Sutter Creek – The Sutter Creek City Council committee on grading discussed the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort on Monday, and asked the developer to bring back maps to illustrate the aerial look of the project. Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe said the committee discussed grading and oak tree retention for a long time, and then asked the developers to bring back detailed maps showing the various types of grading, and also what the “tree crows” will look like. Rabe said the maps will show areas with less than 10 percent slope and areas with “10 percent crown cover for trees.” He said the maps will allow the committee to “see what the project will look like.” The developers will bring back the “canopy density,” and a map that shows the grading, in three degrees. They are general grading, mass grading, and no grading. Bunce in an early September public hearing said they proposed a mix of different grading, to avoid the planning commission’s suggestion of all custom grading. Bunce said “there is a happy medium between full custom lots and 600 acres of mass grading and tree denuding.” Bunce said at another meeting in mid-September that the Gold Rush plan would save about 20 percent of trees in residential areas, and the total number of trees saves “as a percentage is in the high 60s, maybe as high as 65 percent.” Rabe said the city and the developer still had to reach an agreement to “finalize oak tree retention” percentages that would be required to be left in the different grading areas. He said the maps will show the planned grading and its affects. The city council last week appointed the grading committee, which worked with Rabe and city agreement consultant Anders Hauge. Committee members are Councilman Pat Crosby, Councilwoman Sandy Anderson, Planning Commission Chairman Robin Peters, and Commissioner Frank Cunha. Gold Rush will bring the maps to a meeting of the grading committee, which reconvenes 2 p.m. Friday (October 30th) at the Sutter Creek Civic Building on Church Street. Rabe said if there was a scheduling conflict at the civic building, the meeting would be moved to the city auditorium on Main Street. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – An Amador City woman was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated Tuesday after crashing her vehicle into an occupied school bus that was stopped at an intersection on Highway 49, near Ridge Road. The California Highway Patrol’s Amador County Unit reported that 3 students and a driver were on the school bus, and all 4 escaped injury in the incident. CHP Public Information Officer Craig Harmon said that Catherine Rios, 48, of Amador City was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and driving while intoxicated. CHP reported that at about 11:59 a.m. Tuesday, Rios was driving a 2003 GMC and was northbound on Highway 49 just south of Ridge Road. The bus, a 2005 model, was stopped at the stop light in the northbound lane of Highway 49, in the same lane in which Rios was approaching in her vehicle. Rios failed to stop her vehicle and it crashed into the rear end of the school bus. Rios sustained moderate injuries as a result of the crash and was treated at a hospital and released. Harmon said Rios was cleared from the hospital and arrested for a DUI and for driving with a blood alcohol content over the legal limit, or greater than .08 percent. Rios was booked into the Amador County Jail. Harmon said CHP investigates all school bus collisions in any jurisdiction because CHP is the state regulator of school busses. Harmon said all 3 students and the driver were not injured. The students, 2 male minors and 1 female minor, and the bus driver, Judy Long, of Amador City, all were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. Harmon said the bus apparently sustained no damage. Harmon said the bus was one of the shorter busses in the fleet of the Amador County Unified School District. ACUSD Transportation Director Andy Peters did not return a call seeking information about the bus, its riders and its destination. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sacramento – Eight state and local agencies are teaming up today (Thursday, October 29th) to promote using a “designated driver” in an effort to decrease the number of drunk driver-related deaths in California. Fran Clader, media relations officer for the California Highway Patrol in Sacramento said in a release Wednesday that a visual display will be shown at 10 a.m. today at the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office. The display will include a patrol car, a coroner’s vehicle and a gurney. Clader said: “Last year in California, 1,112 people were killed at the hands of an impaired driver.” Statewide, there were more that 217,000 arrests made for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Clader said: “With the help of its traffic safety partners and through the Designated Driver Program, the California Highway Patrol is dedicated to reducing the number of DUI-related collisions and victims killed.” Today’s program, “Save A Life, Designate A Driver,” includes 8 partner members, including CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow; and Brenda Frachiseur, acting executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Clader said attendees included California Office of Traffic Safety Director Christopher J. Murphy; and Sacramento Assistant Coroner Ed Smith. Also expected to attend are representatives from Alcoholic Beverage Control, Department of Motor Vehicles, California Chiefs of Police Association and California State Sheriff’s Association. A TSPN TV staff report. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sutter Creek – The Amador Water Agency has set a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Plymouth water pipeline for Monday morning, and has also called a special meeting for Thursday afternoon to continue items left over from last week’s regular board meeting. Board President Terence Moore called the special meeting for 3 p.m. Thursday at the AWA office on Ridge Road, because the meeting was not continued. The agenda Thursday includes reports from committees, including Upper Mokelumne River Watershed Authority, Mountain Counties, engineering, public relations, rates & rules and the California Rural Water Association. The board will also get reports from the Amador County Joint Water Committee and the General Manager’s monthly report. Board members may also report on various activities or meetings “that they have been involved in within their respective districts.” Reports will be for discussion only, and anything “requiring action will be placed on an upcoming agenda for consideration.” Closed session also may be called for a conference with labor negotiators. The board last week hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on the Gayla Manor wastewater treatment system upgrade. The board had about 6 special meetings scheduled over 2 weeks that began Monday with a La Mel Heights rate hearing. They will also hold a rate hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday for the Wastewater Improvement District Number 1, which includes the systems at Eagle’s Nest, Surrey Junction, Wildwood Estates, Gayla Manor, Viewpoint, Fairway Pines, Mace Meadow, Jackson Pines, Pine Grove and Tiger Creek Estates. The rate hearing is at the AWA office on Ridge Road. The AWA board also has scheduled a special meeting starting 9 a.m. Friday at Thomi’s Café & Bakery, at 627 South Highway 49 in Jackson. The Thomi’s meeting is a “Strategic Planning” session, which is open to the public. The meeting in the past has been an all-day affair. The AWA board continues its special meetings with another at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Plymouth water treatment plant, for a dedication of the AWA-Plymouth potable water pipeline. The agency will host the “Plymouth Pipeline Project Valve Turning and Dedication” ceremony, which will kick off with comments from AWA Board President Terry Moore, representative of District 5, including Plymouth. The AWA announced that “distinguished guests” will also make comments. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Plymouth – At 156 years old, the third century of the Arroyo Ditch may be its most lucrative, according Plymouth City Manager Dixon Flynn. The canal built in 1853 and long operated as the primary water source for Plymouth had fallen into disrepair. This summer it was restored, and once again flowed into Plymouth. Flynn told the Plymouth City Council last week that the value of the ditch water rights could be exponential in the next decade. Flynn said his “conservative estimate of the financial benefit to Plymouth is between $10 (million) and $20 million over the next 10 years.” He said: “Approximately $500,000 per year will be used to lower water and sewer rates for the existing residents in Plymouth.” The city awaits activation of a $10 million water pipeline that it built with the Amador Water Agency. Funding the project’s debt service has been an item of concern in the city, and the water diversion rights connecting Plymouth with the Cosumnes River have been the object of work with the Shenandoah Water Company. In January, the town formerly known as Pokerville, sought a contractor to help with ditch operation and rights. In April, Shenandoah Water Company began work on the ditch, and in mid-May, after the contractor spent $60,0000, water flowed again through the Arroyo Ditch and into Plymouth. In July, the Plymouth City Council retained water rights law specialists, Somach Simmons & Dunn of Sacramento, and since then have been negotiating with Shenandoah Water Company. Flynn said Thursday “city staff and the mayor have conducted extensive discussion with the county and Shenandoah Water Company regarding the city’s water right and the marketing of water.” He said the objective is to “market the city’s water on a short term basis.” Flynn told the council “we are close to an agreement.” Negotiations have been done by Mayor Jon Colburn and also Councilwoman Patricia Shackleton. In the January request for proposals, Flynn said there was “a wide range of opinions on the city’s water rights.” He said the Arroyo Ditch is a “pre-1914 water right and the estimated right ranges from approximately 23,000 acre fee to approximately 500 acre feet.” The right allows that amount of water to be diverted from the Cosumnes River. Plymouth signed a 2006 agreement with the AWA to build the pipeline, which will be dedicated in a ceremony at the city water tank, 10:30 a.m. Monday. Plymouth faces developer plans seeking about 2,500 homes and 27 commercial buildings over the next 20 years, along with the possibility of a casino, proposed by the Ione Band of Miwok Indians. 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 once again discussed raising the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) from 6 to 10 percent, with action delayed pending further research on the matter. County Administrative Officer Terri Daly told the board on Tuesday that research so far is “kind of like a ball of string- every time we pull on a string, more and more questions come up.” She said most of the surrounding counties currently have a TOT of 10 percent. The tax goes by various names and is typically levied against visitors who stay in hotels, inns, motels, recreational vehicle parks or other specified lodging. The authority to collect TOT is generally granted to the County Tax Collector by the Board of Supervisors. Deputy County Counsel Jennifer Magee said the TOT can apply to RV Parks and campgrounds, “if it is a membership-type campground.” The Supervisors have for the most part expressed support for the tax, which would in turn support local organizations like the Amador Council of Tourism. Daly said her research has raised many questions she would like to answer before drafting an ordinance. For example, she wondered why Calaveras and Tuolumne counties were unable to pass a TOT in recent years, but El Dorado County was. In reference to previous inquiries by the Supervisors, Magee said “it is not advisable to apply the tax to non-residents because…there is a constitutional equal-protection issue.” Vice-Chairman Brian Oneto, who was heading up the day’s proceedings because Chairman Ted Novelli was ill, asked for one uniform rate across the county. Daly said she would look into that. He also asked if the board would consider changing the name to something easier to understand, and suggested “Hotel Tax.” All advice from the board was taken into consideration. They plan to revisit the item in their upcoming meeting next Tuesday. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sutter Creek - Amador County Public Health received its second shipment of H1N1 vaccine, according to a release by the department on Tuesday. However, limited quantities mean the vaccine is prioritized for children 2-5 years of age and caregivers 6 months or younger. “This second shipment includes different forms of the vaccine, making it available to a greater range of priority groups,” said the release. Those who will be offered the vaccine first include individual’s age 6 months to 24 years, pregnant women, individuals who live with or provide care for infants younger than 6 months, health care personnel and individuals age 25 – 65 who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for flu related complications. Amador County Public Health Director Angel LeSage said they have yet to schedule any public clinics because the vaccine is coming in “in waves” and is first being distributed among health care providers. “It has to do with production and what is available,” she said. However, they have arranged clinics with Amador County Unified School District “in order to ensure the vaccine is distributed as quickly as possible.” Elementary school clinics are scheduled for October 28, 29 and 30. Informational packets with consent forms will be mailed home to junior high and senior high school parents October 29 with clinics tentatively scheduled for the week of November 9. LeSage encouraged citizens to contact their health care provider to see if they have yet to offer the vaccine. Last Saturday, President Barack Obama declared H1N1 a national emergency, a move intended to give health care facilities more flexibility in dealing with an expected surge of infected patients. This declaration also helps the health secretary cut red tape that complicates treatment of patients on Medicare and Medicaid. Amador County Public Health is also dealing with persistent rumors that the vaccine may do more harm than good. LeSage said that is simply not true. “It’s new in that it is a new virus, not a new vaccine. If H1N1 would have been available at a much sooner stage, it probably would have been rolled in with our usual seasonal flu vaccine,” she said. Until larger quantities of vaccine become available, health officials are promoting more traditional methods of prevention. “The best prevention for both H1N1 and seasonal flu remains vaccination, washing your hands frequently, covering your cough and your sneeze and staying home if you are sick,” said Dr. Bob Hartmann, Amador County Health Officer. For the latest flu information visit the public health website or call 223-6407. “H1N1 is in our community, but we haven’t had any deaths,” said LeSage. “What we’re trying to do is keep less people from getting it at any one time.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sutter Creek - Amador County Public Health received its second shipment of H1N1 vaccine, according to a release by the department on Tuesday. However, limited quantities mean the vaccine is prioritized for children 2-5 years of age and caregivers 6 months or younger. “This second shipment includes different forms of the vaccine, making it available to a greater range of priority groups,” said the release. Those who will be offered the vaccine first include individual’s age 6 months to 24 years, pregnant women, individuals who live with or provide care for infants younger than 6 months, health care personnel and individuals age 25 – 65 who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for flu related complications. Amador County Public Health Director Angel LeSage said they have yet to schedule any public clinics because the vaccine is coming in “in waves” and is first being distributed among health care providers. “It has to do with production and what is available,” she said. However, they have arranged clinics with Amador County Unified School District “in order to ensure the vaccine is distributed as quickly as possible.” Elementary school clinics are scheduled for October 28, 29 and 30. Informational packets with consent forms will be mailed home to junior high and senior high school parents October 29 with clinics tentatively scheduled for the week of November 9. LeSage encouraged citizens to contact their health care provider to see if they have yet to offer the vaccine. Last Saturday, President Barack Obama declared H1N1 a national emergency, a move intended to give health care facilities more