Sutter Creek – The Amador Council of Tourism was expected to hear today from its “visioning committee” that a proposed Outdoor Writers Association Conference, scheduled for June 2010, would be delayed until 2011. Maureen Funk, executive director reported that in the October ACT meeting, a “Conference representative expressed interest in Amador County” as avenue. The conference would include about 40 writers, with an average attendance of 80-110 people. The conference has been held in Calaveras County, which had a budget for the conference of $10,000. Most expenses for hosting the conference rest on the shoulders of the hosting area. Attractions can include photo excursions, caves, fishing, hunting, Roaring Camp, golf, hatchery and walking tours, with different levels of activity for writers and spouses/families. Hosting the conference can provide Amador County with “significant press and promotional coverage vis-à-vis their writing profession,” Funk said. A committee was formed to bring back a proposal. Also in October, a treasurer report said most of ACT’s income is from 2 sources: lodging assessment and membership dues. The council was “at $8,000 of a $12,000 goal.” 50-60 percent of ACT’s expenses are advertising and overhead is approximately $55,000. The Amador County Board of Supervisors this year gave ACT $25,000, an increase over last year. The 7-year-old Amador Council of Tourism reported 160 members, and its “membership committee” is starting a new campaign this month, among current and prospective members. ACT “can take ½ cash and ½ trade for membership fees, especially if someone is interested in going to a higher membership level.” In member reports, Corinne Moore reported planning a wine booth for the 10-day tennis open in March 2010 in Indian Wells, with attendance expected at 300,000 people. The hosts are putting together a wine country pavilion from all regions of California, including related tourist info. Moore said her brother offered to work with her to help with costs of the booth. Amador Regional Transit System director James Means said he has submitted 3 grant applications including one for shuttle service, and he met with Sen. Dave Cox and will meet with Assemblywoman Alyson Huber. He said the ARTS Kirkwood ski bus will be running until April this season. The new transit site will have about 50 Park & Ride parking spots. Insurance will cover vehicles that park there. ACT was scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. today at Days Inn in Sutter Creek. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson - The Amador County Sheriff's Office is investigating the shocking discovery of a decomposed human leg and body in the Mokelumne River. Last Sunday at approximately 2 pm, the office received a report that a subject fishing in the El Dorado National Forest near Salt Spring Reservoir had located a possible human leg. Amador County Sheriff's Deputies responded to the area and were directed to the Mokelumne River, west of Salt Springs Reservoir, wherein a decomposed human leg was found partially submerged in the river. A search was conducted and approximately 25 feet away the remainder of a decomposing body was located. The body was located in a dry area, between several boulders near the middle of the river. Due to darkness the scene was secured for the evening. On Monday November 9, Amador County Sheriff's Investigators, along with Detectives from the Calaveras County Sheriff's Office and the Stockton Police Department returned to the area, processed the scene, collected physical evidence, removed the body and conducted a thorough search of the area, which included the use of soil sifters and swift water trained divers. The body was subsequently released from the Amador County Sheriff-Coroner's Office to the custody of the Calaveras County Sheriff's Office to complete the death investigation, which will at a minimum include identifying the decedent, notification of the next of kin and determining the cause and manner of death. For further details, please contact the Calaveras County Sheriff's Office at 754-6500. A TSPN TV Staff Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – A preliminary hearing was held last Friday in the case of Kenneth John Zimmerman, who previously pled “not guilty” to one count of murder after his neighbor John O’Sullivan was shot dead in a dispute in Fiddletown on August 16. Judge David S. Richmond oversaw the proceedings, which are designed to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to hold the defendant for trial. Deputy District Attorney Stephen Hermanson and Public Defender Richard Cotta cross examined four members of the Sheriff’s Department in order to paint a better picture and clarify accounts of what occurred on the evening in question. Deputy Todd Smith, one of the first to arrive on the scene, said Zimmerman had blocked the roadway to his residence with his vehicle and appeared “angry” and “frustrated.” He said Zimmerman had said he “shot at” O’Sullivan who was “somewhere on the property.” Deputy Dustin Macaughey secured the scene and eventually found O’Sullivan deceased on his tractor, off the roadway, in the brush near Zimmerman’s residence. Macaughey confirmed a previously recorded quote by Zimmerman saying “he ran over my foot, I shot at him.” Zimmerman said that O’Sullivan had struck him in the face with his hand and tried to run over him with the tractor. He told police that he used a .25 caliber handgun. Sergeant Brian Middleton said Zimmerman gave “multiple responses” about where he was at when he shot O’Sullivan. Zimmerman reportedly said he was