The Supervisors also heard a request from Sutter Gold Mining Company to extend their hours of operation for exploration drilling. Sutter Gold Mine is located east of Hwy 49 between Sutter Creek and Amador City, and conducts drilling for core samples related to gold exploration. The company’s current use permit has allowed the drilling Monday through Friday, 7 am to 4 pm. In August 2007, county planning staff visited the site to evaluate the proposed extension of drilling hours and noted that they were unable to hear the drill rig operating at the nearest neighboring parcel.

After a brief reprieve from gas prices over $3 per gallon, prices at the pump have crept back up 20 cents a gallon over the past month and now top the $3 mark in most communities in Northern California, AAA reported Tuesday. Statewide, the average cost is $3.07 for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel. In TSPN’s informal survey of gas stations in the Jackson, Martell, Sutter Hill area, most offered regular unleaded at about the state average price. "Remember the sticker shock you had at the gas pump when prices skyrocketed after Hurricane Katrina? Statewide, we're paying similar prices now," said Sean Comey, spokesman for AAA of Northern California.

Amador’s wine grape harvest began late this year, but the quality is expected to be high. With the harvest almost complete, Montevina wine maker Chris Leamy would have preferred a couple more weeks of warm dry weather to finish the harvest, but recent light rains interfered with that wish. Chris said the crop may be a little smaller this year than most, but it was looking like the harvest was going to be great for most vineyards and wine lovers should expect good quality in the 2007 vintage. Price per ton for Amador County grapes seems to be holding steady while Calaveras County winemakers are reporting that the weather has affected their yield and price per ton. {flv}10-18harvest{/flv}

A complete overhaul of the River Pines Park is possible now with the infusion of $150,000 in state funding. The Amador County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to approve a lease agreement between Amador County Recreation Agency and Amador County that will allow the use of Proposition 40 “Safe Neighborhood Parks” funding for a complete renovation and upgrade of the three-acre park.

The City of Jackson has a new flag. Jackson City Council chose the flag design after opening the design contest to city residents. A committee of city officials and community members chose the design submitted by Jana Davis, a mail carrier in the City of Jackson. The Council agreed that Davis’s winning design represents the City “very well.” Her design divides the flag into halves of green and maroon with a circle of stars in the middle. Councilmembers suggested some modifications to the design including increasing the number of stars in the middle circle from 24 to 47 in recognition of those miners who died in the Argonaut Mine Disaster. They also suggested adding the words “City of Jackson” and “1905” around the city outline.

CALFIRE will be conducting a prescribed burn in the Lily Valley area east of West Point. Over 6,000 acres of the Winton-Schaads Prescribed Burn will be divided into 10 to 20 acre areas which will be treated over a 3 month period starting this fall and concluding late spring. One to two CAL FIRE engines along with personnel from Sierra Pacific Industries will conduct the burn. This understory burn will treat bear clover, small conifers, brush and grass and will help protect the communities of West Point, Wilseyville, and Lily Valley as well as protect timber resources and the Mokelumne watershed. A prescribed burn is a managed fire in an area that has control lines in place and crews and equipment in strategic locations. 

An accident on Saturday at the Jackson Rancheria sent two Avery people to the hospital with minor to moderate injuries. According to the California Highway Patrol, Pedro Zavalo of Tracy was traveling west on Bingo Road when he made an unsafe lane change and collided with a car in the next lane, driven by Julie Bartha of Avery. Bartha lost control of her car and veered off the road and down an embankment. Bartha and her passenger, Mike Magann, complained of pain to the backs as a result of the accident and were taken to Sutter Amador Hospital.

Caltrans reminds drivers that, in the fall and winter, the lower foothills and Valley areas are plagued by extremely dense fog which poses a severe driving hazard. Despite the predictability of the seasonal fog, multi-vehicle accidents are commonplace, due to the combination of fog, excessive speed, and traffic congestion. To alert drivers to fog hazard, Caltrans has installed a number of automated warning signs along southbound Interstate 5 and westbound Hwy 120. The signs are equipped with monitors which will detect foggy conditions and slow or stopped traffic, and transmit an appropriate warning to drivers. While Caltrans is committed to enhancing safety on state highways, drivers on all highways are reminded to take necessary precautions by adjusting your speed and driving habits for poor visibility conditions, and to allow plenty of time to get to your destination.

A River Pines man was transported by REACH air ambulance to UC Davis Medical Center early Sunday morning after suffering burns to his arms and face when his house caught fire early Sunday morning. The first Amador Fire Protection District fire engine arrived within 6 minutes and found the 2-story home fully involved in fire. Due to the extent of the fire, firefighters focused efforts on protecting the adjacent homes before extinguishing the fire. The house, located on Emigrant Trail in River Pines, was a complete loss with minor damage to a second home. Initial reports from neighbors indicated an explosion prior to the fire. The fire investigation is looking into the possibility of a propane leak in the structure. No current information on the occupant’s condition is known.