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Quick reads — Chico Parade of Lights canceled
Chico Parade of Lights canceled
A longtime Chico tradition kicking off the holiday season — the Parade of Lights — will not happen this year.
This week, organizers announced on social media that they could not meet the city’s updated safety requirements around securing the downtown route.
Organizers added that they don’t have the kinds of vehicles and barricades needed. They also can't pay the $19,000 fee to use the city’s equipment.
NSPR reached out to city staff for comment but did not hear back by time of publication.
Fire weather prompts closures in Chico's Bidwell Park
Chico officials have closed parts of Bidwell Park because of continued dangerous fire weather in the region.
Wildfire remains a serious risk in the park. It's where the 2024 Park Fire started, which burned through Cohasset and destroyed over 400 homes across Butte and Tehama counties.
City officials say there's still plenty of vegetation in the park that could fuel another major fire.
Gates to the interior of Lower Bidwell Park and Horseshoe Lake in Upper Park are closed through 10 a.m. on Friday. Barbecues are also temporarily banned.
California diesel prices hit all-time high today
Diesel hit another record high on Thursday in California.
Data from AAA finds diesel costs an average of $8.45 a gallon in the Golden State — that's more than $3 higher than this time last year.
Diesel prices in the Chico area, Redding and Yuba City are hovering below the statewide average.
AAA reports fuel prices across the country remain stubbornly high due to elevated crude oil prices and oil-market volatility.
More frequent buses or more routes? B-Line asks riders to weigh in
Changes could be coming to bus routes in Chico and Oroville, but Butte County's bus system wants to hear from riders first.
The B-Line is asking people whether they'd prefer to see more frequent buses on busy streets, or service extending to more neighborhoods.
Answers could give transit officials what they need to draft a plan before making a final decision. The survey is open until Sunday.
Lost hikers rescued in Mount Shasta
Two hikers were rescued from Mount Shasta this week after getting lost in below-freezing temperatures, according to the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies say the 19 and 20-year-old hikers first contacted their dispatch center 20 hours after they began their hike, in distress — but that they lost contact with the pair.
Rescuers eventually found them the next day. By then, the hikers had been on the mountain for 36 hours.
The sheriff's office says both hikers were uninjured.
North State joins nationwide No Kings demonstrations this weekend
Several No Kings protests are planned across the North State this Saturday. It's part of a nationwide day of demonstrations against the Trump administration.
Organizers say this weekend's rallies will also encourage early voting as a way to protect democracy. The No Kings movement emerged in opposition to President Trump's second term.
Previous demonstrations have focused on immigration enforcement and the war in Iran. Locally, protests are planned in Chico, Redding, Red Bluff, Paradise, Quincy and Yuba City.
Rep. Gallagher calls for changes to PG&E power shutoff practices
North State Congressman James Gallagher criticized PG&E's power shutoffs this week, suggesting a different approach is needed to help stop wildfires caused by the utility's equipment.
In a Facebook post published on Wednesday, the Republican legislator said going days without power hurts businesses and farmers in the middle of harvest.
PG&E says the shutoffs help keep power lines from sparking wildfires during windy and dry conditions.
Gallagher added that PG&E and state regulators need to "do better" at keeping the system safe.
High winds, dry conditions prompt North State red flag warning
On Wednesday a red flag warning was issued for the foothills east of Chico, including Paradise and parts of Tehama and Plumas counties.
The National Weather Service says winds could reach up to 45 mph, and very dry conditions are expected. Forecasters warn new fires could spread quickly, and they recommend avoiding outdoor burns.
The warning runs from Wednesday night to 10 a.m. Friday.
Power shutoffs could start Wednesday night in Butte, Shasta counties as PG&E prepares for fire weather
PG&E plans to turn off power for thousands of customers across the North State this week because of windy fire weather.
The safety shutoffs may start Wednesday evening and could affect as many as 6,000 customers across Butte and Shasta counties, representatives with the power utility said.
Devastating fires have hit these areas before. Parts of Paradise, Magalia, Concow, Berry Creek and Feather Falls are being warned. Customers around Shasta Lake and generally east of Redding are also at risk. The shutoffs could run through Saturday, Oct. 17.
Alarm system prevents apparent arson at historic Oroville home
Prosecutors in Butte County say a working alarm system saved the historic Lott Home in Oroville from an apparent arson attempt.
The Gold Rush-era home in the city's downtown was targeted on Oct. 9. Smoke and motion alarms alerted police around 2:30 a.m.
Officers say they arrested suspect Brandon Dingman near the home. The District Attorney's Office has charged him with arson and burglary.
Dingman is expected to enter a plea in court on Wednesday. The case comes nearly two years after the historic Bidwell Mansion in Chico burned down from arson after its alarm system failed.
Long-term drug recovery proposal fails to advance in Shasta County
A proposal to change how Shasta County funds drug treatment programs got no support from county supervisors this week.
The resolution would have required county-funded programs to focus on long-term recovery and remission.
Supervisor Matt Plummer brought the proposal forward. But when he asked to bring it back next month for a vote, no one seconded his motion.
Board Chair Chris Kelstrom said the measure would mean telling social service agencies how to do their jobs, something he would not support.
Chico Unified board to discuss return of police at district high schools
Police officers could return to public high schools in Chico, and school leaders want to hear what parents, teachers and students think. Chico Unified's school board plans to meet on Wednesday to discuss the proposal.
The police department says a $4.5 million state grant will fund some school resource officers. The department also plans to ask the district for another $600,000 a year to fund additional officers.
The plan hasn't fully been approved. Wednesday's meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the Pleasant Valley High School Center for the Arts and is open to the public. It will also be streamed live on Chico Unified's YouTube.
Butte County residents aren't showing up for jury duty, court says
Butte County courts say they're facing critically low jury turnout, and it's putting trials at risk of delays. Last year, only 21% of people summoned for jury duty appeared at the Oroville courthouse. In Chico, that number was just 14%.
Court officials are urging residents to respond to jury summonses. Those who fail to appear are sent a notice to reschedule, and they could face fines of up to $1,500 if they don't respond.
Save Mart employee killed in Marysville stabbing, police say
Police say a stabbing at a supermarket in Yuba County on Sunday has left one person dead.
The Marysville Police say the man killed was an employee at the Save Mart store where the attack happened. Officials identified the alleged attacker as 33-year-old Samuel Hartbower.
Investigators do not believe Hartbower and the victim knew each other. Hartbower also had an outstanding felony warrant for a separate assault. He's now in custody at Yuba County Jail on suspicion of homicide and attack with a deadly weapon.