The Amador County Sheriff Office T.E.A.M. program has kicked off its’ annual Christmas Toy Drive.

A former California Dept. of Correction and Rehabilitation correctional officer pled guilty to two felony counts of insurance fraud in Amador Superior Court according to a press release from District Attorney Todd Riebe. September 21st 35 year old Steve Andrew Felter was sentenced to 100 days in jail, placed on five years formal probation, and ordered to pay restitution in an amount that is still to be determined, however the amount is expected not to exceed $100,000.

The Amador County Board of Supervisors recently approved, in concept, budget changes for monies for the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund, or COPS funding to continue the employment of two Amador County Sheriff’s Deputies and the purchase some equipment for use at the Amador County jail.

Sunday afternoon around 1 pm a motorcycle versus vehicle accident was reported 3 miles east of Ham’s Station.

The number of traffic deaths statewide dropped dramatically this past Thanksgiving holiday weekend from last year, the California Highway Patrol reports.

As a light rain fell over the county last night a transformer fire near the corner of Charleston Rd and Shakeridge Rd was reported to local firefighters. Lockwood Fire and CDF crews responded to the 7pm transformer fire that caused the closure of Charleston Rd from downtown Volcano through the Shakeridge Rd intersection. No word yet on the cause

This morning around 7:39am a serious accident occurred on Hwy 88 near Ousby Rd when for an unknown reason the driver of this car drove straight, instead of following the roadway curves, plunging off of the Highway and into a tree on the side of a residence located on Ousby Rd.

Last week TSPN brought you the news regarding a possible suspension of new will serve agreements for waste water services connections within the Amador Water Agency’s Wastewater Improvement District 12, the Martell area. This could lead to a stopping of new commercial development in what has become the commercial hub of Amador County. The Martell area’s waste water needs are currently served by the Amador Water Agency through the Amador Regional Sanitation Agency, or ARSA. ARSA also includes the cities of Sutter Creek, Amador City and Ione.

 Caltrans begins their winter staffing in just a few days, that is, December 1st to be exact.

This weekend the community gathered together in Volcano to see alternative energy options at the well attended Mother Lode Fall Energy Expo presented by the Volcano Community Service District in partnership with PG&E.