Redding Mail-Sorting Center to Close — CSU, Chico Men’s BBall Champs — Chico High-End Bike Thefts — New Field Poll — Tax Initiative for K-12 Education — Retirement Plan Proposed for Private Sector — Military Copter Crash Kills 7 — GOP Spring Convention This Weekend — Electronic Snow Survey Not Promising

REDDING MAIL-SORTING CENTER TO CLOSE

Redding’s mail-sorting center is one of eight slated to close in California this year. Overnight mail will be impacted as mail will now have to be sent to West Sacramento to be sorted before heading back north. (Click here for a transcript of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Bob Moffitt)

CHICO STATE MEN ARE CHAMPS

The Chico State men’s basketball team clinched its first ever California Collegiate Athletic Association title last night at Acker Gym. According to the CSU, Chico sports website, the Wildcats handily beat Cal State Monterey 73-54 at home last night, clinching at least a share of its first ever CCAA title and its first conference title since 1994. Tonight, during their final regular season home game and the annual “Senior Night”, they’ll have a chance to win the title outright when they take on Cal State East Bay. Humboldt State and Cal Poly Pomona trail CSU, Chico by a single game. Those teams would have a chance to tie for the title if one or both of them win their games tonight combined with a loss by the men. Either way the men will go into the CCAA Tournament as champs. The first round of the tournament is set for Tuesday.

CHICO HIGH-END BIKE THEFTS

A Chico man was arrested Saturday after allegedly burglarizing a home on Chico Canyon Road. Inside suspect Michael Eosefow’s vehicle, police found five expensive bicycles and during a subsequent investigation they searched a storage unit where the located 28 more high-end bikes. In all, some $125,000 worth of bicycles were recovered and police are asking anyone who’s had an expensive bike taken within the last 6 months to contact them with identifying information. (Click here later for a transcript of the story from Northstate Public Radio News reporter Tom Gascoyne)

I-5 TRUCK FIRE CAUSES TRAFFIC PROBLEMS

A burning load of hay on I-5 near Riverside Avenue just north of Anderson caused some traffic problems yesterday (Thursday). The fire was reported about 11:45 yesterday afternoon and within 15 minutes the semi-truck was fully engulfed in flames. The truck and the load on its way southbound on I-5 from Oregon to southern California was completely destroyed, but its driver, 25-year-old Chase Brassart of Riverside, was able to get out of the truck safely, according to the Redding Record Searchlight. CHP Sgt. Adam Battle told the paper that a witness watched a person in a passing green Saturn flick a cigarette out of the window of the vehicle before the big rig caught fire. The fire shut down both southbound lanes just before noon and the roadway wasn’t fully opened until just before 5 last night.

FIELD POLL SHOWS SUPPORT OF TWO TAX MEASURES

A Field Poll out this morning shows that likely voters support two measures on the November ballot that would raise taxes on top income earners. Another measure that would broadly raise taxes to fund schools isn’t doing as well. (Click here for transcripts of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Jenny O’Mara)

TAX INITIATIVE FOR K-12 EDUCATION

Signature gatherers are working to get a tax initiative on the November ballot that would raise money for K-12 education. The measure would raise income tax rates on a sliding scale. (Click here later for transcripts of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Jenny O’Mara)

NEW RETIREMENT PLAN PROPOSED FOR PRIVATE SECTOR

Democrats in the state legislature are proposing a “defined benefit” plan for the seven million private sector workers in California whose employers don’t provide one. It would be similar to public employee pensions, but would keep taxpayers offthe hook for cost overruns. (Click here for a transcript of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Ben Adler)

NEW PRISON MEDICAL FACILITIES NOT NEEDED

The state legislative analyst is recommending that California lawmakers cancel plans for expanding prison medical facilities. In a report released yesterday says that more facilities aren’t necessary because the state’s realignment plan, which relocated low-level felons to counties, is working to lower the overall prison population. (Click here for a transcript of the story from KPCC reporter Julie Small)

