Tehama D.A. Concludes Juvenile Hall Investigation

Claims have been made of inappropriate sexual activity inside the walls of the Tehama County Juvenile Justice Center.

The Tehama County's District Attorney has spent months investigating those claims at the request of former Chief Probation Officer Dan Emery.

The Sacramento Valley Mirror newspaper first reported last year that juvenile inmates, their families, and former employees made allegations against former juvenile hall counselor Melissa Jones and former deputy probation officer Alicia Allen.

The accusations alleged that they were having inappropriate sexual activity with teens at the center. A former male deputy was also accused.

After an investigation was launched, Jones and Allen resigned from their posts and have not been charged with any crime. District Attorney Greg Cohen says he cannot comment on the investigations of Jones and Allen because it is a personnel matter.

But he could speak about the former male deputy. After a long investigation, the claims against the former male deputy just did not have any legs to stand on.

The accusation was that the deputy inappropriately touched a teenage girl serving time at the Justice Center. Cohen said investigators in his department did not find any evidence to support those allegations, leaving only one persons word against another.

With no hard evidence, Cohen said he had to close the internal investigation and clear the former deputy of any wrongdoing.

We also spoke with the current Chief Probation Officer in Tehama County to get his reaction. Richard Muench said that he hopes this once and for all clears up all the allegations about sexual abuse that have been floating around the community.

Chico Police Department Awards

The Chico Police Department conducted it's annual meeting and inspection Thursday morning, to acknowledge the good works of
Department members and volunteers. As part of the meeting, Chief Maloney presented several awards and recognized several members of the Department as well as volunteers. Here's a look at some of the winners:

• Explorer of the Year: Justin Shelton

Justin Shelton was selected to the Chico Police Department Explorer program in November 2008. Right away, Justin showed an interest in the Department and the Post. Justin has demonstrated an ability to learn new things as well as establishing himself as a leader amongst the members of the Post. In December of 2009, members of the Explorer Post No. 637 elected Justin as the Post’s Captain. Since joining the Post, Justin has donated over 200 hours of service to the community. He served as the Logistics Assistant to Incident Commander Lt. Gonzales for Halloween 2009. Justin maintains a 3.0 grade point average as a senior at Pleasant Valley High School and also works at a part-time job. He continues to improve his leadership skills as the Explorer captain and has raised the bar for other Explorers to follow.

• Volunteer of the Year: Kathy Matthews

Kathy Matthews has been a member of the Chico Police Department’s Volunteers In Police Service (VIPS) since June 2007. This volunteer position requires a great deal of patience, integrity, and the ability to deal with a diverse group of people on a daily basis. Kathy is a great asset to our organization. She is a very hard worker and has dedicated over 1300 hours to the Chico Police Department and City of Chico. She demonstrates superior skills in her duties as a VIP and works extremely well with the officers and other volunteers as well as the public. She is very articulate and excels in all aspects of this position. She is a
very caring, trustworthy, and dependable person who will go out of her way to assist everyone. She is highly committed to her duties and shows an enormous amount of integrity.

• Chaplain of the Year: James Burkett

James began with the Department in 2007, and immediately earned the reputation of someone who would dedicate a significant amount of time in the field. He would often ride an entire shift, usually an entire night, with the officer to whom he was assigned. This would become a pattern with James. In 2009 alone, he logged over 275 hours of volunteer service, with the majority of his hours spent in the field with officers. This number represents twenty three percent of the total volunteer hours provided by the Chaplain’s organization, which is significant. James has also been involved with several critical incidents in 2009. In each of these incidents, our chaplain of the year provided a calm and reassuring presence, and positively impacted each situation. While James is very quiet and unassuming, he serves with the very best of intentions and motives, consistent with the mission and tradition of the Chaplain’s organization. He seeks only to selflessly serve our Department and community, and has done so with distinction.

• Civilian Employee of the Year: Melanie Sanders

For meritoriously distinguishing herself, upon nomination by her co-workers and selection by the Chief of Police, as the Chico Police Department 2010 Civilian Employee of the Year.

