KPAY Alerts:

Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Weekdays 9a-12p
Sean Hannity Weekdays 12-3p
Lars Larson Weekdays 3-6p
Mark Levine Weekdays 6p-9p

KPAY News Archives for 2019-12

Chico Police To Honor Fallen Officers on New Year's Day

Members of the public are welcome to attend the ceremony which will take place in front of the Bidwell Mansion at 525 The Esplanade at 6:30 pm Wednesday. The Chico Police Department Chaplin will give an invocation, there will be remarks from local law enforcement, candle lighting, and the reading of the names of officers and K-9 officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in the United States.

Boot Barn Armed Robbery Investigation

A man with a fire arm allegedly walked into Boot Barn on East Avenue at The Esplanade around 5:45 Monday evening. The suspect then reportedly ordered employees and customers to the ground and demanded money from the cashier. Detectives say he then took off with an unspecified amount of money. According to the Chico Police Department, the robbery happened during a busy time of the day and that any one who may have been in the area and saw something suspicious to please call the Detective Bureau at (530) 897-5820.

Nord Avenue Fuel Distribution Center Fire

A major structure fire started at North State Distribution Center at 310 Nord Avenue around 1 am. Firefighters from multiple fire angencies have contained the blaze to the warehouse behind the facility where drums of highly flammable petroleum products which, fire officials say, contributed to the size of the fire. Fire officials say the warehouse was destroyed. No injuries have been reported. Crews are working on keeping oil runoff from spilling into a nearby creek and drains. At last report, Nord Avenue is still closed from Walnut Street to West Sacramento Avenue. In Addition, West 1st Street is closed for westbound traffic at Cedar Street that along with the train tracks into Chico. Police also closed the train tracks into Chico. The Chico State Campus is closed this morning due to the impacts from the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Humboldt Road Seasonal Road Closure

This seasonal closure starts this morning and will continue through March 15th, subject to snow conditions. The closure starts at the gate on Humboldt Road 5 miles past the intersection with the Skyway in the Jonesville area and continues to the Butte/Plumas County line. The Butte County Department of Public Works says snowmobiles with valid plates may be operated or be driven on the road during the closure period.

Chico PD Street Crimes Unit Deployed for Winter Break

During the Chico State and Butte College Winter Intersession, the Chico Police Department has deployed the Street Crimes D Unit to address quality of life crimes in the city of Chico. From December 19th to the 29th the team made 22 arrests. Many of the arrests involved people in possession of controlled substances or with active warrants.

Chico Christmas Eve Assault Arrest

Officers arrived at the Transit Center on 2nd Street where they found a man suffering from a laceration on his knee after 11:30 Tuesday morning. The victim said he had been in a verbal argument with someone while getting off the bus which he said then escalated into a physical fight. The suspect reportedly slashed the man and then took off on foot. Officers found 39-year-old Daisy Caspary who was identified as the suspect and was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. According to the Chico Police Department, the victim's wound is not life threatening.

Verdict Handed Down in An Oroville Murder Case

32-year-old Jeffrey Parrish Jr. was found guilty Friday of 1st degree murder in the 2017 shooting death of 21-year-old Lorenzo Paz Jr. who was found dead at his Greenville Street home. During the investigation it was learned that Parrish told multiple people about Paz's murder and that he bragged about his death on social media. Parrish told authorities that Paz owed him money.

Parrish's sentencing hearing is set for January when he faces 25 years to life in prison.

Man Charged with Assaulting a Chico State Professor is Found Guilty

A Butte County jury Friday Convicted 35-year-old Edgar Muscat of felony assault causing serious bodily harm. He faces up to 24 years in state prison when he is sentenced.

The incident happened in 2017 when a Chico State science professor rented a room to Muscat. According to the Butte County District Attorney's Office, Muscat attacked the professor after he begun to evict Muscat for alcohol and drug use. District Attorney Mike Ramsey says the professor has suffered severe and disabling injuries to the face, shoulder, and brain from the attack.

CA Farm Bureau on the USMCA

The State's Farm Bureau says California Farmers are extremely happy with the passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement. 
Farm Bureau President and Butte County farmer Jamie Johannson says he hopes the Senate will quickly approve the USMCA trade pact after the House passed it Thursday. Johannson says stronger ties with our North American neighbors will help California farmers, ranchers, and agri-businesses. He says more than 56 thousand jobs rely on California food and agricultural exports to Canada and Mexico. 

Oroville Murder Sentence

42-year-old Brian Madding was sentenced Thursday to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Madding was charged with the 1st degree murder of 86-year-old Greta Putnam last year. Authorities say Madding stabbed Putnam multiple times while he was attempting to burglarize her home.

Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey says then detective sergeant (now the Oroville Police Chief) Joe Deal and detective Ray Stott put together a case that left Madding little choice but to admit to the killing of Putnam.

The Government Tree Hazardous Tree Removal Program Sign Up Extended

The deadline was this Friday but Paradise Town Vice Mayor Mike Zuccolillo told KPAY this morning that it is now being extended, however, he did not give a date. The requirement comes after ordinances were passed by Butte Supervisors and Paradise Officials to remove trees that may fall onto public roadways. Right of entry forms can be obtained at the Paradise and Chico Branches of the County Library and at the Community Employment Center in Oroville.

Unlawful Sexual Intercourse With A Minor Arrest

23 year old Kari Croxton was apprehended by Butte County authorities Wednesday after she reportedly admitted to having inappropriate sexual contact with a minor. This after a an investigation that began last year. According to the Butte County Sheriff's Office, she was charged with one felony count of lewd and lascivious acts with a child 14 or 15 years old and other charges. Anyone with more information is urged to contact detective Brian Parsons or Detective Vaj Thao at (530) 538-7671.

Chico Police Youth Decoy Operation

The Chico Police Department's School Resource Unit sent minors under their supervision into 12 tobacco retail businesses in Chico Tuesday. A Mobile gas station was cited for selling chewing tobacco to a minor decoy.

According to the Chico Police Department, the goal of these operations is to limit youth access to tobacco and vape products, and to confirm that local businesses are operating within compliance of the law.

Butte Strong Grants

The Butte Strong Fund committee has approved several grants this month.

 

According to a Butte Strong Fund news release, a $102,101 grant went to the Magalia Community Church Resource Center to help the church keep the center open for an additional six months. The center serves thousands of Camp Fire survivors each month. The center offers food, clothing, housewares, counseling services, and laundry and shower facilities.

 

A $40,259 grant will help Chico State University develop a Resiliency Collaborative, which will focus on supporting research, securing resources, implementing projects and telling stories focused on recovery and resiliency of our region.

 

The Oroville Police Department's K-9 Program will receive a $20,000 grant to add a K-9 team to help the city address the population increase after the Camp Fire.

 

From the Ground Up Farms Inc. received $24,250 to provide 30 sheds to protect pump houses for fire survivors in Concow, Yankee Hill, Jarbo Gap, and other affected areas. The sheds will help ensure that residents won't lose their water supply over the winter.

 

For a full list of all of the grants approved this month you can visit: www.buttestrongfund.org

Butte County Sheriff's Office 20th Annual Bike Giveaway Friday

A total of 80 bikes have been donated to give to children across Butte County. Participants in the Sheriff's Office Alternative Custody Supervision Program and participants of the Butte County Office of Education Community Based Coalition Program have spent months refurbishing bikes for the giveaway. According to the Butte County Sheriff's Office, children receiving bicycles have been chosen by the Butte County Office of Education.

The event will be at the Sheriff's Office East Facility, at 3 Gillick Way in Oroville at 1 PM Friday.

Local Fire Departments to Receive Grant Funding from Cal Water

California Water Service announced Monday the 10 winners of their first-ever Firefighter Grant Program which they say supports the needs of fire departments in the utility's service areas. Chico Fire and Butte Fire are among those 10 fire departments receiving funding from the $160,000 grant. Chico Fire received funding for an unmanned aircraft system to assist in detection for search and rescue and for fire hot spots. The Butte County Fire Department got a grant to fund a hydraulic emergency ram.  

3 Arrested in Oroville For Child Endangerment

Authorities conducted an investigation at a home on VC Road in Oroville Friday and contacted two female juveniles who were reportedly under the influence of heroin. Investigators learned that the two were staying at a home owned by 24-year-old Eric Becerril. According to the Butte County Sheriff's Office, one of the juveniles was turned over to Children's Services and the other to her mother. Becerril was found and arrested Friday along with his mother, 50-year-old Anna Valles, and 28-year-old Edward Silvera.

Skyway Work Delayed Until Sunday

One way traffic controls were to start tonight on the Skyway but have been delayed due to rain being forecast. A contractor for PG&E will be installing a 12 thousand volt underground electric line from the former Tuscan Ridge Golf Club to Paradise. PG&E spokesperson Paul Moreno says starting at 6 pm Sunday both the westbound and eastbound lanes of the Skyway will be closed with one-way traffic controls in place until 6 am. A pilot car will guide traffic in both directions along the Skyway between Skyway Crossroad to a crossing one mile west. Moreno says you can expect delays of up to 30 minutes.

