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BySudhinThanawala TheAssociatedPress SANFRANCISCO SanFran- cisco's iconic Golden Gate Bridge moved a big step closer to getting an oft-de- bated suicide barrier af- ter bridge officials on Fri- day approved a $76 mil- lion funding package for a net system that would pre- vent people from jumping to their deaths. The bridge district's board of directors voted unanimously in favor of the funding for a steel sui- cide net, which includes $20 million in bridge toll revenue. Federal money will provide the bulk of the remaining funding, though the state is also pledging $7 million. The motion for Fri- day's vote came from board member and for- mer bridge district direc- tor John Moylan, whose grandson, Sean Moylan, jumped off the bridge to his death earlier this month. A tearful Dan Barks of Napa, who lost his son, Donovan, to suicide on the bridge in 2008, said after the vote that he was almost speechless. "A lot of people have done so much incredible work to get this accomplished," he said. After the vote, he rose from his knees and shared a tearful embrace with Sue Story of Rocklin, whose son Jacob jumped off the bridge in 2010. "We did it, Dan! We did it! It's no longer the Bridge of Death any- more," she said. At least some of the money still requires ad- ditional approval. The bridge's board, however, has now taken its final step in adopting the net. "The tragedy of today is that we can't go back in time, we can't save ... the people who jumped off the bridge. But the good thing, with this vote to- day, we can vote in their memory," board member Janet Reilly said. "We will save many lives who have followed in their foot- steps — and that's what so extraordinary about today." T he Golden Gate Bridge, with its sweep- ing views of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, has long been a desti- nation for people seeking to end their lives. Since it opened in 1937, more than 1,400 people have plunged to their deaths, including a record 46 suicides last year, officials said. Officials have been dis- cussing a suicide barrier on the bridge for decades. The bridge's board voted in 2008 to install a stain- less steel net, rejecting other options, including raising the 4-foot-high railings and leaving the iconic span unchanged. Two years later, they certified the final envi- ronmental impact report for the net, which would stretch about 20 feet wide on each side of the span. Officials say it will not mar the landmark bridge's appearance. But funding for the project remained a major obstacle. A significant hurdle was overcome two years ago when President Barack Obama signed into law a bill making safety barriers and nets eligible for federal funds. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Califor- nia in a statement Fri- day praised the bridge's board and Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, who has been a staunch supporter of a barrier. PLEASERECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER. Thankyou! The Associated Press SACRAMENTO The Califor- nia Supreme Court is set to decide if the state must buy thousands of acres of pri- vate property to perform preliminary tests for two massive water tunnels in the Sacramento-San Joa- quin Delta. The dispute stems from Gov. Jerry Brown's pro- posal, which would send river water around the delta system to farms and com- munities in Central and Southern California. The state's Department of Water Resources asked the court to weigh in af- ter an appellate ruling in March said officials were not allowed to enter pri- vate property without per- mission from landowners, who oppose the project. Officials seek to do geo- logical drilling and environ- mental testing without hav- ing to condemn and buy the land through the time-con- suming and costly eminent domain laws before know- ing which parcels they may need for the tunnels. Some 150 property owners, mostly farmers and ranchers lo- cated in five counties on the delta, seek to block con- struction of the two under- ground pipes, each 40-foot in diameter. Among the issues, the court asked attorneys to file briefs arguing if the state's preliminary testing consti- tutes "taking" of property under the legal definition. Nancy Vogel of the De- partment of Water Re- sources said her office is happy to file the briefs lay- ing out their case. Attorney Thomas Keel- ing, who represents some landowners, told the Sac- ramento Bee (http://bit. ly/1mDqp2W ) that he agreed with the earlier 3rd District Court of Appeal's ruling in his clients' favor. He also anticipates the Su- preme Court reaffirming the ruling, giving landown- ers more protection from the state. Farmer Dennis Garde- meyer said he is leery of Cal- ifornia water officials and described the proposed tun- nels as another "water grab" by those south of the delta. "I was surprised by the state's indifference to pri- vate property rights," Gar- demeyer said. "I hope the Supreme Court reaffirms that private property rights still mean something in Cal- ifornia." DELTA TUNNELS Wa te r pr oj ec t he ad s to s ta te h ig h co ur t THEASSOCIATEDPRESS A boat passes Webb Tract farmland as it makes its way through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta near Isleton, Calif. The California Supreme Court is set to decide if the state must buy thousands of acres of private property to perform preliminary tests for two massive water tunnels in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, a dispute stemming from Gov. Jerry Brown's proposal, which would send river