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Quick reads is off this week — but our inbox is open

Published April 10, 2025 at 12:30 PM PDT
Tin Roof booth at the Thursday Night Market in Chico, Calif. in 2020
Thursday Night Market
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Facebook
Tin Roof booth at the Thursday Night Market in Chico, Calif. in 2020

We're taking a short break to get your feedback on this section of our website. This is where we share fast, timely North State updates — and we’d love to hear from you. Got ideas? Email us news@mynspr.org

Still need your North State news fix while we’re out? Our Headlines podcast comes out every weekday by 8:30 a.m. — find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or the NPR app.

It's back — Chico's Thursday Night Market starts tonight

Posted April 10, 2025 at 12:16 PM PDT

Chico's Thursday Night Market returns to downtown tonight.

Shoppers and strollers will again be treated to an abundance of wares provided by local farmers, crafters and artists. Visitors can also vibe to the beats of local musicians, eat at food trucks and downtown businesses and restaurants will also stay open late. (Here's a map of vendors.)

This year, there are some other things people will see — young entrepreneurs. Grade schoolers to college students will be showcasing their products. There's also a new event this year, "Movement in the Plaza," which will give folks a chance to join in for some Zumba or belly-dancing.

The market will happen every Thursday from 6-9 p.m., rain-or-shine. Broadway will be closed between 2nd and 4th Streets a half-hour before the event.

Separately, this weekend, two other new markets are also happening in Chico.

Your Local Marketplace is hosting a market of art, treats and activities from 12-4 p.m. on Sunday at Chico Chaihouse. It's also the second weekend of Your Local Marketplace's new Saturday Market , which runs 12-4 p.m. each Saturday in the Oregrown parking lot.

More from the people behind Chico's growing market scene:

Vigils in Chico, Redding to take place for woman killed in murder-suicide

Posted April 9, 2025 at 5:11 PM PDT

Two candlelight vigils will be held this week for the woman who died in Chico last week in a murder-suicide.

Community members in Chico and Redding are invited to gather in memory of Athena Marie Passidakas, 21, who was shot and killed in a potential domestic violence incident on April 3.

The Chico State student was kidnapped by a man at gunpoint who she had previously dated, according to the Chico Police Department. The man, identified as Alvin Almontelasha Wilson, 25, then led police on a vehicle chase before shooting and killing Passidakas, and later turning the gun on himself.

Passidakas’ family is asking residents to join them for a vigil at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Kendall Hall lawn at Chico State.

Another vigil is also taking place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Diestelhorst Bridge in Redding.

Goats begin grazing in Lindo Channel to help with wildfire prevention

Posted April 9, 2025 at 4:48 PM PDT

Fire season is on its way and the City of Chico is using four-legged wildfire prevention methods.

Hundreds of goats will begin grazing Lindo Channel between Manzanita Avenue and Highway 99 Thursday. It’s part of the Lindo Channel Defensible Space Project funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The goal is to reduce fire fuel loads and provide defensible space to nearby properties.

City officials say the goats could graze about an acre a day. The project is expected to finish in two to three weeks, though the goats will return in the fall.

Most paths and trails will stay open to the public. Visitors are asked not to enter closed areas, to stay away from electric fencing around the grazing area, and not to disturb the goats.

Goats and kids mill about in an enclosure at the Paradise Grazing Festival in Paradise Calif. on March 2023.
Jamie Jiang
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NSPR
Goats and kids mill about in an enclosure at the Paradise Grazing Festival in Paradise Calif. on March 2023.

U.S. government to allow logging on national forest land

Posted April 9, 2025 at 4:47 PM PDT

The federal government has rolled back environmental protections on national forest land, and will allow logging.

A memo released by the Secretary of Agriculture says the change is in response to high wildfire risk in forests, and the desire to boost the timber industry.

The memo calls the previous environmental protections "heavy-handed." Almost 60% of national forest land will have protections removed and will be open to be cleared.

Following citizen complaints Chico looks into what streets need lighting

Posted April 8, 2025 at 4:49 PM PDT

The City of Chico may be looking to make the streets brighter soon.

