May 2022 - ChicoSol News

Stakes high in costly Butte supervisor race

Campaign contributions reflect statewide law enforcement effort, water worries

by Leslie Layton and Natalie Hanson | Posted May 30, 2022

The Butte Forward Opposing Debra Lucero political action committee emerged two months ago.

At a time when Butte County faces pressing problems -– from homelessness to drought -– a record amount of money is pouring into the race for the District 2 seat on the Board of Supervisors.

In the final weeks leading up to the June 7 primary election, last-minute contributions flowed into the race and a new political action committee (PAC) emerged, Butte Forward, that formed at the end of March to oust incumbent Debra Lucero.

Lucero faces two challengers, Chico police Sgt. Peter Durfee and environmental health and safety manager Carl Jeffries, as well as opposition from Butte Forward that had collected $40,840 by the end of the May reporting period. Contributions to the PAC, which calls itself “Butte Forward PAC, Opposing Debra Lucero for Supervisor 2022” on its Facebook page, came from many of the same families that founded or supported formation of the Tuscan Water District. read more

Parents and professors: Reinstate vice principal, commit to equity

Chico Unified grapples with equity issues in wake of Rosedale suspension

by Natalie Hanson | Posted May 23, 2022

photo by Karen Laslo

Protesters outside a May 18 CUSD Board of Trustees meeting.

Following the suspension of a Rosedale Elementary assistant vice principal, families around Chico are calling on Chico Unified School District (CUSD) and the school board to not only reverse the decision, but to also take action on equity.

Joana Campos Castañeda, known as Joana Campos at Rosedale, was placed on leave last month and alleged she was told that her methods as an assigned equity lead were not appropriate for the school.

Since the decision, many parents and some Chico State educators have stepped forward to rally on Castañeda’s behalf and petition district leaders to commit to furthuring equity. A Chico State attorney has filed a complaint against the district on behalf of his Rosedale child, arguing that CUSD lacks “clearly defined procedures with respect to equity programs.” read more

Expert: Wounds contradict cop’s killing claim

Chico PD discloses records on Mark Bass’ slaying of ‘Gabe’ Sanchez

by Dave Waddell | Posted May 11, 2022

screenshot from Chico PD’s 3D video showing where Gabe Sanchez was struck by police bullets.

A top expert on police use of force says a newly disclosed investigative video seems to contradict key claims made by Chico police officer Mark Bass about his killing of Eddie Gabriel “Gabe” Sanchez in 2015.

The video, a three-dimensional depiction of Sanchez’s fatal wounds, was released by the Chico Police Department in response to a California Public Records Act (PRA) request submitted by this reporter in November 2020.

Sanchez, 34, grew up in Paradise. He was shot to death by Bass while fleeing along Pomona Avenue in west Chico. The killing garnered little media attention, let alone scrutiny, compared with the several Chico police shootings that have followed. read more

Sanchez’s killer accused of abusing wife

Physical, verbal assaults claimed during separation

by Dave Waddell | Posted May 11, 2022

Seven years before killing Eddie Gabriel “Gabe” Sanchez, Chico cop Mark Bass was accused by his wife, Barbara Reed-Bass, of assaulting her physically and verbally during a turbulent separation prior to their divorce.

In a Butte County Superior Court declaration, Reed-Bass also reported allegations that Bass had shot his gun while drunk and in distress late on New Year’s Eve 2008, leading to an involuntary mental health hold.

The domestic violence claims made by Reed-Bass, detailed in Superior Court files, concerned several incidents in 2008. Sanchez, an armed robbery suspect, was shot to death by Bass while fleeing on Nov. 10, 2015. Bass was a Chico PD detective at the time and later promoted to sergeant. read more

Chicoans protest Supreme Court opinion on abortion

Nationwide, protesters vent anger at draft opinion overturning abortion rights

by ChicoSol staff | Posted May 5, 2022

Almost 300 people joined a May 3 rally at City Plaza, protesting the leaked draft Supreme Court opinion that indicates that Roe v. Wade will be overturned.

The draft opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito is “full of right-wing talking points and such poor history that historians have spent the day explaining the actual history of abortion in the United States,” writes historian Heather Cox Richardson here. The rally was organized quickly by Women’s March Chico.

La subdirectora y líder de equidad de Rosedale Elementary informa que la han suspendido

Inquietud entre los padres de familia

by Natalie Hanson | Posted May 2, 2022

foto por Leslie Layton

Subdirectora de la escuela Rosedale, Joana Campos Castañeda era tambien la líder de equidad.

Read this story in Enlish here.

Los padres de familia de Rosedale Elementary reclaman la necesidad de hacer un cambio después de que la subdirectora, quien también era la líder oficial de equidad/justicia, reportó que la han obligado a tomar una licencia administrativa.

Joana Campos Castañeda, la subdirectora, y este año también líder de equidad, declaró que la suspendieron de sus responsabilidades por “insubordinación” después de que ella expresó su dudas y preocupaciones sobre el enfoque de la escuela para lograr la inclusión. Aunque se la conoce como Ms. Campos, la administradora ahora usa Castañeda como su apellido. read more