water around the delta system to farms and communities in Central and Southern California. It is the policy of the Daily News to correct as quickly as possible all errors in fact that have been published in the newspaper. If you believe a factual error has been made in a news story, call 527-2151, Ext. 112. ——— An item in Thursday's e d i t i o n c o n t a i n e d incorrect information. Crystal Art & Apparel will not be hosting Charlotte Gerson for a book signing Tuesday. The event will feature author and businessman Howard Straus, who has written a biography of Dr. Max Gerson. The Daily News regrets the error. CORRECTION which staff said would be addressed as funds became available. The grand jury also wit- nessed the need for more holding cells to adequately accommodate suicide watch cases and intoxicated indi- viduals. Currently there are only two. During interviews in- mates commented about not having enough to do. The grand jury recom- mended administration should seek sources for con- tributions of board games, art materials, books and out- door equipment for the exer- cise yard as well as develop additional job opportunities for inmates. SaltCreekConservation Camp The grand jury visited the Department of Corrections andRehabilitationSaltCreek Conservation Camp No. 7. The camp has a popula- tion of around 120 inmates, 11 correction officers and 12 CalFire personnel. The inmates are low risk, Level 1 inmates who provide a trained workforce for fire suppression and other emer- gencies such as floods and earthquakes. During fire season the strike teams can be away from camp for around 30- 70 consecutive days fight- ing fires. The grand jury found during this time that dur- ing those times there may be as few as one guard on- site working a 24-hour day to oversee any remaining inmates. The grand jury recom- mended more surveillance cameras be installed to as- sist. Coroner'sOffice The grand jury recom- mended the Coroner's Office receive two pieces of equip- ment to assist in its opera- tions. An in-house washer and dryer unit would lead to more cost effective opera- tions as staff time is used for trips to outside laundry facil- ities, the grand jury found. The grand jury also found there were no cold storage units capable of holding larger sized bodies. Such a unit was included in the county's recently passed 2014-15 fiscal year recommended budget. PublicAdministrator's Office The grand jury found the office, which handles inves- tigating and administer- ing the estates of individu- als who die with no next of kin and without a will, will continue to have its services grow with the county's pop- ulation. The grand jury recom- mended additional staff be hired when funds become availableand the needarises. Editor's note: The grand jury's investigation into school safety at Red Bluff Union High School will be reported in an upcoming Daily News article. Report FROM PAGE 1 in November 2004. TCFD prepared and the Board of Supervisors approved a request for a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emer- gency Response (SAFER) grant last summer. The grant will assist with funding for paid person- nel to staff an engine for a two-year time frame, aug- menting the existing vol- unteer firefighting staff assigned to the station al- ready. Cal Fire, Tehama-Glenn Unit Chief Jeff Schori said he is pleased with these two years of augmented staffing to support exist- ing volunteers and the res- idents of Tehama County. The department had ap- plied for this grant in pre- vious years, but was un- successful in obtaining it. An open house will be scheduled in mid-July in- viting the public and me- dia to come out to the sta- tion. Station FROM PAGE 1 Brave: Richard Brave, 49, of Red Bluff, died Thursday, June 26, at his residence. Arrangements are under the direction of Blair's Cremation & Burial in Redding. Published Saturday, June 28, 2014in the Daily News, Red Bluff, California. Pulliam: Margie Pulliam, 87, of Chico, died Friday, June 27at Windsor Chico Creek Care and Reha- bilitation Center in Chico. Arrangements are under the direction of Hoyt-Cole Chapel of the Flowers. Published Saturday, June 28, 2014in the Daily News, Red Bluff, California. Reed: Ted L. Reed, 95, of Redding, died Thursday, June 26, at Shasta Estates Independent Senior Living Community in Redding. Arrangements are under the direction of Hoyt-Cole Chapel of the Flowers. Published Saturday, June 28, 2014in the Daily News, Red Bluff, California. Death notices must be provided by mortuar- ies to the news depart- ment, are published at no charge, and feature only specific basic in- formation about the de- ceased. Paid obituaries are placed through the Classified advertising department. Paid obitu- aries may be placed by mortuaries or by fami- lies of the deceased and include online publica- tion linked to the news- paper's website. Paid obituaries may be of any length, may run multiple days and offer wide lat- itude of content, includ- ing photos. DEATH NOTICES MENTAL HEALTH Golden Gate Bridge suicide barrier funding approved THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Tourists walk next to a telephone sign on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Golden Gate Bridge officials approved a funding package for a $76million suicide barrier. R ed Bluff Simple Cremations & Burial Service NowOffering Eco-Friendly urns at economy friendly prices. 722 Oak Street, Red Bluff, FD Lic. 1931 527-1732 SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2014 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |NEWS | 5 A