Amador County has made the map in more ways than one. A site in Ione is now on a worldwide map as part of an environmental study that uses a series of towers through out the world to measure the exchanges of carbon dioxide, water vapor, and energy between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere. The project is called Fluxnet and the goal of the project is to provide information to FLUXNET investigators and the public…
The Amador County Transportation Commission met last week and continued their Public Hearing concerning unmet transit needs for the fiscal year 2007 and 2008 here in the county. According to ACTC’s bylaws, “Local Transportation Funds (LTF) are 1/4 cent of the State sales tax returned to the County by the State. These taxed dollars are put into a trust account by Amador County Auditor Joe Lowe. The funds are to be allocated and apportioned by…
American River Bankshares, parent company of Bank of Amador, has reported diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2006 of $0.42, a 7.7% increase from $0.39 recorded in the third quarter of 2006 and a 2.3% decrease from $0.43 for the fourth quarter of 2005. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2006 increased 5.8% to $2,407,000 from $2,275,000 during the third quarter of 2006 and decreased 6.2% from $2,567,000 for the fourth…
The wine and grape industry here in the United States is taking on prominence, and economic importance, and now pumps at least $162 billion annually into the nation's economy, according to a study released by MKF Research. That figure includes the economic impacts of sales, taxes, jobs and other benefits of the growing industry.
The Governor’s new budget proposal included 509 million dollars from Indian gaming proceeds he expects to collect from the expansion of 5 Southern California Indian Gaming Compacts and now State lawmakers are warning Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger not to pin his hopes for balancing the state budget on these funds. The admonishment, delivered last week at the state's largest tribal gambling convention, offers a potential preview of a second blistering legislative battle over agreements that would…
The Sutter Creek Police Department recently released their crime statistics for the year 2006 and according to Sgt. Brian Klier of the Sutter Creek Police Dept. arrests were up dramatically in 2006, over 2005 numbers. In 2005 there was a total of 265 arrests in the Sutter Creek City limits. In 2006 that number jumped 63% to 431 arrests. Out of those arrests 34 of them were Felony arrests, a 31% increase above 2005’s 26…
The County of Amador received some disappointing news yesterday in the form of a resignation letter. County Administrative Officer Pat Blacklock has submitted a letter of resignation to the Board of Supervisors. Blacklock says he shared with them ( the supervisors ) yesterday morning. “They have been very kind and supportive.” stated Blacklock. Blacklock has been the county administrative officer for last five years and now has taken a job as the Dean of Careers…
Sutter Creek Planning Commissioner Frank Cunha approached the City Council on Tuesday night to discuss revisions to the City’s Tree and Landscaping Ordinance. On December 11th the Planning Commission met and reviewed the existing ordinance, as well as Senate Bill 1334 which relates to oak woodland conservation. The bill requires that timberland conversions (that take place outside of a Timber Harvest Plan) be mitigated by making a monetary contribution to the California Forest Legacy Program.…
This week local resident John Wadsworth was sentenced in Amador County Superior Court for a series of incidents last fall that ultimately lead to the lock down of Amador High School and Sutter Creek Elementary. According to District Attorney Todd Riebe, Wadsworth received a total of 3 years in state prison. 3 years for possession of a firearm by a felon, 16 months concurrent to the 3 years for armed criminal action, and 1 year…
Argonaut High School will have a familiar face in the principal’s office next school year after the retirement of current principal, Peggy Gardner. The Amador County Unified School District announced the appointment of Dave Vicari as the principal of Argonaut High beginning in the 07-08 school year. According to the release this will allow Vicari and Gardner to work together for a seamless transition. Vicari is currently a popular principal at Jackson Junior High School…
