Unions Gearing Up to Spend Big in 2012 Election

WASHINGTON (AP) – Labor unions are gearing up to spend more than $400 million to help re-elect President Barack Obama and back other Democrats at the federal and state level in a fight for labor’s survival. Union leaders say they have little choice as they try to beat back GOP efforts to curb collective bargaining rights or limit their ability to collect dues. The nation’s largest public employee union has already spent $1 million on television ads aimed at weakening GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, the candidate they expect to win the nomination. But union resources are being spread thin after they spent millions last year to fight anti-union measures in Ohio, Wisconsin and other states. They are also spearheading a recall of Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

Chico Police Receive High Marks in Survey; CPD Looking for Input on Noise Ordinance

A recent survey of Chico residents gives the Chico Police Department excellent marks. The survey was carried out from October of last year to January of this year by criminal justice students at Chico State University. Assistant Professor Jon Caudill, who helped organize the survey, says it’s incorrect to think the university is always a hotbed of resistance to the police.  The survey found that 90 percent of those surveyed thought their neighborhood was “safe or very safe” during the day and 70 percent found their neighborhood “safe or very safe” after dark.

Meanwhile, the Chico Police Department revisiting its “noise ordinance” today. Police say they’re looking for feedback from the community and student population regarding proposed charges to that ordinance. A special meeting is planned for tonight at 5:30 PM at the BMU at Chico State.

OPD Lt.: Fire Dispatch Transition Went Smoothly

An Oroville police lieutenant says it was a smooth transition from a Cal-Fire contract to dispatching both police and fire calls. Police Lt. Al Byers says the city fields about 225 fire-related calls a month. Byers says the emergency dispatch consolidation meant new software, more training, and several new employees for the department since last year.

Backers of CA’s Gay Marriage Ban Want Federal Appeals Court Review

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – 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 Tuesday deadline 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.

Obama Touting Payroll Tax Cut Extension Deal

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama will be joined at the White House on Tuesday by taxpayers who stand to benefit from a payroll tax cut extension. Obama will discuss the importance of Congress’ agreement to extend the Social Security payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance. He will also urge Congress to take additional steps to create jobs, grow the economy and help the middle class. Joining Obama will be Americans who have shared their stories on WhiteHouse.gov and Twitter about what an extra $40 in their paycheck means to them. In the evening, the president and first lady will welcome well-known musicians, including B.B. King, Mick Jagger and Buddy Guy, to the White House for a celebration of blues music in recognition of Black History Month.

Glenn County Leaders Revisit Medical Pot Ordinance

The issue of medical marijuana going before Glenn County Supervisors again. The county’s proposed ordinance on the matter is up for a public hearing today. It calls for limits on where medical pot can be grown based on parcel size and it would ban medical marijuana dispensaries or collectives.

Yuba City Police Probe 4th Shooting Since January

Two men are being sought by Yuba City police in connection with a shooting Sunday night. One man was injured in the shooting along Franklin and Littlejohn Roads. At last report, the victim’s name hasn’t been released. The weekend shooting is the 4th in Yuba City since January.

Convicted CA Killer Tells of Victim in 3rd Well

LINDEN, Calif. (AP) – A convicted California serial killer whose maps have led authorities to hundreds of human bone fragments has apparently revealed the location of a third well where he says a victim can be found. A Sacramento bounty hunter said on Monday that Wesley Shermantine told him about the third well in a telephone call the previous night. The bounty hunter, Louis Padilla, tells the Sacramento Bee the well is close to the two others Shermantine has talked about in San Joaquin County. The first near the town of Linden has yielded some 1,000 bone fragments. Authorities are searching for the second. According to Padilla, Shermantine claimed the third well contains a body dumped there by his alleged accomplice, Loren Herzog. The two were referred to as the “Speed Freak Killers” for their alleged methamphetamine-fueled killing spree in the 1980s and 1990s.

Father and Son Arrested in Redding

A Redding father and son arrested this week after a chase. The Redding Police Department says an officer stopped 39 year old Jason Laurita Monday and was in the process of writing a traffic citation when the driver allegedly sped off. He reportedly led officers on a pursuit to his parent’s home, where he was arrested for evading and DUI.  Police say the man’s father allegedly interfered with officers and was taken into custody for resisting officers.

Oroville School District Looks at Possible Layoffs

An Oroville school district is facing possible layoffs. The Oroville Mercury-Register reports the Oroville City Elementary School District governing board will consider layoffs for more than 4 full-time employees during its meeting Wednesday. Those positions include an elementary teacher and reading specialist. The district has a 1 million dollar deficit for the current year.