Tom
Wednesday, 31 March 2010 18:00
Schwarzenegger Signs New Jobs Bills, Extends Home-Buyers Credit
Amador County – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger this week signed into law two bills which aim to spur job creation in California’s struggling economy. Both bills passed through the legislature with strong bipartisan support. The first, AB 183 extends home-buyer tax-credits through the end of this year. The legislation provides up to $10,000 to Californians who purchase a new home. California’s Franchise Tax Board will provide a total of $200 million to home buyers - $100 million for those who buy new homes and another $100 million for first time homebuyers purchasing existing homes. This credit is equal to the lesser of 5 percent of the purchase price or $10,000, taken in equal installments over three consecutive years. The Tax Board estimates nearly 32,000 homeowners statewide might get the tax breaks. Buyers must close escrow or reserve a credit after May 1 and before or on December 31 to qualify. “I have been up and down the state pushing this important housing bill that will get people off the fence and into homes while creating jobs and stimulating our economy – and today I am proud to take action and put it into law,” said Governor Schwarzenegger, speaking last Friday before the La Ventana Homes project in Fresno. “Creating jobs is my number one priority and I am glad that I have been able to sign two job-creating bills in two days. I applaud the legislature for their great work and encourage them to keep it up and pass the remaining job-creating elements of my California Jobs Initiative,” he said. The other “job-creating bill” he referred to is SB 71, which will increase manufacturer jobs statewide by allowing for sales tax exemptions on green technology manufacturing equipment. Assemblymember Alyson Huber, whose 10th District includes Amador County, lauded the approval of both bills as important steps in order for the state to recover from the recession. “These bills are about jobs, jobs and jobs. By reinvigorating home sales we create jobs and by encouraging businesses to expand in California with green technology we create jobs,” said Huber. She said AB 183 will create increased demand for new housing construction and work for contractors to renovate existing homes, while SB 71 “will increase revenue by expanding the number of clean technology manufacturing companies with sites in California and create good paying jobs.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Wednesday, 31 March 2010 18:00
2nd Installment Payment for Annual Secured Property Taxes Due April 12
Amador County - Amador County Treasurer-Tax Collector Michael E. Ryan is reminding property owners that they have until Monday, April 12, 2010, at 5 p.m., to make the second installment payment of their annual secured property taxes for the 2009-10 fiscal year. This deadline should not be confused with the Income Tax deadline which is three days later. The second installment of secured property taxes was due and payable on February 1, 2010, and will become delinquent if not paid by 5 p.m. on April 12, 2010; thereafter a 10 percent delinquent penalty and $20 cost charge will be added. Taxes remaining unpaid after June 30, 2010 accrue additional statutory penalties at the rate of 1-1/2 percent per month, as well as additional fees. Ryan noted that payments may be made by mail sent to the Amador County Tax Collector, 810 Court Street, Jackson, CA 95642, and must be postmarked by April 12, 2010 in order to avoid late penalties. Payments may also be made in person at the Amador County Tax Collector's Office, which is located on the second floor of the County Administration Center, 810 Court Street in Jackson, between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm, Monday through Thursday, holidays excepted. For the convenience of taxpayers, a payment drop box is located on the outside wall of the alcove to the immediate left of the main entrance to the Administration Center. Additionally, payments may be made with a credit card in the Tax Collector’s Office, or over the telephone by calling 1-800-609-4599. Credit card and e-check payments may also be made over the Internet by visiting the web-sites shown on your tax bill. Taxpayers should refer to the back of their tax bill for further payment and tax information. Amador County property tax information is available on-line. To view your tax information, or print a copy of your tax bill, visit www.co.amador.ca.us, select “Government”, then “Treasurer/Tax Collector”, and then “Public Tax Information”. For additional information, please contact the Tax Collector’s Office. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Wednesday, 31 March 2010 18:00
Public Comment Sought at Hwy.88 Corridor Project Meeting