Gridley Man Arrested in Connection to a Canadian Fugitive

The Butte County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that 40 year old Sam Koh of Gridley was located in the Sacramento area for harboring murder suspect Brandon Teixeira (Tah-Share-Uh). He was arrested for harboring the fugitive, illegal cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale. Teixeira (Tah-Share-Uh) was arrested in the Oroville area December 1st for suspicion of murder in British Columbia.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Vaj Thao at (530) 538-7671.

Oroville Unlawful Sexual Contact with a Minor Arrest

48 year old Kendel Beierle was taken into custody Wednesday on the charges sparked by an investigation that reportedly began in May. The Butte Sheriff's Office says the arrest was for annoying or molesting a child under 18. Anyone with information is urged to contact Butte County Sheriff's Detective Brian Parsons at (530) 538-7671.

Town of Paradise and Butte County Building Permits

More than 500 building permits have been received by the Town of Paradise as of the middle of last week. Weekly recovery stats show Paradise has received 550 building permits with 18 homes actually being rebuilt. In addition, the county has received 98 building permits inside the burn area and 19 outside the burn area. 

PG&E Settlement Latest

Associated Press (AP) — Pacific Gas and Electric will be able to avoid two legal obstacles that could have tripped up its efforts to bounce back from bankruptcy. That's if California Gov. Gavin Newsom and a judge approve a $13.5 billion settlement with victims of catastrophic fires blamed on the utility's equipment. The company announced the deal last week and disclosed Monday that it will be able to bypass a January trial in state court about its liability for a deadly 2017 fire and avoid a federal court hearing that was supposed to estimate its total bill. 

Skyway Traffic Controls Starting Friday Evening

Starting Friday a contractor for PG&E will be installing a 12,000 volt underground electric line from the former Tuscan Ridge Golf Club to Paradise.

PG&E spokesperson Paul Moreno says starting Friday at 6 pm both the westbound and eastbound lanes of the Skyway will be closed with one-way traffic controls in place until 6 am. A pilot vehicle will be used to guide traffic in both directions. Moreno says you can expect delays of up to 30 minutes. He says the work could last between two to five nights.

This is phase 2 of the project. The first phase of the project was a 12,000 volt underground line from Chico to the Tuscan Ridge Golf Course which was completed earlier this year, according to PG&E.

Chico Traffic Collision and DUI Arrest

Chico Police received a report of a vehicle collision into a utility pole at the intersection of East 9th Street and Flume Street after 5 Sunday evening. Officers arrived and learned that the vehicle had left the scene. Officers found a vehicle reportedly with heavy front end damage traveling eastbound on East 9th Street. The driver, identified as 48-year-old Amanda Detmer was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of a traffic collision.    

Chico Police Gang Unit Finds Stabbing Suspect

32-year-old Stephen Campbell was arrested Thursday for a stabbing incident that took place in September near the intersection of West 3rd and Cedar streets. According to Chico Police, the victim suffered from multiple stab wounds and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Campbell was arrested on multiple charges including attempted murder and criminal gang activity.

Confrontation at the Jesus Center

50-year-old Vincent Paiz arrived to the 12 hundred block of Park Avenue in a Toyota pickup and confronted the victim, allegedly attempting to stab him several times before 8 Wednesday morning. Paiz reportedly suffered many injuries as the victim fought back. The victim reportedly suffered a non life threatening stab wound. Paiz drove away, but police caught up with him in the area of 5th and Wall streets and placed him under arrest for assault with a deadly weapon.

According to Chico Police, an investigation found that both men have had on-going problems. They were both taken to the hospital for treatment of their injuries.

Canadian Man Arrested in Butte County UPDATE

Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey announced Tuesday that his office will not pursue drug trafficking charges for 28-year-old Brandon Teixeira. This will open the way for Teixeira to be extradited to Canada to face homicide charges. Those charges stem from the 2017 shooting death of 28-year-old Nicolas Khabra in Surrey, British Columbia, according to Global News. He was taken into custody Sunday on the 100 block of Weedy Way in Oroville.

Butte County Sheriff's investigators believe Teixeira had been hiding out in Oroville for about a year.

Chico Police Turn in Your Vape Campaign Update

The Chico Police Department says that their Turn in Your Vape Campaign has gained traction. The campaign was launched three weeks ago by the department's School Resource Unit where they asked teens to turn in the vaping products, no questions asked, and in return for coupons for local businesses. In the past three weeks the School According to a Chico Police Department press relesae, the Resource Unit has obtained about 17 refillable vape devices and 19 single use devices from high school youths.

