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THURSDAY APRIL 7, 2011 Breaking news at: Curls Named April Artists Pastimes www.redbluffdailynews.com See Page 4A RED BLUFF On The Diamond SPORTS 1B Scattered T-storms 56/37 Weather forecast 8B By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer A 66-year-old Cottonwood man was arrested Tuesday evening after engaging in road rage with another Cottonwood man on northbound Interstate 5. The incident began when 21- year-old Nicholas Gasik came up behind Warren Neal 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 Road rage lands Cottonwood man in custody Hawkins, who was traveling about 52 mph in the fast lane of northbound I-5, just north of Riverside Avenue, about 6:40 p.m., a California Highway Patrol release said. There was no traffic in the slow lane so Gasik moved into it and overtook Hawkins, returning to the fast lane. A short distance later, south of Knighton Road, Gasik saw Hawkins pull up behind him so close he could not see the hood of Hawkins’ Ford Explorer, the release said. Gasik told officers he could see Hawkins yelling and mak- ing hand gestures and then Hawkins moved into the slow lane, pulling door to door with Gasik’s Toyota Tacoma. Hawkins then swerved left twice, forcing Gasik to take evasive action both times and the second time forcing the Toyota partially into the gravel center median. Gasik returned to the fast lane where Hawkins moved in behind him, sped up and rammed the rear of Gasik’s vehicle. Savings at what cost? Hawkins dropped back a lit- tle, sped up and rammed the Toyota a second time at which point Gasik was in contact with CHP dispatch via 911. The road rage continued as the two continued traveling north until both parties exited at Cypress Avenue where Gasik See RAGE, page 7A City tax revenues outpace estimates By TANG LOR DN Staff Writer Sales tax and other revenues are projected to be more than budgeted meaning Red Bluff is still on track to end the fiscal year on the positive side. Since last month’s budget report to the City Council, the quarterly sales and property tax receipt numbers have become available from HdL, a financial consul- tant company hired by local governments to monitor and project tax revenues. Sales tax revenues for the 2010 third quarter are up compared to the same period the prior year, according to numbers from HdL. The 2010 third quarter report represents sales that were made July through Septem- ber 2010. Sales tax for Red Bluff increased 9.4 percent com- pared to the same quarter one year ago. In Tehama County the increase was 9.3 percent, and the California far north region increased 5 percent over the same quar- ter of 2009. “The good news is it is increasing more than expect- See CITY, page 7A Water district hit by winter burglary Daily News photo by Chip Thompson By TANG LOR DN Staff Writer Even as Tehama County officials met Monday to discuss how a shift of state prisoners to county jails would affect local public safety, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill into law that will do just that. Brown sought the realignment to help cut the state’s nearly $27 billion deficit, ease crowding in state pris- ons and promote rehabilitation programs. AB 109 would give local law enforcement responsi- bility for low-level adult offenders convicted of non- serious, non-violent and non-sexual offenses, along 100-plus students to dance at RBUHS with many parolees and rehabilitation programs. It would remove as many as 30,000 inmates over three years. “Cycling these offenders through state prisons wastes money, aggravates crowded conditions, thwarts rehabilitation and impedes local law enforcement supervision,” Brown said in his signing message. The law affects only offenders convicted after July 1, with existing inmates remaining under the state’s supervision. Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber, who formerly headed the state’s parole board, said the shift will over- See COST, page 7A Gasoline, motor oil, fuel line and a radiator were stolen during winter break at the El Camino Water District in Gerber. An employee of the district reported Tuesday that 239 gallons of gaso- line and 24 quarts of motor oil, worth $800, were taken from the site, according to a sheriff’s press release. In addition, fuel line worth $5 and a radiator from a 1973 Ford F-800 worth $325 were stolen, the release said. The culprit(s) got into the district’s yard by cut- ting a lock sometime between Oct. 1 and Tues- day afternoon, the release said. Anyone with informa- tion is asked to call the Tehama County Sheriff’s Department at 529-7900. Mercy students stage Les Mis By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer For those who love the musical Les Miserables, Mercy High School is the place to be as the school’s students are taking on the production, which opens at 7 tonight. The musical is based on Victor Hugo’s novel that tells the story of Jean Valjean’s redemption after 14 years spent in prison for stealing a loaf of bread and those people instrumental in that redemption. Daily News photo by Julie Zeeb Members of the Red Bluff Union High School Dance Program practice for “Elemental Movement,” which will be presented by more than 100 students at several levels of dance ability.The program, directed by Lee Shilts, will be performed at 7 p.m. today and Friday in the school’s Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door. Red Bluff Outdoor Power 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 After his release from prison, Valjean is first redeemed by a Bishop who buys his soul for God, however, because he has broken parole he is a wanted man, relentlessly pursued by Inspector Javert throughout the musical. Senior Tommy Wilson plays the role of Jean Val- jean, which he finds funny considering he tried to find the biggest role he could without singing when he auditioned as a freshman, he said. “It’s definitely nerve wracking, but I feel rela- tively confident in taking on this role,” Wilson said. “It’s one of the most daunting roles, but also very fulfilling.” Wilson said he has had fun learning the story as Daily News photo by Julie Zeeb The cast of Les Miserable is pictured during a dress rehearsal. The Mercy High School production opens tonight at 7, features a gala performance Saturday and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. he has prepared for his role by reading the story and watching various film versions. While not sure he will continue to per- form in theater, he does want to take theater class- es in college as it is one of his many interests. Laura Germano, a senior who will play Epo- nine, said the role is a dream one for her. “It’s my favorite musi- cal and Eponine is my favorite character,” Ger- mano said. “I definitely relate to her and can real- ly get into her character.” Germano says Eponine is a strong character even in the midst of turmoil. Having performed with groups like Kids Unlimit- See MERCY, page 7A PHYSICIAN REFERRAL A FREE SERVICE PROVIDED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE 1-800-990-9971 CHW North State Region