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THURSDAY Organ Concert Zito Struggles in Chico AUGUST 22, 2013 Pastimes Breaking news at: www.redbluffdailynews.com See Page 4A SPORTS 1B DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF Partly cloudy 91/67 Weather forecast 8B TEHAMA COUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U NTY S I N C E 1 8 8 5 Presidential bump By RICH GREENE DN Staff Writer Meeting President Barack Obama wasn't just a thrill for U.S. Army Sergeant Justin Merhoff, the encounter produced something epic. The 2007 Mercy High School graduate wants the world to know that he performed the single greatest exploding fist bump with the president. That seems like quite the statement, but for Merhoff the proof is all in the video that he has since uploaded to YouTube. (youtube.com/watch?v=X jYcEpfZsI4) Obama has been known for favoring the fist bump over a more traditional handshake or high five from time to time, but rarely has a more dramatic exploding fist bump been caught on video. The rest Merhoff, from Red Bluff, has been chronicling those moments since his own Obama encounter, but they just don't quite live up to the moment he produced. One of those exploding fist bumps received more national attention as it occurred this past February on the night of the President's State of the Union address. (tinyurl.com/a835dtn) Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk had recently returned to the Senate after suffering a stroke the prior year and Obama greeted him with an exploding fist bump. But for Merhoff, timing is everything and Obama and Kirk just didn't seem to click when it came to producing the special greeting. Kirk was a few moments behind in producing his explosion. "It was horrible," Merhoff told the Daily News Tuesday, spending a few days in town on leave from his station at Fort Gordon in Georgia. 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 Council, back at five, makes moves By RICH GREENE DN Staff Writer Screenshot of Army Sgt. Justin Merhoff, of Red Bluff, performing a fist bump with President Barack Obama in Afghanistan. 'I'm representing other guys who might not be able to meet him (because they were in combat)," he said. "I don't take that for granted at all' — Sgt. Justin Merhoff Merhoff has also found a third exploding fist bump involving the president that occurred in Janu a r y . (tinyurl.com/kb6cacy) A tourist asked the president if he could have a fist bump when, according to reports, Obama responded instantly. But while Obama made an exploding motion after the fist bump, the young man hesitated. Once again, Merhoff said the timing just doesn't match up with his own. The best Merhoff met Obama Statewide DUI crackdown planned Law enforcement agencies throughout California and the nation will be stepping up DUI enforcement before and during the Labor Day holiday, through Sept. 2. During the national "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign, there will be an increase in law enforcement presence on the roads and additional checkpoints throughout the state. Those caught driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested. The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and California Highway Patrol (CHP) are reminding motorists to plan ahead by designating a sober driver. "As people get together to celebrate the holiday weekend, it is important that they remain responsible behind the wheel," said OTS Director Christopher J. Murphy. DAILY 50¢ "Driving under the influence is extremely dangerous. California is increasing enforcement during the holiday to ensure that those who choose to drive while impaired will be caught and arrested." Statistics show that, on average, two people die every day in California in an impaired driving collision, and many times that are seriously injured. Law enforcement continues to work diligently to remove impaired drivers from the state's roadways before they injure or kill someone. "Our education and enforcement efforts play a key role in keeping the motoring public safe," said California Highway Patrol Commissioner Joe Farrow. "With the public's cooperation and commitment to abstain from drinking and driving, lives will be saved. Those who make the poor choice to drive impaired should be prepared to face the consequences." The CHP, Avoid DUI See DUI, page 7A while he was on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. He enlisted in the army in June 1997 and he's set to retire in 2017. It was the week leading up to the 1-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden's death and Merhoff thought something was up. He said he was working with a communications team to set up equipment for a high profile guest to be coming in what was being billed as a USO show. "I had a feeling what was going down," Merhoff said. On the day of the event Merhoff asked permission to tag along. His boss then suggested a good place to stand when Obama arrived. After giving a speech to the troops, Obama began making his way around for personal greetings. Like all great things, Merhoff's presidential exploding fist bump didn't come by dumb luck. It was actually the third time Merhoff greeted the president that day. Merhoff said the first time the president walked past him, he just shook his hand. But then he got to thinking that he really wanted to do a fist bump with Obama so he found another place in line. Unfortunately his friend didn't have his camera ready to catch the explosion. Merhoff said he was fortunate that Obama didn't stop at just one lap around the solders, he took several around the hanger. That allowed Merhoff to get back into position. See BUMP, page 7A The Red Bluff City Council approved the consolidation of the city's Building and Planning departments Tuesday; as well as authorized the lease of three new police vehicles and a new hire for the Wastewater Collections Maintenance Division. Previously a council reduced to four members following a resignation had been split or tabled decisions regarding all three items. But at Tuesday's meeting, whole again following the appointment of Raymond Eliggi two weeks ago, the City Council approved all three items almost overwhelmingly. Eliggi was relatively quiet during his first full council session compared to Joe Harrop, one of the applicants over whom he was chosen. Harrop questioned why it took the council months to pass the three items on the agenda, but saved his biggest critique for an item that didn't make the agenda — the city's recent citations for contaminated water tests. Harrop said the council needed to make it a priority to pass a staff proposal to purchase a chlorination system. A motion to set the bidding process in place for the equipment died at a previous council meeting when it failed to receive a second. See COUNCIL, page 7A 7 arrested in Butte meth operation The Drug Enforcement Administration Sacramento District Office in cooperation with the Butte County Interagency Narcotics Task Force (BINTF) arrested seven defendants on federal charges and executed eight federal search warrants Wednesday. A 10-month investigation of a methamphetamine trafficking organization culminated with these warrants, said Acting Special Agent in Charge Bruce C. Balzano and US Attorney Benjamin Wagner. Arrested Wednesday were Federico Sandoval Aguilar and Alejandro Lopez-Corona of Biggs; Manuel Garcia Navarro; and Rafael Morfin-Medi- na, Rickey Lee Xiong, Sou Xiong, Cindy Lee Hunter, and all of Oroville. Five defendants, Guillermo VenturaLopez, David Milton Eleazar, Neng Chue Xiong, Pao Thao, and Jaime Dominguez, were not located and are considered fugitives. About 10 pounds of methamphetamine, five firearms, including one stolen weapon, and more than $70,000 of drug proceeds were seized as a result of the arrests and search warrants. "DEA's mission is to stop criminal organizations from selling drugs in our communities," Balzano said. "MethamSee METH, page 7A Free entrance to Lassen Park MINERAL — Lassen Volcanic National Park will waive entrance fees on Aug. 25 along with other national parks throughout the country to celebrate the 97th birthday of the National Park Service. "I encourage everyone to take advantage of this fee free day to explore and discover the beauty and recreational opportunities that Lassen Volcanic National Park has to offer," said Superintendent Darlene M. Koontz. Join Lassen Volcanic National Park in celebration by taking advantage of the free entrance to bring your family and friends on a hike, scenic drive or attend one of the many ranger-led programs offered on this day. Programs are fun for visitors of all ages and include junior ranger programs, presentations on wildlife, volcanoes and astronomy. Lassen Volcanic National Park offers more than 150 miles of hiking trails which range in difficulty from strenuous to gentle. If you are unsure of which trail to hike, bring the park map you are given when you enter the park into one of the visitor centers and a ranger will assist you. Various ranger-led activities will be taking place on Sunday, Aug. 25 and the schedule can be found on the park bul- letin boards and the park website. For more information, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/lavo or call (530) 595-4480.