Friday, July 30, 2010
Galt man killed in vehicle accident in San
Andreas Thursday morning
A Galt
man was killed in the San Andreas area on Thursday morning. 22-year- old Bradley Calhoun was driving his Pontiac sedan eastbound on Highway 4, west of Brice
Station, when for unknown reasons he crossed over the double lines and into the
path of 55-year-old Robert Anzar of Jamestown. Anzar was towing a
trailer loaded with logs. The sedan
collided with the fourth axle at the driver’s side of the logging trailer and
the Galt man suffered fatal injuries. Anzar was not iinjured in the
collision.
Rattlesnake bites at record levels this year
according to Amador Public Health
Rattlesnake
bites are at record levels this year according to a report from the Amador County
Public Health Office. Seven county
residents required treatment at Sutter
Amador Hospital
for rattlesnake bites this year. Six of
those victims were admitted to the hospital and required anti-venom. Dr. Bob Hartmann, Amador County Public Health
Officer, says that although official records are not kept, the most victims
they can remember in any year is seven, and we’re already there with the season
only half over. Suggestions on the
increase may be because of the late wet spring, and more small rodents which
are the snakes main source of food. If bitten, the best thing you can do is get
to the emergency room right away.
Anti-venom is very effective and most victims require six to ten vials
given intravenously. Hartmann adds that
it is not important to catch the snake, and is more dangerous to do so. Prevention is the best medicine. Never handle snakes -dead or alive, avoid
wood piles and brush where snakes live, know their habits of being out at dusk
and dawn, wear boots and long pants, keep bushes and shrubs trimmed so you can
see clearly underneath, and keep rattlesnake enemies around such as dogs, cats,
guinea hens and pigs.
Two San Andreas residents killed in alcohol
influenced car accident Wednesday
Two
San Andreas residents were killed in an alcohol influenced car collision
Wednesday evening in San Andreas. The
CHP reports that 21-year-old Matt Thein of San
Andreas was driving with two passengers southbound on Gold Strike Road at a
speed of 60 miles per hour while 30-year-old Leah Montoya and her 10-year-old
daughter were driving northbound at a speed of 30 miles per hour. Thein noticed that
a car was turning onto Gold Strike Road from Leonard Road in front of him. Due to his rate of speed and reported
intoxicated state, Thein stepped on the brakes and
turned his car across the double lines into the northbound lane, Montoya saw Thein coming right at her, braked, and began turning her
car toward the right side of the road. Thein’s car struck the front of Montoya’s car, and after
the impact, both car’s came to rest blocking the northbound lane. Thein’s passengers,
50-year-old Michael Thein and 54-year- old Karen
Lundy, both of San Andreas, were pronounced dead at the scene. Montoya and her daughter were treated for
minor injuries at Mark
Twain Hospital. Thein sustained
moderate injuries, was treated at Doctors
Hospital, and was
subsequently arrested for DUI.
Special train ride on “Move Star Locomotive”
offered today in Jamestown
The Railtown 1897 State
Historic Park
is offering a one time, end of the month special train ride on the “Movie Star
Locomotive” in Jamestown. Today only, July 30th, at 2 p.m.,
a special Friday afternoon train ride through the scenic gold country costs
$13.oo for adults and $6.00 for youths aged 6-17. Kids under 5 are free. Park admission is included. When purchasing tickets, visitors have the option to choose either
the open air coach or the limited seating in the indoor observation car. All passengers are able to move about between
the two cars during the train ride.
Advance tickets are available online at railtown1897.org or by calling
916-445-5995. Known as the “Movie
Railroad”, the park and its trains have been featured in hundreds of feature
films, tv shows, and
commercials. The park is located at the
corner of Fifth Avenue
and Reservior
Road in Jamestown.
Temporary fire restrictions in effect in
high hazard areas of Stanislaus National Forest
The
U.S. Service announced yesterday, that because of high fire danger, temporary
fire restrictions will go into effect in high hazard areas of the Stanislaus National Forest. The fire restrictions
prohibit campfires, briquette barbecues, and smoking, in designated areas of
the forest. Welding and blasting also are prohibited, except by special permit.
These temporary fire restrictions will remain effect until the end of the 2010
fire season.
