Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/6634
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge temporarily lifted pump- ing limits Friday designed to protect endangered wild salmon in order to speed more irrigation water to California's drought-addled fields. Some of the country's largest farms had pressed for the protections to be suspended to nurture their fields and orchards. West Coast fishermen argued the limits were necessary to save their dwindling catch. ''This means there's progress, and anything's better than nothing,'' said Tim Heskett, 44, who grows 150 acres of pista- chios near the tiny com- munity of Mendota, on the west side of the parched San Joaquin Val- ley. ''I got this little ranch that I'm trying to keep together, so maybe this is a sign of a little bit of hope.'' In normal years, the sweeping valley grows most of the country's fruits and vegetables, but a persistent drought and restrictions on pumping from the state's freshwa- ter estuary have ham- mered the region, causing drastic job losses and Weather forecast 10B Cloudy with rain likely 54/42 N EWS D AILY DAILY 50¢ WEEKEND FEBRUARY 6-7, 2010 Laughing with Leo Super Bowl Preview Breaking news at: www.redbluffdailynews.com N EWS D AILY RED BLUFF TEHAMA COUNTY 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 See USA Weekend SPORTS 1B A rare interview 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 CALL TODAY (530) 529-1222 237 South Main Street As Local As.... Are you tired of being Nickel and Dimed by your current bank? It's time to move around the corner to Cornerstone Community Bank. • With our Better Than Free Checking • No Fees • No Monthly Service Charges • No ATM fees • No Minimum balances required Re-elect Sheriff/Coroner Clay Parker Tri-Tip & Chicken Dinner • Auction FEBRUARY 20, 2010 • 6:00PM $ 20 00 Donation • No Host Bar • Door Prizes Tehama District Fairgrounds Cafeteria FOR TICKETS CALL 527-9129 or www.sheriffparker.com Paid Political Advertisement Paid for by Sheriff/Coroner Clay Parker Re-Election Committee Shirley Wheeler, Treasurer 595-4418 Jack the Ribber 1150 Monroe St. 527-6108 Full Rack of Ribs $ 15 GET MOM OUT OF THE KITCHEN OPEN SUPER BOWL SUNDAY 11am to 8pm Cops make major meth ring bust By GEOFF JOHNSON DN Staff Writer An 18-month investigation into a Mexican trafficking organization closed Wednesday with the arrest of three suspects in Red Bluff, Corning and Redding, the transfer of five children into protective custody and recovery of three pounds of methamphetamine and more than $21,000 in cash. The primary target, Camerino Servin Pureco, 32, Red Bluff, was arrested on the 2600 block of Highway 99W as he was seated in a vehicle preparing to weigh methamphetamine. Pureco threw methamphetamine in to the rear of a vehicle and moved a scale on his lap as agents, who were able to arrest him without incident, approached, according to a press release from the Shasta Intera- gency Narcotic Task Force. Agents found roughly three pounds of methamphetamine and just under $3,000 in Pureco's car, according to the release. Agents searching Pureco's res- idence on the 200 block of San Joaquin Drive found an additional $18,640, pay and owe sheets and other evidence of drug trafficking. Pureco was arrested on suspi- cion of possessing a controlled substance, possessing a controlled substance for sale and transport- ing, importing or selling a con- trolled substance. Bail was set at $60,000. Meanwhile, on the 500 block of Wiltsey Street, agents found a small amount of methampheta- mine, marijuana plants and evi- dence of methampheta- mine use and sales. Several methampheta- mine pipes were recov- ered, including one "still warm to the touch" in a smoke- filled master bedroom, all of which led agents to believe methamphet- amine had recently been ingested. Four children were found and placed into custody, and Shalai Adair Goss, 20, was arrested on suspicion of possess- ing methampheta- mine and metham- phetamine parapher- nalia. Jennifer Teresita Bauer, 28, also known as Jennifer Teresita Bauer, was arrested at the same residence on suspi- cion of felony child Pucero Proper channels Daily News photo by Geoff Johnson Steven Bills, who handles sewage collection maintenance for the city of Red Bluff, tests the city's storm drain system Friday afternoon on South Main Street. By directing the hydrant flow into the drain system, and pouring an EPA-approved green fluorescent dye into the water, Bills is able to track the flow of rain water, which is supposed to go straight into the river, and not into the city's water treatment system. Bills parked his truck to keep the stream of water from shooting into traffic. Cuts slow police response times By TANG LOR DN Staff Writer Limited personnel and a reduced budget have made the Red Bluff Police Department operate in a call-to- call mode, rely more on allied agencies and delay in responding to emergency calls. In a State of the Police Department report to the City Council Tuesday, Chief Paul Nanfito talked about staffing challenges. Reduction in staff and overtime budget have impact- ed how the department puts sworn officers on the streets, he said. During peak periods the department Woman and her dog barred from shelter By GEOFF JOHNSON DN Staff Writer For seven days a week, six months out of the year, the Tehama County Poor and the Homeless Coalition is the last refuge for as many as 30 people a night. The organization is made possible through numerous volunteers, and a small, underpaid team of employ- ees, Director Dave Lamber- son said. It is one-of-a-kind for Tehama County. "We're the only game in town," Lamberson said. Sometimes that makes for difficult choices — like whether to let a service dog inside if another guest claims severe dog allergies. Freedom at the door Carrie Dishmon, a tran- sient at the time, said in a telephone interview Jan. 21 that she suffers from a num- ber of mental illnesses, including severe panic attacks. She needs her ser- vice dog, Freedom, to keep her calm. "She keeps me on a straight arrow, my dog," Dishmon said. Days before, Dishmon and her husband asked PATH, then operating a Keeping the memorial flag flying Flying the flag in memory of Tehama Coun- ty's war dead was assured for another year when Red Bluff Emblem club members donated $1,000 for its upkeep. President Connie Ross and Americanism co- chairwomen Carry Padilla and Teri Kincaid present- ed the check to the Red Bluff Fire Department. Fire Chief Michael Bach- meyer and Capt. Vern Raglin, who has responsi- bility for the flag, were on hand with other depart- ment members. The 12- by18-foot flag with its memorial plaques is on Pine Street at its intersection with Main Street. Months of research by Greel Foshee with the help of Mary Alice George, other individuals and groups, went into researching the records. Hoyt-Cole Chapel of the Flowers helped get the original plaque with the names of those who died in the service of their country. Since then anoth- er plaque has been created with the names of others. Raglin said mainte- nance of the flag, which is kept flying constantly, requires a large sum of money. Wind and rain take their toll, so smaller flags are substituted dur- ing stormy weather. Despite the care, the flag gets damage requir- ing expert repair. When it is beyond help, it is given dignified disposal. Many individuals, businesses and organiza- Courtesy photo Retired Capt. Vern Raglin, center, receives a $1,000 donation from the Red Bluff Emblem Club for maintenance of the "Not Forgotten" flag and memorial for the county's war dead. Making the presentation are Connie Ross, club president and Carry Padilla and Teri Kincaid, club Americanism chairwomen. In the back are Firefighter Casey Hicock, Engineer Dave Carr, Chief Michael Bachmeyer and Engineer Mark Moyer of Red Bluff Fire Department. Judge orders water pumping limits lifted See METH, page 9A See CUTS, page 9A See DOG, page 9A See FLAG, page 9A See WATER, page 9A