2013 Column Lauren Forcella Archive Stories

Rarely since the Civil War have state officials anywhere in America been as close to openly defying federal authority as Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature are today. Brown averted a constitutional crisis in mid-May, when he acceded to the demand of a three-judge federal court panel and submitted a plan to reduce the state prison popul

A few more thoughts about the Mosquito Beach access cut-off: Another major issue concerning Mosquito Beach access road, aside from the fact it makes that walk very difficult for some people (elderly, disabled, children, etc.), is security. Yes, they put a small parking lot outside the gate, but you won't be able to keep an eye on your ve

In defense of Margaret Thatcher: She rescued her country from the decades of decline following World War II. Her economic policies came to be known as Thatcherism and were adopted by some 50 other nations. She restored Great Britain to prosperity and greatness. She believed in the reality of right and wrong. She brought under control the powerfu

We couldn't help but feel proud of the folks working as greeters and servers, general aides and speakers — all of them clients — during a Salvation Army Yuba-Sutter dinner Tuesday. Attendees were toured around facilities — the corps building (church), the transitional housing development, and the Depot Family Crisis Center.

Yuba Community College graduate Jeni Alcantar has one thing on her mind now. "Jobs, jobs, jobs," the 25-year-old Radiological Technology alumnus said. "I want to get that first paycheck." Alcantar, a Chico native, was one of more than 200 Yuba College students who graduated Friday at a ceremony on the campus football field. A tot

After more than 12 years of legal wrangling, federal officials earlier this week placed 40 acres of Yuba County land into trust for the proposed Enterprise Rancheria casino. Glenda Nelson, chairwoman of the Estom Yumeka Maidu Tribe, said Friday it was significant milestone. "It took an awfully long time and a lot of rigorous work

Almost everybody wants Linda's Markus Lee Pace behind prison bars. "He deserves to go to prison. That's where he belongs," Pace's mother, Heide, said Friday. But Pace, 26, is not going to prison. Instead, he was sentenced to nearly 14 years in the Yuba County Jail for stealing more than six vehicles, including five in one

A Yuba City man charged with embezzling money from an elementary school parents group surrendered earlier this week to authorities in Yolo County. Jonathan Tyler Burton, 30, was booked late Thursday into the Yolo County jail on a $25,000 warrant accusing him with felony counts of identity theft and grand theft in connection with the alle

Calvary Christian Center is opening its Freedom Heroes War on Terror outdoor memorial — which honors American servicemen and women who have died serving in Iraq and Afghanistan — with a dedication on Sunday at the church. The 20 panels of the memorial bear the names of the 6,999 people who have died since the beginning of the

A Yuba City union manager and his wife were sentenced to prison in federal court in Sacramento on Friday for misappropriating at least $120,000. U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. sentenced Robert L. Carr, 58, to two years and six months in prison and his wife, Theresa Ann Carr, 55, received three months, U.S. Attorney Benjamin B

A lion, a leopard, a cape buffalo. Oh, my. They are three of the most exotic animals Grady Miller has worked on during his seven-year career as a taxidermist, but none of them measure up to his most recent project — a 16-foot giraffe. "When someone walks in the door and says, 'Oh my gosh, that is incredible,' that gives me

A Memorial Day Celebration, sponsored by the American Legion Post No. 789 and the Native Daughters of the Golden West, will begin at 11 a.m. May 27 at the Wheatland Cemetery, 4865 Wheatland Road, Wheatland. A luncheon, sponsored by Grace Episcopal Church and the Wheatland Historical Society, will follow at Pioneer Hall, Fourth and B stre

A Yuba City union manager and his wife were sentenced to prison in federal court in Sacramento on Friday for misappropriating at least $120,000. U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. sentenced Robert L. Carr, 58, two years and six months in prison and his wife, Theresa Ann Carr, 55, received three months, US Attorney Benjamin B. Wag

Browns Valley Vang to serve mission in Canada Browns Valley resident Javon Vang will serve for two years as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Vang is the son of Michael and Kasia Vang of Browns Valley and is the second person of Hmong descent from this area to serve a mission.

Name: Art Crosetti. Age: 77. Family: Five children: Paul Crosetti of Kansas City, Mo.; Claire Crosetti of Alameda; Lisa Yee of San Ramon; Teresa Atzmon of Honolulu, Hawaii; and John Crosetti of Catania, Sicily, Italy. City of residence: Marysville. Occupation: Community Outreach

As I get older, it seems like I am naturally drawn to people who have some obvious issues in their lives. You know — character defects that can be easily see or identified. As a Christian, I love people, but it seems like I love the imperfect ones more. I know from the Bible that there no perfect people, only those who think they a

When I look at a painting, I see a reflection of the world as I know it. The painter works with tangible mediums: oils, acrylics and watercolors. Similarly, when I watch a play, I am in a world I know, and the playwright creates with materials I understand: the stage, the actress, the costume. When I listen to music, though, I leave this

Live music will fill the air on Plumas Street on Saturday as 10 bands are set to perform during a free 10-hour concert. "It is a thank you to the community for the support we've had the last five years," said Terri Tomlinson, co-chairwoman of the Sutter Performing Arts Association. "It is also a chance to showcase some great local talent

Yuba City police acted reasonably when they shot and killed a woman in 2010 at her Mariner Loop home, a federal judge has ruled. U.S. District Court Judge John A. Mendez heard arguments in the case on May 1 in Sacramento and entered his judgment on Wednesday, according to federal court records. The family of Victoria Roger-Vassel

SAN DIEGO — The numbers sum up the frenzy that has taken over the Golden State since it became the newest in the nation to join the madness over Powerball, which saw its jackpot soar Thursday to $550 million. California has sold $83 million worth of Powerball tickets since it started selling them in April and overall has accounted

Gas prices are rising, and Yuba-Sutter drivers won't be spared — especially as the three-day Memorial Day weekend looms. AAA this week reported a 2 percent increase over last month for the area's fuel price. It's among the lowest in California, at an average of $3.95 for a gallon of regular unleaded gas. The statewide average is $4

A Marysville woman punched a Walmart security guard in the face before pelting him with numerous rocks on Thursday as she tried to get away with lotions and body spray stuffed in her purse, Yuba County deputies said. An apparent getaway car abandoned Evalee Havanna Hawkins as she left the store in the 1100 block of North Beale Road just

A Marysville doctor is suing Rideout Memorial Hospital, challenging his seven-day suspension of privileges. Chukwuemeka Ndulue alleges the suspension, which was to begin Monday, is "in retaliation for (his) status as a whistleblower on the flawed practices at (Rideout) and associated medical doctors." Ndulue filed the petition la

More than 60 fifth-graders from Bridge Street Elementary School got a taste of how the court system works while taking part in a mock trial on Thursday at the Sutter County Courthouse. Sutter County Superior Court Judge Brian R. Aronson looked over at the fifth-grade jury and explained the case. A classmate, Ariana Rodarte, was a