Amador County - An upcoming public scoping meeting will give upcountry residents another opportunity to comment on the proposed Pine Grove Highway 88 Corridor Improvement project. After years of cost analysis and gathering public input, the Amador County Transportation Commission “proposes to modify State Route 88 through Pine Grove in order to reduce congestion, improve operations, and enhance safety between the intersections at Climax Road and Mount Zion Road,” according to a release from the agency. The project originally included three options that proposed two bypasses or a widening of Highway 88 in order to adapt to increased traffic flow through the tiny community. Initial staff estimates for the widening project estimate it will cost $2.27 million. Last summer, Congressman Dan Lungren earmarked an additional $356,000 to be used for project planning. Last week, ACTC Planner and Program Manager Neil Peacock reported that agency subcontractors were taking a new traffic count, as requested by the California Department of Transportation. Peacock also reported that Dokken Engineering reviewed Caltrans cost estimates in the “Project Study Report” for the Pine Grove Corridor Improvement project, and “have determined that entirely new cost estimates need to be provided as further alternative-specific details emerge in order to have accurate, uniform, and comparable cost estimates” with each “alignment alternative” under consideration. The Public scoping meeting will take place Wednesday, April 7 at 5:30 p.m. at the Pine Grove Town Hall. An open-house at 5:30 p.m. will include maps, exhibits, graphics, and one-on-one discussions.” A presentation is set for 6 p.m. in which representatives from Caltrans and ACTC will “discuss previous studies conducted, next steps for the project, and answer questions.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Wednesday, 31 March 2010 18:00
Teen Zone Live Returns Youths to TSPN Programming
Amador County – With the help of a regional nonprofit organization, TSPN TV this week brought back its popular Teen Zone Live program, with the first show airing live at 6 p.m. Monday (March 29th). Lori Halvorson, of Amador Tuolumne-Community Action Agency’s Mentoring Works Program, teamed with Sue Slivick, vice president and cofounder of TSPN TV Incorporated to bring back the all-teen program. Teen Zone Live (also known as TZL) began in the year 2000, and ran for 5 seasons. The new TZL stays with the same popular format, and features high school students in a variety show atmosphere, hosting segments, interviewing students and adult guests, and running the production behind the cameras. Sue Slivick said the teen-hosted and teen-produced TZL helps young adults gain confidence while learning television production, having fun and working in a positive team environment. They can “share what’s important to them and create something good,” while getting hands-on experience in the real world. Lori Halvorson said positions on TZL are open to both High School and Junior High students. The junior high students will be mentored by the high school students as a part of Amador Tuolumne Community Action Agency’s Mentoring Works program. The first adult guest of the new TZL was Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe, who talked with Willie Britton and Malory Hayes about gang activity in the county. Other segments included introductions by Seth Hoyt and Rebekah London, who later interviewed 3 students about a tolerance seminar, “Breaking Down the Walls,” which was held at both Argonaut and Amador High Schools. There were also segments on cooking, “Athlete of the Week,” and “Improv & Drama.” The major sponsor of Teen Zone Live is the Jackson Rancheria, and TZL invites interested students from other county high schools and junior high schools to participate. Roundtable Pizza is also a sponsor, supplying the cast and crew with pizzas for Monday’s successful first live program, and rehearsals the weeks before. Slivick said TZL seeks other sponsors too. The 1-hour Teen Zone Live airs live at 6 p.m. Mondays, and repeats in that time slot Wednesdays and Fridays. TZL replays 16 times through the week, including at 5 a.m. Monday through Friday; then 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday through Sunday; and again at 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. TZL airs on Comcast channel 7, Volcano channel 5, and streaming online at www.tspntv.com. For sponsorship opportunities, advertising and information about joining the Teen Zone Live cast and crew, contact Sue Slivick at (209) 223-4877 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Thursday, 01 April 2010 06:41
Brian Oneto - Board of Supervisors Chairman 4-1-10
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News Interview Videos
Wednesday, 31 March 2010 18:00
Amador County News TSPN TV with Alex Lane 4-1-10
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News Broadcast Videos
Wednesday, 31 March 2010 18:00
Schwarzenegger Signs New Jobs Bills, Extends Home-Buyers Credit
