Mid-Valley briefs

Yuba County

7,400 marijuana plants removed

About 7,400 marijuana plants in the Yuba County foothills have been eradicated by Yuba County Sheriff's Department deputies and the U.S. Forest Service, an official said Thursday.

Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Melanie Oakes said plants in the field near Oregon Hill Road and Road 169 had recently been planted and were immature.

The eradication began at 4 a.m. Wednesday.

Forest Service surveyors discovered the garden earlier. A campsite for the growers was nearby, Oakes said.

Yuba County

'Con artist' told to pay or face jail

The man a state agency calls one of the "most notorious traveling con artists" could face jail or prison time if he doesn't pay $165,000 in restitution — including $35,000 in Yuba County.

George Joseph Stanley and two of his cousins pleaded guilty to several felony grand theft counts Tuesday in Butte County Superior Court, the Contractors State License Board said of the trio's involvement in a roving paving scam.

Stanley is scheduled to be sentenced July 16 in Yuba County Superior Court after pleading guilty earlier this year to obtaining by false pretenses.

Deputy District Attorney John Nash had said in court that Stanley did paving work in such a shoddy manner that he undertook the projects with the intent to defraud.

Yuba County

Poll: Public against Prop. 23

Detractors for the newly minted Proposition 23 are poking holes in voter support for the measure, which is prominently backed by Republican Assemblyman Dan Logue of Linda.

This week, anti-23 group Californians for Clean Energy and Jobs passed along a Reuters poll asking state residents their views on state regulations on climate change and the environment.

Poll takers asked respondents which conclusion most closely matched their own opinion: Do the regulations drive investment in green technology and create green jobs or will they create higher energy prices and lead to cuts in traditional jobs?

Among all voters, 50 percent believed the regulations were an economic boost, while 38 percent said they'd harm the economy. Twelve percent refused to answer or weren't sure.

Proposition 23, on the Nov. 2 ballot and referred to as the California Jobs Initiative, would suspend 2006's Assembly Bill 32 until state unemployment drops to 5.5 percent or lower and stays there for a year. AB32 is meant to reduce carbon emissions in California to 1990 levels by 2020.

Wheatland

Donations sought after apartment fire

The Red Cross office in Yuba City is accepting donations to help families displaced by a fire Wednesday night at the Bear River Apartments in Wheatland.

At least two of the families affected are in need of kitchen supplies, furniture and beds.

American Red Cross of Northeastern California is giving families a short stay in a motel and cash for immediate needs along with referrals to other groups that may be able to assist.

To donate, call the Disasters Services Department at 673-1460.

Mid-Valley

Closures for holiday July 5

The following businesses and agencies will be closed Monday in observance of Independence Day.

Banks: Closed

Government offices: All closed.

Post office: No service.

Trash pickup: No change in service.

Transit: No service; office closed.

Appeal-Democrat: No change in delivery service; office closed.

Marysville

Obon Festival coming July 17

The annual Obon Festival is set July 17 at the Marysville Buddhist Church, 125 B St.

The program includes services at 3:30 p.m. in the temple, with the Rev. Bob Oshita of the Sacramento Buddhist Church.

Activities begin at 3 p.m. with the teriyaki chicken box dinner available for take out for a $10 donation, followed by the dining room opening at 5 p.m., dancing at 7:30 p.m. and entertainment at 8:30 p.m.

Obon, or dance, practice is open to the public from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday through July 15.

For more information, contact the church at 743-6426.

Yuba-Sutter

Libraries promote reading for kids

County libraries in Marysville and Yuba City have a variety of free events for children and families planned this month as part of their summer reading programs.

The schedule at Yuba County Library, at 303 Second St. in Marysville, includes:

• Wednesday — "Dance Around the World."

• July 14 — "Heather Magic."

• July 21 — Chicken Lips and Lizard Hips.

All Marysville programs are at 7 p.m. Call 749-7380 for more information.

The Sutter County Library, at 750 Forbes Ave. in Yuba City, features:

• Thursday — Quack and Wabbit Puppet Theater.

• July 15 — Daffy Dave.

• July 29 — Capt'n Jack Spareribs.

In addition, the library is hosting "Wild Things" on Aug. 5.

All Yuba City programs are at 6:30 p.m. Call 822-7137 for more information.

Plumas Lake

Plumas Lake writer sought

The Appeal-Democrat is looking for a Plumas Lake resident with writing experience interested in contributing articles about the Plumas Lake community for publication on www.plumaslakelife.com.

Contact A-D editor Len La Barth at 749-4718 or llabarth@appealdemocrat.com for information about the opportunity.