MILITARY COPTER CRASH KILLS 7

Two military helicopters collided over the California desert during nighttime training exercises, killing seven Marines. The crash happened around 8 p.m. Wednesday and involved an AH-1W Cobra that carries two crew members and a UH-1 Huey utility helicopter carrying the other five service members. Lt. Maureen Dooley said six of them were from Camp Pendleton and one was from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona. The aircraft collided in a remote portion of the Yuma Training Range Complex on the California side of the Chocolate Mountains very close to the Arizona border. The crash is under investigation and Dooley said she had no details as to what could have occurred. She said it will be at least 24 hours before the Marine Corps releases the names of those killed. (Copyright 2012 The Associated Press)

GOP SPRING CONVENTION THIS WEEKEND

California Republicans are bracing for what could be a rough election year, but also are looking to the future. Their registration continues to plummet among voters, and newly drawn electoral districts could further weaken their status in the state Legislature and lead to less clout in Congress. Still, the state party is aiming to put on a positive face at its spring convention this weekend in Burlingame. Chairman Tom Del Beccaro says he will focus on expanding the party’s reach to Asians, Hispanics and young voters. GOP presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich will address delegates Saturday, along with former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who now supports former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for the nomination. Republicans also are scheduled to vote on a conservative party platform. (Copyright 2012 The Associated Press) (Click here for more on this story from The Associated Press)

ELECTRONIC SNOW SURVEY NOT PROMISING

State officials are bracing for more bad water news about the Sierra snowpack when surveyors go back into the field on Tuesday. Electronic readings released Thursday show the water content in the snowpack at 30 percent of normal for this date. And it’s just 25 percent of the average usually measured on April 1 when the snowpack is at its peak and the spring melt begins. Because of dry weather this winter the Department of Water Resources reduced its estimate for deliveries through the State Water Project to 29 public agencies that it supplies. State officials warn that they will be able to deliver only half of the water that has been requested. The good news is that last year’s wet winter has left the state’s reservoirs at 110 percent capacity. (Copyright 2012 The Associated Press)

ON THE CALIFORNIA MORNING REPORT

Unsolved Abuse at State’s Developmental Centers

About 1,800 Californians with cerebral palsy, severe autism and other developmental disabilities live in one of five “Developmental Centers” run by the state. The centers maintain their own police force. But an investigation with the California Report’s media partner California Watch has uncovered something troubling. With official reports of abuse on the rise, hundreds of cases remain unsolved, even when patients die under suspicious circumstances. Reporter: Michael Montgomery.

Davis pepper-spray lawsuit – CSU Board of Trustees leader at risk – Same-sex marriage discrimination – Obama Field Poll – Bike amendment – Pension changes coming – Pipeline explosion fines

UC DAVIS FACES FEDERAL LAWSUIT

Months after the pepper-spraying of Occupy protesters on the University of California, Davis campus, the school is looking at a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union. The suit argues that UC Davis violated the protestor’s constitutional rights. (Click here for a transcript of this story from The Associated Press)

CSU BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR MAY LOSE SEAT

The State Senate will need to reach a supermajority to approve the nomination of Herbert Carter. Bob Huff, Senate Republican Leader, said that he and his colleagues are unconvinced that Carter is the right man for the job. (Click here for a transcript of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Ben Adler)

OBAMA SURGING IN CALIFORNIA

The most recent Field Poll shows that the majority of California voters would re-elect President Barack Obama for another term. His approval rating is also more than 50 percent for the first time since June. The number of those who say they would not vote for him outright has dropped from 44 percent to 41 percent. (Click here for a transcript of this story from The Associated Press)

STATE CONGRESS MEMBER PUSHES FOR BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN PATHWAYS

Sacramento representative Doris Matsui has, with Ohio representative Steven LaTourette, co-authored an amendment to a transportation bill that would provide more safe paths for cyclists and pedestrians. (Click here for a transcript of this story from the California Capitol Network)

REPUBLIC ASSEMBLY MEMBERS PUSH GOV. BROWN’S PUBLIC PENSION PLAN

Governor Jerry Brown’s plan proposes sweeping changes to the state’s public pension plan to help relieve budget pressure – and legislative Republicans are pushing it forward, word for word. Some Democrats are concerned about elements of the plan, but they plan on addressing those issues by the time a budget passes in mid-June. (Click here for a transcript of this story from the California Capitol Network reporter Ben Adler)

PG&E MAY SEE FEWER FINES FOR SAN BRUNO EXPLOSION

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. may see $3 million in total fines for the 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion that killed eight. That is little when compared to the possible $1 million for every day the company didn’t hand over records about its lines. (Click here for a transcript of this story from The Associated Press)

CALIFORNIA REPORT STORIES

Crunch Season Approaches for California Budget Initiatives

A trio of tax proposals vying for a space on the November ballot each promise to tackle the state’s systemic budget troubles. Reform advocates argue the choice for voters is simple. But there’s nothing simple about the state budget – or the ways in which each proposal would rejigger it. Reporter: John Myers.

