Jackson – Parents of children taking a free plane ride at the 2009 Wings & Wheels saw their children take a precarious ride Saturday when a landing plane skidded off the tarmac of Westover Field in Jackson. Witnesses said the plane bumped its wheels onto the landing strip at the Amador County Airport, then the aircraft bounced up and skidded to a stop in the dirt beside the runway. Its propellers were damaged, but authorities at the field said there were no injuries in the crash. But a conflicting report to the Amador County Sheriff’s Office said 2 people from the plane were transported to a hospital to be checked out. One witness said a helicopter flying nearby may have contributed to the rough landing. After the plane stopped, parents and family members ran across the taxi road and runway to the airplane, to help remove the children. Parents were watching from a younger children’s “bounce house” area at the other end of the runway, as the free airplane rides were open only to children over age 8. A man at the bounce house said further flights to Westover Field were being diverted to a Rancho Cordova airport. About 3 more planes were allowed to land at Westover Field. Undersheriff Jim Wegner said Monday that plane crashes aren’t the sheriff’s jurisdiction, but they investigated anyway. He said the incident occurred at about 2:28 p.m. Saturday, and involved a single-engine plane with a pilot and 3 juvenile passengers on board the aircraft. The office was told there were no injuries, although a preliminary report said responders were transporting 2 people from the plane to the hospital to be checked out. Wegner said the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration were notified and “they determined it was an incident, not an accident.” He said they were categorizing as an incident, not an accident, and would not investigate. Wegner did not yet have the pilot’s name but the pilot reportedly has 15 years’ flying experience and 2,200 hours of flight time. (end) am Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sutter Creek – The Sutter Creek Ad Hoc Committee on traffic last Tuesday looked for tangible mitigations for Sutter Hill, in conjunction with the Gold Rush Ranh & Golf Resort. Planning Commissioner Mike Kirkley repeated Commissioner Robert Olson’s aim that “we were looking for a project they could actually do,” and “unless he saw real traffic mitigation, we couldn’t justify approving it.” Amador County Transportation Commission Executive Director Charles Field said areas that might need impact mitigation projects from Gold Rush included an estimated $3.5 million expansion of the intersection of Highways 104 and 49. Field said it is a “top priority,” but “we have no money programmed for that project.” He said Bowers Drive “is in the Regional Traffic Mitigation Fee Program,” and has some funding. They suggested Gold Rush developers could build Bowers Drive or the 104/49 junction and be reimbursed. Field said there is not much money there, and when it is built, the “level of service” will be “E” or “F,” and he suggested looking at a reimbursement agreement drafted for Wicklow Way. Gold Rush’s Greg Bardini suggested the developer be “reimbursed” by not having to pay building permits on the first 50 buildings. He said it would be better than getting smaller payments. Murphy saw the point, saying that the city did not want to build infrastructure accumulated by building permits, while developers did not want to be reimbursed with permit fees. Murphy said the problem is phasing, and the first phase is 25 years. He said they should tie payments to the number of units. Bardini said it would take them a while to build, especially before even building a house. Field said if they are going to phase it, they would probably need to pay more up front. Field said they could phase both projects, but “if Gold Rush doesn’t do anything, we could be in trouble.” He said some people think Sutter Hill needs improvement now, and it will definitely be needed in 3-5 years. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – Parents of children taking a free plane ride at the 2009 Wings & Wheels saw their children take a precarious ride Saturday when a landing plane skidded off the tarmac of Westover Field in Jackson. Witnesses said the plane bumped its wheels onto the landing strip at the Amador County Airport, then the aircraft bounced up and skidded to a stop in the dirt beside the runway. Its propellers were damaged, but authorities at the field said there were no injuries in the crash. But a conflicting report to the Amador County Sheriff’s Office said 2 people from the plane were transported to a hospital to be checked out. One witness said a helicopter flying nearby may have contributed to the rough landing. After the plane stopped, parents and family members ran across the taxi road and runway to the airplane, to help remove the children. Parents were watching from a younger children’s “bounce house” area at the other end of the runway, as the free airplane rides were open only to children over age 8. A man at the bounce house said further flights to Westover Field were being diverted to a Rancho Cordova airport. About 3 more planes were allowed to land at Westover Field. Undersheriff Jim Wegner said Monday that plane crashes aren’t the sheriff’s jurisdiction, but they investigated anyway. He said the incident occurred at about 2:28 p.m. Saturday, and involved a single-engine plane with a pilot and 3 juvenile passengers on board the aircraft. The office was told there were no injuries, although a preliminary report said responders were transporting 2 people from the plane to the hospital to be checked out. Wegner said the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration were notified and “they determined it was an incident, not an accident.” He said they were categorizing as an incident, not an accident, and would not investigate. Wegner did not yet have the pilot’s name but the pilot reportedly has 15 years’ flying experience and 2,200 hours of flight time. (end) am Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - If the life-sized purple people around town have caught your attention, then Operation Care is doing its job. The organization has