Last week, the Plymouth City Council heard from a tribal elder of the Ione band of Me-Wuk Indians during the public comment period and it appeared that the Plymouth citizens were upset at the lack of negotiations between the City and Tribe for the proposed Casino. The tribal elder told the council that starting Thursday, last week, the tribe has begun negotiations with the County. The tribe representative stated, “I’m sorry the City has to loose out on the money this casino will generate but we will continue to push forward with this casino." Citizens of Plymouth also addressed the council on the 'dead' MSA between the tribe and the City; Plymouth citizen, Maria Simon addressed the council saying, "God created all men equal; red, brown, black, yellow, white… You allow 250 homes here, 500 there, and 300 over there… I do not see why money from developers is any better than that of the tribe. The city is going to miss out on big money and it will now go to the county. Plymouth will get the short end of the stick yet again."

Before the AWA board of directors last week was the proposed adoption of a new participation fee schedule. Agency Director of Finance Mike Lee said that a Bob Reed Group conducted a report back in 2004 that describes the current methodology the agency uses to determine their participation fees. Currently the agency has what they call “a buy in methodology” where the incoming customers buy in to an existing system. While this has worked traditionally the agency is embarking on a future of a different kind with new facilities needed to accommodate the existing and future developments; new facilities such as the proposed Tanner Treatment Plant. Lee explained that the agency is considering what they call a combination method where both the buy in method and new development pays methodology are put in place.

The Amador County Sheriff’s Office got a boost on Tuesday as the Board of Supervisors approved a staff reallocation and restructure. Sheriff Martin Ryan explained to the board that they are requesting approval for the first phase of the restructure and reallocation of staff as approved by the Administrative Committee in April. The approval would mean the elimination of one Captain position, and two Correctional Office assistant positions. In turn it would create two sworn Lieutenants, one professional staff Lieutenant and one Dispatch Supervisor.

The Eldorado National Forest is one step closer to having a system of designated travel routes for wheeled motorized vehicles. On July 20, the U.S. Forest Service will release a Travel Management Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a 45 day public review period which will end on September 4. The Travel Management DEIS examines five alternative ways to manage a designated system of existing routes running throughout the Eldorado National Forest.  The DEIS describes these alternatives and the   public input used to develop them, the analysis of the alternatives and the effects of implementing each one. 

The mystery of the identity of the remains found last week in Fiddletown by a CYA crew brushing and clearing land may be one step closer to being revealed. A previously unscheduled court date for the man accused of murdering a Ripon woman is further increasing speculation that authorities believe the remains discovered are those of Mary Starkey, a Ripon woman missing since June of 2005.  According to the Modesto Bee, Roy Gerald Smith, a 45-year-old convicted sex offender from Manteca, is in San Joaquin County Jail awaiting trial on charges he murdered 46-year-old Mary Morino-Starkey in June 2005. Her body has not been found.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company has announced that it will once again offer grants, funded by its shareholders, to local economic development organizations and agencies throughout its northern and central California service territory. Helen Burt, senior vice president and chief customer officer for PG&E  states "We recognize the communities we serve are continuing to face a wide range of economic challenges,". Burt continues "We will be looking for projects that promote private sector investment to strengthen the local economies of the communities where we live and work."

A new report allows Californians needing a coronary bypass to see which surgeons have the best and worst mortality rates for that operation. The report, released late last week, names and rates 302 surgeons who performed heart bypass operations at 121 California hospitals during 2003 and 2004. It was prepared by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.

Last night nearing 6pm a serious vehicle accident was reported at 13654 South Camanche. Details given to emergency crews included that a green ford ranger had hit a tree, pinning the driver in the vehicle. A tow truck and medical air lift were called in immediately and just minutes later that driver was reported as having major injuries at the least. The jaws of life were used to extricate the driver from the vehicle and they were later transported via helicopter to UC Davis Medical Center. We hope to have more information surrounding the details of the accident by noon.

The Jackson Police Department received an unwelcome gift yesterday afternoon when a citizen dropped off a suspicious package for the police to inspect. Sgt Todd Breedlove took one look at the item in a small soda box and started to evacuate city hall, the police department and other surrounding properties. The Calaveras County Bomb squad arrived on scene shortly afterward and determined that the package did indeed contain an explosive device of some kind. Hwy 88 was closed from Pitt Street through Hwy 49 causing a traffic backup. The bomb was detonated at about 5:35 pm causing a huge dust cloud and main street buildings to shake, but no broken glass. By about 6 pm all roadways were opened.(

The Amador County Sheriff’s Office announced that on Wednesday through cooperation with the CDCR they arrested a violent parolee at large.  At approximately 1pm on Wednesday, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Parole Unit.  They advised they possessed information that a parolee at large, considered armed and dangerous, was at the Jackson Rancheria Casino.