Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/660028
Californiansarenowun- der orders to use at least 20 percent less water. To com- ply, many have let lawns turn brown, flushed toilets less often and taken other measures aimed at saving water. Northern California has seen the most rain and snow this winter, lift- ing its three largest reser- voirs to above-normal lev- els. Southern California, meanwhile, saw relatively little precipitation leaving most of its reservoirs low and threatening to further deplete dwindling ground- water. George Kostyrko of the State Water Board said of- ficials will consider the dif- ference in those regions while setting new con- servation targets in the months ahead. The snowpack in Cal- ifornia — now in its fifth year of drought — is typically at its deep- est on April 1 before the snow melts in the warm months, rushing down streams and rivers into lakes and reservoirs. The melted snow pro- vides roughly one-third of the water consumed by thirsty cities and farms in the nation's leading agri- cultural and most popu- lous state. San Joaquin Valley farmer Shawn Steven- son said the nearly aver- age snowpack provided a bit of encouragement after five tough years forced him to cut back his farming op- eration by nearly half. "It's certainly not the kind of news where we can breathe a sigh of relief and think the drought's over," Stevenson said. "It's going to take a number of years to recover." Strong El Nino storms in early March led some water districts to question whether a drought emer- gency still existed and if residents should still be re- quired to live under con- servation orders. Leaders of local wa- ter districts say the state needs to save the emer- gency declaration for the true emergencies, fearing they will lose credibility with the public the next time drought hits and they are asked to conserve. Tracy Quinn, a senior policy analyst with the Natural Resources De- fense Council, said the state should keep some conservation mandates in place in the south and make other measures per- manent. "It's important to re- member we've had several years of exceptionally hot and dry weather and it's going to be a long road to recovery," Quinn said. "We don't know what the next year and several years will bring." _____ Smith reported from Fresno, California. AP writer Ellen Knickmeyer contributed from Sonoma, California. Drought FROMPAGE1 tained with a few songs. Tehama County Ambassa- dor Michelle Sauve sang the national anthem while the Tehama County Young Ma- rines posted the colors and State Sen. Jim Nielsen's field representative Jerry Crow presented a certifi- cate of recognition. "On behalf of the Red Bluff-Tehama County Chamber, I'm thankful for the opening," CEO Dave Gowan said. "Robin and her team have done an amazing job. This has been a long journey for Walmart." The store is adding 150 new jobs, which is a blessing to the community, Gowan said. It is going to be open 24 hours a day, which will be convenient for residents. Having lived in Washington when a Supercenter opened there, Gowan said it caused local businesses to step up their game and saw them prosper as well. "It's a great thing and it will bring Red Bluff custom- ers, drawing folks from out ofthearea,"Gowansaid."As this expands, so does their commitment to the commu- nity and the employee give back match, which benefits our youth leagues, schools and churches." Collins welcomed the au- dience, acknowledging lo- cal dignitaries and thank- ing Gowan for his "amazing and endless support." "Last, but most impor- tantly, I want to thank our Walmart customers," Col- lins said. "The Supercenter is long-awaited and we are pleased to open this to the community." The store will draw peo- ple from all around Red Bluff to the city, Mayor Clay Parker said. "This has been a long time coming so congratu- lations," Parker said. "Who would have thought it would take over 10 years to get here. We see this as an overall positive with jobs added, internal promo- tions and the sales tax reve- nue that will help the city of Red Bluff provide services to residents. I can tell you Walmart is definitely part of the community. They give back and they also will allow residents to shop here rather than going to Ander- son or Chico, which means the money stays here." Several organizations re- ceived donations from the company, including Cali- fornia Highway Patrol Red Bluff Area Commander Lt. Lou Aviles for the Every 15 Minutes program; Homes For Hope, which provides support to those in need and the Red Bluff Volun- teer Fire Department and Red Bluff Police Depart- ment's K-9 program, which received $1,000 each. The Daily News received $500 for its Newspapers in Edu- cation program. "Partnering with the community is what we are all about," Collins said. "We are from the commu- nity and we appreciate all the hard work and effort you do." A resident who lives nearby said she is look- ing forward to the conve- nience of having the busi- ness nearby and not hav- ing to drive across town. She said she thinks the ad- ditional traffic lights will make it easier for people to navigate and lead to fewer accidents. Walmart FROM PAGE 1 gressive commercials and Psy the singer of Gangnam Style. The cowboys, who are usually also competing during the pro rodeo in Red Bluff, occasionally come with their own cos- tumes, but usually not. Maryanne made trips to Goodwill stores to find costumes, or purchased them online from a cos- tume company. The cowboys turn into "little kids" during the Wild Ride, Montandan said. "Put somebody in cos- tume, and they change their demeanor," Montan- dan said. "It's fun to watch these tough guys. You put a dress on them and they're flirting with the other guys, or suck- ing in their stomach be- cause they're a bikini bar- rel racer. It's fun." The atmosphere behind the chutes changes as well. It goes from business-like to Halloween-like. "The silly string, the powder," all comes out, Montandan said, and "I feel like I'm back in the classroom." The Wild Ride is popu- lar with fans, too. Donna Schilling, a long-time fan from Corning, comes with her family to the Round- Up on Sunday. "I love to see what kinds of costumes they come up with," Schilling said. Last year was the last time Montandan coordi- nated the Wild Ride cos- tumes. This year, sisters Hailey and Megan Didio will