Miss Amador Scholarship Pageant crowned
winner Thursday night
The
Miss Amador Scholarship Pageant crowned a winner last night and gave honors to
four other contestants. Rachel Jenkins of Jackson
took the Miss Amador title earning a $2,000 scholarship. First runner up, Arielah Dreksler of Jackson received $1,000,
and second runner up Morgan Hirschel received a $750
scholarship. Savannah Gray of Jackson was crowned Miss Congeniality and third
runner up with a $500 scholarship. Fourth runner up receiving $500 was Angela Faryn of Pine Grove.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Railroad Flat man sustains moderate injuries after his car was
broadsided
A Railroad Flat man sustained moderate
injuries after his car was broadsided when he pulled into oncoming traffic in
San Andreas early Saturday evening.
According to CHP reports, Michael Sabelber was
driving east on East Murray Creek
Road with a 9 year old passenger and had stopped his
car at the intersection with Railroad
Flat Road.
Sarah O’Conner of Mokelumne Hill was driving south on Railroad Flat Road, approaching East
Murray Creek Road at 45 miles an hour. Sabelber
proceeded to make a left turn onto Railroad
Flat Road directly in front of O’Conner’s
car. O’Conner attempted to avoid Sabelber by swerving, but was unable to do so and collided
broadside into Sabelber’s car. The collision sent Sabelber’s
car into the northbound lane of Railroad
Flat Road, blocking traffic. O’Conner’s car came to rest off the
roadway. Sabelber
was treated for his injuries at Mark
Twain Hospital
and his passenger was seen for minor injuries at Doctors Hospital of
Modesto. O’Conner was not injured in the
collision.
Mountain lion sighted in Lake
Camanche area Wednesday
morning
According to reports, a mountain
lion was sighted in the Lake
Camanche area Wednesday
morning. The Lake Camanche office told HomeTown Radio that East Bay Mud has
posted an advisory warning of the sighting at all trailheads and other
information sites around Lake Camanche.
East Bay Mud states that the public should be aware that the lake is
part of the natural habitat of the big cats.
Although no one is being turned away from the recreation area, people
should be advised to be alert to the recent sighting.
Motorcycle crash Sunday morning in San Andreas
area
Unsafe speed is blamed for a
motorcycle crash Sunday morning in the San Andreas area. The CHP reported that
55-year-old Hans Vanloo of Stockton was riding his Harley Davidson
northbound on Watertown Road
just north of Paloma
Road at approximately 30 miles per hour. Vanloo was unable to negotiate a turn in the roadway due to
his speed and lost control. The harley ran off the shoulder and
collided with a dirt and gravel embankment. Vanloo
sustained moderate injuries and was transported by ambulance to Mark Twain
St. Joseph Hospital.
Unlicensed painter ended up in jail after illegally biding on job in
Amador County
An unlicensed house painter, who
illegally bid on a job at an Amador
County house, ended up
going to jail instead of getting the job. The contractors
state license board reported that 37-year-old Karl Calvert Marohl
the 3rd told an undercover investigator from the board’s Statewide
Investigative Fraud Team that he would paint her house for $600.00. Any project valued over $500.00 must be done
by a licensed contractor according to California
law. When Marohl
was detained, investigators found that he was in possession of methamphetamine
and took him to the Amador County Jail. 46-year-old Kelly Murrel
Woods of Ione, who accompanied Marohl to bid on the
job, was discovered to be a parolee in possession of meth and drug
paraphernalia, and was also taken to jail.
Marohl was one of eight who received notices
to appear in court for unlicensed contracting during an undercover sting held
in Jackson on
July 20th and 21st.
The contractor’s board operation was conducted with the support of the
Amador County District Attorney’s Office and the Jackson Police Department.
Sweeps were conducted at nine construction sites in Jackson and two in Sutter Creek. Contractor board registrar Steve Sands said
that the sting shows why consumers should take a few minutes to check the web
site “cslb.ca.gov” or “checkthelicensefirst.com” to see if a contractor is
licensed and has worker’s compensation insurance before hiring.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Program has helped over 700 Amador County
children
First 5 of Amador is proud to announce that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Program has helped over 700 Amador
County children receive
free books since September 2009. The
program’s intent is to help parent’s read with their children. Each month, a new, carefully selected book is
mailed to an eligible child between the ages of 0 and 4. Eligiblity
requires being a resident of Amador
County and submittal of
an official registration form, completely filled out by a parent or guardian to
first 5 Amador. Eight to ten weeks after
registration, books will begin arriving at the child’s home until the child
turns 5 or moves out of Amador
County. This free program is sponsored by First 5
Amador, the Resource Connection, and Dolly Parton. First 5 Amador is located at 101 Shopping Drive
in Jackson.
