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Free Flu Mist Clinics for Amador County Students
Reminder: the free Flu Mist clinics will be conducted at all Amador County Schools throughout the month of October. The first clinic will be held on October 5th at Jackson Junior High School and Jackson Elementary School. Only those students with signed parent permission slips will be given the Flu Mist. The flu clinic schedule and forms are available on the individual school websites, or the district website at www.amadorcoe.org. Once you have filled out the forms, please have your student turn them into their school office as soon as possible. Thank you.
USDA Offers Help to Fire-Affected Farmers and Ranchers
WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds farmers and ranchers affected by the recent wildfires in Alaska, California, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Washington State that USDA has programs to assist with their recovery efforts.
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) can assist farmers and ranchers who lost livestock, grazing land, fences or eligible trees, bushes and vines as a result of a natural disaster. FSA administers a suite of safety-net programs to help producers recover from eligible losses, including the Livestock Indemnity Program, the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, theEmergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program, and the Tree Assistance Program.
In addition, the FSA Emergency Conservation Program provides funding and technical assistance for farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought. Producers located in counties that received a primary or contiguous disaster designation are eligible for low-interest emergency loans to help them recover from production and physical losses. Compensation is also available to producers who purchased coverage through theNoninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, which protects non-insurable crops against natural disasters that result in lower yields, crop losses or prevented planting.
“Wildfires have caused devastating losses for many farmers and ranchers,” said FSA Administrator Val Dolcini. “Over the past several years, wildfires have increased in severity, intensity and cost as the fire season has grown longer, and drought and increased temperatures contribute to dangerous conditions. Natural disasters such as wildfires are unavoidable, but USDA has strong safety-net programs to help producers get back on their feet.”
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can assist producers with damaged grazing land as well as farmers, ranchers and forestland owners who find themselves in emergency situations caused by natural disasters. The NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program provides financial assistance to producers who agree to defer grazing on damaged land for two years. In the event that presidentially declared natural disasters, such as wildfires, lead to imminent threats to life and property, NRCS can assist local government sponsors with the cost of implementing conservation practices to address natural resource concerns and hazards through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program.
“After natural disasters such as wildfires, it is critical that farmers, ranchers and forestland owners have financial and technical resources available to protect their natural resources and operations,” said NRCS Chief Jason Weller. “Conservation practices protect the land and aid recovery, but can build the natural resource base and may help mitigate loss in future events.”
Farmers and ranchers with coverage through the federal crop insurance program administered by the Risk Management Agency (RMA) should contact their crop insurance agent to discuss losses due to fire or other natural causes of loss. Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator.
When wildfires destroy or severely damage residential property, Rural Development (RD) can assist with providing priority hardship application processing for single family housing. Under a disaster designation, RD can issue a priority letter for next available multi-family housing units. RD also provides low-interest loans to community facilities, water environmental programs, businesses and cooperatives and to rural utilities.
For the first time in its 110-year history, the Forest Service, part of USDA, is spending more than 50 percent of its budget to suppress the nation's wildfires.
Today, fire seasons are 78 days longer than in the 1970s. Since 2000, at least 10 states have had their largest fires on record. This year, there have been more than 46,000 fires. Increasing development near forest boundaries also drives up costs, as more than 46 million homes and more than 70,000 communities are at risk from wildfire in the United States.
Visit http://go.usa.gov/3eDeF to learn more about USDA disaster preparedness and response. For more information on USDA disaster assistance programs, please contact your local USDA Service Center. To find your local USDA Service Center go to http://offices.usda.gov.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).
Plaid Friday in Amador is Back!
Plaid Friday in Amador is Back...
...and we are ready for holiday joy!
First things first. Yes, this is an email about being sent in July about holiday event preparations.
As many of you know, Plaid Friday went county wide in 2014 and the response was thrilling! In preparation for our fourth year we've upped our game and have our own website to inform both customers and business owners alike. It will be the central location for the Shopping Guide and a newsletter opt-in for our Plaid Friday customers. There is a super easy Plaid Friday business registration form as well as an available print-out option to share with other business owners that choose not to surf the net. There is also an option to sign up for the Plaid Friday Business Owners mailing list, so please share and forward this with others that may want to be in the know.
It's early yet and I'm not requesting sign ups. We just wanted to get the word out about the website and newsletter list. However, now is the time to contact me with suggestions or requests. So let me know!
We also have a facebook page!
With Hopeful Visions of a Prosperous Shop Local Holiday Season to Come,
Jeannette McDonald
Plaid Friday Organizer
Visit: www.plaidfridayamador.com
CA: Traffic Tickets / Infractions Amnesty Program
Traffic Tickets / Infractions Amnesty Program
On June 24, 2015, the Governor signed into law
a one-time amnesty program for unpaid traffic
and non-traffic infraction tickets.
Here is what you should know:
When will the amnesty program be available?
Start: October 1, 2015
End: March 31, 2017
Who can participate in the amnesty program?
There are two groups of people who can participate in the amnesty program:
- Persons with unpaid tickets whose fines were originally due to be paid date on or before January 1, 2013, who have not made a payment after June 24, 2015, may be eligible to have both their debt reduced by 50 or 80 percent depending on income and their driver's license reinstated, unless an exclusion discussed below applies.
