Friday, July 3, 2009
Another major injury
motorcycle accident recorded on
According to Amador CHP, 61-year-old Wayne Schulze of
Camino was driving east on
Residential structure
fire in Pioneer called in several units
A residential structure fire Thursday evening in Pioneer
sent several fire crews to a home on
Another reminder
about fireworks safety from
Emergency crews were called to
Collision between Sutter
Creek Police officer,
According to the Amador CHP, Ken Powers was in the
southbound traffic lane on Highway 49 approaching Ridge Road when a dark
colored mini-van ran the stop light heading north on Highway 49 from Ridge
Road. Powers activated his overhead emergency lights and initiated a u-turn directly
behind the mini-van. Steven McGrath was stopped in the northbound lane of
Highway 49 and entered the intersection when the light turned green at the same
time Powers made his move. McGrath collided with the right side of Power’s
vehicle. McGrath sustained minor injuries and was taken to
Looking for something
to do this Fourth of July?
Several family friendly events will take place this Saturday
to celebrate the Fourth of July. The Cannonball Run Car Show will take place
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Volcano. The Upcountry Fourth of July
Carnival will be held in
The inter-denominational Silver Lake Chapel will reopen for
Protestant and Catholic services this Sunday. Rev. Ward Willoughby from
Tickets available for
the National Day of the American Cowboy BBQ Dinner & Dance
Tickets are now on sale for the National Day of the
American Cowboy BBQ Dinner & Dance sponsored by the Calaveras County
Chamber of Commerce.
Thursday, July 2,
2009
The Jackson Lions Club will celebrate the Fourth of July
with a fireworks display and family activities July 3 at
Fourth of July
Maximum Enforcement Period begins Friday at 6 p.m.
As motorists prepare to head out onto the highway for some
summer fun this Independence Day, the CHP hopes with some advance planning this
weekend can be a safe celebration for everyone.
CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow reminding travelers to plan ahead and allow
extra time for travel on busy roads, buckle up before you head out and don’t
speed. The Fourth of July Maximum Enforcement Period will begin Friday at 6
p.m. and last through midnight Sunday. All available officers will patrol the
roadways during the MEP.
Two tired drivers
involved in weekend accidents lucky to escape without injury
According to the Amador CHP, 52-year-old Paul Bailey of
Amador Survivor
applications due Friday by 5 p.m.
Tomorrow, Friday, July 3 is the last day for interested
persons to enter into the Amador Fair Survivor competition. Six contestants will
be chosen to spend the entire duration of the fair, from Thursday, July 30 to
Sunday, August 2 at the fairgrounds in
Cart barn fire at
Mace Meadow under investigation
Firefighters are investigating the cause of a fire at Mace
Meadow Golf Course Tuesday night. According to Pro Shop Manager Greg Standrich,
the fire started sometime between 11 and 11:30 p.m. near the cart barn.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze quickly, but not before moderate
damage was done. Standrich says five of the 60 carts in the barn were lost and
the building sustained structural damage. Standrich says even though
firefighters are still investigating the cause, foul play is suspected. If you
have any information regarding the cause of this fire, contact the Amador
County Sheriff’s Department at 223-6500.
One year after the El Dorado Irrigation District Board of
Directors declared an emergency to repair the outlet works at the
Motorcycle accidents
result in moderate injuries in Amador County
A 55-year-old
Third of July treated
like a holiday for many businesses
Even though the Fourth of July is Saturday, the third is
being treated like a holiday for many businesses. All
A-TCAA accepting
applicants for third annual Backpack-2-School project
Even though summer vacation is still in full swing, the
Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency is accepting applicants for it’s third
annual Backpack-2-School project. This project is designed to help income
eligible families provide necessary school supplies for their children. To
participate in this program families can fill out an application at the
appropriate location by July 15. To participate in the Backpack-2-School
Project, your child must qualify to be on the school district’s free / reduced
lunch menu plan. If you live Upcountry, apply at the
Wednesday, July 1,
2009
Fourth of July is
almost here and that means an increased use of fireworks
While it is illegal to use anything other than “Safe and
Sane” fireworks, Jackson Fire Chief Mark Morton reminds people to use common scene
in any situation. Only use Safe and Sane Fireworks in an area clear of dry
vegetation and have a bucket of water or a hose on hand to put out and
remaining sparks. Morton says that anyone caught with illegal fireworks will
have them confiscated and law enforcement will be making arrests. To make sure
your fireworks are “Safe and Sane,” check for the logo from the California
State Fire Marshal or take them to your local fire department.