• Dispatcher of the Year: Rochelle Finkbiner

For meritoriously distinguishing herself, upon nomination by her co-workers and selection by the Chief of Police, as the Chico Police Department 2010 Public Safety Dispatcher of the Year.

• Police Officer of the Year: George Laver

For meritoriously distinguishing himself, upon nomination by his co-workers and selection by the Chief of Police, as the Chico Police Department 2010 Police Officer of the Year.

Chico To Host Town Hall Meeting On State Budget

California's budget crisis is the focus of a town hall meeting in Chico today.

Who: Hosted by the Northern California State Budget Alliance
When: Thursday, March 11th at 3 p.m.
Where: City council chambers in Chico (411 Main Street)

Structure Fire Destroys Anderson Home

A family living on Anna Road in Anderson woke up early Thursday morning to a fire that destroyed their home.

According to the chief of the Anderson Fire Protection District, homeowners woke up to an orange glow. They initially tried to put out the fire themselves with the garden hose. When they couldn't, they dialed 911.

Firefighters arrived at the scene around 3:05 a.m. Thursday. Initially, they couldn't get close to the home, because downed power lines were in the way. They were eventually able to put out the fire, but not before it spread from the garage to the home.

The garage was totally destroyed, as was the family's living room and kitchen. Several rooms in the back of the home were left standing, but badly damaged by smoke.

No one was hurt in the fire, and several dogs and a cat also escaped unharmed, fire crews said.

Fire crews from Cal Fire and agencies in Cottonwood and Happy Valley helped fight the blaze. Crews remained at the scene for approximately three hours.

Damage is estimated at $100,000.

Potential Layoffs at Shasta Union H.S.D.

More than a dozen educators in the Shasta Union High School District may be getting laid off. 20 layoff notices are expected to be sent out in light of the current budget crisis. Among those affected, 12 teachers and a speech therapist. Several positions will also be left vacant by the district. Some layoff notices could be rescinded, but officials wouldn't know which ones until May.

Continuum of Care to Hold Forum on the Homeless

Local community group Continuum of Care will be holding a public forum on homelessness in Shasta County Thursday morning at 10 a.m.

The meeting will be taking place at Redding City Hall.

The City of Redding and Shasta County Continuum of Care is the same group that conducts a homeless census every year. At this meeting, they want to address important issues facing the homeless, including identifying any unmet needs.

The group does a one-day count each year as part of a survey of homelessness. In January of this year, Continuum of Care identified 729 homeless people in Redding. Last year, that number was 734.

Siskiyou County Man Charged with Sexual Abuse

A McCloud man is scheduled to appear in court in April for allegedly sexually abusing a minor. Edward Zivot, 32 year old, was arrested yesterday and charged with numerous sexual abuse charges including sex with a person under 16, incest and lewd acts with a child under 14. It reportedly occured over the past several years with a Siskiyou County girl. Zivot was released with an April court date.

Accident in Redding Injures Man

A Minnesota man suffered major injuries after an accident on McArthur Road in Redding on Wednesday morning. The California Highway Patrol says a big rig was stopped in a traffic lane when a car slammed into the back of it. CHP says the driver of the car, 21 year old Jacob Seebold of Dunsmuir, could not see the big rig until right before he hit it because the sun was in his eyes. Seebold and the driver of the big rig, 58 year old David Orr of Yreka, were not injured. The passenger in the car, 21 year old Nicholas Soloman of Minnesota, was stuck in the car for an hour before rescue crews had to use the jaws of life to get him out. Soloman was airlifted to Mercy Medical Center for major injuries, including a broken pelvis. Authorities say the roads were icy, but they have not determined if weather was a factor in the accident.

Students Rally Against Education Cuts

Thousands of people rallied for education Wednesday at Chico State University. Activists say the reason for the rally was to protest the State-imposed cuts on education.

The CSU system has suffered $800 million in cuts in the past four years. With those types of cuts, students say they have been forced to pay more for tuition, while classes are being eliminated.

Students say they are sick of the cuts and want immediate change from State lawmakers.

Another State-wide day of action has been scheduled for March 22. Many students in Chico are planning to protest in Sacramento.

