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.

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.

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.

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 Friends of the Amador County Library (FACL) pulled in profits and new members during their fall used book sale to benefit Amador County libraries. In total, approximately $1,784.10 was raised and the group recruited 26 new members. All proceeds, together with funds collected previously, will go towards the purchase of books and computer-related items on the 2009 “library wish list.” These include two early-literacy computer stations with software through children in kindergarten through fourth grade, a new computer for the children’s section, additional shelving for the adult non-fiction area and an $850 World Book Encyclopedia collection. The biggest challenge will be a new children’s section, describes as a “multi-year challenge.” The event took place at the American Legion Hall, who donated their space, along with assistance from the Pine Grove Youth Conservatory Camp and Altera Realty, who provided a truck. “We are very grateful to all our supporters for making this event possible,” said FACL President Susan Staggs in a monthly bulletin. One big supporter was Umpqua Bank, who donated and prepared hotdogs for FACL members at the event. Fall has so far been a big season for FACL. The group was designated by the Mother Lode Newcomers Club as one of two recipients for their annual philanthropy award. “It is quite an honor given the large number of worthy non-profits in Amador County,” said Staggs. The award includes an as yet unspecified donation, to be awarded in May 2010. It will further assist in purchasing items on the wish list. Another book sale is scheduled for May 14-16, 2010. Another upcoming event will be the “Tellabration” at the Main Library in Jackson on November 21 from 11 am until 2 pm. It is described as “a worldwide storytelling event.” For large donations of books, call Susan Staggs at 296-0940 or Helen Bierce at 267-0855. Visit www.co.amador.ca.us/depts/library for more information on library services and the Friends of Amador County Library group. A TSPN TV Staff Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – The Amador County Board of Supervisors will continue discussion on a number of hot topics next week. During a special workshop next Tuesday from 1:30 – 3:30 pm, supervisors will discuss the proposed Mokelumne River National Wild and Scenic River Designation. An informal study will be presented followed by brief informational presentations and a question and answer period with specialists. The designation, supported by many in the foothills, would preserve and protect the river from development that would substantially change its wild and scenic nature. The informational panel will consist of Doug Barber and Sue Rodman of the U.S. Forest Service, Jim Eicher of the Bureau of Land Management, Gene Mancebo of the Amador Water Agency, Pete Bell of the Foothill Conservancy and John Hoffman, natural resources consultant for Amador County. At next Tuesday’s board meeting, Dr. Bob Hartmann and Health Director Angel LeSage will update the board on the current status of H1N1 in Amador County including information on educational campaigns, clinics, vaccine availability, and the number of vaccines administered so far. The District Attorney’s office will follow up for approval to fill an open position for a Deputy District Attorney. Also on the agenda will be discussion and possible action relative to approval of a First Amendment of Contract for Conveyance of the Arroyo Ditch. Another item will be discussion relative to the selection of a 2010 representative for the California State Association of Counties Board of Directors. At Monday’s Administrative Meeting, Supervisors Novelli and Oneto will review and possibly recommend clarification of specific points and terms in the revenue sharing agreement for Gold Rush Ranch and the Noble Ranch Annexation. The General Services Administration will seek recommendations relative to library behavior guidelines and a request by the Amador County Historical Society to re-open the Mine Model exhibit. Another notable item will be the consideration of two applications received requesting financial assistance as part of the Safe Drinking Water Program, which can provide assistance to low income property owners for the repair of failed on-site sewage systems. All meetings will take place at the County Administration Building, 810 Court Street in Jackson. The Wild and Scenic workshop and the Supervisors meeting will be in the Supervisors Chambers and the Administrative Committee meeting will be in Conference Room C. The public is welcome to attend. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sutter Creek – Sutter Creek City Council’s finance committee meets today to look at an updated fiscal impact analysis of the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort. Among topics will be obligations and duties of the Gold Rush Home Owners Association. City Attorney Dennis Crabb last week said there was concern about those obligations, including “maintenance of swales and drainage ways” and “wildfire management” on private lands in Gold Rush. The Finance Committee discussed those Home Owners Association duties in an early October meeting. Planning Commissioner Frank Cunha said agreements with Gold Rush say: “Public park lands will be deeded to the city” by the developer. The city will be paying all maintenance costs, even if there is nothing on those properties. Planning Commission Chairman Robin Peters said the language in the agreement says the developer must “offer” dedication to the city, and the city can accept that offer when it is ready. The committee discussed some of the tasks that the Gold Rush HOA would take on. Sutter Creek resident Ed Arata said developers Bill Bunce and John Telischak agreed to put in place a fire fuel management program,” and suggested the Home Owners Association would handle its operation. Arata said costs need to be assessed and the city needs to “know how big a burden the developers want to take on.” Telischak said there will be a