Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/7360
Weather forecast 6B Partly Cloudy 63/48 N EWS D AILY DAILY 50¢ MONDAY MARCH 1, 2010 Earings give patients laugh Wrestling Wrap Breaking news at: www.redbluffdailynews.com N EWS D AILY RED BLUFF TEHAMA COUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 See Page 4A SPORTS 1B Vitality 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 Weather hinders I-5 rehab progress By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer While some Tehama County residents may wonder if construc- tion on the Interstate 5 Red Bluff Rehabilitation Project has come to a halt, Caltrans is moving forward. "It doesn't look like a lot is going on, but there are a lot of things being done out of sight (of travelers)," said Project Manger Phil Baker. "They're working on two bridges, strengthening the undersides and reinforcing them through welding." Work on the paving has been delayed because of weather and it is unknown when it will pick back up. Typically, paving can start as early as March or as late as May, but it is part of the project that is tied to the weather, he said. The project, paid for through the American Recovery and Rein- vestment Act, aims to improve pavement and bridges from the Adobe Road Interchange to 5.3 miles south of the interchange, a Caltrans release said. The $35.5 million project was started in August 2009. Since I-5 is the north to south transportation backbone for California, the pro- ject was meant to not only improve transportation, but serve as a boost to the local community and its economy, a Caltrans release said. While CC Myers Inc. has com- pleted about 30 percent of the pro- ject, Baker said there is still a ways to go before the project is expect- ed to be completed in late 2010. The bulk of the project should be done by September with minor work to be completed later, he said. In a release, Caltrans reminds motorists they should use caution when traveling through the area, as lanes have been shifted, tempo- rary barriers have been installed and speed reductions will be in place. What time of day or night the construction will take place depends on what part of the pro- ject is being worked on, Baker said. "The plan of attack is to not do any work that would reduce the number of lanes during day time so we reduce congestion and don't have any backups," Baker said. "Anything requiring lane closures will definitely be done at night." Partners in the project are Cal- trans, the Federal Highway Administration and the Tehama County Transportation Commis- sion. California has 898 highway and local street transportation pro- jects with $2.47 billion in Recov- ery Act funding obligated to them. An additional 94 projects with $317 million in funding are Champion class Daily News photo by Rich Greene Corning senior Jose Arce beats the West Valley defense down the field, Saturday, during the Northern Section's Division I boys soccer championship at Corning High School. By RICH GREENE DN Sports Editor CORNING — For two seasons the Corning Cardinals boys soccer team has been considered one of the best in the North State — now they have the championship to back up the claim. Behind a hat trick from Jose Arce, the Cardinals defeated West Valley 5- 0, Saturday, in the Northern Section's Division I championship game at Corning High School. The win avenged a loss in the 2009 championship game — the Cardinals only defeat a season ago. Over the past two seasons, Corning has posted a record of 33-2-1. "I wanted to win so bad. After the loss last year, I couldn't wait to come back," Cardinal co-captain Cesar Ruiz said following the win. Neither could senior striker Arce, who was routinely the target of long lob passes over the West Valley defense. Although the weather was a com- plete 180 from the downpour the Car- dinals played through during the semi- finals, the field conditions may have been worse from days of rain and poor drainage. Mud spots littered the field and were especially concentrated in front of both nets and they played a factor in the match. In the 12th minute, Corning played a through ball into the box and West Valley's goaltender charged it, but not fast enough or with enough conviction as the ball stuck in the mud a few yards in front of him. By the time the Eagle goaltender Public safety service honored By GEOFF JOHNSON DN Staff Writer CORNING — Decades of service to Tehama Coun- ty public safety were honored Saturday night when the Corning Exchange Club held its annual Fireman and Policeman Awards dinner at the Veterans Memorial Hall. Winners were chosen, in some cases, for recent accomplishments: Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Lovelady was hailed for arresting and per- sonally taking into custody more than 100 suspects in 2009 and for making regular visits to a deputy who had been rendered comatose by a car crash. "I think Kyle kept him alive," Sheriff Clay Parker said. District Attorney Investigator Eric Clay was herald- ed for his role in 2009's massive Black Ice operation, the largest drug bust ever conducted in Tehama Coun- ty. In what proved to be a recurring theme throughout the evening, Clay thanked his family for their support and patience with his work schedule. "I'm very fortunate to have a job that I get to love," he said. Also recognized was California Highway Patrol Officer Dave Madrigal, who survived a December 2008 shooting, only to return to patrol in six months. In other cases, the honor went to personnel for years or decades of effort. CalFire's Jim Costa took home his organization's fireman of the year honor for a piloting reputation that extends from Yreka to San Diego. Retiring fire Capt. Vern Raglin was honored for closing out 25 years of service with Red Bluff Fire Department, but cold not make the event, as his retire- ment dinner was held simultaneously. In the case of Sgt. Dan Flowerdew, it was both. The Sgt. was recognized not only for 20 years of service to the Red Bluff Police Department, but for his calm in handling tense situations, including when Flowerdew Madrigal A taste of the Western way of life By GEOFF JOHNSON DN Staff Writer For the fourth year running, the Special Rodeo brought a taste of ranch life to special needs children and young adults. Twenty would-be cowboys and cowgirls rushed into the Pauline Davis Pavilion Saturday for a chance to lasso a pipe steer, ride a hay bucking-bronco or yank a ribbon off the tail of a live goat. A regular tie-in with the California High School Rodeo Association Inter- district Rodeo, the event has a freeform, non-competitive nature. Vol- unteer athletes from the CHSRA guid- ed participants between challenges, while announcer Matt Wolter added to the excitement by calling the action with enthusiasm. Wolter grew up with rodeos, and the competitions have taught both him and his children the value of humility and losing gracefully, he said. Not all of those lessons carry over to the Spe- cial Rodeo, but it does make an impor- tant part of local culture accessible. "It lets them understand that cow- boys are part of the Western culture, and are really good people," he said. The children are not the only ones who learn. By getting CHSRA volun- teers to give a hand to participants, the event helps give teenagers a better understanding of special needs kids, said Event Coordinator Paula McCar- ley. Not that McCarley had to do much coaxing. More people wanted to vol- unteer than there were special rodeo students available, she said. But the event's greatest achieve- ment, in the eyes of some parents, is that it helps their children feel normal. "(Paula) lets our kids, for a short time, be typical children," said Cathy Ireland, of Cottonwood. Ireland likes to carpool to the event, bringing not only her 12-year-old son Nathan, but the special needs children of other local parents. The kids talk about the event all year long, she said. It was the first time Vacaville par- ents John and Mary Smith had been to the event, but they had a similar reac- tion. Their son Joshua, 20, felt right at home, they said. Daily News photo by Geoff Johnson Jessica Allison, Cottonwood, ropes a pipe steer Saturday . Riding high Daily News photo by Geoff Johnson Justin Spears, Redding, takes on the bareback riding competition Saturday at the California High School Rodeo Association Interdistrict Rodeo at the Tehama District Fairground. Results will be published when received. News tip? 527-2151, Ext. 112 See I-5, page 3A See CLASS, page 3A See PUBLIC, page 3A