News Archive (6192)
Jackson Rancheria Casino paid out more than $65 million dollars in December
Written by Tom
Amador County – Jackson Rancheria Casino reported paying out a whopping $65 million-plus in December and plans a Martin Luther King giveaway and $5,000 Super Sundays promotions in January.
Jackson Rancheria Casino’s slots paid out more than $65.5 million to guests during the month of December, the Rancheria announced Thursday. January looks to be just as promising as Jackson Rancheria debuts this month’s MLK Birthday Giveaway and the $5K Super Sundays.
Jackson Rancheria CEO Rich Hoffman said: “$65 million is an enormous amount of money to give away in a month. Our guests won big in December all over the casino including several winners over $100,000.” He said: “In addition to our big cash winners throughout the month, no one offers promotions and prizes like us, including a drawing for an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. to see Martin Luther King’s memorial.”
Jackson Rancheria is honoring Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 16 by giving away $20,000 in prizes to 14 winners, including a trip to Washington D.C. to see the MLK National Memorial on the National Mall. Guests can gain one drawing entry for every 200 points earned from 12:01 a.m. Jan. 13 through 6 p.m. Jan. 16.
The grand prize travel package drawing will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 16 and includes airfare, hotel accommodations and a two-day Washington D.C. tour for two, plus $2,500 in spending money.
Also during January, two guests will win $500 and four lucky guests will win $1,000 every Sunday at 6 p.m. during $5,000 Super Sundays. Earn entry tickets with qualifying hands now through Jan. 29 at 5:45 p.m.
Last month’s winners were led by a Valley Springs woman who took home $101,000.
Located in the Sierra foothills town of Jackson, the Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel is owned by the Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians, a federally recognized Indian tribe. A sovereign government, the Rancheria is dedicated to developing projects that not only enhance the tribe’s ability to remain self-reliant, but also reflect a commitment to be a good neighbor.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Amador County – Amador County Unified School District heard a report that the curriculum administrator is working toward expansion of technology and hospitality vocation classes in the county, with the help of the Lodi School District, with the concepts of academies and pathways.
Elizabeth Chapin-Pinotti, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction gave an update report on curriculum cooperation with the Lodi Unified, saying Lodi is concentrating on vocational education, and is focusing on careers, but not necessarily vocational education. She said they are taking career pathways to a length that she wished Amador County had funds to take it to.
Chapin-Pinotti said “Lodi has offered to help us with technology and hospitality.” She said the districts have similarly strong graduation requirements, although Amador Unified has a half-year computer literacy requirement, while Lodi does not. Amador also requires a year of vocational education, which Lodi doesn’t.
Graduation requirement similarities of the districts: Both require 4 years of English (the state requires 3); 2 years of math; 3-and-a-half years of social science; 2 years of science; 1 year of visual and performing arts or foreign language; 2 years of physical education; a half-year of health; and 8 additional elective courses.
Chapin-Pinotti in a written report to Trustees said Lodi’s career focus is “very much in line (it seems) with” and “highly inclusive of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) initiative. They are doing what we are striving to work towards. Of course we have far fewer students, therefore, far fewer resources. The move to embed technology is the first step.”
She said “academies are school-within-a-school approach of integrated curriculum in four subject areas. Teachers all work together to plan lessons that incorporate useful information for a career in a specified field.” She said “students are placed into smaller learning communities that stay together throughout the school day. Academies provide college preparatory curriculum that supports and enhances students’ focus on a common career.”
Chapin-Pinotti said the Academy “classrooms provide equipment used in the real world.” Students can “earn college credit through Advanced Placement classes and dual credit courses.” She said “all academy programs provide future career opportunities along with special recognition at graduation.”
The report listed academies in the Lodi district, with focuses of engineering, technology, education, visual and performing arts, child development, culinary arts, health, automotive, media arts and communications.
There will be a Career Tech meeting at the district office Wednesday, Jan. 18 to continue the pathways and academies discussion.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
East Bay MUD explains decision to drop Pardee expansion from 2040 water plans
Written by Tom
Amador County – About 20 people attended a public hearing Wednesday in Jackson Civic Center to hear staff of East Bay Municipal Utility District explain recommendations to remove plans to expand Pardee Dam and reservoir in Amador and Calaveras Counties.
