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TUESDAY APRIL 5, 2011 Breaking news at: www.redbluffdailynews.com The Ripken Way See Inside American Profile RED BLUFF Title game Sports 1B Few Showers 74/44 Weather forecast 8B DAILYNEWS TEHAMACOUNTY DAILY 50¢ T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 Lifetime lessons Another river rescue By TANG LOR DN Staff Writer For the second time in a period of just three days officials were called out for a Sacramento River rescue despite warnings for people to stay away from the high flowing river. Two men trapped on an island after their inner tube deflated had to be rescued from the Sacramento River near the Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area Sun- day night. Jose Munguia, 23, of Los Molinos, and Jesus Garni- ca, 21, of Los Molinos were rescued around 9:20 p.m. by a California Highway Patrol helicopter that was able to land on the island, according to the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office. The two men were part of a party of five that had been tubing on the river. They had planned to float from Mill Creek Park, in Los Molinos, down to the Woodson Bridge boat ramp. After being in the water for about five hours their inner tube began to deflate. Munguia and Garnica swam to the safety of the nearby island on the north- west side of the river while the other three swam to the east bank. Around 8:46 p.m. the Woodson Bridge campground host reported hearing calls for help but could not locate the men. At about the same time, the sheriff’s office received a call regarding a male and female pounding on the door at a residence in Vina. Johnathan Mendez, 21, of Rancho Tehama, and a 17-year-old girl had gotten out of the river and were searching for help. They had been separated from a third person. Omar Mungia, 20, of Los Molinos, was found walk- ing through the campground looking for help when he was found by a deputy. Daily News photo by Tang Lor Students at the First Church of God Preschool sing and dance to “The Three Little Pigs” with teacher Nancy Casey. By TANG LOR DN Staff Writer One preschool teacher, who has spent half her life at just one school, is still living up to what she says has been her calling. Nancy Casey’s entire 37-year teach- ing career has been with the First Church of God Preschool. She did her student teaching there and was hired as a full-time teacher. She served as the director of the school for about 15 years before retiring. But she just couldn’t stay away and found her way back, she said. “All my life I wanted to be a teacher,” she said. “It’s been a calling.” Over the years things have changed, but the one thing that has been a con- stant is the young children who come to school eager to learn. While she has taught other grade levels, preschool- aged children make the best students, she said. Three-and 4-year-olds are at the age where they are very truthful and forthright and they love to learn. “They’re just like sponges,” she said. “They grasp onto everything.” Children these days are more aware of their surroundings and more in tuned to what is going on, which has made her job easier, Casey said. “Everything just kind of falls into place when you introduce something new because most of the time they already have a sense of what you’re talking about,” she said. The children have taught her many lessons as well. “You have to be up front about everything and be willing to try new things,” she said. “You have to start thinking like them. And most impor- tantly, you just have to be bluntly hon- est.” Casey is constantly on the lookout for new ideas for teaching early child- hood education. She was honored to be chosen by the Tehama County Depart- ment of Education to be on a panel that helped develop countywide preschool standards, she said. While she still has to teach state standards and prepare her students for kindergarten, one advantage of teach- ing in a Christian-based school is the chance to emphasize the love of God, she said. “More than anything I let the chil- dren know that God loves them no matter what,” Casey said. At 74 years old, Casey said she is not ready to quit any time soon and will stay as long as she can. “I love it,” she said. “It’s been good for me, and I hope it’s been just as good for my students and the families that I’ve had.” Her successful career can be credit- ed to the kindness of very supportive families, she said. Parents have been cooperative and generous, donating their time and other resources to the classroom. Anytime she needs any- thing for the class, all she has to do is ask. “I’ve never had a bad experience with any parents and for that I am grateful,” she said. “I’m really grateful that I’ve had the families that I’ve had because they’re so giving, loving and supportive.” Parents, some who were once Casey’s students, are just as fond of her as well. “I don’t think you can find a better preschool teacher,” parent Keith Thomas said. “My son Owen just adores Mrs. Casey.” Parent Wendy Vaillette has had two children in Casey’s class. Her son Tris- tan, 7, was a student and now her daughter Brailynn attends the class. Casey is an amazing teacher and per- son. She nurtures and loves the chil- dren, Vaillette said. “My kids just absolutely love her,” Vaillette said. “They