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Monday, February 28, 2011 – Daily News – 7A Obituary AILEEN MATSON Aileen Matson passed away on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at Mercy Medical Center in Redding, California at the age of 74. She was born August 20, 1936 in Hermosa Beach, California to Roger and Hazel Dennis. She gradu- ated from Fremont High School and attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah for one year. She worked for Hughes Aircraft for 8 years. Aileen married Arnold Matson on June 16, 1961. They would have cele- brated their 50th anniversary this summer. They resided in Torrance, California where they raised a family. They owned Matson Printing Corporation for 31 years. In 1994 they moved to Red Bluff, California and purchased the O’Nite RV Park and Pine Ridge Park in Shingletown, Cali- fornia. Aileen enjoyed get togethers with family and friends. Her other interests were reading, cooking, mak- ing baby quilts, creating greeting cards, movies, and play- ing dominoes. She was active in her church and was quick to volunteer in giving service to others. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends. Aileen is sur- vived by her husband Arnold Matson, sons, Roger Matson of Red Bluff, Erik and Kolene Matson of Fountain Valley, California, grandsons Cody and Drake, sister, Stella (Miles) Cunningham of Roseville, California, brother, Rog- er (Kathy) Dennis of Gold River, California and her dearly loved nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 5th at 11AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at 545 Berrendos Avenue in Red Bluff, California. TAXES Continued from page 1A because Republicans are not of a mind that tax increases do anything but fund what’s broken,’’ said Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber, vice chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee. The Legislature passed the temporary tax hikes in 2009 and scheduled them to expire this year. Democrats say they aren’t asking Republicans to approve tax increases, only to give voters the chance to decide which way the state should go. Among more than a dozen Republicans who commented in recent days, only one — Sen. Bob Huff — thought Brown has a chance to win some support from Republicans in moder- ate districts if he agreed to enough governmental reforms. ‘‘There is a long list of things that, if enacted, could possibly lead to votes to do it, knowing that that would fix the long-term problem,’’ Huff said. ‘‘Who those are, I can’t tell you. We all have our districts we have to rep- resent. There’s different thresholds of pressure that exist.’’ Huff, R-Diamond Bar, who is vice chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, doubted any deal would be possible by March 10. Brown set that date as the deadline for legislative action, but it is unclear how long lawmakers could delay and still hold a special statewide election in June. During last week’s com- mittee hearing, some Republican lawmakers threw out ideas they clearly expected to be rejected, only to have the governor say they could be considered as part of the negotiating process. ‘‘You come up with some more cuts and put it on the table here,’’ he told Huff. ‘‘I think if we can get some pension reform, if we can get some regulatory relief, that would be a very good thing,’’ he told Assem- blywoman Diane Harkey, R-Dana Point. Last week, 30 of the Leg- islature’s 42 Republicans formed a group they are call- ing the Taxpayers Caucus, swearing off tax increases to balance the budget. They said they could support Brown’s plan to place a five- year extension of higher sales, income and vehicle taxes before voters if the Legislature also gives voters the chance to enact a tax cut of equal or larger value. Republicans are betting that voters would reject the tax extensions while approv- ing the tax cuts, said Sen. Tony Strickland, co-chair- man of the new anti-tax cau- cus. Republicans believe tax cuts persuade business own- ers to create jobs, even though there is little evi- dence to support that. Brown has proposed a combination of spending cuts and temporary tax extensions to close the state’s deficit. He called for $12.5 billion in cuts, includ- ing reductions in welfare, social services and higher education, as well as $12 billion in funding shifts and new revenue if voters agree to extend the temporary tax hikes. The conference commit- tee is hurrying to reconcile the Assembly and Senate budget plans, which essen- tially are modified versions of the budget Brown pro- posed in January. Democrats who control the Legislature found alternatives for a few of Brown’s proposals, like ending welfare for poor chil- dren after four years, elimi- nating adult day health care and capping the number of doctor’s visits for Medi-Cal recipients. That clears the way for the governor and legislative leaders to begin more detailed negotiations. Con- sideration of other bills will begin in a few weeks. Democrats need to win support from two Republi- cans in each chamber to reach the two-thirds majori- ty needed to enact Brown’s plan, although they say they want broader bipartisan sup- port. But