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Chico begins encampment sweeps | Supervisor candidate forum | Cohasset Ridge prescribed burn

The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Monday, May 9.

City of Chico prepares to begin anti-camping ordinance enforcement

Chico’s new city-run shelter site for unhoused residents officially opened in late April, paving the way for the city to begin enforcing its anti-camping ordinances on public property. Starting this week, the city is contacting unhoused residents in lower Bidwell Park and downtown Chico to notify them of imminent sweeps and relocation.

"We issue a notice within the geographic area we have identified to let people that are living there know,” said Interim City Manager Paul Hahn. “If they're still there at the end of that seven-day period, there's a 72-hour notice before we truly begin enforcement."

The city’s plan to enforce its anti-camping ordinances follows an order from a federal judge earlier this month, ironing out disputed issues in the Warren v. Chico settlement agreement. That case had barred the city from removing encampments on public property until it could provide appropriate shelter.

— Alec Stutson, NSPR

Board of Supervisors candidates attend forum on police reform

Candidates vying for two seats on the Butte County Board of Supervisors fielded questions on law enforcement issues Thursday. The police watchdog organization Concerned Citizens for Justice in Chico hosted the forum. It featured Supervisor Debra Lucero, who’s running for re-election in District 2; candidate Carl Jeffries, one of Lucero’s challengers; and Supervisor Tami Ritter, who’s running for re-election in District 3.

On the topic of police reform, Supervisor Lucero noted training is an integral piece of the puzzle. She also said calls for service should be further scrutinized to determine which calls require police or behavioral health responses.

Supervisor Ritter highlighted the need for critical incident training and expanded behavioral health services — most notably in cases of excessive substance use, which she said needs to be addressed regionally.

Jeffries, the challenger in District 2, said that issue affects him personally, as two of his nieces — one in Oroville — died of unhealthy substance use. He said Butte County would benefit from a more community-oriented response for those experiencing mental health disorders and/or homelessness.

The election is on June 7.

— Andre Byik, NSPR

Cal Fire to start prescribed burn on Cohasset Ridge this week

Cal Fire is taking advantage of cool and wet weather early this week to do a prescribed burn on Cohasset Ridge. The agency said in a press release that the burn will take place in a 68-acre lot stretching from Cohasset Road to Highway 32.

Fuel reduction efforts will continue over the next two weeks when weather conditions allow. Officials say the area was previously treated by dozers and hand crews, leaving behind crushed brush that is now ready to burn. Smoke will be visible from many parts of the Sacramento Valley while the burn is taking place.

— Alec Stutson, NSPR

Measure to allow children to receive vaccines without parent approval advances

A California measure allowing children 12-and-up to be vaccinated without their parents' consent, including against the coronavirus, has cleared its first legislative committee.

Democratic Senator Scott Wiener is the bill's author. He said currently, 12-to-17-year-olds in California cannot be vaccinated without permission from their parents or guardians unless the vaccine is to prevent a sexually transmitted disease.

"Minors of any age can consent to accessing birth control and abortion yet teens under 18 cannot consent to other vaccines whether it's the flu shot or the COVID vaccine or the measles vaccine," he said.

The proposal advanced Thursday. If the bill becomes law, it would make California the first state to allow kids as young as 12 to be vaccinated without parental permission.

— CapRadio Staff

Stories from NPR partner stations are edited by NSPR Staff for digital presentation and credited as requested.

In other news

  • Man arrested after he allegedly assaults Chico police officer: “A man was arrested late Friday night after allegedly assaulting a Chico police officer with a deadly weapon. Chico police say that at about 1:12 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1000 Columbus Ave block on a report of a man violating a domestic violence restraining order.” — Chico Enterprise-Record
  • Candidates for Sheriff respond to questions at League forum: “Plumas County Sheriff Todd Johns and his challenger Dwight Cline, a former deputy and administrative sergeant with the sheriff’s office, met up again May 4 in Graeagle for the fourth forum hosted by the League of Women Voters.” — Plumas News

In case you missed it

Headlines is published every weekday morning at 8:30 a.m. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and NPR One. Theme song Borough is courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions

Angel Huracha has been a part of the journalism field since 2006 and has covered a range of topics. He is a graduate of Chico State with a Bachelor's degree in news-editorial and public relations with a minor in English.
Alec Stutson grew up in Colorado and graduated from the University of Missouri with degrees in Radio Journalism, 20th/21st Century Literature, and a minor in Film Studies. He is a huge podcast junkie, as well as a movie nerd and musician.
Adia White is a broadcast journalist and producer with nearly 10 years of experience. Her work has appeared on WNYC, This American Life, Capital Public Radio and other local and national programs. She started at North State Public Radio as a freelance reporter in 2017 before leaving for a stint at Northern California Public Media in Santa Rosa.