Last Thursday the Plymouth City council promised to fulfill an agreement made in 1998 by 2009. The agreement includes three major projects. One of which includes installing a drop inlet, as part of an access understanding related to Emerson Drive, which once provided access to the old racetrack. In 1998 that project was expanded to include replacing and upsizing the conduits that cross state highway 49. The project would consist of constructing two drop inlets, and extending the highway cross culvert approximately 30 feet. The city has promised to complete 1 of 3 projects that would include completion of the drop inlet by 2009.

September proved to be a busy month for the Amador Fire Protection District (AFPD) as they responded to 118 incidents. Of those 118 calls, 77 were for medical aides and 22 for vehicle accidents, accounting for 84% of the total call volume. 2 of the incidents were fire related with 1 structure fire and 1 vegetation fire. The Structure fire you The bulk of the calls continue to occur between the hours of 8am and 5pm with the AFPD receiving 51% of their calls during those hours.

Fire crews responded to a structure fire at early Thursday morning on Spyglass Drive in Ione. While enroute to assist other units on a separate incident, a fire crew from Mule Creek Fire Department observed a working structure fire in a new construction area of the Castle Oaks golf course. Upon arrival, fire crews found a 500 square foot maintenance building approximately 75% involved in fire. 18 fire fighters from the city of Ione Fire Department and Mule Creek Fire crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire. Damage was isolated to the maintenance building, which is used as the main water pumping station for the golf course irrigation system, and one portable toilet. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the City of Ione. There were no injuries. Damage costs are estimated at $100,000.

The Amador-El Dorado Unit of CalFire lifted burn suspensions for Amador and El Dorado Counties Thursday.  Burn permits will still be required because fire season is still with us.  Please make sure you have a valid burn permit (free at local fire stations) and that you call the Burn Information Line at 223-6246  immediately prior to lighting your pile(s) on fire to make sure it is a permissive burn day, because the Air Pollution Control District still controls whether or not you can burn. Keep in mind if the fire were to escape your control or burn the property of someone else, you could face civil liability and criminal charges.

 

Never leave the fire unattended. Make sure you have proper clearance cut to mineral soil around the pile(s) and have a shovel and hose on sight so that you can quickly put out any fire that may escape from the burn pile(s).

Ÿ       Do not burn on windy days, the wind can carry fire brands and set fires quite a distance from your original burn pile(s)l

Ÿ       Be considerate of your neighbors and where the smoke from your burning piles may drift.

Ÿ       If you have questions or concerns about proper burning technique, please contact your local fire station personnel for further information.

Ÿ       In case of an emergency, call 911. 

Bear sighting and subsequent shooting in Pine Grove did not kill the bear. Believed to be badly injured and of potential danger to Pine Grove residents, the bear was shot on Wednesday by the Sheriff’s department upon advice of the state department of Fish and Game. The bear rolled down a hill after being shot, but when local law enforcement and other local officials searched the surrounding area, they did not find the wounded bear. Kyle Orr, Public Information Officer with the Fish and Game Department, said there were no further confirmed sightings of the bear. However, there were unconfirmed reports that the bear was seen again on Friday and was apparently doing well, but no further sightings have been reported.

The public comment period for the El Dorado National Forest Public Wheeled Motorized Travel Management Draft Environmental Impact Statement has been extended for an additional 45 days, announced Forest Supervisor Ramiro Villalvazo. There are 5 alternatives examined in the environmental document. The alternatives proposed could limit access of OHV to currently used forest areas year round and close some areas completely during wet weather. According to the Forest service, the use of Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) is impacting the health of our national forests. In an effort to protect the forests and still allow this popular form of recreation and public access, alternative policies need to be created, and are being mandated by the U.S. District Court.

Governor Schwartzenegger has signed into law a measure that outlaws smoking in cars with kids. In a move that makes California the third state in the nation to ban smoking in cars with minors, Schwarzenegger signed into law Senate Bill 7 introduced by State Senator Jenny Oropeza, Democrat -Long Beach, said. Health experts have testified that recent scientific studies, including a 2006 report by the Harvard School of Public Health, found that second-hand smoke in a car can be up to 10 times more dangerous than in a home. Starting Jan. 1, 2008, the new law imposes a $100 fine on drivers and passengers cited for smoking in a car with another person aged 17 or younger.

Monday, October 22 is the deadline to register to vote in the November 6 River Pines Public Utility District election. According to Sheldon Johnson, Amador County Registrar of Voters, ballots were mailed to registered voters in River Pines Public Utility District on Tuesday for the all-mail ballot election to be held on November 6, 2007. The Elections Office at 810 Court St., Jackson, CA, will be the location for the central count. Ballots will be counted on November 6, 2007, beginning at 8:00 p.m. and will continue until the count is completed.  This process is open to the public. Anyone interested in observing the count is welcome. If you have any questions, please call the Elections Office at 223-6465.