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News Archive (6192)
Jackson – Authorities say that Todd Castaldi, 40, of Pine Grove, is facing pending felony charges, possibly manslaughter and DUI, after his passenger was killed in a 3-vehicle crash Tuesday morning on Ridge Road. California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Craig Harmon said Wednesday that Castaldi has felony charges pending against him, and was under the care of Sutter Roseville Hospital. Harmon said charges will be filed when he is released from the hospital or when the CHP finishes its investigation. CHP arrested Castaldi at Sutter Roseville Hospital on Tuesday, then released Castaldi to the hospital for medical care. Harmon said the investigation continues, but charges could lean toward vehicular manslaughter and DUI involving alcohol and/or drugs. Harmon said Castaldi faced similar charges after a 2002 crash on Highway 26, after CHP arrested him for a DUI after a fatal crash. Castaldi faces charges pending from Tuesday morning’s fatal crash in which his passenger, Christina Wise was killed in Amador County. CHP reported that Wise, a 27-year-old Pine Grove resident, died from injuries sustained in the crash on Ridge Road, when Castaldi turned directly into the path of a 40,000-pound crane truck that was travelling west on Climax Road. Harmon said other charges are pending, and the investigation was leaning toward manslaughter charges. Harmon said Castaldi was arrested for same thing in 2002, after a vehicle collision death, resulting in DUI charges. CHP’s Amador Unit reported Tuesday that Wise was a passenger in a 1998 Dodge Intrepid driven by Castaldi when the collision occurred about 7 a.m. Tuesday. The Intrepid was east bound on lower Ridge Road when Castaldi turned left onto upper Ridge Road, into the path of a 2002 Sterling crane truck, which was travelling west on Climax Road, approaching Ridge Road. The crane truck broadsided Castaldi’s Intrepid. Following the impact, Castaldi’s vehicle was sent out of control, and clipped a three-quarter ton Chevy pickup truck, which was stopped at the stop sign on upper Ridge Road. CHP said the crane truck driver began to lose control of the vehicle, and yanked his steering wheel hard to the right, turning the truck onto its left side, to avoid traveling into oncoming traffic. The crane truck came to rest on Woodside Lane. Castaldi suffered right rib pain and was taken by helicopter ambulance to Sutter Roseville Hospital. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ione – Mule Creek State Prison inmate David Noles, 73, who was serving a 34-year sentence for rape with foreign object and sexual battery, was pronounced dead on August 30, after he was discovered unresponsive in his cell. Michelle Hamilton, PR officer for the prison, reported the incident Thursday in a news release. Hamilton said staff immediately began lifesaving efforts, and Noles was transported to Mule Creek State Prison’s Triage Treatment Area where he was subsequently pronounced dead. An autopsy performed on Wednesday by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office determined the cause of death was strangulation. Prison officials and the Amador County District Attorney’s Office are investigating Noles’ death. Noles was convicted in 1993 in Sonoma County. The facility where Noles was housed at Mule Creek is a Level-4 Maximum Security Facility with approximately 1,200 inmates. Noles’ assigned cellmate has been placed in higher custody pending the investigation, per prison protocol. Story from press release. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Jackson – Amador County Solid Waste Program Manager Jim McHargue received an award Tuesday for diverting state-mandated waste that he can no longer bury in the ground. More specifically, he was honored for his handling of “bans without plans.” Deputy Chief Administrative Office Kristin Bengyel said McHargue has already received recognition from the state, and said “we are more than fortunate to have an outstanding individual named Jim McHargue.” McHargue said state mandates to keep items out of the landfills, including electronics and light bulbs have kept increasing, “the list just keeps going and going,” compiling those “bans without plans,” or unfunded mandates. Items, such as batteries, cannot go into the landfill. Heidi Sandborn of the California Product Stewardship Council presented McHargue with the Annual Associate Award, “for outstanding support and dedication to the principles of Extended Producer Responsibility and making the planet healthier through actions and deeds.” Sanborn said McHargue has done exemplary work in Amador County, working with companies to be drop centers for light bulbs and other items that have been placed on the banned list for landfills. Supervisor Richard Forster said Monday that McHargue is in charge of florescent bulbs and battery capture at a couple of outlets in the county, and works with Meek’s as a bulb drop-off location. Forster said the award for extended producer responsibility, or, “when producers sell a product, it’s what happens to that product down the road.” Sandborn said “through (McHargue’s) outreach, ACES Waste Services actually became a partner of ours.” Supervisors thanked McHargue for his work and accomplishments. Sandborn said her council worked with manufacturers, such as thermostat makers, on legislation to help with easier recycling, and they try to tell the state: “No more bans without plans.” Earlier this year, Jill Firch, Integrated Waste Management Board specialist over Amador County’s region, said McHargue and the county are doing a great job in meeting state diversion mandates, of 50 percent. She said Amador’s programs are strong, including green waste diversion. Firch said: “Amador is above the curve. It’s very proactive.” Firch, whose region includes Amador, Alpine, Calaveras and El Dorado Counties, said Mule Creek and Preston also both have excellent programs. She said waste haulers and agencies report information on diversion numbers. Forster said Monday thought that the 50 percent mandated diversion goal is soon going to be raised, to a ratio of 65 percent or even higher. Firch said diversion goals are based on disposal pounds per person per day, and the number varies per jurisdiction. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Jackson – Officials with the Buena Vista Biomass Power company last week took public comment and direction from the Amador Air District board of directors to answer questions raised. BVMP Managing Partner Mark Thompson answered some last Tuesday, and will answer more in a September 22nd meeting. But he also made it clear the company wants to open and will do what it needs to open. He said partners hope to get the plant “on line” by May or June of 2010. It has been extensively restored, since 2000. The plant has received a $2.4 million federal stimulus grant, awarded to Buena Vista Power through the U.S. Forest Service. He said wildfire emissions “are much more damaging that the project would be.” Regarding permitting, he said they will “not receive the permit to operate until we prove we can do what we say we can do.” Supervisor Richard Forster asked about monitoring, and if there was any way to get direct access or an immediate tie-in to monitoring data. Thompson said the “Sims System is exactly that,” a computer data relay system. He said they will have a metering system that organizes data, including “emissions, heat levels, output, conditions in the boiler – about 250 to 300 different numbers of data.” He said every 4 seconds it sends information to powerful software. Thompson said they will have 200 miles of coax cable and conduit, connecting software to 250 motors and valves throughout the plant, with all the sensors part of the “energy management system.” Thompson said the technology exists to have immediate data, but “it’s a massive amount of data.” Supervisor John Plasse asked about forest fuel sources for the plant. Thompson said Buena Vista Power had identified 180 slash piles in the Amador and El Dorado forest service district, and “we are working to contract for those.” He said each slash pile amounts to 8 to 10 loads per pile, and “that’s about 25,000 tons, or about 25 percent of what we would need to operate for a year, so there is some concern about getting enough fuel.” Top among the questions staff will try to answer is whether Buena Vista Power is legally required to conduct a new Environmental Impact Report or supplement, and whether the plant’s operation permit is transferrable. Thompson said Buena Vista Power will post answers to questions raised last week on its website, www.bv-biomass.com. The air district board next meets 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 22nd. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Amador County – An 18-wheeler loaded with produce T-boned a recreation vehicle early Thursday, closing the road for several hours and sending 2 Jackson residents to the hospital. California Highway Patrol said that about 7:30 a.m. Thursday, authorities responded to a 2 vehicle collision on Highway 88, at Ousby Road. An 18-wheel tractor trailer, loaded with corn and headed from Stockton to Nevada, collided with a recreation vehicle. James Rasmussen, 75, of Jackson, suffered major injuries and abrasions and complained of pain, and was taken to Sutter Amador Hospital, along with his passenger, Ladessa Johnstone, 84, also of Jackson. The big rig driver, Kenney Hensley, 30, of Escalon reported no injuries. CHP reported that Rasmussen was driving a 1999 Coach motorhome, with Johnstone as a passenger, north bound on Ousby Road, and approaching the stop sign at the intersection with Highway 88. CHP said Rasmussen “made a complete stop at the intersection but failed to see the tractor trailer approaching.” Rasmussen started to make a left turn into the westbound side of 88, and turned directly in front of the tractor trailer. CHP said Hensley “immediately applied the brakes to the tractor tailer, but was unable to avoid the motorhome.” The 18-wheeler “collided with the left side of the motorhome, in a broadside manner,” CHP said. “The violent impact resulted in significant intrusion into the motorhome interior by the tractor and injuries to” Rasmussen and Johnstone. The collision also resulted in both vehicles being tangled together and blocking both lanes of Highway 88. The 18-wheeler was pulling a 48-foot long cargo box, loaded with corn, and headed for Nevada, from Stockton. As wreckers worked, CHP diverted traffic through the Jackson Rancheria Casino, Hotel & Conference Center on Dalton Way, sometime after the 7:30 a.m. crash. CHP reported that the road opened sometime in the 10 o’clock hour. Pat Money, a Highway 88 resident who was a bystander at the scene of the collision, said she heard the crash, a “huge bang.” Money said the Highway 88 and Ousby Road is “such a bad corner,” and she wished “they would do something about it.” Story by Jim Reece and Alan Sprenkel, photos by Alan Sprenkel. