Platina Fire in Shasta County | Butte County health officer contract | Trans Month in Chico

By Sarah Bohannon,

Published April 28, 2022 at 8:32 AM PDT

The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Thursday, April 28.

Platina Fire burns 8 acres in Shasta County; forward progress stopped

Firefighters in Shasta County say they’ve stopped forward progress of a fire west of Redding.

According to Cal Fire, the Platina Fire started about 2 p.m. Wednesday in the community of Igo. As of last update, the fire has burned 8 acres in a remote area with limited access.

No buildings were reported damaged or destroyed, and no structures were threatened. The fire was listed as 0% contained.

The cause is under investigation.

— Andre Byik, NSPR

Butte County’s interim health officer gets multi-year contract

Butte County will have a new permanent health officer to give medical guidance to public health officials.

The Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved a contract with Dr. David Canton through April 2025. His salary was set at $207,729.

Canton had been serving on an interim basis since the fall. The county’s public health director, Danette York, said he was offered the job following a recruitment.

Canton is among four health officers who have served Butte County during the COVID-19 pandemic.

— Andre Byik, NSPR

Stonewall Alliance wraps up Trans Month events

Stonewall Alliance Center of Chico hosts Trans Month events in April, the month following International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31. During the month, the community organization held trainings on topics like how to change your name and gender markers, and creating gender-inclusive health care.

Justina Sotelo, Stonewall’s events coordinator, said educating the community is an important part of the center's mission. But Trans Month is not just about education, Sotelo said, it’s also a cause for celebration.

“Joy can be resilient, joy is resilient, living your life unapologetically, who you are, is political,” Sotelo said. “The personal is political in many ways."

The center is now planning events for Pride Month in June and will be holding weekly Pride committee meetings.

— Alec Stutson, NSPR

Bill targeting shortage of behavioral health workers gets pushback

A bill intended to reverse California's growing shortage of behavioral health workers was approved by the state Senate Education Committee Wednesday, but it's getting some pushback from state colleges.

The measure requires California Community Colleges and the California State University system to develop accelerated programs for degrees in Master of Social Work (MSW). Students would be able to combine undergraduate study with graduate work.

Mary Meuel is with California State University and said that conflicts with accreditation standards.

"We're just very concerned that these changes will actually slow down any efforts to expand the number of MSW grads quickly," Meuel said.

The bill's author — Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener — said he's willing to make changes. The bill goes next to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

— CapRadio Staff

California lawmaker wants year-round Daylight Saving Time

California could join the list of nearly 20 states trying to make Daylight Saving Time year-round. It’s an issue that’s currently pending in Congress.

A bill by state Assembly member Steven Choi would seek federal permission to make the change permanent.

Choi said his initial preference was for permanent Standard Time, which sleep physicians argue is better for human health. But more than that, he wants to get rid of bi-annual time changes.

“California citizens’ preference is to switch into one permanent time, and this will make their life a lot simpler and more convenient.” Choi said.

Choi’s bill passed two Assembly committees this week.