LIVE UPDATES
Quick reads — Trinity Alps could be sold if Senate bill passes
Spring-run salmon appear to be infected with columnaris
More spring-run chinook salmon appear to be dying from a bacterial infection. Columnaris affects freshwater fish, especially in warm environments.
Salmon don’t usually die during the spring-run because they aren’t laying eggs. But the Department of Water Resources says high mortality rates have been a trend in the Feather River for the past two years.
The department analyzed samples last year and discovered Spring-run salmon with columnaris. It says the temperature of the Feather River has been in compliance with regulations, and sometimes even colder.
Trader Joe's cheese curds recall in North State
Trader Joe's has issued a product recall due to potential listeria contamination. Customers who've purchased Face Rock Creamery's Vampire Slayer Cheese Curds with an Aug. 29 expiration date from a store in Northern California should throw them out or return them to the store for reimbursement.
Listeria infection can lead to symptoms such as fevers, headaches, and seizures and can even cause death in the young or elderly or groups with weakened immune systems.
Four options released for new park in Chico
A new park planned for western Chico could double in size, but only if residents agree.
The city has opened a survey to get feedback before starting construction on Henshaw Park. It's a six-acre plot of grass and trees near West East Avenue that could become 12 acres. That would allow for a bicycle pump track, inclusive play area, natural playground and a welcome area.
Construction is planned to begin in the fall. Residents can participate in the survey until June 30.
Live Oak Vice Mayor arrested in connection with arson and insurance fraud
Three men were recently arrested in connection with alleged arson and fraud in Butte County, including Live Oak’s Vice Mayor, Aaron Pamma.
Pamma and the other two men were arrested Thursday on individual $1 million warrants. His warrant alleges arson, supporting a false insurance claim, perjury, fraud and conspiracy to destroy insured property for fraud.
His brother, Simren Pamma, who is a member of the Live Oak Unified School District Board, was also arrested, along with Yuba City resident Gurtej Singh.
According to the Butte County District Attorney’s Office, the arrests were made in connection with an arson fire last February that damaged a farmhouse. It was co-owned by all three men.
The incident was investigated by Butte County's District Attorney’s Office, Cal Fire and the FBI. It revealed that an insurance policy was purchased for the property three months before the fire. After the fire, all three men allegedly sold the home and took insurance payments for a gross profit of $200,000.
A lawyer representing Aaron Pamma issued a statement on his behalf denying the charges. The City of Live Oak also said officials will be monitoring the situation. The city council and staff did not comment on the arrest.
Trinity Alps could get sold under Senate bill to sell off public lands
Thousands of acres of federal land in Trinity and Siskiyou counties could be sold if a new Senate reconciliation bill passes.
According to reporting by the Redding Record Searchlight, the legislation includes a provision that would allow over three million acres of public land in 11 Western states to be stripped of its protected status and sold. The land is currently managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service.
This open space includes the Trinity Alps, which could be sold to lumber companies or other buyers. The Alps are not specifically named in the bill, but it could fall under the slot of land pinpointed in the legislation.
Construction on Petersen Memorial Drive in Lower Bidwell Park starts today
Work has begun to fix a pedestrian walkway in the heart of Chico.
Petersen Memorial Drive runs through Lower Bidwell Park and connects the east and west sides of the park. The city says the pavement has deteriorated and needs replacing. The gravel parking lots will also be resurfaced and will get new signs.
Construction started today and is expected to last through the beginning of August. Petersen Memorial Drive will be closed until it’s complete.
Chico’s South Park Drive to close to cars
Chico council members voted Tuesday to close South Park Drive in Lower Bidwell Park to vehicles, choosing the most expensive of four redesign options.
The decision comes after months of debate. Some nearby residents pushed for a cheaper option to simply repave the road.
The approved $2 million plan also adds new car entrances and paved parking areas.
The vote passed 4–3. Construction is expected to start next year.
Chico City Council to weigh options for South Park Drive near Caper Acres
The Chico City Council is set to weigh four options to reduce vehicle hazards on a well-used stretch of road in Lower Bidwell Park.
South Park Drive runs from Cypress Street to Caper Acres. It's currently open to cars, but one proposal would close it off entirely to vehicles. Two other options would add a separated pedestrian and bike path — one with and one without more parking. Another proposal is the simplest, just repave the road.
Nearby residents favored the least invasive option to repave. But the city’s park commission is recommending keeping cars and adding the pedestrian and bike path.
The council meets at 6 p.m. tonight.
5 bills authored by Heather Hadwick head to state senate
Five bills authored by North State Republican representative Heather Hadwick have passed the California assembly with unanimous support.
One bill would extend statewide wildfire prevention efforts until 2031. Another would eliminate taxes on settlement payments for survivors of the Dixie and Mill fires.
One of two education bills would allow only school districts and county offices of education to offer administrative credential internships. The other bill classifies vapes as household hazardous waste, which Hadwick says will make it easier for schools to dispose of them.
The last bill would expand a reimbursement program for hazardous material regulation to all counties with populations under 150,000.
At Home to close location in Chico after filing for bankruptcy
The At Home store in the Chico Marketplace shopping center will close after a two year run.
The chain filed for bankruptcy yesterday in an attempt to eliminate nearly $2 billion of debt. The Chico location is one of 26 underperforming stores being shut down as the company restructures. There will still be over 200 locations across the United States.
