Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/248497
Saturday, January 25, 2014 – Daily News 3A Community people&events Proverbial snakes in the grass As the political banter heats up in works, newspaper clippings, and all parts of the United States, I am led direct observations are the more relito believe that it is again time to able of me two. Unfortunately address the, "To tell or not to tell" human resources are often less tenissue that faces every journalist. In able because they may have an interest to protect, are untrained today's society where observers and sometimes tell media abounds, it seems reporters what they think the mere are times when anyreporter wants to hear. As thing and everything is to journalists we are taught mat be told at the drop of a when using human sources, hat. Numerous and notoriwe must find the person ous talk shows, continumost qualified to speak-an ous news reporting authority on the subject, an throughout twenty-four eyewitness, a reliable offihours of each day and cial. You can imagine the night cycle. With all the frequent decisions a audio and video input that Carolyn reporter; editor or publisher each of us is confronted must make gathering inforwith daily, we sometimes mation for publication. become weary m the Once the information is seeking of truth. The key to determining the truth gathered, some critical thinking sets of any matter lies in the critical think- in, we writing of the article for me ing. We are challenged with examin- general public, without undo bias ing all that is involved, the reliability should be the goal of every journalist. of the source of the information, the A major danger of reporting is writpossible axes an individual has to ing for the authorities who are the grind, and the physical back-up, that reporter sources rather than the genis the hard facts surrounding the sub- eral reader; using people as sources ject are all important in the pursuit of who have impressive credentials but whose subject knowledge may be truth. There are few people in the Unit- simply trusting tainted material mat ed States who do not read a portion may contain errors. Once me information is gathered of the newspaper on a daily basis; there are fewer that do not watch some critical thinking sets in, the news programs on the old tube. In writing of the article for the general spite of our daily pursuit of the daily public, without undue bias should be news we are often critical of the the goal of every journalist. A major information presented and those who danger of reporting is writing for the gather it We often hear the media authorities who are the reporter's being blamed for all the ills of the sources rather man the general readworld. Some unethical reporters, edi- er, using people as sources who have tors, journalists and publishers have impressive credentials but whose contributed to the criticisms. We tend subject knowledge may be skimpy, to forget the great journalists who trusting printed material that may have opened wide vistas to the world contain errors. The reporter or publisher has to for us. It is an old admonition that a jour- constantly ride the fire line between nalist can be no better than his or her the protection of sources and the sources. Human sources, which con- overprotection of sources. Sources sist of authorities and people are often the "hand that feeds the involved in events, are only one side mouth" and just as often can be of the of the coin. Physical sources, consist- "foot in the mouth" variety. The mining of records, documents, reference imal effect of bad sources can be that Barber the reporter has to figuratively "eat crow," the maximum effect that lives can be adversely affected by information given by less than perfect sources. Shield laws in most states protect confidential sources. All states have some kind of protection, but in some states a reporter who tries to protect a confidential source can face contempt charges and jail. A conscientious reporter always does some research independent off sources in order to make the serious decision of whether to reveal or not reveal the source or even use the material. The reporter will need to ask him or herself some hard ethical questions; will the information from the source be more helpful or more hindering to the general public or to individuals involved? How reliable is my source? How much physical back up do I have? Not an easy task in itself and to add to the stress, many of these decisions have to be made under the big "D" word, deadline. By the time this diatribe reaches print, the local drama of to tell or not to tell may be resolved. The lesson for us, the general public is to learn and practice critical thinking about everything we read and everything we communicate. Consider the source and seek the facts, regardless of me issue at hand. Critical thinking is important in regard to any subject and in any locale, most especially in our small community where the possibility exists that we brush shoulders with each other on a daily basis. We are the news, we are the stories. Why all this serious talk? It could be because I will not always have a "snake" story to tell. On the other hand practicing critical reading could ferret out a lot of proverbial snakes in the grass. Carolyn Barber has been writing her column in the Daily News since 1992. It appears on Saturdays. She can be contacted by e-mail at hurcar@yahoo.com. 2013 Marine of the Year Senior menu The Senior Nutrition Program serves meals Monday through Friday at the Red Bluff Community-Senior Center and the Corning Senior Center. The suggested donation for seniors 60 and older is $2.75. For those guests under the age of 60, the guest charge is $7. A donation is not a requirement for you to receive a meal if you qualify for the program. Reservations must be made a minimum of one day in advance by calling 527-2414. One percent milk is served with each meal. Menu is subject to change. Week of Jan. 27-31 Monday Chicken Tettrazini, Brussels Sprouts, Pears, Pumpkin Cake Tuesday Tuesday VEGETARIAN DAY Broccoli Cheese Soup, French Bread, Beet Mandarin Salad, Tropical Fruit Cup Wednesday Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Capri Vegetables, Orange/Pineapple Juice, Whole Wheat Roll, Applesauce Thursday ETHNIC DAY Chile Verde, Steamed Brown Rice, Parsley Carrots, Mango Medley, Brownie Friday Split Pea Soup, Cornbread, Strawberries, Tapioca Pudding Health fair A health fair is scheduled for 3:15-5:15 p.m. Monday at the Red Bluff Union High School cafeteria. The event is intended for employees of all area schools, their spouses and children ages 18 and older. Services offered include blood pressure assessments and screening for total cholesterol, glucose and body mass index (BMI). Schedule an appointment by emailing jgriego@rbhsd.org or calling 646-9166. Local businesses and health care providers will be hosting booths to advertise their services. 