Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/146550
Saturday, July 27, 2013 – Daily News Obituaries 9A Scientists name pesticides in Sierra frogs SACRAMENTO (AP) — Scien- of many other amphibians have federal lands is an important first tists have known for years that pesti- declined in recent years. step in finding out whether the frogs DIANNE FAYE ROSS MERRITHEW cides drift from California's agriculBack in the 1990s, Fellers was are experiencing health conseApril 13, 1948 - June 30, 2013 tural heartland and accumulate in part of a team of researchers who quences from such exposure,'' says Dianne Faye Ross Merrithew passed away, June 30, 2013 frogs at the highest elevations of the discovered that pesticides used in Patrick Kleeman, a USGS amphibage 65. California's Central Valley could be ian ecologist who collected the frog Dianne is survived by husband, James, Smith, NV; sons, Sierra Nevada mountains. Jess & Monty; brothers, Harold, Jerry & Kenneth Ross of Now they have a better under- detected in mountain amphibians, samples. Corning; sisters, Lois Ross and Kay Durst of Orlando, FL. standing of exactly which ones col- underscoring the danger posed by A trade group for the pesticide lect in tissue, potentially a first step toxic compounds that wind and rain industry said it will continue to montoward stopping the sharp decline of can carry hundreds of miles. itor the study. threatened amphibians across the The new study conducted in ''Much remains to be learned environmentally sensitive mountain national parks and monuments test- about how pesticides impact range. ed for nearly 100 of California's amphibians and other animals. It is ''The ultimate goal here is to most commonly used pesticides, equally factual that wildlife is often SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A suspicious device identify whatever it is that is con- herbicides and fungicides. It found exposed to a myriad of contaminants forced authorities to temporarily shut the San Fran- tributing to the decline of amphib- heaviest concentrations of the mold- in the environment that makes it cisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, causing traffic to snarl ians. If it turns out to be one or sev- preventing fungicides tebucanoazole extremely difficult to isolate contameral pesticides then people would and pyraclostrobin and the herbicide inates responsible for a specific set on both sides of the bridge. California Highway Patrol Officer Sam Morgan have to figure out whether there are simazine in the tissue of Pacific cho- of problems,'' said Richard Cornett, said authorities were notified around 1 p.m. about alternative compounds with less of rus frogs, chosen because it is still spokesman for the Western Plant Health Association. ''Industry is the device on Treasure Island, midway across the an impact,'' said Gary Fellers, a abundant. research biologist with the U.S. GeoThe fungicides are commonly very aware of its responsibilities in span. used to stop blight in grapes, toma- this regard...'' He said officials decided to shut down the bridge logical Survey. Both the Sierra Nevada yellow- toes, corn and rice — crops grown in The California Farm Bureau Fedan hour later. They reopened westbound, then eastbound lanes shortly after 3 p.m. when police neu- legged frog and the Yosemite toad, abundance across the Central Valley. eration was cautious in its response, which once thrived in the range, are ''Documenting the presence of reiterating that a clear link between tralized the threat. The closure caused a ripple effect on roadways. proposed for federal Endangered environmental contaminants in exposure and population declines Traffic is typically heavy on Fridays, but it was Species Act protection. Populations amphibians found in our protected hasn't been established. expected to be exacerbated by several stadium according to the audit. It ed. The Grand Jury's events in the region. Thousands of drivers were was a practice, the audit The audit noted that findings anticipated to hit the road to attend the Giants' and says, that should have during a scheduled May Oakland A's home games and Jay Z and Justin The Grand Jury's own Timberlake concert at Candlestick Park. which (Continued from page 1A) raised concerns with the 23-27, 2011 trip to Wash- investigation, district's chief business ington D.C., $7,500 was included a review of eled to Sleep Train Arena, official, Ron Fortenberry, drawn from the district's FCMAT's audit, into formerly Arco Arena, and the district board. general fund on May 24 Reeds Creek School Diswhere they played basketFurther, the audit notes, and deposited into the ball games against each on three occasions Hosler ASB account after Hosler trict concurred with the other on the arena floor, received mileage reim- emailed Fortenberry that audit that past discrepancies were evident. WEST HOLLYWOOD (AP) — Several gay bars and high-fived members of bursements for picking up trip's budget could be short The Grand Jury noted the Kings and the Min- hockey equipment donated $2,500. in West Hollywood are boycotting Stolichnaya that recommendations (stole-each-nigh-uh) vodka following the recent nesota Timberwolves. to the district. Hosler was On May 27, 2011, the from the audit are being Other questionable pur- reimbursed in May 2009 passage of anti-gay laws in Russia. audit report states that the The Los Angeles Times reports chases, the audit noted, and November 2010 after eighth grade ASB account implemented in a timely manner and the school's (http://lat.ms/18HJo7h ) Eleven Bar & Nightclub, included staff appreciation successfully pursuing was $1,196.37 in the black. staff has taken steps to Revolver Video Bar and Mother Lode are among lunches, parties for staff, donations from the Without the $7,500 the bars that have stopped serving the Russian spir- flowers for the district Tehama County Police deposit, it would have been restore financial management. chief business official's Activities League Sharks it known as Stoli. $6,303.63 in the red. Some corrective meaThose establishments are on a strip of Santa mentor, student of the and Parks program. At the time of the audit sures put in place by the Monica Boulevard where gay bars and Russian month lunches at the Elks In December 2011 there was no record that district, the Grand Jury Club, Kiwanis Club and bakers and stores do business side-by-side. Hosler was reimbursed the district funds were noted, include the overseeThe Russian government recently banned gay Association of California $236 for mileage associat- repaid, according to ing of the district's chief School Administrators, pride events and gay ''propaganda.'' business official by the sports uniforms embroi- ed with picking up hockey FCMAT's report. Stoli's maker, SPI Group, says the company is equipment for the district. The Fiscal Crisis and department of education's ''a fervent supporter and friend'' of the lesbian, dered with an individual's However, the audit states Management Team con- business services division. first name and other items gay, bisexual and transgendered community. signatures are of clothing that went to Hosler "acknowledged that cluded that there was evi- Two The privately owned, Luxembourg-based comhe did not deliver this dence that "fraud, misman- required on all checks. pany has no ties to the Russian government. The students or staff. The audit states that 620 equipment to the district." agement and misappropri- Large and long-term vodka is made from Russian ingredients. The audit also found ation of the district's gener- expenditures must be articles of clothing were Bars in Chicago have also been boycotting. that Hosler was paid a al fund and ASB resources approved by the Reeds purchased between Dec. 14, 2010 and May 2, 2011, $100 per day stipend and assets may have Creek District Board. through the district's pay- occurred," and recom- Receipts are required for totaling $7,243.22. fees collected at certain These purchases, the roll system for chaperon- mended that Tehama everything and so is preaprecreation sites and use these audit notes, could have ing eighth grade students County Superintendent of proval of all purchase funds locally to operate, been considered gifts of during trips to Washington Schools Larry Champion orders. School trips are (Continued from page 1A) maintain and improve these public funds. It said the D.C. He was reimbursed notify the Reeds Creek limited to one day. district's board could set $400 and $600 in May School district board, the The Grand Jury noted The yurt would be avail- sites. Fees collected from the guidelines for allowable 2010 and June 2011, state controller, the super- that staff is being trained able for rental on a firstrespectively. The audit intendent of public instruccome-first-served basis or by yurt rental will fund opera- gifts and awards to staff, states that while the chief tion and the local district on handling money and budget training for the disreservation through the tions and maintenance and but the board didn't pro- business officer obtained attorney. trict board is being conNational Recreation Reser- could be used to expand the vide the Fiscal Crisis and approval from the board's Hosler said, "During ducted. Debit cards have vation Service (NRRS) at yurt program in the future Management Team with president for the June 2011 my tenure at Reeds Creek I 877-444-6777 or at based on popularity and pub- its own policy. payment, "the district's worked very closely with been rescinded in favor of lic demand for this type of "During my time (at debit cards from departwww.recreation.gov. The Reeds Creek School) we employment contract with the governing board, the ment of education, which NRRS charges a $9 reserva- recreation opportunity. This fee proposal will be did have two extraordinary the former superintendent- Tehama County Depart- imposes stricter usage contion fee. principal does not provide ment of Education and presented before a citizen's Yurts are becoming advisory committee, called audits from FCMAT," for the payment of a FCMAT to make sure we trols. The district safe is to increasingly popular at the California Recreation Hosler said. "During those stipend of this nature." The were doing right by kids be locked during business campgrounds throughout the Resource Advisory Com- audits, one of the items that audit states there was no and most importantly fol- hours and all booster club West. They provide a secure, mittee, or RRAC. Commit- was stated in both of their indication of board or third lowing the letter of the law money is to be handled comfortable, weatherproof tee members represent a investigations was that the party approval for the May as it's stated in (education) only by the club. "We are pleased to see tent-cabin experience, com- broad array of recreation district needed to review, 2010 payment. The audit codes." and make current, district the report that the process plete with beds to accommo- interest groups. The Grand Jury noted policy per (education) further states full board date up to five people. Yurts