Quick reads — Parents sue Shasta County after deputies fatally shoot their son
Lawsuit filed after Redding shooting by deputies
Parents of a man who was shot and killed in Redding by sheriff deputies have filed a lawsuit against Shasta County. The suit claims the man’s rights were violated when he was shot in January. William and Shirley Littlefield also filed a claim against the county for damages, but the motion was rejected.
The Littlefields claim their son, William Clark Littlefield, 52, had started new medication that caused psychosis around the time of the shooting. His parents feared for his safety and called for help after he began cutting himself.
The sheriff’s office says their son forced a violent confrontation, but the Littlefields say he did not. They also say deputies did not attempt to use nonlethal force. The county and sheriff’s office have denied most of the claims.
The shooting is being investigated as an officer-involved incident by the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office.
Evacuations issued for Shawn Fire burning in Shasta County
The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office has issued two evacuation orders and two warnings as the Shawn Fire burns in the Happy Valley area.
Evacuation orders are now in place for zones HAP-7660 and HAP-7670, according to the sheriff’s office.
Evacuation warnings have been issued for zones HAP-7650 and HAP-7760.Cal Fire says the Shawn Fire started around 1:30 p.m. At last report it had burned approximately 20 acres.
NSPR will continue to monitor the situation and share updates as they become available.
Six people removed by ICE agents at Butte County Superior Court
ICE agents made arrests at Butte County Superior Court on Monday.
Local advocacy group NorCal Resist confirmed ICE presence at the courthouse in Oroville. According to reporting by Action News Now, officials said they did not receive notice of immigration enforcement at the courthouse
Monday, and were not aware of any previous enforcement actions at any of the county’s courthouses.
Six people were removed from outside the courtroom by officers.
A federal memorandum was issued in January permitting ICE agents to conduct enforcement at courthouses. Under California Senate Bill 54, state courthouses cannot assist ICE in enforcement.
National Weather Service issues thunderstorm warning for Siskiyou and Modoc counties
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a thunderstorm warning for today and tomorrow in Siskiyou and Modoc counties.
The storms pose a high risk of lightning strikes, and could also bring small hail, brief heavy rain and wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour.
The agency advises that anyone spending time outside should have a plan in case storms arrive. If you hear thunder, NWS says to seek shelter inside or in a metal vehicle, and wait at least 30 minutes after you last hear thunder before going back out.
California schools will get federal funding a month late
The U.S. Department of Education is set to distribute hundreds of millions of dollars in funds to California public schools that it had previously threatened to withhold. According to reporting by EdSource, a department official said the funds will go out this week.
The money will go to English learners, teacher training and after-school programs. It's coming nearly a month late, and state superintendent Tony Thurmond claims the withholding of the funds is illegal.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined a multi-state lawsuit against the Department of Education over the funding delay.
Federal judge rules Planned Parenthood must keep receiving Medicaid funds
A federal judge ruled today that Planned Parenthood clinics must receive Medicaid funding amid the provider’s ongoing lawsuit against the Trump administration.
A provision in President Donald Trump’s tax bill ordered the federal government to end Medicaid payments to abortion providers and clinics that received more than $800,000 in 2023. The new ruling follows an injunction that blocked the government from specifically cutting payments to Planned Parenthood clinics that didn’t provide abortion care.
In the provider’s lawsuit, Planned Parenthood officials said 200 clinics in 24 states would be at risk of closure if they did not receive Medicaid funds.
Five clinics in northern California closed Friday after the federal cuts were announced.
According to reporting by the San Fransisco Chronicle those sites are located in South San Francisco, San Mateo, Gilroy, Santa Cruz and Madera.
New stoplight coming to busy stretch of Highway 99 near Yuba City
Caltrans is installing a traffic light on Highway 99 at Oswald Road near Yuba City. This will be the ninth stop light within a three-mile stretch of the highway.
Oswald Road is temporarily closed at Highway 99, and highway traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction through the construction zone.
Eastbound Oswald Road traffic is being rerouted to Messick Road, while westbound traffic is being diverted to Barry Road or Hutchinson Road.
The project’s expected completion is December 2025. The project will cost nearly $16 million.
