of 1-and-a-half percent per month, as well as additional fees.
Ryan notes that payments may be made by mail and must be postmarked by April 10 in order to avoid late penalties. Payments may also be made in person at the Amador County Tax Collector’s Office, on the second floor of the County Admin Center, at 810 Court Street in Jackson. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, holidays excepted.
Amador County Offices are closed on Fridays. For the convenience of taxpayers, a payment drop box is located on the outside wall of the alcove to the immediate left of the main entrance to the Admin Center. Additionally, payments may be made with a credit card in the Tax Collector’s Office, or by telephone at 1-800-609-4599.
Credit card and e-check payments may also be made over the Internet by visiting websites shown on tax bills. Taxpayers should refer to the back of their tax bill for further payment and tax information.
Amador County property tax information is available online. For additional information, please contact the Tax Collector’s Office.
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Amador County – Amador Council of Tourism is again looking for local business discounts to give to riders of the 2012 Sierra Century bicycle ride, set for June 16, which could bring up to 1,500 riders to Amador County.
The ride features three routes, including “classic routes” not used since 2005. On June 15, early registration begins for the annual ride that starts in Plymouth.
Organizer, Sacramento Wheelmen is a bicycling club and nonprofit organization founded 35 years ago and has 550 members. It schedules daily and weekly bicycle rides. Its members ride between 500 and 7,000 miles a year on club-sponsored rides. The Sierra Century is the club’s biggest ride of the year, and usually brings more than 1,000 riders to the Mother Lode. It is limited to 1,500 participants.
Amador Council of Tourism Executive Director Maurine Funk said organizers of the 2012 Sierra Century are looking for local business discounts to place in the hands of their riders and are interested in hosting an Expo as well.
The Sacramento Wheelmen’s Sierra Century is June 16. Organizers said they will have a good number of riders camping and RV-ing in the Amador County Fairgrounds on Friday, June 15. Those riders who arrive on Friday, whether camping or staying at hotels will come to Early Registration at the Fairgrounds to pick up their rider packets.
Many cycling events in this kind of situation offer a pre-ride dinner. The Sierra Century does not, and lets riders fend for themselves Friday night. This would be an opportunity for local restaurants or wineries to offer discounts, or provide offers that race organizer could put in the rider packets or use in advertising.
Sacramento Wheelmen also want to have an Expo on Saturday, and possibly Friday evening, for sponsors, local cycling or health-related businesses.
For information, call Amador Council of Tourism at (209) 267-9249 or (209) 969-5065.
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Amador County – Amador County Supervisors approved a letter generally opposing a proposed Farm Labor Rule on grounds that it would stop children under age 16 from working on farms owned by their grandparents or extended family.
Supervisor Brian Oneto said the new rule proposed by the Department of Labor would not allow children under age 16 to operate power tools or tractors on farms unless they are owned directly by their parents. Oneto said in the rule, they cannot even run a drill or reciprocating saw on their grandparents’ farm.
Oneto in an e-mail to Jeanne Deaver of Deaver Vineyards, said: “I have spoken with Congressman Lungen's Representative to this area, Robert Ehlert, who was quite helpful.” Oneto said Ehlert “was of the opinion that it would be helpful to have a letter from the Amador County Board of Supervisors with our position on the proposed Farm Labor Rule.”
Oneto said he believed Supervisors “will correctly address this issue.”
Supervisor John Plasse said “if I hadn’t been allowed to operate a reciprocal saw or a chainsaw, Plasse’s Resort wouldn’t have been built – because I was the one in the trenches.” He said kids “cannot operate a power-driven pizza roller under this provision.”
Supervisor Chairman Louis Boitano said it boils down to common sense. When he was in high school, Boitano said he would drive a truck to pick up 160 bags of fertilizer or drive to Volcano Quarry for 150 bags of cement, work that wouldn’t be allowed under the rule. Supervisors unanimously approved the letter for Boitano to sign and send to legislators.
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