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TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2013 Never Too Old For Athletics Winners Abound Vitality Breaking news at: www.redbluffdailynews.com See Page 6A SPORTS 1B DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF Sunny 99/65 Weather forecast 6B TEHAMA COUNTY DAILY 50¢ 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 Clover Fire rages DA refiles charges in baby's death A 22-year-old Red Bluff man accused of murdering a near-8-month-old baby on Mother's Day is now facing two counts related to the crime, each carrying possible sentences of 25 years to life. The Tehama County District Attorney's Office dismissed a 1-count complaint against Brandon Ericson Branscombe Monday, before immediately refiling the case in order to add an additional felony count, according to a press release. Branscombe now faces two counts — one for murder and a second for assault on a child causing death. Authorities said they responded May 12 to a Byron Avenue residence for a report of an infant not breathing. The boy's mother said she had returned home around 1:45 p.m. that day to find her son's lifeless body in a playpen. She had left her son with her live-in boyfriend, Branscombe, who was in the Tehama County Jail's GPS Alternative Custody Program for alcohol-related offenses. See BABY, page 5A Water forum set for Thursday Daily News photo by Chip Thompson The Clover Fire, burning in Shasta County off Cloverdale Road, Happy Valley, had reached 2,500 acres as of 6 p.m. Monday. DN Staff Report A fire reported around 12:30 p.m. Monday in Happy Valley was burning its way south toward Tehama County by Monday evening, according to a CalFire update issued at 6:40 p.m. The Clover Fire grew to about 2,500 acres as of 6 p.m. Monday and was being pushed southwest from Cloverdale Road toward Gas Point Road west of Cottonwood. The fire blanketed the area west of Red Bluff in a layer of smoke most of the afternoon and evening. Reports of some structures being destroyed came in late in the afternoon, but CalFire did not list the number or type of structures. More than 340 firefighters were battling the fire, including engines from the Redding Fire Department and 15 air units. CalFire did not report any injuries Monday evening. There was no containment of the fire as of the 6 p.m. update. The cause is under investigation. Evacuation orders were in place for Clear Creek and Cloverdale and everything southwest to Gas Point, Small Farms and Marsha Way, Small Farms track south to Black Pine Road, Cloverdale from Clear Creek to Oak and Oak to Palm, CalFire reported. Students from Happy Valley school were evacuated to the fair- 'Free fur all' cat adoption this week at county animal shelter The Tehama County Animal Care Center will be holding a cat adoption event Sept. 9-14. During the week long event the Care Center will reduce all adoption fees for adult cats and kittens to $20. On Friday, Sept. 13, all adoption fees for both cats and kittens will be waived, for a "Free Cat Friday." Animal Care Center staff are hoping to adopt out more than 40 cats and kittens during this upcoming event. Felines ready for adoption are current on vaccinations and have been tested for feline leukemia. Additionally, all spay/neuter and rabies vaccination fees for cats adopted will be paid for by P.E.T.S — Providing Essentials for Tehama Shelter. "Kitten season may be winding down, but we still have nearly 75 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 cats and kittens waiting for their 'fur'ever homes," said Center Manager Christine McClintock. "Our fosters, volunteers, Animal Care Center staff, and P.E.T.S. members have done a fantastic job raising and caring for these cats and kittens until they were ready for adoption. Nothing would be more rewarding for us all than to see them get new homes. We encourage you to visit the Care Center and find the next member of your family." The Tehama County Animal Care Center is at 1830 Walnut St. in Red Bluff. Hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Adoption hours are 10 a.m. to noon and 1-4:30 p.m. If you would like more information regarding adopting, fostering or becoming a Care Center volunteer, call McClintock at 530527-3439 or email her at cmcclintock52@sbcglobal.net. grounds. West Valley School and Igo School were evacuated to their homes. Small animals were evacuated to Redding Vet Clinic, Anderson Vet Clinic, Gateway Hospital in Anderson and Dana Park Animal Hospital in Redding. Large animals were evacuated to Cottonwood Vet, Crossroads and Above and Beyond. The Shasta County Fairground was open for livestock, CalFire reported. Road closures include Clear Creek at 273, Olinda Road at W. Anderson, Placer at Swasey, Gas Point at Happy Valley, Canyon at See CLOVER, page 5A A public forum on Northern California water issues will be held at the Red Bluff Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St., at 6:45 p.m. Thursday. The featured speaker will be Tom Stokely, former Trinity County natural resource planner and a member of California Water Impact Network (CWIN). The purpose of his presentation is to provide information on the various water issues being discussed statewide, with a focus on those surrounding the twin Delta tunnels, a proposed multi-billion dollar project supported by the governor. Stokely will make a slide presentation and answer questions during what will most likely be a lively discussion of this important issue. The California Water Impact Network promotes the equitable and environmental use of California's water, including instream uses, through research, planning, public education and litigation. This forum is being sponsored by the Tehama County Democratic Central Committee as a public service to help residents understand the complex issues of water resources in California and how they impact the North State. The next forum is scheduled for Nov. 14 and will discuss the Affordable Care Act. Museum Jubilee another success By ANDRE BYIK DN Staff Writer TEHAMA — Hundreds descended on Tehama on Saturday for the 32nd annual Tehama County Museum Jubilee, the museum's largest fundraiser for the year. As visitors took in the museum's offerings, which included the new "Branding Tehama 'Country'... the olde fashioned way" exhibit that notes the importance of early ranch families in the area through a display of cattle brands during the 19th and 20th centuries, others could take in entertainment, browse the craft booths or take a ride in Model T. While exact figures weren't available Saturday afternoon, Chris Bauer, president of the museum's board, estimated the event would bring in about $5,000. "On a day like today, we have so much to offer," Bauer said. "A lot of people come for the entertainment or the shopping with the vendors, or for the meals. But while they're here they come in and they look at a sculpture, or they come in and learn about branding for the first time. And so we're thrilled to death that we can have an event that will expose so much of what we do to so many people." Bauer said that to the Daily News photo by Andre Byik Alex Gilliland, left, and Bonnie Gilliland donned Civil War attire at the 32nd annual Tehama County Museum Jubilee on Saturday. museum's benefit, many of the jubilee's attractions, such as antique appraisals, meant "pure profit" for the museum. "People come in and they pay $5 per item to have it appraised," Bauer said. "(The appraisers) are working their own time. They're donating their own time, so it's entirely profit for the museum and that's what makes it so wonderful." Entertainment included performances by the Red Bluff Community Band, The Jammers, California Heat, Laurie Dana and Flashback. "All the performers out there, they bring in big bucks when they play a gig," Bauer said. "But they do it for us for free. And part of that is because they believe in what we're doing, but part of it is because this area, Tehama, it's a tough location to bring people to, and I think that people know that." See JUBILEE, page 5A