Sutter Creek – The Sutter Creek City Council continues work on Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort this week. The Ad Hoc Gold Rush Fiscal Analysis Committee meets 10 a.m. Tuesday in the civic building. Councilwomen Linda Rianda and Sandy Anderson, will work with Planning Commissioner Frank Cunha to “review fiscal impacts,” then “come back with specific recommendations” for the council’s October 19th meeting. The “public hearing” closed, but public comment is invited at committee meetings, or in writing sent to City Hall. Comment over several meetings included a man who said he plays softball, coaches baseball and does not golf. He said “Sutter Creek has no future unless it has parks.” Ray Brusatori, who said he hoped the city park fees won’t be used for open space. 2007 Amador High graduate and Thundering Herd golf star Will Byrd spoke in support of Gold Rush, and thanked them for sponsoring the golf team. Planning Commissioner Mike Kirkley told the council that the commission was 4-1 in favor of reducing unit numbers, but Chairman Robin Peters did not want to consider a smaller number. Peters later said he used Gold Rush’s 1,335 units to appropriately determine impacts. The city council directed staff to bring information on unit number, so the council can decide on the project’s size, October 19th. In one discussion of conditions of approval and the development agreement, Councilman Pat Crosby said: “I don’t like to put a guarantee on houses. Can we put a guarantee on the golf course and the sewer?” The council later voted to draft a guarantee on the golf course property, with ownership reverting to the city, if the golf course is not built in 10 years. Mayor Gary Wooten noted that the property was originally purchased to be a spray field for the city wastewater system. City Manager Rob Duke later told the city council that staff in studying the issue found that the first phase of the sewer plant build-out would most easily be done by the city, with reimbursement by Gold Rush. Among those speaking in support was former Amador County Museum Curator Georgia Fox, and Former Supervisor Richard Vinson. One woman said the council should preserve the historic small-town setting of Amador County. Wooten noted that his grandfather was born in 1889 in Amador City, and at the time, 20,000 people lived there. Amador City is the smallest incorporated city in California, with a 2000 Census total of 196 residents. 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 today will hear a staff report that foreclosures of 182 units could release enough sewer capacity for the city to promise service to Amador County’s proposed new jail in Martell. A September 16th memo to City Sanitation Engineer Grant Reynolds said 4 subdivisions “will be required to reapply” for sewer will-serve letters “due to bank foreclosure on property” and “to make room for viable projects.” City Planner Bruce Baracco sent the memo after discussion with City Manager Rob Duke and Attorney Dennis Crabb on the fate of 4 previously approved subdivisions. The foreclosures fell on Golden Hills Estates, Units Number 3 and 4, with 41 and 10 single family units respectively. Also, Powder House Estates, which had “will serves” for 53 single units and 54 townhouses; and Lincoln Mine Center, with 22 single units and 24 four-plex units. In a report for today’s meeting, Duke recommended “the council consider adopting a will-serve policy with automatic expiration upon 2 years without vesting and vertical building on a project site, and automatic expiration if a project is foreclosed upon.” Duke also recommended the council “set aside any available capacity up to 20,000 gallons per day for the proposed county jail project.” Duke said “there are several projects that have reserved sewer capacity but are experiencing financial difficulties.” The foreclosed subdivisions have will-serves for 39,130 gallons a day of sewer treatment. Duke said the jail project “is very important to the region but cannot proceed without sewer capacity,” and the county “cannot fund a major sewer plant expansion but could proceed with a will-serve letter.” Amador County Supervisors and the Amador Water Agency have come to an agreement on reservation fees for water service for the proposed jail, for which the county is seeking to purchase property. The project needs an estimated 20,000 gallons a day sewer service. Baracco’s memo showed that the city has 572 potential units of development, including existing residential lots and future development. That includes 21 units in the historic downtown area, 92 vacant lots in existing subdivisions, and 452 “potential future residential projects.” The council agenda also includes a presentation by project partner Bill Bunce, who will give “updates” on Gold Rush. The council will hear a request from Planning Commission Chairman Robin Peters seeking to ask developers of Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort to pay for transcribing minutes to some of the 27 total meetings held solely on Gold Rush. Story by Jim Reece 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.

