A travel trailer accident on Sunday blocked up traffic for over an hour on Highway 88. The dramatic scene was captured on film by TSPN’s contributing photographer Bill Lavallie. Late Sunday morning, an SUV hauling a travel trailer West bound on Highway 88 began to “fishtail” and the trailer tipped on its side. According to witness reports at the scene, the driver of the truck seemed to be regaining control of the trailer until he hit the rail road tracks, which caused the trailer to fishtail further and tip. Fortunately, there were no vehicles coming in the opposite direction and the SUV remained upright. There were no injuries in this accident, however, the accident resulted in a huge traffic jam in both directions due to the Sunday commute. It took over an hour to clear the roadway.

California’s fire-fighting efforts have gotten some much needed support from an unlikely source- inmate firefighters. An average of 2,200 to 2,700 adult inmates, many from Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, have performed some of the most dangerous fire-fighting tasks in return for reduced sentences. In addition, 260 to 290 juvenile inmates, wards of the California Youth Authority, have joined the fight. "These crews provide critical support to the state's firefighting response, going where bulldozers and heavy equipment cannot go," said Governor Schwarzenegger. Along with inmate fire crews, strike teams made up of fire captains, staff and fire engines have been deployed from fire departments at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi, California Correctional Center in Susanville, and Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, among others. Firefighters statewide have acknowledged the bravery of the inmates, many of whom have been on the front lines risking their life. So what’s in it for the inmates? "They get two days of credit (off their sentence) for every day served in the program," said Terry Thornton, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. "It's a privilege to be in the program." Inmates are carefully screened before joining the program. Inmates must have no history of violent crime, including kidnapping, sex offenses, arson or escape. The State’s latest estimates calculate that inmates comprise 20 percent of the total state fire-fighters, although the proportion sometimes is far higher.

In a round-table meeting, some key details were worked out regarding a sales tax initiative set for the November Ballot that would designate funding for the partial consolidation and modernization of Amador County’s fire fighting forces. Several top public officials joined the Amador Fire Protection Authority last Thursday to ask questions and debate with members of the AFPA board, who were discussing the draft county ordinance and relative ballot language for the funding proposal. At the start of the meeting, Supervisor Richard Forester put forth his concern that the County’s long adhered-to goal of a consolidated fire department had been abandoned,Amador County, but the first priority of the AFPA is to provide 24-hour paid fire personnel at each of the county’s fire stations, which will, for the time being, remain under various authorities.

“Right now, what we need is paid firefighters in Amador County. In the overall picture, these departments will merge as they get stronger. This is the first step,“ said Sutter Creek Fire Chief Butch Martin.Jackson, and the Amador Fire Protection District were also working on a Joint Powers Authority Agreement. The next step will be to take the draft ordinance back to the cities for review, and any comments or proposed changes are to be submitted to County Administrative Officer Terri Daly by May 29th. By June 10th, the ordinance should be ready to be submitted to the Supervisors, who have to approve it before it goes on the November Ballot. “I am excited about this proposal. I can see how it would benefit the whole county,” said Commissioner Lee Ard of Ione, at the close of the meeting.  which he felt would jeopardize voter support of the ballot initiative. AFPA members responded that consolidation is still a long term goal for Members of the board went on to indicate that the Ione and Jackson Valley Fire Departments were in the process of finalizing an agreement to merge, and Sutter Creek,

A notable accident occurred on westbound 88 near Kirkwood. According to CHP reports, a Banta, California resident was driving his 2005 Ford Expedition at an unsafe speed for the slippery roadway surface. He lost control of his vehicle and began to slide out of control. The vehicle then proceeded across the westbound lane and through an open area in the snow bank. The vehicle rolled over on its roof and proceeded to “slide like a sled” approximately 100 to 150 feet through trees and forest. The vehicle came to an abrupt stop after striking a large tree. It was necessary to use a heavy tow truck to retrieve the vehicle from its resting place. Luckily, no injuries were reported, but either way—a close call.