Could there be a link between the increasing numbers of children diagnosed with autism and some pesticides used to control insects? According to The California Department of Public Health a new study suggests there is a possible link between some pesticide exposures and autism.

This morning a search was begun for an Ione man after he was reported missing. According to Ione Police Chief Bob Olson, the man identified as an Ione resident was reported missing by family members. The search was initially centered in the general Ione area and was then narrowed to the Howard Park area after the discovery of the missing man’s car near the Park. The search will be continuing this afternoon with the Amador county Sheriff’s Department sending deputies on ATV’s.(

Friday afternoon Fire authorities were hopping from Jackson to Plymouth when two fires broke out within an hour of each other. The first fire was reported around 3:30 pm near Blue Sky Drive on Hwy 88 in between Ione and Jackson. Two air tankers, two helicopters and several engines from CalFire, Jackson and Jackson Valley Fire, as well as hand crews from the Pine Grove Camp, all responded to the incident. Hwy 88 was closed from Hwy 49 in Jackson and Sutter Creek to Hwy 104 in Ione while firefighters got the upper hand on the blaze. The highway reopened about 4:30 pm. The fire burned a total of 19 acres and had fire crews occupied until late into the night. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The new homes for some Amador County offices are now taking shape as the walls are now up. Amador County Health and Human Services Administration, Behavioral Health (Mental Health/Alcohol & Drug Prevention), Public Health, Child Protective Services, Emergency Medical Services, Social Services , including Work Services, Tobacco Reduction, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), and the Amador County Public Authority will all move to the 49,228 square foot building when it is completed. The building located on Lower Ridge Rd. will have 201 parking spaces and is being built to suit by Catlin Development for the county. The county will then lease the building from Catlin

Last Thursday the Amador Water Agency Board of Directors discussed the Golden Eagle Resources Annexation to the CAWP Retail District. Manger of Engineering and Planning Gene Mancebo reported to the Board the Golden Eagle Resources requested annexation of a property, located on Tiger Creek Road, to the CAWP retail Water Improvement District for one equivalent dwelling unit or EDU, which is used to describe the water necessary for a single family home.

On Monday night the Jackson City Council held a public hearing for the Community Development Block Grant Program. City Manager Mike Daly explained that the program, also known as CDBG, provides income that is used to support housing rehabilitation activities. The City generates income by previous CDBG housing rehabilitation loans being paid back by the borrower. The borrower must meet specifically targeted income guidelines before they can be approved for the loan.

A Free Workshop is being offered by the Amador county Child Abuse Prevention Council on Internet Safety for Kids & Adults. It will be presented at the Camanche Lake Community Center on Thursday, August 9th from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. The workshop is geared to elementary aged kids and their parents and guardians. Topics include safety tips for passwords, screen names and online profiles, what to do if an inappropriate message is received, how online predators work, cyber bullying, and more. The workshop is presented free of charge by the Amador County Child Abuse Prevention Council.

A USDA Rural Development grant will now allow a neighboring community to create jobs while reducing fire risks. Faced with above average unemployment rates and excess forest fuels, the Calaveras Healthy Impact Product Solutions (CHIPS) Project aims to resolve these issues by reinvigorating the formerly thriving timber based economy in Calaveras County. With the help of a $96,500 Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) from USDA Rural Development, the CHIPS Project will turn brush and small-diameter timber into usable wood products, including wood chips and mulch, creating jobs and reducing forest fuel loads in the process.  Yesterday, USDA Rural Development State Director Ben Higgins and Congressman Dan Lungren presented leaders of the CHIPS Project with a check for the RBEG funds at the West Point Community Hall.