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WEEKEND OCTOBER 5-6 2013 Breaking news at: www.redbluffdailynews.com Northwest Arkansas Jean Barton — Page 8A DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF Sunny 83/54 Weather forecast 10A TEHAMA COUNTY $1.00 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 Victim ID'd in 36W homicide, suspects caught DN Staff Report The Tehama County Sheriff's Department has released more details about a shooting Thursday morning that resulted in the death of a 37-year-old Redding man. Deputies and Red Bluff Police Department officers responded to the AM-PM Market on North Main Street around 9 a.m. for a report of a gunshot victim, according to a department press release. The victim, later identified as Keo Oudone Vannarath had been transported to the location in a private vehicle. Two other passengers in the vehicle told law enforcement they had been the victim of a robbery about 12 miles west of Red Bluff. Vannarath was transported to St. Elizabeth Community Hospital via ambulance, but was pronounced dead shortly after. A preliminary examination indicated he died of gunshot wounds. Based on witness statements, deputies determined the shooting occurred at 15800 State Route 36W, where Vannarath and the other two individuals reside. Those three people had been involved in a medical marijuana growing operation and were in the process of harvesting the marijuana. The witnesses reported they were approached by three men, who were armed with a shot- Restoring river's flow gun, a semi-automatic rifle and a pistol. The intent of the three suspects was to take the processed marijuana. The three suspects, all from Fresno, have since been identified as Roger Sandy Bounnhaseng, 31; Alan Duane Doulphus Jr., 26; and Chase See VICTIM, page 9A Antique Street Faire Sunday The charming village atmosphere of Downtown Red Bluff will be the home of the 22nd annual Red Bluff Antique Street Faire on Sunday, Oct. 6. If you are looking for that one of a kind antique or vintage item you are sure to find it here. Vendors showcase a wide variety of vintage and antique furniture, dishes, glassware, jewelry, clothing, books, art and toys. There will be numerous vendors with booths on Washington and Pine streets. In addition to the show the local Red Bluff antique stores, restaurants and other See FAIRE, page 9A SRDC gardening projects put on temporary hold Special to the DN By RICH GREENE DN Staff Writer CORNING — A decades old plan to restore the flow of the Sacramento River near Woodson Bridge appears to finally have the funding to move forward. The Department of Water Resource presented the Kopta Slough Flood Damage Reduction and Habitat Restoration Project to the Tehama County Board of Supervisors Tuesday. The plan would restore the river to its natural flow it had before the 1960s when engineers concerned about erosion problems built a rock bank north of the bridge to redirect the water flow to the east. The intention of the previous plan worked, but it has also caused erosion concerns on the other bank of the river, specifically in Woodson Bridge and frequent flooding in the South Avenue area. Supervisor Dennis Garton said his main concern with the Kopta Slough project was that it wouldn't get done before the river washed away the bridge. The first stage of the project would be to transfer ownership of the 648-acre Kopta Slough property. That land, being used for alfalfa a production, is part of the State California sues to restore federal transit funds SACRAMENTO (AP) — California officials filed suit Friday against the U.S. Department of Labor, arguing that the federal agency is improperly denying billions of dollars in mass transit money to the state after lawmakers approved pension reforms. Gov. Jerry Brown's office said in announcing the lawsuit that the Democratic governor wants to defend last year's law requiring state employees to contribute more to their pensions to ensure the retirement system remains viable. Unions had objected to the new pension requirements, arguing that federal law prohibits such changes outside of the collective bargaining process. Labor officials ultimately agreed and refused to certify that California agencies were complying with federal statute. The agency's decision blocked at least $1.6 billion in U.S. Department of Transportation grants to California. The state's lawsuit, See FUNDS, page 9A Controller Environmental Trust. DWR Environmental Program Manager Aric Lester said originally the plan was to have the state purchase the property, but due to the financial troubles of the State Parks system U.S. Fish and Wildlife is now being looked at. As far back as 2007 the Tehama County Board of Supervisors urged state officials to transfer ownership. Once the property is either in state or federal control, officials would restore 176 acres of riparian habitat in the northeast section. Lester said that would provide See FLOW, page 9A The Sacramento River Discovery Center's Discovery Garden received notification that its current plans are on hold until the U.S. Government goes back to work. Bobie Hughes, volunteer executive director of the SRDC, and the crew of dedicated volunteers have been hard at work cleaning and preparing the garden for a flurry of fall activities when notice was given that the Red Bluff Recreation Area was being closed to the public and its resident lease holder. Walkers, runners and bike riders can still make use of the trails, but the public is asked to park outside the gate. The Slough Fire salvage operations are also halted until the recreation area is open to the public. SRDC activities also are on temporary hold. We hope people will come to the Center and help us get ready for our Plant Sale after the crisis is over. The sale is scheduled for Nov. 2. At the Sacramento River Discovery Center's two-acre garden the recent cooler weather has spurred a flurry of activity. The work in the garden continues to be accomplished by a group of fantastic volunteers. Spending some place between one hour and 10 hours a week, they have changed the appearance of the garden and have started to do some replanting. Some of the new plants have come from stock in the garden, but working to replace some plants lost over the last few years the Center has purchased plants from See SRDC, page 9A Group meets to address homeless issues The unofficial Homeless Steering Committee held a meeting on Sept. 26 at the Red Bluff Community Center. Presenters included Bill Goodwin, Scott Camp, Gail Locke, Pat Johnston and EC Ross, who discussed their findings from a survey of homeless individuals and projects they wish to undertake. Red Bluff Police Chief Paul Nanfito was also in attendance. Scott Camp reminded the audience that the purpose of the group was to aid the homeless not to eliminate homelessness. He said a survey of more than 200 homeless people indicated the vast majority were from this area, not transplants. A large number have chronic health issues, and many suffer from the stigma of being a homeless person. The survey revealed a list of things that could be done to alleviate difficulties they face, including a day center, modeled after the AB 109 Day Reporting Center; a dedicated camp site; a safe overnight parking location and an overnight center. Goodwin said a dedicated camp site was not in the immediate future, as the county does not have the fiscal and mental health resources to support such a site. He said other counties are facing similar fiscal problems. Ross said the group is pursuing some locations for an overnight shelter, but had nothing to announce at that time. The rotating shelter at participating churches is scheduled to open Nov. 1 and run through April 30. The shelters provide an evening meal and breakfast to those who stay there. Camp said an average of more than 40 people utilized the shelter each night. There are strict guidelines for those who stay at the shelter. There has been a concern for a safe area for overnight parking for people who live in their cars. The group is looking into a safe parking area where a portapotty and dumpster would be available. Camp said many homeless people would like to obtain work. Between the stigma of being homeless and the bundle of possession they have to keep with them at all times, being prepared for job interviews is awkward at best. Having a safe place to store their items, a place to clean up, and a little training in job application skills would be a help. Locke said that Nov. 15 is the date for LIFT Tehama, an event at the Tehama District Fairground that provides services for the poor and the homeless. Members of several agencies and health professionals contribute their time to help. The meeting ended with an understanding there is much to be done; that the homeless problem is, as Nanfito put it, a community problem, not a law enforcement problem.