Union deal with Safeway, Albertsons halts planned strikes in Northern California
A tentative agreement has been reached between three grocery worker unions and the parent company of Safeway and Vons.
United Food and Commercial Workers Locals 5, 8 and 648 said yesterday they’ve reached a deal with Albertsons Companies. Workers had planned to go on strike in Northern California Friday or Sunday if an agreement was not reached.
Union representatives say the new deal includes wage increases, secure retirement plans and properly funded health care benefits for 25,000 employees.
The agreement comes after five months of negotiations and bargaining sessions.
Whitewater weekends planned in Shasta County
PG&E is planning two weekends of high whitewater flows on the Pit River’s Pit 5 Reach in eastern Shasta County.
PG&E will increase flows on Aug. 2-3 and Sept. 6-7. Levels will reach their peaks by 10 a.m. and decrease after 4 p.m. Wildfire risks may alter the dates.
PG&E warns of cold water health risks and advises guided trips for inexperienced paddlers.
It also says to avoid dangerous PG&E canals and flumes.
Severe weather eases in Trinity County after earlier storm warning
The severe thunderstorm warning for Trinity County has expired, and officials say the storm is moving out of the area.
Johnathon White is with the National Weather Service in Eureka.
“Into the evening the activity should be calming down,” he said.
Earlier this evening, the storm was predicted to pass through the Weaverville area, bringing the potential for damaging winds and large hail.
White says that the immediate threat has passed.
“Really the peak of it has been the last couple hours,” he said.
Still he advises residents in the area to continue to monitor conditions and follow the National Weather Service for updates.
Weaverville, Douglas City under severe storm alert until 6:15 p.m.
The National Weather Service has just issued another Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Trinity County. It’s for east central Trinity County and lasts until 6:15 p.m.
At last report the storm was 9 miles east of Weaverville, it’s moving north west. The agency says residents in Weaverville, Douglas City and Lewiston should be prepared for the storm to pass through.
Quarter-size hail and damaging winds are expected.
If you’re in the area of thunderstorm, the agency says to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
The agency also says to expect damage to roofs, trees and vehicles.
An earlier warning for Butte and Plumas counties has now expired, and no new alerts have been issued for those areas.
Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Butte, Plumas and Trinity counties
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for north central Butte County and west central Plumas County. Trinity County is also under a warning.
The agency reports the storm was last reported over Belden and is moving west at 25 miles per hour. It could bring hail up to 2 inches and wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour.
If you’re in the area of the thunderstorm, the National Weather Service says to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
The agency also says to expect damage to roofs, trees and vehicles.
38 dogs rescued from unsafe Oroville home
An Oroville woman is facing nearly 80 counts of felony animal abuse. That’s after almost 40 neglected dogs were rescued from the woman’s home this week.
While on patrol, an Oroville police officer was alerted by a worried resident that several dogs were living in dangerous conditions in a nearby home.
The city’s police department said the officer responded to the scene. They were met by Brandi Jacobs, 42, at the doorway. Out of concern for the animals, the officer entered the home.
Inside, there were reportedly piles of trash, feces, tar, insects and dozens of dogs. Some were roaming free in the backyard. Others were kept in stacked kennels, sitting in their own waste. One puppy was found dead in the bedroom.
The department contacted the Northwest SPCA and the city’s Code Enforcement for help. Officials said SPCA and volunteers spent more than five hours rescuing 38 dogs while Code Enforcement red tagged the property for health and safety violations.
Jacobs was arrested and booked into Butte County Jail. Along with 78 counts of felony animal abuse, she faces five counts of misdemeanor animal torture.
Jose B. Martinez was also arrested Thursday night and booked into the county jail for possible involvement in the crime.
Due to overcrowding at the SPCA, all adoption fees were waived Thursday to make room for the dogs.
Chico to open new mental health treatment facility
A new Mental Health Rehabilitation Center is set to begin construction in Chico this fall.
The 40-bed facility will serve residents facing serious mental health and substance use issues, and provide a type of care currently unavailable in Butte County.
The center is being developed in the former Enloe Behavioral Health building, which closed last year. But unlike the previous facility, which offered voluntary care, the new center will be a locked facility and treatment will not be optional.