Motorcycle photo
shoot scheduled for Friday at the Kennedy Mine
The public is invited to a professional photo shoot this
Friday at the Kennedy Mine for motorcycle built by local women in the shop of a
two time world champion. Jim Giuffra, owner of Amador Fine Tune in Martell and
AFT Custom Modeling, is the two time World Champion Metric V Twin Bike Builder
bringing something different to this year’s championship. LowLa was build by
the women who also work for his modeling agency. Before heading to the World
Championship in Sturgis, the bike will be released at the LA Calendar Show
later this month. Friday’s photo shoot will begin at 8 a.m. at the Kennedy Mine
off Highway 49 / 88 in
Argonaut Lane road
construction behind, still expected to be finished by July 30
Road work along
Down power line left
79 PG&E customers in the dark this morning
A down power line on
The issue of the
Last day to file most
exhibit entry forms for
The last day to file most exhibit entry forms for the
upcoming Amador County Fair is July 11. Horse Show entry forms were due Friday,
June 26, however entries will be accepted until July 11 with no penalty. The
2009 Exhibitor Handbook is available at the Fair Office and various locations
in the county, including libraries, as well as online at
www.amadorcountyfair.com. The Amador County Fair will be held July 30 through
Aug. 2 featuring a Hawaiian theme – “It’s a Grape Time to Hukilau.” Discounted
Fair and carnival tickets are now available online or in the fair office.
Sobon Estate Winery
takes overall ‘Best of Show’ in
Sobon Estate Winery took the overall “Best of Show” award
and two other top honors in the prestigious Amador County Fair Commercial Wine
Competition. Sobon’s 2007 Primitivo,
besides Best of Show, also won the award for Best Red and Best Amador Italian
wine. Picked from a field of 500 entries, the wine was among the final four,
along with two other
2009
The 2009 Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee saw
an increase in community support, but lower than expected attendance. Ray
Malerbi, CEO of the 39th District Agricultural Association, says
revenue was down during the fair averaging about 70 percent of its budgeted revenue
projections, but at the same time expenses were down. Malerbi reported that
attendance was fantastic for the opening day of the fair, but lagged severely
on Friday. However, local participation was up this year at the fair.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
According to a statement issued by county officials
Tuesday, effective July 6
Amador
All six of the Amador County Elected Officials, excluding
the Board of Supervisors, have accepted a pay cut to help with the current
budget situation. Amador County Administrative Officer Terri Daly says that the
Elected Officials agreed to a 10 percent pay cut after she approached all the
county’s bargaining units to reduce the county’s personnel cuts. Daly says
because the elected officials are paid based on a county ordinance, a new
ordinance will come before the Supervisors in the near future. The Supervisors
voted in April to defer their scheduled salary increase a year. However,
elected officials at the Amador Water Agency did not approve a cut in their pay
when presented with the option in recent budget workshops. AWA General Manager
Jim Abercrombie says the directors currently get paid $120 per meeting up to 10
meetings. A proposal to cap the number of meetings to five did not have enough
support from the directors and was dropped.
Small vegetation
fires on
Just before 3 p.m. Tuesday several firefighters were called
to a reported wildland fire on
Wednesday will be the one year anniversary for the
Jackson City Council
approves 2009-10 Fiscal Year budget Monday
The Jackson City Council Monday unanimously approved the
budget for the fiscal year that begins Wednesday. City Manager Mike Daly says
the council approved the balanced budget with the proposed employee concessions
including furlough days, which will begin in July, and freezes for salaries and
benefits. Others items that helped close the $341,000 deficit included a
$10,000 cut in funding to ACRA and a 4 and a half percent reduction in
retirement benefits for the Police Department. Daly says this budget could be
tentative until the state of
A third of
Results from a recent tobacco survey show that
Drew Stidger, chairman of the Jackson Lions fireworks booth
and a lieutenant with the Amador County Sheriff’s Department, says the booth is
now located at
According to final results certified last week by Secretary
of State Debra Bowen, more than 64 percent of voters cast their ballots by mail
in the May 19 statewide Special Election. That sets a new
Valley Springs man shot
by roommate remains in critical condition
A Valley Springs man remains in critical condition Monday
after he was shot in the abdomen over the weekend during what the Calaveras
County Sheriff’s Department described as a dispute with his roommate. Sheriff’s
Spokesperson Sgt. Dave Seawell says finances were the cause of the conflict
that reportedly prompted Robert Friend to use a .22-caliber pistol to shoot
Michael Ferrier. When deputies arrived on scene, Ferrier came out of the house
and was treated for the gun shot wound. At about 9:15, SWAT team members
entered the home and arrested Friend without incident.