The exact date of the closure has not been announced, but court filings show it should be closed by the end of September.
Other major retailers such as Big Lots and Joann have also recently closed their Chico locations due to bankruptcy.
Month-long closures for runway upgrades coming to Redding Regional Airport this fall
People in the Redding area looking to book a flight later this year might need to look to other airports. The Redding Regional Airport is expected to close for nearly a month this fall.
According to reporting by the Redding Record Searchlight, the city received almost $32 million in federal grant funding to resurface the main runway and upgrade runway lighting. The current plan is to close the airport Sept. 23 and reopen it on Oct. 21.
The project was originally planned for last October, but was rescheduled. The runway was last resurfaced back in 2001.
Butte County Deputy District Attorney honored as Wildlife Prosecutor of 2024
Butte County Deputy District Attorney Michael Tufaro is California's Wildlife Prosecutor of 2024. Tufaro was honored for his commitment to environmental cases at last week's meeting of the California State Fish & Game Commission in Sacramento.
Tufaro helped with over a dozen search warrants related to wildlife and resource crimes last year. He also led prosecution in several cases related to poaching, smuggling of wildlife, illegal dumping and illegal marijuana cultivation.
Tufaro was nominated by North State wildlife officers.
Chico, Redding to join nationwide ‘No Kings Day’ movement on Saturday
Protestors from around the North State will gather on Saturday morning to demonstrate against actions taken by the Trump administration.
'No Kings Day' is a nationwide event pushing back against what many see as a rising threat to democracy. In Chico, participants will gather at the 'Our Hands' sculpture at 10 a.m., then move on to the city plaza. Dissenters in Redding will meet at city hall from 9 to 10 a.m.
'No Kings Day' coincides with Flag Day and President Trump’s birthday. Saturday will also see a military parade in Washington, D.C., a rare event that hasn't happened since the end of the Gulf War.
Mahina Gannet named new director of Chico Performances, North State Symphony
The North State Symphony has a new director. Chico State has announced Mahina Gannet as the new director of Chico Performances and the symphony. The university calls Gannet a recognized figure in the city arts scene and says she brings experience with international music touring, festival production and business management.
North State Symphony has posted its schedule for the season and Chico Performances will announce its schedule in July.
Skatepark to open Saturday (6/14) in Shasta Lake
A new skate park in the city of Shasta Lake will have its grand opening this weekend.
Drop-In Skate Shasta Lake was built for people of all ages and skill levels. It was designed by a company specializing in skate parks, and features a clover-shaped bowl inspired by pro skater Lance Mountain.
Funding for the $1.6 million dollar project came from the American Rescue Plan Act and the Caltrans Clean California Local Grant Program.
The city says the grand opening will be a family-friendly event. Festivities start at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Redding launches bike registry to help recover stolen bicycles
Redding is trying out a new way to keep track of bicycles and prevent theft. Cyclists can now register their bike on the “Bike Index” through the Redding Police Department’s website. The city says this will make it easier for officers to identify and return stolen bikes.
Both traditional and motorized bikes can be registered, ideally with a serial number. Stolen and found bikes can also be added to the Bike Index registry.
Have you signed up for emergency alerts in your county?
If a wildfire broke out in the middle of the night, how would you know to evacuate?
Officials say you’ll have a much better chance if you’re registered with your county’s emergency alert system. Most counties have them. They send a text, phone message or email from your local sheriff’s office during a crisis.
That could be a life saver for you and your family.
Sign up for your county’s emergency alert system
Other tips:
- Follow your local public safety agencies on social media. Many entities use Facebook and Twitter to share important, up-to-date information with the public.
- Follow along with your preferred local media source — whether it’s the radio, newspaper, television, or online. Most news agencies also post daily updates on their Facebook and Twitter accounts.
- Have an emergency preparedness kit ready to go in the event you have to evacuate.
- Try to keep three-quarters of a tank of gas in your car at all times.
Shasta Lake animal shelter asking for people to adopt dogs
There’s no more room at the inn at the City of Shasta Lake Animal Shelter.
Volunteers told KRCR they’re full and are calling on the community to step up and adopt a dog.
Lead Volunteer Cheri Steffen says they’re sheltering 18 dogs, but only have 10 kennels. There are six dogs up for adoption with more to come.
California bill proposes paying student teachers while they become accredited
A new bill in the state assembly would set aside money to pay student teachers and classroom aides, who usually have to work for free while earning their official credentials.
According to reporting by CalMatters, the bill was introduced by Assemblymember Al Muratsushi. It aims to make becoming a teacher more accessible for marginalized groups, and help alleviate the shortage of teachers in the state.
The Learning Policy Institute reports that credential programs can cost up to $40,000, and a majority of teachers in the state borrow money to finish their degrees.
Park Fire work to close down Highway 172
Highway 172 will be closed as maintenance crews remove trees that were burned during the Park Fire last summer. The highway is located south of Lassen Volcanic National Park near the town of Mineral. Caltrans says the closure will start next Monday, June 9, and last until the end of September.
There are around 4,000 to 5,000 damaged trees that need to be cleared from the area, according to estimates from Caltrans. The road will only be accessible to property owners and for emergencies.