Senator Alvarado-Gil, representing a primarily rural district where gas prices significantly impact household budgets and small business, put the interests of her constituents first and voted against SBx1 2. The bill, which was fast-tracked through the legislative process, would grant unyiel…

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Storms wreak havoc for agriculture in multiple California counties

MODESTO – The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) posted a Notice of Suspension at West Side Market located at 401 Maze Boulevard in Modesto on March 16, 2023, for illegal activity at the premises. The license has been suspended indefinitely and will be revoked if not t…

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This St. Patrick’s Day weekend, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) reminds the public to celebrate responsibly and never drive under the influence. ABC encourages licensees and the public to prevent impaired driving by ensuring everyone has a safe ride home.

The USDA Forest Service is seeking nominations to fill openings on the 15-member El Dorado County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC). Applications are requested by April 30, 2023.

SACRAMENTO, CA – A Modesto man who was on the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) Most Wanted list has been sentenced to state prison again for charges related to unlicensed contracting.

SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (D-Jackson) announced that she is introducing SB 739, new legislation that will impact more than 284,000 students that attend charter public schools by extending the charter renewal period by an additional two years, a protection that was first …

Sacramento – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Sacramento Field Office and Sacramento Police department are investigating the theft of an aircraft at Sacramento Executive Airport that caused damage to multiple aircraft at Sacramento Executive Airport this morning. The FBI Evidence Re…

Depleted Colorado River threatens farming in the Imperial Valley

In addition to tax relief measures that Governor Gavin Newsom announced in January, California is also extending the state tax filing and payment due dates to October 16, 2023 for Californians impacted by the winter storms in December and January. This aligns California with the Biden Admini…

SACRAMENTO – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) welcomes Federica Lee as the new Associate State Director, and Peter Kelly as the State Fire Management Officer in California. These two additions to the BLM state leadership team bring with them more than 50 years of combined public service a…

SACRAMENTO – Agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and officers from 44 local police and sheriff’s departments cited more than 130 individuals during ABC’s statewide Shoulder Tap operation on March 11, 2023. This enforcement operation is designed to create…

With severe storms forecast for northern and central California, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is reminding communities in the region to prepare and to be aware of USDA programs to assist following flooding and other disasters.

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State finds six groundwater basins out of compliance for sustainability

Due to the overwhelming response from kindhearted shoppers at Save Mart, Lucky and FoodMaxx stores throughout the Sierra Foothills, this month local community food banks and partner food pantries in the Sierra-Mother Lode, including Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne counties, will receive nearl…

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) announced on March 1, 2023, that individuals and families affected by the recent severe winter storms in Amador County may be eligible to receive Disaster CalFresh food benefits as part of continuing disaster recovery efforts.

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted the third snow survey of the season on Friday, March 3 at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. The manual survey recorded 116.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 41.5 inches, which is 177 percent of average for this locati…

On Wednesday, March 15, the Amador-El Dorado Forest Forum will host Erin Ernst, Coordinator of the Tahoe-Central Sierra Initiative (TCSI). Ms. Ernst will provide an overview of the TCSI with a focus on restoring forest resilience. The meeting will be at Round Table Pizza, 12280 Industry Blvd…

The Calaveras County Disaster Recovery Center located in San Andreas is scheduled to close this Saturday, March 4th at 5:00 p.m. Until then, hours of operation will remain 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

PLACERVILLE — The El Dorado Wine Grape Growers Association welcomes Brent Huston of Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness as the guest speaker at the March 15, grape grower meeting. This is the new date for the February 22nd meeting that was postponed due to snow. The March 15 meeting will begin at 6 p.…

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Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (SD-4) took a major step toward disrupting organized crime in the illicit fentanyl trade by introducing SB 226, which would make it a felony to possess fentanyl while carrying a loaded, operable firearm. Up until now, only methamphetamine, crack, cocaine, heroin, a…

Federal water deliveries expected to resume for farmers after winter storms

SACRAMENTO – Amador and Alpine counties have been added to the major disaster declaration for California’s severe storms and flooding that took place from Dec. 27, 2022 to Jan. 31, 2023. 

Placerville — The Eldorado National Forest (ENF) is requesting public input for the California 2023 State Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program application cycle. The Grants Program is an annual program that provides for off-highway vehicle (O…

The state’s leading network of six online public schools begins open enrollment for families pursuing tuition free, high-quality online education

Corporal Ronil Singh of the Newman Police department was fatally shot after pulling over a suspected drunk driver on Christmas Eve 2018. Cpl. Singh was born in Fiji, but immigrated to the US in 2003 and joined the Newman police force in 2011. He left behind a wife and baby boy.

Fentanyl is the number one killer of all 18-45 year olds in the U.S., surpassing car accidents, gun violence, and suicides. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 100,000 Americans, including about 10,000 in California, died of drug overdoses in 2021. Th…

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The Amador County Tax Collector will hold a public auction sale of tax-defaulted property beginning at 1 p.m., Monday, March 13 and ending at 2 p.m., Wednesday, March 15. The sale will be conducted online at bid4assets.com as a public auction to the highest bidder for cash in lawful money of…

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Five Calaveras County community leaders celebrated Valentine's Day Tuesday, February 14 by filing notice that they intend to circulate a ballot initiative petition to fund local fire agencies.

Program to provide financial relief for organic dairies

SACRAMENTO – Online dating has become a mainstream method for meeting new people. Unfortunately, criminals also leverage online platforms to develop connections with you to steal much more than your heart. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Sacramento Field Office is educating the pub…

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DIAMOND SPRINGS – On Wednesday, February 22, the Amador-El Dorado Forest Forum will convene a panel of local high school students interested in careers in forestry and related fields.  The meeting will be at the Mother Lode Lions Hall, 4701 Missouri Flat Road in Diamond Springs.

Yesterday, Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (D-Jackson) introduced SB 375 to provide employers with financial relief from the cost of compliance with the new COVID-19 workplace safety standards that took effect on February 4. SB 375 would provide an annual credit against state payroll taxes to rei…

Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil of Jackson introduced a new public safety bill last week making rape of an unconscious person a violent felony in California.

Procedures to protect suckerfish frustrate Klamath farmers lacking water

SACRAMENTO — California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) announced today the availability of a boating safety course in Spanish. Like its English counterpart, the Curso de California para Navegación home study eBook is free and helps Californians be compliant with the man…

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that California households impacted by power outages as a result of severe winter storms that began January 1 through January 10, 2023, could be eligible for replacement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/CalFresh benefits.…

SACRAMENTO – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the second snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 85.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 33.5 inches, which is 193 percent of average for this location on February 1. The…

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Senator Alvarado-Gil introduced a new public safety bill this week making rape of an unconscious person a violent felony in California.