The Ione Bypass- will it be a reality? The Board of Supervisors discussed the plans for the route this week. The history of the bypass idea is a lengthy one with the concept identified more than 20 years ago. The need for a 'bypass' of downtown lone has been identified as a long-term local and regional transportation priority with the Amador County Transportation Commission working with the city for many years to help complete this goal. Past work has considered several different potential alignments, however no alignment as been specifically identified.

Sutter Creek City Council met this week to discuss its Draft Budget for the 07-08 Fiscal Year, to discuss and take action on the approval of the Main Street Visitor’s Center Lease and Authorization for the Mayor to sign and discuss mail boxes. The meeting began with a review of the Consent Agenda, which included 3 items all related to the Knights Foundry.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell today urged Senate Republicans to come back to work in Sacramento and end the budget impasse that is severely impacting the service capabilities of all California’s 785 state-funded child care agencies.

A vegetation fire was reported this morning just across the Amador County line in the North Camanche Parkway area 4-5 mile north of Liberty Rd and Hwy 88. Local Jackson Valley Fire and CalFire crews responded to the 4:10 am blaze with 2 engines from each agency. Within moments a dozer from CalFire’s Sutter Hill station was also called for by crews on scene. The 2-3 acre grass fire was quickly contained by crews

Now that the new courthouse is operational questions have arisen regarding those people that may have a probationary condition that prohibits them from being within 2000 feet of a school. Can they attend their court hearings at the courthouse just feet away from a State Preschool and the campus of Argonaut High School? According to District Attorney Todd Riebe; provided that a person's probation had a term prohibiting a sex offender/arsonist from being within 2,000 feet of a school, park, day care, church or any place where children congregate, it is possible that being at the courthouse violates that term. Riebe also reminds us that the old courthouse was also probably within 2,000 feet of Jackson Elementary, and was right across the street from a former day care and two churches.  Riebe does point out that several counties in a similar situation in the Third Appellate District have already been sued pursuant to the 2,000 foot requirement.  Amador County was dropped from the lawsuit because the law that applied the zone, Jessica's Law, did not create new criminal violations for county law enforcement agencies to enforce.  Rather, it applied to parolees, which are the responsibility of the State.

A new art work was dedicated yesterday afternoon at the Jackson Rancheria Casino. The giant sculpture of a Bald Eagle taking flight from atop a rocky outcropping above a waterfall and flowing river adds a dramatic accent to the front of the casino. The Bald Eagle was selected as the national emblem for the US in 1782 because of its long life, great strength and majestic looks. It is the only eagle that is unique to North America and was just recently removed from the endangered species list. The Eagle water feature stands 31 feet high with a wing span of 26 feet.

California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced a new program yesterday that will provide consumers with a “report card” for Preferred Provider Health care plans. Poisner announced that California's six largest Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) have agreed to initiate quality of care measures, including accreditation by nationally recognized institutions. They have also agreed to provide information for the Commissioner's effort to create a Health Insurance Report Card for California consumers.

The search for a Pioneer man ended happily Friday afternoon after the man was found by Amador County Search and rescue personnel. Sheriff’s Department officials received a call Friday morning  around 9 am that William Pauli, 86 of Pioneer had wandered away from his Deer Ridge Rd home. Due to his age and a medical condition the sheriff’s department considered him missing and at risk. 

On Friday night, at the Amador Senior Center, A Global Warming Seminar was held. Dr. Frank Axe, who holds a Doctorate in Chemistry and is an interim Prof. at both the University of the Pacific and San Joaquin Delta College, and Jerry Scott, a local concerned citizen presented the seminar and illustrated the subject in such a way that was easily understood by the audience. The seminar was based entirely on scientific explanation and study, and was kept non political.