Drug use and drug-related crime is at an all time high in Amador County and the county has one of the worse drug-related crime rates in the state, especially for methamphetamines, says Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe. To combat drug related crimes, the largest joint agency task force this county has seen will officially start November 1st. The ACCNET (Amador County Combined Narcotics Enforcement Team) had its first working meeting Monday, October 15 at Mel’s Diner in Jackson. Agencies involved in this task force include all local police departments, the Sheriff’s department, State Department of Justice, California Highway Patrol, the Attorney General’s office, Child Protective Services and Mule Creek State Prison.

The Sutter Creek Planning Commission met last night with a short agenda focused on a monster subject: City Growth. The commission discussed possible amendments to the current subdivision ordinance, rejecting a proposed change in wording that specified that developers shall be allowed to construct long, narrow “flight lots,” which often containing 3 or more residences, without Planning Commission review. The commission concurred that, given the irregular topography of Sutter Creek, flight lots are often an efficient and suitable option for developers, though developers often prefer flight lots regardless of lot dimensions because they are a cheap option. 

According to Amador County Public Works Dept., inspectors will be out checking job sites this week to make sure that the October 15 deadline has been met for erosion control. Erosion control measures must be in place if you have disturbed soil on your property from any type of grading or construction, including construction of septic systems and wells. County ordinance defines October 15 through May 1 as the rainy season -- and earth grading or disturbed soils are particularly vulnerable to erosion when it rains. You may conduct grading during the official rainy season, but during that time, you are required to install special protective measures to minimize damage. Ways to prevent construction site erosion include covering piles of soil, seeding, straw mulching, hay bales, and straw wattles – those rolls of chopped straw you often see on construction sites. Officials are most concerned about muddy water going into any drainage, creek (seasonal or not), roads, or adjacent properties. If you have any questions about erosion on your property, call the Public Works Department at 223-6429. According to Public Works Administrative Assistant Sharon Murphy, inspectors are happy to visit your site and offer guidance on best practices.

Murder, poisoning, and a Wells Fargo Bank stage coach shoot-out are some of the spooky tales you’ll hear on the annual Haunted History tour of Jackson Cemetery. This year’s tour is on Saturday evening, October 27, at 6:30 pm. Argonaut High School Drama Teacher Melinda Rosselli designed the Halloween-y tour three years ago to involve students in history and street theater. Stopping at famous and infamous gravesites, students recreate prominent Jackson figures who were buried at these sites. The event is a joint effort to support the Argonaut High School Leadership and Drama programs. Price of the Tour is $5.00. The tour starts at Fantossi Model Works across from the Jackson cemetery entrance on Church Street. There will be lighted paths at the cemetery, but it is suggested that you bring a flashlight. If you don’t have one, they can be purchased at the cemetery.  Because of the nature of the re-enactments, the Haunted History Tour may be too scary for very young children. For more information, call Argonaut High School at 257-7700.

A logging project made a drastic turn for the worst on Thursday when a worker was fatally injured. According to the Amador County Sherriff’s Office, on Thursday October 11, 2007 at approximately 11:30 am, the Sheriff’s Office received an Emergency 911 call reporting that an individual working at a logging job site had been injured.  Amador County Sheriff’s Office, American Legion Ambulance Service, Cal Fire and Lockwood Fire Department personnel all responded to the scene of the accident, which was on a logging road several miles east of Volcano and approximately one mile north of Shakeridge Road. 

Local fire crews were called to assist San Joaquin crews on Sunday at approximately 1:30pm when a vegetation fire was reported on East Liberty Road across from North Mackville Road. Initially Battalion Chief Dennis Tremelling along with Sutter Creek and Zion Fire as well as Pine Grove Camp crews were all dispatched to the scene, but a short time later Zion Fire Crews were cancelled. According to Camino Dispatch the fire started alongside the road and jumped into a series of 4 fires. Crews acted fast and had the fire contained just 15 minutes later at approximately 4 acres. Crews remained on scene into the evening hours mopping up and watching for hot spots. Camino Dispatch also reported that fire investigators responded to the scene in order to pin point the cause of the fire.

On a lighter note this weekend was full of activities for Amador County residents and tourist alike, and two of those events drawing a great crowd included the Sutter Amador Health Festival and the Sutter Creek Organ Music Event. A little rain and gray weather couldn’t keep participants away from this year’s Health Festival which kicked off on Friday Oct. 12. The big event also included the beginning of the Amador County Public Health Department’s fight against the fall flu. The focus of the event included information about the services that Sutter Amador offers, Safe Kids car seat check and a Walking Path Challenge. Child Passenger Safety Technicians were on hand to inspect car seats and determine if they had been recalled, were the wrong size or had been improperly installed.

The Jackson Planning Commission will be holding two public hearings tonight regarding lot splits. The first proposal is by Sandy Nurse on the behalf of Sierra Foothill Labs. The applicant is proposing to divide the 2.8 acre lot located at 255 Scottsville Drive into two smaller lots, with one 49,169 square feet and the other 41,426 square feet. The existing site is currently the home of the Sierra Foothill Labs laboratory facility.

 

The Amador Water Agency has continued to work towards finding solutions to meet the water needs of the Lake Camanche Village. Recently their efforts stepped up when the Agency learned last year that a well’s production had plummeted to below 50 percent of production. The Agency reacted quickly in conjunction with the Department of Health Services and pursued the necessary steps to drill a new well. In September that well was constructed and found to produce approximately 350 gallons per minute.