- Persons who made a payment after June 24, 2015 on a ticket are not eligible for a reduction for that ticket, but may be eligible to have their driver’s license reinstated if they are in good standing on a payment plan with a comprehensive collection program.
- Persons with more than one ticket may not be eligible for a reduction on an individual ticket if the eligibility criteria are not satisfied for the ticket. Please check with your court for additional information.
Any persons eligible to have a driver's license, (including undocumented individuals who are eligible for a driver's license under AB 60) are entitled to participate in the traffic amnesty program if they meet the eligibility requirements.
Who cannot participate in the amnesty program?
Eligible persons may be excluded from the amnesty program if they owe victim restitution on a case or have certain outstanding misdemeanor or felony warrants.
What if I made a payment after June 24, 2015?
People ineligible due to timing may still have their driver’s license returned, but will not have their fines reduced on tickets with a payment after the deadline .
What tickets will be eligible for amnesty?
Any infraction may qualify for amnesty. Unpaid tickets and related “failure to appear” violations with an initial payment due date on or before January 1, 2013, are eligible.
Individual superior courts and counties may extend this program to include some misdemeanors.
What tickets will not be eligible?
This amnesty program does not apply to parking tickets, reckless driving, and DUI offenses.
How much will I have to pay?
Under the amnesty program, eligible participants will not have to pay any civil assessments. Once the civil assessment amounts are deducted, the remaining balance owed will be reduced by 50 to 80 percent depending on income or receipt of specified public benefits.
- The discount will be 80 percent for those who certify that they make 125 percent or less than the federal poverty level — $14,712 for an individual, or $30,312 for a family of four — or who receive public assistance.
- The discount will be 50 percent for all other eligible participants.
How do I participate in the amnesty program?
Beginning on October 1, 2015, contact the superior court in the jurisdiction(s) where you received the ticket(s) to determine your eligibility to participate in the amnesty program. People who are eligible for amnesty will have their application processed without seeing a judge.
Will there be a fee to participate?
Courts, counties, and third party collections vendors are permitted to collect an amnesty program fee of $50 payable to the superior court or county. The Department of Motor Vehicles will also charge a $55 driver's license reinstatement fee as it does for any license reinstatement.
Will there be an installment payment option?
Yes, a payment plan option will be available through the superior court, county, or third party collections vendors and payments scheduled under the plan will be based on the ability to pay.
This video will help you determine if you qualify:
More information will be posted here as it becomes available.
Source: http://www.courts.ca.gov/trafficamnesty.htm
Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort Returns To Full Operations Following Devastating Fires
Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort is pleased to announce that the Casino and Hotel are fully operational following the devastating Butte Fire.
“As we return to full operations, we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their patience and support,” said Rich Hoffman, CEO of Jackson Rancheria. “We are especially thankful for the brave firefighters who fought this horrific fire and for the support of the American Red Cross and our Tribe.”
While the fire burned, Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort established an Evacuation Center to serve as a place of shelter for those displaced from their homes. In partnership with the American Red Cross, Jackson Rancheria was able to provide relief for more than 1,000 evacuees.
Relief included comfortable sleeping arrangements, warm meals and donations of clothing and other necessities. Those who found themselves without power were also provided a welcoming place to cool down.
Located in the Sierra foothills town of Jackson, CA, Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort is owned by the Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians, a federally recognized Indian tribe. A sovereign government, the Rancheria is dedicated to developing projects that not only enhance the tribe’s ability to remain self-reliant, but also reflect a commitment to be a good neighbor.
AWA: New Upcountry Gravity Pipelines Aid In Butte Fire Fight
Amador Upcounty Rotary accepting Butte Fire Donations at Arco's Self Storage
Amador Upcounty Rotary accepting Butte Fire Donations at Arco's Self Storage
Please feel free to donate the listed items below at Arco's Self Storage to be distributed by Amador Upcountry Rotary. This will help evacuated individuals to be resettled into their homes or start anew.
- Kitchenware
- Pots & Pans
- Tables & Chairs
- Towels & Bedding
- Children’s Toys
- School Supplies
- Laundry Supplies
- Toiletries
- Clothing
- Camping Supplies
- Flashlights
Contact: Naomi Grimes - 209-295-6455
Arco’s Self Storage 26701
Wagon Wheel Dr., Pioneer
Tuesday – Friday 9:30 am to 5:30 pm Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
(Amador Upcountry Rotary meets: Thurs. 5:30pm at the St. George in Volcano)
Fire Prevention Week: Oct. 4 - 10
Fire Prevention Week is coming upon us again (October 4 – 10) and we are preparing for our local events here in Jackson. This year’s theme is “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm”. The key message of this year's Fire Prevention Week campaign is to install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home, including the basement. Larger homes may need more alarms. Please see the attached media bulletins for you to distribute and use to help us spread the word. We will be doing presentations at the local day cares in Jackson, the kindergarteners of Jackson elementary and various other clubs and organizations in Jackson. We are also encouraging other groups to contact us to schedule an event if they would like. Thank you for your continued support!
Cody Martinsen
Captain - Jackson Fire Department
33 Broadway
Jackson, CA 95642
(209) 223-9039 Station
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Richard Forster on TSPN TV News September 21, 2015
Amador County Supervisor, Richard Forster previews this week's Board meeting on TSPN TV News.
Richard Forster on TSPN TV News September 21, 2015
Amador County Supervisor, Richard Forster previews this week's Board meeting on TSPN TV News.
