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WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2011 Breaking news at: www.redbluffdailynews.com See Page 2A RED BLUFF Bench Honors Late Teacher Athletes Of The Week SPORTS 1B likely Weather forecast 8B Rain 50/36 By TANG LOR DN Staff Writer Plaintiffs are preparing an appeal against a decision by a local judge to dismiss a suit that claims Tehama County’s med- ical marijuana cultivation ordi- nance violates patients’ rights. The suit was filed in June 2010 and names 10 plaintiffs, including local cannabis advo- 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 Pot suit headed for appeal after dismissal cate Jason Browne. It targets a county zoning ordinance passed in April 2010 that sets restric- tions on medical marijuana cul- tivation. Tehama Superior Court Judge Richard Scheuler, last month, tossed out the case against the county saying the zoning ordinance did not con- flict with any state law under the Compassionate Use Act or ‘The local attitude is so appalling and biased we knew the only way we were going to win was to get it into the court of appeals’ the Medical Marijuana Program Act. Cannabis advocate Jason Browne “The state medical marijua- na law does not preempt the Rewarding rodeo field of county zoning,” Scheuler said in his ruling. A call to the plaintiffs’ attor- ney, J. David Nick, was not returned by Tuesday evening. In a statement posted on Cal NORML’s website, Nick said, “Never before has an appellate court approved a rewriting of statewide law under the mas- querade that its a zoning provi- See POT, page 7A Grand Jury down to 17 By TANG LOR DN Staff Writer The death of the Tehama County Grand Jury fore- man will not keep the jury from moving forward even though the void will not be filled. A new member will not be appointed to fill the vacancy created by the recent death of foreman Robert Dean Wilkerson because the group’s year-long com- mitment is already more than halfway over, said fore- man pro tem Richard James Sol, who will now take See JURY, page 7A Lasers and planes lead to proposal By ANDREA WAGNER DN Staff Writer Local airport administra- Daily News file photo Action during the 2010 Special Rodeo. By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer The California High School Rodeo Association has set the date for the Special Rodeo, which is a part of an annual interdistrict CHSRA rodeo event, for Saturday, Feb. 26. Coordinator Paula McCarley said it will be a bitter- sweet experience this year, her last time running the event, since her youngest daughter Madison is a senior. Agency releases Delta Plan draft FRESNO (AP) — The first draft of a long-range plan to manage California’s freshwater delta released by a state agency Tuesday did little to solve the state’s his- torical conflict between groups fighting to strength- en the crumbling water sys- tem and protect the delicate estuary. The first of seven draft plans to be released by a council of experts formed by legislators to manage the delta set in motion a year- long planning process by recapping previous scientif- ic, economic and regulatory data. The draft does not yet include proposals for a con- troversial peripheral canal or an alternative water con- veyance system, or any spe- cific measures to improve the delta’s water quality and wildlife habitat. Formed by the conflu- ence of California’s two longest rivers — the Sacra- mento and the San Joaquin — the inland delta supplies much of the drinking water for nearly two-thirds of the state’s population, irrigates its abundant crops and pro- vides habitat for hundreds of plant and animal species. Spurred by the fragile ecosystem’s rapid deteriora- tion, in 2009 the Legislature approved a sweeping $11.1 billion bond package and created the seven-member Delta Stewardship Council to devise a way to manage the declining estuary. Given the state’s deficit, lawmak- ers last year pulled the bond off the November ballot and plan to put it before voters in 2012. The draft succinctly spells out the delta’s woes: California’s total water sup- ply is already over-tapped and becoming more volatile as a result of climate change. Populations of some native species have plummeted and may not survive, even with increased restoration efforts. And there is no comprehensive state or regional emergency response plan, despite analysis that the delta region may be at greater risk for See DELTA, page 7A 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 Red Bluff Outdoor Power “This event is one of the most rewarding experi- ences I have been blessed to participate in, not just for the contestants as special needs but also the mentors, the regular high school rodeo contestants, too,” McCar- ley said. “They get a chance to see rodeo through the eyes of the special needs children who don’t take this wonderful sport for granted and some are getting in the arena dirt for the very first time.” See RODEO, page 7A tors have little to say about a new measure in the U.S. Senate that will set tough penalties on those who shine laser pointers at air- craft. The measure, co-spon- sored by Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., is part of the Federal Aviation Administration Reautho- rization Act. It was amended Feb. 3, making it a crime to know- ingly aim a laser pointer at an aircraft, said a press release from Boxer. Viola- tors would be subject to fines or imprisonment for up to five years, the release said. Shining the laser point- ers at aircraft can temporar- ily blind pilots and put pas- sengers at risk, the release said. “By setting tough penal- ties for those who try to dis- rupt and blind pilots with laser pointers, we are taking a major step toward improv- ing the safety of pilots and airline passengers nation- wide,” Boxer said. Red Bluff Public Works Director and Airport Man- ager Mark Barthel had not heard about the measure. See LASERS, page 7A LM Chamber swears in new officers By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer Several members of the Los Molinos community were honored at the Los Molinos Chamber of Com- merce Installation Dinner held Monday at the Lassen Steak House. Business of the Year was given to Rob’s Recycling and Volunteer of the Year was a three-way tie between Jan Elmore, Melissa Tallan and Mike Druey. All were given plaques of recognition by the chamber. Jerry Crow, representing Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, and County Supervisor Ron Warner, representing State Sen. Doug LaMalfa, presented certificates of recognition. Herb Votaw of Tehama VFW 3909, Shelley Patchens of NU-Way Mar- ket and Donna Wallan of Umpqua Bank received recognition as corporate sponsors of the chamber. Representatives did not make it, but recognition as a corporate sponsor was given to Corning Ford, Bar 99 and Latimer’s Pharmacy. The 2011 members of the Chamber Board of Directors were sworn in by County Supervisor Dennis Garton. Chamber President Betty Morales and Hon- orary Mayor Kenny Brewer Daily News photo by Julie Zeeb Los Molinos Chamber of Commerce Board Members are sworn-in Monday by Tehama County Supervisor Dennis Garton at the chamber installation dinner. each gave short speeches. “I’d like to extend my sincere congratulations to the newly elected officers and board of directors and those continuing in office,” Morales said. “I am confi- dent that you will perform your duties capably and with enthusiasm.” Morales, who owns Rob’s Recycling in Los See LM, page 7A PHYSICIAN REFERRAL A FREE SERVICE PROVIDED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE 1-800-990-9971 CHW North State Region