East Bay MUD Director of Water & Natural Resources Richard Sykes said the Revised Program Environmental Impact Report was released in December, and included recommendations to East Bay Municipal’s board of directors to remove the planned expansion of Pardee.
Manager of Water Supply Improvements Mike Tognolini said scoping meetings last July in Amador and Calaveras counties on the 2040 Plan included 114 comments from the public and organizations, and 4 comments from elected officials. Tognolini said the primary comment was to remove the plans for a Pardee enlargement by cooperating in the Los Vaqueros Reservoir expansion project. He said the Revised Program EIR was available for comment.
East Bay Municipal’s Thomas B. Francis said comments on the new document would be released in a workshop Feb. 28 with the East Bay Municipal board of directors. The board will then make its final decision on the 2040 Water Supply Management Program at a meeting tentatively scheduled for March 27. Francis said the Utility’s staff can only recommend contents of the 2040 plan, but decisions are made by the board.
In public comment, Tom Infusino, representing Calaveras Planning Coalition, gave thanks to East Bay Municipal staff, saying Christmas had come early with the 2040 program’s draft EIR release in mid-December. Infusino said: “We strongly encourage your … Board to adopt the staff recommendation to drop Pardee expansion from the 2040 plan.”
He noted the celebration of the Christian Feast of the Epiphany last week, of the wise men coming to Bethlehem “to witness the dawn of the salvation of mankind.” He said “we still await the salvation of our beloved Mokelumne River, through Wild & Scenic Designation.” He urged the East Bay board to “take the next intuitive step to support Wild & Scenic Designation on the Mokelumne River down to the existing high pool of Pardee Reservoir.” Chris Wright, executive director of the Foothill Conservancy, urged the same thing, saying “8,000 people have signed on in support.”
Supervisor Brian Oneto said: “I am opposed to that Wild & Scenic Designation” because it would have too many constraints to the water and land. Oneto said people have been circulating petitions around asking: “Do you want to save the Mokelumne River? That’s kind of like saying do you want to save an old lady?”
Oneto said: “I’m opposed to it completely,” and if East Bay MUD’s Board of Directors was going to support it, they should support it from the headwaters all the way to the end, otherwise it would be self-serving to save only part of it, from the high pool and upstream.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Jackson signs mutual aid agreement with Jackson Rancheria Fire Department
Written by Tom
Amador County – The Jackson City Council this week approved a mutual aid agreement with the Jackson Rancheria Fire Department, a first for the city with the sovereign Miwok tribe.
City Manager Mike Daly said there were no concerns and the Mutual Aid Agreement for Fire Services with the Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians served to formalize mutual aid with Rancheria. He said the city and the tribe were happy to do that. There was an addendum to the agreement that made liabilities agreeable and noted the sovereignty of the tribe. The agreement takes affect immediately as soon as the two entities sign the agreement.
Jackson Fire Chief Marc Crain in a report said “mutual aid agreements foster relationships that lead to joint training, information sharing and joint operational exercises that are invaluable in the successful outcome of a joint response to emergencies.” Crain said the agreement will enhance “the ability of both the city and the Rancheria to provide a higher level of response to emergencies that occur within the Rancheria and within the response areas of the Jackson City Fire Department.” The document was modeled after a mutual aid agreement between the Rancheria and the Amador Fire Protection District.
On Tuesday, Daly and Planner Susan Peters held the third sign ordinance workshop with invited business community owners and managers. A handful of businesses were represented, including Poor Man’s Bronze and Taco Bell.
Daly said the city has received a couple of comments in writing and invites them, so that the Jackson City Council can consider decisions on proposed new sign code and also existing code. He said the goal is to work something up for the Jan. 23 or Feb. 13 agenda, summarize the comments and inputs and look at the proposals, existing regulations and issues of compliance with existing law.
On Monday, the Jackson City Council approved a request for an extension of approved housing equivalent units for 2012 for previous subdivision applicants.
Daly said the housing equivalent units were extended for 1 year for all applicants, but the council made it clear that this is the last extension. It means they have to submit subdivision applications, including maps, or restart next year. Submitting applications begins the Environmental Impact Report process and timeline.
