As part of their regularly scheduled training, fire fighters last week burned down two houses and a barn in Jackson. Although the activities could be seen as contradictory, the drill gives the firefighters valuable training skills for dealing with live fires. The purpose of the drill went far beyond just extinguishing the flames. Firefighters had to strategically position themselves between the burning structures and surrounding residences, and were careful no to let the blaze escape to dry cattle land nearby.

The burnings were supervised by the Jackson Fire Department. Training extended to member of the Jackson, Sutter Creek, Ione, and Lockwood Districts, as well as Cal Fire’s District 10. According to the Ione Fire Department, the structures were donated by a man who had trouble renting them and wanted to use the property for other purposes. The owner felt that donating the deteriorating structures would be in both parties best interest. Because there were no worries about sparing the structures and emphasis was on observing the evolution of a burn, fires were purposely lit to affect the structures in a particular way. Jackson Fire Chief Mark Morton considers training a top priority. Training with live fire is  a vital component of the all-volunteer fire departments already rigorous training schedule.

Despite a record-dry month and unpredictable weather, April was a cruel month for California winemakers, bringing a series of unusually late frosts to vineyards baring the tender, green shoots of spring. The damage is still being assessed—it could be June before growers know the full extent—but most expect smaller-than-average harvests this year. The cold snap's immediate effects can be seen in some vineyards, where leaves that normally would be fluttering pale green in spring breezes are curled up brittle as December leaves. The long-term consequences are less certain.

Vines that survived the cold should produce normal fruit and quality shouldn't be affected, although growers may have to make some adjustments in how they maintain the vines, said Jim Regusci, president of Napa-based Regusci Vineyard Management. Even damaged vines may produce secondary buds that will yield fruit. The frosts hit all over Northern California, including Amador County, the Napa Valley and Sonoma County regions. Damage was spotty, a. Predictions of a small harvest come after two years of relatively normal-sized crops, which had helped to alleviate a grape glut, disappointing to growers who were hoping to get good prices. SanJoseMerc contributed. hallmark of frost, with some vineyards singed in only in a few corners. Sinking temperatures dragged growers out of bed as frost alarms on vineyard thermometers went off. Although a little frost isn't unusual, the cold snap that lasted 20 or more nights in some places was a first for many vintners. Another unknown is what the frost may have done to next year's crop—since vines are perennial, the area on the vine where buds for the 2009 harvest would form may have been damaged

Local law enforcement is on the lookout for a bank robber caught on tape while robbing a Bank in Lodi. The robbery occurred at 1:43 pm in a Bank of America at 700 West Kettleman Lane last Wednesday. The black male suspect demanded an undisclosed amount of money before leaving in a white sedan. No further information is being released at this time. If you have any information you feel may help the investigation, contact Officer Schaeffer in Lodi at 209-329-4897.

A survey finds the national average price for regular gasoline rose about 15 cents in the last two weeks. The Lundberg Survey of 7,000 stations nationwide found the average price of self-serve regular gasoline was 3.62 dollars a gallon. Regular gasoline is up 55 cents since the start of 2008. AAA Texas reports gasoline averaged 3.53 dollars in the group's latest weekly survey in the Lone StarState. Across California, the statewide average for a gallon of regular was 3.90, mid-grade was at 4.01 and premium at 4.11 as of Friday. In Camanche, prices reached a jaw-dropping 4.10 dollars per gallon, while residents of Pine Grove reported a local high of 4.08 dollars. 

In response to the growing popularity of on-line bill pay services, the City of Jackson is launching a new service for its water and sewer customers.  Beginning Wednesday, May 7, customers will have the ability to pay their water and sewer bills through the City’s web site:  http://ci.jackson.ca.us.  Look for the On-line Water/Sewer Bill payments link and you will be directed to the payment center area. Payments can be made either by credit card, debit card or through a checking account.  Transaction fees will apply for use of the new service.  In addition to the bill pay service, customers can view their monthly water use and payment history for the past five years.  When going on-line to view history or pay a bill, customers will need the account number and route number printed on the bill.  For more information or to ask questions about this new service, please contact City Hall at 223-1646.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the Board of Supervisors made clear their position on a new bill amending the California Penal Code to define trespass on tribal lands. Senate Bill 331 seems to contradict legislation implemented after the court case Tillie Hardwick vs. the United States, which created a intermingling of private and trust properties where boundaries, right-of-ways, and infrastructure are often ambiguous. In a letter from the Siskiyou Board of Supervisors, Chairman W. R. Overman warned against the “potentially devastating” effects of SB 331.

