HITS AND MISSES

Our Take On The Week In News

HIT - We have to join everyone in the groan that escaped when the
Durham Unified School District decided its big valley oak has to go.

Cutting down a magnificent tree, a gathering place for generations, is
a shame. Think of the role in played in the lives of students and
staff at Durham High School.

Yet, think of the possible alternative: A disabled or fatally hurt
person. When that tree dropped one of its huge limbs, safety became an
issue. No one in their right mind would put public safety in jeopardy.

So we agree that the school district made the right decision to remove
the tree.

We all love trees, but too many people forget that trees are living
things. They get old and die. We hope the high school will plant a new
valley oak, and care for it with the same good sense and concern they
put into the other.

MISS - Who would have thought olive oil could be the focus of
controversy?

UC Davis released a report after studying an array of olive oils, some
well known, some not. Researchers found that some of the better-known
brands - mostly from Europe and extra virgin - weren't what they were
supposed to be. California brands generally fared well.

The study was paid for by California olive oil producers, including
California Olive Ranch in Oroville. Yes, those who opened their
wallets had a vested interest in the results. But going through Davis'
respected olive oil center meant the results were well documented and
professional.

It should be noted that one of the tested oils, Lucero Olive Oil of
Corning, is one of the north state's own and did top-notch in the study.

Next in the soap opera is that a number of olive oil users, including
big-name chefs and restaurateurs, decided to sue the olive oil
distributors because of the damage to their name.

For California oil producers like those around here, the bright side
is that some consumers who've been unshakable in their devotion to big
brand names may give another oil a try.

HIT - The soccer fields at the impressive Riverbend Park in Oroville
are a community project years in the making. The community deserves to
celebrate their completion.

The celebration threatened to be derailed by a squabble between the
Oroville Youth Soccer Association, which wants to use the new fields,
and the Feather River Recreation and Park District, which built and
manages the park.

The soccer club threatened to pull out over a variety of issues,
including the lack of a fourth field and an agreement over who would
manage the snack bar. It seemed to boil down to money and control.

We're glad the adults on the two sides have figured out how to
cooperate so that children can enjoy their opening day on Sept. 11.

MISS - Judge William Lamb has learned that marijuana is no joking
matter.

The judge, assigned to fill in on the Butte County bench, said he was
only joking that defendants who were acquitted in a medical marijuana
case should get their confiscated pot back.

During a meeting in chambers with the district attorney prosecutors
and the defense attorneys, Lamb presented a proposed written order.
The district attorney said he took it as a joke. The defense attorney
said it wasn't a joke. Lamb said he indeed meant it as a joke.

The two-page unsigned document doesn't sound like a joke - at least,
it's not a funny one. Perhaps it was sarcasm, but the sarcasm doesn't
come across to us. We'd bet Lamb is more careful in joking about his
orders next time.

"Hits and misses" appears each Saturday. Items are compiled by the
editorial board.