Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/344045
ByAndreByik abyik@redbluffdailynews.com @andrebyik on Twitter RED BLUFF ThecityofRedBluff Planning Commission on Tues- day approved an exemption to the city's flood hazard rules that could clear the way for a third Starbucks on Red Bluff. The Planning Commission, in a unanimous vote, approved a recommendation to exempt the vacant structure at 265 Ante- lope Blvd., formerly a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant, from the city's flood elevation rules. An architecture firm handling plans for the proposed Starbucks in east Red Bluff, which would be the third in the city, joining locations on Adobe Road to the north and South Main Street to the south, had asked the city for an exemption to its ordinance that mandates the proposed lo- cation's finished floor should, at a minimum, be one foot above the 274-foot base flood elevation. The building sits just 4 inches shy of the city require- ment at 274.6 feet. The architecture firm noted that the building meets state and federal guidelines as it stands, and the structure would have to be destroyed and rebuilt to accommodate the city's re- quirement. Planning Director Scot Tim- boe said at the Planning Com- mission's meeting Tuesday that the city's base flood elevation re- quirement was created to help people save on insurance costs. "The reason for the request is that the building in ques- tion was built in the 1970s and is now vacant; raising the floor would be cost prohibitive and a financial hardship due (to) exist- ing slab on grade construction, site and utility difficulties and the fact that the site is currently fully developed," the firm said in a letter to the city. It added that the exemption, "considering the flood hazard affords relief with- out requiring costly redevelop- ment which would make this or any project on this site unfea- sible resulting in the perpetua- tion of building vacancy and ur- ban decay." In a city report to the plan- ning commission, it's said the ar- RED BLUFF Commission OKs exemption for proposed St ar bu ck s Va ca nt b ui ld ing o n An te lo pe Bo ul ev ar d co ul d h ou se ci ty 's t hi rd St ar bu ck s By Andre Byik abyik@redbluffdailynews.com @andrebyik on Twitter RED BLUFF A panel of 12 jurors was selected Wednesday for the trial of a Red Bluff man charged with murder in the death of a mil- itary veteran last year. The jury comprises six men and six women, along with two alter- nates. Some prospective jurors were excused by Tehama County Superior Court Judge Matt McG- lynn for medical reasons, and oth- ers were excused by both the prose- cution and defense following ques- tioning that focused on prospective jurors' feelings toward self-defense laws and bias. Christopher Hougland, the de- fendant, is charged with murder with the special allegation that he used a knife in the June 2013 death of 28-year-old Samuel Forseth of Palo Cedro. A 911 call was received at 2:23 a.m. June 27 of last year, when someone in the 200 block of Pi- non Way in Red Bluff reported that a man was bleeding on his front porch. Officers responded and found Forseth with signifi- cant wounds consistent with those caused by a knife, Red Bluff police said at the time. Medical person- nel arrived on scene and deter- mined Forseth had succumbed to his wounds. Hougland, 40, and a military veteran himself, was taken to St. Elizabeth Community Hospi- tal and treated for cuts or stab wounds before being taken to the police department where he was arrested on suspicion of murder. Police have said they believed Hougland and Forseth were friends or acquaintances, and a neighbor on Pinon Way had said Hougland called Forseth his "brother." Hougland, who appeared with his attorneys in court Wednesday, has pleaded not guilty. McGlynn told jurors that the case is expected to run for about two weeks, and he ordered the jury to return to court at 8:45 a.m. today to hear opening state- ments. The defendant remains in cus- tody. TEHAMA COUNTY JuryselectedinHouglandtrial Red Bluff man charged with murder in 2013 death of military veteran By Rich Greene rgreene@redbluffdailynews.com @richgreenenews on Twitter REDBLUFF When the Poor And The Homeless, known by most as PATH, opened Main Street Treasures two years ago the goal was to have sales from the thrift store support its men's and women's transitional hous- ing programs. In the process those staying at the shelters could gain valuable work experience. Such an idealistic scenario worked for Kelly Watkins. The mother of three found her- self homeless in Corning before being put in touch with the PATH program. After a short