“The ambiguities of (Tillie Hardwick) currently create frictions and lead to unrest within the Indian country. The plain language of SB 331 will provoke further unrest and exacerbate already difficult jurisdiction issues.” These potential issues include additional burdens for the criminal justice system, an interference with free enjoyment of private property held in fee by non-Indian and non-tribal member Indian owners, as well as removing long time tribal residents from their homes. The Board of Supervisors tended to agree. “What this bill would do is essentially involve our Sheriff’s office in tribal matters,” said City Counsel Martha Shaver. “Do we want to be involved in what are essentially tribal disputes?” The Board agreed with Overman that the new bill should contemplate such side-effects, and thus should be re-written to achieve its objectives without adversely affecting the unique character of Tillie Hardwick lands. The Board voted unanimously to send a letter of opposition to state legislators encouraging them to defeat this bill.

A special addendum to Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors agenda proved to be the most debated issue of the meeting. The add-on proposed consideration of a letter questioning the current involvement of Peter Tateishi, Spokesman for the Ione Band of Miwok Indians, at recent events for Congressman Dan Lungren. “This would not be such a big issue if Tateishi were not privy to such information given to him in private time with the Congressman,” said Supervisor Louis Boitano, alluding to the long local controversy over the proposed Plymouth Casino and Tateishi’s past working relationship with the Lungren. “We don’t want to anger our Congressman, but it doesn’t seem he is too concerned with angering us,” said Supervisor Richard Forster. A visibly upset Maria Nunez told the Board they had no right to speculate about Tateishi’s motives and that anyone should be allowed to volunteer at such an event with a former employer.

Local Republican Committee leader Jim Rooney said he was present at Lungren’s recent congressional fundraising event and believes Tateishi’s motives were innocent. Nevertheless, he also believes the Board has an obligation to say something to Lungren. “They called yesterday and said they were a little stunned to see this on the agenda. You have their ear right now,” said Rooney. The Board decided to determine the likelihood of a face to face meeting with Lungren or his representatives before signing a letter.

The US Army Corps of Engineers has begun a two year environmental study on a proposed project to increase the depth of the channel linking the Port of Stockton to the San Francisco Bay. The study will examine the environmental impacts of raising the shallowest portions of the channel by 2 to 5 feet. This seemingly small increase in the depth of the channel will allow more goods to be transported by ship in and out of Central California, including exports of produce and wine. This move could potentially eliminate up to 900 trucks on area roads per ship. Earlier this month, the California Transportation Commission, or Caltrans, approved 3.1 billion dollars of Proposition 1B funding for commercial transportation projects.

The funding approved included 17.5 million dollars for the Port of Stockton study, and the Army Corps of Engineers will fund the remainder of the 141 million dollars budgeted for the environmental review. The study will specifically investigate whether an increase in channel depth will negatively impact levees, as well as intrusion of saltwater into fresh water supply. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger commended Caltrans for their efforts, stating, “The CTC has done a great job in getting this money out so we can rebuild our state and boost our economy just like our voters expected and deserved when they passed our infrastructure bonds in 2006.

Today’s funding will be used to improve the flow of goods, reduce congestion and improve air quality.” However, critics of the spending approval, including State Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunes of Los Angeles, feel that Northern California, and specifically the Port of Stockton, received more than its fair share of the funding. Caltrans did approve 1.65 billion dollars for improvements to the corridors leading to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, but Nunes stated that he felt the area should have received more than 54% of the total 3.1 billion dollar Trade Corridor Improvement Fund.

Beginning May 18th, keep your eyes open for the Jackson Farmer’s Market, to be located at the western end of the Busi Municipal Parking Lot from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm on Sundays. Jackson City Council approved an agreement with the City and the Amador Farmers Market Association, which was unanimously commended by both audience members and council members alike. Sean Kritellich spoke on behalf of the Amador Farmers Market Association, stating that the market “is an opportunity to strengthen the community” and should provide a “more sustainable economy in regards to rising food and gasoline costs.”

The council also heard from Michael Phalan, President of the Main Street Theatre Works, requesting the deferral of building permit fees owed to the city. The fees total roughly 42-hundred dollars, for the construction of the new Customer Service Center at the Kennedy Mine Amphitheatre. In a letter to the Council, Phalan explained that “all of our funding efforts today have gone toward making the building operational. We are not currently in the best position to pay the funds still owed.” Mr. Phalan indicated that the best foreseeable option would be a payment of 5-hundred dollars per year for an eight year period. However, during council discussion another option was presented which was to pay the fees using Measure E funds.

Health and Human Services representatives have released new statistic indicating a local rise in reportable diseases, as well as stressing the importance of prevention measures. Confirmed disease numbers jumped from 57 in 2004 to approximately 100 in 2007. The types of disease and resulting outbreaks varied from year to year. Reportable diseases can include anything from Mushroom Poisoning to West Nile Virus to Syphilis to Pertussis. One representative says that pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is preventable because it has a vaccine. She urges adults to get themselves vaccinated against all preventable diseases.