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FRIDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2012 Breaking news at: Teacher Cuts Motivate Kids Education Page www.redbluffdailynews.com See Page 8A RED BLUFF Senior Night SPORTS 1B Partly cloudy 65/44 Weather forecast 10A DAILYNEWS TEHAMACOUNTY DAILY 50¢ T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 Beetles hold up bridge Ceremony for Guard unit headed to Afghanistan REDDING — A deployment ceremony to honor the 200 California National Guard soldiers of the 132nd Multi-Role Bridge Company (MRBC) will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Redding Convention Center in preparation for their yearlong mission in Afghanistan. The 132nd MRBC will be responsible for the main- tenance, construction and removal of a variety of bridge systems throughout Afghanistan. The unit will play a crucial role in improving and maintaining local infra- structure, as well as ensuring maneuverability of coali- tion forces across the country. This is the first overseas combat deployment for the 132nd MRBC since its inception as a bridging unit in 2008. About 20 percent of the unit's soldiers, however, are veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan from previous deployments. "I am proud and privileged to command the men and women of the 132nd," said Company Commander Capt. Adam Rix. "These soldiers have bonded into a cohesive team, confident in their technical ability to do their job, as well as look out for each other when it's needed most. I am looking forward to completing our mission and leaving the country a little better than we found it." Daily News photo by Andrea Wagner The Bowman Road bridge over the south fork of Cottonwood Creek is closer to being rebuilt and straightened but the project has hit one hurdle after another since it started in 1998. Endangered Species Act requires $10K berry removal By ANDREA WAGNER DN Staff Writer Tehama County Supervisors begrudging- ly approved allotting $10,000 for the removal of seven elderberry plants, a requirement to move forward a Cotton- wood bridge project. The Bowman Road bridge over the south fork of Cottonwood Creek, a $7.5 million project, has been a source of chagrin for county officials who already faced eminent domain proceedings in 2011 to continue the pro- ject. In March 2011, the bridge's neighbors, who had protested since 2002 against selling portions of their properties to allow for the new bridge, lost ground as supervi- sors voted to exercise eminent domain. With the property needed acquired through court proceedings, coun- ty Road Department Director Gary Antone brought the board anoth- er issue Jan. 31. Elderberry bushes, home of the threatened Valley Elderberry Long- Man charged with theft when caught with neighbor's things By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer A 30-year-old Corning man was arrested about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 1400 block of Yolo Street after being found in pos- session of items from a neighboring apartment. Officers were sent at 2:23 a.m. to reports of a burglary in a one story, six-unit apartment com- plex at 1417 Yolo St. There were no signs of forced entry when offi- cers arrived, however, insulation left in a bed- room closet led officers to the adjoining neighbors' attic access at 1415 Yolo St. Contact was made with Jason Montesdeoca, who was found to have his neighbor's stolen jewelry in his possession. Montes- deoca also was in posses- sion of 0.1 grams of methamphetamine and a methamphetamine smok- ing device. Montesdeoca was booked into Tehama County Jail on the charges of burglary, possession of stolen property, a con- trolled substance and con- trolled substance para- phernalia. Bail was set at $133,000. Items taken included a television, computer, jew- elry, school supplies and medication, total value of $800. Further investigation led officers to search unsuccessfully at another residence within city lim- its for outstanding stolen 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 property. ——— Julie Zeeb can be reached at 527-2153, extension 115 or jzeeb@redbluffdailynews .com. Follow her on Twitter @DN_Zeeb. horn Beetle, are growing in the proposed bridge path. "It is a primary con- cern for the area because we run into this all the time," Antone said. Removal of the elder- berry plants is funded through the Highway Bridge Program of Proposition 1B, the State Transportation Improve- ment Program. The bridge project, has been in the planning stages since 1998, is backed by the Federal Highway Administra- tion. The aging, one-lane, pony truss bridge, built in 1920 and rehabilitated in 1942, was deemed seismically unfit in a 1997 study. Located 11 miles west of Cotton- wood, about four miles north of Highway 36W, the bridge spans the creek with an abrupt 15 mph zig zag in the road. Officials decided early on in the process that measures could be taken to make the bridge safe, but the bridge still wouldn't meet standards for load limit, size and other matters. The county began the process of environmental studies and planning to build a new bridge, including public work- shops in 2003 on possi- ble alignment choices. In 2006, an archaeo- See BRIDGE, page 9A Hansen takes over at Reeds Creek By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer Retired Los Molinos Elementary Principal Dane Hansen has stepped in to fill in after Reeds Creek School Superintendent and Prin- cipal Jake Hosler was placed on administrative leave. Hosler was placed on leave on Feb. 2, however, the day to day work at the school continues and good things are happen- ing, said Hansen. "Because of the nature of confidentiality, probably very little will be addressed at the Feb. 16 meeting," Hansen said. "We do want to reaffirm that the students are in the classroom learning, that the busi- ness of education is going on and academic achievement moving for- ward. I know first-hand because I'm in the class- room every day and out and about with the stu- dents." In addition to eight years as principal at Los Molinos, Hansen has been working with Reeds Creek on staff development and cur- riculum support since the 2010-2011 school year through the Tehama County Department of Education, he said. He was asked to serve as substitute by the County Office because he was already working with the school and already had his adminis- trative Hansen said. See HANSEN, page 9A PD honors the year's achievements By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer The Red Bluff Police Department gathered Thursday to hand out 36 awards to several of its members in a ceremony held at the Red Bluff Community Center. Chief Paul Nanfito said 2011 was a very challeng- ing year, like the last few years, for Red Bluff Police, but his staff mem- bers have all risen to the challenge. "You have done a tremendous job despite difficult circumstances," he said. The awards included longevity ribbons for years of service, special assignment, meritorious service, unit citation, life saving, employee of the year, distinguished ser- vice and certificate of commendation. Officer Heather Vance was awarded Officer of the Year and received a Field Training Officer Ribbon. "Officer Vance is dedi- cated, selfless and a hard worker," Nanfito said. "She has taken on several new duties including being an officer in charge when a supervisor is not available. She handles things positively and pro- Daily News photo by Julie Zeeb Red Bluff Police Chief Paul Nanfito congratulates Community Service Offi- cer Heidi Thomas Thursday on being a recipient of a Unit Citation. Also pic- tured are Lt. Kyle Sanders and fellow recipients Detective Kevin Hale and CSO Clint Weston. Not pictured Detective Brett McAllister. fessionally, is an excellent communicator and has an outstanding attitude. She is very committed to the community." Civilian Employee of the Year was given to Dis- patcher Jane Hoover, who also was given a Longevi- ty ribbon award and was one of four given the Dis- tinguished Service Award. "In 2011, Jane exhibit- ed numerous positive attributes," Nanfito said. "She's always willing to help, has a desire to serve and spent countless hours on the k-9 committee. The most significant thing is she has an incredibly pos- itive attitude." In her five years with the department, Hoover See PD, page 9A TEHAMA COUNTY GLASS MOULE'S WE SERVICE Garage Doors Springs Cables Sectional Remotes Rollers 515 Sycamore St. 529-0260 credentials,