Staff Report - The California Fish and Game rescued 20,000 fish at Caples Lake and moved them to nearby Silver Lake and Red Lake. Wearing waders and carrying hand nets, 20 state Fish and Game employees braved the early morning chill and cold water to capture the fish Monday. Fish were then carted in water-laden buckets and trash cans across the lakebed and up the side of the main dam at the lake to waiting hatchery trucks. The fish were then transported to Silver and Red lakes. Brown, rainbow and Mackinaw trout were relocated to Silver Lake, while 300 captured brook trout were taken to Red Lake. In addition to the trout, numerous Sacramento suckers were also captured and moved. The fish ranged from one inch to 24 inches in length. The rescue took place in the area between a newly installed temporary “bladder” dam and the Caples Lake main dam. Fish and Game recruited a small number of volunteers to assist in carrying the buckets to the trucks and sorting the fish. Approximately 90 volunteers were on hand for the first rescue, which occurred over four days during the last week of August. For safety reasons, the number of volunteers for the second rescue was kept to a minimum. The muddy, low-water conditions prohibited the use of boats and required Fish and Game personnel to exercise extreme caution as they worked the area between the two dams. During the rescue, El Dorado Irrigation District dam operators slowly lowered the remaining water level between the two dams. The area is now almost completely dewatered and as it dries, crews are inspecting the lake bottom and readying it for repairs to the main dam outlet works. Fish and Game officials said that they will examine the lake behind the temporary dam early next week and determine whether a third rescue is feasible. The El Dorado Irrigation District’s Board of Directors declared an emergency on July 1 after a mid-June underwater investigation revealed major deterioration of the outlet works at the Caples Lake main dam. To access the areas that must be repaired and maintain a safe work environment, the water level in the reservoir had to be drawn down.

Staff Report - The Third Annual Kyle Metcalf Golf Tournament is Sunday September 28 at Mace Meadow Golf Course. The event includes a Barbecue and Raffle at Our Lady of the Pines. The tournament is a 4-person Scramble. Entry Fee is $85 and includes Greens Fees, a Golf Cart, a Barbecue Dinner and Entry for the Grand Prize Mystery Dinner & One night lodging on the Delta King Donated by Pat Thurin of Pioneer Travel. 8:30 a.m. is check and 9 a.m. is Tee Time. The Barbecue follows play, at 2 p.m. Tickets for the Barbecue $15. For pre-registration, donations for raffle prizes and hole sponsorship call Sara at 295-4980 or drop by Pioneer Travel in Pine Grove and talk to Pat.

By Jim Reece - Two area businesses recently relocated to the Highway 49 and 88 intersection across from the old Safeway building. Susie D’s Café & Bakery in business in San Andreas for 5 years, opened a location in the small mall of storefronts at the 49-88 Highway junction in Jackson. The bakery opened Monday, the first day of Fall, with two young people standing and waving signs at the intersection to draw in customers. Susie and Jim Deni are owners and operators. Susie said her husband, Jim, trained under Max Eggiman at Swiss Model Bakery on Main Street in Jackson. They opened the Jackson location and will also keep their bakery running in San Andreas. Susie D’s is open Monday through Saturday, 6:30 a.m. until their fresh pastries and baked goods are gone. Next door, Frank Senior and Frankie Junior have relocated their Frank’s Barber Shop to the mini mall storefront, also at the corner of Highways 49 and 88. Frank was at the location Monday and said they have been in business and cutting hair at Frank’s Barber Shop in Jackson for 15 years.

