Sutter County

Safe Space opened its winter shelter more than a week ahead of schedule. The shelter hosted its first night over the weekend. Also, officials continue to look for two brothers who were reported missing on Saturday. One called 911 to report that his brother had overturned his kayak and that he planned to go in to rescue him, and the federal government pays for much of the work for recovery from disasters like flooding and wildfires. But a new analysis shows that millions of dollars of needed grant money sometimes goes unspent.

Bidwell Mansion was destroyed in a fire early Wednesday morning. Also, millions of dollars for the Mental Health Rehabilitation Center in Chico could soon be available, and nearly 300 acres along the Sacramento River has been put into conservation.

As progress continues to be made on the Park Fire, officials are urging those returning to burn scar areas to drive safely. Also, Sutter County will benefit from a $13.8 million grant for Comcast to build infrastructure for low-cost, broadband internet, and residents can pick their own peaches at Chico State’s University Farm today.

During emergencies, power and internet outages can make it hard for rural residents to receive emergency alerts. Butte County is distributing free Alert FM devices that receive alerts via radio. Also, Bidwell Mansion in Chico remains closed this week as it undergoes renovations, and Sutter County is facing a serious budget shortfall and has issued a hiring freeze.

Several weeks of community meetings are giving the Butte County residents a say in how new evacuation plans might be improved. Also, bus riders in Yuba and Sutter counties who use an app to track when the bus arrives will no longer have access to that service, and Shakespeare in the Park returns to Chico this week.

President Biden has issued a disaster declaration following a request from Gov. Gavin Newsom. It will reimburse 10 California counties, including Butte, Glenn, and Sutter, for disaster response and recovery costs. Also, the Redding Police Department is preparing to release footage after the first officer-involved shooting in Shasta County since its adoption of body cameras last year, and bus commuters in Redding this month can get a free bike ride pass.

Local emergency management and law enforcement officials say landline connections are crucial during wildfires.

Landlines are crucial for wildfire safety, North State officials say in opposition to AT&T’s new proposal to end the service. Also, Chico councilors move to support a new appeal against Martin v. Boise case, and a new farm to food bank program in Yuba and Sutter counties began this week.

Using a child safety seat properly is vital to the welfare of kids 0 to 5 years of age in the event of a car accident. Many North State counties have programs to teach residents how to use car seats safely. Some even help pay for car seats.

Chico’s council chambers were packed earlier this week as many residents asked the council to adopt a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. They also asked the council to issue a statement supporting Palestinian, Muslim, Israeli and Jewish residents who say they no longer feel safe in Chico. Also, the Redding City Council appointed a new mayor at its meeting but her selection was controversial, and a substitute teacher was arrested after exposing his buttocks to a sixth-grade class at Anderson Middle School.