Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/179793
Thursday, September 26, 2013 – Daily News Setting it straight –––––––– It is the policy of the Daily News to correct as quickly as possible all errors in fact that have been published in the newspaper. If you feel a factual error has been made in a news story, call the news department at 527-2153. SHOTS Continued from page 1A to noon, cash or Medicare Part B. • Wednesday, Oct. 16 in Corning - Senior Center, 1015 4th Ave. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., cash or Medicare Part B. • Friday, Oct. 25 in Corning - Meuser Building, 275 Solano St. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., cash or Medicare Part B. The Tehama County Health Officer Dr. Richard Wickenheiser has mandated that every health care worker in Tehama County will be vaccinated or will wear a mask at work for the entire influenza season. They will be doing their part to keep you and your family healthy and safe. Don't forget to do your part by visiting one of the many flu clinics being offered. For any additional questions about the flu clinics or about how to stay healthy during flu season, contact the Tehama County Health Services Agency - Public Health Division at (530) 527-6824. BUTTE Continued from page 1A Machado at 530-865-4722 ext. 32 or by email at Amber.r.machado@usace.army.mil for further information. "Whether you're coming solo or you're bringing a service group, we have a project for you," said Machado. "Bring your work gloves, your outdoor spirit and prepare to have fun." Governor signs bill hiking California minimum wage LOS ANGELES (AP) — Calling it a ''matter of justice,'' Gov. Jerry Brown put his signature on a bill that will hike California's minimum wage to $10 an hour within three years, making it one of the highest rates in the nation. The legislation signed Wednesday at a ceremony in downtown Los Angeles will gradually raise the current minimum of $8 an hour to $9 on July 1, 2014, then to $10 on Jan. 1, 2016. The increase is the first to the state's minimum wage in six years and comes amid a national debate over whether it's fair to pay fast-food workers, retail clerks and others wages so low that they often have to work second or third jobs. Brown called the bill an overdue piece of legislation that will help working-class families and close the gap between ''workers at the bottom and those who occupy the commanding heights of the economy.'' The governor was joined by state legislators and business owners who supported the measure, saying increased wages would boost the state's economy. The state Senate approved AB10 on a 26-11 vote Sept. 12, and the Assembly followed hours later on a 51-25 vote. Both chambers voted largely along party lines. Miguel Aguilar, a worker at a Los Angeles car wash, thanked the governor for signing the bill. ''We work really long hours,'' said Aguilar, who has a union contract. ''Now, with the increase in the minimum wage, we'll be able to sustain an income that can support our families.'' Supporters said the bill by Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Watsonville, would help workers left behind during the recent recession. ''A higher minimum wage will mean much-needed money in the pockets of millions of workers in the state, and that's good news for businesses throughout California that will benefit from increased consumer spending,'' Gary Gerber, founder and CEO of Sun Light & Power in Berkeley, said in a statement. In opposing the measure, Republican lawmakers said increased wages would encourage businesses to cut jobs and automate. The California Chamber of Commerce was against the bill, saying it will drive up businesses' costs by ratcheting up other wages and workers' compensation payments. ''Small business owners will now be forced to make tough choices including reducing employee hours, cutting positions entirely, and for many, closing their doors altogether,'' said John Kabateck, head of the California branch of the National Federation of Independent Business. Federal law sets a minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, but California is among 19 states and the District of Columbia that set a higher state minimum wage. The federal minimum provides $15,080 a year assuming a 40-hour work week, which is $50 below the federal poverty line for a family of two. More than 15 million workers nationally earn the national minimum, which compares with the median national salary of $40,350, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. President Barack Obama has sought an increase of the federal minimum wage to $9 an hour. Among states, Washington has the top minimum wage at $9.19 an hour, an amount pegged to rise with inflation. But some cities have set higher rates, including San Francisco, which has the nation's highest minimum wage at $10.50 an hour. The California bill does not index the rate to inflation, meaning it would remain at $10 per hour unless the Legislature raises it again in the future. 7A Vina man killed in wreck with fire engine MediaNews Group HAMILTON CITY — The man who died after his pickup collided with a fire engine Monday has been identified as Vina resident George Akers. The 65-year-old was westbound on Highway 32 and yielding to the right to a Hamilton City Fire Department engine coming in the opposite direction, according to the California Highway Patrol. The YOUTH Continued from page 1A at Crags Campground near the northwest corner of Lassen Volcanic, will include dormitory styled tent cabins, shower and toilet facilities, picnic pavilions and two small amphitheaters for group gatherings and science and nature educational sessions. CHP said for an unknown reason Akers made a sharp left into the path of the emergency responder about 1:50 p.m. Monday. Akers' older model Ford Ranger was broadsided by the 1991 Ford F600 driven by volunteer firefighter Mario Medrano, 27. Akers had to be freed from his mangled pickup and was rushed to Enloe Medical Center in Chico, where he succumbed to his injuries. "A dedicated camp for these groups will provide a better experience for the kids," Gray said. "Children will have their own bunk bed, better places to learn and will have more time to experience the park rather than struggling to acclimate to their first time camping. For those of us who camp, we've never had to experience what these kids are going through." BALLOT Continued from page 1A Sandra Bruce in April to fill Russell's seat. But as a Charter County, Tehama has the right to choose its own appointment method if the change in charter is approved by the board and voters. The drafted change would give the Board of Supervisors 90 days to appoint a replacement, at which time the decision would default back to the governor. Similar to the state law, if the vacancy occurred within the first two years of a term a special election would be held for the term's remaining two years. Bruce's District 2 seat is up for the remaining two years of the term in June 2014. The seat will go back on to its regular 4-year cycle in 2016. Ten out of the state's 13 charter counties have their own methods for filing vacancies, some of which include holding special elections more quickly following a vacancy. Tehama County Clerk Bev Ross Medrano was also transported to the hospital as a precaution. The CHP is still investigating the incident. Medrano, who had the engine's lights and sirens going, was on his way to an accident involving a double-bottom dump truck that went off the road and down an