Red Bluff Daily News

May 15, 2015

Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/512454

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 10 of 23

A letter to the editor with the headline "Ded- icated woman will be missed" in Thursday's edi- tion misspelled the name of the subject. The letter was referring to Rose Eb- ert. The Daily News re- grets the error. Itisthepolicyofthe 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 737-5042. CORRECTION Le tt er t o th e ed it or misspelled name Staff reports Digital First Media, the company that operates the Daily News, Chico En- terprise-Record, Oroville Mercury-Register and several other newspapers and websites in Northern California, has decided not to seek a sale of the entire company, saying it "is not in the best inter- est of shareholders at this time." The company, in a memo to employees Thurs- day, also announced that company executive Steve Rossi, who is based in San Jose, will assume leader- ship of DFM in July. John Paton, who now is chief executive officer of Digi- tal First Media, is retiring from DFM. Rossi is president and chief operating officer of Digital First Media, which manages more than 800 print and online products serving 67 million readers each month. DFM's Cali- fornia holdings, in addi- tion to Red Bluff, Chico and Oroville, include the Paradise Post, San Jose Mercury News, Contra Costa Times and Oakland Tribune. In September, DFM launched a wide-ranging review to seek strategic alternatives for the com- pany, including a possi- ble sale of all or parts of the firm. "While the review pro- cess is not complete it has been determined that a sale of the company as previously speculated is not in the best interest of shareholders at this time," Rossi and Paton said in their memo to employees. DFM still is holding discussions regarding se- lected assets, Rossi and Paton said. "We are looking at po- tential acquisition oppor- tunities," Rossi and Paton said. "Our performance is driving our digital fu- ture and increased prof- itability, and our essen- tially debt-free structure has given us a lot of op- tions, which we will con- tinue to explore." DFM's far-flung news- papers are grouped into several clusters. Among the groupings: Northern California, the Bay Area, Southern California, the Texas-New Mexico re- gion, papers in the east- ern United States and pa- pers in Colorado. Media analyst Ken Doc- tor speculates that clusters in the company could still be sold. "DFM could continue to manage its current cash flow, and there is no rea- son that they have to sell," Doctor said. "But the cur- rent owner, Alden Capital, doesn't want to be in the business of owning news- papers long-term." After leaving DFM, Pa- ton will shift to a full-time role with IVA Ventures. "We expect to have an ongoing working relation- ship with IVA Ventures in identifying cutting-edge products to accelerate our digital growth," Rossi and Paton said. MEDIA Daily News' parent company DFM no longer for sale It would be available to individuals with incomes of less than $6,580, or up to $13,870 for families with three or more dependents. The governor's new plan reflects higher-than-ex- pected tax revenues, most of which by law must go to public schools and filling California's rainy day ac- count. The budget includes $68.4 billion in 2015-16 to meet the state's school funding guarantee, up from $65.7 billion in Janu- ary. Brown's office said that amounts to an additional $3,000 per K-12 student compared with 2011-12. Brown also reached agreement with University of California President Ja- net Napolitano on an in- state undergraduate tu- ition freeze for at least two years in exchange for an extra $436 million in state funding for the university system to offset pension costs. The 10-campus sys- tem could still raise tuition for non-residents and stu- dents earning professional degrees. Brown's updated budget maintains his initial plan to increase the university's $3 billion base budget by $120 million, or 4 percent, and does not include any new money to expand in-state enrollment. The budget sets aside $3.8 billion in 2015-16 to help California weather the next financial downturn, to be evenly split between de- posits into the voter-ap- proved rainy day fund and paying down debts, includ- ing the UC pension liability. "I don't want to get caught in the jaws of the persistent fiscal instabil- ity of the state government of California," he said. "We know a recession is on the way. ... Is it next year? Is it four years from now?" The restrained approach won praise from