Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/22090
MONDAY DECEMBER 27, 2010 Breaking news at: Power Nap Fights Fatigue Vitality www.redbluffdailynews.com See Page 6A RED BLUFF Mister and Misses Smith SPORTS 1B Mostly cloudy 54/43 Weather forecast 6B 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 Hope spread thin Mission seeks volunteers, donations By ANDREA WAGNER DN Staff Writer Hands of Hope Rescue Mission volunteers are praying for more hands. The agency, operating inside a one-room store- front next to the Crystal Motel, needs a bigger building and more help from the community, but many may not know it exists. Jake Black, a member of the mission’s board of directors, has been trying to get the message out. Black sent out a plea asking for property own- ers in Red Bluff to open up a vacant building for the mission to use, per- haps one that has room for a truck to back up to it. The mission board would like to see more people willing to give time and donations, including things like tarps, can openers and other items for sleeping outside. “There’s a lot going on and we’d like to keep it going on,” Black said. “It will only happen if peo- ple know we’re here.” Hands of Hope helpers, who Black calls “God’s Volunteers,” have been handing out clothes, food and other items to needy and homeless peo- ple for more than 10 years. After the recession hit, the mission has start- ed running out of room and resources to help the increasing number of clients. The first week of each month, the mission serves about 45 people, up from a previous average of five, said Program Direc- tor Brett Jones. During the last week, the hardest week, of each month, Hands of Hope has been getting close to 60 people coming in. New clients New laws allow state to begin health reforms SACRAMENTO (AP) — California will create an Internet-based insurance exchange to let consumers comparison-shop for affordable health insurance cover- age under two of the many laws taking effect with the new year. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed bills in September mak- ing California the first state to authorize an over- sight board for an insurance exchange market- place since the federal health care overhaul was enacted earlier this year. Massa- chusetts imple- mented its exchange before the federal reforms. The Republican governor and Democratic legislative leaders who carried SB900 and AB1602 said the com- panion bills will drive down costs and give consumers more options by promoting competition between health insurance companies. Republican lawmakers countered that the measures create an expensive new health care bureaucracy even before the federal law takes effect in 2014. ‘The governor- elect supported the president’s efforts early on and will continue to do so’ Evan Westrup, spokesman for Gov.-elect Jerry Brown Supporters said the five-member board overseeing the California Health Benefit Exchange will need those three years to hire staff, set up the program, select health plans to participate and enroll Californians need- ing health insurance. Amy Palmer says establishing such a mechanism is ‘‘an extraordinary job in the best of circumstances,’’ Health and Human Services Agency spokeswoman let alone while the state faces a budget deficit of at least $25 billion through June 2012 and a change in admin- istration. Daily News photo by Andrea Wagner Program Director Brett Jones shows the dwindling supplies available at the Hands of Hope Rescue Mission. have doubled at least. Although Jones refus- es to turn anyone away, sometimes it can be hard to fill a request. This week, a familiar male client called in and need- ed a new wheelchair. One social service agency had one for $45. Jones wanted to help pay for it, but there were not enough resources available. “The need never stops,” Jones said. “My heart breaks for each and every one of them.” A Christian-based, non-denominational Rains return to soggy California LOS ANGELES (AP) — The rains and snows that returned to California Christmas night caused some traffic closures, but there were no immediate reports of serious flood- ing. Portions of the 110 Freeway in the Los Ange- les area were shut down early Sunday due to flooding but were re- opened before dawn, according to the Califor- nia Highway Patrol. The National Weather Service reported Sunday that about a quarter of an inch of rain fell in down- town Los Angeles overnight and 0.39 inches in suburban Pasadena. But most areas in the county received much less rainfall and by mid-morn- ing the wet weather had subsided. ‘‘It’s over,’’ said Bill Hoffer, a spokesman for the National Weather Ser- vice in Los Angeles. Sheriff’s departments in the counties of Los Angeles, Ventura, River- side and San Bernadino reported early Sunday that they had no serious problems connected with the storm. Heavy rains in Califor- nia last week caused tens of millions of dollars of damage, according to pre- liminary estimates. A state of emergency was declared in 11 counties, including Los Angeles, Orange and Santa Bar- bara. Partly cloudy condi- tions were forecast for Los Angeles Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, with sunny weather returning to the region Monday afternoon. Rain is expected to return early Wednesday, but it’s too soon to know the severity of the storm, Hof- fer said. 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 See RAINS, page 5A organization, the mission gives everything received directly back to the com- munity. Everything offered to clients is free, unlike other agencies who may sell donations to benefit the agency, Jones said. Some items that are always needed include Bibles, plastic grocery bags, men’s clothing and food of any kind. Often the most needed are items someone would need for camping. Some last minute Christmas pre- sents for children are needed as well. Jones is hopeful. “I think people have great hearts, and they’re awesome, but they just don’t know we’re here,” he said. Hands of Hope is open 9:30 a.m. to noon, Tues- day through Friday, at 333 Main St., Ste. Q. Call 586-2291 for informa- tion. The health agency secretary is one of five board members. Gov.-elect Jerry Brown made it one of his first two appointment announcements in early Decem- ber, a month before he was set to take office. Brown said he would retain Schwarzenegger’s finance director and appoint Diana Dooley as the new health secretary. Dooley had been president and chief executive of the California Children’s Hospital Association. ‘‘The governor-elect supported the president’s efforts early on and will continue to do so,’’ Brown spokesman Evan Westrup said. Schwarzenegger is to appoint two members of the California Health Benefit Exchange before his term ends Jan. 3, and the Legislature will appoint the remaining two. Those laws are among many taking effect Jan. 1. A look at some of the others: ——— Andrea Wagner can be reached at 527-2153, extension 114 or awagner@redbluffdailyn ews.com. — Possession of up to one ounce of marijuana becomes an infraction no more serious than a speeding ticket. The maximum penalty of a $100 fine and no jail time does not change under SB1449 by Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco. However, reducing the crime See LAWS, page 5A Students grant Christmas wish for 60 Special to the DN Seven students and two staff members from West- ern Oregon University, in Monmouth, Ore., arrived at Sunshine Sanctuary for Kids and Horses Monday Dec. 12 to spend a week preparing for the sanctu- ary’s Children’s Carnival. The focus of the stu- dent lead “Alternative Break Week” is on service and strengthening team- work, communication and leadership skills. The stu- dents chose to help North- ern California children’s Christmas dreams come true. Students and Sunshine Sanctuary volunteers spent the week decorating a tree, the craft room and the arena, and grooming the Santa Cruz horses. There were several rainy days during preparations and the forecast called for severe rain Saturday so hoped the clouds would part during the event. When daylight arrived on Saturday Dec 18, the rain stopped at Sunshine Sanctuary. Many parents See WISH, page 5A Courtesy photo Hailie Jenkins, 4, of Corning, is assisted by Western Oregon University student is Stephanie Lane while she rides “Delta.”