Also at the city council meeting, a public hearing was conducted regarding eminent domain actions for the Evitt access agreement. The city of Plymouth and the Amador Water Agency have agreed to build a water pipeline to bring safe treated water from the Tanner Reservoir to the city. The pipeline will be owned and operated by the Amador Water Agency. Once the pipeline is installed, the city will be able to meet its current water demands and provide water for the projected growth in local population. However, Plymouth must acquire an eminent domain easement outlining the Evitt Property for the shortest, fastest, access route in which to build a pipeline. So far, the Evitt property is the only land deemed safe for the current project. Mayor Jon Colburn has been publicly opposed to the project. The resolution passed, though Mayor Colburn stated that his approval of the resolution did not change his stance on the project itself.

Some locals may be wondering if they were the only ones who witnessed an Unidentified Flying Object passing through the night sky this weekend. Residents of Jackson and Amador City reported seeing a large bright object that was neither a satellite nor a planet. Not to fear – it wasn’t alien -- it was American.  The sun was reflecting off the space shuttle Atlantis while it disembarked from the International Space Station. Atlantis undocked from the InternationalKennedy Space Center tomorrow. The Atlantis mission began February 7 and delivered the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory to the space station. The mission also included three spacewalks, the delivery of a new crewmember to the station and the return of another astronaut after his nearly four month stay aboard the complex. Space Station at 1:24 a.m. Monday, ending its almost-nine-day stay at the orbital outpost. The Atlantis crew is expected to complete its 13-day mission with a landing at NASA's

The Amador County Fair held a Swine Seminar to educate children and professionals on various swine raising and breeding techniques last Sunday. Dr. John Hensen of Fresno State University presented information on swine, including improving the quality of pork sold at the junior livestock auction. A new swine judge was announced and introduced. The event was held in the Spur Auditorium on the Amador County Fairgrounds. For more information about the presentation or the new swine judge, call 209-245-6921.

TSPN has received reports of a serious accident that occurred yesterday afternoon west of Toyon Road in Pine Grove. There was a car fire and serious injury. We will keep you updated as we gather the details from our reporters in the field. Stay tuned to our noon broadcast to get the complete story…

Amador County has been experiencing an unusual winter spell of warm days, cool evenings, clear skies, and little wind. But not for long - forecasters have been observing a change. Last night, Amador County saw wind gusts as high as 26 miles per hour in some areas. The night before was the same, with high winds gusting across the lower foothills. In Sacramento last night, erratic winds knocked down power lines, caused power outages and knocked down trees. Driving was dangerous for thousands of rush hour commuters in the morning hours. Wind-related accidents were reported across the Central Valley. Although the immediate forecast doesn’t call for it, more unpredictable winds should be anticipated in the coming week.

The community of Buena Vista had their say last night at the second workshop held by the Board of Supervisors about the proposed Buena Vista Rancheria Casino. It was standing room only where over one hundred attendees from the communities of Buena Vista, Ione, Camanche and surrounding areas packed The Oaks Mobile Home Park Community Center. The public’s main concerns were the increase of traffic on the small, winding roads leading to and from the proposed casino, water and wastewater issues, as well as the legitimacy of the Buena Vista tribe.

A former Amador County convict was arrested this week in San Luis Obispo. Prosecutors filed murder charges Wednesday against Freddie Joe Lewis, 54, who was sentenced in 1994 in Amador County to six years in prison for committing a lewd act on a child. He is accused of killing 59-year-old Sharon Ostman who was found beaten three years ago in a downtown creek in San Luis Obispo. Lewis was charged with murder, sexual penetration with a foreign object and being a habitual sex offender, according to the city’s Chief Deputy District Attorney. 

The California Highway Patrol reported two new accidents yesterday evening – one of them fatal. The fatal accident occurred around 5:50pm in Pine Grove. Jerry Hudson, a resident of Fair Oaks, was driving a 2007 Harley east bound on Pine Grove Volcano Road at an unknown speed and failed to negotiate a curve. He crossed the westbound lane and ran off the road. Hudson struck a dirt embankment and was ejected from the vehicle. Another accident occurred on Jackson Valley Road. The subject failed to negotiate a turn in the roadway and traveled onto the shoulder, striking a fence. No injuries were reported.

The board of ACRA (Amador County Recreation Agency) adopted a strategic board plan prepared by Executive Director Tracy Towner-Yep with the assistance of Community Foundation Executive Director Shannon Lowery. The organizations three planned goals: Stabilizing Funding, Maintaining the quantity of programs while continuing to improve there quality, and beginning  the planning process for the newly acquired Volcano Communications Park and the Molly Joyce Park.