It’s just a matter of time say experts with West Nile Virus reports for dead birds now hitting both south and west of Amador County. So far Tuolumne, Calaveras, San Joaquin, and Sacramento County have all begin seeing increases in the number of bird deaths related to the mosquito borne virus. San Joaquin County has also reported a human case. This is also considered early in the year for some areas that have already begun reporting cases to the state department of health services.

According to homeland security adviser, Fran Townsend, the U.S. will indeed consider using military force in Iraq’s neighbor, Pakistan, if necessary to squash the ability of Al Qaeda's to use Pakistan to hide and launch terrorist attacks. Also endorsing this line of thinking is the Senate's top Democrat endorsed that approach. According to Townsend,  the U.S. is committed first and foremost to working with Pakistan's president, Pervez Musharraf, in his efforts to control militants in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region. But she indicated the U.S. was ready to take additional measures.

Yesterday at 11:08am emergency crews responded to reports of a boat fire that had sparked a wild land fire at Blue Oak Campground at Camanche Lake. Upon emergency crews arrival it was learned that the fire had been confined to the boat and one person was injured. Fire crews reacted immediately to put out the boat fire while emergency crews tended to the injured person. The person’s injuries were reported as being related to the boat fire were minor, and they were transported to SAH. Sheriff’s Deputies had the boated pulled onto the shore so that the cause of the fire could be investigated further.

A special joint meeting between the Sutter Creek City Council and the Sutter Creek Planning Commission was held Monday night, at the Sutter Creek Auditorium.

Jackson Planning Commissioner Warren Carlton said his final goodbyes Monday night to the City Council as they honored him with a resolution for his 6 years of service. Mayor Drew Stidger read the resolution out loud and then presented it to Carlton who thanked the citizens of Jackson for their support and continued involvement in City issues he commended them on their involvement. The audience responded with a standing ovation as Carlton took his seat. Also to appear on the agenda was the Councils review of the controversial Jackson Hills Project.

Around 10:35am yesterday morning the intersection of Main Street and Hwy. 49 became a slippery scene when a big rig began to leak fluid. According to the Jackson Police Officer on scene, Chris Rice, a towing big rig traveling through the intersection had apparently punctured their oil pan causing a spill. The City of Jackson immediately informed Cal Trans and Jackson public works responded closing the southbound number one lane.  But before public works arrival a semi reportedly entering the intersection drove through the spill and was unable to stop sliding through the intersection. It was also another near miss when this geo metro almost impacted the rear of a Buick stopped in the turn lane at the intersection. Caltrans arrived a short time later and began shoveling sand onto the intersection to prevent any accidents

The Sutter Creek Planning Commission met Monday night despite the fact that the Community Center was without power. The agenda items were cut short as two public hearings were removed at the request of the applicants, leaving the Tentative Parcel Map No. 2639 for Les Brusatori the sole action item. Commissioner Robin Peters stated he had a confliction of interest and stepped outside during this agenda item.

Local fire crews were hopping yesterday with a reported 4 fires throughout the county. The first to be reported was a fire at 4600 Jackson Valley Road yesterday morning. The fire, while first reported at 3 acres, spread to 11 acres in size. The fire did not threaten any structures.

Jackson City Manager Mike Daly made a presentation to the Council on Monday regarding the AWA’s proposed rate increase and the impact it will have on the City’s budget. The AWA’s Financial Plan and Water Rate Study proposes an initial 22% increase and then, in addition, an average increase of 12% for the next 3 consecutive years. The City historically has received increases from the AWA ranging between 3-7%. The last time the City passed on some of those increases was a 4 percent increase in September of 2004. An ad-hoc committee consisting of Council members RosaLee Pryor-Escamilla and Al Nunes was formed to discuss the City’s concerns regarding the study.