City staff have been looking into which streets are most in need of streetlights, and where funding might come from. They presented their findings to the Internal Affairs Committee Tuesday.

The biggest hurdle is cost. It can be up to $20,000 to install a single streetlight.

Council member Addison Winslow told NSPR the city will rely on community feedback for where new lights should go up as it would be cost prohibitive to invest in lighting throughout the entire city.

"We can take these particular places where we hear from people that this would improve safety,” he said, “and I think we're willing to invest in making sure that we're filling in those gaps."

Older neighborhoods and the area south of Chico State are known to be in need of extra lighting, Winslow said.

A key part of the effort is going to be balancing the need for light without creating light pollution, he said.

"We're not trying to light up the night sky,” Winslow said. “It's really important for migratory birds, but also just for our experience of the city that we don't just blast it like [the] Las Vegas Strip everywhere."

Funding could come from Chico’s Measure H sales tax increase, not to be confused with Butte County’s recently passed sales tax measure. It also could be a collaboration with PG&E infrastructure, which would reduce costs.

The committee moved to present the findings to the Chico City Council in the near future.

Examples of different types of streetlights in Chico from an April 7, 2025 Internal Affairs Committee agenda report.
Internal Affairs Committee Agenda
Examples of different types of streetlights in Chico from an April 7, 2025 Internal Affairs Committee agenda report.

Red Bluff Round-Up makes some updates before big weekend

Posted April 8, 2025 at 3:23 PM PDT

The largest three-day rodeo in the country is entering its 104th year next week — and there will be some changes to its arena.

The Red Bluff Round-Up says the arena will have a fresh coat of paint on seating boxes and walls. There are also new bucking chutes, which are now lined with a foot of dirt for animals to stand on rather than cement. The old chutes were installed in the 1970s, and the rodeo says the new ones are safer for the animals, competitors and rodeo staff.

The Red Bluff Round-Up will take place April 18, 19 and 20.

Busy as a beaver - how the mammal is restoring California wetlands

Posted April 8, 2025 at 1:58 PM PDT

Beavers transported back to their native watersheds are working on restoring wetlands in the state.

About a year ago, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) started Beaver Restoration Pilot Projects. These are aimed at having beavers help create wetlands that protect landscapes and prevent climate change like drought and wildfire."

The things they can do are amazing," said Chuck Bonham, Director of CDFW in a video about the project. "They create habitat complexity by creating dams and slowing down the rate of water so it recharges our aquifers."

Yesterday CDFW released an update on the project. It said almost 30 beavers were placed in the Sierra Nevada at five release sites in partnership with the Tule River Tribe and the Maidu Summit Consortium. The department says those beavers have since built dams at three of the release sites and produced two litters of kits.

At one site beavers have built a network of canals that has reconnected nearby areas that used to flood back to a stream, increasing the surface water area by about 23 percent.

Cal Fire launches first wildfire detection satellite into orbit

Posted April 8, 2025 at 1:54 PM PDT

Cal Fire has launched its first wildfire detection satellite as part of the FireSat Constellation project.

The initiative aims to make it easier to detect and track global wildfires in real time. It's supported by a partnership between Google, Muon Space, Earth Fire Alliance and Cal Fire.

When completed, the project will consist of more than 50 satellites. The first three satellites are expected to overserve every point on Earth at least twice a day, with wildfire-prone areas being surveilled more frequently.

Butte County, fire safe council could team up to tackle hazardous roadside brush

Posted April 7, 2025 at 5:08 PM PDT

Butte County may deepen its collaboration with the county’s fire safe council on fire prevention.

Tuesday supervisors will consider a nonbinding agreement to expand their partnership with the Butte County Fire Safe Council.

The goal is to reduce wildfire risk by clearing roadside vegetation across 215 acres.

Under the agreement, the fire safe council would work with landowners and contractors to carry out the project. The county would ensure permits, reimbursement and track progress.

