American River Bankshares, parent company of Bank of Amador, has reported diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2006 of $0.42, a 7.7% increase from $0.39 recorded in the third quarter of 2006 and a 2.3% decrease from $0.43 for the fourth quarter of 2005. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2006 increased 5.8% to $2,407,000 from $2,275,000 during the third quarter of 2006 and decreased 6.2% from $2,567,000 for the fourth quarter of 2005. "We are pleased to finish 2006 with solid results," said David T. Taber, President and CEO of American River Bankshares. "The last two quarters have each been better than the previous and our key industry metrics are very good." He added: "The economy is strong, but the rapid increase in funding costs has made 2006 tough. As a Company, we believe that we're up to the challenge of positioning ourselves as the premier business bank in the communities we serve."    Taber states that  "Shifting our loan and deposit portfolio mix towards commercial loans and noninterest bearing deposits remains an important goal," He continued "Quarter over quarter, commercial loans are up 3%, noninterest-bearing deposits are up 4% and over the one year period, commercial loans increased 10%."

The Governor’s new budget proposal included 509 million dollars from Indian gaming proceeds he expects to collect from the expansion of 5 Southern California Indian Gaming Compacts and now State lawmakers are warning Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger not to pin his hopes for balancing the state budget on these funds. The admonishment, delivered last week at the state's largest tribal gambling convention, offers a potential preview of a second blistering legislative battle over agreements that would allow five of the state's richest tribes to add up to 22,500 slot machines.

The Sutter Creek Police Department recently released their crime statistics for the year 2006 and according to Sgt. Brian Klier of the Sutter Creek Police Dept. arrests were up dramatically in 2006, over 2005 numbers. In 2005 there was a total of 265 arrests in the Sutter Creek City limits. In 2006 that number jumped 63% to 431 arrests. Out of those arrests 34 of them were Felony arrests, a 31% increase above 2005’s 26 Felony arrests. Drunk driving arrests jumped an unprecedented 173% in 2006. In 2005 there were 11 Drunk Driving arrests while in 2006 there were 30. Unlicensed drivers were also on the rise with 121 arrests for driving with out a license in 2005 and 232 in 2006, causing a 92% increase. There were 90 Warrant arrests in 2006 causing a 100% jump over 2005’s 44.

The County of Amador received some disappointing news yesterday in the form of a resignation letter. County Administrative Officer Pat Blacklock has submitted a letter of resignation to the Board of Supervisors. Blacklock says he shared with them ( the supervisors ) yesterday morning. “They have been very kind and supportive.” stated Blacklock. Blacklock has been the county administrative officer for last five years and now has taken a job as the Dean of Careers and Technology at Cosumnes River College. In his letter of resignation Blacklock cites some of the many collaborative achievements he and the Board of Supervisors championed, a new animal shelter, a new county admin center, the construction of the new court house currently under way, the formation of the Amador County Recreation Agency and the formation of the Amador Learning Center which brings college classes to the county. Blacklock’s last day with Amador County will be March 16th.

Sutter Creek Planning Commissioner Frank Cunha approached the City Council on Tuesday night to discuss revisions to the City’s Tree and Landscaping Ordinance. On December 11th the Planning Commission met and reviewed the existing ordinance, as well as Senate Bill 1334 which relates to oak woodland conservation. The bill requires that timberland conversions (that take place outside of a Timber Harvest Plan) be mitigated by making a monetary contribution to the California Forest Legacy Program. SB 1334 also requires all 58 counties in California to adopt oak woodlands management plans and ordinances that require a discretionary permit for oak woodland conversions and set a minimum mitigation standard.

This week local resident John Wadsworth was sentenced in Amador County Superior Court for a series of incidents last fall that ultimately lead to the lock down of Amador High School and Sutter Creek Elementary. According to District Attorney Todd Riebe, Wadsworth received a total of 3 years in state prison.  3 years for possession of a firearm by a felon, 16 months concurrent to the 3 years for armed criminal action, and 1 year concurrent to the 3 years for one misdemeanor count of spousal abuse and one misdemeanor count of child endangerment. Wadsworth, former High School and Youth Football coach was arrested Tuesday, September 19th at Amador High School after attempting to pick up his children after he became aware that the children were being questioned by Child Protective Services in regards to an Ione PD domestic violence case involving their mother.

Argonaut High School will have a familiar face in the principal’s office next school year after the retirement of current principal, Peggy Gardner. The Amador County Unified School District announced the appointment of Dave Vicari as the principal of Argonaut High beginning in the 07-08 school year. According to the release this will allow Vicari and Gardner to work together for a seamless transition. Vicari is currently a popular principal at Jackson Junior High School and a graduate of Jackson High School as well. His ties with his Alma Mater, now called Argonaut High School have remained close, both as a parent and the former head coach of the Varsity baseball team. He will continue as principal at the Junior High School for the remainder of the year.

 

The city of Ione has approved a contract with Bob Murray and Associates to start recruiting a new city administrator/manager and finance director. Ione's current interim city administrator, George Lambert, reported to the Ione City Council that they had received a fiscally “good deal” on the recruiting contract price. The deal offers a 1 year satisfaction guarantee warranty. In other words, if in one year the new administrator and/or finance director does not satisfy the city, the company will refill those staff positions free of charge.

The Jackson Planning Commission met this week for what many thought would be a short meeting, however considerable discussion on the agenda’s two items led to an well over an hour and a half of time. The first item to appear was a Public Hearing for a variance for applicant’s Robert and Letitia Sexton. Commissioner Sexton stepped down for the discussion and left the building since she was the applicant on the variance. The Sexton’s are requesting a variance to allow construction of a seven foot fence along their street side yard at their single family residence located at 12 Frontier Drive to encroach five feet into the required 15 foot side yard setback.