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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.

Published in Local

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.

Published in Local

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 18:00

Amador County News TSPN TV with Alex Lane 4-1-10

Published in Video

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 01:26

BLM seeks nominations for Central California Resource Advisory Council

Amador County – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public nominations for 5 open positions on its Central California Resource Advisory Council, which advises the BLM on public land issues. BLM announced the openings Tuesday, saying positions open are in 3 different categories. Category 1 (with 3 open positions) includes public land ranchers and representatives of organizations associated with energy and mineral development, the timber industry, transportation or rights-of-way, off-highway vehicle use, and commercial recreation. Category 2 (with 1 open position) includes representatives of nationally or regionally recognized environmental organizations, archaeological and historical organizations, dispersed recreation activities, and wild horse and burro organizations. Category 3 (with one open position) includes representatives of state, county, or local elected office; representatives and employees of a state agency responsible for the management of natural resources; representatives of Indian tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the RAC is organized; representatives and employees of academic institutions who are involved in natural sciences; and the public-at-large. BLM Central California Public Affairs officer David Christy said BLM “Resource Advisory Councils are composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues.” The councils assist bureau stewardship of 253 million acres of public lands. The bureau manages more land than any other federal agency, Christy said. It has 24 advisory councils across the western states, where most BLM-managed land is located. He said: “The diverse membership of each RAC is aimed at achieving a balanced outlook that the BLM needs for its mission, which is to manage the public lands for multiple uses.” The Central California RAC advises BLM on issues in the Mother Lode, Hollister, Bakersfield and Bishop field offices. Secretary Ken Salazar said he values the “advice given to the BLM by these ‘citizen-based Resource Advisory Committees.’” BLM Director Bob Abbey said he knows the Interior Department shares his view of their importance, and the “people who live, work, and recreate near or on BLM-managed lands deserve a formal voice on public land issues.” Abbey said their input will enhance BLM’s “ability to manage the public lands for multiple uses while conserving resources.” Individuals may nominate themselves or others to an advisory council. Nominees must be residents of the state, and will be judged on the basis of their training, education, and knowledge of the council’s geographical area. Nominations must be made no later than May 10th. For information call (916) 941-3146 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Nomination forms are available on the BLM’s website. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in News Archive

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 01:30

AWA’s Gravity Supply Line Ignites Fire Flow Discussion

Amador County – The Upcountry Gravity Supply Line drew criticism and support last week, with foes saying it would not help fight wildfires, while supporters stressed that it would still help protect homes. Supervisor Ted Novelli said Upcountry needs water to fight fires, and if the GSL was approved, the next step for Upcountry should be to get a big, central storage tank, at 1 million or 2 million gallons. He also pledged to help AWA staff try to find money for the project. AWA Director Don Cooper (District 3) said he thought AWA “got the message,” and put fire flow studies and improvements on its capital improvement project list. AWA board President Bill Condrashoff said the GSL “will not increase fire flow,” and the Central Amador Water Project system “will have twice as many homes depending on the same amount of water.” Condrashoff and Vice President Debbie Dunn voted against the GSL. Former firefighter Earl Curtis said “more water is part of the ultimate solution” for firefighting. He said it was also would earn more AB 32 “carbon credits in the long run, and as a “green project” it would encourage energy reduction. Curtis said it was “an unreasonable thing to say that more water in the Buckhorn area would increase the number of homes.” Curtis said: “There’s gobs of empty lots in this CAWP area, which have not been built on.” Dunn said a majority of lots rely on water for the ability to subdivide. Curtis said there were “enough lots now to double the population” in CAWP. Interim General Manger Gene Mancebo said new development “will be required by the agency to have storage for new homes, and bigger infrastructure for the system as a whole.” Developer Ciro Toma confirmed that, saying AWA is asking one of his clients to run more than 2,000 feet of 10-inch pipeline for fire flow. Linda Stroh said 3 of the last 10 Upcountry house fires have been in Sierra Highlands, where she is a board member. Stroh recalled that District 4 Director Dunn did not want to use treated water for firefighting. Stroh said: “I don’t care if it’s raw water and I don’t care if it’s sewer water. We need water.” Ray Perry, of the Amador County Business Council, and a CAWP customer at Mace Meadow, said he personally and the council as a group supported the GSL. He said AWA’s “white paper” convinced him that at $13 million, with a $5 million grant, the GSL would be a better deal that a $4 million fix on the pumps, then another $4 million to replace the old pipeline. He said “for the same cost we can get a more reliable system.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in News Archive