It’s part of a nearly $3 million federal grant program to support vegetation management and brush removal. The funding was supported by Senator Alex Padilla, the late Senator Dianne Feinstein and Congressman Doug LaMalfa, who represent most of the North State.

Chico State student identified in deadly shooting tied to suspected domestic violence

Posted April 7, 2025 at 5:04 PM PDT

Chico State student Athena Marie Passidakis, 21, was killed last Thursday in a shooting that police believe may be related to intimate partner violence. The suspect, Alvin Almontelasha Wilson, 25, was someone she had previously dated. He died by suicide after the shooting.

Anastacia Snyder, executive director of Catalyst Domestic Violence Services, says two-thirds of murder-suicides involve intimate partner violence — and the risk often increases when someone tries to leave an abusive relationship.

Catalyst’s 24/7 hotline is 800-895-8476. In an emergency, call 911.

[Read the full story here]

Expansion on Oroville Hospital delayed again

Posted April 7, 2025 at 11:25 AM PDT

The opening for Oroville Hospital’s expansion has been held up once more.

According to reporting by the Chico Enterprise-Record, hospital officials had expected the five-story tower expansion to open last month. They said construction was complete and they were waiting for approvals.

The hospital was originally slated to be completed in April 2022, but that date has been pushed back multiple times. There is no new official opening date at this time.

Chico PD releases names of 2 people killed in shooting

Posted April 4, 2025 at 4:48 PM PDT

The Chico Police Department has released the identities of the two deceased following a shooting on E. 5th Avenue Thursday.

The victim has been identified as Athena Marie Passidakis, 21, and the suspect was Alvin Almontelasha Wilson, 25.

Police were initially called when a woman allegedly called for help as she was being forced into a car. She was then shot by the suspect, who later shot himself when confronted by police.

The police department had no contact with Wilson before the shooting, and said that he and the victim had previously been in a romantic relationship.

Chico

Chico State ranked second best in California for animation

Posted April 4, 2025 at 4:35 PM PDT

Chico State has ranked in the top 25 U.S. schools for animation degrees, and the second best in the California.

The university was ranked No. 14 out of nearly 200 schools across the nation and was listed as No. 1 within the CSU system.

Graduates from Chico State’s animation program have gone on to major studios such as Sony, Disney and Pixar.

Transparency note: NSPR's broadcast licenses are owned by Chico State. The university does not oversee our news production or programming.

California

California DA to file lawsuit against executive order requiring voter identification

Posted April 4, 2025 at 4:34 PM PDT

Attorney General Rob Bonta and 18 other U.S. attorneys general are challenging President Donald Trump's executive order that requires proof of citizenship be provided before a person to register to vote.

Bonta said in a press release that the order violates the separation of powers and that regulation of elections is the responsibility of the states and congress, not the president.

Shasta County’s Board of Supervisors voted last month to send a letter asking Trump to support these kinds of voter identification requirements.

North State

St. Elizabeth Community Hospital receives 2 new ambulances

Posted April 4, 2025 at 4:32 PM PDT

A Tehama County hospital has received two new ambulances to increase emergency responses.

The St. Elizabeth Community Hospital in Red Bluff said the vehicles will allow for faster responses in smaller towns in the southern part of the county, like Corning, especially after hours and on weekends.

The hospital is responsible for emergencies throughout the entire county.

The ambulances were funded through a partnership between the Corning Healthcare District and the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians.

'It's just really scary': Parent talks about shooting near Chico daycare

Posted April 3, 2025 at 2:23 PM PDT

A shooting that left two dead in Chico occurred just outside Laura's Preschool and Daycare on East 5th Avenue. For parents of children there, the day has been hectic.

Rachel Jester saw news of the shooting on Facebook and initially didn't think much of it, until she saw where it occurred.

"Then another mom had commented and said that it happened right in front of the preschool,” Jester said. “And I was like 'Oh my gosh, I gotta go!'"

Jester then headed to the center to pick up her daughter. The street had been blocked off by police, so she had to go through a nearby alley to get to the building.

Everyone at the daycare, including her daughter, were safe. Jester said she wished there had been a better system in place to let parents know something had happened near the daycare.

