Residents and nonprofit representatives pressed the Ione City Council to investigate possible environmental causes after public comments detailed a small cluster of childhood cancer cases concentrated in Ione.

Patricia Anjija, treasurer of Amador’s Heart of Gold, told the council her group formed after six childhood cancer diagnoses in Amador County in the past two years, five of which she said are in Ione. She cited U.S. Census population figures and the National Cancer Institute’s baseline to calculate a local childhood cancer rate she described as "almost 20 times the national average" for Ione’s population and urged comprehensive environmental testing by Amador County Public Health, Amador Water Agency, state agencies and other relevant bodies. "I urge you to please hold the applicable agency or agencies accountable and make sure that they remedy these situations," she said.

Multiple public commenters and council members debated the accuracy of technical reports and diagrams submitted to the regional water board, with some speakers disputing the West Yost analyses and others pointing to photographic evidence and historical complaints. One longtime resident and former golf-course worker disputed several technical assertions about irrigation flows and the timing of observed discolored water.

Council members acknowledged the seriousness of the concerns but stopped short of formal regulatory action at the meeting. Several council members urged immediate practical steps: independent well and soil testing around affected households, pulling together a council-level committee to coordinate testing, and reviewing the city’s use of external water sources (Mill Creek and Pond 5) for irrigation. "Test the wells. Get an independent out there," a council member said during discussion.

What the meeting did not do: the council did not authorize specific testing contracts or adopt an enforcement action against external agencies. Several residents said private investigators have already been involved and called for public transparency of historic records. Council members said the topic requires follow-up and recommended forming a working group or committee to develop a testing plan and funding strategy.

Next steps: Councilors asked staff to consider options for independent sampling and to bring a proposal or committee structure back to a future meeting.