Chico protesters demonstrate against harsh and punishing new laws Southern states attempt to overturn Roe v. Wade

photo by Leslie Layton
Chico’s Christine Moore attended the rally because she said the passage of new anti-abortion laws “needs to be stopped.”

by Leslie Layton

A lunchtime “Stop the Bans” reproductive justice rally took place in Chico Tuesday as pro-choice groups nationwide called for a “Day of Action.”

“Across the country, we are seeing a rash of extreme bans on abortion and cruel attempts at taking away reproductive freedom in an all-out assault on abortion access,” states a Facebook post promoting the Chico rally, which was organized by Women on Reproductive Defense (WORD), Women’s March Chico, Trans Empowerment Project of Northern California, and other groups. read more

Sunrise Movement brings Green New Deal program to Chico

The El Rey Theater was filled to capacity Saturday night as a mostly young crowd turned out for a program organized by the youth-led climate change group, Sunrise Movement, that came to Chico as part of its nationwide tour, “Road to the Green New Deal.” (photo by Karen Laslo.)

Chicoans take part in a national action against U.S. intervention in Venezuela At the Saturday Chico Peace Vigil, protesters demand a halt to U.S. meddling

photo by Chris Nelson

About 30 people showed up this morning in downtown Chico to demand a halt to U.S. intervention in Venezuela and in solidarity with the #HandsoffVenezuela March in Washington, D.C. The United States has imposed tough sanctions on Venezuela and recognized Juan Guaido, who represents a right-wing political party, as president. The Trump Administration has also indicated it would like to see U.S. oil companies actively engaged in Venezuela’s oil production.

“Instead of starving the Venezuelans into submission, we should be engaging with them,” writes the Rev. Jesse Jackson in a letter distributed by A.N.S.W.E.R., the organization that sponsored today’s Capitol march. “Instead of seeking to control their oil, we should recognize their national sovereignty. Instead of fanning coup attempts, we should be leading international negotiations to seek a diplomatic settlement that might lead to new elections.” read more

28 Valley oaks removed from Bidwell Park Fire suppression may have gone awry

photo by Karen Laslo
Tree removal created a muddy mess last week.

photo story by Karen Laslo

Last week, if you were anywhere near the Chico Creek Nature Center in Bidwell Park, you probably heard the whine and scream of chainsaws and the roar of a big backhoe.

A CDF prison crew was hard at work cutting down several non-native and invasive Catalpa trees to reduce the risk of fire in the coming months.

But, unfortunately, it appears that 28 healthy, native, valley oak trees were also mistakenly cut down, according to local tree advocates. And because the ground was sopping wet from several recent storms, the heavy equipment made deep ruts in the soil. It’s still not clear who authorized the project and who was in charge of overseeing it. read more

Camp Fire survivor reflects on “levels of loss” "We are all refugees from this fire"

photo by Jessica Lewis
Paula Edgar

by Jessica Lewis

At about 8:30 a.m. Nov. 8, former Paradise resident Paula Edgar received a call from a friend on the other side of town, warning her that a fire had broken out.

“We didn’t even think we were in danger at first, but we thought we would start packing — just in case,” Edgar said.

When Edgar took her first load of items to her vehicle, she saw the flames making their way up the street toward her house. She realized then that this was something unlike anything the town had gone through before. read more

Dan Everhart fought, ferociously, for social justice Sobriety was a watershed in Chico resident's life

Dan Everhart provided this photo when he wrote this guest commentary for ChicoSol just a few months before his passing.

by Steve Breedlove

Born Danny Allen Everhart in Madison, Ind., on Sept. 2, 1958, Dan split his time between Elgin, Ill., with his mother, and southern Indiana, with his father, until he was 20. Displaying anti-authoritarian hard-headedness and the general alienation that foments, Dan lived rough and tumble in his formative years and fell into alcohol and drug abuse. He didn’t stay in one place for very long and he dropped out of high school.

He also fathered a child around this time, but left him in his infancy. Christopher was adopted by his mother’s husband, and said that Dan was “never his ‘dad.’” According to Chris, Dan definitely imparted his intellect and curiosity, and also his skill in IT and data analysis. They maintained communications with twice-a-year phone conversations — on Chris’s birthday and on Christmas. One of Dan’s friends recounted that “he despaired” about having left his infant son and that he carried a picture of Chris. Another said it was one of the demons he carried for the rest of his life. read more