Tri-County Wildlife Care has just received its first baby raptor for 2007.  This 2-3 week old Great Horned Owl came in covered by a t-shirt in a large, makeshift plastic blue bowl nest after it apparently fell from its nest several times.   This baby has talons the size of fingers and claws that are one inch long.   It is able to rotate its head, clacking its beak loudly in protest at being examined for an eye and leg injury.   When fully grown, this bird will stand 22” tall and eat about 10 mice a night.   With its poor sense of smell, it is one of the very few predators who will eat skunks.   The goal of Tri County Wildlife Care is to rescue, rehabilitate & release local wildlife like this owl. The organization can be reached at (209) 547-3233 and reached by mail at P.O. Box 367, Jackson, CA 95642.

 

Accidents occurring over the last three days are a reminder to local drivers that inattention to the roadway causes accidents. Another accident was caused on Wednesday due to a driver not paying attention to the road. According to Officer Craig Zaragoza’s report Glenn Pitts, 39 and of Ione was driving west bound on Ridge Road and stopped his vehicle for a west bound vehicle waiting to make a left turn into a driveway. 19 year old Derrick Phang of Sacramento was driving a 2001 Toyota west bound as well approaching the rear of Pitts’ 2003 Dodge. According to the CHP report Phang looked at his cell phone for the time and did not notice that Pitts had stopped and subsequently rear ended the dodge. Neither driver was injured.

Last night a special Jackson Planning Commission workshop was held to review the Jackson Hills Residential and Golf Course Community and the impact it will have on traffic in and around Jackson. ACTC Director Charles Field requested that the workshop be held before the Planning Commission made a recommendation to the City Council. At last night’s meeting Field discussed existing traffic conditions and how those would change with the development of the Jackson Hills Project. Karly will have more on the meeting at noon.

The Planning Commission voted Tuesday night for a second planning Commission meeting to be held in April to address the Draft EIR and a recent zone change for the Wicklow Way Subdivision proposed by Lemke Construction of Copperopolis.  Lemke Construction is proposing to develop and build the Stoney Creek Estates- Wicklow Way project, consistent with the original concept approve in 1978 as part of the Hilltop Estates Master Plan. The property proposed for development is situated off of Wicklow Way on the south side of Hwy. 88 just west of Hwy. 88 and 49 junction in Martell between the Argonaut High School Football Field and Wal-Mart.

The Amador County Unified School District Board meeting got off to a late start last night after the Board considered a lengthy closed session agenda. The closed agenda considered 7 expulsions and several pending or potential litigations. The district announced a settlement in a case called JM vs ACUSD and ACOE. The district agreed to settle this loss suit against the district for 53,000 dollars. There were no details released in the case. Superintendent Dr. Carey then presented a special award to business department employee Jan Stitt, who was recently recommended at a state level class she took on behalf of the district.

Tuesday afternoon on Latrobe road an accident occurred when 44 year old Lisa Lewis of Sacramento was driving southbound and redirected her attention from the roadway to look down and get a cigarette and coffee. According to Investigating Officer Jeremy Dobler Lewis’ 2000 Honda traveled off of the west side of the road and she in an attempt to avoid an accident over corrected back to her left causing her vehicle to run off of the east side of the roadway and collide into a tree. Lewis was transported to Mercy Folsom Hospital with minor injuries. Later that evening at almost 9pm another accident occurred on Hwy. 49 at Sutter Ione Road.

Last night’s Jackson City Council meeting began with ceremonial matters. Mayor Drew Stidger introduced and welcomed new employee Karon Knuist, the new clerk for the planning commission meetings. Mayor Stidger then, both presented and accepted on behalf of the Lions Club as they are celebrating 80 years of service, a proclamation. The proclamation was given to the Lions Club on behalf of the city honoring the 80th anniversary of the civic minded club. Stidger said the Lion’s Club president asked him, since he is a member of the Jackson Lions Club to accept the proclamation on the organizations behalf. Also honored last night was long time employee Michael Rankin. Rankin began his career with the City of Jackson in 1973 as a temporary work employee.

The Amador County Recreation Agency is forming a youth recreational council. The council is being formed from the youth of our local high school and junior high school populations. According to Executive Director Tracey Towner Yep her hope is that the council’s formation will lead to a few special events for the youth, planned and implemented by the youth. The first meeting will be Monday April 16th at the American Legion Hall. At that meeting introductions, a big group game, a planning exercise, team building, choosing an event to start work on will be accomplished.

Local fire and emergency calls continue to keep both our local volunteers and Calfire crews busy. The Amador Fire Protection District responded to 125 total incidents in March 2007. This includes both Battalion 10 and Battalion 20 units.  68 medical aid & 23 vehicle accidents accounted for 73% of the total incidents.  18 of the incidents were fire related: 8 structure fires, 1 chimney fire, 1 cooking fire, 2 vehicle fires, 1 heavy equipment fire and 5 grass fires.  51% of the total calls occurred between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. Similarly Sutter Creek Fire was also busy answering 58 calls. Of those calls 46 were for emergency medical services and rescue operations. 4 were for fires.