"I really wish I didn't have to find out from a Facebook page 30 minutes after it had happened," she said. "In the future, if things like this happen again, I would just appreciate if somebody sent something out explaining that they went into lockdown."

As Jester was leaving, her young daughter asked if her mom was OK.

"I'm okay baby, are you OK?" Jester asked. Her daughter nodded and Jester held her close, her little head resting on mom's shoulder.

While she was happy to be reunited with her daughter, Jester said the fear from the morning's events still hung over her.

"I was scared because reality hit," she said. "At any time, someone could walk in there and just open fire, no question. It really only takes a second. It's just really scary."

Chico shooting started as report of woman screaming, vehicle pursuit

Posted April 3, 2025 at 12:24 PM PDT

The Chico Police Department has released more information about the two people who died after a shooting on East 5th and Palm avenues this morning.

Chico PD said in a press release they received a report around 8:45 a.m. of a woman screaming that she’d been taken against her will.

There were also reports of a possible gunshot and car leaving the scene. Officers located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but the car fled, leading to a pursuit. The car stopped on East 5th Avenue.

The release said the Chico PD, alongside the Butte County Sheriff’s Office and Chico State Police, found two occupants in the vehicle with gunshot wounds. They were taken to medics on the scene, but were pronounced deceased.

Officials say one of the occupants is believed to be the woman calling for help and the other was the driver.

The shooting is believed to have taken place in front of Laura’s Daycare, but it’s unclear if the daycare or anyone associated with it was involved. A person working at Laura’s Daycare told NSPR over the phone that everyone at the daycare was safe and they were leaving their phone line open for parents.

The department asks the public to stay out of the area and alert them if they have information related to the incident.

City Councilmember Addison Winslow said the incident began as a domestic dispute in a social media statement. The Chico PD had stopped a car with the victim and shooter inside it.

Winslow said “the scene ended tragically.” However, there is no ongoing threat to the surrounding area.

Enloe Health was put on lockdown this morning for a possible active shooter nearby. An employee told NSPR the lockdown has since been lifted.

Nearby schools were also alerted to the incident.

The Chico State University Police Department sent a message at 10:45 a.m. which confirmed there is no threat to campus, and all lockdowns have been lifted.

A message posted to Chico Unified School District's website said the district was informed of a vehicle pursuit within city limits. All schools were put on a caution alert as a result around 9:30 a.m. The message was posted shortly before 10 a.m. The district said the pursuit had ended and all caution alerts were lifted

Chico police say 2 dead after car chase ended in shooting

Posted April 3, 2025 at 11:16 AM PDT
A street view near West 5th in Chico, Calif. on April 3, 2025.
Alec Stutson
A street view near West 5th in Chico, Calif. on April 3, 2025.

Two people have died in a shooting on East 5th and Palm avenues in Chico this morning. That's according to reporting from the Chico Enterprise-Record. Officers on the scene said they responded to loud bangs in the area where they found the vehicle.

The shooting took place in front of a daycare, but it is unclear if the daycare or anyone associated with it was involved.

City Councilmember Addison Winslow said the incident began as a domestic dispute in a social media statement. The Chico Police Department had stopped a car with the victim and shooter inside it.

Winslow said “the scene ended tragically.” However, there is no ongoing threat to the surrounding area.

Enloe Health was put on lockdown this morning for a possible active shooter nearby. An employee told NSPR the lockdown has since been lifted.

Nearby schools were also alerted to the incident.

The Chico State University Police Department sent a message at 10:45 a.m. which confirmed there is no threat to campus, and all lockdowns have been lifted.

A message posted to Chico Unified School District's website said the district was informed of a vehicle pursuit within city limits. All schools were put on a caution alert as a result around 9:30 a.m. The message was posted shortly before 10:00 a.m. The district said the pursuit had ended and all caution alerts were lifted.

