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WEEKEND MAY 1-2, 2010 Breaking news at: Angus Award Agriculture www.redbluffdailynews.com See Page 4A RED BLUFF Bulldogs Baseball SPORTS 1B Partly cloudy 77/50 Weather forecast 8B By TANG LOR DN Staff Writer The co-owner of a former Red Bluff medical marijuana collective and owner of a hydroponics store in Corning was arrested for illegal sale and transportation of marijuana fol- lowing a year-long investiga- tion by the Tehama Interagency Drug Enforcement Task Force. In the process of the investi- gation, five other individuals, a partner and his spouse and three buyers, were arrested. 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 Year-long pot sting nets 6 arrests Jason Labonte, 42, of Los Molinos, was arrested Wednes- day while trying to buy 25 pounds of marijuana from TIDE agents. Agents bought marijuana plants from Labonte on three separate occasions last year, TIDE Special Agent Supervisor Eric Maher said. TIDE learned Labonte was transporting and selling multiple pounds of mar- ijuana to individuals in Kansas, where he has some kind of con- nection, although agents did not follow him there. TIDE seized $45,700 in a traffic stop following one of Labonte’s return trip from transport- ing marijuana out of state. At this point, only local prosecution is being sought, Maher said. During a warrant- ed search of Labonte’s residence Labonte on the 10200 block of Hwy 99E in Los Molinos, agents found a stolen semi-auto- matic pistol, 237 marijuana plants, about 30 pounds of processed marijuana and evidence of hash-oil manufac- turing. Based on the items found at the residence, TIDE will ask for addi- tional charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession for sale of marijua- No place like home show na, cultivation of marijuana, manufacturing a controlled sub- stance and possession of a stolen firearm. While agents were at the home, three Kansas residents showed up to buy marijuana. Agents seized $50,000 in cash from the men. Paul Saab, 29, and Andrew Walker, 26, both of Lawrence, Kan., and Matthew Rodriguez, 27, of Newton, Kan., were arrested for possession of mari- juana for sale and booked into See STING, page 7A Man arrested for bomb building By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer CORNING — Police arrested an 18-year-old Corn- ing resident about 6:30 p.m. Thursday in connection with some partially made pipe bombs. Police had received reports of a man acting suspi- ciously in a back shed of a residence in the 1000 block See BOMB, page 7A Corning cleared by Grand Jury By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer CORNING — The city received a letter April 23 from 2009-2010 Tehama County Grand Jury Fore- man James Froome saying a 2008-2009 Grand Jury investigation was now closed. Daily News photo by Tang Lor Linda and Doug Woolley of Dunsmuir pick out ladybug lawn decorators for their garden at the Shasta-Tehama Home and Garden Show Friday. By TANG LOR DN Staff Writer Leave your house this weekend and you might just return with something to make it that much better. Those looking to improve their homes may just find what they need to start or finish a project at the Shasta- Tehama Home and Garden Show, which opened Friday and will continue through Sunday at the Tehama District Fair- ground. The event should probably be called the home idea show instead of the home and garden show because it is really a Downtown abuzz place where people can come and get ideas, fulfill their dreams and plans and get their questions answered about making their homes better, event organizer Bob Bosk said. About 50 percent of the population owns a home, which makes this a very popular event, Bosk said. “Not everyone may own a home, but it’s something that we all strive for so we’re just doing our part in helping peo- ple realize their home improvement dreams,” Bosk said. About 100 vendors offering everything from gutters and windows to outdoor furniture and yard decorations have See HOME, page 7A Corning honors its senior volunteers By CHIP THOMPSON DN editor CORNING — During a Corning Rotary Club Christmas gift exchange, Bud Gott, often seen walking around town, received a package with a tag that read, “To Bud Gott, the Corning street walker.” Inside was a pair of open-toed, high-heeled shoes, Gott said. Daily News photo by Chip Thompson A large beehive rests in a tree in front of Carmona's Appliances on Walnut Street in Red Bluff Friday afternoon.The bees do not seem to be bothering pedestrians, but one bystander reported the swarm attacked a passing police cruiser earlier in the afternoon. Both police and the fire department were called out to inspect the hive, but no actions were taken as of Friday. News tip? 527-2151, Ext. 112 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 At the Corning Senior Center Volunteer Appre- ciation Banquet Friday at the center, Gott received an honor that touched his heart more than his funny bone. He was named Volunteer of the Year. During his acceptance speech, Gott spoke of the benefits he and others receive through volun- teering and helping those in the community. Mayor Gary Strack, in congratulating Gott, ref- erenced Gott’s regular walks along the streets of Corning. “We’re going to make him the city’s sidewalk inspector,” Strack said. Linda Lima, the cen- ter’s director, got the program started after lunch was prepared and served by students from the Corning Union High School Inter Act Club. Jessica Cunningham, of Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and Golden Umbrella, pre- sented certificates to Dot Emerson, Rose Lalanne See SENIOR, page 7A “Once again the Grand Jury is pleased with the way the city has handled all of their investigations of (code enforcement) complaints,” said Mayor Gary Strack. “I’m very pleased with the outcome of the letter from the Grand Jury.” The visit by the 2009- 2010 Grand Jury was a fol- low up on Corning resident Gene May’s complaint regarding code enforcement on neighbor Steve Turner’s property, which was investi- gated by the 2008-2009 grand jury, said City Man- ager Steve Kimbrough. According to the 2008- 2009 report, the issue was an on-going problem for four years and May was not receiving feedback on the resolution process. “Information that you provided us shows the com- mitment that the City of Corning has to the citizens of the city,” Froome said in his letter to Police Chief Tony Cardenas. “Addition- ally, the increased coordina- tion between city depart- ments appears to have pro- vided a high level of satis- faction and proves to be well received by the citizens and is therefore successful. With this, we now consider the follow-up issue closed.” The code enforcement team is made up of Carde- nas, Community Service Officers Tatia Dawley and Dawn Grimes, Building Official Terry Hoofard, Planning Director John Stoufer, Fire Chief Martin Spannaus and Administra- tive Analyst Tom Watson. Daily News photo by Chip Thompson Bud Gott was recognized as Volunteer of the Year Friday at the Corning Senior Center. • “Main Street or Wall Street” banking, which do you want As Local As.... CALL TODAY (530) 529-1222 237 South Main Street • Still offering better than free checking • Now offering Health Savings Accounts • Local decision making • Community Support