Republi- cans in the state Legisla- ture. "It takes responsibility to hold the line on growth during years like this," said Senate Minority Leader Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar. Fellow Democrats and social welfare advocates are expected to continue pressing the governor to expand child care, health care and social programs that they say will help close the gap between rich and poor. "Childcare and higher education are important investments to fortify the future of California's econ- omy," Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, said in a state- ment. "We can and will do more to ensure our budget reflects these priorities." The budget also includes: — $2.2 billion for pro- grams to conserve water, re- spond to emergency condi- tions and expand local wa- ter supplies in the drought. — $1.2 billion increase in revenue from the state's landmark effort to curb greenhouse gas emissions for a total of $2.2 billion. California's cap-and-trade program was expanded this year to include fees on gas- oline, natural gas, propane and heating oil. —$62 million to begin enrolling low-income immi- grants in Medi-Cal, Califor- nia's version of Medicaid, on the assumption that Presi- dent Barack Obama will prevail in a court battle over his executive order. — $38 million in ongo- ing funding for the Califor- nia State University system and an additional $600 mil- lion above January projec- tions for community col- leges. Associated Press writers Fenit Nirappil and Juliet Williams in Sacramento, and Lisa Leff in San Francisco contributed to this report. Budget FROM PAGE 1 "I'm cooperating with them," he said. "I'm giving them everything they need. I just hope that it's some- thing that was misunder- stood or ... was unclear, as far as what any specific al- legation (there) is." Patel's term on the City Council expires in 2016, and he said he doesn't believe the inquiry will affect his role as a City Council member. "I'm going to be there," he said. "I'm going to be there as long I can and beyond that. What happens here (at the motel) obviously does reflect, butitdoesn'tmakemeadiffer- ent person. And I will always be 100 percent with what I do and my commitments." Patel said he had a brief conversation with Richard Crabtree, Red Bluff's city manager and attorney, and that everything is "business as usual." Patel said he had yet to re- tain an attorney. "At this moment I don't feel I need one, because, again, I'm being coopera- tive," he said. "They have ev- erything I have." Warrant FROM PAGE 1 Youth and adults alike are encouraged to flex their creative muscles through tinkering and Do It Yourself projects. The Makerspace at the Tehama County Depart- ment of Education will be available to young peo- ple, and the Green Room Community Art Studio will host open hours as well as classes to encour- age the creation of fine art and crafts to all ages. The Maker Summer will culminate in the fall with a special film fes- tival of locally produced projects developed dur- ing the summer. Cre- ations will also be cel- ebrated at the Tehama District Fair, which will host a special Maker cat- egory. The entire commu- nity is encouraged to par- ticipate. T he free Tehama County Summer Activi- ties Guide will be available at Wednesday's event. The guide, a project of Expect More Tehama, supports families in keeping chil- dren engaged with learn- ing and fun throughout the summer months. Lo- cal organizations that host summer youth activ- ities will also be available with information for en- rollment. Maker FROM PAGE 1 "In the end, like too many, people go back to their lives and some for- get that the families are still traumatized by the loss,"Ambroselli said. The Arizona police de- partment, in honor of their fallen comrade, took one of the daughters to her school's father/daughter dance. "It's not enough just to attend the ceremony, but to keep the vigil in years to come and as officers to be there for each other not just on duty, but off duty as well," Ambroselli said. "We need to clear the red tape for them not just im- mediately after, but in the years to come as well. To the families of those lost, we owe you a debt of grati- tude for years to come. It's a feeling that as long as I live in your heart, I'll live on." CHP Officer Dave Mad- rigal's daughter Saman- tha, now a CHP Explorer, read a poem titled "The Final Call" and Red Bluff Union High School Con- cert Choir performed two songs. A roll call of the fallen officers was read by Sheriff Dave Hencratt while offi- cers from various agencies lit a candle following