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MONDAY MARCH 21, 2011 Breaking news at: Pears: The ‘Butter Fruit’ Vitality www.redbluffdailynews.com See Page 4A RED BLUFF March Madness SPORTS 1B Showers likely 52/41 Weather forecast 8B 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 River swells Daily News photos by Chip Thompson Heavy rains and increased releases from Shasta Dam starting last week caused the Sacramento River to spill over its banks Sunday at several places in Red Bluff. Sloughs normally dry in winter were filled and flooding was reported in various low-lying areas. Top: a picnic area next to the boat launch at Red Bluff River Park flooded. Below: homes and apartments along Lakeside Drive were threatened by rising floodwaters. Numerous power outages were reported Sunday as high winds fell trees. The National Weather Service is calling for rain to continue through this week. Chapel dedicated at Vets Cemetery Daily News Photo by Andrea Wagner Sgt. 1st Class Kathy Strudle of the U.S. Air Force Color Guard hands a flag to family members of veterans honored Saturday in the Missing in America Project memorial service, which followed the dedication of the new chapel at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo. By ANDREA WAGNER DN Staff Writer Despite chilly winds whipping rain under canopies and umbrellas, more than 350 people gathered for the dedication of a newly constructed chapel at the North- ern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo Saturday. The event, followed by a memorial service by the Missing in America Project, marked the dedication of a chapel, the construction of which was spearheaded by former Senator K. Maurice Johannessen. The soggy ceremony made many appreciate the warmth and protection of the on-site chapel, which was opened after the dedication. “It went wonderful,” Johannessen said. “It certainly proved why the chapel had to be built.” Although, not officially open for general use until May, the chapel will be a venue for many funeral ser- vices that were held outdoors previously. “We can’t have people out in the snow, rain and heat,” Johannessen said. The design of the chapel includes many windows for people to be able to overlook the cemetery and to have lots of light. Seven rows of wooden pews down the middle are flanked with two sets of three pews each that face inward toward a clearing at the front. There are restrooms and a vaulted ceiling with visi- ble wood rafters. Tehama County residents and veterans were among the visitors who came in support of the dedication. Roy Fansler, of the Marine Corps League of Red Bluff, attended the dedication out of a sense of duty, he said. His detachment has been there from the beginning of See CHAPEL, page 7A Supes take stand on SmartMeters By ANDREA WAGNER DN Staff Writer Those who have con- cerns about PG&E Smart- Meters have allies among the Tehama County Board of Supervisors. In a vote Tuesday, supervisors opted to sign a letter of support for an assembly bill that would halt installation of the meters until alternatives and more information were made available to customers. Assembly Bill AB37, introduced by Assembly- man Jared Huffman in December, would give consumers a choice to opt-out of using the wire- less SmartMeters and require California utility companies to fully dis- close the technology and performance of the meters. The bill is scheduled to go before the Assembly’s Utilities and Commerce Committee on April 4, said Dan Okenfuss, a rep- resentative for Huffman. After the initial hearing and presentation of the bill, the committee will vote on it. Supervisor Ron Warn- er asked his colleagues to support the bill after he got at least 60 letters and emails from people within the last two months ask- ing about what can be done about the meters, he said. “There was just way too much confusion,” Warner said. Not having a Smart- Meter himself, he didn’t have answers, he said. He went to the county coun- sel to find out what can or can’t be done about peo- ple’s concerns. After hearing many questions and horror sto- ries about the Smart- Meters, it didn’t seem legal, Warner said. AB 37 seemed to be the best solution. “It’s a short bill, and it does just what I think it should do,” Warner said. The utility companies need to stop installing them immediately until a viable alternative is avail- able, he said. They also should give information about the meters that is easy for any common per- 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 See SUPES, page 7A Pass the baton; students to conduct band By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer The Red Bluff Union High School Band will not be under the direction of Dan Ackley when it performs at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Instead, five seniors have stepped up and will be leading their peers as they conduct a piece they chose themselves for Senior Night. “Each student was asked to look at their favorite pieces from the last four years, picked one and made it their baby for the last five weeks,” Ack- ley said. Guest conductors, all of whom have been involved in music at the school for four years, include Brian Lizarraga, Philip Graves, Kyle Davis, Michael Cooley and Juanita Marple. Lizarraga has chosen “Cape Fear Chronicles” because he wanted to give the band a challenge, he said. “This is the first time I’ve done something like this so I’m nervous, but I’m more excited than nervous,” Lizarraga said. Graves chose to do “Lion King,” a medley of songs from the movie, he said. “We’ve done it three Daily News photo by Julie Zeeb Brian Lizarraga, center, practices Friday for his conducting debut while fellow conductors Kyle Davis, Michael Cooley and Philip Graves and a classmate representing Juanita Marple look-on. The Red Bluff Union High School Band seniors will be conducting at Senior Night Wednesday. out of my four years and it’s my favorite one,” Graves said. “I love the music and its a great movie in itself.” Davis selected “Juras- sic Park,” a medley of songs from the movie, because it was the easiest one to conduct, he said. “I’m beyond nervous,” Davis said. “It’s harder working with your peers because knowing them makes you know they expect more of you.” Cooley said he chose “Of Men And The Sea” because it was the closest he could find to a piece he enjoyed from his fresh- man year. “I’m very excited,” Cooley said. “It’s some- thing new and interesting that we’ve never done before.” Juanita Marple will be conducting the piece “Reverberations.” The event, which will be in the Performing Arts Center, is free and begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Doors will open at 6:45 p.m. ——— Julie Zeeb can be reached at 527-2153, extension 115 or jzeeb@redbluffdailynews .com.