AWA Board comments on
Amador County draft General Plan Update
The Amador Water Agency Board of Directors weighed in on
the draft Amador County General Plan Update with detailed comments regarding
elements affecting water and wastewater supply and systems. Many of the
comments requested inclusion of policies to encourage wastewater reclamation in
future development and to ensure water quality and future sources of water
supply for the county’s residents. The Amador County Board of Supervisors and
the county planning department will make the final decision whether or not
AWA’s comments are included in the final General Plan document.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Tuolumne-Calaveras
Unit of
The Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit of CAL FIRE will suspend all
burning permits within State Responsibility Areas of Tuolumne County,
Standby fees have
been reinstated for the Lake Camanche Village area
During Thursday’s Amador Water Agency Board of Directors
meeting, it was decided to reinstate the standby fees for water service in Lake
Camanche Village, which have been suspended since 2006. Owners of unimproved
property in Lake Camanche will receive a bill for the annual $100 standby fee
on July 1. The agency was not allowed to collect the standby charges while the
California Department of Public Health enforced a moratorium on new
construction in Lake Camanche Village due to water supply issues. AWA completed
a new well in August 2007 that provides 40 percent capacity more water to the
Lake Camanche System. As a result, the CDPH lifted the building moratorium in
October of last year.
Chance to see the
Wildermuth House in Calaveras County Fourth of July weekend
On the old Mokelumne Hill-Campo Seco Road, east of the once
bustling mining town of Campo Seco, stands one of the best preserved stone
block houses in the Mother Lode. The Wildermuth House was built for John H.
Wildermuth in 1861, using hand-dressed sandstone blocks quarried from the
hillside nearby. On Saturday, July 4, interested persons will get a rare
glimpse into the everyday life of one pioneer family. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
EBMUD Ranger/Naturalist II Steve Diers will lead an easy 1.3 mile round trip hike
while discussing how the pioneers located and captured water for their
homesteads, view the stone corral and discuss how homesteaders changed the
physical landscape, tour the Wildermuth House interior and more. Advanced
registration is required as space is limited.
For more information or to R.S.V.P., contact Diers at 772-8260. There is
no charge for this event.
Vegetation fire near
Milton Sunday charred more than 400 acres
According to Tuolumne Calaveras CAL FIRE officials, crews
were called to the fire on Hunt Road near the Rock Creek Landfill just after 3
p.m. Resources responding included 15 engines, two water tenders, one air
attack, two helicopters, four air tankers and two fire crews from CAL FIRE,
Jenny Lind, Foothill Fire, Hollister and the U.S. Forest Service. In total 410
acres were burned by the time the fire was contained just before 6 p.m. No
injuries were reported and no structures were threatened. CAL FIRE says the
cause of the fire is under investigation.
AWA pushes for county
oversight of small wastewater systems
The Amador Water Agency Board of Directors is asking Dist.
10 Assemblymember Alyson Huber to help in an effort to lower the regulatory
costs of operating small community wastewater systems. In a letter approved at
their meeting Thursday, the AWA Board is urging legislation that would move
state oversight of small community leachfields back to the county level, where
costs are lower and officials are familiar with local site conditions. Over the
past several years, the California Regional Water Quality Control Board has
taken over regulation of 11 small community wastewater systems that the agency
operates, some with as few as five users. The state’s monitoring and reporting
requirements for these systems are costing users between $20 to $40 per month
per connection.
Traffic delays
continue on Highway 16 this week
Motorists traveling out of Amador County on Highway 16 can
once again expect 20 minute delays from the intersection of Highway 49 to the
Sacramento / Amador County line. Caltrans will perform one-way traffic control
in the area today through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to allow crews to
place pavement markers and strip the roadway. Alternate routes should be taken
whenever possible.
