Amador County – The Plymouth City Council last week approved seeking bids to remodel Lodge Hill, as soon as funds are available. City Engineer Roark Weber said he was there Thursday “to testify to the manifestation of this project” through the work of many volunteers in the community. He said his company compiled “the work of a lot of people,” including plans and specifications by volunteers, John Peabody and Doug Ketron. Volunteers brought a lot of ideas that were incorporated into the work, including a large, wooden deck the length of the west side of the building, overlooking the city swimming pool. Also, 2 paved handicapped accessible parking spaces will skirt the kitchen side of the building. A wheelchair ramp will allow access to the deck and building. Also on the west wall, French double doors, with 2 windows on either side, will bring in natural light. City consultant Terri Cox wrote a winning grant request for Lodge Hill’s remodel. Weber said that $220,000-dollar grant is in limbo, but “the grant has not lost its value.” Weber estimated remodeling the west side of Lodge Hill would cost about $300,000 dollars. Weber said after considering plans and specs, it was determined the project will remodel only the west side of the building, and not the upstairs portion, and its auditorium. Councilwoman Patricia Fordyce said it has been a 4-year project and “volunteers have done a great job getting people to offer services.” She said once the lower level is complete, City Manager Dixon Flynn had some good ideas to raise money to finish the upper section. Fordyce said Weber charged $10,000 for engineering but “he has not charged us any more. He has put in a lot more time and money on this than he was ever paid.” Fordyce, a member of the Lodge Hill Committee, said they will be looking for more funding sources. Councilman Michael O’Meara said: “Honestly, if there was ever a project that should get some of the stimulus money, this is one of them.” Committee member Maria Nunez Simon asked the council to approve the project so they can “finish a dream of 30 years,” which they picked up again 4 years ago. Amador County Recreation Agency Director Tracey Towner-Yep said the project might be a good candidate for Proposition 84 funding, should that program get more funding. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - Daffodil Hill, a famous local ranch known for its floral beauty, is preparing to reopen to the public. Located minutes from Volcano, the property formerly known as the McLaughlin Ranch has been a favorite with visitors who travel from miles around to see thousands of daffodils sprinkled over the hills. Daffodil Hill was a regular stopping place for teamsters hauling timber from the Sierras down to the Kennedy and Argonaut Mines, and for eastbound travelers heading for the Comstock Lode on the Amador-Nevada Wagon Road. Today, much of the landscape around the old homestead is covered with more than 300 named varieties of daffodils. More bulbs are added each year, with the help of private donations. The bulbs number more that 300,000 and include not only 300 varieties of daffodils, but also a large number of other varieties of bulbs and flowers as well. The best time to visit Daffodil Hill is the spring, usually from the end of March through the first three weeks of April. Daffodil Hill is open only at this time of year beginning March 14th, after that it goes back to a working ranch. Please call Daffodil Hill at (209) 296-7048 for additional information. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - An elderly man in his 80’s lost his life in a vehicle accident on Highway 88 Monday evening. Donald Hodges, a resident of Manteca, California, was driving his 2005 Chevy on Highway 88 near Los Ranchos Road and Blue Sky Drive when he suffered a medical emergency and became incapacitated while driving. His vehicle left the roadway to the south and struck a guardrail on the right shoulder. In an attempt to keep the vehicle on the roadway, Hodges over-corrected, traveled down an adjacent embankment, overturned and came to rest atop the railroad tracks located south of the right shoulder. Amador fire and medical crews immediately converged on the scene, where they were able to revive Hodges using advanced life support techniques. Hodges was airlifted to Mercy San Juan Medical Center, but was pronounced dead upon arrival by treating physicians. The California Highway Patrol is till investigating the incident. