Editorial: Cooler heads must prevail at Paskenta Band's casino

What we know here is that two segments of the tribal leadership has ousted each other, and the faction still occupying Rolling Hills Casino near Corning has brought in armed guards to protect that asset. We've heard from patrons who are clearly rattled by the militarization of the locale.

The faction that doesn't occupy the casino has hired former Tehama County Sheriff Clay Parker as tribal police chief, an appointment not recognized by the group still ensconced at Rolling Hills. Nothing new about all this.

But Parker this week issued a press release stating that without federal intervention, the situation "could truly turn violent."

That really isn't helpful. Federal intervention does appear to be necessary here, but playing the violence card doesn't seem like a step toward resolving the situation.