What we know about possible shooting on East 5th Avenue in Chico

Posted April 3, 2025 at 10:31 AM PDT
A street view near W. Fifth in Chico, Calif. on April 3, 2025
Erik Adams
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NSPR
A street view near W. Fifth in Chico, Calif. on April 3, 2025

Police are responding to an incident on East 5th and Palm avenues in Chico.

The Enloe Health Medical Center was put on lockdown for a possible active shooter nearby. An employee told NSPR the lockdown has since been lifted.

According to reporting from Action News Now, witnesses said police had guns drawn on the scene. The Chico Police Department told NSPR that the situation is active, and they could not currently provide information.

The Chico Police Department is asking people to avoid the area.

A message posted to Chico Unified School District's website said the district was informed of a vehicle pursuit within city limits. All schools were put on a caution alert as a result around 9:30 a.m.

The message was posted shortly before 10:00 a.m. The district said the pursuit had ended and all caution alerts were lifted.

Lawsuit filed against City of Chico over Valley's Edge referendum

Posted April 3, 2025 at 8:38 AM PDT
The undeveloped land in the wildfire urban interface (WUI) where Valley’s Edge is planned. Photo taken in Chico, Calif. on Feb. 29, 2024.
Jamie Jiang
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NSPR
The undeveloped land in the wildfire urban interface (WUI) where Valley’s Edge is planned. Photo taken in Chico, Calif. on Feb. 29, 2024. 

The fight over Valley’s Edge in Chico isn’t over.

The City of Chico Wednesday received official notice that a lawsuit was filed against the City by the legal team representing the LLC of the developer of Valley’s Edge — Believe in Chico LLC. The lawsuit accuses the City of violating housing laws. It hopes to overturn a referendum voters passed last March that halted the project.

The lawsuit leans on S.B. 330, also known as the Housing Crisis Act of 2019. The law keeps cities from getting in the way of new housing construction projects.

In a previous interview with NSPR, an attorney for Believe in Chico LLC said they didn't want an "adversarial process with the city" and were open to options. The City has 30 days to respond.

Biden's top health official running for governor of California

Posted April 2, 2025 at 4:54 PM PDT

Xavier Becerra has announced he’s running for governor in 2026.

According to reporting by KQED, Becerra has spent more than three decades in public life, including serving in congress and acting as California’s attorney general and the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary.

He joins a field with several other prominent Democrats. But says he'll stay in the race, even if former Vice President Kamala Harris puts her hat into the ring.

If Becerra wins, KQED reports he would be California's first Latino governor.

California lawmakers uphold laws protecting transgender student athletes

Posted April 2, 2025 at 4:53 PM PDT

State lawmakers this week rejected bills that targeted transgender student athletes.

According to reporting by The Associated Press, lawmakers on the state Assembly’s Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism rejected two bills proposed by Republican lawmakers. One would have required a state sports federation to ban athletes whose sex was assigned male at birth from participating on girls school sports teams. The other would have reversed a law allowing K-12 and college students to participate in sex-segregated school programs, and use bathrooms that align with their gender identity.

The hearing rejecting the bills was held the day after Transgender Day of Visibility and featured hours of debate.

Calves likely killed by wolves in the North State following other incidents

Posted April 2, 2025 at 4:43 PM PDT

Two calves were recently found dead in Lassen County and officials are saying wolves are likely responsible.

In a Facebook post Tuesday about the incident, the Modoc County Sheriff’s Office shows what look like paw prints from wolves found near the bodies of the calves. The sheriff's office also says investigators collected DNA from the scene and are expecting to get results in the coming weeks.

There have been at least 15 attacks, or probable attacks, by wolves in the North State this year.

Gray wolves are an endangered species, which means they are protected from being killed, trapped or even harassed. But an official with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife told NSPR that as wolf populations grow, restrictions will likely change to allow ranchers to have nonlethal methods to keep wolves away.

City of Chico must abide by Warren settlement’s terms until 2027, judge rules

Posted April 1, 2025 at 2:48 PM PDT

A district court judge denied the City of Chico’s motion to exit the Warren v. Chico homeless settlement agreement Monday. This means the City must abide by the settlement’s terms until 2027.

