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Saturday, June 11, 2011 – Daily News 9A Obituary GREGORY N. MILLER June 5, 2011 at his residence in Oroville, California. He was born in Oregon to Loren and Mary Miller and raised on the family’s ranches in Fort Klamath, Oregon and Red Bluff, California. He attended Red Bluff High School and CSUC and graduated from Cal Poly, SLO with a degree in Range Management. Greg was always a hard worker regardless the job, and ever a cowman at heart. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, gold panning, and woodworking. Greg was predeceased by his mother, father, and broth- Gregory N. Miller (64) passed away peacefully Sunday, er, Michael J. Miller. Surviving him are BJ Miller, former wife, daughter; Mary Jane Ornbaun, her husband Clarke and their children: Cody, Alison, Colt and Lauren Ornbaun. Son; Sean Miller and his children: Jacey and Bailey Miller. Brothers: Jeff Miller, and Mark Miller, sisters: Marianne Martin, Patty Plemons, and Jane Montgomery, and numerous nieces and nephews. A private family service will be held at a later date in Fort Klamath, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Greg loved his family, especially his grandkids, green pastures, good horses, and one great cow dog, Max. Death Notice Nadine Wood Nadine Wood of Red Bluff died Thursday, June 9, 2011. She was 82. Hoyt-Cole Chapel of the Flowers is handling the arrangements. Published Saturday, June 10, 2011, in the Daily News, Red Bluff, Calif. HIT Continued from page 1A suffered lacerations to his arms, legs and head. The suspect car, a white Honda two-door with tint- ed windows and blue neon colored headlights, fled northbound on Barham Avenue. Police are investigating the case as an intentional act. Anyone with informa- tion, can call the police at 824-7000. • Minor property dam- age was done to a car that was struck from behind around 4:35 p.m., Thurs- day. 2011 Continued from page 1A today affect tomorrow. We write our destiny.” Describing their lives as blank pages to be written on, Denali continued by encouraging the students to take what they have learned into their future. “We venture into the unknown to begin our future,” Denali said. “The lessons we’ve been taught and learned have been like training wheels. Each les- son is like a bolt that was unfastened on the training wheel of life.” One of the lessons her classes learned was about unity and that two heads are better than one, she said. “As we say our final goodbyes, think back on all we’ve been through and all we’ve conquered,” Denali said. “Take the lessons you have learned with you as you move on. Tonight, we leave the naive kids behind and become adults. Our journey has just begun. Make your future bright.” California Scholarship Federation (CSF) Advisers Geoff Barrow and Kim Clawson presented the stu- dents who earned the right to be CSF Seal bearers through both academic achievement and commu- nity service. The nineteen students join a long-standing tradi- tion of Red Bluff High School graduates being CSF Seal Bearers, one that dates back to 1923, Claw- son said. Scharaga, who graduat- ed the top of the class, gave the second keynote address, using music to describe her journey to graduation. “Each and every one of us has a soundtrack for our life that we compose every day,” Scharaga said. “Songs to deal with break- ups and songs that make us smile. Why not rewind tonight and listen to your soundtrack.” Graduation was not just about celebrating the accomplishment of starting a new journey, but cele- brating the life students had while at Red Bluff Brooke Thompson, 31, of Red Bluff was at a stop light on the Interstate 5 off-ramp at Antelope Boulevard waiting to turn right when a black two door sedan approached. The sedan stopped, then pulled forward and struck the rear of Thomp- son’s 2006 Volkswagen Jetta. Thompson made the turn and pulled over on Antelope Boulevard. The driver of the sedan made an obscene gesture while passing and contin- uing eastbound on Ante- lope. The first two letters of the license plate are 6M. High and the memories made there, Scharaga said. The graduates will be making choices about where to go in life and what their journey looks like and anything is possi- ble since in the words of a Natasha Bedingfield song their life is unwritten, she said. “Don’t be afraid of the unknown,” Scharaga said. “It may seem like this is the end, but the journey has just begun. It starts within. It’s not easy, but look at the examples around like the staff here who pulls togeth- er. Never be afraid to make mistakes and put yourself out there.” Principal Patrick Glea- son, who presented the graduates to Superinten- dent Dan Curry, said it was almost 30 years ago he sat in the same seat as the graduates. “I didn’t have plans or direction,” Gleason said. “I realized later my lack of inspiration was because of a fear of failure.” Eventually enrolling in college was