Butte County residents come to the aid of hungry people

Government shutdown produced more need
by Yucheng Tang | Posted November 16, 2025
Nick Henderson works at a Faith Tabernacle food distribution event. Photo by Yucheng Tang.

An elderly woman using two prosthetic legs entered a room at Chico’s Faith Tabernacle Church with the help of two walking sticks and a volunteer. She filled out a form, indicating her family size, and then received an allotment of packaged and canned food.

On the morning of Nov. 12 — even though many Californians had already received their allotment of what was formerly known as food stamps — demand for food assistance at Faith Tabernacle still surged by roughly 50% above normal.

Benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), issued under the name “CalFresh” in California, were paused during part of what was the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The shutdown officially ended the day of ChicoSol’s visit to Faith Tabernacle, which is one of a host of organizations that provide food assistance. (See links to food bank directories and Chico pantries at end of story.) read more

Chico officer suspended for receiving oral sex in patrol vehicle

Police chief cuts in half recommended suspension
by Dave Waddell | Posted November 13, 2025
In this memo, Chief Aldridge adjusts the “final discipline” to a suspension without pay for eight “duty days.”

A Chico police officer received only a two-week suspension in 2024 for having on-duty sex in his patrol vehicle in the parking lot of a church, according to newly released records.

The officer, Michael Vincent, was disciplined for receiving oral sex from a woman on multiple occasions while in uniform, records show.

Vincent did not respond to a message seeking comment on his suspension.

Police Chief Billy Aldridge reduced Vincent’s proposed punishment in a Feb. 26, 2024, “notice of final discipline” memorandum. Capt. Jeramie Struthers had recommended a four-week suspension without pay, but Aldridge halved that time, saying Vincent accepted responsibility for his actions and lacked previous disciplinary issues. read more

ChicoSol recognized for culture reporting at ACoM

Reporter Yucheng Tang honored for story that shows Chinese-Mexican connection
by Lindajoy Fenley | Posted November 11, 2025
Writer/editor Anthony Advincula presents Yucheng Tang with the top award for culture reporting at the Nov. 7 ACoM Expo in Oakland.

Shortly after Yucheng Tang moved to Chico a year ago to report for ChicoSol, he connected the traditional Chinese Tomb Sweeping Day with Mexico’s Day of the Dead tradition. On. Nov. 7, his story of cultural rediscovery that showcased those traditions side-by-side won a first place at American Community Media’s (ACoM’s) annual award ceremony.

In his acceptance speech, Tang noted he was able to bring two different cultures together through “good storytelling … sincerity and curiosity.” He also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to introduce people in “a small town like Chico” to Asian culture and heritage.

Anthony Advincula, one of the judges for the ACoM contest, told ChicoSolthat selecting the winners was challenging because of a plethora of excellent entries. read more

Seven years after Camp Fire, McKay’s work continues

Changemaker: Former school bus driver portrayed in Hollywood film is still rescuing kids
by Yucheng Tang | Posted November 7, 2025
Former school bus driver Kevin McKay keeps the list of children who were on his bus in the Camp Fire in a drawer at home. Photo by Yucheng Tang.

This story is part of ChicoSol’s Changemaker profile series.

Kevin McKay was driving school bus #963 to his Paradise home when he was radioed — just as the film “The Lost Bus” shows — that an empty bus was needed for stranded students at Ponderosa Elementary.

That was the morning of Nov. 8, 2018, when the flames of the Camp Fire that ultimately would claim 85 lives and destroy 11,000 homes were raging through Feather River Canyon toward Paradise. McKay was about to make a decision that would make him one of the most famous school bus drivers in the country.  

Part of him wanted to rush home, to alert his mother and son, Shaun, to leave for Chico to escape the fire. But another part of him knew the kids at school were waiting — and they needed him, too. read more

Candidate speculation begins in the wake of Prop. 50

The ballot measure's passage divided Californians but passed in a landslide
by Natalie Hanson, Lindajoy Fenley and Leslie Layton | Posted November 6, 2025
District 1 Rep. Doug LaMalfa would face competition in a more liberal congressional district. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Californians handed a big win to Proposition 50, according to preliminary Nov. 4 election results, signaling a major change to congressional maps in historically red districts like District 1.

The majority of voters in the rural Northern Sacramento Valley opposed the proposition, which will significantly reshape its District 1 that is now represented by Republican Doug LaMalfa. The Butte County Clerk-Recorder reports today that almost 46% of the county’s voters favored Prop 50 and more than 54% opposed.

Opposition was even greater in Glenn and Tehama counties, with the “yes” vote further behind at almost 29% and 27% respectively. 

Statewide the picture was quite different. CalMatters’ reports today that nearly 64% of Californians voted for Prop. 50. read more

Council approves revised massage ordinance

Challenges to immigrant therapists remain
by Yucheng Tang | Posted November 5, 2025
Massage therapist Amy Alward is skeptical the ordinance will be effective. Photo by Yucheng Tang.

The Chico City Council unanimously approved Nov. 4 a new massage ordinance aimed at preventing human trafficking and illicit activity in local establishments. The ordinance establishes several operational standards for massage businesses and was developed after multiple rounds of community engagement.

Initially, the proposal required all massage practitioners to be certified by the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC).

After community feedback, the ordinance was revised to include several exemptions. Long-time practitioners can now receive a permanent exemption from CAMTC certification by providing proof of prior massage-related education and at least five years of work experience as massage therapists.  read more