Scott Kennelly, Butte County’s Behavioral Health Director, says the facility is designed to reduce the number of people the county must send out of the area for care.“The money that we’re putting into it is to renovate the building, to make it top notch and ready for this population, and to outfit it with the furnishings to make sure it’s welcoming and meets the needs of the clients,” Kennelly said.
Renovations are expected to begin in the fall, with the facility opening sometime next year. It’s intended to serve the entire North State.
Break in decades-old case comes after Shasta County detectives revisit evidence
A suspect has been arrested in connection with a 1984 Shasta County murder and sexual assault. Roger Schmidt, 64, was taken into custody on Saturday in Tucson, Arizona.
According to investigative documents from Shasta County authorities, Terrance Arndt and a female friend, both 18 at the time, were parked in Terrance’s car in Burney when Schmidt allegedly shot Arndt multiple times through the car window. Police say he then forced the woman out of the vehicle at gunpoint, before sexually assaulting her multiple times.
Schmidt became a suspect when Shasta County detectives revisited the case earlier this year, according to court documents. Working with the Tucson Police Department, they were able to verify Schmidt’s DNA matched the sample collected from the clothing of the victim 41 years ago.
An extradition hearing is scheduled for Friday in Arizona, and a press conference will be held by the Shasta County Sheriffs office tomorrow at noon.
Chico State receives $1.5M to help low-income students
Chico State has been awarded a $1.5 million TRIO Student Support Services grant by the U.S. Department of Education.
It's designed to support first-generation, low-income students and those with disabilities. The program offers personalized tutoring, financial aid guidance and mentoring to help students overcome barriers and reduce debt. It serves 300 students annually.
Editor's note: Chico State owns NSPR's broadcast licenses. It does not oversee our news or programming.
Redding police reverse course, say vandalism incident wasn’t a hate crime
An incident where a group of juveniles threw rocks and tortillas at a Hispanic family’s home in Redding — while shouting racial slurs — is no longer being considered a hate crime, according to the Redding Police Department.
Lt. Rob Garnero spoke with KRCR about the incident and said it’s now being viewed as vandalism.
“We were able to establish that the 12-year-old children didn’t necessarily have hate crime intentions in mind,” Garnero told KRCR. “They were just being children.”
Garnero said a resolution was reached between the victims, the juveniles and their parents. He added that the victims did not want to pursue prosecution.
The decision comes as many in Shasta County remain focused on issues of race and hate. It’s the second racially charged incident reported in county this month.
Earlier in July, a man in Igo allegedly shouted racist slurs at a Spanish-speaking family before firing a shotgun at them. He was later arrested and now faces 17 charges, many of them enhanced under California’s hate crime laws, according to KRCR.
Caltrans builds overpass in North State to reduce deer and elk collisions
A large wildlife crossing is being constructed over a stretch of Highway 97 in Siskiyou County.
The goal is to restore a connection between the land on either side of the road and reduce the number of deer and elk struck by cars. Caltrans says that stretch of highway had the highest rate of animal-vehicle collisions in its district. More than 50 deer have been killed on that section of the highway in five years.
Caltrans is also adding areas where wildlife can escape the highway every half mile. There will also be cattle guards at private road intersections.
Construction is expected to last a few months, and will cause some delays along the highway.
No swim advisory expands in Bidwell Park due to E. coli risk
A no swim advisory in Lower Bidwell Park has expanded due to increased risk of E. coli infection.
Butte County Public Health says the advisory was initially issued earlier this month and included Sycamore Pool at the One Mile Recreation Area of Bidwell Park. This came after two children were hospitalized after swimming in the public pool and tested positive for E. coli infections.
The county expanded the advisory Friday after consulting with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Public Health and the City of Chico. It now includes Big Chico Creek throughout the Upper Park area down to Sycamore Pool. The county says it’ll work with the CDC to test multiple spots of Big Chico Creek for the bacteria.
The specific species of E. coli found in the pool can cause serious illness, with symptoms including dehydration and possible kidney failure.
When swimming in natural waterways, people should keep their mouths out of the water and properly rinse off with clean water after swimming, including washing hands.
More coverage on this story from NSPR
DOJ asks California sheriffs for data on non-citizen inmates
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has requested information from California sheriffs on inmates who aren't citizens. The DOJ focused on counties with larger populations, including Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The data includes inmate offenses and release dates. The DOJ says the data will assist federal immigration authorities in prioritizing the deportation of non-citizens who've committed crimes after entering the U.S. without authorization.
