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TUESDAY Never Too Old To Pump Iron OCTOBER 8, 2013 Road Win Vitality Breaking news at: www.redbluffdailynews.com See Page 4A SPORTS 1B DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF Mostly sunny 77/53 Weather forecast 8B 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 Mutts on parade One killed in house fire A Red Bluff resident was killed after being trapped in a home after it caught fire Sunday. The Tehama-Glenn Unit of Cal Fire and the Tehama County Fire Department responded around 11:10 a.m. Sunday to a structure fire at 23370 Volcano Way in Red Bluff. Firefighters arriving on scene found the structure fully involved and were advised of a possible victim trapped inside the residence. The deceased victim was located once firefighters were able to gain access. Two other residents were able to escape the structure. They were transported to the hospital, due to injuries suffered in the fire. The victims' names have not been released. The fire was contained to the structure which was destroyed. Damage is estimated to be $150, 000 to the structure and contents. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Units from Cal Fire and Tehama County Fire's Antelope, Dibble Creek, El Camino and Los Molinos stations responded to the fire as well as the Red Bluff Fire Department. Daily News photo by Andre Byik Erin Eusted, owner of Rub A Dub Dog Grooming in Red Bluff, with her dog "Lambert" at the Mutts Strutt event Saturday at the Tehama District Fairground. Rub A Dub Dog Grooming provided grooming services at the event and raised about $30. By ANDRE BYIK DN Staff Writer The partial government shutdown that started Tuesday forced a shift in venue for the second Mutts Strutt event hosted by Providing Essentials for Tehama Shelter. Regardless, the event went on Saturday at the Tehama District Fairground and was deemed a success by organizers. "We wanted everybody to know that in Tehama County there is a lot available for animals and there are things to do for animals," said Ronnie Casey, chairperson for Mutts Strutt and vice president of PETS. The event, which benefits homeless animals in the county and provides help for the Tehama County Animal Care Center, originally was to be held at the Red Bluff Recreation Area on Sale Lane. That area, which is operated by the U.S. Forest Service, has been closed because of a lapse in federal government funding. "That was very scary, but I tell you, Tehama County and the community are amazing people," Casey said. "When the district fairgrounds heard that we were closed out they offered the area for us which was ideal because we were just down the block." But that didn't stop people from bringing their pets to the fairgrounds, where area businesses such as Rub A Dub Dog Grooming and Will's Skillz Professional Services, to name a few, provided training demonstrations or services on the warm and sunny day. Additionally, contests, live entertainment and police canine demonstrations were held at the four-hour event. Casey said the event gives PETS, Bill gives PUC leeway to restructure utility rates SACRAMENTO (AP) — A bill to promote greater use of renewable energy in California while allowing for changes in how consumers pay for electricity has been signed into law, Gov. Jerry Brown announced Monday. The Democratic governor said in a signing message that AB327 will provide ''comprehensive rate reform,'' but what that means will be determined by the California Public Utilities Commission. The new law authorizes the PUC to restructure electricity rates while protecting low-income customers and encouraging greater use of renewable energy. The bill includes legal guarantees of rate discounts for lowincome consumers that the commission must follow as it sets rates, but the bill's impact on the majority of ratepayers is unclear. Mark Toney, executive director of The Utility Reform Network, a consumer advocacy group, 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 said he expects the regulatory rate-setting process to take at least the next two years. ''We're pretty hopeful that the PUC will adopt something that's fair to consumers,'' he said. For instance, he is confident that advocates can fight provisions that would allow the commission to charge ratepayers fees of up to $10 a month or change the tiers that generally limit costs for consumers who use less electricity. He also was satisfied with protections built into the law for lowincome and residential consumers. Assemblyman Henry Perea, D-Fresno, previously said his bill will let the state replace outdated regulations adopted during the state's energy crisis more than a decade ago. The bill also makes it clear that California's goal of obtaining a third of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020 is a minimal requirement and not an upper limit — ''a floor, not a ceiling,'' Brown said in his signing message. He See BILL, page 7A a nonprofit, more exposure while it provides animal information to the community. "The biggest expectation was to get our name out even more so into the community because we would like to offer our services to show up for education in schools and organizations," she said. "We feel the more information that is out there, there are more responsible pet owners." The Tehama County Animal Care Center booth showcased adoptable dogs and cats, and provided microchipping services as well. "A lot of people have a feeling that with shelter animals it's very sad, sad stories, you know no good outcomes," Casey said, adding, "We want to show them that it's fun. It's See MUTTS, page 7A City draws from general fund for overtime pay By RICH GREENE DN Staff Writer The Red Bluff City Council once again dipped into a dwindling general fund Tuesday to address a public safety issuing facing the city. The council approved a pair of supplemental budget appropriations totaling $26,500 to pay for additional overtime for firefighter staffing and the administration cost of running a firefighter academy for new reserves. It was a little more than half of what Fire Chief Jon Bennett had requested, but $20,000 more than City Manager Richard Crabtree had recommended. Bennett said the lack of an overtime budget was creating safety corners for his staff and residents. The department considers 4-person shifts to be at full staffing levels, but in increasing incidences have seen three or even 2person shifts. In a rare move, the city manager wrote his own supplemental staff report to address the issue of ballooning overtime costs for the fire department. Crabtree said while he agreed with all of the concerns Bennett raised he could not overlook the impact it would have on the general fund. The city's general fund ended the 2012-13 fiscal year with a projected balance of $703,614. Following mandatory raises for city employees and council approved supplemental budget appropriations for police vehiSee CITY, page 7A Apple fest shines in Manton By ANDRE BYIK DN Staff Writer MANTON — Food vendors scrambled to keep up with demand Saturday at the annual apple festival here as thousands descended on Manton Elementary School for a showcase of arts, crafts and, of course, apples. The turnout at the 22nd annual Manton Apple Festival was said to best last year's attendance by a large margin, which translated to dwindling stock. "It is absolutely amazing this year," said Corey Livingston, Manton Apple Festival Committee member. About two hours before the event's close, the Manton Apple Festival Committee was slicing the last of the 180 apple pies it prepared, with some help, for the day. "We had our first customers at like 8:30 (in the morning)," Livingston said. Luis Velasquez, of Esperanza's Tamales, said he sold out of his tamales about three hours into the 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. event. It was Velasquez's first year at the apple festival, and he said he wasn't really prepared for the Daily News photo by Andre Byik Appleland Orchards manager Logan Burnett, right, said the 22nd annual Manton Apple Festival on Saturday at Manton Elementary school was the orchard's big selling day of the year. long lines and hungry festival-goers. Velasquez said his wife was working a farmers market in Redding on Saturday and he gave her a call. "Hurry up, how much you got left?" he said he asked his wife. "She said 'None, we're out.' Oh, my God," he added, with a laugh. Velasquez said he'll be back, and prepared, next year. And at the Appleland Orchards booth, owner Mary Collier, manager Logan Burnett and Jacob Lawless were selling apples, box by box, until only their Golden Delicious variety was left. "It's our big day of the year," Burnett said. "It's Smog Inspection $ 2595 +$825 certificate (MOST CARS & PICK-UPS) • Members Welcome 530 See MANTON, page 7A 527-9841 195 S. Main St., Red Bluff