By Jim Reece - The Fiddler’s Jam brought music and at least 1,000 people to Fiddletown last weekend, raising roughly 4,000 dollars for the community center there. Lead Organizer Dan Slater said the Fiddler’s Jam went better than had been expected. “It was down some from last year, but it was better than my expectations,” Slater said. He did not have the final numbers, with one outstanding bill to pay, he could only estimate the funds raised, which will go to repairing and upkeep of the Fiddletown Community Center. He estimated that they made just under 4,000 dollars. The event probably had 30 people who volunteered to help out for an hour throughout the day-long jam. He estimated the crowd to be somewhere around 1,000 to 1,100 people. “I was very pleased because I had expected with the economy and the gas prices that we would be down considerably,” Slater said. “It’s so hard to guess on these things.” The jam had two bands, nine fiddlers competed in the fiddling contest, a couple that plays a duet performed and at least a dozen other musicians played, either solo or with bands. He said a lot of them come out and just jam on the street or in one of the homes there. All proceeds are going to the Fiddletown Community Center, for information output and for repair and upkeep of the center. The Fiddletown Community Center plans a Children’s Halloween Party on Halloween, and also plans an evacuation seminar today. Lynn Olsen of the Amador County Office of Emergency Services will be conducting an evacuation seminar for people in the Fiddletown area, 7 p.m. today (September 24) at the Fiddletown Community Center, open to all people in the region. Slater said the seminar is open to the public and should give important and useful information to people in the area.

By Alex Lane - A large turnout and strong community support for the fight against cancer made for another successful "Camp out for Cancer" event Saturday and Sunday at Argonaut High School. The fundraiser was sponsored by the Amador Support, Transportation And Resource Services Foundation, an organization formed by local cancer activists for the express purpose of raising funds for local cancer needs. Argonaut's track and sports field were transformed by a circle of booths and tents, sponsored by local businesses selling various items to support the cause. Within the circle were a large number of tents where teams of cancer survivors spent the night and shared their experiences. "We're here to honor and celebrate those touched by cancer," said Ginger Rolf, who has served as chairperson of the event since its inception 5 years ago. "We'll raise funds for the purpose of supporting local cancer needs," she said. According to Rolf, 90 percent of the funds raised will stay in Amador County and 10 percent will go toward research. This year's event goal was to raise 100,000 dollars. The highlight of the fundraiser began at dusk Saturday evening. Candlelit bags were lined up along the track, each one representing a victim or survivor of cancer. The bags were each purchased through a 5 dollar donation. Among the other activities, there were a number of live bands, a free lunch for cancer survivors sponsored by InCahoots Restaurant in Plymouth, and a survivor celebration which honored all the survivors of cancer with a lap around the field. Rolf said "Without the support of the whole community, this event would not have been possible."

By Jim Reece - Child care and early education is worth a reported 5 Million dollars in Amador County, according to a recent report by the Amador Child Care Council. Joyce Stone, manager of Amador Child Care Council told the Amador County Board of Supervisors last week that the early childcare and education industry "enables parents to go to work or school or train to go into the workforce" and it also prepares children to be ready for life. She said the benefits of childhood education prepare kids for higher education and help ensure a future workforce. Studies show that children entering education at a young age increase worker productivity at a later age. The study estimated that the industry generates 5 million dollars in Amador County, Stone said, noting that 4.9 millions was a conservative estimate and 1.2 million dollars was spent in the county for family childcare. Stone told the board that "quality early care and education is critical to the economic health of Amador County," and that "demand greatly exceeds supply of quality child development opportunities for young children in the county." A shortage of facilities inhibits labor force participation and reduces opportunities for low-income residents seeking to upgrade their skills. The report recommended that business, government, the early childhood education industry, and the public work together to make early care and education part of the county's economic development. The report said that the industry provides 217 full-time equivalent workers in Amador County, more than are employed in construction in the county. The industry is a critical support for the current workforce. Anne Platt, CEO of Sutter Amador Hospital said in the report that "the availability of quality and affordable child care is very important to staff at Sutter Amador Hospital." Stone told Supervisors that through the study, the Amador Childcare Council hopes "we can expand the number of available child care facilities in the county through working with government and the business sector."

