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TUESDAY DECEMBER 17, 2013 Antibacterial Help or Harm? Hoops Wrap Up Vitality Breaking news at: www.redbluffdailynews.com See Page 4A SPORTS 1B DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF Mostly sunny 66/37 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 Weather forecast 8B City mulls public safety tax Ju st cau se By RICH GREENE DN Staff Writer Red Bluff's City Council will consider placing a one-quarter cent sales tax on the November ballot to pay for additional police and fire department services when it meets 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 555 Washington St. The tax would amount to an additional penny for every $4 purchase made within city limits, the equivalent of $1 for every $400 spent. City staff says if passed by voters the tax would raise an additional $600,000 annually for the public safety departments. If the council proceeds with the recommendation, the measure would appear on the November 2014 ballot. The tax would have to pass with more than majority approval to take effect as well as have four-fifths of the City Council approve an ordinance imposing the sales tax. A staff report says the new tax would be used to "support such things as increases in personnel; capital See TAX, page 7A National Finals Rodeo leaving Las Vegas Courtesy photo Big Apple Preschool and Day Care Center students and teachers present their donations to the Red Bluff Gold Exchange's second annual Christmas for a Cause event that benefits Tehama County nonprofit organizations. By ANDRE BYIK DN Staff Writer In a culmination Saturday at The Gold Exchange's second annual Christmas for a Cause gift drive event, refrigerator-sized boxes of donations symbolized the spirit of a community. The Christmas for a Cause event, spearheaded by Jessie Woods, who owns the Red Bluff Gold Exchange and is described as the motor that keeps the gift drive running, benefited Tehama County nonprofit organizations. The event enjoyed an uptick in donations compared to last year. Groups from school children, such as those at Big Apple Preschool and Day Care Center, to the Tehama County CattleWomen provided myriad gifts ranging from toys to the essentials, said Mandi Selvester-Owens, a media representative for the event. From mid-November through Saturday, The Gold Exchange fielded donations for seven nonprofits in the county, including Children First Foster Family Agency, Alternatives to Violence, Transitional Living Center, Ripe for Harvest Jail & Prison Ministry, Military Family Support Group of Tehama County, Poor and the Homeless Winter Shelter, and Tehama County Senior Nutrition Program. "It's not just helping one person," Selvester-Owens said. "It's helping the organization so they can help exponentially more people." Those organizations created 'Most the (children) that are here, they're coming from abusive relationships, so they have no stability in their lives. At least the kids will have a little Christmas' — Stephanie Petersen, Alternatives to Violence wish lists of their needs, which ranged from underwear, bed sheets and sleeping bags, to bicycles, dolls and TVs. With the help of the community, Selvester-Owens said, most items on the nonprofits' wish lists were checked off. The sentiment from at least one organization, SelvesterOwens said, was that it didn't believe in a handout, but a hand up. Alternatives to Violence, a nonprofit in Red Bluff that assists with counseling to transitional housing, received such items as laundry soap, blankets, towels and toys. Stephanie Petersen, a domestic violence counselor and an advocate with Alternatives to Violence, said most of the gifts go toward its shelter, and that kids, especially, will benefit. "Most the (children) that are here, they're coming from abusive relationships, so they have no sta- Child exploitation targeted in North State SACRAMENTO – United States Attorney Benjamin Wagner announces the following indictments, guilty plea, and sentencing. These cases are part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative that was launched to increase federal prosecutions of sexual predators of children, and to reduce the number of Internet crimes against children 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 including child pornography trafficking. Indictments A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment against Jesse Davenport, 25, of Chico, charging him with Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography. According to court documents, on three occasions between Aug. 27 and Sept. 4, Davenport received or distributed child pornography through the Internet. This case was the product of an investigation by agents See CHILD, page 7A bility in their lives," Petersen said. She added, "At least the kids will have a little Christmas." Linda Dickerson, associate director at the organization, said providing help and services is the result of an integral partnership with the community. "Any (organization) cannot do it alone," Dickerson said. "They cannot do it without the community backing." The Christmas for a Cause response, Dickerson said, was wonderful, especially taking into account that times can be tough for some. "We're always grateful to get toys for children, because not only do we use it at Christmas time, we need it all year round," she said, adding, "So this can kind of be Christmas all year round." The Red Bluff Gold Exchange is at 413 Walnut St. LAS VEGAS (AP) — The National Finals Rodeo is planning to leave Las Vegas for Florida after 29 years, depriving Sin City of an event that brings nearly $100 million in economic impact annually as thousands of cowboys and rodeo fans descend on the city each December. News of the tentative deal drew groans from Sin City's powerful hotel and restaurant workers union and others who benefit from the 10-day event, which takes place in the city's tourism slow season. Tourism officials vowed to launch a competing rodeo. ''We are disappointed that the PRCA has chosen to pursue a completely speculative offer versus Las Vegas' proven 29-year track record,'' Michael Mack, spokesman for Las Vegas Events, said in a statement. ''Now that we know the PRCA's true intentions, we will put our full effort into developing a new Series and Finals.'' The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association board voted 6-3 Sunday to turn down Sin City's offer in favor of an agreement with Florida's Osceola County, south of Orlando. Osceola County commissioners voted 5-0 Sunday to accept a memorandum of understanding that allows 90 days to close the deal. The plan calls for the 2015 event to be held at the nearby Amway Center, home of the Orlando Magic; county officials vowed to have a new, 24,000-seat arena ready for the event by the fall of 2016. The deal also would include $16 million annually for the rodeo association's prize money and administrative costs, as well as revenue sharing. ''I say we've put together the best incentive package for the PRCA,'' said Osceola County Commission Chairman Fred Hawkins Jr., who added that he's not ruling out other contender cities just yet. ''We have all the venues here to do exactly what the NFR does in Vegas.'' The 300,000-person county, home to a rodeo once considered the largest east of the Mississippi, offered about $4 million more than Las Vegas. ''Adding an additional $4 million to the budget would require a 40 percent increase in ticket prices,'' Mack said. ''That is not sustainable. We have to balance the demands of the PRCA with the consequence of pricing our fans out of the market.'' The National Finals Rodeo has been an economic boon for Las Vegas, drawing almost 53,000 out-of-town visitors in 2012, according to See RODEO, page 7A Takota's Tree fundraiser ends today REDDING –The California Department of Transportation District 2 is holding a very special holiday fundraiser this year. Four-year-old Takota McAllister is the grandson of Shirley McAllister, a D2 Transportation Engineering Technician, who's worked for Caltrans for 23 years. Takota was born weighing just 1.8 pounds. He has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Immunodeficiency disorder, ADHD, Asthma, Sleep Apnea and has severe lung disease. He must wear oxygen 24 hours a day, which is carried by his service dog, Jasper and yet, he remains a most positive, energetic young boy. Takota must travel frequently to Stanford Medical Center from his home in Weed. His mother Christina and his grandmother Shirley, take turns in the winter and summer months installing chains and chopping wood to help pay for Takota's numerous medications. "Every year, Caltrans holds a holiday fundraiser," said District 2 Director John Bulinski. "This year, after hearing about the McAllisters, we decided to come together and raise money for one of our own, and it truly has made this season very special." Gifts have been placed under Takota's Tree in the District Office at 1657 Riverside Drive in Redding. Cash and gift card donations have also been collected. Employees will be joined by country singer Chad Bushnell and members of the Asphalt Cowboys to present the donations to Shirley, Christina, Takota and Jasper at 11:30 a.m. today on the second floor of the District Office.