The City filed the motion for relief in September, after the Supreme Court overturned City of Grants Pass v. Johnson. That ruling established that cities could enforce anti-camping ordinances.

According to the order, the City had requested the settlement agreement be modified to allow Chico to enforce all of the City’s anti-camping policies complying with local, state and federal law. The City also requested to be relieved of all of the settlement’s terms except for their obligation to keep the City’s “Genesis” micro-shelter open until the end of 2027. However, the judge ruled that the change in law does not warrant the City’s relief request.

The initial case, which alleged the City committed multiple civil rights violations, had reached a joint dismissal. That led to the settlement agreement, which would be enforced for a five-year period.

Chico, other North State cities to join national ‘Hands Off!’ anti-Trump protest

Posted April 1, 2025 at 2:43 PM PDT
Mobilize

A march and rally in downtown Chico on Saturday will urge the government to safeguard citizens’ personal liberties.

It’s part of the “Hands Off!” protest happening across the U.S. this Saturday, April 5. The nationwide movement also demands officials at all levels of government protect essential services and local communities.

In Chico, the event will feature speakers at the rally, including Audrey Denney, a Democrat who ran U.S. congress twice against current representative Doug LaMalfa.

LaMalfa’s district represents most of the North State, and the Republican congressman has frequently voiced support of President Donald Trump.

Denney said the rally is for people of all political affiliations who believe the government should be run by “people for people” not by and for billionaires.“

It’s a national day of action to stop the most brazen power grab in modern history,” she said. “The billionaire economy President Trump and Elon Musk and their friends are orchestrating an all out assault on the institution of democracy and the economy.”

Denney says more than 600 similar events are happening nationwide. That includes several other events in the North State.

North State “Hands Off!” events (Saturday, April 5):

  • Chico - Children’s Park - 1:30 p.m. (rally), 2:30 p.m (march)
  • Marysville - Highway 20 - 11 a.m.
  • Mt. Shasta - city hall - 11:30 a.m.
  • Redding - city hall - 12 p.m.
  • Quincy - Plumas County Courthouse - 1 p.m.
  • Susanville - Main and Ash streets - 2 p.m.

Chick-fil-A could be coming to Chico near Walmart, Target

Posted April 1, 2025 at 1:59 PM PDT

Chick-fil-A may be coming to Chico.

The agenda for the city’s planning commission meeting Thursday lists a review of building plans for the fast food restaurant.

It’d be located north of Baney Lane and west of Forest Avenue in what’s currently a field between Walmart, Oxford Suites, Target and Sinclair Gas Station.

The building would be almost 4,700 square feet with two drive-thru lanes. The site would also have 82 parking spaces and some electric vehicle charging stations.

If the planning commission approves the use permit and architectural review, additional building permits would be needed to move forward with construction.

Caltrans allocates funds for Highway 99 in Tehama County

Posted March 28, 2025 at 2:57 PM PDT

California is investing one billion dollars for street and highway improvement projects, including in Tehama County.

The California Transportation Commission has allocated almost $41 million to enhance Highway 99 by upgrading drainage and safety features around the Los Molinos Creek Bridge.

Another almost $20 million will go to strengthen safety and drainage systems along Highway 101 in Humboldt County.

About a third of the total statewide allocations come from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.

An additional $300 million comes from the state's Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

Nord Country School receives distinguished award

Posted March 28, 2025 at 1:39 PM PDT

A K-8 school in Chico has been honored by the state superintendent for its academic performance. The 2025 California Distinguished Schools program recognizes schools that have demonstrated academic excellence in the past year.

Students at Nord Country School scored green or higher in multiple accountability measures tracked by the state. That included English and mathematics scores, and rates of absenteeism.

Nord Country School is a charter school with just over 200 students, and it was the only school in Butte County to receive this designation.

Three schools in Shasta County also received the recognition. They were Redding School of the Arts, Boulder Creek Elementary School and Lassen View Elementary School.

In Sutter County, Franklin Elementary School, Encinal Elementary School and Twin Rivers Charter School were also recognized.

