Calaveras County – The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Department says it has a description of a possible suspect vehicle in a string of drive-by shooting incidents wreaking havoc in western Calaveras County. A shooting reported Thursday in the Valley Springs area brings the total number of incidents in which shots were fired into vehicles or homes to 15. The first report came on December 17th. Two days before Christmas, a shooting spree tagged four vehicles on Valley Springs roadways. A number of other incidents in which shots were fired into homes and vehicles over the holidays were soon reported. So far, none of the victims have reported injuries. The latest shooting incident took place at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Watertown Road near Campo Seco Road in Valley Springs. The victim reported swerving to avoid an oncoming vehicle with its high beams on which continued to swerve across the center divide and forced the victim off the roadway and into a ditch. The following morning, the victim inspected his vehicle and discovered a bullet hole in the rear driver’s side fender. Calaveras County Sheriff Sergeant Dave Seawell said the victim described the suspect vehicle as “a full size pick up truck painted white with silver and beige” and the “doors of the pick up truck were painted differently than the body of the truck.” Seawell said that “ at this time the…described pick up truck is a vehicle of interest.” Seawell said investigators believe all the shootings to be related. They also believe the shootings to be random, as there is no link between the victims or clear motive at this time. Seawell stressed that the Sheriff’s office will not “discuss or answer questions regarding the type of weapon used by the suspect (or suspects), caliber of bullet recovered or any other questions that relate to seized evidence.” The Calaveras County Sheriffs Office is seeking any information on these incidents and the series of shootings which began on December 16th. The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives has announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the rash of shootings. Seawell said that in some cases, information has been delayed in getting to the Sheriff’s office. Anyone with information is asked to call the Calaveras County Sheriffs Office Tip Line at (209) 754-6030 or (209) 754-6500. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and firearms tip line is 1-800-ATF-GUNS. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council last week worked on public policy to handle requests from citizens for agenda space, and also directed staff to continue negotiations on the purchase of the Knight Foundry. Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe said after a closed session January 4th, the council reported that it had directed staff to “continue moving forward with the new offer to the owner” of the Knight Foundry. The offer was based on a revised offer given to the city council in closed session. Rabe could not discuss details of negotiations, ongoing between City Manager Rob Duke and Knight Foundry LLC. The council also directed Rabe to revise a draft policy regarding public requests for items to be placed on the city council agenda. He said Sutter Creek did not “really have a procedure,” so he created an application form and draft procedure, and submitted them to the city council for review. The draft policy would have required the city council to consider requests for agenda space in open session, and decide in that open session whether to place a requested item on the agenda for a later meeting. It would have required only one vote to place it on an agenda, but would have added the step of requiring that initial council action. The council instead directed changes to streamline the procedure. Rabe said the council requested that the draft policy would allow the Mayor make decisions on public requests for the placement of items on city council agendas. If the mayor denies it, the person requesting the agenda item could then go before the city council and make a case to appeal the decision. Rabe said it did not mean allowing time for a Power Point presentation during the hearing of “public matters not on the agenda.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Calaveras County – The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Department says it has a description of a possible suspect vehicle in a string of drive-by shooting incidents wreaking havoc in western Calaveras County. A shooting reported Thursday in the Valley Springs area brings the total number of incidents in which shots were fired into vehicles or homes to 15. The first report came on December 17th. Two days before Christmas, a shooting spree tagged four vehicles on Valley Springs roadways. A number of other incidents in which shots were fired into homes and vehicles over the holidays were soon reported. So far, none of the victims have reported injuries. The latest shooting incident took place at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Watertown Road near Campo Seco Road in Valley Springs. The victim reported swerving to avoid an oncoming vehicle with its high beams on which continued to swerve across the center divide and forced the victim off the roadway and into a ditch. The following morning, the victim inspected his vehicle and discovered a bullet hole in the rear driver’s side fender. Calaveras County Sheriff Sergeant Dave Seawell said the victim described the suspect vehicle as “a full size pick up truck painted white with silver and beige” and the “doors of the pick up truck were painted differently than the body of the truck.” Seawell said that “ at this time the…described pick up truck is a vehicle of interest.” Seawell said investigators believe all the shootings to be related. They also believe the shootings to be random, as there is no link between the victims or clear motive at this time. Seawell stressed that the Sheriff’s office will not “discuss or answer questions regarding the type of weapon used by the suspect (or suspects), caliber of bullet recovered or any other questions that relate to seized evidence.” The Calaveras County Sheriffs Office is seeking any information on these incidents and the series of shootings which began on December 16th. The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives has announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the rash of shootings. Seawell said that in some cases, information has been delayed in getting to the Sheriff’s office. Anyone with information is asked to call the Calaveras County Sheriffs Office Tip Line at (209) 754-6030 or (209) 754-6500. