Warren v. Chico

City staff is suggesting councilors update the municipal code to tighten enforcement of encampments once the Warren v. Chico homelessness settlement expires in January.

The city hopes the emergency declaration will give it more leeway to enforce homeless encampments in Lindo Channel, where officials say dangerous outdoor fires are being set. Homelessness advocates say the move won’t fix the problem.

Chico’s homelessness response will look different after the Warren v. Chico settlement ends, with new rules at the Genesis Pallet shelter site and plans to close the alternative camping site.

The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Friday, September 12, 2025.

The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Thursday, September 11, 2025.

A district court judge has denied the City of Chico’s motion to exit a settlement agreement that outlines its policies on homelessness. Also, the Chico Police Department is required by the state to disclose its use and acquisition of military-grade equipment and held a meeting outlining its use earlier this week, and several North State cities are joining the national “Hands Off!” march and rally on Saturday.

After a previous contract with Safe Space lapsed in July, no cooling centers were provided in Chico over the past two months. Wednesday the city of Chico and Safe Space renewed the contract. Also, “‘Detention’ Definitely Not The Breakfast Club” hopes to bring new laughs and a new perspective on high school at the Blue Room Theatre, and California water officials warned state leadership that next year the state should expect to see more extreme weather conditions.

The inmate who escaped from the Plumas County Jail last week is still missing. A national search is now underway. Also, the city of Chico is asking the U.S. District Court to allow it to exit the Warren v. Settlement agreement. Councilors met in closed session about the issue last night, and Catalyst Domestic Violence Services is holding a commemorative event this afternoon to remember those who have lost their lives in the region this year to domestic violence.

An upcoming hearing on the future of the Warren v. Chico settlement agreement may be rescheduled if the court determines a need to hear oral arguments in the case. This comes after the city of Chico filed a motion in federal court asking that it be excused from certain provisions under the agreement. Also, the EPA has officially added Afterthought Mine east of Redding to its list of Superfund sites. The mine has been leaking toxic amounts of pure acid into nearby streams for decades, and California’s Sustainable Ground Water Management Act was enacted 10 years ago.

The city of Chico is cleaning up its alternative camping site at Eaton and Cohasset roads. It gave campers notice that it’s throwing away anything on site that isn’t stored in a designated area. Only approved people will be allowed to set up their tents there again.