October is getting off to a cool and potentially wet start, and that means Foothill and Sierra drivers to start preparing for winter weather according weather and CHP officials. For drivers in the down country areas of the county that means checking windshield wipers and tires, as well as, generally being more cautious. For Upcountry drivers this means checking both wipers and tires, but also making sure vehicles are ready for winter driving conditions, including the use of chains. According to California Highway Patrol Community Outreach Officer John C Hardey, “Drivers should slowdown, be aware, and exercise due caution and consideration toward other drivers.”

At this week’s Sutter Creek City Council meeting the discussion turned to the city’s budget as City Treasurer Cathy Castillo reported on the city’s fiscal health.

Saturday, October 14, 2006 the Amador County Waste Management Department will be collecting used (waste) tires from Amador County residents for recycling.

In a major development for the Ione Band of Miwok’s proposed casino, according to a letter obtained by TSPN, a determination regarding the land status for the Ione Band of Miwok Indians has been issued by James Cason, Associate Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior.The September 26th letter is based on an opinion from the United States Department of the Interior Associate Solicitor from the Division of Indian Affairs, Carl J. Artman regarding the Ione Band’s request for a determination if gaming can occur on the land they hope to develop near Plymouth.

The Jackson Fire Department Call totals are in for the month of September. Medical assistance calls were the bulk of calls last month with a total of 46 calls at 68% of the call totals. Public assistance came in at a far second with 10 calls totaling for 15% of the call volume.

A deer once again has caused an injury accident in the upcountry.

The Amador County Public Works department announced recently at a Board of Supervisor’s meeting that they would be using all available funds, originally designated as preventative maintenance funds, to repair roads that were damaged in last spring’s storms. Director of Public Works Larry Peterson said, “It is a combo of last year’s storms and erosion in places that has gotten so bad we need to do some major repairs.” Amador County has received Federal Emergency Management Agency and state Office of Emergency Services funding for some of the storm damage, however the Federal funds will not cover major collector roads, such as Ridge Road, because those are under the jurisdiction of the State not County. Amador County Road Superintendent Gary Shoft said basically, “(the state) has told us that they are broke and ‘do not ask for money.’” Peterson further explained,

Community members could be seeing more services being offered from our local community centers according to a report from ATCAA. Presented to the Board of Supervisor’s was a request on behalf of ATCAA for funding of $50,000 match to a grant from the SH Cowell Foundation for the first year of a 3 year grant. Overall the funding will leverage $300,000 and be divided between the Pine Grove and Camanche Community Centers.

The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is upon us and today and this weekend thousands of Californians will load up their vehicles and hit the highways.

The East Bay Municipal Utilities District, or East Bay MUD, has announced they are placing new restrictions on their Pardee grazing leases as an interim measure to address new federal water quality reporting requirements related to cryptosporidium, a disease-causing organism that many animals can carry. EBMUD announced the new rules regarding "crypto" concerns while the water utility company collects more data on the impacts grazing has on the water quality in and around the Pardee Reservoir. Cryptosporidium is a parasite commonly found in lakes and rivers, especially when the water is contaminated with sewage and animal wastes.