talk about her all the time.” Elks celebrate 100 years By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer The Red Bluff Elks Lodge is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2011 and hoping the community will be involved. “We want to inform the community about our 100th year of service,” said Bob Bonham, Chairman of the trustees for 2011-2012. “We want to say that we’re here and we’re going to be here for another 100 years.” Throughout the years, the group has worked on a variety of service projects and other things for the community, he said. “We have partnered with all the service organizations in Red Bluff including the Rotary work on the Cone and Kimball tower. We helped with the reinstalla- tion of the Stice fountain.” The Elks have also col- laborated with the Tehama County Society for Crip- pled Children and Adults, Boy Scouts, Red Bluff Junior-Round-Up, Relay For Life, Tehama County Schools awards and lun- cheons, Red Bluff Junior Spartans and Sober Gradua- tion Program. In addition, the group supports six of the county schools, provides student of the month for all grades and students of the year and quarter for high school stu- dents. The organization works with Rotary, Golden Umbrella and Alternatives To Violence, the JP Ranch Rodeo Youth Scholarship and year end essay contest and scholarship programs. The group also works with any non-profit groups who need a place to meet. “We’re always open to 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 that,” Bonham said. “We kind of consider ourselves a poorly kept secret and would like to be more involved in our community. The nice thing is we have a large kitchen and parking lot. Groups or independents are welcome to use our facilities to help the com- munity.” Over the years, a variety of functions have been held at the Elks Lodge and the Elks are hoping members of the community will be will- ing to share their experi- ences, said Charlie Jeffer- son. “We’re looking for peo- ple with photos, memories, moments and positive input from over the years,” Jeffer- son, who helps with the stu- dent of the month recogni- tion, said. Lodge Historians Mau- rice Ness and Russ Bevill are in the process of researching the history of the Red Bluff Elks who have been in many build- ings all over town prior to making their home in 1972 at the present location at 355 Gilmore Road. All the tubers were wet and cold, but did not require medical care. They had been wearing life preservers. Deputies do not believe alcohol was a factor in the See RIVER, page 7A Red Bluff girl, 6, hurt in four-car collision By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer A 6-year-old Red Bluff girl was flown to Enloe Medical Center in Chico before being taken to UC Davis with major injuries following a four-vehicle collision Saturday on High- way 99E, just south of Patterson Road. The girl was a passenger in a 1999 Subaru driven by Jerod Gilbert, 24, of Red Bluff that was rearended by a 1999 Ford driven by Pablo Vasquez, 31, of Gerber. Gilbert was driving north on 99E with Vasquez behind him about 12:45 p.m. Saturday when he began to slow to make a left turn onto Patterson Road. While he was slowing for the turn, Vasquez’s vehicle rearended Gilbert’s, causing Gilbert’s vehicle to spin around. The vehicle spun into the southbound lane where it col- lided with a vehicle driven by John Koga, 19, of Palo Cedro, causing Koga’s vehicle to spin out of control. Koga’s 2001 Ford and a 2010 Subaru driven by Kristen Horst, 29, of Paradise both came to rest in a grassy field off the east road edge. Horst was able to avoid a collision with Gilbert and Vasquez by turning right and swerving into the field, but was unable to avoid debris from their vehicles that landed on the hood of her vehicle. Gilbert and Vasquez came to rest blocking the north and southbound lanes of Highway 99E. Gilbert, Vasquez and Horst were uninjured, but Gilbert’s passenger Rikki Ramey, 25, and Koga had minor injuries. Both said they would seek their own aid. Idaho man thrown off motorcycle, injured An Idaho man lost control and was thrown from his a motorcycle at 12:45 p.m. Monday on Skyline Drive at Mari- etta Lane, north of Red Bluff and west of Interstate 5. Ned Hodges, 44, of Idaho Falls, Idaho was taken by ground ambulance to Mercy Medical Center in Redding with major, possibly life-threatening, injuries, said California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Phillip Mackin- tosh. Hodges was traveling on Skyline Drive at an unknown speed when for unknown reasons, he lost control and was thrown from his motorcycle, Mackintosh said. Hodges was not wearing his seatbelt, he said. The crash is under investigation, which will be conduct- ed over the next few days, Mackintosh said. The motorcycle received moderate to major damage. Nothing further was available. —Julie Zeeb Courtesy photo Randy Rupe will be installed as Exalted Ruler 2011-2012 at 5 p.m. on Saturday at the Red Bluff Elks Lodge, 355 Gilmore Road. COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR Smog Inspection $ 2595 + cert. (MOST CARS & PICK-UPS) Pass or FREE retest 195 S. Main St. Red Bluff 530 527-9841 Are you tired of those ugly, thick, painful fungal PODIATRY CENTER toenails? 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