Assembly Minori- ty Leader Connie Conway, R-Tulare, said she doubts any deal is possible that would draw any GOP votes. ‘‘There are no votes in my caucus for taxes,’’ she said. If Republicans won’t go along, Brown said his only fallback plan is to double the size of the cuts. The Legisla- tive Analyst’s Office said that could mean cutting pub- lic safety and welfare pro- grams, increasing college tuition and class sizes in kindergarten through third grade, reducing the school year and cutting state employees’ pay. Northern Californians enjoy brief weather respite SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Northern Califor- nians are enjoying a brief respite from the cold and wet weather that has gripped the region over the past few days. Temperatures across the region dipped to excep- tionally low levels late Saturday and early Sunday, but forecasters say it wasn’t quite as cold as expected. The National Weather Service says in the San Francisco Bay area only downtown Oakland saw a record low temperature. Austin Cross, a meteorologist with the service, says a new record was set when it dipped to 36 degrees in Oakland around 4 a.m. Sunday. The previous record low was 39 degrees, which was set in 2007. In California’s San Joaquin Valley, tempera- tures dipped into the 20s and 30s, but initial reports from growers indicate that most crops appeared to have escaped any serious damage. POT Continued from page 1A seizure of 4,700 pounds of marijuana in various stages of harvesting and drying, Nelson said. In all, 10 people, all of Asian/Pacific Island eth- nicity, were arrested on charges of marijuana pos- session and cultivation for sale. As of this week, nine may be facing federal charges, Nelson said. Those arrested included seven men, Huang Yu Lun, 41, Henry Lam, 40, Luong Dau Moc, 47, Qong Di Bui, 46, Egin Zheng, 34, Tom Tran, 53, and Li Dian Chen, 46. Three women arrested were Tan Nan Lin, 53, Irene Wei, 38, and Mei Xiang Yang, 42. Several of those arrest- ed were in the country on work visas, Nelson said. Some used addresses in Roseville, Rosemead and Marysville. “They definitely were not from Tehama County,” COPS Continued from page 1A years and responded to 240 calls. “She does a very good job,” Allen said. Red Bluff Fire Chief Michael Bachmeyer pre- sented Michael Brunetta with Fireman of the Year. Brunetta, who serves as both a reserve and a seasonal fire- fighter, has been with the department for 12 years, responding to 561 calls. “Everyone here knows there’s a cost for the privi- lege of serving the commu- nity,” Bachmeyer said. “The missed birthdays, anniver- saries and occasionally being late for dinner. This guy is always there every time he’s called. I appreciate his diligence.” CalFire Assistant Chief Will Darnall presented Capt. Montgomery Smith with CalFire Employee of the Year. Smith has been with the Tehama-Glenn unit for seven years and is one of the most versatile employees, having served in various roles including firefighter, emergency command cen- ter, heavy equipment opera- tor and Red Bluff High School ROP instructor. “He’s molding our fire- fighters of tomorrow,” Dar- nall said. Darnall presented Ken Johnson of Tehama County Fire Department Dibble Creek Co. 14 with Volunteer Firefighter of the Year. John- son has been a volunteer with Tehama County Fire for more than 20 years and has served as an ROP instructor. “He goes above and beyond the call of duty,” Darnall said. “He takes his first-hand knowledge and uses it in his teaching. He’s responsible for many of our ROP students becoming firefighters.“ District Attorney Gregg Cohen presented D.A. Investigator Rich Davidson with Investigator of the Year. Davidson was involved in several bigger cases includ- ing an embezzlement of more than $1 million from Wheeler Logging. “To Rich’s credit he did what he does — volunteer,” Cohen said. “This was a document case and a sensi- tive situation.” While one case of the magnitude of the Wheeler Logging would have been enough for Davidson to have earned the award, he readily took on several more, Cohen said. “He never blinked and he never waivered,” Cohen said. “He’s a great investiga- tor.” Corning Police Chief Tony Cardenas presented Officer Kylee Stroing with Officer of the Year. Carde- nas said some people were concerned that Stroing, who was in the Marines for four years and did a tour in Iraq, would be too stiff, but that hasn’t been the case. “He’s the kind of person who is very flexible when Located in Chico, CA Independently owned Telephone: (530) 824-3792 Nelson said. The property, located more than a mile from Lanes Valley Road, has no address and no mapped access road, according to county tax assessment records. The land owner, Anh Kim Tao Huynh, was not arrested, Nelson said. The suspects were using generators and numerous trailers and recreational vehicles on the property, Nelson said. Officers seized a loaded rifle, a trailer, a truck and a large commercial diesel generator. California Highway Patrol air surveillance was the first to spot the out- door cultivation site in July, Nelson said. Nelson’s team con- firmed the site from the air before obtaining a search warrant in October, he