October 2025 - ChicoSol News

Ex-girlfriend: On-duty sex with former sergeant dated to 2022

Chico PD records show sex acts ‘escalated’ after sex-related demotion

by Dave Waddell | Posted October 30, 2025

Chico police Sgt. Michael Williams began having “a lot” of sex on duty just a couple of months after he was demoted from lieutenant for engaging in sexual relations with a subordinate, according to Williams’s former girlfriend.

The ex-girlfriend’s timeline, provided to a police investigator, means Williams was having sex on the clock nearly three years before leaving the payroll of the Chico Police Department. Her revelations suggest the department’s disciplinary action failed to curb his behavior and may have instead provided increased opportunities to escalate misconduct that continued uninvestigated for nearly two years.

The ex-girlfriend’s account is contained in investigative reports obtained under a Public Records Act request. Williams did not respond to a message seeking comment on his ex-girlfriend’s account. read more

Immigration crackdown produces fear among students

League of Women Voters hosts community conversation on immigration and criminal justice

by ChicoSol staff | Posted October 26, 2025

Maitreya Badami, center, speaks as fellow panelists Juan Araujo (left) and LeAnn Jenswold listen. Photo by ChicoSol.

Maitreya Badami, an associate professor at Chico State, talked during an Oct. 25 panel presentation about the fear that is affecting student life on campus.

“There definitely is an atmosphere of fear among our Latino students, whether they are citizens or non-citizens,” said Badami, an associate professor in the political science and criminal justice department. “They’re not participating in activities that they would otherwise. I am talking to citizens and folks with green cards, lawful permanent residents, not to mention our DACA students who have this temporary protection that could be gone at any moment. They’re terrified.”

DACA status refers to people who have temporary protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Immigrants with legal status can become vulnerable in the crackdown underway because of past convictions, political activity or for other reasons. read more

Butte County responds to immigration crackdown

Sheriff's Office ends alternative custody for some immigrant inmates

by Leslie Layton | Posted October 24, 2025

Walnut grower Tom Bush protests at No Kings 2 in Chico.

When immigration officers helicoptered into Chico in August, a network of volunteers was prepared. When the officers slipped out before dawn the next morning, they left people with both relief and lingering questions, according to NorCal Resist Chico.

NorCal Resist volunteers say they don’t know whether the officers were merely stopping in Chico on their way somewhere, or whether attention from protesters dissuaded them from taking enforcement actions that they might have preferred to be surprise.

Regardless, the visit showed the role that community preparation can play in view of immigration raids that have produced both violent as well as quiet disruptions to communities across the country. NorCal Resist says that community response is critical as Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) ramps up with a larger budget. read more

Council increases security, code enforcement at Alternative Camping Site

Unanimous Council vote increases nighttime security for the neighborhood

by Yucheng Tang | Posted October 22, 2025

Public Works Director Erik Gustafson. Photo by Yucheng Tang.

The Chico City Council voted Oct. 21 to increase visits by Jesus Center staff to the Alternative Camping Site from twice a week to seven days a week, and to have Armed Guard Private Security patrol not only the site, but also the nearby neighborhood.

The plan will be implemented for two months at the north Chico homeless encampment, after which time City staff will return to the Council with an assessment.

Meanwhile, the City will incorporate several new rules into the site’s code of conduct, require that residents who are now eligible for the Genesis pallet shelter relocate there, and provide pallet pads to help raise existing tents off the ground.

The updated Code of Conduct for unhoused people living on a corner lot at Eaton and Cohasset roads will prohibit the addition of any structure of any kind to an assigned space; will ban certain items — including generators, full or empty gas cans, electrical cords and propane tanks of any size; and will permit animal fencing but only with prior approval. read more

North State shows up for No Kings 2

Two events draw thousands of people, stretching the day of protest to East Avenue

by Leslie Layton | Posted October 19, 2025

Chico State students Lauren Hughes (left) and Camryn Kennedy made t-shirts for the No Kings 2 protest. Photo by Leslie Layton at Veterans Memorial Park.

Thousands of people showed up for two protest events in Chico Oct. 18, joining in a national No Kings 2 movement that swept the nation.

The Saturday morning march, organized by the Defenders of Democracy Coalition, drew more than 5,000 demonstrators, possibly making it the largest march in Chico history, organizers said.

An afternoon event, the No Kings Festival at Veterans Memorial Park organized by Indivisible Chico, stretched the day of joyful protest north toward the city’s suburbs. Some participants had also attended the morning march, but others had not.

An Indivisible Chico volunteer said more than 1,250 people attended the festival, which included a streetside protest on East Avenue. read more

Local groups plan for upcoming No Kings events

In nationwide day of protest, demonstrators will oppose Trump actions

by Natalie Hanson and Leslie Layton | Posted October 15, 2025

Butte County groups are planning a day of peaceful protesting Oct. 18 on what will be the second national No Kings day. Protests are planned across the country to oppose assaults on free speech, civil rights and democratic norms in general.

A No Kings march will begin at 10 a.m. in downtown Chico, organized by the Defenders of Democracy Coalition. Those interested in marching should meet at the Our Hands sculpture at 160 East Fourth St. The march will also end at this location at 11:30 a.m.

A noon festival with community activities and a vigil at Veterans Memorial Park (formerly Wildwood Park) will follow. That event is organized by Indivisible Chico, and Chico State’s Gender & Sexuality Equity Coalition (GSEC) will participate. read more