Obama Requesting Help to Pay for Afghan Army

WASHINGTON (AP) – Mapping the way out of an unpopular war, the United States and NATO are trying to build an Afghan army that can defend the country after 130,000 international troops pull out. Support for Afghanistan’s military will be a focus of the summit President Barack Obama is hosting Sunday and Monday in Chicago. The problem with the exit strategy is paying for that army in an era of austerity budgets. The problem for the United States is how to avoid getting stuck with the check for $4.1 billion a year. That’s partly why many non-NATO nations are getting invitations to the summit. About 60 countries and organizations are expected to be represented. More than 20 nations have already agreed to help, and more are expected to do so in Chicago.

Romney, Republican Party Raise $40 Million in April

WASHINGTON (AP) – Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney and his party raised a combined $40.1 million in April. The figures put the likely GOP nominee’s fundraising haul closer to the $43.6 million that President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party raised last month. Romney’s campaign pulled in about $12.5 million in March. April’s reports offer the first fundraising tallies of the general election. Romney began raising cash with the GOP last month. The new fundraising totals don’t include the hundreds of millions of dollars being spent by “super” political committees that can raise and spend unlimited sums of cash. Both campaigns’ detailed financial reports are due to the Federal Election Commission by midnight Sunday.

Cal-Fire Preparing for Dry Conditions

Cal-Fire gearing up for dry conditions after a below average water year. Cal-Fire’s Daniel Berlant says residents in California should make their homes safe using the 100 foot defensible space now. He says the agency is staffing a couple weeks earlier than normal because of the dry weather across California.

Red Bluff Police Search for Suspect in Flashlight Assault

Red Bluff Police say one man suffered moderate injuries to his head and face during a flashlight attack. The assault happened Wednesday at the Classic Inn Motel on Main Street. Police say the victim was hit several times in the head with a metal flashlight and was taken to a local hospital. Police have identified the suspect as 26 year old Chuck Hayes…at last report, officers were still looking for Hayes.

Beale Air Force Base Airmen Honor Soldier Killed in Afghanistan

Beale Air Force base says more than 1 thousand airmen lined the street to honor a Yuba City native killed in Afghanistan. 24 year old Army Specialist Chase Marta was killed earlier this month by an improvised explosive device. His remains were delivered to the local air force base Wednesday. Beale says hundreds of Airmen lined the motorcade route to pay their respects with a salute as the procession left the base.

Obama Raises $44 Million for Campaign and Democratic Party

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama raised a combined $43.6 million in April for his campaign and the Democratic Party. Obama’s campaign says 400,000 donors contributed last month, including 169,000 who donated for the first time. Obama raised about $53 million in April. Campaign manager Jim Messina told supporters in a web video released early Wednesday that the November election will be close because of “historic challenges” and that so-called special interests are dumping millions into anti-Obama ads. Presidential campaigns and super PACs have until midnight Sunday to file their fundraising reports with the Federal Election Commission.

Chico School Board to Consider High School Construction Projects Tonight

$26 million worth of projects go before the Chico School Board tonight for final approval. The projects are for the three Chico High Schools. Facilities Planner Mike Weissenborn says the money comes from left over funds in Measure A, plus what the District can leverage from the state.  Measure A raised more than $48 million in 1998 for a new high school in Chico, but those funds were redirected for use in existing Chico schools. Weissenborn says hopes are the three projects will be completed by the fall of 2013.

Officers Arrest Child Molestation Suspect on Chico State Campus

Chico Police say a suspect in a child molestation investigation has been arrested. 48 year old Paul Braun was booked into the county jail on suspicion of lewd acts with a child under the age of 14. Officers say Braun is a Chico State student and was taken into custody on campus by University Police.

Fall from Hwy 99 Overpass Kills Construction Worker in Chico

A construction worker has died after falling 20 feet from a Chico highway. The Chico Fire Department says the 37 year old man fell off the Highway 99 overpass at Vallombrosa and landed on an asphalt bike path early Tuesday morning. Cal-Osha will handle the investigation into the accident.

Chico Gang Member Faces 15 years in Prison Following No Contest Plea

A Chico gang member has pleaded no contest in a local shooting. The District Attorney’s Office says 21 year old Gregorio Perez-Garcia faces more than 15 years in prison when he’s sentenced in August. Perez-Garcia pleaded no contest this week to charges including assault with a firearm. The DA’s Office says he shot at a rival gang member last year. No one was injured but pellets of a shotgun round hit a nearby home.