Governor Gavin Newsom is launching a new website that, he says, lets Californians engage, interact, and share ideas that will help shape government services and create policy solutions. Newsom describes engaged.ca.gov as a website where people can not only directly offer input on policy-making, but also a platform that provides government transparency. The governor's office says the program is modeled after digital democracy efforts in Taiwan that have been successful. Critics of the website, like the California State Association of Counties, call the Governor's new website "spin without the substance."

Three people were taken into custody following a firearm-related confrontation in downtown Chico on Wednesday. Officers responded to reports of a firearm being brandished during a confrontation on the 1800 block of E. 18th Street. They said the suspect, identified as Michael Sadler, Jr., fled the scene in a vehicle. Police tracked Sadler to a home on the 2700 block of Native Oak Drive. They said Sadler initially hid inside a home but voluntarily exited after being contacted by phone. Police said two additional arrests were made.

California lawmakers are seeking funding for Proposition 36, which restores felony sentences for certain repeat theft and drug offenders. The law lacks a clear funding plan for the expected rise in court cases and jail populations. Officials across the state are urging for more financial support as they prepare for an additional 30-thousand to 40-thousand cases statewide. Budget discussions will take place over the next few months, with final decisions expected by the end of June.

CHP now says they suspect that alcohol may have played a role in the single car accident that killed 2 and seriously injured another passenger early Sunday Morning on I-5 near Liberal Avenue in Corning.    Chp says the driver went off teh roadway , down an embankment and struck a tree. The Driver and 1 passenger were killed in teh accident , another Passenger had to be transported to the hospital with serious injuries .       Offcials have not released the identity of the 2 victims 

Colliers Hardware (1st & Broadway)   has announced that the long time Hardware store will be closing at the end of March.   First Opened in 1854 , and owned for the last 50+ years by the Lucerna Family ,  Colliers is the oldest store in Downtown Chico,  Mark Lucerna  announced that due to pressures of E-Commerce and the fact the Building where they are located is for sale , lead to their decision...They are currently offering up to 70% items in the store as a Going out of business sale. 

Rolling Hills Travel Center in Corning is warning drivers of a delivery mistake by a shipping company in which diesel was loaded into the unleaded storage tank on Monday evening, according to Rolling Hills Casino and Resort. Anyone who bought unleaded or mid-grade fuel at Rolling Hills Travel Center between 7:40 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 17, should call Rolling Hills Casino's Security Dispatch line at (530) 528-3529.

A new state bill aims to keep California firefighters employed year-round to address staffing shortages and improve emergency response. The Fight for Firefighters Act proposes moving about three thousand seasonal firefighters into full-time positions, ensuring more firefighters are available when needed. CAL FIRE Battalion Chief Liz Brown has said California's fire season no longer threatens the state for just three to four months.

UPDATE***

Butte County Sheriff Office says they are investigating thecause of death as a possible suincide as they say they discovered a gun in the area.  The Identity of the victim has not been released...it is an ongoing investigation. 

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The intersection at skyway and honey run rd in South Chico remains closed this morning as a body was discovered in the road....Butte County Sheriffs office says they received reports around 345 this morning... Officials say they are investigating it as a suspicious death and does not have time the road will be reopened.... the skyway will be closed with an alternate route at Neal rd..and closed at Bruce rd..

A federal judge says President Trump's employee buyout plan can resume. Last month, Trump offered money to federal employees who resign their post, but multiple labor unions filed lawsuits saying the administration did not have legal authority to offer such buyouts. A judge issued a temporary freeze on the administration's offer, but on Wednesday the same judge said the unions lacked legal standing in their lawsuits. Now the buyout offer is back on the table for millions of federal workers.

California's emergency fire insurance provider (FAIR Plan) is facing financial difficulties and will charge insurance companies one-billion dollars. The price tag will likely result in higher costs for homeowners. This is the first time in over 30 years that such a move has been made. The charge was approved to help the FAIR Plan, which provides fire insurance to those who can't find it elsewhere. Many regular insurers are pulling back due to the rising risk of wildfires. Homeowners will probably see extra fees, or assessments, on their insurance bills to support the FAIR Plan and cover claims from the recent Los Angeles County fires.

California State Parks (State Parks) has unveiled a roadmap for the future of the historic Bidwell Mansion after a devastating fire, presenting their plans to the Chico City Council. State Parks announced they will begin assessing the damages on Saturday, Feb. 15, focusing on structural and cultural aspects. The existing visitor center, exhibit and theater on the property will be considered in the mansion's restoration plans. Additionally, the historical designation of the original structure plays a significant role in these discussions. Phase one of the recovery includes cleanup, followed by planning and implementation. District Superintendant Matt Teague says the first phase could take about a year, with hopes to transform the mansion into an enhanced historical experience.

CREWS WILL BE WORKING ALONG HWY 32 FOR PARK FIRE RECOVERY WORK..CAL TRANS SAYS THAT HWY 32 WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8A-4P FROM HUMBOLDT RD TO THE TEHAMA CO LINE...THERE WILL BE 3X THAT THE ROAD WILL BE OPEN AT 10A 12P AND 2P THE WORK EXPECTED TO LAST THRU THE WEEK.. OFFICIALS SAY TO PLAN YOUR TRIPS ACCORDINGLY

Gavin Newsom is enacting new legislation to Trump-proof the state. Newsom says the bill will bolster funding for legal service programs that are vital to safeguarding the civil rights of Californians. In a letter to lawmakers, Newsom says none of the funding in this bill is intended to be used for immigration-related legal services for noncitizens convicted of serious or violent felonies. The package allocates 25-million dollars to the California Department of Justice to support legal battles against President Trump's federal policies. An additional 25-million is designated to legal aid groups to assist immigrants facing potential deportation.

