Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/493273
ByFenitNirappil TheAssociatedPress SACRAMENTO Californiaisdone with gentle nudges and polite re- minders to deal with its devastat- ing drought. State regulators are naming and shaming local water depart- ments that have let water wasters slide — and forcing them to slash water use by as much as a third. They say it's necessary as Califor- nia reservoirs, and the snow on mountains that is supposed to re- fill them, reach record lows. Among the last straws was new data showing the worst water sav- ings in February since officials started tracking conservation. Along the south coast, home to more than a third of Californians from San Diego to Los Angeles, residents actually showed an in- crease in water consumption de- DROUGHT Ca lif or ni a naming and sh am in g water wasters By Andre Byik abyik@redbluffdailynews.com @andrebyik on Twitter RED BLUFF The Red Bluff Peace Officers Association has issued a brief statement through its attor- ney that expresses thanks to the City Council here for its investiga- tion into Police Chief Paul Nanfi- to's leadership. Nanfito, who has been the sub- ject of a city investigation follow- ing allegations made by the Peace Officers Association last Decem- ber that he led the Police Depart- ment by fear and intimidation, was placed on paid administra- tive leave in March. On April 1, City Manager Rich- ard Crabtree announced that Nanfito, who has served in the role of police chief since 2009 and has been with the city for more than 30 years, has decided to re- tire effective May 15. He will re- main on paid administrative leave until then. "The Red Bluff Peace Officers Association would like to thank RED BLUFF Police group thanks city for probe into chief Illnessledtolossofhearingandbrainsurgery By Rich Greene rgreene@redbluffdailynews.com @richgreenenews on Twitter REDBLUFF A 10-year-old Bidwell Elementary student has been bat- tling complications from a rare and non-contagious form of bac- terial meningitis at UC Davis Medical Center. Sean Michael says his son, Kay- din, became sick with a cough and a cold about three weeks ago. That eventually developed into a 105 degree fever that wouldn't go away. Doctors determined the boy wasn't suffering from strep throat, but bacteria has gone through his blood stream and caused menin- gitis. Two weeks ago a stiff neck, joint pains and other signs of meningi- tis set in. Kaydin developed a rash and was airlifted from St. Eliza- beth Community Hospital to UC COMMUNITY Boy,10,battlingmeningitis Bidwell Elementary student Kaydin Michael is fighting meningitis at UC Davis Medical Center. COURTESY By Andre Byik abyik@redbluffdailynews.com @andrebyik on Twitter RED BLUFF Gains in auto and transportation sales here partly drove an increase in sales tax rev- enue for the city in the third quar- ter of 2014. Sandy Ryan, the city's finance director, presented a sales tax update to the City Council on Tuesday, reporting that actual sales activity in the city had in- creased 2.7 percent in the period of last July through September compared to the same period in 2013. Red Bluff sales receipts were up 4.9 percent compared to the same period in 2013. Major business groups that saw improvements were autos and transportation, and restau- rants and hotels. Categories that dipped slightly were fuel and service stations, and business and industry. Categories including general consumer goods and food and drugs remained even. Ryan said that HdL Compa- nies, which monitors sales tax revenue for the city, estimates that the city could receive $3.13 million in sales tax revenue in the 2014-2015 fiscal year, which ends June 30. That amounts to a 3.8 percent increase compared to the 2013- 2014 year. The increase is partly attrib- uted to the city's quarter-cent sales tax increase that went into effect April 1. Going forward, HdL estimates that the city's sales tax revenue could reach $3.83 million in the 2015-2016 fiscal year. That would amount to a 2.2 percent increase compared to 2014-2015. Ryan said that increase also is mainly attributed to the city's quarter-cent sales tax increase, which city officials have said could bring the city between $600,000 and $700,000 in added revenue per year for the next six years. Statewide, HdL's report notes that fuel prices dipped to a five- year low in December, and that lower gas prices should remain through most of 2015. The report says lower gas prices can benefit auto dealer- ships as consumers may choose to buy more costly sport-utility vehicles and accessories. RED BLUFF AUTO SALES HELP DRIVE UPTICK IN TAX REVENUE City's sales receipts rise 4.9 percent in 3rd quarter of 2014 compared to 2013 ANDRE BYIK — DAILY NEWS Statewide, HdL's report notes that fuel prices dipped to a five-year low in December, and that lower gas prices should remain through most of 2015. Sports.............. B1 A + E ................A5 Community.....A3 Life...................A4 Comics ............B3 Opinion............A6 Index............... ## INDEX The Shasta College Symphony Orchestra will play scores from films and video games April 19. PAGEA5 A+E ShastaCollege Symphony Orchestra The Sacramento River Discovery Center will hold its Thursday evening program at 7tonight. PAGE A4 LIFESTYLES Discovery Center to hold Thursday program An Afghan soldier shot and killed a U.S. soldier and wounded two others before being shot dead. PAGE B4 AFGHANISTAN US soldier killed by Afghan soldier Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was con- victed on multiple charges in the 2013bombing that killed three and hurt 260. PAGE B5 BOSTON MARATHON Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in bombing Going forward, HdL estimates that the city's sales tax revenue could reach $3.83 million in the 2015-2016 fiscal year. That would amount to a 2.2 percent increase compared to 2014-2015. WATER PAGE 7 POLICE PAGE 7 ILLNESS PAGE 7 » redbluffdailynews.com Thursday, April 9, 2015 50CENTS AN EDITION OF THE CHICO ENTERPRISE-RECORD 7 58551 69001 9 Volume130,issue100 Good morning, thanks for subscribing Curt Jeans KELLY-GRIGGS Appraisal Day at museum Lifestyles A4 ART Association names Artist of the Month A+E A5 FORECAST High: 71 Low: 41 B8 LiketheDailyNews on Facebook and stay in the loop on local news, sports and more. VISITFACEBOOK.COM/ RBDAILYNEWS LIKEUSON FACEBOOK