stay at PATH's Sale House Watkins found an apartment of her own. She worked as a volunteer at Main Street Treasures, eventu- ally becoming a paid employee through CalWorks and in March washiredbyPATHtomanagethe Main Street location. Watkins is a shining example of PATH's goal, but despite the success Main Street Treasures will be shutting its doors for good Aug. 31. That's because PATH was made aware in late 2013 that its use of volunteers staying at the shelters to man the store violated state law. PATH Events Coordinator Pam Klein, who oversees Main Street Treasures, said after consultation with the Division of Labor Stan- dards Enforcement it was deter- mined the volunteers would have to be considered employees and thus paid the prevailing mini- mum wage. Combined with the worker's compensation payments PATH would have to make, the organi- zationcametotheconclusionthat Main Street Treasures would ac- tually cost the non-profit money to keep open despite its dis- counted rent gifted by the For- ward family. Klein said although the labor board may never target Main Street Treasures, PATH was founded on integrity and has de- cided to close in August. Klein said she wants to get the word out to other non-prof- its using volunteers in commer- cial sales situations what the la- bor rules are, not to get them in trouble, but open up a dialogue about the regulations that hurt non-profits. Klein owns Furniture Depot on South Main Street. As a com- mercial business owner, Klein says she can see both sides of the argument. Klein's own experience helped many who volunteered at the thrift store, including Watkins. Klein said Watkins could go anywhere in the retail commu- nity and become a successful em- ployee. Although she's keeping her on through the store's closure. Watkins said she's also putting her next career step on hold un- til then. "I want to give back to PATH what they gave to me," Watkins said. The store's closure was the sec- ond bit of tough economic luck to hit PATH in recent months. A grant, administrated by GlennCountythatfundsthePath- ways Men's Transitional Housing program was filed late and cost PATH lost around $97,000 in funding. That's put more pressure on PATH to raise its funds with its next two annual fundraisers. The first comes Aug. 1-2 when PATH hosts its giant yard sale at the Sale House, on the corner of Sale Lane and Gilmore Ranch Road, to bene- fit its clients. Klein said items from the thrift store, most of which have been generously donated by the community, will be taken to the yard sale. What's left will go back to Main Street Treasures to be sold through the store's clo- sure at the end of August. "It's a great program to do- nate to. It really does help peo- ple. It's amazing," Watkins said of her own experiences. PATH will then focus on its annual walk fundraiser, which benefits the community's ro- tating homeless shelter in the winter. Klein said it costs around $40,000 to operate the shelter for the season. For more information on how to assist PATH, call Jen- nifer Ragsale at 727-7191. PATH NO MORE POPPING TAGS ON MAIN Main Street Treasures: Closing over complications with volunteer worker status KellyWatkinsringsupacustomerWednesdayatMainStreetTreasures.ThePoorAndTheHomeless,whichoperatesthestore,isclosing its doors for good Aug. 31over complications with volunteer's employee status. Lifestyles........A5 Community.....A3 Life...................A4 Opinion............A6 Sports.............. B1 Weather ..........B8 Index............... ## INDEX Second Chance Pet Rescue in Corning is planning a Military Appreciation Days July 25-28. PAGEA3 PETS RescuetohostMilitary Appreciation Days Guidelines were released for the Western Art Show & Sale in conjunction with the Red Bluff Bull Sale. PAGE A5 WESTERN ART SHOW Guidelines set for January show An American who co-authored "Fiesta: How to Survive the Bulls of Pamplona" became one of their victims. PAGE B3 RUNNING OF THE BULLS Author of bull-running books is gored by bull The strikes killed at least 22people as Israel signaled a ground invasion could be quickly approaching. PAGE B4 MIDDLE EAST 200 targets hit by Israel in Gaza STARBUCKS PAGE 7 ยป redbluffdailynews.com Thursday, July 10, 2014 50CENTS AN EDITION OF THE CHICO ENTERPRISE-RECORD 7 58551 69001 9 Volume129,issue165 Today's web bonus Bay Bridge series. redbluffdailynews.com HOBBY Annualkite festivalinOregon A+E A5 EDUCATION Science of water camp Lifestyles A4 FORECAST High: 102 Low: 69 B8 Grow?Ranchorride? Readaboutlocalandnational Ag, rural, ranch and rodeo news and commentary. VISIT REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM/ RODEO DOYOU RODEO?