Major changes could soon take place to federally managed lands in and around Amador County when the Bureau of Land Management adopts their new Sierra Resource Management Plan. The purpose of the plan, which was recently discussed at a public meeting, is to provide guidance in the management of the 231,386 acres of land under the BLM umbrella. The plan is designed to lead to some defined outcomes and results with the first goal to develop land ownership and access patterns in response to urban growth issues while at the same time consolidating BLM’s land management responsibilities. The second goal is to guide and focus recreational activities in the area. 

The Bureau of Land Management, BLM, held a public meeting to present the draft Sierra Resource Management Plan (RMP) last night at Sonora High School in Sonora. The purpose of the meeting was to hear public comments and concerns on the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the plan which will impact some 20.2 miles of the Mokelumne River and BLM lands within Amador and Calaveras Counties. The draft RMP presents alternatives for BLM policy on fuel reduction, wild and scenic river status for 20.2 miles of the Mokelumne River, land acquisition and disposal, minerals development, recreation, target shooting, areas of critical environmental concern, and other issues. 

The Amador County Unified School District has some advice for parents designed to help answer the question “Can I stay home from school?” Generally followed by “I don’t feel good”. According to the district this is the time of year when many people begin showing flu symptoms and parents must decide whether children should report to class. The district advises that if your child has a fever of over 100.5, taken orally, or if your child is just too ill to pay attention in class then a parent should make the decision to keep their child home. 

Across the nation, the month of November marks a month long public effort for increasing diabetes awareness. On a local level, Kim Vagt, a Registered Dietitian and Director of Sutter Amador Hospital's Outpatient Diabetes Program, wants to get the message out to members of our communities. Eight years ago, she and Geralyn da Silva, a Registered Nurse, began Sutter Amador's diabetes education program. The program, accredited by the American Diabetes Association, is designed to teach patients with diabetes the tools to help manage their own diabetes. "We initiated the program because we saw so many patients in this community come into the hospital with serious diabetes complications," said Vagt.

 

This wildlife season deer and turkey are beautiful, plentiful and in the roadways and according to California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Craig Harmon several serious accidents have occurred in Amador County as people attempted to avoid hitting the local wildlife. Harmon advises motorists to preplan for such an event, a common event here in Amador County, just as he advises that motorists keep a watch on their high visual horizon. Looking as far forward as you can see while driving and keeping watch on the road ahead helps ensure the drivers know what is coming up on them.

This week an accident occurred on Hwy. 49 near Martell Road and Jackson Gate Road. According to Officer Mike Lemaster’s report Theresa Bartlett, 50 of San Andreas and 35 year old Krista Carver of Ceres were both stopped at the intersection’s four way stop. Bartlett was west bound on Jackson Gate Road to south bound Hwy. 49. Carver was south bound on Hwy. 49 through intersection. Both Carver and Bartlett proceeded into the intersection simultaneously. The right front of Bartlett’s 2005 Ford Pickup impacted the left rear of Carver’s 2000 Chevy. According to LeMaster’s report the investigation is still ongoing. Later that night a more serious accident occurred on Ostrom Road just south of Shenandoah Road.

A new poll from the Public Policy Institute Survey shows that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger continues his commanding lead over Democratic challenger Phil Angelides. According to the poll 48 percent of likely voters say they support the current governor, with 30 percent supporting Angelides. Still Thirteen percent of voters remain undecided. The poll also shows challenger Angelides continues to loose support from within his own party. Angelides has only 57 percent of support among Democrats, while Schwarzenegger shows continued strength his party with 86 percent of Republicans pledging their support in the poll. 

Justice has taken its course in the death of beloved school teacher Suzette Arnese Cone. Arnese-Cone was killed in a motor vehicle accident on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 on Highway 88 east of Irishtown Road. Arnese-Cone was a popular Jackson junior High Teacher. The accident was caused when Kerry Cook of Pioneer, then 39 years old, struck Mrs. Arnese- Cone’s vehicle. Arnese-Cone died at the scene and Kerry Cook was flown via air ambulance to the Davis hospital for a fractured leg. Her 5-year-old female passenger was flown to the hospital as well for lacerations to the forehead, chin and nose and for stomach pain.