Sutter Creek – The Sutter Creek City Council today will hear a staff report that foreclosures of 182 units could release enough sewer capacity for the city to promise service to Amador County’s proposed new jail in Martell. A September 16th memo to City Sanitation Engineer Grant Reynolds said 4 subdivisions “will be required to reapply” for sewer will-serve letters “due to bank foreclosure on property” and “to make room for viable projects.” City Planner Bruce Baracco sent the memo after discussion with City Manager Rob Duke and Attorney Dennis Crabb on the fate of 4 previously approved subdivisions. The foreclosures fell on Golden Hills Estates, Units Number 3 and 4, with 41 and 10 single family units respectively. Also, Powder House Estates, which had “will serves” for 53 single units and 54 townhouses; and Lincoln Mine Center, with 22 single units and 24 four-plex units. In a report for today’s meeting, Duke recommended “the council consider adopting a will-serve policy with automatic expiration upon 2 years without vesting and vertical building on a project site, and automatic expiration if a project is foreclosed upon.” Duke also recommended the council “set aside any available capacity up to 20,000 gallons per day for the proposed county jail project.” Duke said “there are several projects that have reserved sewer capacity but are experiencing financial difficulties.” The foreclosed subdivisions have will-serves for 39,130 gallons a day of sewer treatment. Duke said the jail project “is very important to the region but cannot proceed without sewer capacity,” and the county “cannot fund a major sewer plant expansion but could proceed with a will-serve letter.” Amador County Supervisors and the Amador Water Agency have come to an agreement on reservation fees for water service for the proposed jail, for which the county is seeking to purchase property. The project needs an estimated 20,000 gallons a day sewer service. Baracco’s memo showed that the city has 572 potential units of development, including existing residential lots and future development. That includes 21 units in the historic downtown area, 92 vacant lots in existing subdivisions, and 452 “potential future residential projects.” The council agenda also includes a presentation by project partner Bill Bunce, who will give “updates” on Gold Rush. The council will hear a request from Planning Commission Chairman Robin Peters seeking to ask developers of Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort to pay for transcribing minutes to some of the 27 total meetings held solely on Gold Rush. 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 continues work on Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort this week. The Ad Hoc Gold Rush Fiscal Analysis Committee meets 10 a.m. Tuesday in the civic building. Councilwomen Linda Rianda and Sandy Anderson, will work with Planning Commissioner Frank Cunha to “review fiscal impacts,” then “come back with specific recommendations” for the council’s October 19th meeting. The “public hearing” closed, but public comment is invited at committee meetings, or in writing sent to City Hall. Comment over several meetings included a man who said he plays softball, coaches baseball and does not golf. He said “Sutter Creek has no future unless it has parks.” Ray Brusatori, who said he hoped the city park fees won’t be used for open space. 2007 Amador High graduate and Thundering Herd golf star Will Byrd spoke in support of Gold Rush, and thanked them for sponsoring the golf team. Planning Commissioner Mike Kirkley told the council that the commission was 4-1 in favor of reducing unit numbers, but Chairman Robin Peters did not want to consider a smaller number. Peters later said he used Gold Rush’s 1,335 units to appropriately determine impacts. The city council directed staff to bring information on unit number, so the council can decide on the project’s size, October 19th. In one discussion of conditions of approval and the development agreement, Councilman Pat Crosby said: “I don’t like to put a guarantee on houses. Can we put a guarantee on the golf course and the sewer?” The council later voted to draft a guarantee on the golf course property, with ownership reverting to the city, if the golf course is not built in 10 years. Mayor Gary Wooten noted that the property was originally purchased to be a spray field for the city wastewater system. City Manager Rob Duke later told the city council that staff in studying the issue found that the first phase of the sewer plant build-out would most easily be done by the city, with reimbursement by Gold Rush. Among those speaking in support was former Amador County Museum Curator Georgia Fox, and Former Supervisor Richard Vinson. One woman said the council should preserve the historic small-town setting of Amador County. Wooten noted that his grandfather was born in 1889 in Amador City, and at the time, 20,000 people lived there. Amador City is the smallest incorporated city in California, with a 2000 Census total of 196 residents. Story by Jim Reece 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.