Daly said the projects began when there was more demand than supply for units, with one of the developments originating in 2005. Whether they move forward, he said, probably depends on the economy, or the “economic fortitude of applicants.”
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 1-13-12
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Bay Municipal staff explained its recommendation to remove
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Schools may get help from
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Rancheria Casino paid out more than $65 million dollars in December.
$9,000 contribution makes philanthropy total $1.5 million for SAH expansion project
Written by Tom
Amador County – A $9,000 donation by ACES Waste Service last week makes up part of $1.5 million gathered so far from local philanthropic donations toward a $7.3 million expansion project at Sutter Amador Hospital.
The project began in April 2011, and will double the Emergency Department, and add new administration and admitting areas and create a new corridor between the emergency department and the main entrance lobby.
Construction is projected to be completed by the end of this year. Hospital officials said emergency care will not be interrupted during the renovation. Triage rooms have been temporarily relocated to another area of the hospital. A new direct corridor from the hospital to the Outpatient Services Center is already being enjoyed by patients and staff.
Since the current hospital opened in 2000, emergency visits to Sutter Amador Hospital have increased steadily, as has happened all around the country. In 2011, officials said, “our Emergency Department treated over 18,000 people,” an increase of more than 12 percent since 2007. The statistics match nationwide trends. Most emergency departments in the United States are facing an increased demand for services, which in Amador County was fueled by an aging population, growing numbers of un-insured or under-insured patients, and a lack of alternatives for after-hours medical care.
Hospital officials said: “In preparation for our Emergency Department expansion, we opened Sutter Amador Outpatient Services in 2007. This 48,000 square-foot facility allowed us to expand our outpatient services while freeing up space in the main hospital building for the Emergency Department.”
The Emergency Department expansion will increase comfort, speed and safety by doubling the Emergency Department. It will improve privacy for patients, and improve physician and staff satisfaction and boost community confidence.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ACES Waste Service donates $9,000 to Sutter Amador Hospital
Written by Tom
Amador County – Taking steps to expand its emergency room and circulation of its buildings in general, Sutter Amador Hospital accepted a gift of $9,000 last week in donation from ACES Waste Service.
Sutter Amador Hospital CEO Anne Platte, Emergency Room Director Dr. Paul Beatty, and Supervisor Richard Forster, a member of the Sutter Amador Hospital Foundation Board of Directors gathered outside the Emergency Room entrance to the Jackson hospital Friday, Jan. 13, to accept a ceremonial check form ACES Waste Service Vice President Paul Molinelli Junior. The check will go toward a current $7.3 million expansion project slated to be complete at the end of the year.
Molinelli said it was ACES’s duty to give back to the community, after 35 years of operating in Amador County. Molinelli said “we are very conscious as a company” and it is “very important to give back” to the community, through giving to Sutter Amador Hospital. He said his family has been to the emergency room many times and received excellent care.
Forster said he has visited here many times with family members, and “sometimes we’ve felt like we lived here.”
Platt said the $9,000 donation from ACES will go toward the expansion project of the Emergency Department, so Amador County residents have better, more technologically proficient lifesaving care.
Hospital officials said most emergency departments in America are facing increased demand for services. In Amador County, the increase is fueled by an aging population, a growing number of underinsured and uninsured patients and a lack of alternatives for after-hours medical care.
The expansion will double the size of the Sutter Amador Hospital Emergency Department, improving the speed, safety, and overall level of care provided. Officials said it will reduce patient wait times by nearly doubling the emergency room from 5,600 to 9,115 square feet. It will increase the number of rooms from 6 to 13, including 2 major treatment rooms, 8 treatment rooms, and 3 triage/treatment rooms.
The expansion will increase comfort, speed, safety and privacy for customers, and improve customer confidentiality during registration: “When patients check in, they will give just their name. They will receive wristbands and will be registered and evaluated in private triage rooms and either treated immediately or moved to a private emergency treatment room.”
The expansion will improve physician and staff satisfaction and boost community confidence. Hospital officials said “our specially trained staff provides state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment services; all we need now is a little more space. Working in a more appropriately sized facility will improve satisfaction and the quality of care provided.”
Once completed, officials said the “community can be even more confident that high-quality health care services are immediately available at Sutter Amador Hospital.”
