Chico, California

The Chico Police Department is investigating a suspected homicide after a body was found near Food Maxx off Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. Also, state officials say the latest atmospheric river storm to hit California will pose new flood threats, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is providing millions in funding to restore salmon habitat throughout the state.

Gov. Gavin Newsom Sunday expanded a state of emergency to include six additional counties. Also, Chico nonprofit Safe Space ended their seasonal operations last week, and officials who manage reservoirs in California are working to strike a balance between holding water in storage and maintaining room in reservoirs for more stormwater.

Gov. Gavin Newsom requests a presidential emergency declaration to aid in winter storm recovery. Also, a flood watch remains in effect through Sunday morning for areas below 4000 feet, and Sipho’s Restaurant and Cafe is holding its monthly ‘Tempo’ party this Saturday.

The city of Chico issued seven-day notices of intent to enforce anti-camping ordinances at an encampment in North Chico Tuesday. Also, another winter storm is forecast to hit the North State tonight and last through the weekend, and an administrator with the Butte County Office of Education has been recognized for developing a curriculum that brings Hmong culture to California students.

Several Berry Creek residents are suing the Butte County Board of Supervisors for allegedly violating the Brown Act. Also, a bill in Washington D.C. would add more acreage to the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, and experts are concerned that a warm storm forecast for later this week could melt snow prematurely and lead to flooding.

This week’s wet weather is raising flooding concerns in the North State. Also, health workers are fanning out across California to persuade older adults without legal residency to enroll in Medi-Cal, and California state lawmakers are targeting the hidden fees that can lead to sticker shock for hotel stays and concert tickets.

The March snow survey at Phillips Station shows snowpack is nearly double the average for the area. Also, less than half of the state remains in a drought, and public health officials in California say they’re disappointed by the governor’s plan to slash funding for a program that would bring people into epidemiology, microbiology, and lab technician roles.

The city of Chico says it will open additional campsites for unhoused residents who are not eligible to stay in local shelters. Also, the Butte County Board of Supervisors discussed clearing vegetation alongside evacuation routes in the Camp Fire burn scar, and Chico is getting a new late-night, soul food restaurant.

Wal Riek is the owner and cook of the late-night soul food fusion restaurant called Black Wal Street Café. The business will be at the former Midnite Munchies location in the Safeway parking lot on Nord. He says it’ll open this April, if not sooner.

Clear and icy weather is forecast in the North State until another round of storms arrives Saturday. Also, a Magalia pizza restaurant stayed open despite inclement weather to continue deliveries to snowed-in customers, and the state Department of Water Resources will conduct its third snow survey of the season Friday.