As the temperature outside drops, Amador County families take to the indoors to keep safe and warm. What they may not realize is that turning up the heat can increase the risk of home heating fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly half of all home-heating fires occur during the winter months. Research shows that heating equipment was involved in 62,200 reported U.S. home structure fires in 2005, with associated losses of 670 civilian deaths, 1,550 civilian injuries, and $909 million in direct property damage.

The public is invited to comment on the creation of energy corridors on public lands. The Energy Policy Act designates corridors for electricity, oil, natural gas, and hydrogen transmission lines and pipe lines in the 11 Western states. The Energy Policy Act also takes into account a need for upgraded and new electricity transmission lines and distribution facilities to improve reliability and relieve congestion in the national electrical grid. On federally managed lands, designated corridors would be the preferred locations for new transmission and pipe lines.

Gas prices across the United States have decreased since last month and natural gas bills for PG&E residential customers are forecast to be 7 percent lower this January, compared to January 2007, with total average gas bills expected to be $97.64 for the month. The price decrease is driven by lower natural gas costs and a projected drop in the amount of gas being used by customers. Even though bills are expected to be lower than last year, cold January temperatures typically result in very high natural gas usage, meaning energy efficiency and conservation are still important. Turning down your thermostat by just one or two degrees and installing weather stripping are two easy ways to save on your winter heating bills. PG&E offers several options to manage your winter energy costs including rebates on efficient equipment and a 10/20 Plus Winter Gas Savings program. More information is available at www.pge.com/winter. A forecast of PG&E natural gas rates and bills over the next year is also available at www.pge.com/tariffs.

Amador County, along with the rest of Northern California, is still cleaning up the mess left by the powerful storm that hit the area Friday. The unusually high winds blew shingles of off of roofs, lifted the metal roof off of a winery on Ridge Road and blew trees and light poles onto homes and cars.

A new Ione Police Chief will be sworn in tonight. Michael L. Johnson and K-9 officer Hawk will officially join the Ione Police Department when they are sworn in by the Ione City Council tonight at their regular council meeting. Johnson was one of 23 candidates for the job and was selected from six applicants who made it as far as the interview process. Johnson was recommended by Ione City Manager Kim Kerr, who worked with Johnson in her previous position in Eureka.

What to do about revitalizing Jackson’s historic commercial district will be the topic of a special Jackson City Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday evening. Historic Jackson Business Association spokesperson Toni Fancher said HJBA merchants asked the city for the workshop to start working on a vision for historic Jackson that would be shared by city government and merchants alike. Jackson business owners and all other citizens are invited to attend and share their ideas for economic development within the City of Jackson.

California is at odds with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from cars, and has filed suit in the 9th Circuit Court to overturn the EPA decision denying a waiver to enforce state regulations. Governor Schwarzenegger issued the following statement: "It is unconscionable that the federal government is keeping California and nineteen other states from adopting these standards. They are ignoring the will of millions of people who want their government to take action in the fight against global warming ..." Under the Federal Clean Air Act, California has the right to set its own tougher-than-federal vehicle emission standards, as long as it obtains a waiver from the U.S. EPA.

A single car accident occurred when driver left the Jackson Rancheria Casino on Thursday evening. According to the California Highway Patrol, the driver of a 2008 Dodge from North Highlands failed to observe a stop sign and curve in the road in the road. The driver slammed on his brakes and skidded across Bingo Road into a ditch. The man sustained moderate injuries to the knee and ear. No arrest was made.

In final gestures for the year of 2007, the Ione City Council at Tuesday night’s meeting approved the appointment of a new police chief, and put their stamp of approval on the development agreement with Ryland Homes, the developer of a 201 unit subdivision that will go in next year. Michael L Johnson will be Ione’s new chief of police, starting December 28th. Johnson was chosen after the city conducted a nationwide search, and reviewed 23 applications. Johnson, currently a sergeant with the Eureka police department, comes to Ione with 12 years experience on the Eureka force.