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.

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.

Even with beautiful days this past weekend the overnight low temperatures caused slick and icy conditions on many Amador County roads this weekend. This is just one of the many accidents caused by ice this weekend when the driver hit ice on Sutter Creek Volcano Rd just west of Ram’s Horn grade. Fortunately, the driver walked away from this accident. Remember even colder temperatures are expected later this week and a storm system as wet, icy and snow covered roadways. Be prepared and slow down

Last night around 9:46 pm an Amador County Sheriff’s Deputy noticed that a vehicle that had been reported stolen was being driven on Defender Grade Rd. in the upcountry area.

Friday afternoon Fire authorities were hopping from Jackson to Plymouth when two fires broke out within an hour of each other. The first fire was reported around 3:30 pm near Blue Sky Drive on Hwy 88 in between Ione and Jackson. Two air tankers, two helicopters and several engines from CalFire, Jackson and Jackson Valley Fire, as well as hand crews from the Pine Grove Camp, all responded to the incident. Hwy 88 was closed from Hwy 49 in Jackson and Sutter Creek to Hwy 104 in Ione while firefighters got the upper hand on the blaze. The highway reopened about 4:30 pm. The fire burned a total of 19 acres and had fire crews occupied until late into the night. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

It was a close call for a Pioneer resident when the rear wheel of someone’s vehicle came flying into his lane on Saturday. According to Officer Jeremy Dobler’s report Norberto Marquez, 35 and of Ceres was eastbound on Ridge Road entering the sweeping curve just west of Ridge View Drive when his 1989 Chevy suddenly lost its left rear wheel. The wheel flew into the westbound lane where it collided with 67 year old Robert Chapman of Pioneer’s 2001 Dodge. According to the report neither driver was injured.

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 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Amador/El Dorado Unit would like to remind you the sale or discharge of all fireworks including Safe and Sane are prohibited in all portions of El Dorado County and in most areas of Amador County. In Amador County the incorporated areas of Jackson, Sutter Creek, and Ione allow Safe and Sane fireworks in controlled conditions away from any flammable vegetation. Safe and Sane fire works must have the State Fire Marshal’s Seal of Registration on each device. Party Poppers and Snap Caps with the State Fire Marshal’s Seal of Registration are the only two items legal for use in Amador and El Dorado Counties. Temperatures are rising, the abundant grass crop is drying out, the summer weather pattern has began, and the chance of a wildland fire starting from legal or illegal fireworks is extreme. If you are in the above mentioned incorporated areas of Amador County and plan to discharge Safe and Sane fireworks make sure you have a shovel and a bucket of water or garden hose available. You can be held liable for the cost of fighting any fires that you or your children start in the state.    Please be careful, be responsible and enjoy your Independence Day!

Last night’s Jackson City Council meeting focused on law enforcement as Chief of Police Scott Morrison explained to the Council last that the Sheriff’s Office and the local Police Departments are pursuing the re-implementation of the Amador Narcotic Enforcement Unit or ANEU. The Sheriff’s Office historically has taken the lead on the joint narcotics taskforce in Amador County. Morrison said that between 1993 and 2001 the Jackson Police Department assisted with the ANEU program by assigning personnel to the special unit. Morrison said the unit was very successful in the apprehension of narcotics dealers and associated criminals; however 6 years ago the Jackson Police Department withdrew from the program for two main reasons, staffing and funding. Sheriff Martin Ryan and Under Sheriff James Wegner also attended the meeting last night to further explain the taskforce and the funding.

District Attorney Todd Riebe announced yesterday that the number of workers’ compensation fraud investigations and convictions handled by his office’s Workers’ Compensation Fraud Unit dramatically increased from the previous year. The Fraud Unit’s continued success in combating fraud has resulted in additional grant funding for the Unit which investigates and prosecutes workers’ compensation fraud, not just in Amador County but also in Placer and Calaveras Counties. Last week, the California Department of Insurance awarded a $445,000 grant to the Amador County District Attorney’s Office to help reduce workers’ compensation fraud in the three counties.