Amador County – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger this week signed into law two bills which aim to spur job creation in California’s struggling economy. Both bills passed through the legislature with strong bipartisan support. The first, AB 183 extends home-buyer tax-credits through the end of this year. The legislation provides up to $10,000 to Californians who purchase a new home. California’s Franchise Tax Board will provide a total of $200 million to home buyers - $100 million for those who buy new homes and another $100 million for first time homebuyers purchasing existing homes. This credit is equal to the lesser of 5 percent of the purchase price or $10,000, taken in equal installments over three consecutive years. The Tax Board estimates nearly 32,000 homeowners statewide might get the tax breaks. Buyers must close escrow or reserve a credit after May 1 and before or on December 31 to qualify. “I have been up and down the state pushing this important housing bill that will get people off the fence and into homes while creating jobs and stimulating our economy – and today I am proud to take action and put it into law,” said Governor Schwarzenegger, speaking last Friday before the La Ventana Homes project in Fresno. “Creating jobs is my number one priority and I am glad that I have been able to sign two job-creating bills in two days. I applaud the legislature for their great work and encourage them to keep it up and pass the remaining job-creating elements of my California Jobs Initiative,” he said. The other “job-creating bill” he referred to is SB 71, which will increase manufacturer jobs statewide by allowing for sales tax exemptions on green technology manufacturing equipment. Assemblymember Alyson Huber, whose 10th District includes Amador County, lauded the approval of both bills as important steps in order for the state to recover from the recession. “These bills are about jobs, jobs and jobs. By reinvigorating home sales we create jobs and by encouraging businesses to expand in California with green technology we create jobs,” said Huber. She said AB 183 will create increased demand for new housing construction and work for contractors to renovate existing homes, while SB 71 “will increase revenue by expanding the number of clean technology manufacturing companies with sites in California and create good paying jobs.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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State
Wednesday, 31 March 2010 18:00
Teen Zone Live Returns Youths to TSPN Programming
Amador County – With the help of a regional nonprofit organization, TSPN TV this week brought back its popular Teen Zone Live program, with the first show airing live at 6 p.m. Monday (March 29th). Lori Halvorson, of Amador Tuolumne-Community Action Agency’s Mentoring Works Program, teamed with Sue Slivick, vice president and cofounder of TSPN TV Incorporated to bring back the all-teen program. Teen Zone Live (also known as TZL) began in the year 2000, and ran for 5 seasons. The new TZL stays with the same popular format, and features high school students in a variety show atmosphere, hosting segments, interviewing students and adult guests, and running the production behind the cameras. Sue Slivick said the teen-hosted and teen-produced TZL helps young adults gain confidence while learning television production, having fun and working in a positive team environment. They can “share what’s important to them and create something good,” while getting hands-on experience in the real world. Lori Halvorson said positions on TZL are open to both High School and Junior High students. The junior high students will be mentored by the high school students as a part of Amador Tuolumne Community Action Agency’s Mentoring Works program. The first adult guest of the new TZL was Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe, who talked with Willie Britton and Malory Hayes about gang activity in the county. Other segments included introductions by Seth Hoyt and Rebekah London, who later interviewed 3 students about a tolerance seminar, “Breaking Down the Walls,” which was held at both Argonaut and Amador High Schools. There were also segments on cooking, “Athlete of the Week,” and “Improv & Drama.” The major sponsor of Teen Zone Live is the Jackson Rancheria, and TZL invites interested students from other county high schools and junior high schools to participate. Roundtable Pizza is also a sponsor, supplying the cast and crew with pizzas for Monday’s successful first live program, and rehearsals the weeks before. Slivick said TZL seeks other sponsors too. The 1-hour Teen Zone Live airs live at 6 p.m. Mondays, and repeats in that time slot Wednesdays and Fridays. TZL replays 16 times through the week, including at 5 a.m. Monday through Friday; then 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday through Sunday; and again at 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. TZL airs on Comcast channel 7, Volcano channel 5, and streaming online at www.tspntv.com. For sponsorship opportunities, advertising and information about joining the Teen Zone Live cast and crew, contact Sue Slivick at (209) 223-4877 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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