California voters passed a $6.4 billion mental health bond

Now, see where that money is going
by Marisa Kendall, Jocelyn Wiener and Erica Yee, Cal Matters | Posted June 18, 2025
Community Regional Medical Center building in downtown Fresno on June 11, 2025. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

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A little more than a year after Californians approved a $6.4 billion mental health bond with a nail-bitingly close vote, we’re getting our first glimpse into how that money will be spent. 

Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom awarded nearly half of the money to projects that range from a crisis stabilization unit in rural Del Norte County to a residential addiction treatment program for mothers in Los Angeles. The initial $3.3 billion should fund more than 5,000 treatment beds and 21,800 outpatient treatment slots for people struggling with their mental health or addiction, according to his office.  read more

Chico joins in national mobilization

by Leslie Layton | Posted June 15, 2025
photo by Karen Laslo

A crowd of more than 4,000 people joined the June 14 No Kings Day march in Chico as anti-Trump mobilizations were underway in more than 2,100 cities across the country and world.

In Chico, the mood was spirited, determined and even jubilant as demonstrators packed the sidewalk on the march route – from the Our Hands sculpture, around City Plaza, down Broadway and back again. But the crowd was so huge that at times the walk moved slowly as more people joined, and the march route circle was in some cases made several times. Monitors were posted at all intersections and passing vehicles honked in support. Organizers said there may have been as many 6,000 people in attendance; many couldn’t be counted because they remained in the Fred Davis Municipal Center plaza. read more

Araujo-Sariñana finds a path in mutual aid

Changemaker: A song about a greedy landlord plants a seed for Araujo-Sariñana
by Yucheng Tang | Posted June 10, 2025
Juan Araujo-Sariñana

“The landlord’s here to visit/They’re blasting disco down below/Says, ‘I’m doubling up the rent ’cause the building’s condemned/You’re gonna help me buy City Hall‘/But we can/You know we can/Let’s lynch the landlord man” — the Dead Kennedys

At age 17, Juan Araujo-Sariñana discovered punk rock music that now, 20 years later, still influences his life.

Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables, one of his favorite albums by one of his favorite singers, Jello Biafra, was something he listened to often back in high school. In that album, there’s a song called “Let’s Lynch the Landlord.” read more

D-Day demonstrators protest cuts to VA

Keep Lincoln's Promise, Marshall says
by Leslie Layton | Posted June 8, 2025
Daneva Marshall. Photo by Karen Laslo

Daneva Marshall suffered blast exposure – an injury that can cause both physical and mental trauma — while serving in the U.S. Army in the Iraq war.

She was medically retired after more than 15 years of service to begin the journey to recovery. On June 6 – D-Day – she was leading a rally in front of the Chico VA Clinic to oppose cutbacks to VA services.

“This is personal to me,” Marshall told ChicoSol. “I utilize these services. I don’t think I’d be here without the VA.” read more

City Council to staff Fire Engine 1

Some road repairs to be delayed
by Yucheng Tang | Posted June 4, 2025
Councilmember Mike O’Brien

The City Council majority voted at its June 3 meeting to staff Fire Engine 1, but the panel was divided over where to find the funding.

The 4-3 vote to cut the road repair fund — instead of cutting unoccupied positions at Chico Police Department or elsewhere in the budget — elicited sighs from some members of the audience. The road repair fund comes from Measure H sales tax revenue.

“I’m not going to lose sleep if we delay some road projects,” said Councilmember Mike O’Brien. “If we lose a neighborhood because our fire department is not adequately staffed, I will lose sleep over that.” read more