LA City Council Votes to Amend School Truancy Laws

In a unanimous vote yesterday, the Los Angeles City Council gave preliminary approval to a plan to change city truancy laws, taking a less punitive approach to students who skip school or arrive late.

CA Community Colleges Face Bigger Budget Shortfall

California’s community college Chancellor is warning the system faces a third round of budget cuts this year, because it looks like the system’s deficit is $149 million dollars bigger than previously estimated.

CA Water Bill — Redding COPS Grant — CA Primary Presidential Preferences –Prop 8 Review — School Districts Backpedal on Truancy Policy – Reward for Ag Arson Attack

CALIFORNIA WATER BILL

The big California water bill working its way through the U.S. House of Representatives has grabbed the attention of lawmakers at the State Capitol. The measure would send more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to Central and Southern California. (Click here for transcripts of the stories from California Capitol Network reporter Ben Adler)

REDDING COPS GRANT

A COPS grant for $145,000 was accepted by the Redding City Council yesterday. The monie will help fund public safety, but according to city officials, will not come close to replaced the $330,000 lost from Vehicle Liscence Fees. Councilmember Rick Bosetti said the state was being heavy handed. “If we were their child we’d be sent to Child Protective Services,” said Bosetti, a candidate for state Assembly. (Click here for the transcript of the story by Northstate Public Radio news reporter Kelly Frost)

PROPOSITION 8 REVIEW

The backers of California’s same-sex marriage ban have petitioned a federal appeals court in San Francisco to review a split decision by three of its judges that struck down the voter-approved law known as Proposition 8. Lawyers for the religious and legal groups that qualified the ban for the 2008 ballot had faced a deadline yesterday for asking the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to rehear the 2-1 decision made two weeks ago. The ruling declared Proposition 8 to be a violation of the civil rights of gay and lesbian Californians. Andy Pugno, legal counsel for the Protect Marriage Coalition, says the backers appealed to a bigger 9th Circuit panel instead of going directly to the U.S. Supreme Court. The move means same-sex marriages will remain on hold at least until the 9th Circuit decides to accept or reject the rehearing petition. (Copyright 2012 The Associated Press)

CALIFORNIA PRIMARY POLL

California’s Republican voters have warmed up to the surging candidacy of Rick Santorum, but are also expressing growing dissatisfaction with the field of GOP presidential candidates. Today a new Field Poll was released that shows the former Pennsylvania senator is preferred by 25% of Republicans, up from just 2% in November. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney remains Republicans’ top choice, with support from 31% of those interviewed. Despite growing support for Santorum, just 10% of Republican voters say they are very satisfied with the GOP field. 400 registered Republicans were polled by telephone from February 2-18 with a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 7 percentage points. The survey period included Santorum victories in Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado. California’s primary is June 5th. (Copyright 2012 The Associated Press)

REWARD OFFERED IN FRESNO COUNTY FOR AGRICULTURALLY-RELATED ARSON

$100,000 is being offered as a reward in Fresno County for information leading to an arrest in last month’s arson attack at the state’s biggest beef processor, Harris Ranch, in Coalinga. The January 8th fire destroyed 14 big-rig tractors and several trailers at the ranch, with an estimated loss of $2 million. Animal rights activists claimed responsibility for the fire through an anonymous email released by the North American Animal Liberation press office. The email included a description of the containers of accelerant and kerosene-soaked rope apparently used to set the blaze. Sheriff’s investigators have declined to comment on whether the group’s description matches details from the investigation. Officials say they have not identified any offenders yet (Copyright 2012 The Associated Press)

HEATING PAD ON TORTOISES IN GARAGE CAUSES FIRE

A garage fire in Castro Valley was blamed on a heating pad used to keep a pair of tortoises warm. The two African tortoises, each about 3 feet in diameter, escaped unharmed. But a firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion at a hospital and was released. Authorities believe the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction in the heating pad. Damages were calculated at about $50,000. (Copyright 2012 The Associated Press)

STORIES FROM THE CALIFORNIA REPORT

Brad Graverson/Torrance Daily Breeze

LA Backpedaling On Truancy Policy

Schools in Los Angeles face big struggles with student attendance. In some districts truancy rates are above 50 percent. For the last several years, the city has taken a hard-line approach, conducting police sweeps around campuses and issuing tickets with hefty fines to truants and even tardy students. But today, the L.A. City Council is expected to change that approach. Reporter: Krissy Clark.

