Two driving under the influence related accidents were reported in the Camanche area this past weekend by the California Highway patrol. The first accident involved James Kevin Boyd, 42, who was east bound on Camanche Parkway North on Saturday at around 5pm. Boyd was traveling at an estimated speed of 35-40 miles per hour on the roadway when a group of teenagers yelled for Boyd to slow down from the South Shoulder of the road as he came around a curve. According to Officer Brian Hagemann’s report, due to Boyd’s level of intoxication, he decided to slam on his brakes and back up to yell at the pedestrians.

Investigators continued to search for the killer of a Sacramento sheriff's deputy, ruling out a link to the deaths of two people found in a van in the Cosumnes River near the Amador County line. The investigation closed Hwy 49 for several hours Friday afternoon and evening. Evidence collected from the white Chevy van which was driven into the river in about one foot of water partially does not appear to tie the couple to the killing of Deputy Jeff Mitchell, said Sgt. Tim Curran, a spokesman for the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department. "Those two have virtually been eliminated from involvement," Curran said Sunday. 

In a press release dated October 27th the Ione Band of Miwok Indians is reporting that the United States Department of the Interior has dismissed an appeal by Amador County regarding the recent lands determination and legal opinion given by members of the that Department. Amador County challenged the land determination decision back on October 18th. The Land Determination decision declared that the Ione tribe is a Restored tribe and that the lands the tribe proposes to build a casino on in Plymouth are restored tribal lands. This has major implications for the tribe’s gaming endeavors on the 228 acre property as restored tribes and lands have a different more lenient process for approval of their gaming establishments through the National Indian Gaming Commission. 

The Amador Water Agency Board recently discussed the Waste Water Improvement District #11 Storage and Disposal Expansion Project in the Camanche area. The Water Agency has been working on the joint wastewater project with EBMUD even prior to officially taking over ownership of Wastewater Improvement District #11 several years ago. This district was the subject of a large fine from the state water quality control board due to overflows and the wastewater ponds in the winter of 2005.Since that time the goals of the water agency have been to improve the system’s reliability, meet current State and Federal standards, and provide additional capacity to meet the needs of the area. The Water Agency’s Board authorized an agreement with Engineering firm Kennedy/Jenks Consultants back on April 6, 2006 to design and complete the environmental review process necessary for a new storage reservoir and spray fields for the system. 

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) reminds everyone to enjoy a Fire Safe Halloween, by following these tips: Choose costumes made of FLAME RETARDANT material. Check the label! Keep hemlines short enough to prevent tripping, and avoid loose, baggy sleeves, or billowing skirts. To be seen easily, costumes should be made of a light colored material. Use glow-in-the-dark reflective tape on the costume. Use makeup rather than masks, which could obstruct vision. Do not allow children to carry sharp sticks or other objects that could cause injury to others. 

According to the Associated Press attorneys for the Lodi man, Hamid Hayat, convicted this spring by a federal jury of supporting terrorists have asked a judge to grant a new trail after reports of juror misconduct. In a 106-page motion filed Friday, Hayat's lawyers said reports of "extensive misconduct" by jury foreman Joseph Cote demand court review. "Given the reports of extensive misconduct involved here, the seriousness of such misconduct, and the credibility of the sources, only (an evidentiary) hearing will suffice to resolve the present claim," wrote Wazhma Mojaddidi and Dennis Riordan. 

A massive manhunt is underway this morning involving Amador County Sheriff’s Department Deputies, Amador CHP Units, Sac Co Sheriff’s Deputies after a Sacramento County Deputy was shot and killed this morning. A nursing supervisor at the U.C. Davis Medical Center says a Sacramento County Sheriff's deputy died after being shot early this morning. Law enforcement officers believe the deputy was shot after a traffic stop. When dispatch did not hear from the deputy after the traffic stop at Dillard and Meiss Road at about 3:27 a.m., Sheriff's deputies were sent to investigate and found the six-year veteran shot. Investigators with the Sheriff's department, Elk Grove Police department and California Highway Patrol are searching for a suspect near Sloughhouse off of Jackson Highway in southeastern Sacramento County. They believe the suspect may have fled in a white Chevy van, possibly into Amador County. This manhunt is impacting Amador county residents as multiple road closures along Hwy 16, as well as, detours will impact your morning commute. Amador County SO deputies are also assisting in the manhunt with deputies and K-9 units

The City of Ione became the owners of a new footbridge yesterday as the engineered structure was installed across Sutter Creek directly west of the current Highway 104/Main Street/Preston Ave intersection. Originally scheduled for installation in the summer of 2007, the one hundred foot long bridge was first discussed as a federal “Safe Routes To School” Project in conjunction with city and developer funding 3 years ago. The project was a cooperative venture between the City, the developer of new homes in the Castle Oaks area, JTS Communities, and the owners of the adjacent shopping center, home to Claypool’s Market and Ione Pharmacy.

This week Amador County Counsel John Hahn announced he was resigning as the Counsel for another quasi county entity- ARSA, the Amador Regional Sanitation Authority. ARSA is responsible for the waste water processing and servicing for Martell, Sutter Creek, Amador City through a Joint Powers Agreement. The multi-municipality based agency utilizes wastewater plants and fields in Ione, Sutter Creek and Amador City. Because of the dual role that the County itself plays in both organizations, along with current developments, Hahn states this is the most prudent course of action.