take it over. It's a vol- unteer job, and Montan- dan is ready to sit with her family during the rodeo on Sunday instead of helping with costumes. "I have skybox seats I don't get to use," Montan- dan said. The Wild Ride will take place Sunday, April 17, the third and final perfor- mance of the rodeo. The rodeo also runs Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16. Tickets are available at RedBluffRoundup.com and at the Round-Up office at the Tehama District Fair- ground. They range in price from $14 to $26. For more information, call the Round- Up office at 527-1000, visit RedBluffRoundup.com or find the event on Facebook and Twitter. Wild FROM PAGE 1 An area will be set aside for children's games throughout the day with a special Kids Dummy Rop- ing Competition where winners will get a buckle, at 1 p.m. It is open to all children with two catego- ries of seven and under and eight to 11 years old. There is a $5 entry fee. There will also be a lunch for $7 in which the public is invited to come out and check the raffle and silent auction offerings. For more information on the event or to get ap- plication and entry forms visit: www.norcalheror- ideforlife.org. Ride FROM PAGE 1 COURTESYPHOTO A team poses for a picture at the 2015Ride For Life event at the Tehama District Fairgrounds in Red Bluff. The 2016event is Saturday at 9a.m. PHOTOS BY JULIE ZEEB — DAILY NEWS The Tehama County Young Marines post colors while Tehama County Ambassador Mitchell Sauve of Red Bluff performs the National Anthem on Wednesday at the grand opening for the new Red Bluff Walmart Supercenter, 608 Luther Road. Red Bluff Police Sgt. Michael Brown, with K-9 Officer Many, and Red Bluff Fire Department Division Chief Matt Shobash. IWantToBeRecycled.org JuneElaineMott 1928 ~ 2016 "Grandma" June Elaine Mott, a long-time resident of the Red Bluff area, died Monday the 14th of March in the comfort of her home at the age of 88. Born in 1928 in Fort Wayne, IN. June moved to Los An- geles in the late 1940's, where she met her husband Ray- mond. They later moved to Red Bluff in 1963. Since com- ing to Red Bluff, June worked at Ben Franklin Five and Dime until the 1980's. She was very involved in the com- munity through many different organizations, including St. Paul Lutheran Church, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Lutheran Women's Missionary League & Parent-Teachers' Association. She is survived by her husband, Raymond Mott, her son, Kenneth (Renee) Mott, her grandchildren, Jennifer (Ste- phen), Kenneth (Kendal), Andrew (Samantha), Christo- pher (Amy), Holly, Isabel and her great grandson Elias, most of whom live in California, and brought great joy to her life. Hoyt-Cole Chapel of the Flowers will hold a viewing be- ginning at 11 am on Friday, April 1st (816 Walnut St., Red Bluff). There will be a graveside service on Friday at 2 pm at Oak Hill Cemetery. The memorial service will take place on Saturday, April 2nd at 11 am at St. Paul Lutheran Church, (455 Jefferson St., Red Bluff). Lunch will be pro- vided after the service at the Veteran's Memorial Hall in Red Bluff (735 Oak St., Red Bluff). DR. WILLIAM HENRY MARTIN May 3, 1930 ~ March 29, 2016 William (Bill) Henry Martin was born in St. Louis, MO, moving later to Detroit, and then to Phoenix, AZ. He grew up in hard times that included living in an orphan- age two years and developing an ear infection that result- ed in the loss of his hearing in one ear. He was always active in a church youth program, and worked to help support his family 15-20 hours each week, beginning in the 6th grade. He also always had very diligent study habits. Bill served in the U.S. Military right after high school for four years. He was then recalled when the Korean War broke out. He assumed he would die when he returned to the service since that was such a bloody war. So he flew all around the country on the money he had saved to say good-bye to family and friends. Once he was back with the military, he was given an intelligence test that led to them removing him from his unit and putting him behind a typewriter. The squadron from which he was removed eventually went out on a mission and never re- turned. He returned to complete his Bachelor's Degree in Biolo- gy from Arizona State University. He graduated in three years with highest honors. His initial interests were in ministry, but he ended up attending Washington Universi- ty Medical School. During his Bachelor's Degree, he fell deeply in love with JoAnne Stahnke. They married after his first year of Medical School. She worked as a registered nurse to sup- port him through Medical School. They settled in Red Bluff, where he joined Lassen Medi- cal Group. He practiced general medicine, anesthesiolo- gy and obstetrics. He loved his work! He helped build Lassen Medical into a large medical group. Other notable accomplishments and pass-times included extensive service and teaching in the Presbyterian and American Baptist Churches, election to the High School Board two terms, an appointment to the American Baptist Homes of the West governing board, and presidency in Kiwanis. He was one of the people who started the an- nual Kiwanis summer camp for disadvantaged youth, and the accompanying supportive pancake breakfast that con- tinues to this day. He and JoAnne later participated in a three-year medical mission to Thailand and India. Bill is survived by his wife of 61 years, JoAnne, along with their four children, Gary, Judy, Linda, and Karen; and 12 grandchildren, brother David. The family extends their deepest appreciation to all their many friends who helped make his life so wonderful. We will host a Cele- bration of Life Ceremony on Sunday, April 10, at 3:00 in Clarksburg (just south of Sacramento), at the Clarksburg Community Church, 52910 Netherlands Rd, Clarksburg, CA 95612. If you plan to attend the service we would love to know so we can plan accordingly. Please rsvp at l ramirez1@ggusd.us. Donations may be made in William Martin's name to the general college scholarship fund at Red Bluff High School. Obituaries Combining Quality and Low Cost is what we do. www.affordablemortuary.net•529-3655 FD1538 LocatedinChico,CA R ed Bluff Simple Cremations and Burial Service FD1931 527-1732 Now open longer hours 722 Oak Street, Red Bluff THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |NEWS | 7 A