Washington, D.C. – Amador County Congressman Dan Lungren (R-District 3) inspected the engraving of the national motto, “In God We Trust,” at the new Capitol Visitor’s Center in Washington, D.C., and called it a “superb job” and a “reminder of the importance our Founders placed on the guidance of Providence.” Lungren released a statement saying the capitol architect on Tuesday had finished engraving the motto, In God We Trust, at the Visitor’s Center. Lungren said the Visitor’s Center “is a wonderful addition to the capitol complex and it welcomes everyone who comes to share in our nation’s history.” He said the Visitor’s Center “itself contains a variety of statues including among others Sakajawea, King Kamehananea of Hawaii, Janet Rankin, (the first female member of Congress) and even Filo T. Farnsworth of Utah (the father of television).” Lungren said “In the midst of these wonderful symbols identifying us as a nation, I felt that an additional element of our nation’s history would add to this representation of our common patrimony and would be a reminder of the importance our Founders placed on the guidance of Providence in the birth, development and future of our Nation.” The motto, In God We Trust, was supported to be engraved on the Visitor’s Center by a House of Representatives resolution, passed on a vote of 410-8. But it was also subject of a lawsuit filed by an atheist group seeking to block the engraving of the motto, on grounds of a separation of church and state. The same group, Freedom From Religion Foundation rallied Wednesday at the Lodi City Council meeting to protest convocations to open City Council meetings there. But the plan backfired and the council voted Wednesday to keep an “uncensored convocation” as part of city council practices. Capitol Public Radio, KXJZ reported Thursday that: “Lodi’s City Council will continue to open meetings with a prayer. Council members voted Wednesday night to allow non-denominational invocations.” Freedom From Religion reportedly is also fighting such prayer practices in other small towns across California. The group’s federal lawsuit was filed July 14th to block “In God We Trust” from being engraved on the Visitor’s Center wall. The motto adorns numerous Washington D.C. buildings, but is part of the basis of the suit alleging a violation of the U.S. Constitution. The suit alleges the motto would violate the First Amendment. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

San Joaquin County - Roger Reece Kibbe, dubbed by the press as the “I-5 Strangler,” plead guilty in San Joaquin County Tuesday for raping and murdering six women, including one whose body was found near Highway 124 in 1986. As part of his plea deal, the 70-year-old will not face the death penalty, but will be sentenced to consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole. A release from the San Joaquin District Attorney’s Office said the decision not to seek the death penalty was made based on several factors, including “Mr. Kibbe’s advanced age.” However, Kibbe will talk to a psychologist, take a polygraph test and possibly lead investigators to old crime scenes. Kibbe will be sentenced for the six murders on November 5. His victims ranged in age from 19 to 29 and disappeared between 1977 and 1986. Police believe the women came in contact with Kibbe when their vehicles broke down along the highway and Kibbe stopped to help them. Kibbe then raped and strangled them before leaving their bodies in Amador, Sacramento, San Joaquin and Contra Costa counties. Kibbe has long been a key suspect in a number of gruesome murders. On Tuesday, he plead guilty to killing Lou Ellen Burleigh in 1977 and Lora Heedrick, Barbara Ann Scott, Stephanie Brown, Charmaine Sabrah and Katherine Kelly Quinones, all in 1986. Sabrah, 26, a Sacramento native and mother of three, encountered Kibbe after her car broke down at Peltier Road and I-5 on August 17, 1986. Sabrah left her mother with the vehicle and was seen leaving the scene in a sports car with a man who offered his help. Her strangled body was found November 9 of that same year off Highway 124 between Drytown and Ione. Kibbe was linked to the death of Sabrah and two other women through fibers, hair and other microscopic evidence produced by the state Department of Justice. Kibbe was finally nabbed and convicted in 1991 for the first-degree murder of 17-year-old Darcie Frackenpohl, a teen prostitute. Her body was found in El Dorado County. Kibbe has been in prison since his conviction. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - A statewide sweep enforcing California’s heat illness prevention regulations resulted in 119 violations last week, including serious violations in Amador County. It was the largest heat enforcement sweep to date. Under state law, employers must provide and encourage workers to drink fresh water, provide access to shaded areas, and offer training on heat illness, including how to recognize symptoms and call the proper authorities in case of an emergency. Many of the regulations enforced last week have been in place for at least 20 years, according to Erica Monterroza, CAL/OSHA Spokeswoman. She said Governor Schwarzenegger made enforcement of these regulations a priority in 2005 after a string of farmworker fatalities. “There may even have been other violations observed, but for the purpose of this operation our focus in on heat-related violations,” she said. Statewide, 43 inspection teams visited over 91 outdoor work sites. Serious violations occurred in Amador, Contra Costa, Fresno, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. Twelve inspectors from the Department of Industrial Relations' Division of Occupational Safety and Health conducted surprise sweeps of 23 agriculture and construction related businesses in Amador county. Nine sites were found to have heat-related violations. Two companies- M & R Packing Company in Martell and Jackson Valley Vineyards in Ione- were classified as having serious code violations. Both of these inspections were conducted on September 22 and 23, respectively. M & R Packing violations included a lack of proper shade available at all times, a lack of fresh, clean drinking water, and a written program outlining emergency procedures. Jackson Valley Vineyards did not provide adequate shade or a heat illness prevention program. Both cases are still open, but the businesses could see fines between $5000 and $17,000. Monterroza said investigations typically take 3-4 months, though they have up to six under state guidelines. Before last week's sweep, Cal/OSHA had conducted 2,485 inspections of outdoor workplaces. “We continue to look at ways to partner with different companies and individuals to let them know protections are available,” said Monterroza. 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 settled a dispute with its police officers’ union Monday by reverting to its “last best offer” in labor negotiations. The move, combined with other labor cuts, will reduce the city budget by $370,000. The council in a special meeting Monday resolved an impasse in labor negotiations with the Sutter Creek Police Officer’s Association by approving implementation of the city’s “last best offer” for terms and conditions of employment. The action settles an impasse declared by the Sutter Creek Police Officer’s Association, after negotiations broke down. Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe said the council approved the POA’s request for an impasse declaration on September 21st and at the same time, the council directed staff to prepare for a “consideration of unilateral implementation of wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.” The council on Monday approved that implementation. Rabe said the POA and city council were unable to agree on a new contract, and POA representatives declared an impasse, which the city council accepted. The city council declined a POA request for mediation and reverted to the same “last best offer” the city had made to the POA before negotiations hit a stalemate. Rabe said it takes 2 parties to enter into a contract, but under city procedures, the council has the ability to enforce the city council’s “last best offer.” The city council Finance Committee, made up of Mayor Pro Tem Tim Murphy and Councilwoman Linda Rianda, worked with Rabe and City Manager Rob Duke, on negotiations in August, when the council was facing a $200,000 budget deficit. Rabe in a staff report said the implemented offer “cannot be called a contract,” because there has been no agreement reached with the POA. “Instead it should simply be considered as policies for wages, working conditions and benefits.” He said changes to the policies from the previous agreement included an 8 percent furlough; dental and vision insurance to be included under a medical cap; a vacation accrual cap of 240 hours; and suspension of “Cost of Living Adjustment” and vacation buyback. Rabe said the cuts create a General Fund savings of about $370,000, when combined with those previously made to city Service Employee International Union pay and benefits. Provisions require new hires to pay their own retirement. The offer, as implemented policy, gives the city an option for “additional concessions” and “furlough reduction,” depending on losses or gains in revenue. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.