approval should have been that it approached the initiated has led to the resThe public is welcome to code." are canvas sided with win- attend and comment at all Tehama County District olution of any perceived The audit also found, in sought for the payments. dows, a locking door, vented advisory committee meetThe FCMAT report Attorney's Office in anomalies in the financial roof, lights and electricity. ings. More information a sample selection of the noted that Hosler main- December 2012 to inquire practices of Reeds Creek Fire rings and picnic tables about the RRAC, including school's transactions, that tained that he followed the if it was conducting its own School," Champion said. will be provided within the meeting dates and locations Hosler "approved his own certificated employees' investigation. The Grand "We wish to commend the reimbursement requests in campsite. Jury reported that the dis- board, the administration can be found at: 13 of 14, or 93 percent, of contract. Also critiqued was the trict attorney's office had and the staff of Reeds "We are excited about the http://www.fs.usda.gov/mai the reimbursement payCreek School for the opportunity to provide this n/r5/recreation/racs . ments made to him using district's loose manage- conducted its own investi- prompt action to the unique camping experience If this fee proposal is the general fund accounts ment of the school's Asso- gation and no charges were inquiries from the county on the Mendocino National approved, it is anticipated payable process," during ciated Student Body funds filed. Forest," said Grindstone Dis- that the yurt would become fiscal year 2010-2011. The and tangled relationship "I enjoyed my time office of education, the trict Ranger Eduardo Olme- available for overnight rental audit found no evidence with a booster club. working as an administra- extraordinary audit and the do. "By offering yurts at in the spring 2014. The FCMAT review tor for Reeds Creek," FCMAT review." that a third party with The Grand Jury recomLake Red Bluff Recreation For more information, or power to deny the reim- found that cash raised and Hosler said. "Statistically, I mends that the county's Area, we hope to encourage to comment on this proposal, bursements reviewed the used for ASB related clubs feel like I accomplished people from all walks of life, please contact Grindstone requests. weren't recorded in a time- quite a bit during my department of education monitor Reed Creek all ages, and with all levels of Ranger District Recreation Hosler was placed on ly fashion, and staff tenure. In both 2010 and camping experience to come Manager Randy Jero at 530- administrative leave Feb. 2, became "overwhelmed" 2011 our district had the School's timely implemenout and enjoy camping on 934-1269 or email at 2012 and was ultimately with the high volume of greatest growth in (Acade- tation of recommendations made in FCMAT's audit the National Forest." rjero@fs.fed.us . replaced by Dane Hansen, fundraising activity and mic Performance Index) in report. expenditures in which "lit- all of Tehama County." Comments may also be as Reeds Creek School's In 2004, Congress passed "It's our obligation," He added: "In 2009, we the Federal Lands Recre- submitted by mail to: Men- superintendent and Jen- tle to no detail" was proChampion said, "and it's were amongst the 10 lowation Enhancement Act docino National Forest, 825 nifer Brockman as the vided. The district also made est performing schools. one we take very seriously which allows the Forest Ser- N. Humboldt Ave., Willows, school's principal. vice to keep 95 percent of the CA 95988. "I had glowing evalua- deposits from its general And in 2011 we were in our county." ——— tions from the board," fund into the ASB account among the top 10 performend of last year, according to Hosler said. "During my to make up for shortfalls in ing schools in all of Andre Byik can be reached at 527-2151, ext. 111. a Department of Motor Vehi- time as superintendent and fundraising, the audit stat- Tehama County." cles. principal I followed district (Continued from page 1A) Regulators say stricter policy as it was stated at Off-road vehicle manu- rules are necessary as the the time." Additionally, the district facturers are expected to state struggles to meet federused its revolving fund al clean-air standards. need design changes and make use of newer materials However, the changes account to quickly process to meet the cap — and that's could raise the cost to 2018 reimbursements to Hosler, expected to raise prices. buyers 4 percent to 9 perThe requirements will be cent, potentially adding hunThe staff at Red Bluff Simple phased in over four years dreds of dollars to the vehibeginning in 2018. The regu- cle price. Cremations would like to thank all of lations will cover vehicles "This will put pressure on the families who trust us with their such as dirt bikes, all-terrain dealers already struggling to loved ones needs. vehicles and sand cars. Pro- stay in business," off-road fessional racing motorcy- enthusiast Bob Ham of cles, snowmobiles, gas- Calexico said. fueled golf carts and go-karts California off-road sales are exempt. dipped in recent years but California had some rebounded last year, with 850,000 registered off-road more than 14,000 motorcy722 Oak Street, Red Bluff, FD Lic. 1931 recreational vehicles at the cles and ATVs sold. Suspicious device wreaks havoc on SF Bay bridge AUDIT Gay bars boycott Russian vodka over anti-gay laws YURT SMOG Red Bluff Simple Cremations & Burial Service 527-1732