The Amador County Sheriff’s Department is seeking a fugitive suspect charged with the attempted murder of a gun shot victim who staggered into the Sutter Amador Hospital emergency room early last week. On July 7, 2008 at approximately 1 am, Jackson Police Officers were dispatched to the hospital and determined that the shooting had taken place somewhere in the unincorporated area of the county.  Amador County Sheriff’s Deputies responded and began the investigation. The thirty year old male victim, a resident of Pine Grove, reported that he and a friend had gone to a residence at 17801 Redberry Lane in Pine Grove, where until recently he and his wife had been tenants.

The victim reported that upon entry into the residence his wife’s new boyfriend shot him three times with a short barreled shotgun.  The victim identified the shooter as Josh Walker.  The victim said he was able to exit the residence at which time his friend drove him to and dropped him off at Sutter Amador Hospital. The victim was subsequently transported to Sutter Roseville Hospital for treatment. Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the residence at 17801 Redberry Lane, in Pine Grove.  Upon arrival and after conducting an initial assessment of the residence, deputies observed a large quantity of blood and three expended shotgun shells. 

Investigators have also assessed numerous items of physical evidence and conducted supplemental interviews of the victim, witnesses and associates. The firearm used in the shooting has not yet been recovered. The suspect in the shooting has been identified as Joshua Cornell Walker, 23, a resident at 16626 Meadow Vista Drive in Pioneer.  Walker is wanted for attempted murder, felony possession of a firearm, and possession of an illegal firearm. In addition, there is currently a no bail warrant for Walker’s arrest for violation of parole. Anyone having information regarding this incident or the whereabouts of Joshua Cornell Walker is asked to call the Amador County Sheriff’s Office at 223-6500 or Amador County Secret Witness at 223-4900. 

A large crowd was in attendance for a ground breaking ceremony Thursday morning for the new Ione fire station. The event was hosted by Mayor Andrea Bonham, city council members Lee Ard, Skip Schaufel, Kim Kerr, and Fire Chief Ken Mackey. A significant crowd had gathered at 600 Preston Avenue to show support, including local residents, Ione police and fire personnel. The station is still currently in its design phase, and will not begin construction until at least August of this year. The station is scheduled to be completed in early 2009. According to city manager Kim Kerr, the design of the new fire house includes fire suppression sprinklers, a facility for waste oil, a trash collection site, and vinyl floor coverings. The Planning Commission is scheduled to make a decision regarding the fire station at their July 8th meeting, and the City Council has added the item to their agenda for their July 15th meeting. During the groundbreaking ceremony, an emotional Bonham addressed the crowd and expressed her gratitude to the community for all of its support and encouragement.  Chief Mackey also spoke to the audience saying, “it’s been a lot of hard work” and that “it’s time.” Councilmember Ard addressed the fire personnel present, saying that in his opinion, “you’re the best station going right now.”

Finally, CALFIRE spokesman and representative Tobie Edmonds would like to remind locals of the best way to contact CAL FIRE for the latest fire-related emergency information. Folks in Amador can call the Amador/El Dorado CALFIRE Recorded Fire Information Line at 530-647-5218. This recording will have the most recent updates. You can also visit the CALFIRE website at www.fire.ca.gov. The website has interactive links and a wide variety of maps that provide up-to-the-minute visuals of firefighter’s progress across the state and here in the foothills. You can also find this link through our website at www.tspntv.com.

In a press release late yesterday, the Amador County District Attorney’s Office announced that Kevin Daniel Barnett pled guilty to embezzlement and grand theft for criminal acts which occurred while Barnett served as the president of theSan Joaquin. In April 2007, MLYAC board members suspected something was wrong with the organization’s finances after receiving a cancellation notice for their liability insurance, which covers the teams’ practices and games. They also received several calls from vendors inquiring about unpaid invoices. During a preliminary hearing, Dan McHoul, the current MLYAC president, testified he made contact with Barnett who said, “Dan, I need to talk to you. I took the money, the league money.” Doug Grey from the Jackson Police Department also testified about his investigation, which revealed 11 checks made out to cash by Barnett for a total of over 8,200 dollars. In addition to the checks were 24 ATM withdrawals and 9 debit card transactions. Grey testified that he spoke with Barnett in November 2007, and Barnett admitted the checks and ATM withdrawals were for Barnett’s personal use. Some transactions included payments to an automotive tire company and for Comcast cable service. Grey testified that Barnett told him he had “spent the money on other debt obligations.” The judgment and sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 22, 2008 in Amador County Superior Court. Mother Lode Youth Athletic Conference, or MLYAC. Barnett was a MLYAC board member for sixteen years and president for the past six years. The conference consists of eight football teams with players and cheerleaders ranging in age from 8 to 14 from the counties of Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, and a portion of

 

As another dangerous fire season approaches, the nation’s largest wild firefighting organization is beginning to prepare. The US Forest Service is seeking persons 18 or older to be a part of the Eldorado National Forest and Kirkwood region’s wild land fire fighting organization. “These are great summer jobs,” said Eldorado National Forest Fire Chief Bob Patton. “We’re not just offering a 40 hour work week, but we’re also offering adventure, excitement, and the possibility of building time toward a career.” Applicants must be U.S. citizens and be able to pass a fitness test called a “pack test”.