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Amador County Transportation Commission delivered its Regional Traffic Mitigation Fee Annual Report last month and discussed it last week with the Ione City Council. Executive Director Charles Field said the report was for fiscal year 2007-2008, with the ACTC oversight committee’s recommendations for program funding for this fiscal year, including $530,000 in spending for 4 projects. “Regional traffic mitigation fees collected by all cities and the County per the 2006 MOU was $283 per “trip end.” In 2007 and 2008, Field said, ACTC members “approved resolutions increasing the amount for inflation to $304 dollars per trip end.” Program revenues, including interest, totaled $5.8 Million Dollars through June 30, 2008. The report showed the total fees collected by each ACTC member since 2002-2003. Amador County contributed $3.22 Million Dollars to the Regional Traffic Mitigation Fee Program. Jackson put in a total of $715,000 dollars over those 6 years. Sutter Creek contributed $702,000 dollars and Ione put in $662,000 dollars. The Jackson Rancheria Casino Hotel & Conference Center gave $112,000 dollars in fiscal year 2003-2004 and none the other 5 years. The report showed 11 roadway projects with the program’s funding obligated for work. That included $1.3 Million dollars for the Sutter Street extension in Jackson and $1.2 Million dollars for Sutter-Ione Road in Sutter Creek. Another $950,000 was marked for Mission Boulevard in Jackson and $757,000 dollars was marked for Highway 49 and Main Street in Jackson. Phase 2 of the Ione Bypass – now called the Western Ione Roadway System – was $289,000. Argonaut Lane at Highways 49 & 88 was listed for $208,000 in work; Prospect Drive and Highway 104 in Sutter Creek had an earmark for $162,000; Highway 88 at Ridge Road in Pine Grove had $100,000 dollars; Highway 49 at Main Street in Plymouth was listed for $100,000 dollars; and Court Street in Jackson was tabbed for $78,000 dollars in work. The ACTC oversight committee recommended $531,000 for 4 projects this fiscal year, including $211,000 dollars for Prospect Drive; $205,000 for Mission Boulevard; $205,000 dollars for the Western Ione Roadway System; and $90,000 dollars for Argonaut Lane. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Amador County Indian Gaming Local Community Benefits Committee meets next week to look at funding requests for this year. The committee includes Amador County Supervisors Richard Forster and John Plasse; Jackson City Council members Wayne Garibaldi and Connie Gonsalves; Sutter Creek Mayor Gary Wooten; Jackson Rancheria Tribal Vice Chairman Bo Marks; and Jackson Rancheria Chief Executive Officer Rich Hoffman. The agenda includes “Conflict of Interest” and the committee will Review and possibly recommend adoption of a Conflict of Interest Code for the Committee. The agenda also will look at funding requests. The committee will review and possibly recommend consideration of applications received for Special Distribution Fund Appropriations. The meeting is 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 11th at the Rancheria. Story by Jim Reece.

Amador County - During their February 18th meeting, the Amador Regional Transit System Board of Directors honored retiring General Manager Patrick Ireland for his many contributions to transit in Amador County. Even though official retirement is only a day away, the 24 year veteran of all things transportation has been making the rounds among local media outlets to announce improvements to the transit system. In an exclusive interview with TSPN, Ireland outlined the many ways ARTS is continuing to improve. Under Ireland’s leadership, the ARTS ridership grew from 50,000 a year to over 105,000 a year. Ireland was also instrumental in establishing expanded transit service to Sacramento, the Sacramento Airport and Calaveras County. Most importantly, ARTS has maintained an excellent safety record; on average 30 percent lower than statewide averages. “ARTS has maintained an industry leading safety record and an image of clean and friendly service throughout Mr. Ireland’s service,” reads the resolution. Finally Ireland has led funding and constructing the ARTS maintenance and operations facility in Martell. He said that upcoming programs include two weeks of free service beginning March 1st to coincide with new ARTS bussing schedules. He also announced a new service that will allow Internet access by laptop on all ARTS busses. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - The Pine Grove Council, Pine Grove Civic Improvement Club, and the Volcano Community Association are hosting a Winter Safety Forum at the Pine Grove Town Hall on February 25 at 6:00 pm. They have invited representatives from the Amador County Sheriff, the California Highway Patrol, the School District, and Amador County Public Works. The PGC decided to host the forum at its January meeting after discussing some of the problems that occurred as a result of an unusually sudden and heavy hail/snowstorm on December 15. They were joined by PGCIC and VCA in sponsoring the forum. The storm caught many drivers by surprise and caused traffic problems even in lower elevations in the county. School bus service was also affected and many parents had to hit the icy roads to get children home. The focus of the forum will be on traffic safety, although other issues such as emergency communications, may be discussed. The sponsors hope the event will be educational, as well as problem-solving. The forum is free to the public and refreshments will be served. For more information on the forum, call 296-3795 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Staff Report

Amador County – The Upcountry Communities Council heard guest speaker updates last week, including on the long-term Highway 88 project and also the fireproofing of a housing development on Tabeaud Road. Neil Peacock of the Amador County Transportation Commission updated the council on the commission’s intent to pursue a project in the Pine Grove area to ease traffic on Highway 88. The project will still get $356,000 dollars of its original $400,000 from the government for planning. Peacock said any project will take years and years of planning, including many meetings. Debbie Dunn, president of the Upcountry Council, said that at a meeting 6 years ago, someone drew on a map with a Sharpie, to suppose where a “north bypass” and a “south bypass” could go, along with the 5-lane widening project up the middle of Pine Grove. She said “it was not engineered, it was just a simple Sharpie.” A man who said he was a former planning commissioner said the standard number of trips per household could be lowered if development created services that were closer and reduced mileage. Peacock said “that’s why we have a traffic engineer, so they can review traffic impact studies and improve them.” Marc Bowman and his brother, Steve Bowman, commented on their 85-unit Aqueduct residential and commercial project east of Highway 88 on Tabeaud Road. Steve Bowman, an expert in fire readiness, said he is a trained firefighter and has fire-readied his home, with a mule, a goat, irrigated land, hoses and a Class “A” roof. He said if there is a fire, he would “stay and fight it,” though not everyone can do so. Bowman said statistics show that in big fires, most fatalities in the United States occur during evacuation. He said the Aqueduct development “will be designed to be safer to stay in the development,” during such a big fire. The group deferred until next meeting its Annual Review and also its Media Policy. Story By Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – Business people from various facets of Amador County gave input on goals and policies for the economic element of the county General Plan update last week, wrapping up two days of work. Amador Supervisor Chairman Ted Novelli of District 3 and Supervisors John Plasse of District 1 and Brian Oneto of District 5 watched the panel of a dozen people sound off on the issues Wednesday. Al Lennox of American Legion Ambulance suggested that a retail component be added to the policies for tourism, along with a mention of B&Bs and restaurants. The suggestion was changed to lodging. One man suggested that “federal timber issues are very important to this county.” He also said the policy should encourage and promote Gold Country history. He called the term “encourage” a “kind of weasel-ly” term and he suggested adding a more active word. County Planner Susan Grijalva said the group was bordering on “implementation” with some work and “you don’t want to tie the county’s hands by being too specific in what you are going to do.” She said specificity is handled at the zoning level and can be changed by the county. If they get too detailed and perhaps not mention a type of business, it could be a business that could be taken for exception in the future. Jim Conklin of the Amador County Business Council suggested emphasizing the development of high tech communications. He said he would like to have it as the major focus of economic element. Story by Jim Reece

Amador County - First…an announcement. A second rally in support of Prospect Motors will be held this Tuesday, February 17, in the Prospect Motors parking lot. a National television crew will be there to gather a story for a nation wide news Story. The large turnout last December resulted in a regional news coverage.. Now please help the story get to the National attention it deserves. Residents of Amador County and beyond are encouraged to show support for the dealership that has played such a pivotal role in the economy and welfare of Amador County Story By Alex Lane Contributions By Tom Slivick