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.
— CapRadio Staff
Stories from NPR partner stations are edited by NSPR Staff for digital presentation and credited as requested.
In other news
- Rosedale Elementary vice principal and equity leader says she has been suspended: “Parents are calling for change after a Rosedale Elementary assistant vice principal, who acted as equity leader for the school, said she has been placed on administrative leave.” — ChicoSol
- Chico shelter outreach, move-in continues: “A city volunteer from the Outreach and Engagement team met Tom Jenkins on Wednesday morning and told him to wait until 3 p.m. to get assessed. The volunteer showed up half an hour early, interviewed Jenkins and had him referred to move to the Pallet shelter that day.” — Chico Enterprise-Record
- Two candidates for sheriff answer questions at Quincy forum: “The League of Women Voters of Plumas County sponsored the first in a series of forums for candidates vying for office April 20 at the Quincy Public Library Conference Room.” — Plumas News
- Spring releases raise Trinity River: “It was hard not to notice on a rainy Wednesday morning, April 20, that the Trinity River appeared to be running much higher than in previous days. However, it’s not the rain that brought the level up, it was the start of an intentional discharge of 369,000 acre-feet of water from Trinity Dam.” — Trinity Journal
- Tehama County continues to uncover illegal cannabis grows: “Code Enforcement Officer Clint Weston and Department of Environmental Health Director Tim Potanovic requested the Tehama County Board of Supervisors approve liens on three separate properties pursuant to public nuisance administrative penalties in Red Bluff, Cottonwood and Gerber.” — Red Bluff Daily News
- Stonyford Rodeo kicks off 79th year on Friday: “The 79th annual Stonyford Rodeo will kick through the chutes this weekend, with three days of wrangling and rodeo action planned for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.” — Colusa Sun-Herald
- Lassen Land and Trails Trust hosts annual homebrew competition: “Lassen Land and Trails Trust hosts the third Lassen County Homebrew Competition to support its activities in conservation, working landscapes and trails.” — Lassen County Times
- Lower cost, slower gains: California prepares controversial new climate strategy: “California air-quality officials have endorsed an updated blueprint for battling climate change, choosing a plan that aims to minimize job losses and costs while slashing greenhouse gases and achieving carbon neutrality by 2045.” — CalMatters
In case you missed it
- Butte County supervisors terminate COVID-19 emergency proclamation — NSPR (Headlines, April 27)
- Judge to review rules at Chico’s homeless shelter site — NSPR (Headlines, April 27)
- COVID in Shasta County: CA conducting antibody study — Redding Record Searchlight
- Low Cost Health Screening at PDH scheduled — Plumas News
- Allergies or COVID? Emergency physicians explain how to tell the difference — Lassen County Times
- Body found along Sacramento River, Sheriff’s Office says — Chico Enterprise-Record
- Red Bluff to start road resurfacing project in mid-May — Red Bluff Daily News
- Siskiyou County housing plans need residents' input — The Siskiyou Daily News
- 6 million Southern Californians face unprecedented order to conserve water — CalMatters
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