said. All of the suspects were facing a range of possible sentences from 16 months to 3 years in state prison. Now, nine of the suspects may face years in federal prison if convicted, Nel- son said. Only one of the sus- pects, who had already pled guilty and been sen- tenced locally, will not face federal charges. All but one of the sus- pects were released on bail following the arrests, said Tehama County District Attorney Gregg Cohen. However, upon arraign- ment at the County Court- house Tuesday, all of the subjects’ bonds were revoked and they were remanded to the Tehama County Jail, Cohen said. As of Wednesday after- noon, all of the suspects, except for Irene Wei, were no longer in custody, which could mean they were released on bail again, Cohen said. The case has taken several months to prosecute because it is cumbersome to get all the defendants, each with different attor- neys, in court at the same time. None of the defendants speak English, Cohen said. This means an inter- preter fluent in Cantonese or Mandarin must also be arranged. Since there are none in the area, a man from Sacramento has been called to appear for the defendants. Charges remain at the state level for the moment, Cohen said. Should feder- al charges be initiated, the county would consider dropping the case. The next step in court proceedings is a settle- ment conference or pretri- al meeting, Cohen said. At the time of the arrests, the parcel was in the early stages of foreclo- sure. Since the bust, the land was auctioned off Feb. 16 and sold to a Sacramento trustee, for $141,503, according to a Trustee’s Deed of Sale on file with the county. ——— Andrea Wagner can be reached at 527-2153, extension 114 or awagner@redbluffdailyne ws.com. Daily News photo by Julie Zeeb Corning Rural Fire Department’s Samantha McKelvy poses for a photo with Corning Rural Fire Department Chief Jim Allen. needed and very stringent when needed,” Cardenas said. “Kylee is very focused and he’s there to complete a job. He gives 110 percent and is a team member to anyone connected to the department.” Cardenas presented Cadet of the Year to Evelyn Castrejon. The 18-year-old has been with the Corning Cadets for two years. “She’s an outstanding cadet who volunteers a lot of time despite working full- time for Corning Ford and going to college,” Cardenas said. “She’s always one of the first ones to volunteer to be there. I’m always amazed by her and it’s always an honor to work with someone like this. She’s dedicated and a credit to her family.” Red Bluff Police Chief Paul Nanfito presented Detective Brett McAllister with Police Officer of the Year. McAllister was chosen by his peers, Nanfito said. “He’s excelled in a vari- ety of ways,” Nanfito said. With budgets being tight and the loss of 25 percent of personnel within an 18- month period, McAllister has helped the department by taking on a large caseload willingly, Nanfito said. “He’s a dedicated, hard- working officer who is com- mitted to serving his com- munity,” Nanfito said. Nanfito presented Civil- ian Employee of the Year to Administrative Assistant Farrah Morris who has been with the department for two years. “She’s a great asset to the department,” Nanfito said. “She always has an excellent attitude, full of energy, com- municates effectively with everybody and is always willing to do what is asked of her.” Tehama County Sheriff Dave Hencratt presented Deputy Dale Eddy with Deputy of the Year. Eddy was first sworn-in in 1988 as an extra hire reserve deputy and has worked in a variety of jobs in the custody, patrol and civil divisions during his 23 years. “As a co-worker I admired his willingness to do whatever tasks he was given without complaint or question,” Hencratt said. Assistant Sheriff Phil Johnston presented Volun- teer Group of the Year to Sheriff’s Team of Active and Retired Seniors. Johnston said it is often easy to overlook the volun- teers who are especially important with the current budget situation. The STARS group donat- ed 6,038 hours in 2010, log- ging 28,000 miles while on patrol, Johnston said. The value of that is about $77,000, he said. Johnston recognized STARS volunteers Elizabeth Watson, Bud Adams and Elsie Wanless who have been with the program since it began in 1997, and Sgt. Rod Daugherty, the STARS Coordinator. Johnston recognized Russell Philbrick who logged 563 volunteer hours in 2010 and Linda and Nick Costanza who have been with STARS for seven years. California Highway Patrol Area Commander Lt. Todd Garr presented Officer Shon Hill with Officer of the Year. The two graduated together from the CHP acad- emy 21 years ago. Hill is in the process of receiving two more awards for a total of 20 from the CHP for his work in vehicle theft investigations. “He was always a gen- uine, kind and sincere per- son as a kid and that hasn’t changed,” Garr said. “He treats all with the utmost dignity and respect. He’s been deserving of this for several years.” Proceeds from Satur- day’s event go toward Corn- ing Exchange Club projects and the continued commit- ment to fight child abuse, event co-Chairman Ross Turner said. Over 50 years of serving Tehama County 529-3655 www.affordablemortuary.net