The Chico Unified School Board Wednesday announced the hiring of Gregory Blake to lead the Chico Unified School District after an unanimous vote to approve his contract. For the past nine years, Blake has been the superintendent for the Thermalito Union Elementary School District, and has been tapped to replace current superintendent Kelly Staley, who retires at the end of the current school year. Blake signed a 3 year deal during the meeting accepting the job.

Fewer Californians voted in the 2024 General Election compared to 2020, despite more eligible and registered voters. Early reports indicate a potential drop in turnout of six to 11-percent. The state is still counting votes, with about 16 million ballots expected to be cast in total. In 2020, California hit a record for voter participation, but this year could see the largest turnout drop in half a century, although it still surpasses past decades. California now automatically registers more eligible voters, different from last year. Official results will be confirmed in early December.

California motorhome sales could be impacted by new emission rules for diesel vehicles starting next year. On October 24th, the California Air Resources Board amended the Advanced Clean Truck regulations, requiring manufacturers of vehicles over 85-hundred pounds, including motorhomes, to increase their sales of zero-emission vehicles. Lobbyists for the RV industry are actively pursuing an exemption for motorhomes. They argue the requirement is too costly and would impact the availability and overall costs of a motorhome. If nothing changes, motorhomes will not be able to be sold and registered in California beginning in 2025.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa announced that the Environmental Protection Agency will be awarding $1.75 million to the Town of Paradise for Sewer Regionalization Connection. This funding, secured through Congressman LaMalfa's Community Project Funding. The Sewer Project is a much anticipated following teh Camp Fire that will allow the Town to Rebuild its Business Community and downtown area.

The City of Chico Public Works Department began the annual leaf collection program on November 4, 2024. The last collection route through the City will begin on January 1, 2025. After the last pickup on your street in January, no more leaves may be placed in the street. Public Works say they do not maintain a set schedule to collect residential leaves. The leaf collection route begins in the southwest section of the city and progresses northerly in a clockwise direction until the entire City is serviced. The process is then repeated. The route can take up to 6 weeks to complete.

An Oroville man has been ordered to stand trial in Butte County Superior Court on two counts of arson following a fire that caused significant property destruction and led to mandatory evacuations of northeast Oroville and Kelly Ridge on July 2, 2024. Spencer Anderson, was held to answer on charges of arson, including arson of inhabited structures and arson to forestland after a judge determined there was sufficient evidence linking Anderson to the Thompson Fire that destroyed 13 homes and damaged or destroyed a total of 34 structures. Anderson's next court appearance is set for December 4

A 17 year old who pleaded guilty to the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old boy at a Quinceañera in Corning in 2022 was sentenced for his crimes as an adult on Tuesday, according to the Tehama County District Attorney's Office (TCDA).  Efrain Vargas Jr. was killed by then 17-year-old Steele Stewart on April 16, 2022.     After a number of appeals whether he should be tried as an adult a plea deal was made between the parties and  Stewart was sentenced to 15 years and 8 months in state prison.

The estate of Tyler Rushing has reached a settlement agreement with the City of Chico and the Chico Police Department, concluding the federal civil lawsuit filed in the aftermath of the deadly 2017 officer-involved shooting that killed Tyler Rushing. Scott Rushing says that he, his wife, and the City of Chico approved a settlement agreement to conclude the federal civil lawsuit that the Rushing estate had filed against the City of Chico and the Chico Police Department.

Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to meet with the Biden administration this week to discuss zero-emission vehicles and disaster relief — issues that have been targeted in the past by President-elect Donald Trump. Newsome is seeking federal approval for state climate rules, a $5.2 billion reimbursement for emergency funding during the COVID-19 pandemic and updates to the state's Medicaid program, along with other priorities. The trip comes days after Newsom called for state lawmakers to convene a special session in December to protect California's liberal policies ahead of Trump's return to office in January.

California's Democratic legislative leaders admit they have concerns after the California Air Resources Board approved stricter clean air requirements. Last Friday night, the board approved updates to its Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program. The move is expected to raise gas prices, but it's still unclear by how much. The Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program includes the goal of cutting carbon emissions from California's transportation sector by 30 percent by 2030. Drivers in California already pay an extra ten cents per gallon for the current fuel standard. And, California currently has the second-highest average gas price in the nation, only trailing Hawaii. The updates will take effect next year.

The Oroville Police Department is investigating a shooting that took place in the parking lot of Walmart in Oroville Monday. Authorities say that around 4:30 p.m. Monday, officers with the Oroville Police Department responded to the 400 block of Cal Oak Road in Oroville for reports of a shooting outside of the Walmart. Authorities say no one was injured in the incident The Department says that they are reviewing surveillance video from Walmart as part of the investigation and are searching for the suspect.

The National Weather Service in Sacramento has issued a Flash Flood Warning for the Tehama County Division of the Park Fire burn scar in Eastern Tehama County until 1:15 p.m. At 9:14 a.m., the NWS said Doppler radar indicated heavy rain over the Tehama County Division of the Park Fire Burn Scar. Between 0.5 and 1 inch of rain has fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 0.5 to 1.5 inches in one hour. The NWS said excessive rainfall over the burn scar may result in debris flows. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose material Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Mineral, Paynes Creek and Manton. Additional locations include the Highway 36 corridor, Paynes Creek, Mill Creek, Deer Creek and Pine Creek.s.

PGE announced that as of Thursday afternoon all customers impacted by the recent Public Safety Shutoffs have had power restored. The Utility had crews inspecting Equipment in the Shutoff areas to assure they were still in good condition following the heavy gusty winds we've had the last few days. they were given the all clear and power was then restored

A vote is coming today that could raise California gas prices. The Air Resources Board will decide whether to make producers clean up their fuel faster, helping the state reach a 2030 goal to cut pollution. The vote was postponed from March after it was revealed this change may leave drivers paying an extra 47-cents a gallon next year. The air board has since retracted that estimate but has yet to share a new one.

Crews from CAL FIRE Butte Unit were able to contain a vegetation fire that burned around 5 acres in the Butte Creek Canyon Thursday. Officials say that just after noon Thursday, dispatch received reports of a vegetation fire burning in the area of Coleman Ranch Road off of Centerville Road. CAL FIRE says that no structures were damaged or threatened by the Coleman Fire and that no evacuations were ordered.

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California's fire danger is threatening to leave 15-thousand people in the dark this week. And the power outages could start on Election Day, just as the polls close. PG&E warned customers in 17 counties last night they may be affected tomorrow through Thursday, from the Central Valley to the northern part of the state. The shutoffs are meant to avoid utility equipment sparking a wildfire in high winds. More details are expected today.

Nearly seven-million California voters are making their voices heard before tomorrow's election. At least 30-percent of ballots issued have been returned so far, but that will rise once the weekend tally is added in. The secretary of state says they've made it easy and convenient to vote, even inviting people to observe the ballot-counting process at their local registrar's office. The hope is to increase turnout by making it all more transparent.

The City of Chico has been awarded a $1 million federal grant to support efforts in restoring commercial air service to the Chico Regional Airport. This grant helps small communities address needs for air service. Funding from the DOT will be deposited in the City's Revenue Guarantee Fund, a community supported fund operated through the North Valley Community Foundation. The Revenue Guarantee Fund, a vital part of Chico's Airline Incentive Package, is sustained through contributions from local community partners and generous individuals who understand the importance of connecting Chico to other prime destinations. This year, the initial $500,000 DOT SCASDP grant was replaced with a new $1 million DOT SCASDP grant. This results in a net increase of $500,000 to the balance of the Revenue Guarantee Fund.