The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Wednesday, March 16.Shasta County Board of Supervisors votes to remove Supervisor Rickert as vice chair of the board
One of the first orders of business at Tuesday's Shasta County Board of Supervisors meeting was the removal of District 3 Supervisor Mary Rickert as vice chair of the board. She was appointed to the position in early January, alongside now-recalled supervisor Leonard Moty, who had been elected chairman. Happy Valley School Board President Tim Garman replaced Moty as supervisor, and was seated on March 1.
At this week's meeting, some residents voiced their support of Rickert, while others saw her appointment as a mistake that needed to be corrected.
The vote to remove Rickert passed 3-2, with Rickert and Supervisor Joe Chimenti voting against. District 4 Supervisor Patrick Henry Jones was appointed vice chair in a 4-1 vote, with Rickert being the only no vote.
— Alec Stutson, NSPR
Dixie Fire: Debris removed from 75% of properties
Following last year’s Dixie Fire, crews continue to clear properties of fire debris in Plumas County to pave the way for homeowners to rebuild.
About 480 properties enrolled in the state debris-removal program have been cleared of fire debris. That amounts toabout 75% of properties in the program, according to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
Many of those properties, however, must still undergo soil testing, tree removal and other work before property owners can rebuild.
The nearly 1 million-acre Dixie Fireburned in five counties and destroyed more than 1,300 structures last summer and fall.
A community meeting put on by the Dixie Fire Collaborative recovery group is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Greenville Elementary School.
— Andre Byik, NSPR
Oldest continuous parade in California is in Marysville and celebrates Chinese water god, culture
Marysville is home to the oldest continuous parade in California. The Bok Kai Festival and Parade has been celebrated for 142 years.
Thousands come from across the region to visit the Bok Kai Temple and pay tribute to Bok Eye — the Chinese god of water — who many believe protects the city from flooding.
This year’s event took place earlier this month. See photos and read the full story.
— Angel Huracha, NSPR
California will continue COVID-19 state of emergency
California will remain in a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic after a push to rescind the emergency failed in the Legislature Tuesday.
Republicans have long pushed for an end to the state of emergency, arguing the law gives Gov. Gavin Newsom too much power and that it’s no longer necessary. Sen. Melissa Melendez introduced a resolution to terminate it.
“It is time for the Legislature to reassert its constitutional authority as the legislative body of this state and end this endless emergency,” Melendez said.
She added local governments are able to call emergencies if the virus surges again.
But with the California State Association of Counties and several local officials opposing the measure, Democrats in a senate committee voted it down.
The California Hospital Association also argued ending the emergency would hurt their efforts to maintain adequate staffing and hospital beds.
— CapRadio Staff
Newsom announces $22M for drought programs
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced $22 million in new drought spending. The state recorded its driest consecutive January and February on record. More than a third of the new spending will go toward what Newsom’s office described as outreach efforts to educate Californians about saving water.
Counties with high water use will be targeted with digital ads and a social media campaign. Last year, the governor asked people to cut water use by 15%, and Californians saved about half that on average. So far, state officials have avoided issuing mandatory water restrictions.
— Kevin Stark (KQED), The California Report
Stories from NPR partner stations are edited by NSPR Staff for digital presentation and credited as requested.
In other news
- Chico council narrows redistricting down to five maps: “In its latest public hearing surrounding redistricting, the Chico City Council voted to narrow down to five potential maps and hold a special meeting for additional discussions.” — Chico Enterprise-Record
- Sherri Papini may have lied about her kidnapping but research shows most women tell the truth about sexual assault: “News broke recently that Redding’s Sherri Papini, who went missing for 22 days in 2016, is accused of faking her kidnapping, repeatedly lying about it to investigators, and taking over $30,000 in victim compensation for a crime that never occurred.” — Shasta Scout
- Here's what county officials want to do with $35 million in federal aid: “While Shasta County officials said Tuesday they wanted to hear from the public about how to spend $35 million in federal pandemic recovery funds, two members of the Board of Supervisors already have their minds made up on how to spend the money.” — Redding Record Searchlight
- COVID numbers in Plumas hold steady: “The Plumas County Public Health Agency released its latest numbers March 14, indicating seven positive cases were reported to the agency during the past seven days. On March 10, the agency had reported eight cases over the past seven days." — Plumas News
- Judge says more research is needed; calls CCC closure case more complicated than attorneys realize: “On Monday, March 14, Lassen County Superior Court visiting Judge Robert Moody continued his slow, deliberate and methodical approach to resolving the city of Susanville’s lawsuit against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation et al regarding the proposed closure of the California Correctional Center in a public proceeding held in at the Lassen County Hall of Justice via Zoom.” — Lassen County Times
- Red Bluff couple charged with defrauding Tehama County Social Services: “A Red Bluff couple was recently charged with defrauding the Tehama County Department of Social Services of $89,289.50.” — Red Bluff Daily News
In case you missed it
- Sheriff Honea unveils evacuation zones for Butte County — NSPR (Headlines, March 15)
- New bill would require California oil refineries to disclose profit margin — CapRadio (Headlines, March 15)
- How Shasta County Health Officer Karen Ramstrom's job came under attack during the pandemic — Redding Record Searchlight
- Xavier Becerra speaks at Enloe Medical Center — Chico Enterprise-Record
- Hospital board takes next step to build skilled nursing facility in Quincy — Plumas News
- New acting warden at HDSP — Lassen County Times
- Oroville council to consider employment agreements — Chico Enterprise-Record
- Red Bluff High School students, staff react to end of mask requirement — Red Bluff Daily News
- City of Chico takes case to Supreme Court — ChicoSol
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