The DOJ anticipates voluntary compliance but says it'll pursue all necessary legal avenues to obtain the data if required.
Second hate crime against Hispanic person reported in Shasta County
Law enforcement has received reports of another hate crime in Shasta County. It's the second one in a few weeks.
A group of minors reportedly targeted a Hispanic resident in Redding Monday. According to the police department, the victim was subjected to racist remarks, vandalism and harassment for several hours. The minors threw tortillas and rocks at the victim’s home, kicked their door and damaged a window screen.
Redding Police has identified the people involved. According to reporting by the Redding Record Searchlight, the case has been turned over to the Shasta County Juvenile Probation Department.
The incident follows a hate crime reported earlier this month in Igo. A man fired a gun and yelled slurs at a Spanish-speaking family. The suspect has since been booked into the county jail and faces multiple charges.
Both the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office and Redding Police Department released statements condemning bigotry and telling residents to report any hate crimes they see.
CSU cuts less severe than expected. Chico State says it's good news.
The state’s budget for the next fiscal year includes cuts to the California State University (CSU) system, but they’re smaller than expected.
The budget bill approved by Gov. Gavin Newsom late last month reduced CSU system funding by 3%, or $144 million. Originally an almost 8% reduction was expected, which would have amount to about $375 million.
Chico State is now facing a nearly $5 million budget cut, much less than the $12 million reduction originally proposed. That earlier projection had contributed to a predicted $32 million deficit for the college’s 2025–26 fiscal year.
Chico State officials said it’s good news. They’re working to also increase enrollment and retention, and reduce their deficit, which they say could positively impact the university’s budget and revenue.
In the meantime, Chico State is waiting on funding decisions and actions from the CSU system. Once those come later in the fall, they’ll be able to finalize a budget.
Editor's note: NSPR's broadcast licenses are owned by Chico State. It does not oversee our news production or programming.
Suspicious package near LaMalfa’s Chico office prompts bomb squad response
A suspicious package in Chico had local law enforcement concerned today about a possible bomb threat near U.S. Congressman Doug LaMalfa's office.
According to reporting by the Chico Enterprise-Record, the Chico Police Department’s bomb squad worked at Philadelphia Square in north Chico this afternoon to respond to the incident.
On the police department’s social media pages, officials say the suspicious object — an opaque white bag with items inside of it — were recovered and determined to be safe.
New bilingual guide aims to protect immigrant families amid ICE activity
A newly published guide from ChicoSol and the Chico News & Review offers vital information for non-citizen immigrants and mixed-status families amid reports of increased enforcement by U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The bilingual guide — available in English and Spanish — outlines how to recognize unmarked ICE vehicles and includes contact information for legal support and community hotlines.
It says if you think ICE is in your city to report the sighting to the NorCal Resist Rapid Response Network by calling or texting (916)-382-0256. The Northern California network will confirm the report and alert the community as needed.
Earlier this year, multiple false reports of ICE sightings circulated in the North State causing panic in many cities — including in Chico, Gridley and Corning.
Readers are encouraged to download and share the guide widely. It’s meant as a starting point, not legal advice, and includes links to trusted advocacy groups and legal resources.
New data shows California jobs took a hit after federal immigration raids
A new report from UC Merced finds federal immigration enforcement has been disruptive to California’s economy.
Private sector work in the state decreased by more than 3% just a week after President Donald Trump escalated immigration raids. Researchers say the drop in unemployment is second only to the drop during the pandemic.
The decline in people working the week of June 8 was higher for citizens compared to non-citizens. But the rates of decline were highest among non-citizens, at about 7% lower than the prior week of June 1.
White and Latino workers saw the sharpest declines in people reporting work during that time period.
Sycamore Pool to close for cleanup; delayed by salmon migration
A popular Chico public pool will be closed this week for cleaning after months of delays. Sycamore Pool at the One Mile Recreation Area in Bidwell Park has a higher-than-average amount of sediment in it. City officials say winter rains washed material from the burn scar of last year’s Park Fire into the pool. That’s made the pool shallower on the west end.
