Jackson – A 20-year-old Volcano man was sentenced last week to 6 years in state prison for robbery of the Jackson Quiznos restaurant, last winter. Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe announced the sentencing in a release Friday, and said Thomas pled guilty to the robbery of the Quiznos sandwich shop, “and admitted to causing great bodily injury” to an employee of the store. Riebe said on the night of December 2nd, 2008, an employee of the Quiznos reported a robbery, which was recorded by a video surveillance camera. Volcano resident Nicholas Thomas entered the business, showed a handgun and pointed it at the employee, Nessa Holtsman. Riebe said: “Thomas then violently struck Ms. Hultsman on the side of her head with a gun, causing a concussion.” Riebe said: “Co-defendant Caitlin McElwee, an employee of Quiznos, was present during the robbery and her actions as captured on the video raised suspicion.” The Jackson Police Department was contacted by a witness whose information implicated both Thomas and McElwee in the robbery. A search warrant was served on the defendant’s residence and evidence tying them to the robbery was found. Riebe said: “A note written by McElwee was found during the search that implicated both defendants in a prior theft.” The defendants were observed in a mall the night after the robbery buying large amounts of clothing. McElwee admitted to a co-worker that she and Thomas were involved in the robbery, and that she had left the door open so that Thomas could enter. A second witness also gave authorities information implicating both defendants. And Thomas’ ex-girlfriend told police that she heard Thomas make a “statement implicating both himself and McElwee.” They were arrested and charged with robbery, assault with a firearm, use of a firearm and causing great bodily injury. Thomas was also charged with 2 counts of commercial burglary and possession of stolen property. McElwee pled guilty to second degree robbery and was sentenced to 2 years in state prison. Thomas must serve 85 percent of the 6-year sentence before he is eligible for parole. Riebe praised the work of JPD, especially Officer Chris Mynderup, and Deputy D.A. Steve Hermanson in the case. (end) am This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ione - Recreational Railroad Coalition, Inc., has recently been licensed to operationally manage the old Coal Mine Spur which runs west of the Ione Rail Yard about 2 miles west of South Mill Street in Ione. This rail spur once serviced a coal mine which produced lignite coal, a unique type of coal valued for its montan wax. The mine was in operation in the late 1800's until 1971 when Mr. Riddle oversaw the closure of the operation and the corresponding rail spur. On Saturday the 26th, RRC will offer rides by vintage speeder to the mine site where Geologist Riddle will present a historical seminar on the mine and the rail spur. Amador County Historical Society has indicated an interest in having members attend this unique, historical event. (end) am This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sutter Creek – Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort developer Bill Bunce and Planning Commission Chairman Robin Peters this week explained their sides before the opening of a public hearing on Gold Rush’s 900-acre development in Sutter Creek. The Sutter Creek City Council heard presentations from the 2 on Tuesday, beginning with Peters, who outlined the commission’s work and told about points of disagreement with the developer on the commission’s recommended project modifications. Those include that the developer is requesting “unrestricted grading and virtually unrestricted oak tree removal,” which he said “allows for mass grading” and “wholesale oak tree removal on approximately 600 acres.” Bunce said: “we do not seek to mass grade 600 acres.” He said the commission wanted to “limit grading to roads, driveways and house foundations.” He said developers wanted to pattern Gold Rush after Greenhorn Creek, in Angels Camp, and Bunce brought to the podium, Barden Stevenot, General Manager of development at Kirkwood Meadows and Greenhorn Creek. The latter is a golf course community that was used as a model by the Sutter Creek Planning Commission, because of its tree retention and grading practices. Stevenot said he is a local guy who lucked out with the Kirkwood and Greenhorn projects. A resident of Angels Camp, he agreed with its city manager on getting a balance between new homes and old ones, whose owners did not want to remodel. He brought in great land planners and engineers. Stevenot told the city council that he is “amazed that you still have a developer in today’s economic world, during the biggest market sag in our lifetime.” Bunce’s finance analyst Chris Austin said “with custom grading, you’ve added cost to the buyer,” a 50 to 60 