not sure whether the tractor was moving or stationary when he shot because of “the pain in his feet.” Evidence was collected at the scene which may attest to Zimmerman’s claims of physical injury, including blood spots found on his carpet. Middleton said one expended .25 caliber shell casing was found near the scene of the incident. The autopsy report later determined that O’Sullivan was shot “twice in the back and once in the side.” In an uncharacteristic move during a preliminary hearing, Defender Cotta said he completely disputed the autopsy report. He also disputed the order in which some recounted the shots were fired and asked why the two shots in the back were sometimes referred to before the shot in the side. He said he can produce experts who can testify that the shots were not actually fired from behind O’Sullivan. Cotta also wanted to enter as a legal fact that Zimmerman’s 9-1-1 call was made after the shooting. Judge Richmond said that could not yet be established as a fact. According to the Sheriff’s office, Zimmerman and O’Sullivan had “a longstanding dispute”, one which eventually led to their final conflict on the grounds of the property Zimmerman was renting adjacent to O’Sullivan’s house in Fiddletown. The case has garnered international attention because O’Sullivan was a citizen of Ireland and a well-known player of Gaelic football, an immensely popular Irish sport. O’Sullivan’s widow, Krista Clem, was present at the hearing. The next step in the case process will be an arraignment on information filed from previous hearings, set for November 20th at 1pm. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ione – The Ione City Council last week approved $9,000 in technological improvements and repairs, to replace a server and other computers. City Manager Kim Kerr said the October 13th storm “knocked out” the city finance computer. The city still has its Department of Justice server, and Ione Police Chief Michael Johnson believes they can place the city’s website on that server. A problem was finance data dating back to 1990, which Kerr cannot go on the main city computer because it is incompatible. Kerr recommended dropping use of Internet Service Provider “Twin Wolf,” in favor of a Direct Service Link. She was not satisfied with Twin Wolf, with whom “it’s always an argument that it’s our equipment” causing problems, but “ends up its Twin Wolf’s problem.” Kerr said it has happened that way 4 times, including the latest outage. Kerr and staff are “looking at a virtual private network,” with remote accessibility. Councilman David Plank recommended a Level 4 DSL business account with AT&T, at $55 to $75 a month, “a huge difference from the $1,500 a month” paid to Twin Wolf. Kerr recommended buying a $4,000 tower server, and keeping the current server as a backup. She said there will be additional costs, due to the storm. City Planner Christopher Jordan said the storm “fried the uninterrupted power supplies,” with most having expired warranties. One costing $237, however, had a lifetime warranty. Mayor Lee Ard said the council previously visited the technology issue and knew it was coming. He also agreed “with dumping Twin Wolf,” and said the next step is to look at a plan to build the network. The good thing, he said, was that they can do so with Pacific Municipal Consultants, at $80 an hour, compared to $125 for other technicians, and they can also “have a solution before they leave.” Jordan, of PMC, said they backed up the city’s $140 server and loaded it onto PMC’s computer. He said it was important to have those warranty packs with the purchase of new equipment. Vice Mayor Skip Schaufel voted no in a 4-1 vote authorizing $9,000, including a budget change, for the upgrades. Schaufel said with 17 people on staff, “we’re talking about $114,000.” He said it was “way in excess of what we need,” and “should be about half of that.” Schaufel said it’s “probably a good plan but the cost is outrageous.” Staff direction included bringing a final plan, with an implementation schedule and costs for council consideration by the end of December. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sutter Creek – The Sutter Creek City Council subcommittee on fiscal impacts on Monday discussed who would handle fireproofing parks and wildland, and road maintenance mitigation in the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort. A fiscal impact report under discussion included 319 acres of open space, of which about 21 acres will be passive parks, left 90 percent untouched, with all its trees. Local activist Kathy Allen asked if the “open space is ever going to be taken care of.” City Manager Rob Duke said “there is not going to be a Robin Hood type guy out caring for it.” Consultant Anders Hauge said the “irrevocable dedication” gives the city time to take control of the acreage. Planning Commissioner Mike Kirkley said as soon as wildland is annexed, it becomes the city’s responsibility. He said the city can contract with and get insurance through Calfire, “on a per-acre basis.” Kirkley said: “That does not mean we do away with the Sutter Creek Fire Protection District.” The committee also discussed the project’s 34 acres of roads. Kirkley said the city might need to consider forming a Community Facilities District to care for roads. He said it was hard to believe that the city was getting by on gas tax revenue for road maintenance. Planning Commissioner Frank Cunha said he has done “quite a bit of research” and found that city gas tax money is not always spent on road maintenance. Duke said it was, however, always spent on road