Marble Quarry Rd off of Lupe Rd in Pine Grove was the scene of law enforcement activity last night when a caller to the Amador County Sheriff’s emergency dispatch reported at approximately 9:47PM that they had a physical altercation had occurred between a father and son at 15555 Marble Quarry, Road in Pine Grove.  While deputies were responding, it was reported that Robert Lee Fry, 61 and of Pine Grove, had shot his son Robert Eric Fry, 35, of Ione, and that his son had immediately fled the area on foot. Upon arrival of Amador County Sheriff’s Deputies and California Highway Patrol Officers, the scene was secured.  Robert Eric Fry was located at a neighbor’s residence where he was subsequently treated for a gunshot wound to the torso by personnel from American Legion Ambulance, Amador Fire Protection District and California Department of Forestry.  Robert Eric Fry was subsequently transported to UC Davis Medical Center by helicopter for treatment.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has been held responsible by another arm of state government for waste water spills at Mule Creek State Prison. The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Board has fined the CDCR 50,000 dollars for eight spills into streams including Mule Creek. The board cited “operation, maintenance and overflow problems” at the prison as the reason for the spills. Notices of violation were issued to the peison in September and October, followed by a cease and desist order in December. Officials also came up with a schedule for prison officials to fix the problem. The issue may be heard at the water board meeting May 3 or 4.

The recent blasts of winter are doing some good, at least for our snow pack and water situations. This week’s snow survey conducted by the State Department of Water Resources shows that recent storms have brought our snow pack conditions closer to normal with snow depths now 78 percent to 85 percent of normal. According to DWR Hydrology Branch Chief Arthur Hinojosa the results are encouraging: “Above average precipitation in February has certainly improved our water supply outlook. Although not enough to offset a very dry January, the latest survey shows statewide average snow pack water content is nearly 65% of average to date compared with only 40% four weeks ago.” DWR Snow Surveys Chief Frank Gehrke says the current readings “put us about where we were at this time last year.”

United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that WILLIAM GLENN SATTERLEE, 59, of Valley Springs , California was convicted on March 1, 2007, of Attempting to Entice a Minor to Engage in Illegal Sexual Activities, in violation of title 18, United States Code, Section 2422(b).  The conviction followed a three-day jury trial. This case is the product of an investigation by the Stanislaus County Sheriff‛s Department with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case began in March 2004 when the defendant initiated discussions via AOL! Instant Messenger with a person he believed was a thirteen year-old girl, but in reality was an undercover Stanislaus County detective.

The California Legislature on Tuesday approved what they hope will give the state a greater voice in the race for the White House by moving the state's presidential primary from June to February. The Assembly approved the bill 46-28, along party lines, and now the bill sits on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk. Schwarzenegger has said he supports the concept of the new law. The effort to move the primary has been cast by its supporters as an attempt to force presidential candidates to campaign in California, rather than merely coming to the state to raise money. Opponents said moving the primary to February is merely a smoke screen for the personal agendas of lawmakers who want to extend their terms. A proposed measure that would go on a February ballot would allow legislators to serve longer in their respective houses.

In front of a packed crowd last night the Jackson Planning Commission reviewed the findings of fact and statements of overriding considerations for the Jackson Hills project located off of French Bar Road. Jackson Hills, LLC is proposing a residential community consisting of 540 homes, an eighteen hole golf course, including a clubhouse, restaurant and maintenance facilities, a recreation and community center spa, a three acre park and all necessary roadway and infrastructure improvements associated and supporting the site development. The project is proposed in two phases. Phase one includes 150 homes and the golf course amenities, while Phase 2 includes the remaining 390 residential lots and proposed park.

Marble Quarry Rd off of Lupe Rd in Pine Grove was the scene of law enforcement activity last night when a caller to the Amador County Sheriff’s emergency dispatch personnel around 9:52PM reported he had shot a suspect after he was physically assaulted.  Amador County Sheriff Department Deputies and local CHP units converged on the location and set up a perimeter to look for the injured subject. Medics and Fire were staged on Lupe Road. After some tense moments searching for the gunshot suspect, a neighbor called the Sheriff and notified them that he was in their house seeking medical attention. The suspect was taken to a helicopter landing spot at the Church of the Nazarene on Ridge Road and flown to UC Davis. This incident in sunder investigation by the Sheriff’s Department and we expect full details later this morning.

The County’s renovation of the John C. Begovich is nearly complete. According to GSA Director John Hopkins the mission of preparing the building to become the new home of the Amador County Superior Court is apparently on time and on budget. “Every project has a contingency and do not believe that we have exceeded that contingency,” said Hopkins. He also said construction of the project is “85-90% complete” and that they still have some remaining items on the project list. “We are planning on having the building substantially complete by April,” said Hopkins.  He also said that in a recent meeting with the Amador Superior Court they indicated that their move in date would be in June. “The Court’s first scheduled day of operation is June 25th 2007. They will be moving in the weekend before.”  Hopkins said in closing, “We are trying to hit that date sometime in April…and hopefully we make it. It is a work in progress.”

The Amador Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) is looking for a volunteer to be appointed as an Alternate Public Member to the commission. This is a 4-year term, running from January 2007 to February 2011. Applicants must be a resident and registered voter in Amador County and cannot be a city, district or County official of any public agency within Amador County. Those seated on LAFCO are subject to the Fair Political Practices Act and must file an annual conflict of interest statement.