Lawn mower started small grass fire Wednesday in Pine Grove
A lawn mower started a small
grass fire Wednesday afternoon in Pine Grove.
According to reports, a resident called in a grass fire that started as
he was mowing his property near Surrey
Junction Way and Emily Drive. Responding engines were at the scene at 4:30
pm, and had the slowly moving blaze fully contained within an hour. The fire had consumed about half an acre
before it was stopped. The Fire-safe Council
reminds everyone to use caution in the fire season when clearing property. Do not use power tools or mow grass when
temperatures are above 80 degrees and humidity is low. Always have a fire extinguisher handy and a
fully charged water hose available if possible.
Governor bringing back furloughs for thousands of California state workers
Governor Schwarzenegger is
bringing back furloughs for thousands of state workers until California passes a budget. The governor
released a new executive order Wednesday, that
requires state workers to take three days off a month starting next month. The
order for furlough days will continue until a new budget is enacted and the
Department of Finance certifies that the state has enough cash to meet its
obligations through the end of the fiscal year.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Calaveras Superintendant pleased with start of new school year
Calaveras Unified School District
Superintendant Mark Campbell told HomeTown Radio that he has visited every
school site in his district and is very pleased with an incredibly smooth start
to the new year. Cambell
also reports that the CUSD faces significant fiscal challenges this year due to
declining enrollment, state revenue drops and virtually non-existant
developer fees. The school board will be addressing proposed cuts at their
meeting this Saturday. Areas of discussion include setting all kindergarten to
3rd grade classes at a 30 student per teacher ratio, closing the Rail Road
Flat Elementary
School, reducing hours and positions of
classified support staff, exploring employee contract reductions, and reduction
or elimination of funding for middle school sports, elementary band and
athletic transportation. The district has already implemented a $50.00 fee per
sport for those students participating in a school sport. Cambell
says he needs decisions and clear direction before December.
West Point woman in jail facing embezzlement charges
A West Point woman was arrested
and booked into County
Jail facing charges of
embezzlement. 26-year-old Ashley Marie Alaway has
been charged with embezzling a significant amount of money from the now defunct
Pine Grove Ace Hardware store in which she was a former bookkeeper. Alaway was arraigned and released on her own recognizance
under bail of $108,000. She is due to come back to court on August 8th
for a superior court review of the case where a date for a possible preliminary
hearing would be set. Former Ace Hardware owner John Wiens
stated to HomeTown Radio that over $100,000 was stolen from his business.
Job Connection Amador showcasing local job training tomorrow in Jackson
This Thursday, Job Connection
Amador, will showcase local job training as part of statewide workforce month.
Staff members from Representative Dan Lundgren and Assembly member Allison
Huber’s offices, along with Amador County Supervisors and other Motherlode community leaders will join the workforce
investment board to share innovative techniques to help workers and businesses
position themselves for the skilled jobs and technical industries of the
future. This job connection open house will be held this Thursday afternoon
from 2:30 to 3:30 in their Jackson
office at 245 New York Ranch Road,
suite A. The job connection Amador event is part of a statewide workforce month
sponsored by the California workforce
association that aims to highlight local efforts to build the skilled workforce
California
needs to prosper.
Primary election to fill seat of Senator Dave Cox
scheduled November 2
Primary
election to fill the seat of the late Senator Dave Cox is scheduled for
November 2nd, the same day as the general election. A special election will then
take place on January 4th if no candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote. Cox passed away on July 13th at the age of 72. The
election dates were set by Governor Schwarzenegger's office. Cox's District One Senate seat
covers 12 counties, including Amador and Calaveras.
