NSPR Headlines

Chico’s city council will discuss regulations around massage parlors. Also, the Butte County Fire Department is asking for residents’ help to improve wildfire preparedness, and Butte County is working with state agencies to remove hazardous household materials following the Quincy, Thompson and Park fires.

A new modeling tool may help emergency officials better predict how wildland fires move through communities. Also, Shasta County reported its first human case of West Nile Virus this year, and an effort to preserve the historic El Rey Theater in Downtown Chico is in full swing.

Autumn is quickly approaching but that doesn’t mean the danger of wildfires has lessened. In fact, this is an especially risky time. Also, a motel in Redding may become transitional housing for homeless residents, and Park Fire survivors can learn more about fire cleanup assistance at a meeting today.

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 Chico City Council will review a draft of its response to the latest Grand Jury report at its meeting tomorrow. The report made recommendations on how the city could improve its response to homelessness. Also, the “Journey Home” program helps transport unhoused people in Redding back to friends or family elsewhere who can help support them, and CalMatters is coming to NSPR! Join us to learn about the statewide propositions on the ballot for the general election this November.

Mill Creek Resort was spared from the Park Fire. Still, its owner grieves some of the surrounding old growth forest that was likely lost. Also, Shasta County supervisors selected an interim resource management director at their meeting this week, and the cabaret "All is Fair in Love & War" is based on the director’s experiences with heartbreak.

The Shasta County Elections Commission voted to send a proposal to the board of supervisors that would severely limit the use of absentee ballots in the county. Also, a former Yuba City school counselor has been sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for threatening community members, and a community meeting will help inform local nonprofit Chico Velo on how to design its new bike park.

Measure H would implement a one-cent sales tax for Butte County residents that could lead to millions of dollars in the county’s coffers. Also, Plumas County is trying to attract people to live and visit the area by being featured in the PBS show “Viewpoint,” and Gov. Gavin Newsom yesterday released an optimistic progress report on efforts to reach an ambitious goal to conserve 30% of California’s land by 2030.

The city of Chico announced plans for several major road infrastructure projects. Also, the Paradise Town Council today will hear an update on its efforts to connect the town to Chico’s sewer infrastructure, and a panel of experts met Friday to weigh what the city of Marysville should do about the burned historic Marysville Hotel.

The city of Chico is again using goats to reduce fire risk. The project is funded in part by a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Also, Shasta County’s former Health and Human Services Agency Chief Financial Officer alleges he found discrepancies and issues with the agency’s finances before he was terminated just a day later, and California's Health and Human Services Secretary is stepping down. Governor Gavin Newsom announced the departure of Dr. Mark Ghaly on Friday. He’ll leave at the end of the month.