The initial cleaning for the pool was scheduled for May, but the California Department of Fish and Wildlife asked the city to wait to allow for protected spring-run chinook salmon to migrate. The fish spawn in Big Chico Creek, which feeds the pool. The city was also required to update and renew permits, which stopped the pool’s usual biweekly cleaning. Once sediment is removed, officials say they plan to bring back the biweekly cleanings.
The pool closes tomorrow and will stay closed through Friday.
Sycamore Pool has been under a swim advisory due to high levels of E. coli. The advisory comes after public health received two reports of children getting sick from E. coli after swimming there.
More coverage on this story from NSPR
PG&E program aims to help California residents
Eligible PG&E customers could get help paying past-due energy bills.
The assistance will come through programs such as PG&E’s new Match My Payment program, which matches up to $1,000 for low-to-moderate income customers. The company’s existing REACH program will also help with up to $300 in bill credits. REACH recipients are pre-qualified for Match My Payment and could potentially receive up to $1,300 total.
Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis and applications are processed through the Dollar Energy Fund.
Green Fire in Shasta County continues creating dangerous air conditions
The Green Fire burning in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest continues to create dangerous air conditions in the region.
The Shasta County Air Quality Management District tells residents to avoid exposure to wildfire smoke, especially people with lung or heart disease. Wind is expected to spread smoke across the county.
The district says residents can protect themselves by limiting outdoor activities and staying inside with the windows and doors closed.
Oroville considers new fire council to fight wildfire risk
A fire safe council could soon come to Oroville.
The city council will consider an agreement with the Butte County Fire Safe Council at this week’s meeting.
A staff report says creating a fire safe council could increase education and community engagement as well as give access to grant funding and fuel management projects.
If the city reaches and agreement, Oroville’s fire chief and community development director would work with the Butte County Fire Safe Council on forming the new organization.
The city council meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. tomorrow.
West Nile Virus detected in Shasta County mosquitos
West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitos in Shasta County for the first time this year.
The Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District announced Friday the mosquito samples came from northeast Redding. The department says it’s increasing testing in the county and will take action in mosquito-heavy areas where the risk of infection is high. That includes using trucks to spray small amounts of chemicals that target adult and juvenile mosquitos.
District officials say residents can protect themselves by draining standing water around their property, avoiding outdoor activity at dawn and dusk, as well as wearing insect repellent.
In the North State, the virus has also been found in Sutter and Yuba counties. Statewide there have been two confirmed human cases so far, which occurred in Stanislaus and Tulare counties.
Water main break prompts boil water notice for Castella
A broken main line in Castella has prompted the Shasta County Department of Public Works to issue a boil water notice for Shasta County Service Area #3 in Castella.
The advisory is to prevent potential stomach or intestinal illness from water system contaminants during the outage.
Customers are advised to use bottled water or boil tap water for one minute before drinking and cooking.Notifications will be issued to residents once the water is deemed safe.
Suspect in Chico homeless camp homicide taken into custody
A man suspected of carrying out a fatal shooting at Chico’s sanctioned homeless campsite has been arrested.
Chico police say Gerald “Mikey” Thompson, 51, was taken into custody last night without incident after an hours-long search of the area.
The shooting at the campsite near Eaton and Cohasset roads was reported Monday night, and left one man dead. Witnesses reported that two men were fighting, which escalated to the shooting. Officials say Thompson was a resident of the site and fled after the incident.
According to reporting by the Chico Enterprise-Record the victim was identified as Donald Laroy Stevens, 53.
Wildfire smoke prompts air quality advisory in Butte County
An air quality advisory has been issued for Butte County due to wildfire smoke. The county’s air quality management district and public health department issued the advisory, and says poor air quality is expected to last through Sunday night.
Officials say people should create spaces in their home to filter out smoke particulates. Most of Butte County is experiencing smoke levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups, like seniors, children, pregnant women or people with respiratory or heart problems.
Officials say people should limit outdoor activity, put air-conditioning on recirculation settings and use an N-95 mask if necessary.
The smoke is coming from the Green Fire in Shasta County. Areas of that county have also experienced poor air quality since Monday.
Heat advisory in effect for North State through Sunday night
The North State will see triple digit temperatures again this weekend.
