Quick reads — Butte County’s top elections official refuses to set aside ballots DOJ claims belong to noncitizens

Butte County's top elections official says federal agents are demanding he set aside ballots they say belong to noncitizens.

Registrar of Voters Keaton Denlay says the request came from a Homeland Security agent, who handed over a list of names last week and threatened criminal charges if he didn't comply.

Denlay says the list is filled with errors like duplicate names, people who aren't on the county's voter rolls and jumbled information. He says he won't take further action on the Justice Department's demand, but remains committed to running a fair election.

The Associated Press reports election officials across the state are receiving similar letters.

The City of Willows is getting closer to bringing back its police department.

The Willows City Council has approved funding for a police chief. But according to reporting by KRCR, the city won’t fill that role until it hires a new city manager to help with the effort. That search started in September.

Cal Fire Butte County

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It's been a slow fire season in California, according to the latest figures from Cal Fire.

Wildfires have burned about 340,000 acres so far this year. That's less than a third of the five-year average.

Federal forecasters expect fire activity to decrease after October, as is the case nearly every year.

But danger can last into November. That's when the Camp Fire broke out eight years ago, becoming one of the most destructive fires in state history.

The developer behind a proposed solar farm just outside Chico is offering Butte County up to $300,000 a year, plus land for a fire station and a $250,000 grant for the Sheriff’s Office.

Cenergy Power is looking for feedback from county supervisors Tuesday morning on its proposed benefits package for the roughly 1,200-acre project along Skyway. The California Energy Commission requires what’s called a community benefits agreement as part of the permit process.

County leaders could move forward with the agreement, but the state would ultimately decide whether the solar facility gets the green light.

PG&E has agreed to put an additional $6 million dollars toward Dixie Fire recovery in Plumas County.

That’s according to local District Attorney David Hollister. He told the Board of Supervisors last week that the agreement is connected to the Twain Fire that broke out this July. It burned under 300 acres, but Hollister says the fire could have been pursued as a violation of PG&E’s Dixie Fire settlement from 2022.

The new money will go toward hazardous tree removal and other recovery projects.

Chico residents can weigh in this week on a new plan to reduce street homelessness by 25% over five years.

The proposal calls for increased enforcement of camping laws, along with more housing and outreach services. It comes after the City Council approved tougher camping rules this month, ahead of a court settlement expiring in January.

A public town hall is scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. in Chico City Council chambers.