Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/437111
Staffreports RED BLUFF Pacific Gas and Electric Company said Friday that it recently paid more than $172 million in property taxes to 49 California counties, which is an increase over the last fiscal year. The utility company paid $967,581 in property taxes to Te- hama County — an increase of 4 percent from a year ago, accord- ing to a press release. "Our timely payment of prop- erty taxes helps local govern- ments support essential public services for their residents," said Mark Caron, PG&E's Vice Presi- dent of Taxes. "These payments also reflect the substantial ongo- ing investments in our gas and electric infrastructure that are creating one of the safest and most reliable utility systems in the country." The payment period covers July 1 to Dec. 31. The utility com- pany says total payments in the tax year from July 1 to June 30, 2015 will be $344 million, which is a $27 million increase over the last fiscal year. Property taxes paid to other North State counties include $3,101,540 to Butte, $614,272 to Glenn, $31,670 to Lassen, $2,003,727 to Plu- mas, $4,133,268 to Shasta and $98,257 to Trinity. PG&E said it has invested more than $5 billion this year to upgrade its gas and electrical infrastructure across Northern and Central California. "One example of the many in- frastructure investments PG&E has made locally was the com- pletion of the 42-mile long Pal- ermo-East Nicolaus 115,000-volt transmission line, finished this year," according to the release. "The multi-year project included millions of dollars in upgrades at PG&E substations and replaced an existing electric transmission line so it could carry more clean hydroelectric power." The utility company said it contributed $22.2 billion of eco- nomic activity to California and supported nearly 71,600 jobs in 2012. "An economic impact report issued this year shows that PG&E's investments, purchases and payroll, in addition to the taxes and fees it pays, help drive California's economy." TEHAMA COUNTY PG&Epays nearly $1M in taxes to county SPORTS A HOLIDAY SLAM DUNK RedBluffHighbasketballtournamentcontinuesSaturday South Medford, Oregon's Josh Washington won Friday's Slam Dunk Competition at the Red Bluff Holiday Classic. The basketball continues all day Saturday at Red Bluff High School with games beginning at 9 a.m. and running through the 6 p.m. girls championship and 7:30 p.m. boys championship. By Andre Byik abyik@redbluffdailynews.com @andrebyik on Twitter RED BLUFF Tehama County's un- employment rate ticked up to 8.6 percent in November according to numbers released Friday by the Employment Development Department. The county's October unem- ployment rate was reported at 8 percent, and the unemployment rate a year ago was 10.1 percent. The county's labor force dropped to 25,430 in November from to 25,930 in October. There was a decrease of 400 farm jobs in November, and a de- crease of 30 federal government jobs. There was a decrease of 40 jobs from education and health services, and a loss of 30 con- struction jobs. There was an increase of 20 re- tail trade jobs. Employers with the most job ads included The Dollar General, Tehama County Health Services Agency, St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Lassen Medical Group and Army National Guard, ac- cording to the report. The occupations with the most job ads included registered nurses, first-line supervisors of retail sales workers, nurse practitioners, heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers and retail salespeople. California's unemployment rate was 7.1 percent, which is a slight increase from 7 percent in October. Tehama County's unemploy- ment rate was the 36th lowest out of the state's 58 counties. Imperial County had the high- est unemployment rate at 22.6 percent. Marin County had the lowest at 3.9 percent. The unemployment rates for other North State counties were reported at 7.7 percent for Butte, 8.8 percent for Glenn, 6.3 per- cent for Mendocino, 9.1 percent for Plumas, 8.1 percent for Shasta and 9.2 percent for Trinity. The national unemployment rate was steady at 5.5 percent in November. TEHAMA COUNTY Jobless rate rises to 8.6 percent National unemployment rate remained steady at 5.5 percent in November. Police say AmericanWest Bank ATM le with considerable damage By Andre Byik abyik@redbluffdailynews.com @andrebyik on Twitter REDBLUFF Red Bluff police say a man attempted to rob an Ameri- canWest Bank ATM either Thurs- day night or early Friday morn- ing, leaving the machine with considerable damage. Officers responded to the bank on Main Street Friday for a report of vandalism to a drive-through ATM, according to a department press release. Police learned that a man had attempted to steal money from the machine but was unsuccessful. The man, who was captured on the ATM's surveillance cam- era, is described as white, be- tween 20 and 35 years old with facial hair, and was last seen wearing a red hooded jacket. He left the area in a dark, two-door sedan with chrome or aluminum wheels. Anyone with information re- garding the man or attempted theft is asked to call the Red Bluff Police Department at 530- 527-3131 or email Officer Alan Gil- bert at agilbert@rbpd.org. RED BLUFF Mantriestorobdrive-throughATM PHOTOCOURTESY OF RED BLUFF POLICE DEPARTMENT Calendar..........A2 Police Logs.....A3 Lifestyles........A5 Opinion............A4 Sports.............. B1 Weather ..........A8 Index............... ## INDEX Ronnie Casey offers tips and guidelines for pet owners in situations where an emer- gency occurs. PAGEA3 PETS Bepreparedwhen disaster strikes It took three overtimes, but Corning got past Wheatland at the Colusa basketball tour- nament Thursday. PAGE B1 SPORTS Corning hoops holds on for wild 3 OT victory President also decries censor- ship, says Sony made mistake in shelving satirical film on North Korean dictator. PAGE C4 SONY Obama blames N. Korea for hack, vows response Scientists say there's a 75% chance of above normal pre- cipitation for January through March in California. PAGE A7 DROUGHT Wetter than normal forecast for new year An unidentified man attempted to rob an ATM and le the machine with considerable damage. InsideToday WINNERS! "Through a Child's Eyes" Contest » redbluffdailynews.com Saturday, December 20, 2014 $1.00 AN EDITION OF THE CHICO ENTERPRISE-RECORD 7 98304 20753 8 Volume130,issue21 Good morning, thanks for subscribing Annukka Brooke BASKETBALL Holiday Classic Day 3 Sports B1 JEAN BARTON Flood talk continues Farm A3 FORECAST High: 54 Low: 52 A8