Chico Man Arrested for Child Pornography

The Butte County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday the arrest of 69 year old Paul Vigil of Chico. He was picked up late last month in an investigation that stretches back to August. According to the Butte County Sheriff's Office, detectives allegedly found evidence of child pornography when they searched a residence in the 200 block of West First Avenue. They believe it was downloaded from the Internet. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Jason Miller at (530) 538-7671.

A Wanted Man From British Columbia Arrested in Oroville

A most wanted fugitive from British Columbia was arrested in Butte County. The U-S Marshal's Office contacted the Butte County Sheriff's Office in November that they had information that 28-year-old Brandon Teixeira, who was wanted for homicide in Canada, could be in the Oroville area. On Sunday the Sheriff's Office SWAT Team and the Chico P-D SWAT Team along with other law enforcement agencies served a search warrant at a home on Weedy Way. Authorities say Teixeira attempted to escape and allegedly rammed an armored vehicle with his car. He then exited his vehicle and was taken in custody with the help of a K-9.
According to the Butte County Sheriff's Office, another man with Teixeira, identified as 30-year-old Jeff Guerrier of New York was arrested for harboring a wanted felon and for various drug charges.
The Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with additional information on this case to contact Sergeant Pat McNelis or Sergeant Sam Burnett at 538-7671.

Body Found in Lindo Channel

Chico Police and Fire personnel responded to a report of a body in the Lindo Channel late last week. That body was found near the Esplanade before 2:30 Friday afternoon. According to police, the deceased was a female transient, but her identity is being withheld pending next of kin notification. According to Chico Police, there were no signs of foul play and that the cause of death is pending an autopsy.

Chico Resisting Arrest

Police received a report of a physical fight between a homeless man and a security officer at the AM PM on the Esplanade around 1:45 Saturday afternoon. Officers arrived and contacted the man, who they ordered to the ground. However, the man reportedly backed into the store where he continued to ignore officers. He was finally taken into custody, however, he allegedly gave a false name. Officers later learned his true identity as 34-year-old Jeremy Underwood. He was arrested for resisting arrest and providing false information to a law enforcement officer.

Shots Fired at Chico Birthday Party Arrest

Chico Police received reports of a shooting at a residence on West 1st Avenue after 5 Friday evening. Witnesses told officers that the suspect, 32-year-old Gilberto Corona had fled the area in a Toyota Tacoma. Officers found the suspect's pick up on Nord Avenue and searched it. Officers reportedly found a handgun along with methamphetamine, items used for the sale of controlled substances, and counterfeit currency. More drugs were allegedly found on Corona. According to police, Corona was also the subject of an unrelated felony no-bail Post Release Community Supervision warrant. He was arrested for numerous charges. Police say no one at the birthday party was injured in the incident.

Chico Police say this was the 5th incident in little over a week that officers found an unregistered, privately manufactured firearm on a person prohibited from possessing firearms and confiscated.

Archives:

2024-03 | 2024-02 | 2024-01 | 2023-12 | 2023-11 | 2023-10 | 2023-09 | 2023-08 | 2023-07 | 2023-06 | 2023-05 | 2023-04 | 2023-03 | 2023-02 | 2023-01 | 2022-12 | 2022-11 | 2022-10 | 2022-09 | 2022-08 | 2022-07 | 2022-06 | 2022-05 | 2022-04 | 2022-03 | 2022-02 | 2022-01 | 2021-12 | 2021-11 | 2021-10 | 2021-09 | 2021-08 | 2021-07 | 2021-06 | 2021-05 | 2021-04 | 2021-03 | 2021-02 | 2021-01 | 2020-12 | 2020-11 | 2020-10 | 2020-09 | 2020-08 | 2020-07 | 2020-06 | 2020-04 | 2020-03 | 2020-02 | 2020-01 | 2019-12 | 2019-11 | 2019-10 | 2019-09 | 2019-08 | 2019-07 | 2019-06 | 2019-05 | 2019-04 | 2019-03 | 2019-02 | 2019-01 | 2018-12 | 2018-11 | 2018-10 | 2018-09 | 2018-08 | 2018-07 | 2018-06 | 2018-05 | 2018-04 | 2018-03 | 2018-02 | 2018-01 | 2017-12 | 2017-11 | 2017-10 | 2017-09 | 2017-08 | 2017-07 | 2017-06 | 2017-05 | 2017-04 | 2017-03 | 2017-02 | 2017-01 | 2016-12 | 2016-11 | 2016-10 | 2016-09 | 2016-08 | 2016-07 | 2016-06 | 2016-05 | 2016-04 | 2016-03