• More: Story from the Center for Public Integrity

Redding Juveniles, Meth — Near Air Disaster — Clarity Entertainment Auditions — Signature Gatherers Out — Political Ad Funds — 911 Tape Privace Bill — Norcal Gray Wolf — Day Laborer Meeting — U.S. Ag Cuts Affect California

REDDING JUVENILES, METH

A pair of young children tested positive for controlled substances at Mercy Medical Center in Redding Saturday evening. Police were called to the hospital and told that both children had tested positive for methamphetamine and one of them also tested positive for opiates. Officers responded to the juveniles’ home on Kenyon Drive in Redding where they found 5 more children living in what they described as “poorly maintained…and filthy” conditions. The children range in ages from one to six years. Two children were found away from the home at a later time. All of the children were taken into protective custody and released to Shasta County Children and Family Services. There is no word of who is responsible for the children or if any arrests were made.

NEAR AIR DISASTER

The owner of a helicopter flight school with a student who was involved in a midair collision over Northern California says the aircraft narrowly escaped what could have been a deadly crash. Wayne Prodger, the owner of Vertical CFI Helicopters in Hayward, tells The Associated Press the chopper pilot, a 29-year-old woman, is an experienced commercial airplane pilot who was logging night-flying hours toward a helicopter license. Prodger says the woman told him she briefly saw the Beechcraft Bonanza behind her around 7 p.m. Sunday. The next thing she knew, the plane struck the chopper’s skids and she was falling to the ground. He declined to give his student’s name, saying she’s still shaken up. Both pilots suffered only minor injuries. Prodger says it would have been a full-on collision if the Beechcraft was just a few feet higher.

CLARITY ENTERTAINMENT AUDITIONS

About 2800 aspiring thespians converged on the Redding School Of The Arts on Saturday, hoping for their big break into show business. The inaugural auditions for the Northstates new Movie Studio — Clarity Entertainment — were held over the weekend. (Click here later for a transcript of the story from Northstate Public Radio News reporter Kelly Frost)

SIGNATURE GATHERERS OUT

Time is growing short to qualify initiatives for the November ballot, so signature gatherers are out in full force to try and beat the clock. (Click here later for transcripts of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Jenny O’Mara)

POLITICAL AD FUNDS

A bill is making its way through the Capitol that would require political ads to include more information about who paid for them. (Click here later for a transcript of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Marianne Russ)

911 TAPE PRIVACY BILL

A state lawmaker upset over the details contained in a publicly released 911 call involving actress Demi Moore is seeking to restrict such information from disclosure. According to The Associated Press, law enforcement agencies already can withhold personal details. But AB1275 by Assemblywoman Norma Torres would prohibit them from releasing medical or personal identifying information contained in emergency calls. Her measure is one of hundreds proposed by lawmakers ahead of Friday’s deadline to introduce bills to be considered this year. Sen. Juan Vargas wants to regulate pet groomers. Assemblyman Anthony Portantino proposes to ban the open display of unloaded rifles and shotguns. Other bills deal with public employee pensions, specialty license plates, cellphone sales taxes and commercial sale of homemade food. Last year, lawmakers introduced nearly 2,400 bills. About a third of those became law.

NORCAL GRAY WOLF

California’s only wild wolf has left Shasta County, again, and could be on his way out of California. OR7, as the gray wolf has been named by Fish and Game Biologists, is now in northeastern Siskiyou County after traveling 42 miles over the weekend. The lone wolf split from his pack in November before entering the state December 28th, presumably looking for a mate. His journey has led him through Siskiyou, Lassen and Shasta Counties. OR7 is wearing a satellite tracking collar, but only his general location is reported to keep him safe from harm. The grey wolf is on the endangered species list. His ramblings can be viewed on the Department of Fish and Game website.