Schools keep the recognition for two years, as elementary schools are recognized on odd-number years and middle and high schools on even-number years.

Chico city staff report highlights negatives of one hour of free parking

Posted March 28, 2025 at 1:33 PM PDT

A six-page report from Chico city staff highlights several reasons why an hour of free parking is likely to cause issues downtown.

The report was requested by staff after a previous council discussion about free parking in February.

Staff found the free parking would reduce revenue from the Parking Enterprise Fund by half. As a result, there could be more enforcement difficulties and congestion in the downtown area.

City staff also spoke to people who handle parking programs in other California cities. They found implementing free parking resulted in a variety of unintended challenges in Santa Rosa, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Paso Robles.

The report will be discussed by the city council at their next meeting on Tuesday, April 1.

Chico council member calls for 20 year plan for Bidwell Park

Posted March 28, 2025 at 1:26 PM PDT

A member of the Chico City Council is requesting a plan for making improvements at Bidwell Park.

Council member Tom van Overbeek says the area is suffering from neglect. He wants to discuss creating a 20-year plan the council's next meeting on Tuesday, April 1.

Overbeek praised recent actions taken by the City, such as repaving streets and making plans to rebuild the pool. But he says there’s still more that needs to be done.

He’s asking the city council to direct the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission to develop a future plan for the park. The city council would then review the completed plan and decide whether to proceed.

Trump administration investigating California Department of Education surrounding trans student privacy law

Posted March 28, 2025 at 1:25 PM PDT

The Trump administration announced a new investigation into the California Department of Education Thursday.

It’s over a state law that bars school districts from forcing teachers and staff to disclose students’ gender identity to parents.

The law was enacted at the beginning of this year. It does not stop teachers from consensually sharing the sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression of a student with their parents.

According to reporting by The Associated Press, the federal Department of Education said that law could violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. That legislation allows parents to access their child's school records.

If the U.S. department finds that the California law violates federal rules, they can take away federal funding.

Shasta supervisors hold special meeting about hiring new registrar of voters

Posted March 28, 2025 at 9:21 AM PDT

Earlier this week Shasta County’s Registrar of Voters, Thomas Toller, announced he’s stepping down at the end of April due to health concerns.

This leaves supervisors again with the task of finding a new person to manage elections.

A special meeting was held Thursday to discuss how Toller’s replacement will be chosen. Supervisors can either direct staff to directly appoint a new registrar, or they can do a competitive interview process similar to the one that recruited Toller just last summer.

If they redid that process, several of the candidates would likely be the same.

One of them could be Joanna Francescut, the county’s current assistant registrar. She became the main focus of public comment. Many asked for her to be directly appointed.

That’s because last year Toller was chosen over Francescut even though he didn’t have any experience running elections. Francescut had 16 years of elections experience and had been endorsed by the previous registrar.

At the end of the meeting, supervisors decided to go with direct appointment and skip the interview process. They hope to have someone appointed in the role by May 13, as Toller is leaving in late April.

CA lawmakers pass slew of housing bills

Posted March 28, 2025 at 9:08 AM PDT

The median home price in California is over $800,000. That’s about double what it is nationwide.

According to reporting by CapRadio, a bi-partisan group of state lawmakers announced over 20 new bills Thursday to make building homes easier — and eventually more affordable.

Many of the bills roll back regulations so builders can move quicker and deal with less red tape.

Several make changes to the California Environmental Quality Act, which requires the state to consider the environmental impact of a project.

California wildlife officials update progress of state's salmon strategy

Posted March 27, 2025 at 4:33 PM PDT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has provided an update on how the state's initiative to restore salmon is advancing. Its 2024 Salmon Strategy lays out plans to rebuild salmon populations. They include things like improving habitat and preparing for the impacts of climate change, drought and human-caused challenges.

The progress report says around 67% of projects outlined in the state's plan are in development. Another 26% have been fully completed.

The California Department of Water Resources says major items addressed over the past year include removing outdated dams along the Klamath River, improving statewide migration, and using new fish tracking technology.

