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THURSDAY JANUARY 13, 2011 Breaking news at: Thurman Named Artist of the Month Pastimes www.redbluffdailynews.com See Page 8A RED BLUFF Unlimited QB Options SPORTS 1B likely Weather forecast 8B Rain 51/43 By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer CORNING — The question of eligibility still remains for Jesse Lopez, the top vote getter in November’s election, with the City Council Tuesday to putting off a decision until Jan. 25. Lopez won a seat on the council in November, but some residents claim he is ineligible 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 Corning council seat remains in limbo to hold office due to a previous felony forgery conviction that was later reduced to a misde- meanor. A decision on Lopez’s eligi- bility to hold a council seat also would affect his position as a member of the Planning Com- mission, said Mayor Gary Strack. ‘The voters have chosen him and I feel he has a right to have a judge’s opinion. However, if the court determined him not eligible, the only option would be a special election’ “There’s a definite conflict between what seems very clear in the court order obtained by Mr. Lopez and Government Code section 1021,” said City City Attorney Mike Fitzpatrick Graze anatomy Attorney Mike Fitzpatrick. “I recommend continuing the mat- ter until the next council meet- ing. We hope to know by then when Mr. Lopez will be going to court.” A July 27, 2009, Tehama County Superior court order given to the council reads that Lopez is “released from all penalties and disabilities result- See SEAT, page 7A Trial set in Paynes Creek murder A trial date was set Tuesday for a Paynes Creek woman charged with murdering her live-in boyfriend. Susan Amelia Childs, 50, will stand trial on March 8, according to court documents. Four trial days have been set, if needed. In February 2010, Childs and the victim, Larry Lee Arnel, were arguing inside their Plum Creek See TRIAL, page 7A Report: Brown’s budget would help rebuild Calif. SACRAMENTO (AP) — The Legislature’s non- partisan analyst on Wednesday called Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget pro- posal a ‘‘good starting point’’ for rebuilding state government but cautioned that it carries a lot of risk. Legislative Analyst Photo courtesy of Jean Barton The Barton cattle are seen grazing on the open range, in this undated file photo. By TANG LOR DN Staff Writer Cattle grazing in the Tehama Wildlife Area begins this weekend with cattlemen moving hundreds of heads of live- stock into the area that will be home for the next four months. Grazing on the Tehama Wildlife Area, which is man- aged by the state Department of Fish and Game, has been a decades-long tradition that benefits the land, cattle and wildlife, such as deer. This year, DFG asked the Tehama County Resource Conservation District to administer the grazing program, which means the money will stay local. “In the past, funds have gone to Sacramento and deposited into the state budget to be spent on who knows what,” said Jim Chakarun, DFG wildlife habitat supervisor II. Under the program the Tehama Wildlife Area is split into 10 allotments, which are leased for grazing. The bid- ding process for the allotments was done in November, and Injuries result from motorcycle, truck collision A 17-year-old boy driving a red, 1972 Chevrolet S-10 pickup collided with a motorcy- cle at an intersection of Dumosa Drive and Wal- nut Street at around 3:36 p.m. Tuesday. The boy and two pas- sengers were uninjured, but the motorcycle’s dri- ver, Denney Traylor, 53, of Red Bluff was taken by ambulance to St. Eliz- abeth Community Hos- pital where he was treat- ed for a possible fracture to his right foot, and back and arm pain, according to Red Bluff police. Traylor was thrown from his 2006 Yamaha motorcycle when the truck, headed south on Dumosa Drive, pulled onto Walnut Street and hit the motorcycle. The truck’s driver had stopped at a stop sign and began to cross the intersection without noticing Traylor, who was travelling west on Walnut Street at roughly 35 mph. The motorcycle sus- tained major damage, while the truck had minor damage to the front fender. -Andrea Wagner 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 Red Bluff Outdoor Power all the leases have been signed, Conservation District Man- ager Vicky Dawley said. All the highest bids were from cattlemen in Tehama County and those who have ties to the county. With the exception of a few newcomers most of them have been grazing cattle in that area for several years. The grazing period runs from mid-January to the end of May, during which time the cattle have free range of the area. Cattle grazing is a management tool used by DFG to manage the area for the wintering Eastern Tehama Deer herd, Chakarun said. Grazing removes the new and deca- dent grasses to encourage the growth of forbs, shrubs and trees, which is the preferred food for deer. Having the cattle in the area between January and May is most beneficial because during this period native grass- es have a chance to recover and the riparian areas are pro- tected from cattle sheltering from the summer heat. “This duration also helps to increase the diversity of plants for all wildlife species,” Chakarun said. “In addition, grazing also helps maintain nutrient cycles, watershed See GRAZE, page 7A Mac Taylor released his assessment of Brown’s proposal to close an esti- mated $25.4 billion short- fall over the next 18 months with temporary tax extensions, deep pro- gram cuts and a reorgani- zation of state and local governments. ‘‘The governor’s pro- posal includes reductions in nearly every area of the state budget and a package of revenue proposals that merit serious legislative consideration,’’ Taylor wrote. ‘‘We think the gov- ernor’s package is a good starting point for legisla- tive deliberations.’’ Taylor credited Brown, a Democrat, for looking for long-term solutions for a state that has faced per- sistent budget problems. He said Brown’s propos- als to shift more state responsibilities to local governments are bold and ‘‘have much merit.’’ Still, the analyst found plenty of risk in the gover- nor’s plan. Taylor cau- tioned that a government reorganization would come with legal, fiscal and policy hurdles. While Democratic leaders have voiced sup- port, the governor’s plan has drawn plenty of criti- cism, including groups that suggest adding an oil tax for more revenue and others who say it does not cut deep enough into big government. Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway on Tulare said GOP law- makers share Taylor’s concern that the proposal hinges too much on tax extensions. ‘‘The governor’s pro- posal hinges on voters extending tax hikes total- ing more than $45 billion over five years,’’ Conway said in a statement. ‘‘However, there’s no plan for weaning big govern- ment off this funding if voters reject them or if the tax hikes expire.’’ Brown called for $12.5 billion in spending cuts, See BUDGET, page 7A Snow Goose Festival gearing up in Chico The 12th Annual Snow Goose Festival held at the Chico Masonic Family Center, 1110 W. East Ave., in Chico, Jan. 27- 31, will celebrate the arrival of thousands of waterfowl and hundreds of raptors that come from the north to spend their winters in our temperate North Valley climate. Snow Geese, Tundra Swans, Sandhill Cranes, Pintail Ducks, Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons and many more, fill the rice fields and wildlife refuges throughout the area. This year’s Snow Goose Festival offers more that 60 field trips and workshops to show off this season’s abun- dance of wildlife, with many free events and activities for the whole family. The Snow Goose Festi- val has grown to be one of the major Birding and Wildlife events in the state of California. Every Courtesy photo year new trips, exhibits and workshops are added, making it a rich opportu- nity for wildlife educa- tion, exploration and adventure. Navigate the 12th Annual Snow Goose Fes- tival of the Pacific Flyway with: • More than 60 guided field trips and workshops • Junior Naturalist Activities • Uptown/Downtown Pacific Flyway Art Exhib- it & Reception • Banquet and Silent Auction •Keynote Speaker, See GOOSE, page 7A WORD! Class Basic Jan. 18, 2011 8:30 am-12:30pm Job Training Tuesday, Center 718 Main St. Red Bluff Cost: $65 Call 529-7000