embankment, according to CHP. The driver of that truck complained of pain but wasn't seriously injured. Most of the children in the groups that participate come from broken, dysfunctional or impoverished families who are least likely to take their children camping. "They arrive often hesitant about camping, wary of wildlife and terrified by a night devoid of city lights," Gray said. "They leave proud of their accomplishments, fascinated by the millions of estimated such a special election in Tehama County would cost around $12,000. Chairman Dennis Garton said he did not think the county needed to spend that type of money should another vacancy happen in the future, because the remaining board should be able to do the job they were elected to do. Supervisor Steve Chamblin called the drafted measure a good plan for continuity of representation for each of the county's five districts. The supervisors briefly discussed decreasing their own self-imposed 90-day limit, but in the end decided that time frame would provide the right balance of quickness and diligence. "It's 90 days quicker than the governor did last time," Supervisor Bob Williams said, referring to Bruce's appointment, which came about six months after the seat was vacated. In regards to a second measure to adjust the salaries of the Board of Supervisors, the board decided Tuesday only on which ballot they would prefer the measure to appear, but did not discuss specifics of any stars they've seen in the night sky and eager to learn more about their world and its universe." The Lassen Park Foundation is a 501.c.3 nonprofit, charitable organization that raises donations for programs and projects conducted within Lassen Volcanic National Park. More about the Lassen Park Foundation is found at www.lassenparkfoundation.org. proposals. The 2012-13 Grand Jury had recommended supervisor salaries be raised so as not to detract qualified applicants in the future. It recommended the issue be put to voters on a ballot. The board unanimously agreed it would prefer the issue to be on the June 2014 ballot rather than in November 2014. Williams said the June elections attract voters who seriously care about county elections. He said the measure would address a serious county issue and therefore should be decided by such. Garton asked for the measure to be prepared as quickly as possible so there would be time for it to be discussed at voter forums in the upcoming election cycle. Chief Administrator Bill Goodwin said a study session would be scheduled within the next month to discuss what a future compensation package may look like, when it would take affect and accompanying ballot language. Rich Greene can be reached at 527-2151, ext. 109 or rgreene@redbluffdailynews.com. Poll: Early inmate releases worry Californians SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Californians are concerned about the possible early release of state inmates and say they are not confident local governments can handle the extra responsibilities under the criminal justice realignment plan pushed by Gov. Jerry Brown, according to a poll released Wednesday by the Public Policy Institute of California. The statewide survey found that about half of likely California voters support the proposal by the Democratic governor and Legislature to take more time to reduce the prison population and increase money for rehabilitation programs. The federal courts had given the state until the end of the year to reduce the population by an additional 9,600 inmates but extended that this week until late January. The governor and lawmakers had sought a threeyear extension. Some, 77 percent of likely voters said they are very or somewhat concerned that the state still could be forced to release thousands of prisoners early. Nearly half said vio- lence and street crime are at least somewhat of a problem in their communities, with black and Latino voters most frequently reporting concerns. Six in 10 likely voters said they are not confident their local government can handle the new responsibilities created by shifting lower-risk inmates from state prisons to county jails, which is one of the main ways Brown is complying with the federal court's order to lower the prison population. That federal court battle, which revolves around improving prison medical care to constitutional standards, and the 2011 realignment law have contributed to growing crime and public safety concerns for Californians, said Mark Baldassare, the poll's director and the institute's chief executive. ''For the last two years, Californians have been hearing a lot about crime and prison issues with realignment and continuing efforts to address overcrowding in prisons,'' he said. ''People are watching this issue.'' Statistics from the state Department of Justice show that while violent crime rose slightly in 2012, California's rates were half those seen 20 years ago. In the institute's poll, roughly half of likely voters said their local government is doing enough to combat crime, while 39 percent said those officials should be doing more. The survey also found Californians reporting record-high support for same-sex marriage and legalizing marijuana. They also favor a path to citizenship for immigrants in the country illegally and express uncertainty about how the federal health care law will affect them. The survey was based on interviews with 1,703 adults by landline and cellphone Sept. 10-17. It has a sampling error margin of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points for all adults, and plus or minus 4.5 percentage points for likely voters. Among its other findings: — Legalizing marijuana drew majority support for the first time, with 52 percent of Californians and 60 percent of likely voters in favor. Nearly seven in 10 likely voters say the federal government should not enforce national marijuana laws in states that allow its use. — A record level of likely voters, 64 percent, support same-sex marriage. The issue also received majority backing from respondents 55 years and older. — Nearly eight in 10 likely voters favor a path to citizenship for immigrants in the country illegally. — With the new health insurance exchange set to open Tuesday, four in 10 likely voters said they do not think the federal health care law will make a difference for them and their families. Another 22 percent say they will be better off because of the law, while 34 percent say they expect to be worse off. — On public education funding, 72 percent of Californians support the additional money for schools that was approved in this year's state budget. Most respondents also said they are confident their local schools will use the money wisely. UC Davis to lead national climate change study SACRAMENTO (AP) — The University of California, Davis, has been awarded an $11 million federal grant to lead a study of how to reduce the impact the nation's transportation system has on climate change. The Sacramento Bee reports the school was chosen this week in a national competition by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The two-year study to be led by the Davis Institute for Transportation Studies will look into ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by Americans' regular trips in cars, buses, trains and planes. The researchers will also come up with ways to keep people moving when catastrophic climate events such as hurricanes occur. Davis officials say the grant will boost their ongoing efforts to reduce the amount of driving Californians do daily.