A heat advisory will be active for the region starting tomorrow morning. It will last until late Sunday night.
According to the National Weather Service, daytime highs will range from 95 to 110 degrees. The advisory is issued for most of the North State, including the valley, coastal mountains and parts of the northeastern foothills.
Butte County Public Health told NSPR that people should stay in cool indoor spaces and keep hydrated, as well as watch for signs of heat-related illness. That includes nausea, dizziness, muscle cramps, clammy skin, a pale face, heavy sweating and weakness.
Heat related illness particularly impacts children, seniors, people with disabilities, pregnant women, those who work outside,and those without air conditioning. People experiencing those symptoms should move to a cool place and get medical attention immediately.
People can avoid heat-related illness by drinking lots of water, staying in air-conditioned rooms and wearing light clothes and sunscreen.
Butte County Public Health also recommends that people check on family and friends during this time.
Smoky skies persist across Shasta County as wildfires burn near
Shasta County is continuing to see smoky conditions due to multiple wildfires burning in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
Since Monday, the county has seen poor air quality. Wind has made that smoke from the wildfires travel to western parts of Shasta County, in areas like Redding, Anderson and Shasta Lake. Meanwhile, eastern parts of the county should see less smoke today.
Rob Stahl is with the Shasta County’s Air Quality Management District.“The best thing to do, especially if you’re one of the sensitive groups … the elderly, young or if you’ve got medical conditions … try and stay indoors as much as possible,” he said.
Stahl said people should also have their air conditioner on recirculation in their homes and vehicles so smoky outside air doesn’t get in. He suggests people who are sensitive to poor air quality also consider using an N-95 mask while outdoors.
A change in air quality will depend on the weather, he said.“As long as we’re getting the north winds, that’s going to bring in the smoke, but if the winds shift, it could push some of the smoke out of our area,” Stahl said.
You can check your local air quality at AirNow.gov.
CHP officers to get body cams
California Highway Patrol plans to equip all of their officers with body cameras by next March.
According to reporting by CalMatters, almost 2,500 cameras have been given to officers in the Bay Area, Los Angeles and Sacramento.CHP officers make about 2 million stops per year, according to data from the state’s Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board.
The move comes after a CalMatters investigation found that just 3% of CHP officers wore body cameras. A 2022 study found evidence that after three years of using body cameras, agencies saw lower rates of police killings than those that didn’t use the technology.
Green Fire in Shasta-Trinity forest grows past 2,000 acres; smoke prompts air quality warning
There are three large wildfires burning in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, and smoke from the fires is creating dangerous air conditions.
The Shasta County Air Quality Management District issued a warning to residents to avoid exposure to the smoke. Winds in the area are expected to spread smoke across Shasta County, particularly in the communities of Palo Cedro, Shingletown and Burney.
The largest of the three fires is the Green Fire. It's now more than 2,000 acres with no containment.
The Horse Fire is nearly 400 acres and is 80% contained, and the Helena Fire is just over 100 acres and 60% contained. All three fires were started by lightning strikes last week.
Safe Space Chico opens cooling centers, seeks volunteers
Chico nonprofit Safe Space is opening cooling centers at local churches and looking for volunteers.
Shifts as soon as Wednesday evening still need to be filled. Shifts are two hours long and involve assistance with organization and distribution of supplies, preparation of prepackaged sandwiches and cleaning at the end of the day.
Cooling centers are open from 1 to 8 p.m. and the site is currently located at Trinity United Methodist Church. The center will be at that location until July 14, then move to Hope Commons Church.
The cooling centers will also offer medical supplies, food and drinks.
Cal Fire opens wildfire prevention grants for local communities
Applications are open for Cal Fire's wildfire prevention grants program.
The initiative is part of California's comprehensive Wildfire Resilience Strategy. The grants will support local projects that enhance the protection of people, structures and communities.
The deadline for is 3 p.m. on Aug. 6.
Esparto explosion prompts state of emergency, DNA testing underway
Yolo County has declared a state of emergency over last week's fatal explosion at a fireworks facility in Esparto and the resulting Oakdale Fire.
Supervisors unanimously approved the declaration today. It requests additional aid from state and federal officials to help with the response noting that the fire destroyed buildings, crops and other infrastructure nearby. It also sparked the 80 acre wildfire and other spot fires.