90 years ago... Deputy collector Internal Revenue Service to visit Red Bluff Collector of Internal Revenue John P. McLaughlin has arranged the following itinerary for Deputy Collector Earl E. Johnson — he will be in the following towns to assist the income taxpayers in the preparation of their income tax returns. Corning, February 1st, 1924, Maywood Hotel. Red Bluff, February 3,4 and 5, City Hall. — Jan. 25, 1924 Outgoing commandant Mario Ysit, left, of Marine Corps League, Detachment 1140, presented newly elected commandant, Ray Valenzuela, with the 2013 Marine of the Year award Jan. 15. The detachment members voted unanimously to award it to Valenzuela for his dedication to the detachment during 2013. DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMA COUNTY THE VOICE OF TEHAMA COUNTY SINCE 1885 VOLUME 129, NUMBER 47 Police reports The following information is compiled from Red Bluff Police Department, Tehama County Sheriff's Department, Corning Police Department and California Highway Patrol. Arrests • Brian Scott Berg, 33, Grants Pass, Ore. was arrested on State Route 99E at Aramayo for felony possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance, loaded firearm in public and possession of a SECRET WITNESS 529-1268 A program of Tehama County Neighborhood Watch Program, Inc. Free 10 minute phone chat. You decide to pay. Dog Behavior help is available now by phone! firearm by a felon. Bail was $140,000. • Connie Louise Damon also known by the last name Brown, 53, Red Bluff was arrested on South Pointe Drive on two outstanding felony charges of transportation of a controlled substance. Bail was $300,000. • Benjamin Joseph Green aka Bud, 34, Shingletown was arrested on outstanding charges of felony damage to jail, failure to appear and misdemeanors of second degree burglary, vandalism and tampering with a fire alarm. Bail was $30,000. • Justina Renee Parmer, 29, Grants Pass, Ore. was arrested on State Route 99E at Aramayo for felony possession of a narcotic. Bail was $15,000. • Joshua Lee Sigur, 31, Red Bluff was arrested on Jefferson Street for felony possession of marijuana for sale and misdemeanor possession of cannabis concentrates. Sigur has outstanding misdemeanors of second degree burglary and two counts of failure to appear. Bail was $15,370. • Michael Scott White, 39, Corning was arrested on the 23000 block of McLane Avenue for a felony parole violation and a felony and misdemeanor count of WELCOME BULL SHIPPERS 2 Bud's BBQ HAS THE BEST IN THE WEST BEANS (530) 528-0799 22825 Antelope Blvd. Red Bluff battery with serious bodily injury. Bail was $53,000. www.redbluffdailynews.com Patricia Hill July 31, 1933January 27, 2004 Ten years still feels like yesterday. No one is ever gone as long as there is someone to remember them. We Love & Miss You Ask about cushy country boarding www.brainydog.com help@brainydog.com MAIN OFFICE: NEWS Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. News Tip Hotline: 527-2153 FAX: (530) 527-9251 E-mail: clerk@redbluffdailynews.com Daytime: (530) 527-2151 Sports: Ext. 111 Obituaries: Ext. 101 Main Phone (530) 527-2151 Outside area (800) 479-6397 545 Diamond Ave. Red Bluff, CA 96080 ______________________ Mail: Red Bluff Daily News P.O. Box 220 Red Bluff, CA 96080 Fax: (530) 527-5774 ______________________ When you have an Urgent Health Care need we have the answer. LASSEN MEDICAL URGENT CARE CLINIC 2450 Sister Mary Columba Drive (530) 527-0414 www.lassenmedical.com E-mail: dispatch@redbluffdailynews.com After hours: (530) 527-2153 ______________________ ADVERTISING DEPT. CUSTOMER SERVICE Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Display: (530) 527-2151 DEPARTMENT: Ext. 122 Subscription & delivery Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (530) 527-2151, Ext. 126 Home delivery subscription rates Online FAX: (530) 527-2151 Ext. 133 (530) 527-5774 E-mail: advertise@redbluffdailynews.com (All prices include all applicable taxes) Tuesday through Saturday $4.48 per week Business & professional rate $2.19 four weeks, Tuesday-Friday By mail: In Tehama County $12.20 four weeks All others $17.29 four weeks Open: Monday-Friday 8am-8pm Saturday & Sunday 8am-6pm $35 for 45 minutes. 530 566 1966 HOW TO REACH US On the Web: (USPS 458-200) Published Tuesday through Saturday except Sunday & Monday, by California Newspaper Partnership. CLASSIFIED: 1-855-667-2255 SPECIAL PAGES ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS Tuesdays: Health Wednesdays: Business Thursdays: Entertainment Fridays: Education Saturdays: Select TV, Farm, Religion Publisher & Advertising Director: Greg Stevens gstevens@redbluffdailynews.com Editor: Chip Thompson editor@redbluffdailynews.com Sports Editor: Andre Byik sports@redbluffdailynews.com Circulation Manager: Kathy Hogan khogan@redbluffdailynews.com Production Manager: Sandy Valdivia sandy@redbluffdailynews.com POSTMASTER SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: PO BOX 220, RED BLUFF CA 96080 The Red Bluff Daily News is an adjudicated daily newspaper of general circulation, County of Tehama, Superior Court Decree 9670, May 25, 1955 © 2012 Daily News Postage Paid Periodicals