Collective Guilty of Land Violations

A Red Bluff collective has been found guilty of illegally dispensing medicinal marijuana.

A Tehama County jury found "Blue Toad Inc." owners Lana Aguiar and Ashley Arnold guilty of unlawful land use and unlawful land occupancy.

Red Bluff Police issued one citation for $400 to each of the owners for opening and operating their collective illegally. Red Bluff's Police Chief says the fight over medical marijuana is far from over.

Red Bluff Police say this is the second time the Blue Toad owners have been found guilty of the violations.

Officials Search for Dog

Chico officials are asking for the public's help locating a dog that bit a woman in Lower Bidwell Park last week.

Officials say the dog is medium sized with short brown hair and upright ears, and was with a woman in her mid-thirties with shoulder length dark hair. The dog was reportedly involved in a fight with another dog, and bit a woman who was trying to separate the two animals near South Park Drive and Forest Avenue on March 4th around 3:00p.m.

Animal control officials say they need to locate and quarantine the dog to determine whether it might have rabies.

Anyone having information about the whereabouts of the animal is asked to notify Chico Animal Control at 897-4960 or 897-4900.

I-5 Reopened in Siskiyou County

CHP says that traffic is now flowing without any problems. All of the vehicles have been moved out of the way.

Previous Stories:
A multiple-vehicle accident involving a big rig in Siskiyou County has shut down southbound Interstate 5 just north of Dunsmuir. Crews are on hand to clear out the cars.

There is no estimated time of reopening. According to the California Highway Patrol, it is a non-injury accident.

Crash in Yuba County Ejects Driver Through Rear Window

A Yuba County man was sent to the hospital early this morning after being partially ejected from his car. Officials with the highway patrol say Heath Galbraith, of Olivehurst, hit a utility pole after spinning off of Rancho Road. Galbraith was partially ejected out the side rear window. He was rescued by fire crews and taken to Sutter Roseville Hospital.

Wednesday Morning School Schedule Changes

We have learned of the following school schedule change(s) this morning:

• Oak Run Elementary is taking a reverse minimum day. School will begin late at 10 a.m. and there will be no preschool.

Students to Hold Protest at Chico State

The unrest over cuts to higher education is growing in Chico this morning. Students are expected to hold a rally on the campus of Chico State Unversity at 11 a.m. to protest raising tuition fees within the C.S.U. system. Students will meet at the Bell Memorial Union for the rally. A march through downtown Chico to City Hall is expected to follow.

Former Shasta County DA to Speak at Local Republican Luncheon

Former Shasta County District Attorney McGregor Scott will be in Redding Wednesday to speak at the Redding Republican Women's Luncheon.

According to Scott, his topic of the day will be the Obama administration -- with a focus on national security and the state of the economy.

"Make no mistake about it, there are people who mean us ill will," Scott told KRCR News Channel 7 Tuesday. "They want to hurt us and we have to be strong in our national defense."

Scott worked as Shasta County's DA from 1997 to 2003. He has also served six years as the region's U.S. Attorney.

The luncheon is at River's Restaurant Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $20.

New Water Legislation to be Discussed in Chico Wednesday

Officials will be talking about new water legislation and how it could affect water users all over the state at a meeting in Chico later Wednesday.

The public forum is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Chico Masonic Family Center on West East Avenue.

Speakers will explain the legislation and offer different perspectives on who will benefit most if it passes.

There will also be a question and answer period.

Reward Offered in Vandalism and Theft Cases

The Butte County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's help to solve a spree of thefts and vandalisms in the Concow and Yankee Hill areas between January 28, 2010 and February 26, 2010. One home on Crain Ridge Road off Highway 70 had about $80,000 worth of damage from vandalism. There is a $500 reward for anyone with information leading to an arrest and conviction.

High Speed Chase in Corning

Authorities were taken on a high speed chase through the streets of Corning Tuesday afternoon. An officer tried to pull Tad Harris over for an expired registration, but the Corning man allegedly tried to flee. He eventually got up to 100 miles per hour on Toomes Avenue. Authorities say he jumped out of his car and hid in a olive tree. A large amount of marijuana, a concealed knife and drug related items were allegedly found in his car.

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