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 01:28

Sierra Nevada Conservancy Considers Forest Management Plan

Amador County – The Sierra Nevada Conservancy, a state agency designed to oversee and improve the well-being of the Sierra Nevada Region, announced Tuesday it seeks public comment on a proposal for the sustainable management of forest lands in the Sierra Nevada. “Many of our public forests are dangerously overgrown and in very poor health, increasing the risk of catastrophic fire, which has an extremely harmful impact on public health, our environment, our water and our economy,” said SNC Executive Officer Jim Branham in a release from the agency. Noting that forest management issues have historically been highly contentious, Branham added, “Our goal is to bring a wide variety of interests together, and focus on what we all agree on to take action on the ground. We recognize it won’t be easy, but the alternative of the status quo is unacceptable.” The release said the proposal, known as the Sustainable Sierra Nevada Initiative, has two main objectives. These are to create “ecologically healthy forests and watersheds, thereby protecting and enhancing habitat and water quality while reducing the risk of catastrophic fire;” and “creating sustainable local economic activity in the Region through increasing the sustainable production of renewable biomass energy and a variety of wood products.” The release said the Initiative states that “sustainable forest management will result in a reliable supply of biomass that can be converted to renewable energy, as well as a variety of wood products, creating an opportunity for locally based sustainable economic activity.” It also identifies “key benefits” resulting from habitat protection, fire reduction, forest restoration and carbon sequestration. The agency’s governing board will consider whether to adopt the resolution at its board meeting on June 4th. Branham stressed that public comment is “critical to ensure that the effort encompasses a wide range of interests throughout the Sierra Nevada.” The Sustainable Sierra Nevada Initiative can be viewed online at www.sierranevada.ca.gov and is open for comment until May 1, 2010. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in News Archive

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 01:32

Ione Police, Sheriff Find Ione Burglary Victims After Car Stop

Amador County – An Amador County Sheriff’s deputy have arrested an Ione man, and with the help of the Ione Police Department, the investigation was able to find a link between the man and at least 2 burglaries in the city. Ione Police Department announced the ongoing investigation in a release Tuesday. IPD Sergeant Rocky Harpham said the investigation began last Wednesday, when an Amador County Sheriff Office deputy made a traffic stop of an Ione resident, who reportedly has “been involved in criminal activity within the county.” Harpham said a “search of the suspect’s vehicle produced jewelry, coins, and other precious metals.” The deputy’s “knowledge of recent burglaries in the Ione area facilitated further investigation,” and Ione Police Department responded to a request from the deputy to assist in the investigation. Harpham said the “Ione officer contacted one of the victims from a burglary that occurred within the city limits,” and the “victim positively identified some of the property as items stolen in the residential burglary.” Ione Police said a suspect, Michael Leonard Bloom, 46, of Ione, was arrested at the scene for possession of stolen property and booked into the Amador County Jail. Bloom was arrested at Highways 104 and 88, and charged with a felony count of receiving known stolen property valued at more than $400. His bail was set at $10,000. Harpham said IPD has since worked with Amador sheriff’s detectives and the Amador County Combined Narcotics Enforcement Team to develop further information and leads. By Tuesday, 1 other Ione burglary victim was able to identify stolen property from the items seized by the sheriff’s deputy during last week’s traffic stop. Ione police have “conducted probation searches and executed search warrants in furtherance of the on-going investigation.” Additional property, paraphernalia, and suspected controlled substances have been seized as results of those efforts. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information about thefts or stolen property is urged to contact IPD at 209-274-2456. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in News Archive

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 01:24

7th Annual Elementary Spelling Bear Winners Head to Championship

Amador County - Amador County Public Schools held their 7th Annual Elementary Spelling Bear on March 1, 2010 at the City of Jackson Civic Center. Twenty-four 4th, 5th and 6th Grade School Site Champions from Ione Elementary, Ione Junior High School, Jackson Elementary, Jackson Junior High School, Pine Grove Elementary, Pioneer Elementary, Plymouth Elementary, Sutter Creek Elementary and North Star Independent Study participated in the event. The first place winner was Mikayla Haefele, 6th grader from Jackson Elementary School, and the second place winner was Kyla Webb, 4th grader from Ione Elementary School. Mikayla and Kyla will attend the California State Elementary Spelling Bee Championship on May 15th at Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park. The school district expressed congratulations to the Elementary Spelling Bear Champions and all School Site Champions. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in News Archive

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 05:51