Conservatives win 4-person majority on City Council

Mayor to be selected Dec. 4
by Yucheng Tang | Posted December 3, 2024

photo by Karen Laslo
Councilmember Dale Bennett was re-elected.

Incumbent Dale Bennett has retained the District 3 seat, defeating challenger Monica McDaniel by only 93 votes in the closest race in the 2024 Chico City Council election.

The majority of the City Council remains conservative, but the number of progressive councilmembers has increased from one to three. A special meeting of the City Council will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 4 in the Council Chamber at 421 Main St. Newly-elected councilmembers will be sworn in and the mayor and vice mayor selected.

The Butte County Clerk’s office released the official results of the Nov. 5 General Election this morning, with County Clerk and Registrar of Voters Keaton Denlay certifying the election result. read more

Blue trailer delivers to the homeless: Hot showers, clean clothes, hope

The Oroville-based Haven of Hope on Wheels now has five trailer units
by Yucheng Tang | Posted December 2, 2024

photo by Karen Laslo
Earl Lewis, who runs on-site operations at the shower-and-laundry unit Haven of Hope on Wheels, discussed his work in a recent November interview.

“135?” someone calls out from in front of the blue trailer.

“Here,” says a man in a green jacket and blue jeans, who then takes charge of his freshly-packed laundry bag labelled “135.”

The man puts the bag in his arm and walks toward the shopping cart filled with his other belongings.

Suddenly, he lowers his head and leans toward the plastic bag, smelling his freshly washed and dried clothes as if he was smelling the fragrance of flowers. Then, he smiles, illuminated by warm sunlight.

He had taken a hot shower and received his laundered clothes at the truck-trailer “Haven of Hope on Wheels.” The Haven is a mobile hygiene unit that offers shower and laundry services to vulnerable individuals in need, most of whom are homeless. read more

Safe Space works to overcome hurdles to intake

Unhoused people may be stranded during storm
by Leslie Layton and Natalie Hanson | Posted November 20, 2024

photo by Karen Laslo
Safe Space volunteers checked in people who needed shelter during an intake held near the municipal center last winter.

The nonprofit organization Safe Space is working to get emergency night-time sheltering available by Christmas Day as unhoused people struggle with this week’s downpour.

Forecasts were indicating that up to 10 inches of rain were possible in Chico between today and the end of the week, as well as localized flooding. Safe Space Executive Director Hilary Crosby said outreach teams were on the streets handing out tarps and making sure homeless community members “knew about the storm coming through.”

“I don’t have anything [at this point] to provide people so they can get warm or dry off,” Crosby said early today. “We’re checking on people to make sure they have what they need.” read more

Día de los Muertos inspira un redescubrimiento cultural

Mejor comprensión de la tradición china que era parte de mi niñez
by Yucheng Tang | Posted November 19, 2024

foto por Yucheng Tang
Los bailadores folklóricos celebraron en Meriam Park con coloridos actividades del Dia de los Muertos.

Read in English here.

Al entrar al lugar llamado “The Barn” donde mucha gente estaba reunida para la celebración mexicana del Día de los Muertos el 2 de noviembre, yo no anticipé que tal celebración me haría reconsiderar un festival chino – Día de la Limpieza de las Tumbas – que fue parte de mi propia niñez.

Música latina sonaba a todo volumen al fondo. Niños con caras pintadas de esqueletos bailaban y cantaban con alegría en el escenario. Al lado había una ofrenda comunitaria, adornada con fotos de seres queridos fallecidos; velas; y las flores cempasúchil las cuales se cree que guían a los espíritus en su regreso a casa. read more

Sentencing of ex-cop appealed by DA

Domestic partnership declared between former officer and his alleged victim
by Dave Waddell | Posted November 14, 2024

Devin Pasley

A fired Gridley police officer previously charged with felony domestic violence has been sentenced to one year of probation for abusing his domestic partner’s dachshund.

Butte County District Mike Ramsey said his office wants a longer, more restrictive probationary period for Devin Pasley and has appealed his sentencing by Superior Court Judge Virginia Gingery. A hearing on the appeal has yet to be scheduled.

Gingery sentenced Pasley to 90 days in jail for misdemeanor animal cruelty but stayed the jail time pending successful completion of the one-year probationary term. The conditions of his probation prohibit Pasley from having animals in his home. read more

Day of the Dead festivity leads to cultural rediscovery

Understanding better the Chinese tradition that was part of my childhood
by Yucheng Tang | Posted November 13, 2024

photo by Yucheng Tang
Folkloric dancers recently celebrated a lively and colorful Day of the Dead at Meriam Park.

How can a day that’s about death feel like a huge party?

When I joined the crowd at The Barn at Meriam Park for a Nov. 2 celebration of Day of the Dead — a Mexican tradition called Día de los Muertos in Spanish — I didn’t expect it to lead me to reconsideration of a Chinese festival, Tomb Sweeping Day, that was part of my own childhood.

Latin music played loudly in the background. On stage, children whose faces were painted like skeletons danced and sang joyfully. Next to the stage stood a community altar, adorned with photos of deceased loved ones, candles, and marigolds — the flower that is believed to guide spirits back home. read more