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Amador County – A woman was killed early Tuesday when the vehicle in which she was riding collided with a crane truck. California Highway Patrol’s Amador Unit reported that Christina Wise, 27, of Pine Grove suffered fatal injuries in a 3-vehicle collision, at about 7 a.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Ridge Road and Climax Road. Wise was a passenger in a 1998 Dodge Intrepid driven by Todd Castaldi, 40, of Pine Grove, when the collision occurred. CHP said the Intrepid was east bound on lower Ridge Road when Castaldi turned left onto upper Ridge Road, directly into the path of a 40,000-pound crane truck, a 2002 Sterling, which was travelling west on Climax Road, approaching Ridge Road. The crane truck, driven by Jeff Gregorius, 43, of Pine Grove, broadsided Castaldi’s Intrepid. Following the impact, Castaldi’s vehicle was sent out of control, then it clipped a three-quarter ton Chevy pickup truck, which was stopped at the stop sign on upper Ridge Road, heading west. CHP said Gregorius began to lose control of his crane truck. In order to avoid traveling into oncoming traffic, he yanked the wheel to the right and the crane truck overturned, landing on its left side, on Woodside Lane. Gregorius suffered left shoulder pain but was not transported to a hospital. Castaldi suffered right rib pain and was taken by helicopter ambulance to Sutter Roseville Hospital. The driver of the Chevy, John Stewart, 54, of Jackson, was not injured. Wise was taken to Sutter Amador Hospital and succumbed to injuries she suffered in the crash. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Jackson – The 2040 Plan reportedly goes for final approval by the East Bay Municipal Utility District board of directors at the end of October, and Foothill Conservancy’s Katherine Evitt urged the Amador County Board of Supervisors to send another comment letter on the plan. Evitt raised the issue during a discussion of public matters not on the agenda Tuesday, and the board agreed to put the issue on a future agenda for discussion of a letter to East Bay MUD (mud). Evitt said at a recent East Bay utility meeting on the 2040 Plan, the board was presented with 5 different dam options at Pardee Lake. She said Foothill Conservancy members asked the East Bay utility board to analyze all 5 of them. Evatt said 2 of East Bay MUD’s own board members actually suggested at the meeting that they pull Pardee Dam from the 2040 Plan. She urged that a comment letter be sent before their approval meeting, October 27th. Supervisor Louis Boitano suggested they could possibly deliver the letter at the East Bay MUD barbecue on October 2nd, for which he has already “broken tradition and RSVP’d” that he would attend. Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Kristin Bengyel (Bengal) reported that she had received an update from Supervisor Richard Forster, who was attending an Association of California Rural Counties meeting. Forster reported that Senator Dave Cox (R-Fair Oaks) was trying to get an exemption for small counties for the state’s attempt to defer gasoline tax payments. Bengyel said the state was trying to defer that payment of fuel taxes to counties for 6 months or more. Chairman Ted Novelli said the state “lost 2 dedicated firefighters,” and his heart went out to their families. Novelli said he was given daily updates by Amador Fire Protection Authority Chief Jim McCart, around 5 p.m., on different fires around the state. Novelli said: “I just hope the governor keeps on replenishing our funds.” He said California is unique in that all the small, rural county fire brigades went all over the state to assist with fire control and battle big fires. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sutter Creek – A long-time El Dorado County resident, Amador Water Agency General Manager Jim Abercrombie lives in Placerville, and returns to work there this month after 11 years at AWA. He leaves a legacy of completed projects legal battle victories, and a revitalized agency, and he takes with him 30 years’ management experience. He serves his last day on the job Friday, during which the agency will open the new bridge over Sutter Creek (part of the AWA-Plymouth water pipeline). Abercrombie will start his new job as General Manager of the El Dorado Irrigation District on September 8th. EID Board President George Wheeldon last month announced Abercrombie’s selection from 41 “well-qualified applicants,” saying he is “very knowledgeable about the water industry and the issues facing EID,” and knows El Dorado County well. Wheeldon said Abercrombie is “definitely the right choice for the district,” and the board looks “forward to the strong partnership he will develop with our employees and the board in the coming years.” At the AWA oversaw the completion of the $24 million Amador Transmission Pipeline. Wheeldon said he also “carried out a team-based performance management process that led to achievements in reorganization, cost reduction, and increased customer satisfaction.” And Abercrombie developed a 5-year strategic plan for the agency and a quarterly training program for managers and supervisors. Abercrombie’s 30 years’ management experience includes 11 years at the AWA and 20 years with Pacific Gas & Electric, including as El Dorado district manager, from 1987 to 1998. Wheeldon said when promoted to that position, Abercrombie was PG&E’s youngest ever district manager. Abercrombie is also a registered civil engineer, with a master’s degree in business administration. He is currently a board member for Region 3 of the Association of California Water Agencies. He is a past president of the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, El Dorado County Development Corporation, and El Dorado County United Way and past chair of the El Dorado Leadership Program. Abercrombie recommended his successor, Interim General Manager Gene Mancebo, who takes over the position at 5 p.m. Friday (September 4th). Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Jackson – Argonaut High School students, teachers and staff; city and county leaders; parents; and others celebrated completion of a “Safe Routes to School” project Tuesday morning at the school. A parent said in a release that the students from Argonaut High School were walking and riding bicycles to school along with parents, teachers and community leaders. Jackson this month completed a Safe Routes to School project along Argonaut Lane, to Pioneer Street. The project added curbs, gutters, sidewalks and bike lanes, through a Safe Routes grant. Dr. Bob Hartmann, Amador County health officer said: “We know that physical activity reduces childhood obesity and diabetes and enhances learning.” He said he was “grateful to the city of Jackson and Argonaut High School for promoting physical activity and public health.” He said: “Safe Routes to School projects give students an opportunity to bike and walk safely to school, making us a healthier community.” Hartmann said: “Safe Routes to School projects create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, concern for the environment and building connections between families, schools and the broader community.” There will be other activities throughout the school year to highlight the benefits of the project. An organizer said Tuesday’s dedication ceremony drew an “impressive line-up of students and community leaders,” which included Mayor Connie Gonsalves, Councilman Keith Sweet, Hartmann, Jackson Police Chief Scott Morrison and City Manager Mike Daly. Argonaut Principal Dave Vicari and Vice-Principal Julia Sierk-Zanze also attended with some of the school’s teachers. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Jackson - Teams and committees are forming for the 6th Annual Amador County Camp Out For Cancer, the main fundraiser for Amador Support, Transportation & Resource Services. The Camp Out for Cancer, a 24-hour team walk-a-thon, takes place September 12th & 13th at Argonaut High School Stadium. Organizers said people don't have to camp out to participate. People can form a team, or join a team and then enjoy local musicians who donate their time to entertain volunteers. Teams take turns manning campsites and walking the track, all to support those whose lives have been touched by cancer. 2 ceremonies, the Survivor Celebration and the Illumination Ceremony, honor those who have taken the cancer journey. Organizers said: “Together, we can make a difference in the lives of cancer patients.” Proceeds go to Amador STARS, a local non profit organization that offers Support, Transportation and Resource Services to local cancer patients and families. Each year, organizers lead their teams on an overall goal of raising $100,000 at the event. Cancer survivors, teams of campers, and community volunteers, including many high school students, participate in the 24-hour event that includes spending the night in tents on the football field. Volunteer workers of all ages fill luminary bags with sand and candles, prepare meals for the hungry crowd, play games, and have their heads shaved in support of cancer victims. The Camp Out culminates in Saturday night’s moving Illumination Ceremony. Last year, more than 2,600 lighted luminaries honored cancer victims and survivors, ringing the entire football field, while names of those honored were read aloud as campers circled the track in silence. Funds stay in the local community except for a small percentage dedicated to cancer research. Call the STARS at (209) 223-1246 for info. Story by Jim Reece. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