Diaper Derby
at Amador County Fair Thursday at 3:30
An Amador County Fair tradition,
the diaper derby is scheduled to start at 3:30 this Thursday afternoon on
Picnic Hill at the fairgrounds. Proudly presented by First 5, the Ledger
Dispatch, Raley’s and HomeTown Radio, the event is
open to all young crawlers or walkers under the age of 18 months. All
contestants will receive a free gift for participating and will also be entered
into a drawing to win a front loading washer and dryer from Mother Lode
Appliance. No pre-entry is required; signups will be from 2 – 3:15 at the
Picnic Hill derby site.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Official details announced regarding Amador Catholic Community’s
purchase of former Prospect Motors complex
After a week of reports back and
forth, the Amador Catholic Community “officially” announced details of their
pending purchase of the former Halvorson Dealership complex in Martell
yesterday. According to the press release, the largest building, the former
Prospect Motors, will become the new Amador
Catholic Center
which will serve several functions. It will serve as a chapel large enough to
celebrate Mass for the whole Amador County Catholic family. Secondly, it will
contain space devoted for activities for Catholic youth and their friends.
Also, a kitchen with an adjacent large hall will accommodate gatherings for
Parishioners and special events. Building inspections and due diligence studies
are currently being conducted and escrow is expected to close at the end of
August.
Calaveras new jail facility regains 16,000 square feet at no additional
cost
Calaveras County’s new
jail project will regain 16,000 square feet at no additional cost, thanks to
the real estate market’s ongoing doldrums. Increased competition for
construction projects in California
has lowered recent bids for jails and other corrections projects, allowing
officials to return to the project’s original design, once thought to be too
costly. The Administration
Building will grow by
another 3,500 square feet, while a proposed 80-bed dormitory will expand by
more than 1,000 square feet. According to the staff report, the overall project
is on schedule and within budget. AB 900 is providing $26.3 million for the
jail project with another $30.9 million to come from Calaveras County
voter-passed bond issue, Measure J. The full project will go before the state’s
Public Works Board for formal approval on September 13. With that approval,
work on the project could begin in early 2011.
Texting and drunk driving caused a man to drift into oncoming traffic
early Sunday
A Manteca man driving on Highway 88 east of Jackson near Carriage Way, drifted into oncoming
traffic while he was texting on his cell phone early Sunday morning.
According to CHP reports, on his way to the Jackson Rancheria, 19- year-old Johnathan Tiexiera from Manteca was under the
influence of alcohol, and was texting when his Honda Civic crossed over the
center line into oncoming traffic. He struck head on with a GMC Yukon driven by
36-year-old Ebony Turner of Stockton, as she was driving home after visiting
the Rancheria. An ambulance took turner to Sutter Amador
Hospital for observation.
Teixiera was arrested at the scene.
Two vehicle accidents Saturday in Amador County
were caused by inattention to the road
The CHP reports that a Sutter
Creek man rear ended a car driven by an Ione woman Friday afternoon on Ridge Road just north
of the Hwy 88 intersection. Daniel Floyd Fine looked down to adjust his radio
and failed to notice that traffic had started to slow ahead of him. Following
just 15 feet behind a car driven by Susan Wilson, he was unable to stop in time
and hit the rear end of Wilson’s
car. Wilson had slowed in response to a car
slowing ahead of her. Wilson
complained of pain after the incident. On Saturday, Jessica Cherry of Ione
struck a car driven by Pioneer resident Kevin Southwick at the entrance to Walmart in Jackson.
Southwick was northbound on Wicklow Way approaching the Walmart entrance. Cherry made a left turn to enter Wicklow Way
and failed to see that Southwick was about to turn into the parking lot
entrance. She struck Southwick’s car, causing moderate damage to both cars. CHP
reports that there were no injuries or other property damage sustained in the
collision.
A&A Varsity Shooters took top honors last weekend in Illinois
The A&A
Varsity Shooting Team took the National Scholastic Clay Target Trap Shooting
Championship title last weekend in Sparta,
Illinois. The five member squad,
comprised of students from both Amador and Argonaut High Schools,
qualified for the national tournament by winning the California State
Tournament. In the national competition the
A&A team faced 98 squads, from 27 states, under challenging temperature
conditions. For two days, team members aimed at 100 targets each day for a
possible team total of 1000. Leading the field at the end of the first day by a
slim margin of just 2 targets, the competition was very tight going into the
final day. A&A came through with an incredible performance, missing only a
combined 6 targets on the second day for a tournament score of 985, clinching
the title with teams from Tennessee, Missouri and Alabama
close at their heels. Lead shooter Miranda Ornouski
and teammate Jake Arthur are Amador High students, Patrick Teixeira, Nigel Dreksler and Andrew Kinder round out the squad from
Argonaut High.