projects. Duke said the city is about 5 years behind on improvements on Broad Street and Old Sutter Hill Road, waiting on approved funding to become available. He said gas tax revenue is used on major road projects – including Broad and Old Sutter – to match ACTC or Caltrans funds. Duke said: “Having a street maintenance CFD is a fairly common practice.” Gold Rush development partner John Telischak said: “We are contributing $1 million for remedial street maintenance,” and are “building new streets that don’t need maintenance” for years. Cunha said the “$1 million is at build-out,” not “up front.” Cunha said instead, “all new developments should be required to maintain streets.” Duke said he thinks the “gas tax will be a shortfall,” and “chip-seal doesn’t really work to prolong the life of the pavement.” But he would like to see if new technology has improved, as some studies indicate. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Washington, D.C. - The House of Representatives on Saturday passed a sweeping health care bill that includes an overhaul of the nation’s health care system and a controversial abortion amendment. In a final tally, 219 Democrats voted for the legislation and 39 against, while only one Republican, Joe Cano of Louisiana, voted in favor of the bill. The Affordable Health Care for America Act proposes to spend $1.055 trillion to add 36 million Americans to the insurance rolls, largely paid for with a 5.4 percent surtax on the top 0.3 percent of earners. It will also make certain cuts to Medicare Advantage programs. “(This act) is a piece of legislation that will provide stability and security for Americans who have insurance, quality affordable options for those who don't, and bring down the cost of health care for families, businesses and our government, while strengthening the financial health of Medicare,” said President Barack Obama soon after the bill’s passage. “It is legislation that is fully paid for and it will reduce our long term federal deficit,” he said. Another amendment introduced by House Minority Leader John Boehner, which would have revised sections dealing with insurance, did not pass. Congressman Dan Lungren, who represents Amador County and the 3rd District, said the bill will cut $440 billion from Medicare, kill jobs, add $1.3 million to the national debt and impose a government plan on the public. "We can all agree that our health care system is sick but tonight we gave America not only the wrong diagnosis but also the wrong prescription," said Lungren. Randy Bayne, Chair of the Amador County Democratic Central Committee, hailed the victory, saying many Americans are currently “at the mercy of a health insurance industry calling the shots and rationing our health care.” The bill also includes an abortion amendment introduced by more conservative Democrats in swing congressional districts with the support of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The amendment indefinitely bans federal funding for abortion services through the public option and the bill’s insurance exchange. However, it excludes cases of rape and incest. Supporting such a ban represents a significant shift for many Democrats who realized the bill may not pass without the support of their more conservative colleagues. A much greater challenge will be pushing the bill through the senate, where Democratic moderates are still unconvinced that a public option is necessary. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said the “House bill is dead on arrival in the Senate,” echoing the views of many Republicans. Obama urged Senators to “bring this effort to the finish line on behalf of the American people.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson - A Pioneer man who fled from police last Thursday in Jackson was captured the next day on tribal grounds in the Jackson Rancheria casino. On Thursday November 5, 2009 at approximately 1614 hours a deputy from the Amador County Sheriff’s Office on routine patrol was checking a secluded area behind the Central Church of Christ located on Trent Way in Jackson. While checking the area the deputy found Michael Dean Hines, 48, of Pioneer at the rear of a vehicle stripping the plastic protective sheath off sections of copper wire. The deputy was familiar with Hines and was aware that Hines was on probation. A records check of Hines revealed two active felony warrants for Hines’ arrest. As the deputy attempted to place Hines under arrest, Hines pushed the deputy and fled on foot towards New York Ranch Road. A brief foot pursuit ensued and additional law enforcement units were requested for assistance. Amador County Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted by officers from the Amador County Probation Department, Jackson Police Department and the California Highway Patrol (CHP). A perimeter was established near the point where Hines was last seen and deputies searched the wooded area on foot with the assistance of a CHP helicopter. After approximately ninety minutes, the search for Hines was terminated. A subsequent search of Hines’ vehicle revealed suspected methamphetamine, methamphetamine use paraphernalia and an unlawful weapon in addition to the suspected stolen copper wire. On Friday November 6, 2009 at approximately 1638 hours, Jackson Rancheria Security Officers notified the Amador County Sheriff’s Office that Hines was on tribal grounds within the casino. Tribal Security maintained surveillance on Hines until arrival of Amador County Sheriff’s Deputies, at which time Hines was taken into custody without incident. Hines is currently in custody at