Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/12687
TUESDAY JUNE 29, 2010 Breaking news at: O Say Can You See ... American Profile www.redbluffdailynews.com See Insider RED BLUFF Fish Champs SPORTS 1B Sunny & hot 101/63 Weather forecast 8B DAILYNEWS TEHAMACOUNTY DAILY 50¢ 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 Investigators find cause of fatal house fire GERBER — The cause of a structure fire that killed a man and his dog a week ago has been determined. CalFire investigators con- firmed the cause to be electri- cal, Fire Prevention Specialist Kevin Colburn said. Investiga- tors did not provide further details. The body of resident Henry Glass, 64, of Gerber, was pulled from the burning home on the 9500 block of San Benito Avenue, near Adelfa Street. The dog’s body was found inside the home. The incident was initially reported at 4 a.m., June 22, through a medical alert service. Crews had been dispatched for an unknown medical emer- gency when the response was upgraded to a structure fire after South Main flip a passerby reported seeing the house on fire. A call to the coroner’s office for autopsy results was not returned Monday. — Staff report Retiring captain won’t be replaced By GEOFF JOHNSON DN Staff Writer Tehama County Sheriff’s Capt. Paul Hosler will retire in December after more than 30 years of law enforcement. Hosler, one of three captains employed by the department, was singled out by supporters of Sher- iff-elect Det. Dave Hencratt during this year’s cam- paign. Hencratt’s supporters accused Hosler of exploit- ing Sheriff Clay Parker’s overtime-exempt policy, in which members of the administration were allowed to informally trade overtime on one day for time off on another day. Hencratt has since said he will be bringing time- cards back to track working hours. Though the “overtime-exempt” policy that pays administration at a flat rate is unlikely to change, Hencratt plans to move away from Parker’s policy, under which time off was at the discretion of the undersheriff. Hosler said he gets along well with Hencratt, whom he has known for about 20 years, tough he still disagreed with Hencratt’s timecard policy. Hosler said he spoke for others in the adminis- tration when he said he does not want “people look- ing over my shoulder” or “questioning every single minute of every day” he works. “He won’t have me to get in his way,” Hosler added. Still, Hosler said he holds no grudge against Hencratt’s win. Hosler has enough reasons to retire that he might have done so under Parker, he said. Daily News photo by Tang Lor The truck driven by Denton Rusconi of Red Bluff was overturned after being hit by another vehicle near the Tractor Supply Store parking lot entrance. There were only minor injuries. A collision at Main Street and Bearcliff Drive at 10:46 a.m., Monday, blocked the entrance to the Tractor Supply parking lot. Denton Rusconi 57, of Red Bluff was in the left turn lane and made the turn on a red light, according to a Red Bluff Police press release. Ana Renteria, 53, of Red Bluff, who was southbound on Main, broadsided Rusconi’s truck caus- ing it to spin in a clockwise direc- tion and roll onto its roof. State OKs bills to get $761M for health care SACRAMENTO (AP) — The Legislature narrowly passed two bills Monday that will enable the state to obtain $761 million in federal subsidies to help thousands of uninsured Californians obtain health insurance, but the program will reach only a fraction of those who have been denied cover- age. The state Senate passed the bills, which now go to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has said he will sign them. The bills enact feder- al health care reform changes and would cre- ate a high-risk pool for people who have been denied health insurance because they have pre- existing medical condi- tions. Under federal law, that practice will be banned in 2014. The legislation will enable an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 people to buy health insurance until 2014, according to a report by the state Legislative Analyst’s Office. The federal gov- ernment has said the money will be available July 1. But an estimated 250,000 Californians have been denied cover- age due to pre-existing conditions, said Jennifer Gibbons, spokeswoman for Assemblyman Mike Villines, R-Clovis, who introduced AB1887. The consumer advocacy coalition Health Access California says that number could be as high as 400,000. ‘‘The key point is that we have the opportunity to insure those who have been uninsured with pre-existing conditions such as asthma, dia- betes, cancer and heart disease,’’ said Sen. Elaine Alquist, D-Santa Clara, who authored SB227. Most Republicans opposed the measure, saying the program would run out of federal funding in three years. ‘‘This is bad public 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 Renteria was traveling between 30-35 mph, according to the release. Rusconi reported minor injuries and were treated at the scene. Traffic control was set up to handle the flow on Main Street. Retirement loomed on his mind for at least a year, he said. At 55, he qualifies for retirement ben- efits, which kick in with a combination of age and tenure. Hosler cited budget concerns as an issue. Super- visors have asked the Sheriff’s Department to par- ticipate in a third round of budget cuts and bring down spending 9.5 percent from 2008-2009 levels. As part of the administrative division of the department, Hosler was involved in everything See CAPTAIN, page 7A Calif advances bill creating Reagan day SACRAMENTO (AP) — The state Assembly approved a bill Monday that would honor Ronald Reagan with a special day of recognition, but not before Democrats tried to score a few political points. Assemblywoman Lori Saldana, D-San Diego, said the late con- servative icon should be remembered for once heading a labor union — the Screen Actors Guild — and for approving tax increases as governor. He supported giving illegal immigrants a way to become citizens and signed into law a bill allowing abortions in cases of rape or incest. ‘‘Reagan is acknowl- edged for being pro- labor, for being pro- choice, for increasing taxes when the situation called for it and for being pro-immigration,’’ Saldana said, pushing four GOP hot buttons. ‘‘He was not per- fect,’’ retorted Assem- blyman Anthony Adams, R-Hesperia. ‘‘We’re not trying to deify him. We’re just trying to show him the respect and honor that he deserves.’’ Assemblywoman Audra Strickland, R- Thousand Oaks, noted that Reagan, who died in 2004, once was a Demo- See HEALTH, page 7A See REAGAN, page 7A MCT file photo President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan wave during Reagan's first inauguration in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 1981. COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR Smog Inspection $ Custom Comfort Sandals Many New Styles Dr. John Swaim, DPM 2530 Sr Mary Columba Dr Red Bluff 2995 + cert. (MOST CARS & PICK-UPS) Pass or FREE retest 195 S. Main St. Red Bluff 530 527-9841 ARTHRITIS, AND POST SURGERY. DR. SWAIM’S PAIN CREAM NOW AVAILABLE IN OUR OFFICE AT 2530 SR MARY COLUMBA DR. RED BLUFF, CA 96080 (530) 527-7584 STOP THE PAIN FROM NEUROPATHY, SHINGLES,