Briefs: Man fled to finish smoking

Wheatland

A Linda man who led Wheatland police on a high-speed chase so he could finish a cigarette pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Yuba County Superior Court, authorities reported.

Austin J. Tipton, 21, said he wanted to finish smoking on Sunday before doing to jail for drunken driving, Police Chief Allyn Wightman said.

Tipton led police on a 10-mile chase between Wheatland and Lincoln that reached 80 mph, throwing drugs and beer out the window as he drove, Wightman said.

Tipton's passenger, Chris Costigan, was also arrested on suspicion of public intoxication.

Officers tried to stop Tipton's white Mazda truck around 2:15 a.m. Sunday on Highway 65 for having an obscured license plate. After about 10 minutes, he pulled over just outside Lincoln and was arrested, Wightman said.

Tipton is due back in court Feb. 13 and remains in custody at the Yuba County Jail.

Linda

March 4 trial in beating death

A March 4 trial is set in the case against a Linda man accused of beating his girlfriend to death last summer.

Daniel E. Shoats pleaded not guilty on Monday in Yuba County Superior Court to a first-degree murder charge in the June 9 death of Cheryl Murphy.

Murphy, 41, was found dead in an abandoned house in the 5500 block of Alicia Avenue. A bloody shoe print left on the woman's disfigured face matched shoes Shoats was wearing. Investigators also found a small black hair on Murphy's body that was consistent with Shoats' hair, Yuba County sheriff's deputies have said.

Shoats was deemed competent to stand trial after a psychological evaluation in August.

At a preliminary hearing last month, defense attorney Christopher Carlos said there was no evidence intended to kill Murphy.

Shoats remains in custody without bail at the Yuba County Jail.

Live Oak

Hindu prayer before council meeting

A Hindu prayer, with verses from the world's oldest existing scripture, will for the first time mark the start of a Live Oak City Council when it meets tonight.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed will deliver the invocation from ancient Sanskrit scriptures. After Sanskrit delivery, he then will read the English translation of the prayer.

Zed, president of Universal Society of Hinduism, plans to start and end the prayer with "Om," the mystical syllable containing the universe, which in Hinduism is used to introduce and conclude religious work.

Hinduism has about 1 billion adherents, including 3 million Hindus in the United States.

The Live Oak City Council meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at 9955 Live Oak Blvd.

Marysville

Two meetings set on city's finances

Two Community Conversations this week will allow Marysville residents to speak with city officials about issues related to the city's financial condition and its future.

The meetings will be at 6 p.m. today at Mary Covillaud Elementary School, 628 F St., and at 6 p.m. Thursday at McKenney Intermediate School, 1904 Huston St.

The topics covered will be the same for both meetings, according to a press release from City Manager Walter Munchheimer.

Yuba City

Water upgrade at library

The Sutter County library will open one hour later today to give more time for work on the building's water system.

This morning, workers from the county's Public Works Department will be installing back-flow prevention devices on the library's water line, according to a county press release.

If the work is completed, the library is scheduled to open at 11 a.m. rather than the normal 10 a.m. The library is at 750 Forbes Ave., Yuba City.

Yuba-Sutter

Rice, duck groups join forces

A prominent agricultural lobbying group and a wildlife conservation group have joined forces to bring greater attention to issues affecting both of them.

The USA Rice Federation and Ducks Unlimited announced formation of the USA Rice-DU Stewardship Partnership on Tuesday, geared toward rice production, waterfowl and water conservation projects and related topics.

In a press release from the groups, members pointed out ducks and other waterfowl often use water-covered rice fields as stopovers and feeding sites on migratory flyways, including in Yuba-Sutter.

The partnership board, including six members from each group, includes Al Montna, a Sutter County farmer representing Ducks Unlimited, and Leo LaGrande, a rice farmer in Williams.

Marysville

Blood drive set for man

A community blood drive and fundraiser for Marysville resident Paul Roderick and his battle against aplastic anemia is set Feb. 17 at the Allyn Scott Youth and Community Center in Marysville.

Hosted by Roderick and his wife, Cynthia, and sponsored by BloodSource, the event is from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at 1830 B St.

Paul Roderick, diagnosed with the bone marrow disorder about 11⁄2 years ago, receives blood transfusions once a week.

Blood drives scheduled also include:

Sunday — 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 1390 Franklin Road, Yuba City. BloodSource will donate a pound of food to Mother Hubbard's Food Pantry for every pint of blood donated.

Feb. 15 — 2-6 p.m. at the Live Oak High School cafeteria, 2351 Pennington Road, Live Oak. Hosted by LOHS senior Mariah Moody.

Feb. 26 — 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Beale Air Force Base, Community Activity Center.

Donors must be in generally good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and at least 17 years old, or 16 with parental consent.

Call 866-822-5663 for more information.