2013 Monster Archive Stories

Getting your money's worth or being satisfied with a purchase are critical tenets for savvy consumers. But when it comes to handling sub-par experiences, both consumer and business advocates say it's best to let cooler heads prevail before becoming threatening or considering litigation. If you aren't happy with a product or servi

Dear Mary: What do you think about settling a debt with a creditor? I recently agreed to one for a credit card, and the bank did notify me that the forgiven debt will be considered income by the IRS. I will have to file taxes on this amount using form 1099C. The bank will report the zero balance to the credit agencies, my credit r

Marysville motorists won't be the only ones having to negotiate an ever-changing series of detours while Caltrans completes its $48 million two-year roadway reconstruction project. Fire engines, ambulances and law enforcement vehicles will have to closely monitor traffic flows in responding to any emergencies that might occur in or aroun

MOORE, Okla. — A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were killed, including at least 20 children, and officials said

What is it about presidents' second terms that makes them seem so scandal-ridden? Simple: The iron law of longevity. All governments make mistakes, and all governments try to hide those mistakes. But the longer an administration is in office, the more errors it makes, and the harder they are to conceal. Just ask Richard M. Nixon, Ronald

I see that again you have featured an upcoming performance by a local group, the Yuba Sutter Symphony, with an article and even photos. As we all know, the arts in general have a hard time finding support in our schools and communities and you have done a nice job of spotlighting many recent productions. I wish to point out, howe

We're like a lot of people: so adamantly opposed to drunken and drugged driving that we're hesitant to even question any tactic engineered to reduce the calamitous effects. So here we are, questioning with some trepidation the wisdom of the latest recommendation by the National Transportation Safety Board. It recommended last week that s

When Rick Butler's father became ill in February 2012, he never thought the cause was the well water his parents drank and showered in every day. He shrugged off a friend's advice to check the family's personal well. His parents had been living in the same house since the '70s, and he refused to believe the water was seriously harming th

WASHINGTON — The White House acknowledged Monday that senior aides to President Barack Obama knew a month ago that the Internal Revenue Service had targeted conservative groups, expanding on previous administration statements about who in the White House knew about the inquiry and when they knew about it. Previously, the White Hous

Two new red-light traffic cameras are planned to be installed in Marysville, bringing to 10 the number of approved camera locations in the city. The City Council, under its consent agenda, is scheduled tonight to approve placing new cameras on southbound J Street at Fifth Street and on southbound Ramirez Street at East 10th Street. Items

Name: Julian Ramirez. Age: 21. Family: My family includes my uncle and aunt, Andy and Karen Ramirez, and grandma, Rose Ramirez. Residence: Sutter. Occupation: Student at Yuba College working toward a culinary arts degree and an associate's degree. How did you choose this career to study? From watching all

Employees at two Yuba City businesses got to go home early on Monday after a construction crew struck a Pacific Gas & Electric gas line on Burns Drive. Frito-Lay Inc. and Yuba City Scrap and Steel Inc. were evacuated after a tractor working near Blackburn Talley Park broke a two-inch gas line about 3:30 p.m., officials said.

"Connecting to Quit," a no-cost tobacco cessation program, is being offered by the Yuba County Tobacco Education program. The four one-hour class sessions are at noon today, Friday and May 28 and 31 at the Yuba County Health and Human Services office, 5730 Packard Ave., Suite 100, Linda. Call 749-6366 to register. Mary

Representatives of fishing groups united with family farmers, environmentalists and elected officials on May 16 to oppose the Final Delta Plan adopted by the Delta Stewardship Council because of the big threat the plan poses to Central Valley Chinook salmon and Delta fish populations.</p><p>In spite of overwhelming opposition to the

FELONY ARRESTS Dennis M. Cobb, 50, homeless, was arrested by the Yuba City Police Department at 5:22 a.m. May 20 on the 500 block of Colusa Avenue on suspicion of inflicting corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant. He was booked into the Sutter County Jail. Jefferson D. Pendergrass, 23, of the 2800 block of Pennington Road, Liv

FRESNO — Two men were in custody on Monday after accidentally dialing 911 on a cellphone before breaking into a car, authorities said. After the mistaken "pocket" call, a police dispatcher was able to hear a rambling 35-minute conversation that went from trying to find a way to get drugs to breaking into a car. "Get the bol

The Yuba City City Council is considering purchasing the 800 Northgate Drive building. A council member stated that it was to provide cheaper rents for fledging businesses. I do not think that our city should be in competition with private enterprise. Our country believes in a free marketplace. Our city is having difficulty in maintainin

On April 22, you published a letter from Billy M. Cooper titled "Why not background checks for politicians?" wherein he suggests that, instead of background checks for gun purchases, there should be background checks for politicians. There are background checks for politicians, they are called elections. President Barack Obama has passed

Yuba City resident Paul Hughes wiped tears away from his eyes on Sunday as he listened to the keynote speaker at the opening ceremony for the Freedom's Heroes War on Terror Memorial. For Hughes, a wounded Vietnam War veteran, hearing about someone else's fight with post-traumatic stress disorder hit close to home. "In our hearts, we're s

Max Smith wanted to cut down the old tree in his back yard. He wanted to cut his lawn, clean up his bushes and clear out the weeds, tall grass and bottles and cans others left in his yard. "I was going to do it, but I got all sick," the 86-year-old retired U.S. Air Force veteran said. He cares about the Olivehurst home on Brougha

WASHINGTON — Soon there will be fewer sick New Yorkers riding the subway, serving food in restaurants, or infecting their classmates, after the New York City Council recently decided to require local businesses to give workers time off if they are ill or have to care for a sick child. But mandatory sick leave, hailed as a progressi

A suspicious fire destroyed everything in a Linda home on Sunday, two days after an occupant's brother was sentenced to 13 years in Yuba County Jail, officials with the Fire Department said. Residents Matthew Pace, 21, and Robin Elliott, 32, were uninjured in the blaze, which started in a car trailer filled with personal belongings on th

FELONY ARRESTS Russell H. Peek, 39, of the 1500 block of Palm View Drive, Marysville, was arrested by the Yuba County Sheriff's Department at 11:30 a.m. May 18 on the 200 block of Fifth Street on suspicion of making threats to commit a crime and inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant. He was booked into the Yuba County Jail