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Amador-El Dorado Unit announced Tuesday that it is suspending burning in Amador and El Dorado Counties.
Unit Chief Kelly Keenan said “due to the lack of measurable precipitation and drying north and east winds, we have suspended all burning in the two counties on state responsibility lands until further notice.”
Keenan said this has been “one of the driest winters on record” and as a result, “we have decided to take this action in order to protect life and property. We have put into place a staffing pattern that maintains one fire engine in each of our divisions and one conservation camp crew in each of our camps 24/7. We are also asking for the public’s support by not burning their debris piles and checking on old debris piles and making sure they are completely out.”
The agency is seeing controlled burns escape “almost daily due to these extreme weather conditions.” Keenan said “if we work collectively, we can keep our communities free from a wildfire threat.”
Story by Jim Reece. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
American River Bankshares names a new chief credit officer
Written by Tom
Amador County – American River Bankshares, parent company of American River Bank, a community business bank serving the counties of Amador, Placer and Sonoma, and the greater Sacramento area announced that Robert H. Muttera has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer.
Muttera will join the team on Feb. 1, replacing Douglas E. Tow, who is retiring in March. Muttera will be responsible for leading American River Bank’s Underwriting and Special Assets Departments as well as working with the Commercial Banking and Retail Banking teams to increase loan totals.
American River Bankshares is the parent company of American River Bank, a community business bank serving Sacramento that operates a family of financial services providers, including North Coast Bank in Sonoma County and Bank of Amador in Amador County.
David T. Taber, President and CEO of American River Bankshares said “management turnover is rare for us, but when it happens, we endeavor to find replacements that raise the bar on our company’s capabilities.” He said the addition of Muttera “accomplishes that goal” and he “brings valuable experience from his days as a Chief Credit Officer and as an executive with a lender advisory firm helping both community and national banks work through credit challenges.”
Muttera has more than 32 years’ industry experience, most recently as Senior Vice President at a full-service commercial real estate advisory firm and as Director at Redding Bank of Commerce.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Amador County Supervisors approved a compromise agreement for designs for a remodel of McDonald’s Restaurant on Tuesday, after a group of local appellants came to terms on what the design will look like.
County Planning Director Susan Grijalva said her department was notified Jan. 3 of the agreement between McDonald’s USA and an appellant group of nine local residents, led by Jackson Councilman Keith Sweet and former Amador County Planning Commissioner Brian Jobson. The appeal was on the Planning Commission’s approval of a use permit.
Acting County Counsel Greg Gillott said the Board could grant the appeal, deny it, or grant it with conditions provided by the appellants and applicant. The appeal stemmed from the Commission diverging from a Condition of Approval 19, requiring earth toned colors, natural finishes and other materials.
Sweet gave a presentation, saying Jobson was on the Commission when it approved Condition 19, and he was in attendance last year when the Commission voted 3-2 to allow a remodel that appellants said did not match the Condition 19. Sweet said Jobson started and signed the appeal, and then went on vacation. Sweet said the agreement, worked out with McDonald’s “was better than expected.”
Jobson said he was pleased with the agreement, and asked Supervisors to “approve the conditions we provided, if they meet your approval.” He said the new conditions are “dialed in” as to specifics, beyond simply terms of earth tone or natural surface. The colors are numbered on a “Pantone,” or universal paint tinting scale.
Supervisor Brian Oneto asked for removal of the paint brand name (Benjamin Moore) from the condition, saying it may not stand the test of time, and supervisors agreed. Supervisor John Plasse asked to reword provided language, which said the board “mandates” the conditions, “so it was clear in the future that the board did not come in with a heavy hand to do this.” He suggested wording saying the Board of Supervisors “agrees to adopt the following amendment to Condition 19.” Conditions also included downward lights.
Jobson said it is “pleasing to the eye,” and “we’re quite happy with it.” Margaret Trujillo of McDonald’s USA said over the last couple of months, “it has been an inspiring process” and “we look forward to building it and to inviting you to our grand reopening.”
Supervisors voted 5-0 to grant the appeal, overturn the Commission’s decision, and adopted the binding conditions and terms.
Oneto said later: “I’d like to have seen stone on it.”
Story by Jim Reece. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
