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RICHGREENE—DAILYNEWS PG&E is replacing around 2,000feet of natural gas piping in the neighborhood near Red Bluff Union High School. ByRichGreene rgreene@redbluffdailynews.com @richgreenenews on Twitter RED BLUFF » PacificGasand Electric Co. is performing a near $1 million gas pipe replacement project in the neighborhood near Red Bluff Union High School. The project is the second of three phases to modern- ize the natural gas distribu- tion system throughout Red Bluff. "This pipe replacement project will improve the safety and integrity of the natural gas system. This is one of many gas and electric upgrades we've been mak- ing recently in the area to improve the safety and re- liability of our infrastruc- ture," said Lia White, se- nior manager of PG&E's North Valley division lead- ership team. The pipeline upgrades are occurring in an area bordered by Douglas, Lin- coln, Hickory and Franklin streets. The cost of the project is more than $860,000, ac- cording to a PG&E press re- lease. Nearly 2,000 feet of 2-inch plastic gas lines will be in- stalled. PG&E will be bor- ing beneath the surface to install pipe. Work has generally been occurring Monday to Fri- day between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Motorists should al- low for extra time when trav- eling through the area as at times, one-way traffic con- trols or detours may be in effect. Once upgrades are complete, the new pipes will be tested to ensure they are operating safely before be- ing placed into service. The upgrades are ex- pected to run through March. There will be a brief inter- ruption in gas service as the old steel lines are taken out of service and new lines are placed into service. PG&E has been working to contact all 48 customers who will experience a tem- porary service interruption as well as other residences and businesses in the neigh- borhood. This is the second of three phases of PG&E's effort to modernize the gas distribu- tion system in historic parts of Red Bluff. Last fall, PG&E completed the first phase and installed nearly 4,000 feet of new plastic and steel gas lines in an area of Red Bluff known for its many Victorian homes. Following standard safety practices, crews will vent natural gas from pipelines as the project progresses. As PG&E vents the pipe, the smell of natural gas and the sound of venting may be noticeable to nearby homes and businesses, depending on wind direction. The natural gas will quickly dissipate into the atmosphere and will not be harmful; however, PG&E encourages anyone who has concerns about natural gas odors in or around their home or business to call 1-800-743-5000. REPLACEMENT PROJECT PG&EINSTALLING GAS PIPE UPGRADES By Rich Greene rgreene@redbluffdailynews.com @richgreenenews on Twitter SACRAMENTO » Close to $700,000 in loans have already been approved by the Small Business Ad- ministration to victims of the December winter storms in Tehama County. As of Monday the SBA had received 53 appli- cations and approved 12 loans. Eleven of the ap- proved loans were home loans. Residents have until March 9 to file for a low- interest loan through the program. Under the program homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence and businesses may borrow up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or economic injury. There are also loans up to $40,000 for homeowners and renters to replace personal property. In Tehama County 23 homeowners and three businesses suffered major damages following severe flooding that began Dec. 3. Another 102 homeowners and 13 businesses suffered minor damage. The SBA categories those ratings based off of insurance home prices. Loan applications can be made in person at the Red Bluff Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St., or online at diasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Once a loan is approved, an applicant has six months to decide whether to accept its condi- tions. DECEMBER WINTER STORMS Loans approved toflood victims The Associated Press REDDING » A proposal to raise Shasta Dam and boost California's ability to store water for dry years has drawn criticism from fed- eral biologists who say it would harm endangered salmon. Biologists for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said in a draft report that rais- ing the Northern California dam by 18.5 feet would flood salmon habitat. Before starting work, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which owns the dam, needs approval from federal biol- ogists who oversee the En- dangered Species Act. Raising the dam is a lead- ing project under consider- ation for part of a $7.5 bil- lion water bond that Cali- fornia voters approved in November. Some $2.7 bil- lion will be used for storage projects, building two new reservoirs or creating under- ground storage. The specif- ics of the spending have not yet been decided. Tom Stokely of the Cali- fornia Water Impact Net- work told the San Jose Mer- cury News (http://bayare- ane.ws/1JIeLxs ) in a story Tuesday that the biologists' draft report was a "huge set- back" for the project. "It shows they need to go back to the drawing board," he said. Meanwhile, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says it will release more than triple the number of winter-run Chinook salmon into the Sacramento River following a massive die-off last year. About 600,000 fish will be released into the water below Keswick Dam on the Sacramento River. Located 10 miles north of Redding, Shasta Lake is the state's largest reservoir and provides irrigation water for farmers and drinking water to Californians, mostly in the San Francisco Bay Area. The proposal would in- crease the dam's capacity by 14 percent. The drought has left the dam just 42 per- cent full. Mike Wade, executive di- rector of the California Farm Water Coalition, which sup- ports the project, said the agency's report is frustrat- ing because voters over- whelmingly approved the HABITAT Biologists: Raising dam would harm salmon DAMON ARTHU — REDDING RECORD SEARCHLIGHT A Chinook salmon swims in Salt Creek, a tributary to the Sacramento River near Redding. By Andre Byik abyik@redbluffdailynews.com @andrebyik on Twitter CORNING » Construction of the second phase of the Corning Community Park, which includes soccer fields, a playground area and other ame- nities on Houghton Avenue has been completed, city staff said. The Corning City Council on Tuesday approved the release of roughly $54,595 in retained funds to Gerber-based Trent Construction, which han- dled construction of the second phase of the park, which is also known as Lennox Fields. City staff said all that remains is a 120-day maintenance period that began on Dec. 10 and is scheduled to finish April 8. Patrick Walker, the city's public works direc- tor, said phase two of the park could open to the public by the beginning of March if the fields are ready to play on. Phase two of the Corning Community Park cost about $1.1 million and was funded through a state grant. Phase one of the park, which includes a skate park and playground area, cost about $1.89 mil- lion and was completed March 25, 2014. Highschoolcounseling The City Council also unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding between the city CORNING COMMUNITY PARK Soccer fields could open by March Sports.............. B1 Community.....A3 A + E ................B5 Opinion............B2 Life...................B4 Puzzles............B3 Index............... ## INDEX Capitol Weekly and UC Center will be holding a day long conference about water Feb. 19in Sacramento. PAGEA3 COMMUNITY Water conference set in Sacramento The Merry Standish Comedy trio will be holding shows in Red Bluff, Manton and Chico. PAGE B5 A+E Merry Standish to hold tri-city tour A treasure hunter locked in a legal battle is arrested in Florida a er more than two years on the lam. PAGE A6 S.S. CENTRAL AMERICA Fugitive treasure hunter arrested in Florida Separatist forces in eastern Ukraine say they have almost encircled a town that hosts a strategic railway hub. PAGE A8 RAILWAY HUB Ukraine rebels claim key victory within grasp About2,000feetofnatural gas piping to be replaced SALMON » PAGE 7 COUNCIL » PAGE 7 Living,workingand playing in California's Olive City Corning 2015 InsideToday » redbluffdailynews.com Thursday, January 29, 2015 50CENTS AN EDITION OF THE CHICO ENTERPRISE-RECORD 7 58551 69001 9 Volume130,issue50 Goodmorning,thanksforsubscribing»MaureenMathisen BASKETBALL Lady Spartans win league road game Sports » B1 SUPPORT GROUP New members welcomed Community » A3 FORECAST High: 71 Low: 46 » B8