The Board of Supervisors will be receiving an update on the Hwy. 49 bypass as well as consider the Relinquishment Agreement with Cal Trans. Larry Peterson addresses this item in a memo to the Board by stating “As part of the local Hwy. 49 Bypass Project, the County entered into a relinquishment agreement with Cal Trans in March, 2003, to take over sections of the old Hwy. 49 upon completion of the Bypass Project.” Peterson points out that this agreement expires December 31st. The agreement also states that a payment of $960,000 shall be paid to the County “for the purpose of meeting the State’s obligation to ‘…place the state highway (certain segment of existing Hwy. 49 in the county) in a state of good repair.’ “By receiving the state’s payment the County accepts ownership, maintenance, operation, and liability of the relinquishment highway segment,” states the memo.

On November 18, 2006, the Rotary Club of Jackson teamed up with the River Pines Revitalization Association, Inc. for a Fall Clean-Up of River Pines.  Jackson Rotary provided a 35 yard dumpster, free of charge, for local residents to dispose of trash from around the community.  Rotarians and residents of River Pines worked side by side to load the dumpster to maximum capacity and had it filled by noon!  RPRA provided refreshments for the volunteers and a wonderful lunch following completion of the project.

Congress has failed to extend a program that sends $69 million annually to rural forested counties here in California, as well as through out the nation. Although the counties will receive a final check under the program this month, budget planners could soon start trimming classes and staff in anticipation of shortfalls in the next school year. The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act has guaranteed federal funds for rural counties that formerly relied on timber harvest revenues since the year 2000. Amador County schools do receive a substantial benefit from this act, last year receiving 655,622 dollars of which 85 percent goes to support Title One programs in the district.

The Board of Supervisors has discussed their 2007 Legislative Strategies. David French, the county’s federal Lobbyist appeared before the board with a presentation that included a list of the county’s priorities. Currently, that includes library services. This request was submitted by the lobbyists and 150,000 dollars were received, however the appropriations are incomplete for the fiscal year at this time. The money will receive it when available. The next priority is the distance learning facility for the Consumes Community College partnership for opportunities in the county. Senator Barbara Boxer continues to be helpful in this endeavor. Indian Gaming also tops the list as the lobbyists keep watch on Congress looking to make sure no back doors open for either of the proposed casinos in Ione and Plymouth. Currently, Indian Gaming issues are moving very slowly through Congress.

The Sutter Gold Mine Company (a subsidiary of U.S. Energy Corporation), in conjunction with numerous landowners, plans to reopen the underground gold mine approximately one mile north of the town of Sutter Creek, formerly the Lincoln Mine. Because of change in landownership at this facility previously approved waste discharge requirements must be revised and updated by the Regional Water Quality Control Board. This update will reflect activities completed since the Waste Discharge Requirements were first adopted some years ago. No changes in the proposed operations or construction of this facility have been proposed, however, when the planned construction occurs according to Regional Board documentation this underground gold mine and processing facility will generate both liquid and solid waste streams that pose a threat to water quality.

As the storm moved in Friday night so did the accident reports. A Non Injury accident occurred around 9:30 PM on Hwy 88 near Nob Hill.  Due to the rain and wind blown debris, the female driver lost sight of her lane and skidded on the rain slick pine needles striking the embankment and then rolling over on Highway 88 blocking the west bound lane.

Last Friday at a meeting of the Regional Water Quality Control Board there was a discussion of the Cease and Desist order for the waste water crisis at Mule creek State Prison. Supervisor Richard Forster, Amador County Environmental Health Department Director Mike Israel, 3 Ione City Council members, and several Ione residents including Jerry Cassesi and Jim Scully, all gave statements limited to 3 minutes each to the state regional board which had before them the “cease and desis” order as written, and recommended by the regional state board’s staff. Also present were the new Mule Creek warden and CDC's attorney.

Next a barn fire was reported on Molfino Rd just outside Jackson. The owner was reportedly burning brush in a burn pile when he believes a spark may have jumped to an adjoining tree and the spread to the barn. The barn was a total loss. Minimal loss was reported to the property itself, as well as, the surrounding buildings.

Friday afternoon was a busy time for local law enforcement here in the county. Besides the bank robbery in Plymouth, several other incidents kept law enforcement and fire hopping beginning around noon when an off duty California Highway Patrol officer was shopping with his family at Wal-Mart and noticed that the customer in front of him was the same man that escaped after a high speed chase just a few weeks ago. Joseph Wages, 21 years old of Pioneer had remained at large since November 28th when an Amador County Sheriff’s Deputy noticed that a vehicle that had been reported stolen was being driven on Defender Grade Rd. in the upcountry area.

Amador County authorities are searching for the bank robber that robbed the Bank of Lodi Friday afternoon in Plymouth and now they have some help- the entire crime was captured on surveillance video according to Amador County Sheriff's Department authorities. Last Friday December 8, 2006 at approximately 3:26 pm, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office received an emergency call from the Bank of Lodi, located at 9454 Main Street, Plymouth.  A teller reported that the bank had been robbed and the suspect fled on foot. Amador County Sheriff’s Deputies and Investigators responded.