Home Owners Association handling items under discussion. Arata said the city should get it in writing, including who pays for and handles work, including mowing and weeding in open space. He said “it could be potentially a large cost.” Susan Goodwin, a consultant updating the fiscal impact analysis, said they figured costs to the city but had not yet figured HOA costs. She said “there might be more to pay for than just fire.” City Manager Rob Duke said fireproofing private property is handled by its owners, and if not, it’s handled by the city. But he said it’s in the city’s “DNA not to be hard-nosed about weedy vacant infill lots.” Rianda asked if the city has “the teeth to do that,” and Duke said it did not. He said he has asked the city council to change that, without luck. Arata said the city “never did weed abatement until the 1960s,” when a fire that started in Fiddletown burned all the way into Sutter Creek. The finance committee meets 1 p.m. today in the Church Street civic building. The meeting is open to the public. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – As reported last Friday, about 20 “non-professional” nurses, pharmacists and family members picketed in front of Sutter Amador Hospital on November 6th to draw attention to union contract negotiations under way later that day. Theresa Talbert, a critical care registered nurse at the hospital, said the 100-plus employees considered “non-professional” by their parent union, the Service Employees International Union, are members of its subgroup, the United Healthcare Workers West union. Talbert said they are not on strike but rather holding an informational picket, to tell people that they have not had a contract in almost 2 years. She said UHW workers and family stood on the picket starting at 7 a.m. and were wrapping up the demonstration at 10 a.m. UHW includes registered nurses or workers from physical therapy, medical surgery, critical care and pharmacy. Talbert said they are “just trying to get a completed contract” and they think the hospital is “stalling.” She was going to negotiations later that day at the Holiday Inn Express, with UHW members from Sutter Amador Hospital, RN Debbie Cheney, pharmacist Todd Berg and union representative Beth Haddorf. They would be negotiating with the corporate representative. She said they have had a lot good contract language added, but differ in raises. Talbert said workers are seeking a 4 percent raise, while Sutter Amador Hospital is offering a 1.25 percent increase, a 2.25 percent increase for RNs, and a 20-cent raise for physical therapists, which she said is “quite insulting.” She said the Jackson workers’ wages are 14-18 percent below much of Northern California counterparts at other hospitals. She said Mark Twain Hospital’s similar workers earn only 6-9 percent more that the Jackson workers. Talbert said: “Even if we get what we’re asking for, which is 4 percent, we’re still not ahead of anybody.” She said it is hard to keep people at the Jackson hospital, and using substitutes “puts patients at risk.” Sutter Amador Hospital CEO Ann Platt said she was disappointed that the union members did not give the hospital 10 days’ notice that they were going to picket, as required, so the hospital can notify the authorities, employees and patients. Platt said they have been in negotiations since June, and have had 7 sessions since then. They also meet twice more this month. Platt said raise offers are “not quite so significant this year,” due to the economic climate. She said the hospital is very committed to working with the SEIU’s UHW workers. Platt said: “We certainly value our employees and want to make sure that we meet their needs.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sutter Creek – Sutter Creek City Council’s finance committee meets today to look at an updated fiscal impact analysis of the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort. Among topics will be obligations and duties of the Gold Rush Home Owners Association. City Attorney Dennis Crabb last week said there was concern about those obligations, including “maintenance of swales and drainage ways” and “wildfire management” on private lands in Gold Rush. The Finance Committee discussed those Home Owners Association duties in an early October meeting. Planning Commissioner Frank Cunha said agreements with Gold Rush say: “Public park lands will be deeded to the city” by the developer. The city will be paying all maintenance costs, even if there is nothing on those properties. Planning Commission Chairman Robin Peters said the language in the agreement says the developer must “offer” dedication to the city, and the city can accept that offer when it is ready. The committee discussed some of the tasks that the Gold Rush HOA would take on. Sutter Creek resident Ed Arata said developers Bill Bunce and John Telischak agreed to put in place a fire fuel management program,” and suggested the Home Owners Association would handle its operation. Arata said costs need to be assessed and the city needs to “know how big a burden the developers want to take on.” Telischak said there will be a Home Owners Association handling items under discussion. Arata said the city should get it in writing, including who pays for and handles work, including mowing and weeding in open space. He said “it could be potentially a large cost.” Susan Goodwin, a consultant updating the fiscal impact analysis, said they figured costs to the city but had not yet figured HOA costs. She said “there might be more to pay for than just fire.” City Manager Rob Duke said fireproofing private property is handled by its owners, and if not, it’s handled by the city. But he said it’s in the city’s “DNA not to be hard-nosed about weedy vacant infill lots.” Rianda asked if the city has “the teeth to do that,” and Duke said it did not. He said he has asked the city council to change that, without luck. Arata said the city “never did weed abatement until the 1960s,” when a fire that started in Fiddletown burned all the way into Sutter Creek. The finance committee meets 1 p.m. today in the Church Street civic building. The meeting is open to the public. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.