placed 30 silhouettes of women, children, men, and even a dog at various locations around Amador County as a reminder that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The display was inspired by the national “Silent Witness Exhibits” founded in 1990 to honor women who have been murdered as a result of domestic violence. Each silhouette has a different, real life story or situation,” said Operation Care Executive Director Lynn Shield in a release last week. She said there is even a silhouette of a dog protected on a restraining order to reflect new legislation passed on January 1st that allows pets to be protected. Barbara, a program participant, helped to kickoff the campaign by posing with the silhouette that represents her. She is a 42-year-old woman who has lived with abuse since childhood. “My last relationship was almost my death. I was so badly beaten that my left lung is paralyzed and I have no teeth left in my mouth,” she said. Hers is one of the many heartbreaking stories of abuse attached to each of the purple people. But thanks to Operation Care, many of the stories have a silver lining. “Today I have learned to live a new life thanks to Operation Care,” said Barbara. “I have learned that I was the victim and I was a good person,” she said. In addition to the purple silhouettes, posters declaring “Peace Begins at Home” will be distributed throughout Amador County. Included with these are baskets that symbolize courage, survival, honor, and dedication to ending domestic violence. Look for all 30 purple people displays. If you or someone you know needs help, dial 911 or call the 24-hour crisis line at 209-223-2600. Operation Care provides safe shelter for women, men, and children, as well as counseling, support services, crisis intervention, education, and referrals. For more information, to make a contribution, to volunteer your services, or to obtain purple ribbons for your group, office, or organization, please call 209-223-2897. Story by Alex Lane, from a press release This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sutter Creek – The Sutter Creek Ad Hoc Committee on traffic last Tuesday looked for tangible mitigations for Sutter Hill, in conjunction with the Gold Rush Ranh & Golf Resort. Planning Commissioner Mike Kirkley repeated Commissioner Robert Olson’s aim that “we were looking for a project they could actually do,” and “unless he saw real traffic mitigation, we couldn’t justify approving it.” Amador County Transportation Commission Executive Director Charles Field said areas that might need impact mitigation projects from Gold Rush included an estimated $3.5 million expansion of the intersection of Highways 104 and 49. Field said it is a “top priority,” but “we have no money programmed for that project.” He said Bowers Drive “is in the Regional Traffic Mitigation Fee Program,” and has some funding. They suggested Gold Rush developers could build Bowers Drive or the 104/49 junction and be reimbursed. Field said there is not much money there, and when it is built, the “level of service” will be “E” or “F,” and he suggested looking at a reimbursement agreement drafted for Wicklow Way. Gold Rush’s Greg Bardini suggested the developer be “reimbursed” by not having to pay building permits on the first 50 buildings. He said it would be better than getting smaller payments. Murphy saw the point, saying that the city did not want to build infrastructure accumulated by building permits, while developers did not want to be reimbursed with permit fees. Murphy said the problem is phasing, and the first phase is 25 years. He said they should tie payments to the number of units. Bardini said it would take them a while to build, especially before even building a house. Field said if they are going to phase it, they would probably need to pay more up front. Field said they could phase both projects, but “if Gold Rush doesn’t do anything, we could be in trouble.” He said some people think Sutter Hill needs improvement now, and it will definitely be needed in 3-5 years. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Oakland – The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), beginning Monday, October 5, began to dramatically increase the amount of water being released into the Mokelumne River from Camanche Reservoir. The flow releases, which will range from 325 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 2,000 cfs and fluctuate through October 19, are in large part to create a “pulse flow” that will hopefully attract salmon to begin spawning in the river. This action is being coordinated with other river and reservoir managers in the south Delta area, also working to improve fish production. EBMUD is posting notices at public access locations and issuing advisories to people along the Mokelumne River below Camanche Reservoir to alert them that there will be much more water coming down the river than there has been during the last three years of drought. EBMUD wants to ensure the safety of the public and those who live and work along the river during this two-week effort to increase fish spawning. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sonora - The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors will today consider building a new Superior Court complex southeast of Sonora to be utilized by Amador and Calaveras counties. The total cost of the project was estimated to be $266 million in 2007. It involves moving all court business from the existing historic courthouse in downtown Sonora where court has been held since 1899. It will span across 50 acres and is meant to accommodate growing staff and government facilities. The new complex, titled the Law and Justice Center, will include a new jail and sheriff’s offices to replace the 50-year old existing quarters; offices for the district attorney, public defender and probation departments; a new county headquarters for the California Highway Patrol; and a juvenile detention center that could be built by 2013 using $21 million in funding from the state. This latter facility will be utilized by Amador and Calaveras counties as a way to cut costs associated with sending youth offenders to facilities in the Central Valley. Construction would begin on the juvenile hall. The cost of the new courthouse would be funded by the state because it took over all court functions from the counties. Some Sonora citizens and county employees have criticized the project for its potential impact on downtown businesses and restaurants that have come to rely on money from county employees. The Board will consider the Environmental Impact Report at their meeting today, the first step in a long process towards preliminary approval of a plan that has yet to show exactly where funding will come from. If approved, it is expected to be 20 years before the project is completed. