Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/469528
ByAndreByik abyik@redbluffdailynews.com @andrebyik on Twitter CORNING » ThecityofCorning'spublicworksdi- rector, Patrick Walker, has resigned. Walker, who had served as the city's public works director for about two years, presented his resignation letter to City Manager John Brewer on Friday, Brewer said in an email Wednesday. Brewer said he couldn't disclose a reason for Walker's resignation and added that the city had no indication that Walker was planning to resign. Assistant Public Works Director Steve Linde- man and administrative secretary Dawn Grine will take on and assist with the responsibilities of the public works director in the interim, Brewer said. Following a closed session regarding Walker's resignation at the City Council's regular meeting Tuesday, Mayor Gary Strack said the city will pro- ceed with a "promotional selection" process, in- viting applications for the role only from current city of Corning employees. The city will accept applications from city em- ployees through March 20, according to city staff. The position's annual salary ranges from about $73,500 to $90,300. CORNING Public works head resigns Applicationsforjobfrom city employees will be accepted through March 20 By Andre Byik abyik@redbluffdailynews.com @andrebyik on Twitter CORNING » The city of Corning estimates a roughly $100,000 shortfall in sales tax revenue after gas prices tumbled, leading city staff to rec- ommend some belt tightening for the rest of the fiscal year. In a 2014-2015 midyear budget update pre- sented to the City Council at its regular meeting Tuesday, City Manager John Brewer said sales tax revenues contribute about 60 percent to the city's general fund revenues. Of the roughly $4.55 million in projected gen- eral fund revenues this fiscal year — which runs through June 30 — city staff projected $2.69 mil- lion to come from sales tax revenue. Sales tax revenues are now projected to come in at $2.58 CORNING Fallingas prices affects city budget $100,000 shortfall estimated Community.....A3 A+E................A5 Sports..............B1 Opinion............A6 Comics............B3 Weather..........B8 Index...............## INDEX The Corning Healthcare District held its first meeting of 2015and selected its officers for the year. PAGEA3 COMMUNITY CorningHealthcare District names officers The Red Bluff Jr. Spartans football and cheerleading programs will hold sign-ups March 22and 29. PAGE B1 SPORTS Jr. Spartans schedule sign-up dates, location Lexus is the most depend- able car brand for the fourth consecutive year, according to J.D. Power rankings. PAGE A8 HIGH-TECH FEATURES Lexus tops automobile dependability survey Three men were arrested on charges of plotting to join the Islamic State group and wage war against the US. PAGE B4 NEW YORK, FLORIDA 3 accused of plot to join Islamic State group Staff reports REDBLUFF» A residential gas leak on Gilmore Road south of Antelope Boulevard here forced officials to close a por- tion of the road about 11:20 a.m. Wednesday. Tehama County sheriff's deputies at the scene said a Gilmore Road homeowner ruptured a gas line, filling the air with the smell of "rot- ten egg." PacificGasandElectricCo. crewswerecalledinandwere at the scene about 11:30 a.m. A portion of Gilmore Road from Little Avenue to How- ell Avenue was closed to traf- fic in addition to a stretch of Howell Avenue to Gilmore Road. The roadways reopened before noon. Red Bluff police and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection also responded to the inci- dent. RED BLUFF Re si de nt ia l ga s le ak c au se s closure of Gilmore Road ANDRE BYIK — DAILY NEWS A ruptured gas line forced officials to close a portion of Gilmore Road and Howell Avenue about 11:30a.m. Wednesday in Red Bluff. By Andre Byik abyik@redbluffdailynews.com @andrebyik on Twitter CORNING » A Corning woman celebrated her 101st birthday here among friends and family Wednesday. Helen Petty, whose birth- day was Feb. 2, was origi- nally from El Campo, Texas, and raised a family in San Antonio before moving to Corning about 12 years ago, her son, Manson Petty, said. "She's always been there for us — my brother and I — when we were growing up," said Manson Petty, 63, of Corning. "We grew up in the projects in kind of a bad neighborhood, but we both came up, graduated from college and ended up with good jobs." Manson Petty said that af te r hi s ol de r br ot he r, w ho had been taking care of his mother, died, he helped move his mother to Corning to get her out of a rough en- vironment. Petty, enjoying a slice of birthday cake at the Te- hama Village reception hall, said Corning has been a wonderful place to live. Sarah Brogdon, Helen Petty's friend and care- giver of about four years, said Petty is caring person, always wanting to help oth- ers. "I've been doing that all my life," Helen Petty said. Annie Griffin, a friend of Petty's who helped put on the celebration, said Petty is a "wonderful lady." "A hundred and one," Griffin said. "You don't hear about that very often." CORNING CELEBRATING 101 ANDRE BYIK — DAILY NEWS Helen Petty, right, celebrates her 101st birthday during a festivity with her son, Manson Petty, le , on Wednesday. "S he 's a lw ay s b ee n t her e f or u s — my brother and I — when we were growing up." — M an son P et ty , 6 3- ye ar -o ld s on o f H el en RESIGNED » PAGE 7 GAS » PAGE 7 CommunityResourceGuide Red Bluff 2015 InsideToday » redbluffdailynews.com Thursday, February 26, 2015 50CENTS AN EDITION OF THE CHICO ENTERPRISE-RECORD 7 58551 69001 9 Volume130,issue70 Good morning, thanks for subscribing » Ruth Wright VETERANS Group presents photos Lifestyles » A4 STATE THEATRE Bluegrass group to play Red Bluff A+E » A5 FORECAST High: 71 Low: 46 » B8