The U.S. State Department last week temporarily relaxed rules for travelers to Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. Under new Homeland Security Measures travelers between the US and those countries and regions could get out of the country- but not back in without a valid US Passport. The result, massive back ups for the passport system with many travelers questioning their travel plans. Last week it was announced that those rules would be relaxed and the…

In politics a poll released by USA Today/ Gallop shows that New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has regained a double-digit lead over Illinois Sen. Barack Obama two weeks after the same survey found the Democratic presidential rivals essentially tied. As for the Republicans, the poll finds that former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani remains ahead, but former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson, who hasn't formally entered the race, for the first time edges into…

A vehicle versus house accident sent emergency personnel to an address on Niles Rd in the KC Ranchette subdivision. According to emergency personnel on scene a small fuel leak, a constantly honking horn and minor injuries were the result of the vehicle versus garage accident that occurred around 5pm last night. Apparently the driver thought the car was in reverse when exiting the garage and instead lurched through an exterior wall of the garage.

This afternoon, around 1 pm, a traffic collision involving a single car was reported in the parking lot at 1029 North Main Street, Jackson. According to responding Officer Chris Rice, the accident, involving a 17 year old female driver, was the result of driver inexperience. The driver lost control in the parking lot and hit several parked cars. Her two passengers, a 29 year old female and a 23 year old male were both transported…

The Amador-El Dorado Unit of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has suspended all burning permits within State Responsibility Areas of Amador – El Dorado counties as of 8 am this comingg Monday June 18th 2007. Campfires will be allowed in designated campgrounds with permission of the jurisdictional authority.  Anyone with questions about this declaration may contact their nearest CAL FIRE facility. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL…

Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting went until almost 3pm with the discussion focusing on one main topic- the Friends of Kirkwood and Foothill Conservancy’s appeal of the Planning Commissions approval of the Martin Point Tentative Subdivision Map located at Kirkwood. The Board of Supervisors was considering whether or not to uphold the Planning Commission’s decision. Before a project description was given Chairman Louis Boitano and Supervisors Ted Novelli, Richard Forster and Brian Oneto disclosed that…

The Amador County Recreation Agency began their meeting with a discussion of vandalism to the lights at Pioneer Park. According to Executive Director Tracey Towner Yep, the lenses of the lights were shot out. Towner Yep had already taken the initiative and authorized an emergency expenditure to hired Upchurch Electric to fix the lights.

It may seem like a trivial thing, but those "free" plastic bags we get at the grocers, department stores and restaurants are actually contributing to a world wide pandemic of plastics waste. Only 1-4% of the 19 billion plastic grocery and merchandise bags used annually in the State of California are recycled. That means that nearly 600 bags per second are discarded in California—destined either for the landfill or our marine environment. On July 1,…

Yesterday the AWA held a special dedication ceremony for the completed Amador Transmission Pipeline. Many Local dignitaries attended including, Supervisors Richard Forster, Ted Novelli, Louis Boitano and Brian Oneto. Al Nunes from the City of Jackson attended, as well as Peter Tatishi from Congressman Lungren’s office, and Dana Jorgensen from Senator Cox’s office. General Manager Jim Abercrombie kicked the ceremony off at the Tanner Reservoir and began with some history regarding the project, which took…

On Tuesday the Board of Supervisors reviewed the Weights and Measure Fee Schedule increase for registration requirements again. Now the fees would impact any commercial business who uses scales and measures in conjunction with their business practices.  At the previous meeting when the item was discussed Ag. Commissioner Mike Boitano was asked by the Board and public to come back with a variety of different fee schedules instead of implementing the entirety of the new…