Amador County Public Health is urging consumers to stop using canvas lunch boxes with a logo reading EAT FRUITS & VEGETABLES AND BE ACTIVE, after testing showed elevated levels of lead in three lunch boxes. Approximately 300 of these lunch boxes have been distributed throughout Amador and Calaveras counties at health fairs and other events. The lunch boxes that tested positive for lead were obtained through a manufacturer, TA Creations, which has factories in Canton, China.  Individuals who have these lunch boxes should return them to Amador County Environmental Health, 810 Court Street, Jackson; Public Health at 1003 Broadway, Jackson; or UC Cooperative Extension, 12200-B Airport Road, Jackson.  

Many agriculture customers in Southern California will soon have a lot less water to use on their crops. A federal judge this summer issued a ruling that is expected to slash water deliveries from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta by about a third, part of an effort to save the endangered Delta smelt. The court is limiting how much water the state can deliver to Southern California because the tiny smelt are getting trapped in the state’s water pumps. As a result, the Metropolitian Water District of Southern California is planning on cutting deliveries by water supplies to its agricultural customers in Southern California by 30 percent, effective January 1.

Good news, bad news – depending on your political perspective… If you think Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger needs to earn his keep, he has plenty to keep him busy over the next week. But if you think less government is a good thing, you might be dismayed to know that the governor has nearly 600 pieces of legislation passed by the legislature last month, waiting to be signed. According to an ABC News10 report, the governor spent the Columbus Day holiday surrounded by staff in his capitol office, reviewing stacks of bills. Among the measures pending: Legislation legalizing gay marriage, banning adults from smoking in cars when children are inside and a measure that would authorize the state to provide financial aid to illegal immigrant college students. Schwarzenegger has already signed 354 bills so far this year, vetoing 15 measures. He has until midnight October 14th to decide the remaining 596 bills. An ABC News 10 story.

Spanish speaking in the United States is widespread and a new ABC News Poll shows that Spanish-speaking in everyday situations is accepted by two-thirds of Americans who come into contact with those who speak Spanish. But a third who experience this language difference are troubled by it – and they have distinctly more negative attitudes about immigrants and Hispanics generally. Just 10 percent of Americans admit to prejudice against Hispanics – far fewer than the number who, in previous polls, have self-reported prejudice on the basis of race or against Arabs and Muslims.

Wet and windy weather hit the foothills last night… A low pressure off the Pacific Northwest coast brought a cold front into central California last night. Rain and snow was expected above 7000 ft by Tuesday afternoon with snow levels down to 5500 to 6500 feet by this morning. Winter driving conditions are anticipated over the Sierra passes including Highway 88. In the valleys and foothills, we should be ready for showers affecting this morning’s commute. Temperatures will struggle to get out of the sixties today but milder and drier weather will return Thursday. Anyone planning travel in the mountains should carry tire chains and monitor road conditions before departing and be prepared for winter traveling conditions, including gusty winds that could make travel hazardous through midday today.

Around 7:30 Tuesday morning, a car pulled out of Tabeau road in front of a Volcano Telephone truck towing a trailer with large spools of cable on it. According to TSPN reporter Bill Lavallie, the truck driver’s vision was hampered by early morning sun -- when the car continued into its path, the driver of the truck applied his brakes but was unable to stop in time. The driver of the car was taken to the hospital by ambulance. The California High Patrol is still investigating the cause of the accident at press time. Witnesses on the scene said this is a very difficult intersection at this time of the morning because of the sunlight and the fact that eastbound drivers cannot see very well as they approach the intersection.  A Bill Lavallie story

A loud disturbance and reports of possible gunshots brought Jackson Police in a hurry to the Pelican’s Roost restaurant in Jackson Creek Plaza Monday afternoon. A call had come in that there was a possible physical confrontation inside the Pelican’s Roost. When officers arrived and one officer entered the restaurant, they heard a loud noise that sounded like it could be a gunshot. At that point, officers took no chances, drew their weapons and ordered the occupant out of the restaurant.

Tuesday night’s Joint Sutter Creek City Council and Planning Commission Workshop was the second in a series of discussions on the Gold Rush Ranch and Golf Resort. The Gold Rush Ranch Master-Planned Community is a proposed golf, resort and 12 new residential neighborhoods over approximately 945 acres. Tuesday’s workshop focused on the proposed General Plan and Zoning Ordinance Amendments. The Gold Rush Ranch project proposes 1,334 single family homes,  a  60 room resort hotel, 300 vacation ownership units, and over 300 acres of oak-covered conservation and open space preserve with a publicly accessible trails system. The current joint workshop series offers an opportunity for the public and city decision makers to discuss the many issues and concerns surrounding the largest development ever proposed for Amador County.

With falling real estate property values big news these days, are you wondering why your property tax bill went up this year? Amador County Assessor Jim Rooney says that’s a common question and the answer lies in the workings of California’s infamous Proposition 13. Since 1978 when Prop 13 was passed, assessed home values have been limited to a maximum increase of 2 percent per year. Over the past 10 years or so, Amador County property values have risen far faster than 2 percent, so even with recent declines in home values, the market value of most homes is still higher than their assessed value on the county books.