flexibility in dealing with an expected surge of infected patients. This declaration also helps the health secretary cut red tape that complicates treatment of patients on Medicare and Medicaid. Amador County Public Health is also dealing with persistent rumors that the vaccine may do more harm than good. LeSage said that is simply not true. “It’s new in that it is a new virus, not a new vaccine. If H1N1 would have been available at a much sooner stage, it probably would have been rolled in with our usual seasonal flu vaccine,” she said. Until larger quantities of vaccine become available, health officials are promoting more traditional methods of prevention. “The best prevention for both H1N1 and seasonal flu remains vaccination, washing your hands frequently, covering your cough and your sneeze and staying home if you are sick,” said Dr. Bob Hartmann, Amador County Health Officer. For the latest flu information visit the public health website or call 223-6407. “H1N1 is in our community, but we haven’t had any deaths,” said LeSage. “What we’re trying to do is keep less people from getting it at any one time.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson - The Amador County Board of Supervisors once again discussed raising the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) from 6 to 10 percent, with action delayed pending further research on the matter. County Administrative Officer Terri Daly told the board on Tuesday that research so far is “kind of like a ball of string- every time we pull on a string, more and more questions come up.” She said most of the surrounding counties currently have a TOT of 10 percent. The tax goes by various names and is typically levied against visitors who stay in hotels, inns, motels, recreational vehicle parks or other specified lodging. The authority to collect TOT is generally granted to the County Tax Collector by the Board of Supervisors. Deputy County Counsel Jennifer Magee said the TOT can apply to RV Parks and campgrounds, “if it is a membership-type campground.” The Supervisors have for the most part expressed support for the tax, which would in turn support local organizations like the Amador Council of Tourism. Daly said her research has raised many questions she would like to answer before drafting an ordinance. For example, she wondered why Calaveras and Tuolumne counties were unable to pass a TOT in recent years, but El Dorado County was. In reference to previous inquiries by the Supervisors, Magee said “it is not advisable to apply the tax to non-residents because…there is a constitutional equal-protection issue.” Vice-Chairman Brian Oneto, who was heading up the day’s proceedings because Chairman Ted Novelli was ill, asked for one uniform rate across the county. Daly said she would look into that. He also asked if the board would consider changing the name to something easier to understand, and suggested “Hotel Tax.” All advice from the board was taken into consideration. They plan to revisit the item in their upcoming meeting next Tuesday. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Plymouth – At 156 years old, the third century of the Arroyo Ditch may be its most lucrative, according Plymouth City Manager Dixon Flynn. The canal built in 1853 and long operated as the primary water source for Plymouth had fallen into disrepair. This summer it was restored, and once again flowed into Plymouth. Flynn told the Plymouth City Council last week that the value of the ditch water rights could be exponential in the next decade. Flynn said his “conservative estimate of the financial benefit to Plymouth is between $10 (million) and $20 million over the next 10 years.” He said: “Approximately $500,000 per year will be used to lower water and sewer rates for the existing residents in Plymouth.” The city awaits activation of a $10 million water pipeline that it built with the Amador Water Agency. Funding the project’s debt service has been an item of concern in the city, and the water diversion rights connecting Plymouth with the Cosumnes River have been the object of work with the Shenandoah Water Company. In January, the town formerly known as Pokerville, sought a contractor to help with ditch operation and rights. In April, Shenandoah Water Company began work on the ditch, and in mid-May, after the contractor spent $60,0000, water flowed again through the Arroyo Ditch and into Plymouth. In July, the Plymouth City Council retained water rights law specialists, Somach Simmons & Dunn of Sacramento, and since then have been negotiating with Shenandoah Water Company. Flynn said Thursday “city staff and the mayor have conducted extensive discussion with the county and Shenandoah Water Company regarding the city’s water right and the marketing of water.” He said the objective is to “market the city’s water on a short term basis.” Flynn told the council “we are close to an agreement.” Negotiations have been done by Mayor Jon Colburn and also Councilwoman Patricia Shackleton. In the January request for proposals, Flynn said there was “a wide range of opinions on the city’s water rights.” He said the Arroyo Ditch is a “pre-1914 water right and the estimated right ranges from approximately 23,000 acre fee to approximately 500 acre feet.” The right allows that amount of water to be diverted from the Cosumnes River. Plymouth signed a 2006 agreement with the AWA to build the pipeline, which will be dedicated in a ceremony at the city water tank, 10:30 a.m. Monday. Plymouth faces developer plans seeking about 2,500 homes and 27 commercial buildings over the next 20 years, along with the possibility of a casino, proposed by the Ione Band of Miwok Indians. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.