The Board of Supervisors donned another hat on Tuesday as they served as the Board of Equalization to make a  determination on whether the Revenue and Tax Code was applicable to the situation that came before them. The issue before them stems from an application that was submitted for a change in property tax assessments by Charles Howard, III Trust’s for the assessment of a mineral rights interest that had changed ownership back in 2000.…

A report recently released from the Labor Market Division of California's Employment Development Department shows there are a total of 13,020 employed people in Amador County and about 88 percent of those are employed in a service providing industry. The May 2007 Labor Market totals for Amador County show little change in employment figures with categories of Local Government, State Government, and Service providing industries. Most categories showed about a two percent growth rate, with…

The Council of Western State Foresters is reporting that California is a leader in the use of best management practices for forest water quality protection. “Well managed forests provide for the clean water necessary to maintain and enhance biodiversity in the watershed,” said Crawford Tuttle, Chief Deputy Director of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).

Senate Leader Don Perata and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez announced today that they had merged their competing health care reform proposals into one bill AB8- now, setting the stage talks between the Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Perata stated yesterday “At every step in this process, we have proved the critics wrong. We are showing that we can tackle a problem as big and complex as health care – and improve the lives of millions…

If you’re looking for a large animal to adopt the El Dorado County animal shelter may be able to help you out. Livestock currently looking for homes include “Roaming Joe”, a special needs quarter horse mix that is 23 years old and requires a special diet and regular veterinary care for his teeth.  Two other horses are also available:  “Woody”, a 10-year-old Arabian gelding, and “Dusty”, a 12-year-old mustang mix.  “Goldie” is a 13-year-old Jenny…

District Attorney Todd Riebe announced yesterday that the number of workers’ compensation fraud investigations and convictions handled by his office’s Workers’ Compensation Fraud Unit dramatically increased from the previous year. The Fraud Unit’s continued success in combating fraud has resulted in additional grant funding for the Unit which investigates and prosecutes workers’ compensation fraud, not just in Amador County but also in Placer and Calaveras Counties. Last week, the California Department of Insurance awarded a…

The Ione City Council approved the new agreement between Portlock International and the City regarding the use of treated water at Castle Oaks Golf Course. The new agreement was developed at a meeting held on June 11th .  The agreement was prepared quickly but it was pointed out by Dominic Atlan who manages the Castle Oaks Clubhouse that it was not prepared in haste.

On Tuesday the AWA made a request of the Board of Supervisors for the approval of grants from the Water Development Fund. Agency General Manager Jim Abercrombie was present to discuss the projects for which the agency was requesting the funds for. The first project was the economic, engineer, environmental and public outreach “fatal flaw” analysis of raising Lower Bear Reservoir so explained Abercrombie it “could provide additional water supply for Amador County.” While the…