Seven sets of remains have been recovered from the site. The Yolo County Coroner's Office says Rapid DNA testing to confirm their identities should be completed by tomorrow.
The state fire marshal is leading the investigation into the cause of the explosion. The warehouse was managed by a Bay Area pyrotechnics company.
State launches cleanup of burned Bidwell Mansion in Chico
Cleanup on Chico's Bidwell Mansion starts this week, almost seven months after the historic building burned to the ground.
California State Parks says there won’t be any demolition or clean up inside the building, and workers will monitor for hazardous materials and air quality, as well as protect what's left of the mansion. The process should take about three weeks.
The cleanup will allow for more evaluations needed for the planning and recovery process. State Parks says they'll seek public input on the mansion's future later this summer.
Authorities recover human remains after deadly Esparto warehouse blast
The bodies of all seven missing people after a firework warehouse explosion have been found.
According to reporting by the Associated Press, human remains were recovered from the site in Esparto, but the identities of the people were withheld as authorities notified family members. The initial explosion last week set off a barrage of fireworks and reduced the warehouse to rubble. It also ignited several vegetation fires which have been put out or contained.
The company Devastating Pyrotechnics operates at the facility, according to multiple outlets. It released a statement on its website expressing sympathy for those affected by the explosion and saying they'll cooperate with investigators.
Shasta County officials warn public about poor air quality
Shasta County residents could see potential smoke impacts from a burning wildfire today.
The county’s air quality management district says that winds could move smoke from the Green Fire into more populated areas. Bella Vista, Palo Cedro, Shingletown, Round Mountain and Big Bend are at greater risk of poor air quality. Some areas could also experience high concentrations of smoke based on their proximity to the fire, the time of day, topography and weather conditions.
The district says seniors, children, people who are pregnant or those with respiratory or heart disease should be extra cautious. Residents should limit exercise and outdoor time, keep windows closed and turn on their air conditioner with a recirculation setting.
Bacteria swim advisory at Sycamore Pool in Chico’s Bidwell Park
If you see new warning signs at Sycamore Pool in Bidwell Park, it’s because the City of Chico has issued a swim advisory.
Officials say bacteria levels in the water are elevated, though they didn’t say what kind of bacteria, just that it could pose health risks.
In a press release, the City urged people not to swim, to keep pets out of the water and to wash thoroughly if you come in contact with the creek.
According to the release, children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk.
Residents who think they’ve been infected with a waterborne illness should contact their doctor. They may also call and report their illness to the Butte County Public Health Department.
Redding highlights city assistance programs to help people stay cool this summer
The City of Redding is offering help with staying cool as the hottest month of the year approaches.
The City says five of its programs can provide financial reimbursement and help lower monthly power bills for those whose electricity is in danger of being shut off due to missed payments. The programs are available to the elderly, Native Americans and low-income residents.
Last year, Redding saw the highest July temperatures ever recorded in the city, according to reporting by the Redding Record Searchlight.
Most North State public land not likely to be sold in updated federal budget bill, for now
A provision allowing millions of acres of public land to be sold has been removed from the Senate’s federal budget bill. According to reporting by Shasta Scout, a provision would’ve permitted the sale of U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management owned land, including areas surrounding Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Modoc National Forest and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.
The provision was removed last week after the Senate parliamentarian decided it violated a rule that prevents irrelevant provisions from being added to budget bills. But Senator Mike Lee, who proposed the sale of land wrote over social media that he plans to edit the provision so that it complies with chamber rules.
The edits would remove Forest Service land and reduce the amount of the bureau’s land on the table. It would spare most California land, but would put land near Whiskeytown at risk.
Repeated burglaries lead to bear invasion in Butte County
A series of burglaries in a Magalia home led to bears taking it over.
A 64-year-old woman first reported her home was burglarized in April. A string of regular burglaries followed and the woman decided to live somewhere else temporarily. Damage done to the home during the thefts allowed bears to enter, causing even more damage.
The Butte County District Attorney’s Office filed first-degree residential burglary charges against 11 people for the incident last week. Four of the 11 people arrested remain in custody with bail set at $50,000. Six other suspects have been identified with charges pending.