Electrical problem
sparked 4 acre vegetation fire Sunday afternoon outside of Plymouth
A reported electrical problem sparked a 4 acre vegetation
fire Sunday afternoon that burned down a shed and a metal hay barn. According
to reports, five engines, two dozers, two water tenders, Mule Creek Fire crews
and air craft from Colombia responded to a vegetation fire around 5:30 p.m. on
Taylor Road east of Latrobe Road outside of Plymouth. The fire allegedly
started from an electrical problem at a power pole with the fire extending to a
shed that housed the land owner’s dozer. First responders found the shed fully
involved. The fire next turn to a metal hay barn, starting more than 400 bails
of stack hay on fire. In all, 4.3 acres were of grassland burnt along with the
shed, a dozer, hay barn and hundreds of hay bails. No injuries were reported.
88-year-old Pioneer
man to blame for early Friday morning standoff
An 88-year-old Pioneer man was to blame for the swarm of
Amador County Sheriff’s Deputies on Shake Ridge Road early Friday morning.
According to Under Sheriff Jim Wegner, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office
received a 911 Emergency Call around 3 a.m. wherein the telephone line
disconnected. Upon call back, a female reported that her husband had threatened
her and her adult son with a firearm. First responders contacted an 82-year-old
female victim and her 59-year-old son outside the residence. They reported to
deputies that the suspect, Samuel Jackson Cooper Jr., had an argument with his
wife’s son regarding yard work he had not performed. The wife reportedly
intervened in the dispute which resulted in Cooper pushing his wife and
ordering both to leave the home; Cooper then obtained his .22 caliber revolver
and threatened to “kill” both his wife and his step-son. As the wife and step-son
fled the residence, they reported hearing a single gunshot. Sheriff’s personnel
used various techniques in an effort to make contact with Cooper and stimulate
negotiations. Around noon Cooper exited his residence and was taken into
custody by the Amador County Sheriff’s SWAT Team. Cooper was booked into the
Amador County Jail charged with battery upon a spouse, negligent discharge of a
firearm, criminal threats, dissuading a witness with force and resisting a
peace officer. Bail was set at $150,000.
Calaveras County man
shot by roommate Saturday afternoon
Calaveras County Sheriff’s Deputies were called out late
Saturday afternoon to a home on Stinson View Road in Rancho Calaveras following
a 911 call from a subject stating that he had been shot by his roommate.
Deputies arrived on scene and secured a perimeter. The victim, identified as
Michael Ferrier, came out of the house and was treated for a gun shot wound to
the abdomen. He was transported by air ambulance to Mercy San Juan Hospital in
Carmichael where he remains in critical condition. Over the next several hours,
numerous attempts were made to make contact with anyone inside the residence,
then around 9:15 p.m. SWAT team members arrested Robert Friend inside the
residence. Friend was taken into custody without further incident and booked
into the Calaveras County Jail for attempted murder. Bail has been set at
$500,000.
Jackson City Council
to meet tonight to consider approval of 2009-10 budget
Jackson City Council will meet tonight to consider approval
of the 2009-10 budget. Jackson City Manager Mike Daly says the city has been
working to close a $341,000 deficit through cuts and employees concessions,
including taking two furlough days a month and a freeze on salaries and other
benefits. Daly adds that the city will be able to maintain current services and
staff unless the State goes through with the taking of the local gas tax. The
meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Civic Center.
Mother Lode Community
Blood Drive Thursday offers pints for pints
Give a pint and get a pint at the Mother Lode Community
Blood Drive Thursday. BloodSource along with the Jackson Rotary is sponsoring
the drive from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Jackson Civic Center. Anyone who
donates blood during that time will receive a coupon for a free pint of
Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream and be entered into a weekly drawing for a $250 gift
card. Walk-ins are welcome, just make sure to bring a picture ID. Donors should
eat and drink plenty of fluids before donating. For more information on donor
eligibility, call BloodSource at 1(800) 995-4420. For more information on the
blood drive, call 223-4389.
Amador residents now
have fast access to custody information on offenders throughout California
Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan has launched Victim
Information and Notification Everyday, or VINE, a free automated service
citizens can access, 24-hours-a-day either by telephone or the Internet. People
calling 1 (877) 411-5588 are asked to provide an offender’s name or booking
number. After the system has provided the relevant custody information, it asks
the caller if they would like to register to be automatically notified when the
offender is released or transferred. Live operator assistance is available
round-the-clock for callers who have questions or require additional help.
Citizens can also go online at www.vinelink.com
to locate offenders and register for this free service.
Each year illegal, misused
fireworks cause serious injuries, damaging wildfires
This year,
Construction works
along Highway 49 spans from Highway 88 in Amador to Highway 12 in Calaveras
Today through Thursday Caltrans crews will be working on
Highway 49 from the intersection of Highway 12 in