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Quick reads — California, other western states issue update to reaffirm vaccines not linked to autism
After CDC website update, West Coast Health Alliance restates vaccines don’t cause autism
A coalition of western states are reaffirming that vaccines are not linked to autism.
The West Coast Health Alliance is made up of California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii. Officials say public health guidance on immunization must be grounded in evidence-based science.
The move comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week updated its website to suggest a link between vaccines and autism. That’s despite there being decades of scientific studies showing no link. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long promoted the discredited claim.
The alliance was formed in September as a regional response to changes made by the Trump administration to the CDC. It allows the participating states to coordinate health guidelines and align immunization recommendations.
Former Chico mayor, county supervisor Maureen Kirk dies at age 78
Former Chico Mayor and Butte County Supervisor Maureen Kirk has died at the age of 78.
According to reporting by the Chico Enterprise-Record, Kirk passed away due to complications from an aneurysm she suffered over the weekend.
Kirk served as mayor from 2002 to 2004, and as a District 3 supervisor from 2007 to 2018.
Current Board Chair Tod Kimmelshue said Kirk “was a public servant in the truest sense of the word.”
Glenn County joins regional shift away from CodeRED emergency alerts
The Glenn County Sheriff’s Office will be one more North State law enforcement agency getting away from the CodeRED alert system.
The office shared today that it has its sights on the state-contracted Rave Alert system, and it’s working with the Office of Emergency Services to access the new platform.
This comes as other local sheriff’s offices, including Butte County, are making the move amid CodeRED’s national ongoing outage.
Chico City Manager Mark Sorensen announces retirement
Chico’s City Manager is retiring.
According to reporting by the Chico Enterprise-Record, Mark Sorensen announced his plans to step down during the last city council meeting. He will leave next summer after four years of working with the city.
Sorensen notified the council early in anticipation of a long recruitment process for his successor.
Electronic poll books removed in Shasta County caused wait times, frustration
The elimination of electronic poll books to check in voters in Shasta County this election led to longer wait times and voter access issues.
According to reporting by Shasta Scout, poll workers were told to use a paper check-in process for voters and reported wait times between two and 22 minutes. Some community members left before casting a ballot.
The county’s top election official removed the electronic check-in system after expressing concern about the technology. Electronic poll books aren’t legally required in California, but are used in about 70% of counties.
Palermo begins clearing drainage ditches ahead of winter rains
Work has begun in Palermo to clear almost two miles of drainage ditches ahead of the winter rainy season.
Butte County says plants and debris will be removed from the ditches so they can handle any flooding that comes from winter rain.
The drainage ditches stretch from Messina Avenue through town, and include the ditches west of Occidental Avenue.
California’s first large-scale mass timber factory is planned for Redding
A mass timber factory is coming to Redding. It’ll be the first of its kind in California.
The 200,000 square-foot facility is being developed by FABRIC Mass Timber and WRNS Studio, with help from the Shasta Economic Development Corporation.
The group plans to convert timber removed to thin forests into building materials. The site will also serve as a workforce training center for colleges, including Shasta College.
As SNAP funding stalls, Glenn County encourages residents to still apply for CalFresh
Glenn County Health and Human Services is monitoring the community impact of the loss of food stamps amid the federal government shutdown.
The agency says about 4,500 households in the county could have changes or delays in their CalFresh benefits, depending on how long the shutdown continues.
In the meantime, the agency says residents should keep applying for CalFresh. Applications are still being accepted and processed, and new applicants could still qualify for benefits once the shutdown ends.
Here’s where North State residents can find food aid during CalFresh delays
Chico City Council to vote on new massage business regulations
Chico City Council will vote tomorrow on the implementation of an ordinance to better regulate massage businesses in town.
The legislation aims to prevent human trafficking and sex work.
Councilors considered an initial draft ordinance in August, but sent it back to committee after getting pushback from local massage business owners and practitioners.
Redding Sales tax on the ballot for tomorrow’s election
People in Redding will have more than one question to answer in tomorrow's election. Along with the statewide Proposition 50 ballot, Redding voters will decide on a one percent sales tax.
If Measure A passes, the city’s total sales tax rate would increase to 8.25%. Proceeds from the special tax would be put in a dedicated fund for local services, including public safety, infrastructure, and parks.
Nearby cities like Chico and Anderson have passed similar ballot measures in the past.