NASA and California scientists have launched flights over the state to measure and analyze the air quality and emissions. NASA announced Thursday that three of its aircraft, the DC-8, the P-3 and ER-2 had flown over the California coast from San Diego to Trinidad Head to study how air pollution affects the Arctic's atmosphere and climate. The flights were part of a campaign with the lengthy title: "Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites." The research division of California Air Resources Board is working with NASA on the campaign. Earlier this week, NASA flew its aircraft from Ames Research Center, through California and over Cold Lake in Alberta, Canada.

The DC-8, an airborne laboratory, flew from the Dryden Aircraft Operations Center in Palmdale, Calif. The aircraft gathered samples to pinpoint sources of greenhouse gas emissions and to determine which pollutants blow into California from offshore vessels. The samples will also help measure differences in air mass chemistry between urban and rural areas, NASA said. The DC-8 flights will continue through next week and they will include low-level trips over Central Valley, the coast and the Santa Barbara area, where natural methane seeps into the environment. At the same time, Earth observing satellites are passing over the area. NASA said researchers will compare and validate data to improve their predictions of the effects of pollution on California's lower atmosphere. CARB is trying to curb pollution, smog, and particulate matter in the state. It aims to reduce greenhouse gas by 25% in the next 12 years. BIZWEEK contributed

According to many wine experts, Amador County’s microclimate, or terrior , has proven to be exceptional for the production of high quality wines. The word ‘terrior’ is French for soil, but in wine terms it encompass much more, including microclimate, temperatures, drainage and a host of other factors that effect grape production. According to a recent editorial by wine expert Jeff Farance with News Journal online, Amador County is a prime example of all the elements of terrior working together. He went on to explain that any wine-grape-growing area will designate specific locales, from several-county areas to a particular hillside or even a single vineyard as being sufficiently different types of terrior.

Amador County, as it turns out, is prime territory for growing and producing Zinfandel. Wedged between the Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada mountains, our unique local climate is where Zinfandel grapes thrive. Many local vintners have become famous for their contributions to the worldwide Zinfandel market, including Sutter Home Family Vineyards, Montevina Winery, Story Winery and Renwood. Although relatively small compared to the juggernaut that is Napa Valley, Amador County’s recognition as a competitive force in the worldwide wine industry continues to grow- and our terrior, deserves the most thanks. 

Hot weather throughout Amador County this Summer Solstice weekend encouraged many residents to take it easy and stay indoors, while other took advantage of the sunshine and explored what our county has to offer. On Saturday, the longest day of the year, the Jackson pool welcomed a full capacity crowd, and Sutter Creek’s long-running Black Bart Day’s drew families from far and wide who were eager to see an authentic recreation of a western gun shootout. Large crowds were also spotted attending two local plays- Red Herring, at the Volcano Amphitheatre, and the world premiere of The Ox Herder at the Sutter Creek theatre. This weekend was another reminder that there is no shortage of fun activities taking place across AmadorCounty.

For the first time in nearly 10 years, the illegal sales rate of tobacco products to minors has not only risen, it has more than doubled in Amador County. Over the previous decade,youth purchase survey conducted earlier this month, where the illegal sales rate rose to 11% in a sampling of 35 stores within AmadorCounty. “This statistic more than doubled from the 2007 Youth Purchase Survey rate of 5%,” stated Angel LeSage, Amador County Public Health Director. “This is certainly concerning. We would hope that our local retailers will make a concerted effort to remind their employees to not only ask for a valid ID, but to also check the date of birth to determine if the customer is under 18.”“As both a physician and a father, I find the statistics on children who smoke frightening – each day more than 4,000 kids in the United States try their first cigarette; and each day another 1,000 other kids under 18 become new regular, daily smokers,” said Dr. Bob Hartmann, Amador County Health Officer. “That’s 464,000 new underage smokers in  this country each year.” Most adult smokers started when they were preteens or teenagers; smoking habits in youth seem to determine lifetime cigarette consumption. the illegal sales rate to underage youth had consistently declined. This was encouraging until the latest

50% of smokers begin their tobacco use by age 14 and 25% begin their smoking addiction by age 12. “This should not only be a wake up call for the retail stores and their employees, but also for the parents in our community,” suggested Larry Fossen, UCCE Youth Development Program Director and Tobacco Reduction of Amador County Community Coalition member. Our local youth were recently surveyed for the Healthy Futures Project: 18% of our 11th grade respondents said that they had smoked in the last 30 days. 9% of the 7th graders and 12% of the 9th graders admitted to smoking cigarettes. According to Tobacco Reduction of Amador County, or TRAC, tobacco companies spend more than $13.3 billion each year to promote their products. TRAC says the key to curbing youth smoking is providing education and raising awareness in our county. This includes an open door policy for retailers to request refresher training, compliance signage or to answer questions. For more information on underage tobacco sales or cessation resources, contact the TRAC office at 223-6638.