Northern California no longer in a drought

Posted March 27, 2025 at 4:32 PM PDT

After several wet winters in the Northern California, the region is no longer in drought. That’s according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, a data service that measures drought conditions nationwide.

A solid period of rain and snow this winter has reversed the effects of several dry years in the area.

However, counties in Southern California are still in varying degrees of drought. Areas around San Diego and the Nevada border are listed as extremely dry, increasing the risk of wildfires later this year.

Chico PD to hold public meeting to review military equipment inventory, use

Posted March 27, 2025 at 4:31 PM PDT

The Chico Police Department will hold a public meeting next week about the use of surplus military equipment, according to a press release from the City.

The meeting is part of the department's disclosure obligation. Officials will review the "Military Equipment Annual Use Report," which describes the equipment the department has and the policies governing its use.

Meeting information

  • Time: 6 p.m.
  • Date: Monday, March 31
  • Place: Old Municipal building

Man suspected of igniting Park Fire back in court today

Posted March 27, 2025 at 4:30 PM PDT

The man suspected of igniting the Park Fire last year was seen by a judge for his continued arraignment this afternoon.

Ronnie Dean Stout II was arrested shortly after the Park Fire started in July 2024. He is accused of pushing a burning vehicle into a gully in Upper Bidwell Park — igniting the fire.

The Park Fire burned more than 400,000 acres in Butte and Tehama counties, making it the fourth-largest wildfire in state history. It destroyed hundreds of homes and other buildings.

The day after the stabbing

Updated March 27, 2025 at 5:12 PM PDT
Posted March 27, 2025 at 1:41 PM PDT
Police vehicles are parked in front of Gridley High School hours after a stabbing incident on March 26, 2025 in Gridley, Calif.
Erik Adams
/
NSPR
Police vehicles are parked in front of Gridley High School hours after a stabbing incident on March 26, 2025 in Gridley, Calif.

The student who was stabbed at Gridley High yesterday is in stable condition after undergoing two surgeries. The student will remain in the ICU for now so their condition can continue to be monitored.

That’s according to a press release issued by the Gridley Police Department.

Meanwhile, the suspect has been booked into Butte County Juvenile Hall on four felony counts. The suspect has been charged with:

  • Premeditated attempted murder
  • Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
  • Possession of a weapon on school grounds
  • Concealed carry of a dirk or dagger

The identities of the victim and the suspect will not be released since they are minors.

More on stabbing at Gridley High School

Posted March 26, 2025 at 2:16 PM PDT

Gridley Police have issued a press release with additional details about the stabbing at Gridley High School this morning.

Ashley Carson, a school resource officer, was alerted of an injury in the boys’ locker room around 9:40 a.m. Within seconds, Carson found the victim and called for help.

After assessing the victim, it was found that he had been stabbed.

The school was immediately placed in lockdown.

The victim was taken to a nearby hospital and is receiving medical care.

The suspect was detained and taken to the Gridley Police Department for questioning.

The names of the victim and the suspect have not been released.

Gridley Unified School District, the Butte County District Attorney’s Office, Cal Fire and the Gridley Police Department are working together on the case.

Breaking News: Stabbing at Gridley High

Posted March 26, 2025 at 12:46 PM PDT
Stabbing at Gridley High

A student was stabbed around 9:40 a.m. at Gridley High School.

Their identity has not been released, but they were reported to be awake during transport to Adventist Health and Rideout in Marysville, according to reporting by Action News Now.

Details surrounding the incident are still unclear.

At 9:42 a.m., Cal Fire’s Butte Unit was dispatched to the school for criminal violence. They then requested medical support.

Justin Kern, superintendent of Gridley Unified School District, sent an email to parents at 10:30 a.m. The message cited an “isolated safety incident” in which “one student assaulted another.” Kern wrote that the situation “has been contained” and acknowledged the emotional impact the incident would have on the community. He issued an early dismissal of 10:45 a.m.

No further information is available at this time.

This is a breaking story and will be updated with additional information as it becomes known.