Among the federal earmarks for Amador County in President Barack Obama's omnibus spending bill is $180,500 for the Pine Grove-Highway 88 Corridor Improvement Project. The curvy highway runs through Pine Grove's town center. Photo by: Roger Phelps

Anticipated money from a federal spending bill is confirmed for Amador County, now that President Barack Obama signed into law the fiscal 2009-10 Omnibus Appropriations Bill last week.

The bill contains $238,000 for the Amador County College Preparation Initiative. Earmarked by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-San Francisco), funding will provide college-level, career-focused instruction - in fire science and emergency medical technology, for instance - for local high school students looking to continue their education locally.

"Sen. Feinstein has been a strong supporter of the need for access to higher education for residents of rural communities, and obtaining these funds will provide our residents with a great learning opportunity," said County Administrative Officer Terri Daly in a release announcing the funds.

Dick Glock, superintendent of the Amador County Unified School District added, "The College Preparation Initiative will further the establishment of a strong community college presence, expand vocational opportunity, make available trained emergency personnel and encourage post-secondary success for our students."

Also in the omnibus bill is $180,500 for the Highway 88 Pine Grove Corridor Improvement Project. Earmarked by U.S. Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Gold River), it will fund planning and environmental clearance for widening the highway or construction of a bypass on the state route through or around the community of Pine Grove. Lungren voted against the omnibus bill after placing the earmark.

Despite that fact, Lungren earned praise from District 4 Supervisor Louis Boitano, chairman of the Amador County Transportation Commission. "Rep. Lungren understood the clear federal nexus and importance of this project to the county and all those who use this highway to access federal lands," Boitano said in the release.