Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/509460
ByAndreByik abyik@redbluffdailynews.com @andrebyik on Twitter CORNING AsthecityofCorning continues work on a 2015-2016 budget, the City Council on Tues- day is scheduled to consider the long-range priorities of the city's police, fire and public works de- partments. Council members are sched- uled to consider adopting the city's 2015 Long-range Capital Improvement Plan and Priorities for Services document, which is prepared to identify urgent de- partment needs, as well as fu- ture needs, according to a city staff report. "Of course, approval of the 'pri- orities' does not assure funding; funding is determined by the City Council when the final budget is approved," according to the re- port. Police Corning Police Department pri- orities include the purchase of an additional patrol vehicle and body cameras, the replacement of stun guns and body armor, computer upgrades and the expansion of the department's K-9 program, according to the report. The department states a prior understanding with the city, ac- cording to the report, meant that patrol vehicles would be replaced when they hit 85,000 miles. That cap was raised to 100,000 miles because of money restrictions, and now patrol ve- hicles are driven in excess of 100,000 miles. According to the department, three of their eight patrol vehi- cles have been driven more than 100,000 miles. The department estimates that in the city's 2015-2016 fiscal year, its priorities could cost about $66,750. Fire The Corning Fire Department's top priorities are the replacement of a fire engine and two Ford pick- ups, according to the report. The department says its newest engine is nearing its 20-year ser- vice life, and recommends an an- nual budget allotment of $19,000 to finance a replacement. CORNING Police,fire officials identify needs CityCounciltoconsider department priorities By Julie Zeeb jzeeb@redbluffdailynews.com @DN_Zeeb on Twitter RED BLUFF The Post Office sent letters out Thursday to post office box holders that an overflow post office box facility at 455 Washing- ton St. is in the process of closing. In the letter, falling revenue, decreased mail volume and the downturn of the economy were cited as reasons for the change, but box holders were told that an effective date for the closure would be forthcoming and they would receive notice when an of- ficial date is chosen. "It is for financial reasons," Red Bluff Post Mistress Dee Dee Pen- dergraft said. "The lease on the building is up and we are trans- ferring over to the main lobby. No one is going to lose their PO box. (Box holders) will have to come in to get new keys and bring the old ones in, but we are hoping to make this as easy of a transition as possible. The main thing that will be different is the location." Box holders will have their boxes transferred to the main branch at 447 Walnut St. While there is no guarantee, the office is making every effort possible to let customers keep the box number they already have, Pendergraft said. POST OFFICE Mailoverflowfacilitytoclose TheRedBluffPost Office announced Thursday it is closing its overflow post office box facility at 455 Washington St., pictured here, sometime between July and mid- September. JULIE ZEEB — DAILY NEWS Staff reports MINERAL Lassen Volcanic Na- tional Park entrance and camp- ing fees are scheduled to in- crease starting June 1, it was announced Friday. An annual entry pass will in- crease from $25 to $40, the day entry fee will increase from $5 to $10 per person, the per vehi- cle fee will increase from $10 to $20, and the motorcycle fee will increase from $5 to $15. Camping fees will increase $2-6 per site. The park in December also will introduce a winter seasonal pass that will cost $10. "Our visitors often come for a day trip to play in the snow at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visi- tor Center," said Steve Gibbons, park superintendent, in a press release. "Public comments ex- pressed an interest in a reduced winter fee and we are pleased to start offering it next winter." The park sought feedback on proposed fee increases late last year, and the current park en- trance fees have not changed since 1998, according to the Na- tional Park Service. The added revenue from the fee increases "will be used to im- prove and maintain Kings Creek Falls and Bumpass Hell trails, provide children's interpre- tive exhibits in the visitor cen- ter, develop Volcano Adventure Camp, rehabilitate Warner Val- ley Campground, and improve campground roadways and rest- rooms," according to the release. The fees at the park have also aided in the repair of the Pacific Crest Trail, the reopen- ing of Butte Lake Campground, the installation of an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant audiovisual system at the Loo- mis Museum, and the installa- tion of campground bear-proof food lockers, according to the release. Also on June 1, entrance and camping fees are set to increase at Whiskeytown National Recre- ation Area. An annual entry pass will increase from $25 to $40, and camping fees will increase from $1 to $10 per site or day use area. According to the release, more than 1.2 million people vis- ited Lassen Park and Whiskey- town National Recreation Area in 2014, contributing more than $60.4 million to local economies and supporting 890 jobs. LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK FEES TO INCREASE Entrance, camping costs rise and annual pass to jump from $25 to $40 starting June 1 COURTESY PHOTO Lassen Volcanic National Park entrance and camping fees are scheduled to increase starting June 1. Community.....A3 Farm ................ A7 Lifestyles...... A10 Weather .........A12 Opinion............A6 Sports.............. B1 INDEX Current estimates are that one out of every three pets becomes lost at least once in their life. PAGEA3 COMMUNITY The importance of a microchip for your pet Many Facebook scams requesting donations have sprung up in the wake of the Nepal earthquake. PAGE A10 LIFESTYLES Gri ers prey on sympathy for victims The federal civil rights investi- gation will search for discrimi- natory policing practices. PAGE B6 BALTIMORE POLICE Federal investigators launch probe of BPD A cold spring storm le some California mountains coated with the snowfalls that winter largely failed to deliver. PAGE A8 DRY STATES Chilly spring storm brings rain, snow By Heather Hacking hhacking@chicoer.com @HeatherHacking on Twitter OROVILLE Drought makes everyone scramble, includ- ing homeowners, farmers and county water leaders. Paul Gosselin, director of the Butte County Water Department gave an update on the most re- cent Drought Task Force meet- ing during the Wednesday ses- sion of the county Water Com- mission. Task force members include county department heads in- volved in fire, emergency re- sponse, farming, the environ- ment and water. Historic cutbacks For the first time in 23 years, senior water rights holders along the Feather River will have water supplies cut by 50 percent, Gos- selin said. "This is causing a scramble," to figure out how to distribute water and how to decide what to plant. While the water districts don't have wells, many of the in- dividual landowners can access groundwater for their property, Gosselin explained. Gosselin said he expects about 25 percent of the rice acreage in these districts to go fallow this year. WATER COMMISSION Ev er yo ne s cr am bl in g to d ea l wi th d ro ug ht 's b lo ws MAIL PAGE 11 NEEDS PAGE 11 DROUGHT PAGE 11 » redbluffdailynews.com Saturday, May 9, 2015 $1.00 AN EDITION OF THE CHICO ENTERPRISE-RECORD 7 98304 20753 8 Volume130,issue121 Good morning, thanks for subscribing Augustine Snow RED BLUFF FFA forestry team state champs Community A3 RODEO District 1 All Around winners Farm A7 FORECAST High: 87 Low: 55 A12 LiketheDailyNews on Facebook and stay in the loop on local news, sports and more. VISITFACEBOOK.COM/ RBDAILYNEWS LIKEUSON FACEBOOK