Warren v. Chico

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.

The Butte County Grand Jury has released its annual report, which includes investigations into Chico's homelessness policies. It found the city responsible for neglect and unsanitary conditions at its sanctioned encampment for unhoused residents. The report also found over the past decade the city has not addressed the homelessness crisis properly and instead took an “adversarial” stance to try and encourage unhoused residents to leave the city. Separately, the jury found inadequate funding has caused morale issues among library staff and patrons.

Anderson Union School District Board President Jackie LaBarbera announced that the district would continue its current policy requiring school officials to inform parents when a student requests a change to their records, including requests to change their gender identity or sexual orientation. Also, tribal and conservation groups are advocating for national monument status for the Medicine Lake Highlands in Siskiyou County, and there are now more restrictions on fires in Lassen National Forest.

We’re continuing to cover the city of Chico’s announcement this week that it hopes to change the terms of Warren v. Chico — a settlement agreement that outlines its homelessness policy for clearing encampments. In a letter responding to the city, the law firm representing the unhoused plaintiffs in the 2021 case pushes back. Also, Councilmember Tom van Overbeek says he supports the city’s move to challenge the settlement and says Councilmember Addison Winslow is incorrect about the details. And members of Tehama County’s largest employee union have declared no confidence in the Chief Administrative Officer and Personnel Director.

The city of Chico wants to change the conditions of Warren v. Chico, a major settlement agreement that outlines its policies on removing homeless encampments in the city. We hear from Mayor Andrew Coolidge and Councilmember Addison Winslow.