Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/68067
THURSDAY MAY 31, 2012 www.redbluffdailynews.com See Pages 1C-7C Breaking news at: RED BLUFF In Today's Edition Senior scholars SPORTS 1B Sunny 99/65 Weather forecast 4B 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 Vista career day FPPC: Nielsen gift may have crossed line By LARRY MITCHELL MediaNews Group GERBER — It's no secret that Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber, is a big booster of Bob Williams' effort to unseat 3rd District Assemblyman Dan Logue, R-Marysville. Williams, a rancher, Republican and Tehama Coun- ty supervisor, said he talked to Nielsen when he began thinking about a possible run for state office. On April 19, Nielsen and state Sen. Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale, together endorsed Williams' Assembly candidacy. Now, the question arises whether a $20,000 donation by Nielsen, some of which wound up being spent on Williams' behalf, violated state election rules. Individuals and groups are allowed to donate up to $3,900 to a candidate for the Legislature during a cam- paign. However, they can donate more money if it is given as an "independent expenditure" and goes to a See GIFT, page 7A Sidewalk sale, fair set Saturday Daily News photo by Julie Zeeb Seth Lawrence, a civil engineer, explains his career and the tools of the trade to students Wednesday during the first-ever Vista Middle School Career Day. By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer Vista Middle School had several guests Wednesday for its first ever career day, attended by all of the school's eighth-graders in the gym. "We haven't had enrichment or Howell tries to switch what classes are taught each trimester and this last one has been on engi- neering and computer engineering, he said. elective classes for five years," Prin- cipal Susanna Winstead said. "This is a part of those classes and teacher Tim Howell reached out to the members of the community. These are our people from our community who came." "What we're doing here is bring- ing hands on things for the students," Howell said. "It's nice for those who aren't as in to the book work." Students were broken up into groups of five or six and rotated through each of the careers present- ed. "This is a part of the electives Lawmakers to amend specialty license plate bills they are changing their bills to include regular audits as a way to assure the public that the extra fees drivers pay for the specialty plates are going to the right place. Some also are calling for ongo- ing oversight of all the specialty license plate SACRAMENTO (AP) — California lawmakers trying to establish new specialty license plates this year said Wednesday they are moving quickly to amend their bills and enact safeguards to ensure the money is spent as promised after an Associ- ated Press investigation raised questions about oversight of the program. Several lawmakers said funds and say the state should return the millions it has borrowed from one of them. A key lawmaker lead- ing a transportation com- mittee said he plans to hold legislative hearings to examine the program. Brown on Tuesday ordered an audit of Cali- fornia's specialty license plate program after a review by the AP found there was little oversight of the $250 million raised in the 20 years since the Legislature authorized it. ''I'm going to support maximum transparency and accountability,'' Assemblyman Jared Huff- man said in an interview on the floor of the Assem- bly. ''I saw that the gover- nor's calling for an audit, and that's great. Let's make sure we're keeping 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 See BILLS, page 7A and College Options component," Howell said. "Students researched different professions and this is a way to give them a better idea of what the jobs look like. They get to ask questions about being a geolo- gist or going into engineering and talk to College Options." allow students to see what types of jobs are available in the area, he said. Local people were chosen to Retired Tehama County Counsel See VISTA, page 7A Bluff Business Association in conjunction with the Center for Mind, Body and Spirit invite the public to come and enjoy a day of dining, shopping and refreshing the spirit. Downtown merchants on Saturday will be having a sidewalk sale and hosting street vendors such as the Bear Crazy Carvers, Trees by the River and various local non-profits. Pick up a shopping guide for dis- counts and in-store specials at participating businesses. Holistic and alternative health practitioners will be at 623 Main St. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is planned participation by The Downtown Red massage therapists, Reiki and energy workers, nutri- tionists, acupuncturists, astrology and readers. Admission is free. A drumming circle, host- ed by the group Sustainable Trance, will be at the clock tower 1-4 p.m. You are wel- come to bring your own drums, shakers and chairs and join the experience. If you have not heard and felt the energy of sustained drumming then you are in for a treat. Native Americans and cultures around the world have known about the pow- ers of sound vibration for centuries. This is your opportunity to experience this ancient art. Blaze burns 2 acres west of town Daily News photo by Julie Zeeb Firefighters from CalFire and Red Bluff Fire mop up a 2 acre blaze reported at 10:56 a.m. Wednesday in the area between Walnut Street and Minch Road. The cause of the fire, which was contained at 11:25 a.m., is under investigation. Having the lawn mowed short and the defensible space around buildings helped keep the fire from spreading far, despite a light breeze, a CalFire spokesman said.