Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/15880
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2010 Breaking news at: FFA Starts a New Year Community www.redbluffdailynews.com See Page 2A RED BLUFF Good to be Back SPORTS 1B Sunny 92/62 Weather forecast 6A 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 A really big sh w By CHIP THOMPSON DN editor For fans of miniature donkeys, Red Bluff was the place to be this weekend as it played host to the Nation- al Miniature Donkey Asso- ciation National Show. Organizer Cheryl Austin said 123 entries were regis- tered as of Saturday after- noon for a variety of timed events showcasing speed, agility, handling, athleticism and precision – both with cart in tow and individually on a lead. The three-day event that wrapped up Sunday fea- tured a first in miniature donkey events, with the first ever team driving competi- tion at a national event, said Rich Austin, an organizer of the show. Popular in the western United States and Canada, miniature donkeys came from as far away at Texas for the event, including eight children entered in the youth competition. Cody Morrell, 8, was among the youngest com- petitors, but was confident in the ring. The Oregon boy competed in both cart and walking contests. Pam Beaver, organizer of Yreka’s annual miniature donkey show, said the small pack animals appeal to horse lovers who, due to life changes or aging, can no longer handle the larger ani- mals. "I got rid of all my quar- ter horses," Beaver said. "These are the kindest, nicest animals I’ve ever had." With 40 donkeys on her Redding property, Beaver has gotten into the breeding business as a hobby and to promote the animals in the area. Red Bluff has hosted the Northern California Minia- ture Donkey Show in the past and earned the right to host the national show this year. As one of three venues on the west coast, another being in Yreka, it may be a while before the nationals return to the Tehama Dis- trict Fairground. The show rotates to different regions and the soonest it could return to California is 2013. A Tehama County student has been diag- nosed with per- tussis, also known as whooping cough, and stu- dents attending Corning High School and Richf ield School may have been exposed to this confirmed case. Vaccination clinics for pertussis have been held Whooping cough returns to county School Pertussis Vaccine Clinics: • Gerber School: Tuesday, Sept. 7, 3-6 p.m. • Corning High School: Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1:30-5:30 p.m. • Richfield School: Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1:30-5:30 p.m. at various locations throughout the county since August due to the current epidemic occurring in California. Public Health will continue to provide vaccine clinics to ensure residents have the oppor- tunity to obtain this life saving vaccine. To prevent pertus- Daily News photos by Chip Thompson Cody Morrell, 8, of Oregon, gets some last minute tips from Pam Beaver, of Redding, before entering the ring for an event. The agency will be extend- ing the hours of the vaccine clin- ic scheduled at Gerber School Tuesday to accommodate students from surrounding schools. It has scheduled addi- tional clinics at the schools with possible expo- sure to this con- firmed case. Families are encouraged to attend the clinic that best fits their schedule. Parents must either be present for student vac- cination or send a completed parent permis- sion slip with their child. Please visit www.tehamaschools.org or your school’s office to obtain a parent permission slip, vaccine information sheet and flyer for the upcom- ing vaccine clinics. California is experiencing an epidemic of Per- tussis with 7 times more cases reported this year than last year. Pertussis is a bacterial disease that is easily transmitted from person to person by talking, sneezing, or coughing. Sharing or handling items such as cups or tissues that have been used by someone with pertussis can also transmit it. It is especially dangerous for infants who are not fully immunized. sis, Tehama County residents should take these steps: • Ask their health care provider to review immu- nizations records for the whole family to determine if pertussis vaccination is needed and appropriate. • Check with their health care provider to determine whether a family mem- ber’s cough could be caused by pertussis. • It is recommended that new and expectant parents, as well as other family members and care providers around infants, be vaccinated against per- tussis. • Cover coughs and sneezes. • Wash hands thorough- ly and often. Amy McBirney, 17, of Morgan Hill, competes in a slalom course Saturday at the National Miniature Donkey Association National Show in the Pauline Davis Pavilion at the Tehama District Fairground. It can cause pneumonia, swelling of the brain and, sometimes, death. A safe and effective vaccine is available to protect against this disease. Com- bined diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis immuniza- See COUGH, page 3A Thousands rally Car salesman faces charges of theft against gay marriage, abortion SACRAMENTO (AP) — Thousands of Christ- ian conservatives spent 12 hours Saturday praying and fasting in front of the state Capitol at a gather- ing organizers described as spiritual repentance ‘‘when there is no hope for a nation.’’ The daylong religious event titled, ‘‘The Call to Conscience,’’ was led by Lou Engle as well as other pastors and speakers to protest gay marriage, pornography and abor- tion. Many of those attending slapped red ‘‘Life’’ stickers over their shirts and set up blankets and folding chairs facing a large stage with banners that read: ‘‘Only One Hope God.’’ People close to the front of the stage held up their hands when called to prayer. They jumped and danced to musical perfor- mances between sermons. The gathering filled the west lawn of the state Capitol and hundreds of people spilled into the next block, but the rest of Capitol Mall’s five-block- long lawn went unused despite large screens and barricades set up for the occasion. Offering stations were set up throughout the area. Ken and Antoinette Rodrigues, who described themselves as born-again Christians, drove in from 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 See RALLY, page 3A By GEOFF JOHNSON DN Staff Writer A former Red Bluff auto salesman faces 20 charges of grand theft. Gann Bradford Gan- non, 48, holds a license for Gannon’s Auto and Collision Center on Wal- nut Street, just outside city limits, and has been out on bail since April. At his former busi- ness, Gannon’s Auto Sales on South Main Street, authorities allege Gannon sold tens of thousands of dollars in bad warranties, some as high as $2,000. “Instead of sending the money to the warran- ty company, (Gannon) would pocket the money,” District Attor- ney Gregg Cohen said. All charges against Gannon filed by Cohen focus on the period between November 2007 and July 2008. Records from the Cal- ifornia Department of Motor Vehicles indicate Gannon’s auto dealer license expired in Octo- ber 2008. Gannon’s license with the city of Red Bluff has not been renewed, Finan- cial Director Margaret Van Warmerdam said. If Gannon is found guilty, the DMV could bar Gannon from ever being licensed to sell cars again, spokeswoman Jan Mendoza said. However the court rules, the county has little control over Gannon’s separate auto repair busi- ness. Like many counties, businesses in unincorpo- rated Tehama County have few requirements they must meet, Chief Administrator Bill Good- win said. Officials have considered adding more restrictions but nothing has moved beyond pre- liminary talks. Gannon’s business requires no use permit from the county because of zoning laws, Tehama County Planner II Bob Halpin said. But Gannon could face further conse- quences from the state, depending on the verdict. Action on behalf of the Bureau of Automo- tive Repair, within the California Department of Consumer Affairs, depends on Gannon’s local trial. If he is con- victed, the bureau may consider filing additional charges with the Attor- ney General, bureau spokeswoman Kim Brown said. The bureau may con- sider revoking Gannon’s auto repair license after its own trial, Brown said. Gannon himself declined to comment, cit- ing advice from his attor- ney. A message left with Gannon’s attorney, Leo Barone, was not returned. Ed Pfeiler, a mechanic who works on and off for Gannon, described him as honest and “straight- forward” with his cus- tomers. Pfeiler, sealing a car door at the auto body shop, said he had not heard of the charges against Gannon. “From what I’ve seen...he doesn’t cheap- skate people,” he said. ——— Geoff Johnson can be reached at 527-2153, extension 114 or gjohnson@redbluffdailyn ews.com. Red Bluff Daily News Saturday delivery will be late due to the football coverage. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you. D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY