Even though it lacks any sort of drive-up window, Papa Murphy’s in Jackson got an unexpected drive-through customer on Friday morning. The driver of a car lost control and lurched onto the sidewalk, crashing through the front window of the store. Despite the obvious cosmetic damage, the store did not recieve any structural damage. There was significant damage to the front end of the vehicle. At the time of this report, it still remains unclear why the driver lost control of the vehicle.

Some local residents say traveling on holiday weekends has lost some of its allure, so they're staying close to home. This is in line with the latest AAA of Northern California report, which found that fewer Californians than last year will travel over the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. Record-high gas prices are partially to blame for what is expected to be an overall decrease of 0.1 percent over last year's travel numbers, a spokesman for AAA said. Experts suggest the weakened dollar may be among the reasons travel may be down this year, though millions of Americans will be heading out of town next weekend, anyway, AAA reports. More than 4.6 million Californians are expected to travel 50 miles or more this Memorial Day weekend in the first overall decline in Memorial Day travel since 2002.

Local Businessman Stan Lukowicz was awarded the Amador District Boy Scouts of America’s highest award- the District Award of Merit, at the American Legion Hall in Sutter Creek. Stan is a long time resident of Amador County and is involved in many community and civic organizations. He said that for him, scouting made all the difference as a poor young man growing up in South Texas. This award is the highest honor that can be awarded at the local District level. Many local Boy Scout leaders from the Amador Community were in attendance. Also awarded the District Award of Merit was Lou Stewart. Lou lives in Ione and is a long time scout leader. The Amador Cub Scout of the Year was awarded to Owen Fritz of Jackson Cub Pack 78,and two Boy Scouts of the Year awards went to Patrick Lindecker of Pioneer Troop 888 and Jason McCleery of Sutter Creek Venture Crew 63. The Amador District Boy Scouts of America seeks to build strong, dedicated young people by offering a program that focuses on citizenship and ethics, combined with a great outdoors experience. For more information on these programs Call Jim Duncan 274-2980 or Tom Harris 295-2343.

At Monday’s Administration Committee meeting, County Assessor Jim Rooney presented a proposal to amend an Ordinance for Reassessment of “Substantially Destroyed Property”. The Ordinance addresses property that has lost value as a result of misfortune or calamity through no fault of the owner. Updates to this ordinance primarily address the minimum dollar amount of damages and the period in which to apply for reassessment of taxes. These changes will bring the county into compliance with the State Revenue and Taxation Code. Currently, reassessments of taxable property with a minimum of 5,000 dollars worth of damage must be done within two weeks of the initial damage. The new minimum is set at 10,000 dollars with a 6 month filing period. The suggested changes were approved by Supervisor Forster. The resolution will be voted on by the Board of Supervisors.

Jackson City Council will appoint a new planning commissioner at its regularly scheduled meeting tonight. The City Council invited Jackson residents to apply for the open seat after the appointment of commissioner Wayne Garibaldi to the City Council left an opening on the planning board. Kathryn Devlin was the only applicant for the job. She is co-owner of New York Fitness in Jackson, has been active with the Kennedy Mine Foundation and is a member of the Amador Community Foundation Board of Directors.

The Amador County School Board quickly and unanimously rejected the Buena Vista Rancheria Casino proposal at its February 6 meeting, urging the CountyBoard of Supervisors to continue arbitration. Trustees noted that the casino’s commitments to Amador Country were minimal at best. Board member David Dutra says the offer to schools was a “slap in the face”, arguing that it consisted of the minimal amount owed through the current commercial developer fees. The board acknowledged that the battle to prevent the casino is a difficult one and the cost of doing so falls on the Amador County Administration and Supervisors. It was suggested by School Superintendent Mike Carey that a county-wide referendum could offset the county’s expenses. However, such a vote of the people might not be timely enough, as the casino decision could go to a state-appointed arbitrator shortly. In such a case, the arbitrator’s decision would be final.

 

Today on TSPN news we’re continuing a series looking at what’s on the February 5th Presidential Primary Ballot – today we take a look at Propositions 94 though 97 – these propositions are actually referenda Indian Gaming Compacts placed on the ballot by opponents of the compacts.

Amador County’s teens are using drugs and alcohol at much higher rates than other teens in the Capitol region – that’s according to a study that looked at health issues in a nine-county area. Nearly 75 percent of 11th graders said they had used drugs or alcohol in their “lifetime” – that’s 8 percent higher than the state average. Even more alarming are the statistics for 7th grade students. 13 percent of Amador County’s 7th graders reported being high on drugs at least once and 7 percent said they’d been high at least 7 times. One-fifth said they’d been offered drugs on their junior high school campus at least once in the last year.

A Jackson PG&E lineman was killed Friday near Cool in El Dorado County. Felipe Chavez, 31, of Stockton was working to repair a storm-damaged power line when he was electrocuted at about 1:45 pm on Friday. Chavez died at the scene, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s office. The Jackson crew was working in El Dorado County to help with repairs there when the accident occurred. Chavez’ father-in-law was a long-time member of the Jackson PG&E crew before he retired. Chavez’ mother is also a retired PG&E employee and Chavez’ wife Shallene is currently employed with the utility company. PG&E spokesman Jon Tremaine said that the family’s many ties to PG&E make this tragedy especially emotional for everyone at PG&E. A trust fund has been set up for Chavez’s wife and 2 young children – donations to the Felipe Chavez Memorial Fund will be accepted at any Wells Fargo Bank.

Tonight, Jackson City Council will choose a new city council member to fill the council seat left vacant when Drew Stidger resigned from the council at the end of the year. Applicants for the job sent letters of interest to the council and seven made presentations on their qualifications at a special meeting last Monday night. The candidates are Jim Laughton, Dave Butow, Wayne Garibaldi, Judith Jebian, Kam Merzlak, Marilyn Lewis, and Keith Sweet. The council will vote on Stidger’s replacement at the beginning of its regular meeting tonight and the new council member will begin serving immediately upon appointment. Jackson City Council will also select Committee members for new Water and Sewer Rate Study Committee and the Oro De Amador Planning Committees. Jackson City Council meets at 7 pm tonight at Jackson City Hall.