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JUNE 2-3 2012 WEEKEND Pet Frog Lives On and On Pets Page 6A RED BLUFF Breaking news at: www.redbluffdailynews.com Weather forecast 10B Sunny 94/61 DAILYNEWS TEHAMACOUNTY $1.00 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 Cardinal grads soar high Nielsen attorney defends donation By LARRY MITCHELL MediaNews Group SACRAMENTO — Attorney Charles Bell Jr. Thurs- day defended 2nd District Assemblyman Jim Nielsen's $20,000 donation to the Tehama County Republican Central Committee, calling it "completely lawful." Bell, who serves as Nielsen's legal counsel and trea- surer, discussed the matter in an email he sent to the Enterprise-Record. On Wednesday, the E-R reported an official of the state Fair Political Practices Commission questioned the propriety of Nielsen's donation to the committee last week. The official said the donation, which ultimately ben- efited the 3rd District Assembly campaign of Republi- can candidate Bob Williams, was questionable because it was reported as an independent expenditure. Independent expenditures, according to the FPPC, are those made for, but not at the behest of a candidate. See NIELSEN, page 9A Mercy grads By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer Daily News photo by Julie Zeeb Cole MacLachlan, left, helps Shae Mesker, right, get ready for their graduation ceremony from Corn- ing Union High School held Friday at Cardinal Stadium. By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer Corning Union High School said goodbye to 208 seniors Friday at the graduation ceremony held at Cardinal Stadium. The seniors were ushered into the spotlight to the tradi- tional tune of "Pomp and Circumstance", played by the Car- dinal Band, followed by a rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" performed by Evelyn Galvez Rivas, Nancy Loera, Librada Ramirez, Tessa Jackson and Jed Jenkins. Class President Mayra Sanchez gave the welcome address, which was followed up with words from class vale- dictorians Nicolas Bergan, Jennifer Devers, Chelsea Dale and Courtney Thomson. Salutatorians Mayra Diera and Jennifer Crane spoke to the audience as well. Vice Principal Jared Caylor presented the recognition of Academic Award Winners with Principal Charlie Troughton presenting the class of 2012 to the audience. For graduates Mindy Miranda and Miriam Miranda, twins, it was a bittersweet moment, full of excitement and sadness, Miriam said. "It hasn't settled in yet," Miriam said. See SOAR, page 9A Independent grads told to make most of life By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer Red Bluff Joint Union High School District Independent Study and Adult Education graduat- ed 71 students Thursday in a ceremony at the Red Bluff High School Per- forming Arts Center. Teacher Dan Back- strom led the pledge of allegiance and presented the Merit Award to two students while Depart- ment Chairman Rick Whetstone gave the wel- come address. Backstrom recognized Chayleen Venzke, who was pregnant during her last semester, but took on double the work load of a typical student to finish her degree as a Top Stu- Daily News photo by Julie Zeeb Matthew Ruiz gets help tying a tie from Teacher Bill Treat Thursday before the Red Bluff Joint Union High School District Independent Study and Adult Education graduation at the Red Bluff High School Performing Arts Center. dent, he said. Fellow Top Student Dalawna Buntain, who graduated early, was rec- ognized as the other Merit Award recipient and See MOST, page 9A Mercy High School graduated 20, with 18 pre- sent, at its ceremony held Thursday at the State The- atre. The class had seven foreign exchange stu- dents, however, two of them were unable to be present for the ceremony. Catholic Schools of the Northern Sacramento Val- ley Executive Director Julie Carver gave the wel- come and led the flag salute while the Rev. George T. Snyder, Jr., parochial administrator for St. Joseph Parish, gave Marina Gist See MERCY, page 9A By ANDREA WAGNER DN Staff Writer male, seven-member class of 2012, the Sacramento River Discovery Charter School celebrated Friday. In a combined program for the 6th through 12th grade school, with 8th grade promotions, special end-of-the-year awards and the high school grad- uation ceremony, the Vet- erans Memorial Hall was packed with families and friends. The program took time to honor Principal Larry Newman, along with fac- ulty and staff. Newman, retiring after six years as part-time principal and administra- tor, spoke about how the charter school is notable for the way the students are known individually and not just faces in the crowd. His closing remarks echoed statements in Grads urged to be their best Graduating an all- Daily News photo by Andrea Wagner Family and friends helped celebrate Friday morning at the end-of-the-year program for the Sacramento River Discovery Charter School. graduation speeches by Brandon Lopez and Ezekial Rogers. Lopez spoke about "Our Future: Our Chal- lenge." Rogers' speech was titled, "Be Your Best Self." Turning to face his classmates, Rogers said, "Be who you want to be, not who others want you See BEST, page 9A