Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/421320
ByAndreByik abyik@redbluffdailynews.com @andrebyik on Twitter RED BLUFF After a centu- ries-old oak tree at William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park dropped its limbs in July and heavily damaged the adobe and other structures, a bevy of workers have worked to pre- serve the adobe and figure out what to do with the tree. Park officials announced in a press release this month that the adobe building has been se- cured with a wood and metal structure, and that the tree will remain standing. A state parks engineer de- signed the structure that now covers the adobe and will shel- ter the structure in the win- ter months, park officials said in the release. The metal and wood structure whose founda- tion is anchored to the inside of the historic adobe also al- lows for restorative repairs. "All the walls of the adobe — both inside and out — have been stabilized to keep them from bowing any further than they initially did with the im- pact of the limb falling on them," officials said in the re- lease, adding the structure will leave no permanent damage to the adobe once it's removed. Additionally, a state for- ester and an arborist deter- mined that what remains of the oak tree that had provided shade over the historic area of the park is "for the most part structurally sound," accord- ing to the release. Its branches also have been trimmed back to sound wood. "The tree will be left stand- ing to provide it an opportu- nity to recover and be enjoyed for many years," according to the release. Park officials said the recov- ery and planning process has included numerous people, in- cluding state park personnel, archeologists, engineers, rang- ers, interpreters and resource specialists. When the oak tree at the park dropped its limbs, a well and garden fence were de- stroyed, the wood shop was heavily damaged, and a cor- ral and smokehouse were hit as well. Maintenance crews re- paired the corral and the roof of the wood shop, according to the release. Ben Hughes, an Ide Adobe Docent Program in- structor who had a hand in the original construction of the wood shop, also helped with its repair. Wood from the oak tree has been stored at the Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area, and the Ide Adobe Interpretive Association and area artists have used the wood to make items to raise money for the park. "It is an ongoing process," park officials said in the re- lease, "but William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park is recovering from its cata- strophic event." Parkofficialssay oak tree that dropped limbs will remain standing, adobe secured WILLIAM B. IDE ADOBE STATE PARK Ad ob e Re co ve ry COURTESYPHOTO A metal and wood structure secures the adobe house at William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park that was damaged a er an oak tree dropped its limbs in July. By Ryan Olson rolson@chicoer.com @NorCalJustice on Twitter SACRAMENTO A Chico florist's efforts to avoid paying federal taxes has ended in a three-year federal prison sentence. U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nun- ley sentenced James O. Molen, 70, Thursday for two counts of con- tempt, two counts of filing false liens against federal officers and a count of interference with the ad- ministration of tax laws, accord- ing to a press release from U.S. At- torney Benjamin B. Wagner. A jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Cali- fornia convicted Molen of the charges in May. Molen's case began in 2000 when he ceased withholding and paying federal employment and unemployment taxes for his busi- ness, Touch of Class Florist. He also stopped paying taxes for his employees and sought a refund COURTS Chico florist who evaded taxes sentenced to 3 years federal prison By Andre Byik abyik@redbluffdailynews.com @andrebyik on Twitter CORNING The City Council on Tuesday will consider moving its regular meeting time from 7:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The City Council will con- sider approving an ordinance that would set the council's reg- ular meetings, which fall on the second and fourth Tuesdays each month, a half-hour earlier, ac- cording to its agenda. The time change consideration, whose purpose is said to be for both the convenience of council members and the public, comes after Mayor Gary Strack at the City Council's Nov. 11 meeting asked city staff to put the item on the agenda. "I've been thinking about this for the last couple years," Strack said at the meeting. He added: CORNING City council considers new schedule, solar project Energy project could save city up to $1.5M over 20 years, city staff says ECONOMY Tehamajoblessratedrops By Rich Greene rgreene@redbluffdailynews.com @richgreenenews on Twitter RED BLUFF Tehama County's unemployment rate continued to drop in October, falling to an estimated 8.0 percent according to numbers released Friday by the Employment Development Department. A year ago Tehama County's unemployment rate was 10.0 per- cent. The county's September un- employment was reported at 8.4 percent. Tehama County's labor force rose was estimated at 25,920 in October. Total farm jobs and wholesale trade showed double-digit growth from September to October. There was an increase of 580 farm jobs and 80 wholesale trade jobs. There was a 90-job loss in the manufacturing of nondura- ble goods. Federal employment also reported job declines for the month. Across the state California's un- employment rate stayed relatively the same, coming in at an esti- mated 7.0 percent in October. Tehama County's unemploy- ment rate was the 38th lowest of the state's 58 counties. Imperial County had the high- est unemployment rate at 23.7 per- cent. Marin was the lowest at 3.9 percent. In neighboring counties Butte reported 7.3 percent unemploy- ment, Glenn was at 8.0 percent, Mendocino was at 5.7 percent, Plumas was 7.3 percent, Shasta reported 7.7 percent and Trinity came in at 8.3 percent. Thenationalunemploymentrate dropped to 5.5 percent in October. Unemployment drops to 8 percent compared to 10 percent last year Opinion............A4 Community.....A3 Farm ................A5 Lifestyles........A8 Weather ........ A10 Sports.............. B1 Index............... ## INDEX Local events show there is still compassion despite frequent dismal stories in the news. PAGEA3 PETS Actsofcompassionina sometimes dismal world The Sacramento River Discovery Center announces its hours for the Thanksgiving holiday week. PAGE A8 LIFESTYLES Discovery Center's holiday hours Republicans united against Obama's order curbing depor- tations but are divided over what to do about it. PAGE A10 WASHINGTON Stymied? GOP seeks an immigration response Increase of as much as 5per- cent in each of next five years ignites debate over who pays, who benefits. PAGE A6 EDUCATION Tuition hike fight shi s to Sacramento "All the walls of the adobe — both inside and out — have been stabilized to keep them from bowing any further than they initially did with the impact of the limb falling on them." — Park officials COUNCIL PAGE 9 FLORIST PAGE 9 » redbluffdailynews.com Saturday, November 22, 2014 $1.00 AN EDITION OF THE CHICO ENTERPRISE-RECORD 7 98304 20753 8 Volume130,issue1 Good morning, thanks for subscribing Donald Whitten BASEBALL River Dawgs grab tourney titles Sports B1 JEAN BARTON Branding time at Antelope Farm A5 FORECAST High: 62 Low: 41 A10 DON'TBE SCAMMED Scamalerts Readour online scam alert section to learn how to avoid being scammed. VISIT REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM/ SCAMALERT