the Amador County Jail with bail set at $150,000. A TSPN TV Staff Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ione – The Ione City Council last week voted to waive arena rental fees through the winter at the city-owned facility at Howard Park, in a move that would affect just 5 renters who board horses there. The council discussed the operations and lowering fees at the stable, attached to the city riding arena. Councilwoman Andrea Bonham said it is “not a great facility but the location is great.” The council looked at the rental agreements for the stables, and Councilman David Plank noted that the contract did not have a “single rate,” on a “per horse basis.” Costs are $328 a month, including $130 for the barn with paddock, $60 a month for cleaning and feeding. City Manager Kim Kerr said it costs the city more to operate the riding facility and stables that it receives in revenue. Kerr in a report to the council said in the past, the “city has not been an active participant in maintaining the facility and has left it up to the renters to maintain the building and surrounding area.” But in the last 2 years, the city has “picked up the cost to maintain the Port-A-Potty at the stables,” for $65 a month. She said the city has always paid all electric and water utility bills at the building. One of the renters, Laurie Lord said she wanted to “cut to the chase,” saying the issue began last year when she requested that the council waive arena fees for the 5 boarders during four winter months. She said short daylight hours of winter, combined with heavy booking of the arenas, makes for shortened availability of access to the riding arena. Lord said she was unaware that the Port-A-Potty was in a usable condition, and assumed it was in a state of disrepair similar to when she first looked inside it. The rental fee for the arena of $35 was waived by the council on a 4-1 vote, with Vice Mayor Skip Schaufel against it. Schaufel said: “We should not be talking about reducing rates, we should be talking about raising rates.” Kerr agreed, saying it is a money-losing proposition and the city should “try to get money where it can.” Plank moved to waive the arena rental fee for the 5 renters for the winter months of December through March, and the council passed that motion. Kerr said the city can issue arena passes to the 5 renters for that period of time. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson - The Amador County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a human leg was discovered in the Mokelumne River just west of Salt Springs Dam on Sunday evening. The remains were discovered by an unidentified individual and reported via radio to law enforcement at approximately 6 pm. Because of the leg’s location in the middle of the river, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Department was contacted to assist in the investigation. Authorities will not speculate as to where the leg came from or who it may belong to. The case is ongoing. TSPN will release more details as they become available. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sutter Creek – The Sutter Creek City Council subcommittee on fiscal impacts discussed mitigations of the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort Monday, talking about fees for “passive parks.” The committee will take recommendations on fiscal impacts and mitigations to the city council at a later meeting. The committee reached a consensus on fees per acre of “passive parks,” and also discussed such parks’ definition. They set the fee at $3,500 per acre, for the 21 acres of passive parks, which Gold Rush developer John Telischak said would not contain irrigation or playing fields. He said “90 percent of that 20-acr park is going to be left in its original state.” Planning Commissioner Mike Kirkley said that would mean 20 acres of weeding, and resident Ed Arata said they would need to put in place a fuel management program. Planning Commissioner Frank Cunha said “passive parks” were placed last week in the “open space” category of the Gold Rush specific plan, because the committee did not know what fee to set, and a recommendation of $12,700 seemed too high. Cunha told Amador County Recreation Agency Executive Director Tracy Towner-Yep that they thought there was a lower number, but the committee could not find one. Cunha said the parks would include fire “fuel management, a few picnic tables and trails.” Towner-Yep said the higher recommendation, ($13,000) assumed that because the park was flat, it would have playing fields. She said “if it’s that passive,” she would recommend $8,000 an acre, because there should be a restroom facility. City Manager and Police Chief Rob Duke said such a remote restroom building would simply be an attractor to drug users and other “extracurricular activity.” Telischak said $8,000 was high and he thought the fee should be a couple of thousand dollars an acre. Duke figured care of 21 acres of passive parks, including daily sanitation, would be about 1 full time employee, or probably 2 part-time employees, at a total cost of $3,500 an acre. Towner-Yep agreed. Councilwoman Sandy Anderson said confusion resulted from naming passive parks. She said “you should have never called it a park.” Resident Sharyn Brown recommended calling it a picnic area. Resident Ed Swift said the city should consider putting in a “dog park.” He said any given morning, about a dozen dogs are being trained in the baseball field at Minnie Provis Park. He said hours later, it’s usually filled with children playing. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.