ON THE CALIFORNIA REPORT

Day Laborer Meeting in Los Angeles

Three hundred immigrant day laborers and activists from around the country are meeting this week in Los Angeles to exchange labor organizing tactics, and to discuss immigration. Reporter: Ruxandra Guidi.

U.S. Agriculture Cuts Affect California

Last week, President Barack Obama’s proposed budget delivered a package of surprises buried in the fine print. For instance, the plan sent to Congress would eliminate the Agriculture Department’s Microbiological Data Program. That may not sound so dramatic, except when you consider what the program does. Reporter: Rachael Myrow.

Chinese Trade Offices — Foodstamp Fingerprints — Redding National Guard Deployment — San Francisco Foreclosures — Legislation, Park Revenue Boost — State Lawmakers, Holiday Per Diem — Fake Prescription Drugs — Threatened Alpine Chipmunks — Remembering Philanthropist Hellman

CHINESE TRADE OFFICES

Governor Jerry Brown announced Friday that California will be home to two Chinese trade offices within the next eight months. He says China could provide more than two trillion dollars in investments in the United States within the next ten years. (Click here later for transcripts of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Bob Moffitt)

FOODSTAMP FINGERPRINTS

Last year, California lawmakers passed a bill that eliminated the requirement for food stamp recipients to be fingerprinted. now, a Republican State Senator wants to bring that requirement back. (Click here later for transcripts of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Ben Adler)

REDDING NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYMENT

About two hundred members of the 132nd multi-role bridge company will be leaving for Afghanistan next week for a one-year deployment. On Saturday, family and friends got together at the Redding Civic Center to send them off. (Click here later for a transcript of the story from Northstate Public Radio News reporter Kelly Frost)

SAN FRANCISCO FORECLOSURES

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier are asking federal authorities to investigate whether error-riddled foreclosures in San Francisco violated federal law. According to The Associated Press, the San Francisco Democrats sent a letter Friday to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder requesting that Justice Department fraud investigators look into the issue. The San Francisco assessor’s office released a report this week that found more than 80 percent of foreclosures examined were missing documents or signatures or otherwise violated state law. The report ordered by Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting said homeowners may have been accused of defaulting on loans that they had never agreed to in the first place. The congresswomen called the report’s findings troubling and said it raised questions about whether homeowners were denied due process.

LEGISLATION, PARK REVENUE BOOST

A bill making its way through the Capitol would create a minimum funding level for parks and encourage local governments and non-profits to step in and help run them. Dozens face the prospect of being shut down later this year. (Click here later for transcripts of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Marianne Russ)

STATE LAWMAKERS, HOLIDAY PER DIEM

Both houses of the California Legislature are changing their schedules before the President’s Day holiday, meeting for less than hour to ensure they collect $142 a day in per diem payments until they reconvene tomorrow. The Associated Press reports that lawmakers in the state Assembly and Senate eulogized departed constituents, introduced guests and commemorated Japanese-Americans on Friday. They did not debate any policy. Per diems are meant to compensate out-of-town lawmakers for daily living expenses when they travel to the capital, but legislators can collect the tax-free payments from home or even if they’re ill. Bob Stern, former president of the Center for Governmental Studies in Los Angeles, says the whole thing is done for lawmakers to line their pockets. Six Sacramento-area lawmakers decline the per diems, but most others defend them.

ON THE CALIFORNIA REPORT

Law Aims to Stop Fake Prescription Drugs

A state law meant to thwart counterfeit prescription drugs is finally set to go into effect 16 years after it first passed. The electronic tracking system will make business harder for those who sell fake drugs. Reporter: Sarah Varney.

Global Warming Threatens Alpine Chipmunks

One of the few mammals that’s entirely unique to California is also one of the most threatened because of climate change. A new study shows how the alpine chipmunk, found in Yosemite’s high country, has moved upslope as temperatures have warmed over the last century. Reporter: Sasha Khokha.

Concert to Remember Philanthropist Hellman

Yesterday, nearly 10,000 people came out to a beach in San Francisco to hear musicians like Emmylou Harris, Steve Earl and Gillian Welch put on a free concert. It paid tribute to businessman and philanthropist Warren Hellman, who died last December of leukemia. Reporter: Lisa Morehouse.