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TUESDAY MAY 10, 2011 Breaking news at: www.redbluffdailynews.com Wagons, Ho! See Inside American Profile RED BLUFF Tennis champ Sports 1B Sunny 81/55 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 Fire claims life Homeless survey shows no change By TANG LOR DN Staff Writer About 1 in every 492 people in Tehama County are homeless, according to a survey of the homeless popu- lation conducted in January. A total of 79 people were surveyed in Tehama Coun- ty with most participants being in Red Bluff and a few in Corning. Of those 79, additional adults and 39 chil- dren were identified as part of the household bringing the total number of homeless people to 124. The coun- ty’s population is estimated at about 61,000 people. The individuals surveyed were mostly male, 62 per- cent, and primarily Caucasian, 86 percent. Native Americans made up 5 percent with Hispanics and African Americans both at 2.5 percent. Another 3.8 percent identified themselves as other. The majority of the homeless individuals surveyed speak English as their primary language. Only 1 per- cent speaks Spanish as their primary language. More than 44 percent of survey respondents report- ed they have been homeless for longer than one year and another 38 percent have been homeless for less than six months. More than 25 percent of those sur- veyed reported themselves as chronically homeless, defined as those individuals with four or more episodes of homelessness in the past three years and having a disability. A sizable portion of those surveyed, 58 percent, had some source of income. Of those who reported they had income, almost 46 percent received income through Supplemental Security Insurance, 30 percent reported income from General Assistance and another 9 percent report their source of income as other. There are three primary causes of homelessness in Tehama County. Daily News photo by Julie Zeeb Firefighters responded at 8:11 a.m. Monday to a residential fire at a duplex on Madison Street where a man was found dead. By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer A man was found dead Monday morning in a residential structure fire at a Madison Street duplex in Red Bluff. The deceased was determined to be an elderly man, however, his identity has not been positively determined by the Tehama County Coroner’s Office, said Red Bluff Fire Division Chief Jon Bennett. The first unit on scene reported a fully involved fire in one of the two units in the 200 block of Madison where neighbors reported one of the residents was possibly still inside, Bennett said. The first-in engine company entered, making a quick knock- down of the fire and after a short search located the man, he said. Crews then extinguished the fire, which was contained at 8:41 a.m., while fire investigators sealed off the scene. The tenants of the other side of the duplex, Karin Bowles and her two children, and their guests were able to get out safely. “We woke up to the sound of glass falling out of the window and the smell smoke,” said Chevy Hunt, who was visiting the Bowles. “Kari ran over and opened the door to see flames coming out the man’s door.” The Bowles’ apartment suffered minor smoke damage and they were left without electricity, which caused them to be displaced for at least a day, Bennett said. Red Cross was contacted to assist the family. The duplex is owned by Miguel and Charlotte Gonzalez of Red Bluff who said both occupants of the duplex had been living there about two to three months. Red Bluff Fire will investigate the cause and origin of the fire, which is still under investigation and a Red Bluff Police Detective has been assigned to help with the cause of death, Bennett said. Red Bluff Fire responded with two engines, one ladder truck and one rescue unit. Mutual aid was given by CalFire and Tehama County Fire Department. Crews overhauled the area and completed operations on scene about 1 p.m. when it was turned over to the owner. At 30 percent loss of job or income was the main reason. Lost house or being evicted accounted for another 15 percent. Other unspecified causes accounted for 25 percent of all respondents surveyed. Nearly 60 percent of the population surveyed report themselves as drug or alcohol users. The most com- monly used substances in Tehama County are alcohol and prescribed drugs, with nearly 49 percent of those identifying themselves as users citing prescription medication as the most predominant substance used and alcohol at 25 percent. Since the most commonly used category of drugs is prescribed medication, 59 percent of those who use drugs and/or alcohol report themselves as daily or nearly daily users. About 48 percent of those surveyed reported having experienced domestic violence in a relationship. Over 63 percent of those surveyed reported them- selves as disabled; physical disabilities are the most predominant, with mental health issues and/or drug use also reported as disabling conditions. About 24 percent of the individuals surveyed report- ed having been in foster care as a child; 43 percent report they have stayed in a residential counseling facil- ity; and nearly 41 percent report having been incarcer- ated within the past two years. About 1 in every 12 or 13 surveyed were veterans. Over 35 percent of respondents have been homeless See SURVEY, page 7A Mother earns degree despite obstacles Special to the DN For Red Bluff resi- dent Dana Thomas, earning a college degree was always a goal, but after high school, life put her goal on hold. Thomas’ husband passed away in 2004 and she was unsure if she would ever earn her degree while being a stay-at-home mother of two. On April 30, the 41- year-old Thomas ful- filled her goal, graduat- ing with honors with a BA in Psychology from Simpson University’s School of Continuing Studies program. Thomas returned to school in 2005 to earn her bachelor’s degree. Somewhat unsure if she could succeed, she started by taking classes at Shasta College. Pro- fessor Peter Young told her about the ASPIRE program and encour- aged her to enroll. Hav- ing done well at Shasta, she gained the motiva- tion and self-esteem she needed to enroll in the 16-month degree-com- pletion program. “I never thought I would earn my degree, but I’m really relieved I did,” Thomas said. “If I can do that, then maybe I can do the next step.” While in the pro- gram, Thomas faced many obstacles. Her father was diagnosed with brain cancer in July 2009, and her step- mother had a stroke a year later. “ASPIRE allowed me the flexibility to be there for my family and still get my work done,” she said. While earning her degree was no easy task, Thomas said she would tell anyone who is on the fence about earning their college degree, “If I can do it, you can do it.” 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 Thomas is consider- ing a master’s degree in marriage and family counseling through the University of San Fran- cisco. For more information about the university, or to arrange a visit, call 1-888-9-SIMPSON or visit www.simpsonu.edu. Courtesy photo Recent Simpson University graduate Dana Thomas is pictured with her sons, Dalton, 12, and Dylan, 15. COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR Smog Inspection $ 2595 + cert. (MOST CARS & PICK-UPS) Pass or FREE retest 195 S. Main St. Red Bluff 530 527-9841 Are you tired of those ugly, thick, painful fungal PODIATRY CENTER toenails? AEROFEET Painless Topical Treatment THAT REALLY WORKS. Treat your neglected nails and cracked feet in time for spring sandals! Call today for an appointment (530)527-7584 Pathways Career Spotlight Careers in Agriculture featuring Shasta College Ag & Natural Resources Learn about local, hands-on programs to best prepare you for jobs in agriculture. Thursday, May 12 3-5pm Job Training Center 724 Main Street, Red Bluff Call 529-7000 for more information.