Briefs: 'Wild Justice' poacher pleads out
A Stonyford poacher, once referred to as "the catch of a lifetime" on national television by state game wardens, pleaded guilty Monday after taking a deal that significantly reduced the criminal charges against him.
Tucker M. Otterson pleaded guilty in Colusa County Superior Court to three reduced misdemeanor charges of unlawfully capturing game, unlawfully taking game and unlawful use of a dog to hunt bears, according to the Court Clerk's Office.
Otterson, 21, was charged in March with five felony counts of animal cruelty and seven misdemeanor Fish and Game code violations.
Otterson's girlfriend, Brooke Boyes, also pleaded guilty Monday to a reduced misdemeanor charge of unlawfully taking game. She was sentenced to three years probation.
Boyes' father, Reese, was also charged with illegally taking elk parts, but he is still fighting the case against him. Reese Boyes is set to appear Sept. 7 for a trial readiness hearing, and a jury trial is tentatively set for October.
The complaint accused Otterson of "maliciously and intentionally" killing, maiming torturing or wounding a variety of wild animals including a bear, a pig, a badger and multiple turtles between April of 2008 and September of last year.
The case first came to light in January when a portion of the Fish and Game investigation was depicted on a January episode of "Wild Justice," a National Geographic television series.
Yuba-Sutter
Legislators accept tobacco funds
Yuba-Sutter legislators collected thousands in campaign donations from tobacco companies in recent years, but the totals are just a fraction of what those companies donated statewide.
For example, Assemblyman Dan Logue, R-Linda, received $15,600 from two tobacco companies since his run for his first term in 2008, though some other legislators received nearly that much during the 2009-10 campaign cycle alone.
Since 2009, Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber, has received $19,500 in campaign contributions from tobacco companies. State Sen. Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale, received $6,400 during his campaign for his current seat, but $28,750 in previous campaigns for the Assembly, where he served until 2008.
In 2009-10, tobacco companies donated to $6.5 million to campaign committees statewide, according to a report released Tuesday by the Center for Tobacco Policy & Organizing, an arm of the American Lung Association.
Marysville
Activity center meeting July 26
The Marysville Adult Activity Center will meet at Bethel AME Church in Marysville from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. July 26.
Members will meet at the church, 115 Fifth St.
Future meetings will be at the group's regular location at First Presbyterian Church at Sampson Street and Rideout Way, Marysville.
Call 742-4946 for more information.
Marysville
Supply drive helps school families
A backpack and school supply drive benefiting more than 400 students who are homeless or from low-income families begins today in Marysville.
School items can be dropped off from 3 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at the Marysville Youth and Community Center, 1830 B St.
The drive is in partnership with the Marysville Joint Unified School District Education Foundation.
Donations of new backpacks and school supplies will benefit students within the Marysville Joint Unified School District only.
Deadline for donations is 4 p.m. Aug. 10. If items cannot be dropped off at the center, pick-up is available.
For more information, call Paula Ketchum at 329-5173.
Yuba College
Sociology student transfers approved
The state's Chancellor Office approved transfers for Yuba College students who earn an associate in arts transfer degree in sociology.
According to the college, this approval comes on the heels of the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act which guarantees admission to a California State University for community college student who completes an associate degree for transfer, a new variation of the associate degree.
In order to earn one of these degrees, students must complete 60 semester units of CSU transferable coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.0.
