Yesterday afternoon around 5:15 pm a collision that occurred on Hwy 88 on Hurricane Hill near Sunset drive took the life of one person, injuring 4 others. The collision occurred between a pickup truck and a van after a third vehicle caused the wreck and then fled the scene. Jennet Mumphrey of Stockton was eastbound on Hwy 88 east of Eggiman Lane in the passing lane when the unknown driver passed Mumphrey on the right cutting her off as the lanes merged together. In order to avoid hitting the unknown driver, Mumphrey swerved left and in the process lost control of her vehicle. Mumphrey’s 1993 Ford then slid across the roadway into the westbound lane and was struck broadside by Corby Wallace of Jackson. The impact of the collision sent both vehicles onto the right hand shoulder of west bound 88 with Mumphrey colliding into a barbed wire fence. The unknown driver then fled the scene.

Today in a heated discussion the Board of Supervisors considered the membership and funding of the Amador County Chamber of Commerce. The agenda item was prompted, according to Supervisor Forster because “this is the third time that the Chamber has taken an action that is contrary to the board’s position on the validity of (the) Buena Vista (Tribe’s) efforts to build a casino.” Forster elaborated on the situation later by saying, “One was the vendor fair that (Executive Director) Jacqueline Lucido helped to organize and sponsor even though she claimed to have not.” He said Lucido on the contrary was very public and seen in pictures as being a part of the function. “Two was the efforts of the Friends of Amador County to make a presentation at the Chamber where they were rebuffed and the Tribe was allowed to make a presentation instead,” said Forster. The third act was the discovery of the Buena Vista Rancheria on the Tourism Committee without being an established business.

A consumer watchdog group says that big oil companies are gouging Americans, and particularly California drivers, based upon a study that the group commissioned. That study says that gas prices and company profits are spiking while oil market prices remained stable. According to the North County Times, Judy Dugan of the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said the group hopes public outcry over rising gas prices will now force Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state Legislature to convene a special session to discuss the problem. The foundation says that California drivers are paying a "California penalty" of $7 to $15 more per fill up than what drivers across the United States, or about 40 cents to 55 cents more per gallon.

According to the Associated Press a common chemical found in plastic ducks, teething rings and other soft, chewable baby toys would be banned in California under a bill before an Assembly committee this week. The piece of Legislation to be heard by Committee Tuesday written by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, D-San Francisco, would require that all toys or child care products sold for children under 3 be free of six types of phthalates, a chemical used to soften and smooth plastics

Yesterday around 2:45 pm the Amador County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call from the relative of a distraught man stating that he had a gun and was going to kill his family. The Sheriff’s Department responded to the address of 15732 Butte Mountain Rd. in Jackson in force. Upon arrival on scene the Sheriff’s Department observed the man in jeans and a denim shirt that had a hand gun in his hand. The man, after looking like he was going to return to one of the two residences located on the property, turned and toward the deputies. Witnesses on scene stated that they heard one shot and then several more fired in return. Although we are expecting a media release from Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan later this morning, Under Sheriff James Wegner has stated that the shooting was officers involved and that no officers were hurt. The suspect was shot in the abdomen and hip. The man was identified as Stephen Schumann Sr. of Jackson. Schumann was airlifted after sustaining the gunshot wounds to Sutter Roseville hospital where he is being treated for his injuries.

Investigators of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) have cited two clerks for selling alcohol to minors on April 29, 2007. The clerks are employed at the One Stop Market on Hwy 88 in Pine Grove and the Flying V on Jackson Rd in Sacramento County. The actions were the result of a minor decoy operation in which minors under the direct supervision of department investigators, attempted to purchase alcohol from 12 retail licensees in the counties of Sacramento and Amador. Those who sold to the minor face a minimum fine of $250, and/or 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation.  In addition, ABC will take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business.  That may include a fine, a suspension of the license, or the permanent revocation of the license.