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and firearms tip line is 1-800-ATF-GUNS. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - The Amador County Combined Narcotics Enforcement Team (ACCNET) on Friday announced three separate drug busts involving mail-order drug arrangement, a traffic stop, and a smuggling scheme inside Mule Creek State Prison. On Friday, December 18th, 2009, ACCNET concluded an investigation with United States Postal Inspectors involving the mailing of large amounts of Oxycontin through the US Mail from the Sutter Creek and Jackson Post Offices. The packages were sent by locals Marvin Wells, age 48, and Stacey Wells, age 35, to Marvin Wells’ brother, Roger Wells, age 53, living in New Orleans. Roger Wells then sold the drug and wired the money back to Marvin in $1,500 increments. A search was conducted of the Wells residence where their two children were living and additional evidence was seized. Marvin WELLS and Stacey WELLS were arrested and booked into the Amador County Jail for possession for sale of controlled substances, transportation of controlled substances and child endangerment. On Sunday, January 3, ACCNET concluded a joint investigation with the Jackson Police Department involving the arrest of 46-year-old Antonio Quintero, a resident of Carson City, Nevada, for transportation and possession for sales of 2 ounces of “Ice” methamphetamine. The arrest came after a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation in which police discovered a fake oil can containing the illegal substance. During the booking process into Amador County Jail, a finger print scan was conducted and police discovered that Quintero was using a false identity, although his real identity was not revealed to the public. Quintero was booked on charges of possession for sale of a controlled substance, transportation of a controlled substance and providing a false name to law enforcement. Another joint investigation with the Mule Creek State Prison, Investigative Services Unit (ISU) and Postal Inspectors was concluded on Wednesday, January 6th, concerning the smuggling of heroin into Mule Creek State Prison. Information obtained by ISU personnel eventually led to the arrest of Sharon Walker, a 62-year-old resident of Riverbank, Ca. US Postal Inspectors first intercepted a package meant for one of three Mule Creek inmates and attempted to conduct a controlled delivery of the package to Walker, who refused. A federal search warrant was obtained and the package was opened to reveal a small stuffed animal containing 12.1 grams of heroin. ACCNET agents obtained a search warrant of Walker’s residence and items of evidentiary value were seized. Walker was transported to Amador County Jail on charges of bringing a controlled substance into prison, possession for sale of a controlled substance and conspiracy. The three inmates involved were Oscar Rivera, age 44, Hugo Pino, age 43, and Leland Stanley, age 44. All three were arrested by ISU and placed into a special housing unit. ACCNET is one of the 48 regional narcotic task forces that is operated by the Attorney General’s, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – An Amador Water Agency special workshop Thursday discussed the “Gravity Supply Line” project, which would replace the existing pipeline that carries raw water from Tiger Creek to the Central Amador Water Project. Interim General Manger Gene Mancebo called the Gravity Supply Line a “green project” because using the gravity-driven pipeline would result in “2.2 million kilowatt hours taken off the grid.” It would replace electrical pumps feeding the Buckhorn plant, serving 4,020 parcels in Amador County’s Upcountry. District 1 Director Bill Condrashoff said that it was “not saving” that energy, because AWA would pay PG&E for water released above its generators, and foregone electricity generated. Mancebo said he disagreed, “because we are taking it from their storage,” and “if they were using 100 percent of their stored water, then that would be true.” He said they we’re talking about annually spending $50,000 to fund the GSL, versus $250,000 to $300,000 to operate the lift pumps. Condrashoff said until they get rights to more water, there is no need for the GSL. Mancebo said AWA is in the process of expanding its water rights, and the GSL would increase capacity by more than 50 percent over current demand of 1,120 acre feet. Engineering Manger Erik Christeson said the GSL could serve 2,800 additional parcels, and according to the existing Amador County General Plan, “the GSL doesn’t serve even half of what could exist” in the county, or 13,544 total connections. Condrashoff and District 3 Director Debbie Dunn said the agency had not pursued grants for repairs to the pumps that run the current system. Dunn suggested making the system green by running pumps with solar power, and said replacement of the 12-inch existing pipeline was 20 years in the future and did not belong in the discussion. Christeson said the USDA’s “Dave Hartwell is ready to give us $5 million” and “contractors are hungry and they are willing to take financial hits to get jobs.” Mancebo said “we need to consider putting money into those pump stations” or into the GSL. He said the federal stimulus grant is a strong possibility, and staff believes the “GSL has a lower annual cost as opposed to the lift station.” He said AWA will hear from USDA in 30-60 days on the agency’s negative declaration of environmental impact for the Gravity Supply Line, and will also be able to look closer at construction costs, as they weigh decisions. He said “doing nothing is not an option.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council last week worked on public policy to handle requests from citizens for agenda space, and also directed staff to continue negotiations on the purchase of the Knight Foundry. Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe said after a closed session January 4th, the council reported that it had directed staff to “continue moving forward with the new offer to the owner” of the Knight Foundry. The offer was based on a revised offer given to the city council in closed session. Rabe could not discuss details of negotiations, ongoing between City Manager Rob Duke and Knight Foundry LLC. The council also directed Rabe to revise a draft policy regarding public requests for items to be placed on the city council agenda. He said Sutter Creek did not “really have a procedure,” so he created an application form and draft procedure, and submitted them to the city council for review. The draft policy would have required the city council to consider requests for agenda space in open session, and decide in that open session whether to place a requested item on the agenda for a later meeting. It would have required only one vote to place it on an agenda, but would have added the step of requiring that initial council action. The council instead directed changes to streamline the procedure. Rabe said the council requested that the draft policy would allow the Mayor make decisions on public requests for the placement of items on city council agendas. If the mayor denies it, the person requesting the agenda item could then go before the city council and make a case to appeal the decision. Rabe said it did not mean allowing time for a Power Point presentation during the hearing of “public matters not on the agenda.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors in its last meeting of 2009 set a public hearing for a possible rate increase in Camanche Water District Number 7, looking to fix a “structural cash deficit.” AWA has been working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on grant to add a water storage tank, at an estimated cost of $1.8 million. The USDA has said the California Rural Development grant depends on funding available from other partners. In a special meeting December 31st, the AWA board approved a revised financial plan for the Camanche project, and planned a February 22nd public hearing. The agency has already spent about $100,000 toward the project, and staff said those “sunk costs” likely could be reimbursed through the grant. Staff recommended rates based on revenue needs through 2012. Staff “determined that the water rates in Lake Camanche should generate about $340,000” this fiscal year “to meet financial obligations and objectives” in the “multi-year financial plan.” Staff recommended AWA adopt a 3-year plan, with 9 percent rate hikes each July 1st until 2011. The report said “in order to meet the full financial obligations of the water utility and close the operating deficit of about $618,000, it is recommended that we borrow $800,000 in fiscal year 2009-2010 and begin repayment” the following year, “which amounts to an annual payment of about $32,000.” Rate increases would repair a “structural cash deficit.” A typical residential user consuming 12 units would pay $3.40 more per month in the first year, and monthly rates would rise annually by 3-4 dollars. The last rate change in Camanche District 7 was in July 2006. Finance Manager Mike Lee said the board’s selected plan would be posted on the AWA website. Interim General Manager Gene Mancebo said AWA “will have to build a project” in Camanche District 7, because of “contact time” improvements needed in the system. Director Gary Thomas said the agency needs “to look at conservation plans in Camanche,” and he urged the board to not “lose sight of the fact that we need a conservation plan.” He said he hoped that would “get memorialized in these rates.” Director Terence Moore agreed, saying “it’s a small system, and it would be a good place to see if it would work.” Mancebo said any rate change would be subject to Proposition 218 guidelines. And he said once the agency approves a financial plan, staff would like to look back and see if it works, and if not, they can “rectify that” when they approve the project. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - The latest act of vandalism on Jackson’s Main Street came in the form of smashed flowerpots in front of Hein & Company bookstore, highlighting an ongoing problem in a struggling area. The flowerpots, as documented by Hein & Company co-owner Linda Hein, were discovered while she and her husband were taking their morning walk. “This is just an example of something that happens on an almost monthly basis,” said Hein. “My husband, Wolf, and I are daily walkers in the morning before opening up our business on Main Street, and we are regular viewers of the mess and breakage.” Hein said the damage usually occurs on a Friday or Saturday night. Hein said she calls the Sheriff whenever it seems “over the top.” Cindy Turner, owner of Detailed Events, said her son’s former business was vandalized three times. Past acts of vandalism include graffiti and broken windows. In one incident, vandals cut the internet cable and rigged it to provide service to their residence, located behind the business. Vandals kicked in the door to the business on different occasions. “I just see little business, no tourism and everyone downtown is really suffering,” said Turner. “None of that is good for the future,” she said. Eleanor Caputo, owner of the Studio 18 Gallery, said she has been the victim of numerous vandalisms, including a broken bench, ripped up flowers and broken bottles. She and Merzlak Signs owner Kam Merzlak were reluctant to hang a giant photo banner of Amador County on Main Street, but decided it was necessary in order to “make it all look better.” She said little things, like adding new coats of paint, cleaning up sidewalks and getting rid of “the urine smell on the street” were all good starts. Caputo believes this blight is created in part by individuals who loiter on the streets in front of downtown bars like the Main Event and the Fargo Club. “I’m a smoker myself, but I know it’s disrespectful to stand in front of the bar and smoke where people can smell it and spit on the sidewalk,” she said. The issue of downtown revitalization is an ongoing topic at Jackson City Council meetings. Last summer, the Jackson Revitalization Committee and the Jackson Rancheria created a “Shop Jackson” advertising partnership intended to stimulate downtown business by providing special offers and discounts to the casino’s Dreamcatchers Club members. Nevertheless, vandalism continues. Hein sent out an email seeking suggestions for how to deal with the issue. Caputo believes revitalization is a result of how much people put in. “Negative evokes negative but positive evokes positive,” said Caputo, adding: “If we all walk around with a positive attitude, it will spread and show in our downtown.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.