the ringing of a bell. Sgt. Mark Levindofske played "Taps" as a 21-gun salute was performed by an honor guard and Bob Skinner followed with Amazing Grace on bag- pipes. Chaplain Gil DeLaO closed the event in prayer. Me mo ri al FR OM P AG E 1 JULIEZEEB—DAILYNEWS Tehama County District Attorney's Office Investigator Kevin Hale lights a candle for Covina Police Department Officer Jordan Corder Wednesday at the 21st annual Tehama County Peace Officers Memorial Service held at Bethel Assembly of God Church. By Sudhin Thanawala The Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO A judge on Thursday rejected Fe- dEx's attempt to toss out a federal drug indictment that accuses the company of knowingly shipping ille- gal prescription drugs. U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer said the acts alleged by prosecutors does not fall under an exemption in federal drug law for transportation companies such as FedEx. FedEx had argued that the exemption allowed it and other so-called com- mon carriers to legally possess drugs in the nor- mal course of its business. The Memphis, Tennessee- based shipping giant says it cannot reasonably be ex- pected to police the mil- lions of packages it ships each day. Breyer, however, said FedEx is accused of en- gaging in a conspiracy to distribute illegal drugs, which isn't covered by the exemption. If that be- havior were covered, what would stop a drug dealer from becoming a common carrier to distribute drugs without fear of prosecu- tion, he asked FedEx's at- torney. "It's not that it's an up- hill battle," the judge said of the argument FedEx was making. "It's an im- possible battle." P r o s e c ut or s h ave charged FedEx with mul- tiple drug counts alleging it conspiring with two on- line pharmacies to ship powerful sleep aids, sed- atives, painkillers and other drugs to customers it knew lacked valid pre- scriptions. FedEx has pleaded not guilty. In a statement after Thursday's hearing, Fe- dEx spokesman Patrick Fitzgerald said the com- pany was innocent of all the charges. He called the counts an "attack on the integrity of FedEx." FEDERAL CASE Judge says he won't toss FedEx drug indictment WANDAJANEGRAHAM May 1, 1930 ~ May 4, 2015 Wanda Jane Graham passed away peacefully on May 4, 2015 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Red Bluff, CA. Wanda was born on May 1, 1930 in Albuquerque, New Mexico and later moved to Brawley, CA, where she met and married Dan Graham, her husband of 67 years. Wanda's life centered around her husband, Dan ("Dan- ny") Graham and their six children. Dan and Wanda raised their children in Clayton, CA and later retired to their dream property in Paynes Creek, CA. She was an amazing wife and homemaker, whose interests included baking, canning, quilting and gardening. Wanda is survived by her beloved husband, Danny; their children, Brian, Judy, Ava, Blair and Bryce; sister, Joan and brothers Jess, Jimmy, and Jerri Hamilton. She was the proud grandmother of 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Wanda's wonderful spirit and love of life will be re- membered and treasured by all of her family and many dear friends. ALAN LOUIS HANS February 18, 1954 ~ April 28, 2015 Alan Louis Hans passed away on April 28th after a long battle with cancer. Alan was born February 18, 1954 in Norfolk, NE to proud parents Gwenyth and Merlin Hans. Alan grew up in Pacifica, CA through high school, and then moved on to earn an degree in Accounting from CSU Chico while residing at his family ranch in Gerber, CA. Alan practiced as a certified public accountant in the Bay Area for several years before establishing his own private tax preparation practice based in Gerber, CA which he ran for over 30 years. He was a jack-of-all- trades ready to take on any challenge, but sadly, having more projects and ideas than time. Alan sank deep roots in Tehama County as he farmed his land, improved his ranch, and enjoyed fishing and the great outdoors. A staunch advocate of independence and individuality, Alan was often a proud thorn in the system, opposing transgressions by government and corporations with vig- or; his non-conformist, rebellious nature, and unique out- look will be missed. He is survived by his two brothers, three nephews and niece. A small celebration of life will be held at his ranch at 11:00 AM on May 16, 2015. Obituaries FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2015 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM | NEWS | 11 A

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Red Bluff Daily News - May 15, 2015