Detail Information
1:47 AM	12	[12] ^ CAMP CREEK RD FRM DIXIE RD TO COUNTY LINE
1:47 AM	11	[11] ^STIMPSON RD FRM COX TO SR70
1:47 AM	10	[10] ^7 MILE LN FRM ORD FERRY TO CR7
1:47 AM	9	[9] ^RIVER RD FRM CHICO RIVER RD TO W SACRAMENTO
1:46 AM	8	[8] ^ORD FERRY RD FRM RIVER RD TO COUNTY LINE
1:46 AM	7	[7] ^NELSON RD FRM AGUAS FRIAS TO 7 MILE LN
1:46 AM	6	[6] ^MUD CREK RD FRM COHASSET TO VILAS
1:46 AM	5	[5] ^LINCOLN AT PALERMO
1:46 AM	4	[4] ^DURNELL FRM NELSON TO GRAINLAND
1:46 AM	3	[3] ^COLUSA HWY TO COUNTY LINE
1:46 AM	2	[2] ^BENNETT RD FRM LEVENS AVE TO END
1:45 AM	1	[1] ^BALDWIN AVE FRM LINCOLN TO MELVINA

 

The man accused of the December 11, 2024 arson that destroyed the Bidwell Mansion in Chico in a Butte County Superior Court this morning where he entered a plea of No Contest , admitting his guilt as charged to a felony count of Arson of a Structure with use of an Accelerant. Kevin r Carlson, , is then expected to be scheduled for a sentencing hearing where he will face up to 11 years in the state prison.

An Enloe Emergency Room Doctor is currently under investgation by the Osteopathic Medical Board of California accused of doing drugs on the job. The board is requesting a hearing to address an anonymous complaint against Dr. Michael Fraters. The complaint, , accuses the Doctor of abusing Codeine while working at Enloe's emergency department. It also accuses him of writing fraudulent prescriptions for his coworkers to use for himself. Enloe officials say Fraters took a leave of absence for substance abuse treatmentin 2023 but was allowed back on the job under stipulations. The Doctor tested positive for alcohol last year . The board is now looking to revoke this license.

The Department of Water Resources is working to manage water levels at Lake Oroville to prevent potential flooding. Currently, more water is flowing into the lake than out, but the DWR has been taking steps to keep the lake at a safe and manageable level. This increase is due to the release of water from the main spillway, which was initiated for flood control. The DWR had already increased water releases to the Feather River from the Oroville Thermalito Complex to help protect downstream communities from flooding. According to the DWR , the department is required to operate Lake Oroville for flood control between October and April, under federal guidelines set by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These measures are in place to capture rainfall and future snowmelt while protecting the safety of downstream communities.

MOST RECENT CLOSURES DUE TO FLOODING IN BUTTE COUNTY RICHVALE HWY BTWN WICKMAN AND AGUAS FRIAS MIDDLE HONCUT FROM LOWER HONCUT TO SR70 RAILROAD TO ALICE LINCOLN AT PALERM RD 4 WAY STOP BALDWIN AVE F/LINCOLN TO MELVINA MERIDIAN F/ NORD HWY TO WILSON LANDING NORD HWY - F/MERDIAN TO CARMEN LOWER HONCUT F/ PH TO LAPORTE WILSON LANDING F/MEDRIAN TO CARMEN ^CLEAR CRK CEMETARY ROAD - ALL CLOSED ^COX LANE TO LONE TREEE PALERMO HONCUT HWY LONE TREE AND COX TO PALERMO COLUSA HWY - CHEROKEE BRIDGE TO COUNTY LINE CENTRAL HOUSE TO 70 TO LONETREE STIMPSON - 70 TO COX LOWER HONCUT FROM PALERMO HONCUT TO LA PORTE NEW SKYWAY JSO COUTOLENC (NR TRFC LIGHT) DUE TO SLIDE 7 LONE TREE FROM CENTRAL HOUSE TO COX COLUSA HWY (BUTTE CO) SHUT DOWN FM CHEROKEE TO BUTTE/COLUSA CO LINE 99 DETOUR -- 99 AT KEEFER TO GARNER LANE W SAC FROM MERIDIAN TO RIVER RD ORD FERRY FROM RIVER TO GLEN CO LINE SR99 IS CLOSED SOUTHBOUND AT KEEFER, NORTHBOUND AT ESPLANADE DUE TO FLOODING CENTRAL HOUSE RD FRM LONE TREE TO PALERMO HONCUT HWY - FLOODING RIVER RD BTWN W SAC AND CHICO RIVER - WASHOUT LOWER HONCUT RD FRM PALERMO HONCUT TO SR70 // CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

Thousands of people protesting the Trump Administration's immigration policies blocked both sides of the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon, causing a huge traffic backup. Protesters made their way onto the freeway multiple times throughout the day. The demonstrations were declared unlawful at about six p.m. Police ordered several street closures before officers in riot gear moved in to clear the area. There are reports of several Metro buses being tagged with graffiti, but there are no reports of any arrests.

A new memorial rose garden at Veterans Memorial Park will honor Claudine Rushton, a 100-year-old Rosie the Riveter, alongside other local riveters. The Chico Area Recreation and Park District said the garden will symbolize the strength and contributions of the women of World War II. Rosie the Riveter represents the women who worked in factories and shipyards during the war, showcasing the capabilities of women in the workforce. Rushton is the Granmother of Chico Mayor Kasey Reynolds. Ryenolds says the park will be located at 100 Wildwood Avenue in Chico and expects it to be open in the next months.

Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order with the goal of maximizing the storage of water. This comes as an atmospheric river takes aim on northern and central California. Newsom's order would make it easier to store and divert excess water from the storm. President Trump recently criticized the governor about water management in response to the wildfires in LA County.