By Jennifer Wilson - Amador County's General Plan updates will be moving one step closer to completion this Saturday, when county officials will hold a public workshop on Alternative D. This newest option was born out of review and public comments of Alternatives A, B, and C, which were the result of the General Plan Advisory Committee meetings, held over an 18-month period between 2007 and 2008. Since Alternative D has not yet been discussed in depth, the county is holding this special meeting to gain public input. The county's ultimate goal is to update Amador County's General Plan and to set forth "the goals, policies, and objectives for land use and project development decisions for the next 20-plus years." The endeavor, collectively called, "The Path to 2030," has been discussed at just about every meeting in the county. At last week's Upcountry Communities Council meeting, UCC member Bob Currall spoke on the subject and gave the council an update on the most recent text changes to the General Plan as a result of several public workshops that occurred in June. In an effort to provide Upcountry's input, Currall is encouraging all Upcountry residents to attend the monthly UCC meetings. At the next meeting, he will be organizing citizens by geographic area to answer important questions about those areas in the Upcountry. Currall said that "your little part of the County is important to you," and the UCC wants to hear your input. The next meeting will be held 6 p.m Tuesday, October 16th at the Veterans Hall in Pioneer. For more information, contact Bob Currall at 295-7630. The Alternative D Workshop will be held this Saturday, September 27th from 1 to 4 PM at the County Administration Building, 810 Court Street in Jackson. For more information on the General Plan update, visit the Amador County website and follow the Amador general plan thread.

Via Staff Report - Rancho Arroyo Seco has pledged to donate up to 10,000 dollars for the second annual fundraiser for the City of Ione Fire Department. Organizers said this year's goal is to raise $20,000 or more. In support of this goal, Rancho Arroyo Seco will match the first $10,000 in community donations. Donations will be used to purchase new structural fire protection gear for the department. With last year's donations of $17,060, the department was able to replace 50 sets of wildland fire protection gear. The department of 45 is a well-trained volunteer force that supports the City of Ione and surrounding areas. Hosted by Rancho Arroyo Seco, the event will be held on Friday, October 24th in the Big Red Barn located on the Ranch property on Highway 104 across from the entrance to Mule Creek State Prison. Ranch partner Bill Bunce said "Rancho Arroyo Seco is very pleased to be a part of this event. Last year was such a success due to the generosity of this community." Sharon Long of Arroyo Seco said this has been a difficult year for firefighters throughout the state. On average, the Ione Fire Department responds to 65 to 90 calls a month including all types of fires to medical aids, search and rescue and many types of public assistance. All of this is done voluntarily, on a limited budget and free to the people who live in and around Ione.

By Holly Boitano - The City of Sutter Creek's gateway project on the corner of Historic Highway 49 and the Highway 49 bypass has taken first place in the American Public Works Association Project of the Year competition. The "State Route 49 Bypass Landscape and Gateway Monument" won the Northern California Small Agency division of the annual competition. The monument was engineered by Folsom-based Dokken Engineering. The construction took place through a combined effort of the City of Sutter Creek and the Amador County Transportation Commission. Local resident Kathleen Lynch was the landscape architect for the project. "Without everyone working together, this would not have been possible," said Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe, who presented the City Council with the award at Monday's meeting. Dokken Engineering now plans to enter the project in the APWA's nationwide contest.

By Jim Reece - The Amador Water Agency and the city of Ione dedicated the new 2-million gallon potable water tank in the outskirts of Ione Thursday Morning with dozens of people in attendance. AWA General Manager Jim Abercrombie opened the festivities and thanked the board members in attendance, including Paul Scott and Madonna Wiebold and Chairman John Swift. Swift said the project was the third major project dedication in his tenure on the board of directors. The first was the Buckhorn Water Treatment Plant, The second was the Amador Transmission Pipeline and the third was this, the Wildflower Water Tank. The 2-million gallon, above ground water storage tank will serve Ione, the fire needs in the area and the currently neutral Wildflower housing development. Swift introduced Ione Mayor Andrea Bonham and councilman Jim Ulm. AWA GM Abercrombie said Ryland Homes paid 2.2 million dollars for the tank and also paid for the financing of the project, another 2 million dollars. JTS Communities paid 360,000 dollars for the pump station. Abercrombie said the AWA construction crews worked on the pump stations, saving about 150,000 dollars on the project. Abercrombie introduced vice president of land development, Doug Goldsmith of Ryland Homes, who told of how the economic climate led to the stoppage of work on the Wildflower housing development and nearly stopped the building of the tank. But they persisted with the investment, he said. Goldsmith said Ryland decided to continue with the tank and the company has a lot of money invested. Also attending were Dana Jorgensen of Sen. Dave Cox’s office and Ione City Manager Kim Kerr and City Planner Chris Jordan. The dedication ended with Goldsmith, Swift and Bonham toasting the completion with glasses of water, then tossing the water onto the side of the tank.