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WEDNESDAY JULY 21, 2010 Breaking news at: www.redbluffdailynews.com See Page 3A RED BLUFF Lassen event a big success Swim Results SPORTS 1B Sunny 99/67 Weather forecast 8B By GEOFF JOHNSON DN Staff Writer A Tehama County Correc- tional Officer is facing welfare fraud charges. Correctional Officer James Clinton Branson and Patricia Ryann Nunneley represented themselves as a landlord and tenant, respectively, to the Social Services Department, 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 Officer, alleged lover looked at for fraud District Attorney Gregg Cohen said Tuesday. Authorities believe the cou- ple was romantically involved, which could mean their joint finances would have made Nunneley ineligible for welfare. Authorities allege the couple hid their relationship from Social Services to obtain government aid. Like most instances of wel- ‘My sense is everybody is trying hard at this point in time. But working the welfare system is not acceptable’ District Attorney Gregg Cohen fare fraud, the District Attor- ney’s office only learned about the case through Social Ser- vices, Cohen said. “My sense is everybody is trying hard at this point in Lions reported near river time,” he said. “But working the welfare system is not accept- able.” According to a complaint filed June 17, Branson and Nunnely received $11,313 in aid for her children, ages 12 and 13, between September 2006 and January. Branson is in his 20s and Nunneley in her 30s, with about See FRAUD, page 7A Party packs up to go to Manton By GEOFF JOHNSON DN Staff Writer A last-minute move by a 2,500-person festival from Red Bluff to Manton is drawing mixed reviews from residents of the mountain community. Organizers announced Monday that the Mystic Gar- den Party, a five-day event beginning today, would be moving to the Water Wheel Park on the Shasta County side of Manton. The event was previously scheduled for the farming community of Flournoy, then for the Tehama District See PARTY, page 7A Barn boss to be added at fair By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer The Tehama District Daily News photo by Tang Lor Signs, such as this one, along the major trails in the Red Bluff Recreation Area warn users of a possible mountain lion sighting. By TANG LOR DN Staff Writer A possible mountain lion sight- ing in the Red Bluff Recreation Area has officials warning the pub- lic to keep alert and stay safe. According to US Forest Service dispatch records, a mountain lion sighting was reported around 11:30 a.m., Monday, said Tamara Schmidt, a Forest Service public information officer. The caller reported seeing the mountain lion with a cub on the trail. The older mountain lion looked sick. The call was forwarded to the California Department of Fish and Game, and a warden was sent in search of the mountain lions. The warden did not find them, Schmidt said. Fiorina changes stance on jobless benefits SACRAMENTO (AP) — Republican Senate candidate Carly Fiorina on Tuesday shifted her position on extending unemployment benefits, saying she would ‘‘proba- bly’’ support the exten- sion if she were in the Senate. In an interview with San Francisco’s KGO- AM radio, Fiorina said she would probably break with members of her party. Senate Democrats on Tuesday were helped by a newly sworn senator and broke through a GOP fili- buster in Washington, D.C., in their effort to extend jobless benefits to 2.5 million Americans. The effort initially failed last month. ‘‘I probably would vote for this extension, but I’ll tell you what, I think it is absolutely appropriate for people to stand on their desks and say, ’When is it that we’re finally going to do what needs to be done and cut government spending?’’’ Fiorina said. Earlier this month, the former Hewlett Packard chief executive said she opposed the extension because it would worsen the national deficit. Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer had been using Fio- rina’s position to attack her as out of touch with average workers. ‘‘For so many weeks, more than 200,000 Cali- fornians have been wait- ing desperately for this bill to help them through these tough times, and for weeks, Carly Fiorina has said no to these California families,’’ said Boxer’s campaign manager, Rose Kapolczynski. Fiorina, who ran a con- servative primary who pledged to fight out-of- control government spending, said on the sta- tion that she believed vot- See STANCE, page 7A 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 Red Bluff Outdoor Power As advised by the warden, signs warning the public of the possible sighting have been placed along all seven major trails, said Carlene Cramer, manager of the Sacramen- to River Discovery Center. Though mountain lion sightings in the area are rare, she said she would like the Forest Service to eventually put up permanent signs See LIONS, page 7A Fairground is adding a barn boss at the 2010 fair and it will be Fair Board Director Farrell Shatswell. Several people showed up for Tuesday’s Fair Board meeting to discuss whether they thought a barn boss was a good or bad idea. Some defended Nancy May, the fair’s livestock superintendent. “Nancy’s done as good a job as can be expected,” said Fair CEO Mark Eid- man. “I picked Nancy because she could handle the job. I have no question she can do it and never felt it was out of control. It’s just an extra set of eyes to help her.” Talk of the need for a barn boss began after a complaint was made about two goats with abscesses that were not disqualified from being exhibited at the fair- ground. A month after fair, a local veterinarian and a few 4-H members came to express concern about that fact that the goats potentially had caseous lymphadenitis. The panels in the area the two goats were in were washed and disin- fected with bleach, which a state level veterinarian See BARN, page 7A Smokehouse opens in Los Molinos Wild Willy’s Smoke- house in Los Molinos is now open to provide Traeger brand wood-pellet smoker grills, barbecue equipment and a wide assortment barbecue sauces, rubs, shakes and other out- door cooking supplies. In addition to the equip- ment showroom at 8570 State Highway 99E, Wild Willy’s staff provides cus- tom catering and will be serving barbecue foods at local events and venues. A ribbon cutting ceremo- ny was held June 26 by the Los Molinos Chamber of Commerce. For more information, or to arrange to “taste the dif- ference” of pellet and grill smoked meats, call Maz- zucchi at 200-0656 or visit www.wildwillyssmoke- house.com. Courtesy photo Richard Mazzucchi, proprietor of Wild Willy’s Smokehouse, is joined by his mother, Minetta, sister Connie and Betty Morales, president of the Los Molinos Chamber of Commerce, for a ribbon cutting June 26. Oh Snap! The Daily News wants your photos: Cute kids, Adorable pets, Inspirational sights, Any shot you think readers would enjoy You might just see it in the Daily News Send pictures to editor@redbluffdailynews.com or drop off at 545 Diamond Ave. in Red Bluff. Include a caption. PHYSICIAN REFERRAL A FREE SERVICE PROVIDED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE 1-800-990-9971 CHW North State Region