The Jackson Planning Commission is beginning to take a hard line on projects and homeowners that stray outside the rules as was evidenced by two discussions last week.

One of the most controversial items to appear before the Jackson Planning Commission on Monday night was regarding a project located on Amador Street.

The Jackson Planning Commission agenda was a full one Monday night as the Commissioners deliberated for 2 and half hours on the issues before them.

The Jackson Planning Commission meeting began with discussion surrounding a variance for a parcel located at 135 Center St. The applicant Ethel Smallfield requested a variance to allow construction of a new single-family residential detached garage to encroach 5 feet into the required five foot side yard setback and ten feet rear yard setback. Currently there is a temporary structure erected essentially in the proposed located. Apparently, Ms. Smallfield applied for the variance because her lot is irregularly shaped and has a Center Street address despite the fact that he house fronts West Lane. According to the Staff report there are other structures along West Lane that are either on or within a few feet of the rear property line. The Commission decided last night to grant the request. The Commission then considered draft development code policies pertaining to lighting regulations.

Sacramento County sheriff's detectives have announced they are looking for a man who they believe may have information that could help in tracking down the person who killed Deputy Jeffrey Mitchell. And they are asking for help from the public. The identity of the man, whose photographs were captured on surveillance video at a Circle K market about an hour after the deputy was gunned down, "is of critical importance to detectives in the investigation," according to a news release issued by sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Tim Curran.

The action packed world of mixed martial arts returns to Jackson Rancheria Casino with the ever so popular Global Knock-Out - The Rancheria Beat Down on Thursday, March 22. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event begins at 6:30 p.m. in Dalton Town Hall. You must be 18 or older to attend. Tickets are $100, $70, and $35 and are going fast so purchase your tickets online or by phone from Ticketmaster or in person at the Jackson Rancheria Box Office. The Box Office is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and accepts credit cards, checks, Dreamcatcher's Club points, and cash. The Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians launched the Global Knock-Out series last October. This second event will feature many top local fighters, plus a four-man heavyweight tournament.  The audience is guaranteed a lot of action-packed fights. For more information contact the Jackson Rancheria at 800-822-WINN or visit jacksoncasino.com.

 

A Christmas tradition unique to Amador County is here once again. A “Christmas to Remember” started over 20 years ago with a small monetary donation from a local citizen will return this Wednesday and Thursday Dec 6&7th.

Last Saturday April 19th marked the long-awaited opening day for the new playground structure recently installed in Detert Park. The ribbon cutting event followed the fifth annual “Clean Our Green,” a community wide effort intended to give Jackson a spring cleaning by providing helpful participants with litter bags and gloves to remove litter in public areas throughout the community. Over 60 community members participating in this litter clean-up event to help celebrate Earth Day. 

As the Clean Our Green event came to a close, attention shifted to the play area behind the Jackson pool. After years of reserving funds for a new playground structure, the City invested 60,000 dollars in new playground equipment in the area where previous equipment was removed due to safety regulations.  The City received assistance from the Jackson Elementary School third graders to select the equipment and the City’s Public Works crew installed the equipment.  The play equipment features several different structures intended for children ages 2 to 12.  The event is funded with California Department of Conservation funds granted to the City from the deposits on beverage containers.

Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel’s popular series of comedy shows return on Thursday, April 3, when 3 Blonde Moms deliver their high-energy, semi-scripted standup comedy show jam packed full of hysterical material about being a Mom, having a Mom, kids, schools, husbands, in-laws, and more. If you have a family, know a family, or want a family, this is the show for you!  The show is in the Grand Oak Ballroom at the Jackson Rancheria Hotel. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the laughter starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 each and are available at the Dreamcatcher’s Club booth in the casino.

Local Supervisors Brian Oneto and Ted Novelli spearheaded a movement for more time and information regarding the Forest Service’s new Off Highway Vehicle Plan- and now their efforts are being rewarded. The Forest Service says the public comment period for the Eldorado National Forest Public Wheeled Motorized Travel Management Draft Environmental Impact Statement has been extended for an additional 45 days. Forest Supervisor Ramiro Villalvazo says the public comment period will end on October 22. The extension is an outcome of public comments the Forest Service received during six public meetings held in July and August that were attended by more than 1,100 people. The DEIS was released for public review on July 20, 2007.