the smartest thing he’d done, Gleason said. He continued by adding that one of the things he has learned in life is that there will be suc- cesses and failures and stu- dents shouldn’t allow their fears to cause failures. “In the real world, tough guys and gals are those who get knocked down and get back up,” Gleason said. “Here’s hoping you guys will become tough guys. The evening also included two special things for the Class of 2011 with all the graduates learning how to clap in sign lan- guage for three deaf and hard of hearing students. There was also a spot in the program to acknowl- edge four retiring employ- ees: Dwight Evans, Bar- bara Polster, Jack Pratt and Renee Wilgus and one for Ronnie Lee King. King, who was sup- posed to have graduated from Red Bluff High with the class of 2011, died in 2008. ——— Julie Zeeb can be reached at 527-2153, extension 115 or jzeeb@redbluffdailynews. com. FEST Continued from page 1A ticipate in the skate demonstrations, said owner Frank Chavez. The group does about 12 festivals a year in addition to competitions, church events and school func- tions, he said. This was the first time in Red Bluff. “We traveled for secu- lar companies, but it was not as fulfilling as reach- ing out to kids and being a role model,” Chavez said. Their message is a big part of what they do, he said. “We’ll go anywhere to do festivals and bring a positive word to the com- munity,” Chavez said. All of the volunteers lead productive, positive, drug-free lifestyles and want to encourage youth that they can reach their dreams without drugs or alcohol, he said. The Illumination Festi- val will continue through Sunday afternoon. Today’s events include live performances by Addison Road, Phil Joel, DEBATE Continued from page 1A spilling into Shasta County. Other focal areas across the state include the Sierra Foothills, the San Benito Hills and the Sequoia Foothills. By the time Pelz gets to Red Bluff Tuesday, he will have con- ducted four of the six meetings that are being held in the communities that could be affected. There has been a variety of input from the those meetings, Pelz said Thursday. A lot of people are asking SACRAMENTO (AP) — The state Senate on Fri- day rejected extending tax hikes for another year to help close California’s $9.6 billion budget deficit but approved a bill that would allow local communities to more easily go to voters for tax increases. The Senate voted 22-15 along party lines for the so- called bridge tax, which would have continued for one year increases in the sales and vehicle taxes enacted in 2009. The mea- sure fell five votes short of the two-thirds majority needed. The higher tax rates will expire by June 30 unless they are renewed. Democrats want a one- year renewal to give school districts certainty over their funding before the new school year begins. ‘‘It is simply fiscal pru- dence to extend existing tax rates for a brief period of time,’’ said Sen. Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa. In their attempt to contin- ue the tax increases, Democ- rats for months have tried to bring Republicans on board. But with few signs of a Daily News photo by Andrea Wagner Pokey the Clown makes balloon animals for guests Friday during a weekend of activities at the Illumination Festival at the Tehama Dis- trict Fairground. Dan Meyer, Worth Dying For, Reuben and others. Sunday’s lineup includes Johnny Diaz, Anthony Skinner, Jeremy Riddle, Luminate and Silverline, John Luke Dowler. Speakers, venders and workshops will be set up around the fairgrounds throughout the event. For more information, visit www.illumination- what the program will be like. There have been ranchers who are in sup- port of the project and others who oppose. Some voiced mistrust, which is expected when the public is dealing with a government agency, Pelz said. That same sentiment may be pre- sent at Tuesday’s meeting. The Tehama County Tea Party has canceled its meeting so mem- bers can attend the easement meet- ing. Shasta County resident Andrew Spanfelner, who considers himself a Constitutionalist, said he is against breakthrough as a budget deadline looms, the Legisla- ture might have to solve the remaining shortfall solely through spending cuts, which both parties have said they do not want. The Senate’s actions Fri- day represented lawmakers’ first votes on the budget since Gov. Jerry Brown revised his spending plan in May. Senators approved most of the Democratic gov- ernor’s proposals, including nearly $3 billion more to schools than originally planned. But they made little headway toward raising state revenues. To that end, Democrats read letters from their local sheriffs and school districts, listing thousands of addi- tional job cuts, larger class sizes and threats to public safety they said would result from an all-cuts budget without the tax extensions. Republicans countered that voters won’t approve tax extensions, so the bridge tax does