Amador County Supervisors once again considered converting their new building to a green one yesterday when they discussed the use of solar energy. Previously, staff was tasked with analyzing photovoltaic (solar) financial solutions for the Administrative building. Three funding options were analyzed in the process.

Monday night the Jackson City Council reviewed the possibility of annexing the City of Jackson into the Amador County Community Facilities District for Fire Services Funding. According to City Manager Mike Daly in September of 2006 the City Council reviewed a report regarding the formation of a Community Facilities District (CFD) for funding fire services within the City of Jackson. Amador Co. recently adopted the ordinance creating this type of CFD for new construction projects, and offered to allow cities within the County to annex into the district. This would simplify the process for cities to establish a CFD that will create funding for additional fire services within City boundaries.

This week the Sutter Creek Planning Commission further discussed revising the City's Tree and Landscape ordinance. City planner, Paula Daneluk(Dan-eh-luck) introduced the item to the commissioners, explaining that she was looking for direction from the commission as to how to go about drafting the revisions. She told them that changes in oak woodland preservations had two elements and the planning commission would have to specify whether they want to preserve oak woodlands, a whole canopy or habitat, or if they intended to preserve single oak trees which have some significance. Jerry Scott, coordinator of the Oak Tree Conservation for Amador and Calaveras counties, and Terry Strange, coordinator of a foothill conservation group, addressed the commission suggesting a comprehensive ordinance that would be in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA.

The California Highway Patrol has released the report on Friday afternoon’s fatal accident that closed hwy 88 for several hours. The accident occurred around 2:18 when Suzann Lacoste, 46 and of Pine Grove was traveling at an extremely high rate of speed on westbound Hwy. 88 in a 1995 Buick LeSabre. According to Officer Jeremy Dobler’s CHP report, Lacoste, due to her unsafe speed for the wet roadway conditions, lost control of her vehicle while entering a sweeping curve on Hwy. 88 near Toyon Rd. Steven Merrill, of Pioneer, was traveling eastbound on 88 in a 1991 Ford F250 pickup truck was hit head on when Lacoste traveled into the eastbound lane just below Smalley’s Sales and Service. The result was devastating. The force of the impact sheared Lacoste’s LeSabre into 3 pieces which came to rest along the shoulder and embankment of the highway. Merrill’s pickup truck came to rest facing in a southerly direction on the south shoulder of Hwy. 88. As a result of the accident LaCoste sustained fatal injuries. Merrill and his passenger, Luis Alvarad, 27 of Stockton were both transported to Sutter Amador Hospital for treatment of their injuries.

 

This weekend’s wet weather appears to have caught Amador County drivers off guard with a total of 9 accidents occurring between Friday and Monday.  Most of the accidents were non injury with the exception of a few, including the fatal accident that occurred on Friday. Saturday at approximately 7 pm an accident occurred on Hwy. 49 at Hwy. 16. According to Officer Jeremy Dobler’s report Andrew Darest, 19 of Diamond Springs, was making a left from to southbound Hwy. 49 at 16. Apparently it was raining heavily and Darest did not see David Garmany, 38 of Fiddletown in a 1991 Chevy and turned directly in front of him. The front of Garmany’s Chevy collided with Darest’s 2006 Dodge. Garmany sustained moderate injuries as a result of the collision and was transported to UC Davis Medical Center. Darest was uninjured.

The Amador County Sheriff’s SWAT team recently saw action when called to assist the El Dorado County’s Sheriff Department after a man barricaded himself inside his Cameron Park home last Thursday afternoon after shooting his wife. The woman was able to escape from the house and call El Dorado authorities who requested assistance from the Amador County SWAT unit.

More concerns have been raised by residents living near and around Mule Creek State Prison when recent rains gave flow to the creek. The creek color according to neighbors of the prison is black. Amador County Environmental Health Department Director Mike Israel is aware of the situation and has been investigating the concerns since first contacted last week. He was on site Friday, February 9, and at that time Israel reports, the creek was flowing significantly.  Though the water was muddy and cloudy, no unusual color (black) was noted at that time by Israel.

The Electronic Recycling Day held in November by the Amador County Fair was so successful, that another will be held Saturday, February 24.  Several tons of no longer usable electronic waste was collected for recycling rather than going into the County landfill. If you have a storeroom or garage cluttered with out-of-date or broken office and entertainment equipment, here’s your chance to get rid of it safely and for free. The Amador County Fair will hold it’s next electronics recycling day on Saturday, February 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  This is an opportunity to save on landfill disposal fees, help the environment, and also save a buck.  There will be no charge for dropping off your old electronic equipment.

Plans are underway for the 2007 Amador County Fair to be held July 26th through the 29th. The theme for the 2007 Fair is “Bumper Cars, Rodeo Stars, & Ewe (you).”  According to Susan Clark, CEO, now is the time to make suggestions for what you would like to see or participate in at this year’s Fair.  “We want to keep the Amador County Fair current as well as honor our traditions, and hearing from the public will help us make decisions that reflect our unique community.” The Fair staff is already at work putting together the 2007 Entry Guide, which is the source book for anyone who enters their projects into the Fair’s competition.  Although there are several hundred classes to enter, there is always room for new ideas that reflect the current pastimes and hobbies of the community.  If you have a suggestion for an area of competition the Fair staff would like to hear about it by February 28th.  The Staff is also interested in the community’s input on Fair-time events.