Rising construction costs will mean the billions of dollars going to new prison and county jail cells in California will buy less. Last year, state lawmakers and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger approved a $7.8 billion plan to build 53,000 cells. The state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on Wednesday said that money now will buy 12,400 fewer prison cells and about 3,000 fewer jail cells.Chief Deputy Secretary Deborah Hysen blames high construction costs, particularly for steel and concrete.Corrections Secretary Matthew Cate says the department also decided it needs more traditional cells as opposed to the open dormitories that had been planned. The building program is part of California's attempt to address overcrowding in its prison system. It has become so severe that many aspects of prison operations have been placed under federal oversight.

The Mule Creek State Prison in Ione has had to modify several facilities to make room for an increasing number of inmates. Inmates sit and lay in their bunk beds in a gymnasium that was modified to house prisoners. A panel of three federal judges is looking to put a cap on the California State Prison population after class action lawsuits were filed on behalf of inmates who complained of being forced to live in classrooms, gymnasiums and other non-traditional prison housing. California prisons house nearly 173,000 inmates with over 17,000 of them in non-traditional housing. Recent efforts to expand the Amador County jail have failed as well. This was a huge disappointment,” said Sheriff Martin Ryan. In a TSPN interview exclusive, Sheriff Martin Ryan described the current local jail as “chronically overcrowded.” Amador County’s request includes plans to expand the current 75 bed jail to 165. Amador County has seen a 118% increase in inmates since 2002, most of whom are parole violators. Ryan and Mule Creek officials will be watching the State’s progress with a close eye and hoping for the best.

Ione City Council once again postponed a proposed rate approval of the cost per gallon for sewer treatment. Concerns arose regarding the ordinance and the confusing nature of its language, so a fee study was also requested. The last fee study done for the City in regards to this project was back in 2004, and according to City Manager Kim Kerr, “it is in need of an update in the future.” This item will be back for consideration on a future agenda. Ione also approved changes to the Development Agreement with JTS company, developers of the Castle Oaks property.

Council members Sherman and Ulm were both specifically opposed to the sewer connection fees designed to be set regulations for the next 10 years. Councilman Ulm claimed it would be a “windfall to the city” to raise safety fees for new residents of Castle Oaks. The original Development Agreement held the fees paid by new residents set at 3 hundred dollars; however, the new agreement sets the fees at 5 hundred dollars. Councilman Sherman is not opposed to allocating more money for police and fire, although he dislikes what he calls a,“three tier tax bracket in the City and raising taxes unfairly.” He supplemented his answer by stating that “some of the residents of Ione will be paying 5 hundred dollars monthly, some will be paying 3 hundred dollars monthly, and some will be paying nothing. Everyone should pay a fair share.” The Council generally agreed that new development brings new problems which need to be addressed, and that the need for more funds is directly linked to the new residents- so they should front some of those costs. 

Terri Works waved goodbye to the Jackson Planning Commission Monday night, marking the end of her term on the commission.  Chair Leticia Sexton thanked Works and says, “We’ll miss her… I’ve learned a lot from her,” a sentiment that seemed to be mirrored by the entire commission. Works indicated that she would still participate in planning commission meetings, but from the other side of the bench.  Works was on the commission for about four years, and her term officially ends June 30th.  The City of Jackson accepted applications for that seat through June 18th, and will make appointments at their June 23rd meeting.

Last week marked the first meeting of Jackson’s Housing Element Committee meeting, which Planning Commissioner Terri Works called a “disappointing turnout.”  Initially, ten people had promised to participate, but last week’s meeting only saw about half of those in attendance. The Housing Element Committee will be responsible for coming up with recommendations on the General Plan’s housing element. Their next meeting is scheduled for June 24th at 4 pm. The committee is looking for additional members.  If you would like to join the committee, please contact Jackson City Manager Mike Daly at 223-1646.

Amador County’s budget situation is in better shape than many of its neighbors, but special considerations must be made ahead of time to ensure it remains stable in the future, according to County Administrative Officer Terri Daly. In a presentation to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday, Daly sought the Board’s approval on a proposal for a new Early Retirement Incentive Program designed to “reward longevity and loyalty to the County.” “We prefer options that are voluntary. We still have choices. Having no choices means mandatory layoffs,” said Daly.

Amador County faces serious concerns when it comes to its budget, but has yet to face catastrophic cuts or dig into  emergency savings like Sacramento County. Board members agreed with Daly that Amador County must put programs in place that will anticipate the impact of statewide cuts to vital local services. “We have to be proactive, we’re looking at cuts to social services and mental health,” said Supervisor Forster. According to Daly, the County’s proposed budget in the coming year is in excess of 3 million dollars out of balance. The County must consider future expenses like its investment in a new location for the County Jail and a landfill closure.

One bright note is that Amador County still has 27 million dollars in emergency reserves which has not been tapped.County employees who volunteer for early retirement would receive 1000 dollars for every year they have been with the County. The money would go tax free into a savings account. As long as that money is being used for health related reasons, it can be withdrawn tax-free. The program includes a contingency fund built into the budget each year to generate an estimated 1.3 to 1.4 million dollars. “We’re balancing the budget using the worst case scenario,” said Daly. The Board approved the concept of the proposal. Daly and staff will continue to revise the proposal’s language and make another presentation at a future Board meeting. The proposed early retirement incentive program is a volunteer furlough program.