percent increase, because it would limit the project to custom builders, who can develop 1 to 4 properties at a time. Bunce said: “that’s not what we want to do. There is a happy medium between full custom lots and 600 acres of mass grading and tree denuding.” He said Gold Rush “will not look like the sea of rooftops in Elk Grove.” He said the commission’s suggestion to have minimum lot sizes of 7,000 square feet would “make Gold Rush an expensive, high-end project.” Bunce said they “only created the 3,500 square foot lot size to answer affordable housing” requirements, and the project’s family lot minimum size would be 7,000 square feet. The city council resumed the public hearing Thursday, and was scheduled to meet again on Tuesday, starting at 6 p.m. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – The Amador County Board of Supervisors approved an increase in the Transient Occupancy Tax from 6 percent to 10 percent during their meeting on Tuesday. Transient Occupancy taxes are typically levied for the privilege of staying in a room at a hotel, motel or other lodging. In the words of County Administrative Officer Terri Daly, “It’s the tax you see at the bottom of your bill when you stay in a hotel.” She said “for the most part, the tax applies to people coming from elsewhere and staying in our county.” Amador County’s traditional rate of 6 percent was far less than surrounding counties, where rates average 12 to 15 percent. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jacqueline Lucido said the added revenue could be funneled back into the promotion of tourism. She added that it would benefit the county to collect from thousands of other facilities, including rv parks. “Other counties get 12 to 15 percent. Really, we’re the low man on the totem pole,” she said. In a letter to the board, Chamber of Commerce President Al Lennox said the increase “would enhance the base amount collected going to the General Fund” and “bring much needed revenue into the County.” Supervisor Brian Oneto said he would like to see the additional 4 percent go towards promotion. Forster inquired as to whether they could legally charge visitors but not charge locals. County staff did not have that information. The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved raising the occupancy tax rate throughout the county to 10 percent. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – A 20-year-old Volcano man was sentenced last week to 6 years in state prison for robbery of the Jackson Quiznos restaurant, last winter. Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe announced the sentencing in a release Friday, and said Thomas pled guilty to the robbery of the Quiznos sandwich shop, “and admitted to causing great bodily injury” to an employee of the store. Riebe said on the night of December 2nd, 2008, an employee of the Quiznos reported a robbery, which was recorded by a video surveillance camera. Volcano resident Nicholas Thomas entered the business, showed a handgun and pointed it at the employee, Nessa Holtsman. Riebe said: “Thomas then violently struck Ms. Hultsman on the side of her head with a gun, causing a concussion.” Riebe said: “Co-defendant Caitlin McElwee, an employee of Quiznos, was present during the robbery and her actions as captured on the video raised suspicion.” The Jackson Police Department was contacted by a witness whose information implicated both Thomas and McElwee in the robbery. A search warrant was served on the defendant’s residence and evidence tying them to the robbery was found. Riebe said: “A note written by McElwee was found during the search that implicated both defendants in a prior theft.” The defendants were observed in a mall the night after the robbery buying large amounts of clothing. McElwee admitted to a co-worker that she and Thomas were involved in the robbery, and that she had left the door open so that Thomas could enter. A second witness also gave authorities information implicating both defendants. And Thomas’ ex-girlfriend told police that she heard Thomas make a “statement implicating both himself and McElwee.” They were arrested and charged with robbery, assault with a firearm, use of a firearm and causing great bodily injury. Thomas was also charged with 2 counts of commercial burglary and possession of stolen property. McElwee pled guilty to second degree robbery and was sentenced to 2 years in state prison. Thomas must serve 85 percent of the 6-year sentence before he is eligible for parole. Riebe praised the work of JPD, especially Officer Chris Mynderup, and Deputy D.A. Steve Hermanson in the case. (end) am This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – The Amador County Board of Supervisors approved an increase in the Transient Occupancy Tax from 6 percent to 10 percent during their meeting on Tuesday. Transient Occupancy taxes are typically levied for the privilege of staying in a room at a hotel, motel or other lodging. In the words of County Administrative Officer Terri Daly, “It’s the tax you see at the bottom of your bill when you stay in a hotel.” She said “for the most part, the tax applies to people coming from elsewhere and staying in our county.” Amador County’s traditional rate of 6 percent was far less than surrounding counties, where rates average 12 to 15 percent. