A mysterious illness is killing tens of thousands of honeybee colonies across the country, threatening honey production, the livelihood of beekeepers and possibly crops that need bees for pollination. Researchers are scrambling to find the cause of the ailment, called Colony Collapse Disorder. Reports of unusual colony deaths have come from at least 22 states. Some affected commercial beekeepers - who often keep thousands of colonies - have reported losing more than 50 percent of…

A federal judge ruled Friday that a voter-approved California Prop83 can't be applied retroactively to where sex offenders live, potentially freeing thousands of parolees from a ban on living within 2,000 feet of a school, park or place where children gather. U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton said there was nothing in Proposition 83, commonly known as Jessica's Law, that specified its provisions were intended to be applied retroactively. "The court finds that the law does…

Earlier this week Sutter Creek city council members received and filed the fiscal impact analysis for how the City’s general and road fund will be impacted by the proposed Gold Rush development project. The analysis was based on three scenarios: a base analysis, a conservative analysis, and a worst case scenario analysis. The report showed in scenario 1. The base analysis, that residential home sales prices would drop by 15% by 2024 and the general…

The Buckhorn Water Treatment Plant Backwash Agreement with the Mace Meadows Golf and Country Club was the main topic of discussion during Thursday’s AWA meeting. Under Staff reports the agency’s Operations Manager reported that the Mace Meadow’s pond #7, located on the golf course, has been overflowing and that improvements are needed to the pond to keep that from happening, such as re-routing backwash. This is yet to be done because of set backs involving…

The Amador County Technical Advisory Committee recently reviewed proposed revisions to the Westover Field Airport Master Plan. The changes involve creating more space for commercial hangars, and the universal use of hangars at the airport. The Technical Advisory committee found that because the revisions do not change the functions of the airport, only how the planes are kept within the hangers, the revisions are categorically exempt from being subject to a California Environmental Quality Act…

The Republican Jewish Coalition is holding a special event at the California Republican Party Convention to discuss Health care with a panel of qualified participants. The event will be held Saturday, February 10, from 4:15 PM-6:30 PM in room 205 of the Sacramento Convention Center which is adjacent to the Hyatt Regency Sacramento Hotel. Mayor Rudy Giuliani, California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, Incoming CRP Chairman Ron Nehring and other CRP Leaders will be present to…

It’s that time of the year again when students are preparing for their futures and the FAFSA is due March 1st for students to qualify for financial aid from governmental sources. Cal Grant applications are also due. Senator Dave Cox reminds high school students that while college and vocational schools are expensive it is within reach.

Amador County has joined Jackson and Plymouth in raising recreation fees assessed when building permits are pulled, but like the cities, the Supervisors also split over  the amount of that assessment. The Amador County Recreation Agency under the guidance of executive director Tracey Towner Yep, conducted a nexus study that looked at the needs of the communities through out the county and then worked backwards to assess an approximate fee that should be charged on…

On Tuesday the board of supervisors reviewed an appeal of the Planning Department’s interpretation of what uses are allowed in certain zones, specifically pertaining to a property zoned Manufacturing District. The property in question is located on the north side of Hwy. 88 at the west end of Martell Road in Martell. The developer Ron Regan of Martell Investments, Inc. is constructing a 31,500 sq. feet building the permit for which was issued for 15,750…