State agency will not take action against former teacher’s credentials
Weeks after the Sutter County District Attorney announced it would not pursue criminal charges against a former high school teacher, a state agency announced it would not take action against his credentials.
In a letter dated Jan. 23, the California Committee of Credentials told Jim Whiteaker that it would close its investigation and recommend no adverse action at this time “after careful review and consideration of the materials contained in your file.”
Whiteaker – a former physical education teacher for Yuba City High School and a current county supervisor – was placed on administrative leave last January after a student alleged that he had grabbed her buttocks while intervening in an interaction between her and another student. He asserted that he used his knee to break up two students he believed were fighting and that his knee touched the girl’s hip.
He resigned in July after the district school board recommended his termination in February.
A nine-member panel reviewed information provided by the Yuba City Unified School District, Whiteaker wrote in a Friday press release. He also wrote that last year he accepted a settlement offer from the district. In an email Monday, he said he could not disclose any part of the agreement.
“The decision was made due to all the false allegations brought on by social media. It was apparent this was becoming a distraction for the success of my students’ educational experiences,” Whiteaker wrote in the press release. “After this process, along with a lengthy teacher strike, I lost confidence in a school board that does not value the work of their teachers.”
As for whether or not he will return to teaching, Whiteaker said he is keeping his options open.
His attorney, Roberto Marquez, said he was pleased that, like the District Attorney’s Office, the commission independently arrived at the same conclusion.
The Yuba City Police Department had submitted the case to the district attorney for consider-
Marysville – excluding Monday’s totals. The foothill region received a bit more, with totals coming in around 2.5 inches.
Dry weather will return mid-week with the next chance of precipitation coming Friday.
Freeze effects
Low temperatures are expected to drop to around 30 degrees tonight but will warm slightly moving into the weekend. Highs this week are expected to be around the low-50s.
With temperatures expected to drop below freezing, local University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisor Franz Niederholzer said this is about the time of year where cold weather can start to impact certain agricultural crops.
“I’m optimistic that the weather coming in this storm won’t be damaging, but we are entering into the time of year where cold weather is an issue, so this is a good reminder to be prepared,” Niederholzer said.
The end of February typically sees certain crops starting to bloom, and freezing temperatures can have an impact on the process. The biggest effects would be felt, he said, if temperatures drop below about 28 degrees.
Citrus trees are the most likely to be impacted by a freeze this week. There are a few ways to protect those types of trees during a freeze, he said. If they are small enough, they can be covered. Another option is to string up old Christmas lights on the tree to help keep them warm, though newer LED lights won’t work, he said.
“It has to get really cold in late February to really have a significant impact, but this is definitely one of those wakeup calls,” he said.
TODAY EVENTS
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4095 will host Bingo Night at 6:30 p.m. at 4956 Powerline Road, Olivehurst. The snack bar will open at 6 p.m. The cost is $20 for 13 games. Proceeds go toward VFW building fund.
The Yuba City/marysville Christian Women’s Connection will host a Valentine luncheon, “Chocolates for my Sweetheart,” from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. inside The Plaza Room at Hillcrest Plaza, 210 Julie Drive, Yuba City. This event will feature The Candy Box, music by Carol Keesling, and Arlene Fetzer as the guest speaker. Admission is $16. For luncheon reservations, call Bettie Lou at 674-3499 or Sue at 300-6119.
Yuba Sutter Master Chorale Spring Concert rehearsals. The Yuba Sutter Master Chorale will present their annual Spring Concert on May 18 and 19. Rehearsals are held weekly on Tuesday nights starting Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 850 Cooper Ave., Yuba City. For more information, visit www.ysmasterchorale.org.
Poetry Out Loud – Sutter County Competition. English and drama students in ninth through 12th grades have a chance to show off their poetry recitation skills as part of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Poetry Out Loud. Yuba Sutter Arts will host a separate Pizza & Poetry Party for each county. 6 p.m. at Burrows Theater, 630 E St., Marysville, For more information, call 7422787 or visit www.yubasutterarts.org.
CLUB MEETINGS
“Take off Pounds Sensibly” (T.O.P.S), Marysville Chapter, will meet at 10 a.m. for weigh in’s and 11 a.m. for a meeting at Yuba County Health and Human Services. 5730 Packard Ave., Suite 100, Marysville. For more information, call 645-7975 or 742-7013.
“Take off Pounds Sensibly” (T.O.P.S), Yuba City Chapter, will meet at 5 p.m. at Fremont Hospital Administrative Office, 989 Plumas St., Yuba City. For more information, call 356-4059 or 790-0209. – Beale Whisperers at the Contrails Dining Facility (DFAC), Beale AFB. NOTE: Membership restricted to military and contract personnel. For more information, call 634-2645 or visit www.toastmasters.org.
– Mission Staters Club meeting noon at the Sutteryuba Association of Realtors, 1558 Starr Drive, Yuba City. For more information, call 570-7681 or visit www.toastmasters.org.
GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
Sutter County Health and Welfare Committee will meet at 8:30 a.m. at 1160 Civic Center Blvd.
The Marysville City Council will have a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the Council Chamber on the second floor, 526 C St., Marysville.
The City Council of Yuba City will have a regular meeting at 6 p.m. inside the council chambers at 1201 Civic Center Blvd., Yuba City.
The Marysville City Council will meet at 6 p.m. at the Marysville City Hall, 526 C St., Marysville.
Yuba Sutter Buttes RV Club will have its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. at Green Mobile Home Park, 1155 Pease Road, Yuba City. The club is looking for active RV members to participate. For more information, call 674-8764.