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jacqueline Lucido said the added revenue could be funneled back into the promotion of tourism. She added that it would benefit the county to collect from thousands of other facilities, including rv parks. “Other counties get 12 to 15 percent. Really, we’re the low man on the totem pole,” she said. In a letter to the board, Chamber of Commerce President Al Lennox said the increase “would enhance the base amount collected going to the General Fund” and “bring much needed revenue into the County.” Supervisor Brian Oneto said he would like to see the additional 4 percent go towards promotion. Forster inquired as to whether they could legally charge visitors but not charge locals. County staff did not have that information. The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved raising the occupancy tax rate throughout the county to 10 percent. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sutter Creek – Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort developer Bill Bunce and Planning Commission Chairman Robin Peters this week explained their sides before the opening of a public hearing on Gold Rush’s 900-acre development in Sutter Creek. The Sutter Creek City Council heard presentations from the 2 on Tuesday, beginning with Peters, who outlined the commission’s work and told about points of disagreement with the developer on the commission’s recommended project modifications. Those include that the developer is requesting “unrestricted grading and virtually unrestricted oak tree removal,” which he said “allows for mass grading” and “wholesale oak tree removal on approximately 600 acres.” Bunce said: “we do not seek to mass grade 600 acres.” He said the commission wanted to “limit grading to roads, driveways and house foundations.” He said developers wanted to pattern Gold Rush after Greenhorn Creek, in Angels Camp, and Bunce brought to the podium, Barden Stevenot, General Manager of development at Kirkwood Meadows and Greenhorn Creek. The latter is a golf course community that was used as a model by the Sutter Creek Planning Commission, because of its tree retention and grading practices. Stevenot said he is a local guy who lucked out with the Kirkwood and Greenhorn projects. A resident of Angels Camp, he agreed with its city manager on getting a balance between new homes and old ones, whose owners did not want to remodel. He brought in great land planners and engineers. Stevenot told the city council that he is “amazed that you still have a developer in today’s economic world, during the biggest market sag in our lifetime.” Bunce’s finance analyst Chris Austin said “with custom grading, you’ve added cost to the buyer,” a 50 to 60 percent increase, because it would limit the project to custom builders, who can develop 1 to 4 properties at a time. Bunce said: “that’s not what we want to do. There is a happy medium between full custom lots and 600 acres of mass grading and tree denuding.” He said Gold Rush “will not look like the sea of rooftops in Elk Grove.” He said the commission’s suggestion to have minimum lot sizes of 7,000 square feet would “make Gold Rush an expensive, high-end project.” Bunce said they “only created the 3,500 square foot lot size to answer affordable housing” requirements, and the project’s family lot minimum size would be 7,000 square feet. The city council resumed the public hearing Thursday, and was scheduled to meet again on Tuesday, starting at 6 p.m. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sutter Creek – The Amador Water Agency board of directors voted 5-0 Friday to send a draft water and wastewater agreement to the Amador County Board of Supervisors, for its proposed Martell jail. The draft was made by the Amador Water System Ad Hoc Committee, made up of AWA President Terence Moore, Vice President Bill Condrashoff and Supervisor Chairman Ted Novelli and Supervisor John Plasse. The county is looking at purchasing property in the Amador Central Business Park, and the agreement, in part, would guarantee water and wastewater services to the new jail, and settle participation fees. Interim General Manager Gene Mancebo said the board approved terms likely would go to attorneys to work on an agreement. The proposed jail is estimated to need 22,000 gallons of water a day and produce 19,400 gallons of wastewater a day, maximum. Mancebo said the needs and flows should be lower, but