nothing but hurt businesses and families and delay the inevitable need for budget cuts. ‘‘I want to fix the prob- Board moving closer to festival.com. ——— Andrea Wagner can be reached at 527-2153, extension 114 or awagner@redbluffdailyne ws.com. the project as it encroaches on the rights of private property owners. “Private property and individual liberty are the main foundations of this Republic,” he said. Information on the Foothills Legacy Area project can be found at www.fws.gov/cno/refuges/plan- ning/cfla.cfm. Public comments can be sent to fw8plancomments@fws.gov. ——— Tang Lor can be reached at 527- 2153, Ext. 110 or by e-mail at tlor@redbluffdailynews.com. Bid to renew tax hikes for a year fails in Senate Once the bridge tax bill lem,’’ said Senate Minority Leader Bob Dutton, R-Ran- cho Cucamonga. ‘‘This doesn’t fix it. What this does is kicking the can down the road.’’ Brown wants lawmakers to call a special election in September so voters can decide whether to extend the sales and vehicle tax hikes for five years and the per- sonal income tax increase for four years. The ‘‘bridge’’ refers to the period of time between when a budget is adopted for the fiscal year that begins July 1 and when voters would go to the polls to decide whether they want to renew the 2009 tax increas- es. Those increases have had Californians paying an extra 1 percent in sales tax, a half percent more for vehicle licenses and a quarter per- cent higher income tax rate. Some tax filers also have received a lower tax exemp- tion for dependents. The Brown administra- tion estimated the temporary increases have boosted the average amount each Cali- fornia pays in taxes by $260 a year. STATE BRIEFING tion. water rules for farmers RANCHO CORDOVA (AP) — A regional water board is moving closer to approving permanent regulations that would require thousands of California farmers to monitor and clean up polluted groundwater. The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board voted Thursday to extend interim surface water rules while its staff works on drafting permanent ‘‘orders’’ for specific areas and types of crops. Under the proposed regulations, farmland would be clas- sified based on its contamination risk. Farms considered most likely to pollute groundwater would have to take steps to reduce agricultural runoff. Farmers oppose the regulations, saying they will be expensive and bureaucratic. Environmental groups say the rules are not strong enough. The rules will be subject to public review and a final board vote. It’s expected they would go into effect in 2014. Tense cross-exam in trial over Calif mom stabbing PLACERVILLE (AP) — Prosecutors are challenging a Northern California man who says he arrived at the scene of the gruesome stabbing of his underage girl- friend’s mother only after the victim was dead. Steven Paul Colver is accused of stabbing Joanne Witt 20 times at her El Dorado Hills home after she accused him of statutory rape over his relationship with her 14- year-old daughter, Tylar. The Sacramento Bee reports El Dorado County Deputy District Attorney Lisette Suder challenged Colver’s testimony Friday during a tense cross-examina- Colver testified male DNA found on Joanne Witt’s leg came from him touching her after she was dead. He says he arrived following the June 2009 attack to discover Tylar, then 14, holding a bloody knife. Prosecutors claim the DNA shows Joanne Witt was fighting off the then-19-year-old man. Thousands honor 2 San Francisco firefighters SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Thousands of firefight- ers from around the country are gathering in San Fran- cisco to pay tribute to two city firefighters who died while battling a house fire. Lt. Vincent Perez and firefighter-paramedic Antho- ny Valerio were remembered as heroes who gave their lives to save others at Friday’s funeral service at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Gov. Jerry Brown, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi were among the attendees. failed, Democrats instead passed legislation that allows cities, counties and school districts to increase taxes in their local jurisdic- tions with voter approval. SB23, by Senate Presi- dent Pro Tem Darrell Stein- berg, D-Sacramento, passed with minimum support, 21- 16. Republicans accused Democrats of pouting about the tax extensions and there- fore taking up Steinberg’s bill, which would go into effect as soon as the Assem- bly approves it and Brown signs it. ‘‘This seems borne out of petulance about not being able to pass taxes,’’ said Sen. Sam Blakeslee, R-San Luis Obispo. Steinberg later said he proposed the measure both to pressure Republicans and to give schools and law enforcement other funding options. ‘‘This bill, SB23, is one of the few tools, maybe the only tool left to those who are going to bear the brunt of the failure to gain the state revenue, to be able to meet their responsibilities,’’ he said.