Sutter Creek Volunteer Fire Department hosts annual Barbeque and Ball
this Labor Day
This Labor Day weekend will mark
the 25th anniversary of the Sutter Creek Volunteer Fire Department’s
annual Barbeque and Ball. Mark your calendars for this special occasion on Saturday
September 4th. Festivities will start with a tribute to retiring Fire Chief
Butch Martin who will be hanging up his gear for the last time after 48 years
of service to the department. Dedication of the new bell tower will be followed
by a tri tip barbeque and dancing to a live band. For more information and
tickets, call the Sutter Creek Fire Department at 267-0285.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Sutter Creek City Council asked their Attorney to draft new ordinance barring marijuana dispensaries
within city limits
The Sutter Creek City Council has
asked their Attorney to draft a new ordinance which would bar marijuana
dispensaries within the city limits. According to reports, Council Person Linda
Rianda raised concerns about the City’s recent
receipt of a use permit application for a medical marijuana dispensary in the
Sutter Hill area. Rianda questioned the legality of
such usage, and was informed by the City Attorney that while the historical
district was protected from such a business, the Sutter Hill area was not.
After more discussion, the City Council directed the City Attorney to create a
new draft ordinance to repeal the current zoning ordinance and create a new
ordinance, effectively barring any dispensary from operating anywhere within
the Sutter Creek city limits. A draft of the new ordinance is expected to be
presented to the City Council at their next meeting and if approved by the
council, would have its first public hearing August 16.
Sheriff’s Deputies caught two men entering vacant Prospect Motors
building
Two men were caught by Sherriff’s
Deputies after they entered the vacant Prospect Motors building. The Amador
County Sheriff’s Department reported to HomeTown Radio that on the evening of
July 14, deputies on patrol around the area of the vacant dealership found a
car concealed behind a dumpster at the rear of the building. Deputies also noticed that a car jack had
been used to partially pry open one of the poll up doors. John Gregory Young, 19, of Sacramento and Joseph Gregory Wall, 18 of
Sutter Creek were near the vehicle behind the building and upon investigation,
deputies determined that the pair had gone to the rear of the business to
skateboard. They entered the building and used the handle of the jack to force entry
into an interior locked door. They then stole two “No Smoking” signs, which
were found in the car.
Over 2,400 pounds of marijuana plants and 15 pounds of processed
marijuana seized in Calaveras
County last Thursday
Over 2,400 pounds of marijuana plants
and 15 pounds of processed marijuana with a street value in excess of 10
million dollars were seized last Thursday in Calaveras County.
The Calaveras County Sheriffs Department reported that members of the Calaveras
Narcotic Enforcement Unit, The California Department of Justice Campaign
Against Marijuana Planting Team, The Alpine County Narcotics Team, and the
Department of Fish and Games conducted the eradication operation on two large
grow sites in the Sheep Ranch and Calaveritas
area. Campsites and other information
were discovered, commonly associated with growing operations conducted by
Hispanic drug trafficking organizations.
Members also located the skull and antlers of a deer, indicating
possible poaching. Based on the evidence, the suspects were using harsh
chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, and growing techniques that have caused
erosion and possible contamination of water supplies.
Time running out for residents interested in running for public offices
Time is running out for interested
residents to file papers for open public offices. According to Amador County
election information, the deadline to file for candidacy is August 6. Residents
wishing to file for city offices may do so at either the appropriate city halls
or the County Elections Office. All
candidates for office outside city jurisdiction must file at the County
Elections Office.
Possible lightening strikes today in foothills and mountains
The foothills and mountains are
in line for another dose of lightning strikes today, courtesy of “monsoonal
moisture” from the nation’s four corners region. However officials say any fire
danger should be minimal because of the accompanying precipitation. The
National Weather Service forecasts thunderstorms to continue today throughout the
Sierra Nevada range.
Jackson City Council will discuss adopting a resolution to
approve a grant application
The Jackson City Council will
discuss adopting a resolution tonight to approve a grant application under California’s Sustainable
Communities Grant Application Program. Jackson City Planner Susan Peters has
recommended approval of the grant submission. The grant would provide funding
to the City to help it comply with a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and
reduction plan, involuntary partnership with Amador
County and the cities of Amador City,
Ione, Plymouth,
and Sutter Creek.