the agency currently does not have the capacity to accept that much wastewater. Sutter Creek Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe told Mancebo there are some real estate developments in Sutter Creek that are not going forward, due to foreclosure or other reasons. Rabe said city staff will seek a change in policy to hasten the availability of wastewater service capacity from those projects that are not going forward. He reportedly will be taking a policy change recommendation to the Sutter Creek City Council at its next meeting, to see if the city can have wastewater capacity useable in an earlier time period. Mancebo said AWA could look to amend its 100,000 gallon a day wastewater capacity agreement with Sutter Creek to 120,000 gallons a day, “hopefully at the same rate.” The agency could also talk with Jackson officials about the possibility of taking some of the Martell wastewater flow. Mancebo said a lift station at Martell would need improvement to serve the jail. Director Debbie Dunn asked about a “risk factor” with Sutter Creek, and Condrashoff said nothing is in writing. County General Service Administration Director Jon Hopkins said “the statements on the document are accurate.” A one-time wastewater participation fee was recommended at a rate of $9,310 per Equivalent Dwelling Unit, totaling a maximum of 97 EDUs. That $903,000 could be paid over a year, after execution of the agreement. It was also recommended it could be paid over 10 years, with a “3 percent annual escalator imposed at the beginning of the second year on any unpaid balance.” The rate was based on an agreement with Sutter Creek to get the capacity. But if the agreement with the city was not executed, the county would pay $11,728 per EDU in a participation fee totaling $1.1 million. The water participation fee would get a partial credit if the jail permanently abandons a 2-inch connection in Jackson, and if city officials there agree. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ione - Recreational Railroad Coalition, Inc., has recently been licensed to operationally manage the old Coal Mine Spur which runs west of the Ione Rail Yard about 2 miles west of South Mill Street in Ione. This rail spur once serviced a coal mine which produced lignite coal, a unique type of coal valued for its montan wax. The mine was in operation in the late 1800's until 1971 when Mr. Riddle oversaw the closure of the operation and the corresponding rail spur. On Saturday the 26th, RRC will offer rides by vintage speeder to the mine site where Geologist Riddle will present a historical seminar on the mine and the rail spur. Amador County Historical Society has indicated an interest in having members attend this unique, historical event. (end) am This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – As some schools in Amador County are struggling with losses of student bodies, the earliest students in the system are showing a boom. Amador State Preschools Director Dorothy Putnam-Smith said she has seen the biggest crowd of children ever in preschool this year, even before the first day of school. “I’ve never seen so many,” said Putnam-Smith, even with declining enrollment in other schools around the county. She said: “This is the first time ever that I was full before school started.” She said all 4 preschool sites in the county were filled before school started, August 19th. She said this year she has 96 kids to keep enrolled in the program. She said there are 3 or 4 children on a waiting list for the Ione Preschool, at Ione Elementary School, and 3 or 4 children on a waiting list for the Jackson Preschool, on the campus of Argonaut High School. Putnam-Smith tells parents about other options in the area, and it depends on if they are working parents or not. She said the preschool program tries “to take all the 4-year-old first that are going to go into kindergarten,” then they take the 3-year-olds. Other programs, once the preschools fill, include First 5’s Bridge To Kindergarten, the Head Start program in Ione, and in Jackson a few private preschools. There is also the Monarch Montessori in Plymouth, and parents can call the Resource Connection to be referred to some other private preschools. Amador Preschools include classes at Argonaut high, Ione Elementary, Plymouth Elementary School and Pioneer Elementary School. Putnam-Smith, is director of all 4 Amador County state preschools. She said: “If people want their child in preschool, get on the waiting list, because there is next year.” Kids that turn 5 by December will go into kindergarten. The waiting list might also get kids into preschool this year. Putnam-Smith said “people are moving because of the economy, so there might be openings in the middle of the year.” To contact Amador State Preschools, call (209) 257-5338. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.