The Ione City Council approved the new agreement between Portlock International and the City regarding the use of treated water at Castle Oaks Golf Course. The new agreement was developed at a meeting held on June 11th .  The agreement was prepared quickly but it was pointed out by Dominic Atlan who manages the Castle Oaks Clubhouse that it was not prepared in haste.

On Tuesday the AWA made a request of the Board of Supervisors for the approval of grants from the Water Development Fund. Agency General Manager Jim Abercrombie was present to discuss the projects for which the agency was requesting the funds for. The first project was the economic, engineer, environmental and public outreach “fatal flaw” analysis of raising Lower Bear Reservoir so explained Abercrombie it “could provide additional water supply for Amador County.” While the agency is partnering with EBMUD and the Calaveras County Water District to pay for a study which is estimated to be in the range of 100 to 120 thousand dollars the agency still needs funds for consultants to complete environmental site work. The agency requested a grant of $40,000 for this purpose.

An early morning brushfire this morning was reported around 4:20 near the Buena Vista Landfill transfer Station on Buena Vista Rd in the Ione area. Jackson Valley Fire Personnel, Cal Fire Crews and Amador County Sheriff’s Deputies all responded to the scene. The fire was reportedly about one half to three quarters of an acre burning in some brush. No structures were threatened, however it was discovered that there was no power going to the buildings at the dump, and that raised concerns that the fire was started by power lines that were down. PG&E crews were then called to the scene and notified that the fire was burning actively at the base of their power poles. The fire was contained by 5 am. Fire crews will remain on scene through out the morning for mop up.

This week the Amador County Local Agency Formation Commission will meet. The commission, mandated by California State law, is responsible for reviewing and approving proposed jurisdictional boundary changes, including annexations and detachments of territory to and/or from cities and special districts, incorporations of new cities, formations of new special districts, and consolidations, mergers and dissolutions of existing districts.

A businesses owners request to place an illuminated sign on their building on Main Street generated a discussion of what is allowed under City codes for the Historic area. Marcia Alexander requested to install a 40.5 square foot illuminated sign that would be attached to the existing sing on the roof at the rear of the building which faces Hwy. 88. The illuminated sign will situated over the existing mounted sign as it will provide the support for the proposed sign.

Monday an environmental group filed suit against the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board claiming that tens of thousands of farms have been illegally exempted from laws requiring the monitoring and reporting of toxic water runoff. The lawsuit targets the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board's "ag waiver" program, which allows farmers to join coalitions rather than test their own runoff. According to the suit, millions of pounds of pesticides and fertilizers are applied to farmlands, later washing into creeks and streams and, ultimately, into the Delta. There, the toxins threatened fish such as the Delta smelt, environmentalists say.

Monday proved to be almost as busy as weekend activity with local Deputies arresting vehicle thieves and the CHP responding to a serious drunk driving accident near Van De Hei Ranch Road. Also on Monday was accident on Sutter Ione Road that sent the driver to the hospital. According to Officer Drake Wilburn’s report 23 year old Mitchell Hodson, of Sutter Creek was driving his 2002 Chevy S-10 southbound on Sutter Ione Road at approximately 40 mph. Hodson stated to Officer Wilburn that he swerved for a skunk that was in the roadway causing the vehicle to travel onto the shoulder of the road and then subsequently overturn. Hodson suffered minor injuries and was transported to SAH.

Some local teens are getting a head start on promising careers in health care. Sutter Amador Hospital (SAH) awarded scholarships to three students preparing to head to college this fall to study a field in health care. The scholarships were awarded during awards ceremonies prior to graduation in the spring. Every year, SAH awards scholarships to local students dedicated to making a difference to the health of our community. SAH’s merit-based scholarship program was established to support the advancement of health care in the communities we serve, and to promote the training and development of future health care professionals.

Last night was a busy night for the Amador County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol. Around 7pm a white Subaru Outback was reported rolled in the middle of Hwy 88 near Van Dei Hei Rd. The vehicle came to rest on its top in a gravel lot adjacent to the roadway. Trapped inside was a 44 year old Pioneer woman. Once removed by Amador Fire Protection District Battalion 10 crews, the woman was transported by American Legion Ambulance to the Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp for an air ambulance ride to Mercy-San Juan Hospital. According to CHP reports, the woman was arrested at the scene for suspicion of driving under the influence and was then released to medical personal.