State officials across the U.S. say Senate Republicans' proposed slashing of a federally funded boost in unemployment benefits could delay payments for weeks or even months. Democrats are pushing back, arguing that cutting the extra payments to $200 from $600 is bad policy — and that it's hard to implement. It took some states a month earlier this year to program aging computer systems to handle the initial increase. Under the GOP plan, there would be a second and maybe more challenging step of boosting benefits _ so they equal no more than 70% of a person's previous income.

A transient was found sleeping and armed with a machete in the residence halls stairwell at California State University, Chico on Tuesday. According to the University Police Department, their sergeant found 59-year-old Joseph Willman sleeping in the stairwell of one of the campus residence halls. Next to Willman, the sergeant noticed a large machete. Willman was arrested for possession of a fixed blade knife with a blade longer than 2.5 in. on a college campus. Willman was booked into the Butte County Jail.

Cal Fire investigators shared Tuesday afternoon that the Feather Fire in Thermalito was caused by a vehicle. Investigators said the vehicle had left the scene prior to fire crews arriving at the scene. However, with the help of Butte County Sheriff's deputies, the vehicle was located and the driver was contacted. The driver was given a citation for recklessly causing a fire and later released at his residence, according to Cal Fire officials. The Feather Fire burned 30 acres of grassland July 20 off Feather Ave. and 18th Street, and destroyed three structures

From the Calif Nut Festival Board... In light of increasing numbers of cases of COVID-19 and in an effort to keep farmers, vendors, partners, guests and the community safe, the decision has been made to cancel the 2020 California Nut Festival. The event normally takes place in April and was previously rescheduled for this fall; however, the next California Nut Festival will now take place on Saturday, April 17, 2021. All event tickets already purchased will be honored at the festival in 2021. Organizers hope everyone stays safe, healthy and look forward to welcoming the community back to the amazing festival once this challenging period of uncertainty is behind us.

The City of Chico announced it's working on a plan to temporarily expand outdoor dining due to the closure of indoor dining statewide. Mark Orme, City of Chico City Manager. "We hope to give them the tools they need to continue to serve their customers, pay employees, and keep their business operating despite these difficult times." This order will permit restaurants, wineries, bars, pubs, breweries, and tasting rooms to apply for a temporary use for COVID-19 which will allow these establishments to use areas like sidewalks, recreation spaces, and parking lots.

CHICO, Calif. Chicio's School board approved a reopening plan that is in accordance with the state's restrictions and stages. Option three was approved for all schools. They will split the school body into two groups, one that goes in the morning and one that goes but will allow for a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule one week, and a Tuesday, Thursday the next week, to limit the student's time on campus. The School Board did purchase over 1,000 face shields to be passed out to students and staff, as well as thermometers to record temperature before allowing anyone on campus.

Butte County Sheriff's Deputies say an Oroville woman has been arrested after an investigation revealed she was home when three children were molested. Detectives say they found evidence that Summer Carver, 33, of Oroville was home on multiple occasions when David Acuff molested three children and at least one occasion when Joshua Chadwick molested a child. Chadwick and Acuff were arrested after an investigation revealed child pornography and evidence showing they sexually abused children, under 10 years old, for an extended period of time.

On Tuesday, Health & Human Services Agency (SCHHS) Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly discussed the new COVID-19 testing guidelines for California. The states shift will focus on testing hospitalized patients who have symptoms along with those linked to an outbreak. Ghaly said the state is also prepared to take the steps to label COVID-19 testing medically necessary for essential health care workers and people with symptoms. He says California is averaging around 100,000 tests a day, and the state wants to make tests more available.

(AP) — California's two largest school districts announced Monday they won't bring students back to classrooms next month as the nation's most populous state continues to see a rise in coronavirus hospitalizations and infection rates. Los Angeles Unified and San Diego Unified School districts say they'll start the school year with distance learning and return to classrooms when they feel it's safe.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California's governor is once again closing bars and indoor dining as the coronavirus sweeps the state with renewed ferocity. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday issued a broad set of closures as the state recorded more than 329,000 cases of COVID-19. Hospitalizations also have surged. Newsom said the virus isn't going away anytime soon and he pleaded with people to heed social distancing and mask health guidelines. Meanwhile, many of the 30 counties on a state watch list were told to go even further and shut down gyms, malls, hair salons and indoor worship.

CHICO, Calif. - According to Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey, three Chico women admitted their guilt in court Wednesday morning for attempting to set a Chico State University police car on fire. Ramsey says Maria Magana, 21, Clarissa Pauline Volasgis, 20, and Autum Nichole Cossins, 20 set a Chico State police car on fire with a molotov cocktail. All three students plead no contest in the Butte County Superior Court to one count of felony attempted arson. The incident took place in the early morning on May 31 when the three defendants decided to "send a message" about police brutality by burning a police car. The trio also set a series of bushes on fire outside of the parking structure on the other side of the police station about 2:30 a.m. before fleeing the scene. A police dispatcher viewing surveillance cameras from inside the station saw Volasgis set herself on fire briefly and then throw part of the incendiary device onto the Chico State police car. All three defendants are due in court on Aug. 5, 2020, for sentencing, Ramsey said. All three remain in custody with no bail. They each face a maximum term of 3 years in state prison.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A statue of a Spanish missionary in downtown Sacramento, California has been toppled by demonstrators. The Sacramento Bee reports the statue of Father Junipero Serra in Capitol Park was brought down during a protest focusing on the rights and historical struggle of indigenous people. The 18th century Roman Catholic priest founded nine of California’s 21 Spanish missions and forced Native Americans to stay at those missions after they were converted or face brutal punishment. Statues of Serra have been defaced in California for several years by people who said he destroyed tribes and their culture.

A 42-year-old man was found dead in front of a dental office in Chico but foul play is not suspected in his death, police say. Chico Police says on July 4 around 7:30 a.m., a person who was passing Western Dental Center at 2471 Cohasset Road in Chico noticed that someone was seated against the wall inside a dumpster enclosure.Police say there were no obvious signs of foul play.The cause of death is not known at this time.

A Chico man has been arrested for a burglary that happened at Big 5 Sporting Goods Tuesday morning, according to the police. 35-year-old Israel Gallardo-Contreras was identified as the suspect, officers said. The vehicle that was used to crash into the entrance of the sporting goods store was located in the area of Wisconsin Street around 2:30 a.m., police said. Gallardo-Contreras evaded capture at that time. Around 8:30 a.m. a Chico Police Officer said he located Gallardo-Contreras riding a bicycle in the area of W. 23rd Street and Mulberry Street. Gallardo-Contreras attempted to run away from the officer and showed signs and symptoms consistent with being under the influence of meth, police said. Gallardo-Contreras was arrested on charges of forced commercial burglary, felon in possession of a firearm, and resisting arrest.