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson - Four classes of kindergartners from Jackson Elementary paid a visit to the Jackson Fire Department Monday to learn about fire safety. The annual visit coincides with National Fire Prevention Week. TSPN caught up with teacher Kelly Churchill, whose class was the last to visit the site. “Some of them don’t have fire plans at home,” said Churchill. “It’s important that they learn fire safety.” The citizens-in-training were treated to a generous tour of the facility by Tawny Thornhill, Louie Podesta, Robert Grayhouse and Jenny Tremaine, all firefighters. They showed the kids the fire equipment, trucks and most importantly, methods of fire safety. Churchill said her students learned the importance of dialing 9-1-1 and what to do in case of a fire-related emergency. At the end of their tour, students were given pint-sized fire helmets before they posed together in a group photo. They were then treated to cookies courtesy of the firefighters. Said Thornhill: “They are a great group.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson - September 30 will always be a special day for Rachel Elmore of Ione. Following the death of her husband earlier in the year, 53-year-old Rachel was just beginning to look for a job when she hit a $1.2 million MegaJackpot at Jackson Rancheria Casino. She was initially playing on one of her two favorite $5 Wheel of Fortune slot machines in the High Limit Room when she won a $1,200 jackpot. While she was waiting to complete the paperwork on that win, she moved over to the Wheel machine next to it, played for a few minutes and then hit the MegaJackpot for $1,270,178.73. “I was a little confused,” she admits, when the machine first hit. “I expected all kinds of bells and noise and it was really rather quiet. The first two (winning) symbols came up very quickly but the third one came real slow.” She didn’t realize how large the jackpot was until an attendant arrived. “Then I just sat there and looked at it for a while.” Rachel and her husband moved to the Ione area about five years ago to be near their son. Following her husband’s death in May, she was beginning to look for a job. She says the jackpot means “peace of mind” and “stability.” “Jackson Rancheria Casino has had more MegaJackpot winners than any other casino in California,” notes Jackson Rancheria Director of Marketing Mike Pistoia. “We’re pleased to add Rachel to that long list as yet another example of Rancheria Style winners. We’ve paid out more than $22 million on these popular machines and look forward to many more winners.” Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel, located at 12222 New York Ranch Road, Jackson, CA, offers over 1,500 slot machines, more than 50 tables, 24-hour poker room, high limit room, five restaurants, hotel, RV Park, and gas station. For more information, call 800-822-WINN or visit jacksoncasino.com. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sutter Creek - Sutter Gold Mining, Inc., currently working toward reopening its Sutter Creek facility as a working gold mine, announced the appointment of a new Chief Operating Officer effective September 14 and the resignation of former CEO Clayr Alexander. James Crombie, Director, has been appointed as interim President and CEO until a suitable replacement is found. Notice of Alexander’s departure was mentioned briefly in a release that appeared on Marketwire last Wednesday. The former CEO was thanked for “his contribution during his tenure.” Alexander’s resignation was said to have been “effective immediately.” Bob Hutmacher, CFO at the Company’s corporate office in Denver, Colorado, said Alexander “left on great terms” and “decided to pursue other interests.” He said Alexander, originally from Montana, also had trouble with the commute. He said Matt Collins, former General Manager at Sutter Gold Mining and another mining company, Global Minerals Ltd, was promoted as Alexander’s pending replacement. The Marketwire release said Collins is “experienced evaluating and managing projects.” His recent responsibilities include all mine-site operations and pubic and human relations. It said he also has prior senior management experience in the mining and construction industries and has provided engineering and consulting services. Collin’s new role makes him responsible for a geologic audit and preliminary economic assessment. Pending “a positive production decision from the Board of Directors and the Company successfully raising capital,” Collins will assume responsibility for the construction and development of the company’s Sutter Creek-based operation, also known as the Lincoln Project. Alexander told TSPN in August that the “Motherlode is known as a historical gold producing district and we feel there is great opportunity in the Sutter Gold Mine.” The company has obtained all major operating permits for the project and is currently working to obtain a permit to discharge mining waste and complete design work needed to obtain the remaining operating and construction permits. Sutter Gold Mining, Inc., headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, controls over three miles of Mother Lode property, 90 percent of which has yet to be explored. The current resource estimate for the Sutter Gold project indicates that a collective 700,000 ounces of gold could possibly be extracted from this area. “We still have a lot of exploration potential on our properties,” said Alexander in August. The mine is now open exclusively for one hour underground tours “deep into the heart of the Mother Lode.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.