Sherri Quammen holds a protest sign calling for justice for three victims of shootings by Chico police officers.
by Dave Waddell
Police Chief Mike O’Brien — lauding the use of body-worn cameras by his patrol officers — says cameras will also soon be attached to the blue uniforms of Chico PD’s 13 sergeants.
As first reported here by ChicoSol, Chico Police Department patrol officers began sporting the body cameras last April, a couple of weeks after two policemen shot and killed Desmond Phillips, a young black man in mental crisis.
O’Brien said that after 10½ months of use, he would give the camera experience a “very favorable” evaluation.read more
Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey announced today that he has filed a civil lawsuit against the state Department of Water Resources (DWR) over last year’s Oroville Dam calamity that forced the evacuation of 180,000 residents downstream.
Ramsey’s complaint against DWR was filed in Butte County Superior Court. It seeks damages of between $34 billion and $51 billion, or $10 for each of the between 3.4 billion and 5.1 billion pounds of material that the suit says were discharged into the Feather River during the crisis. read more
Several hundred people filled the Chico Women’s Club on Jan. 27 for The People’s Candidate Town Hall, where four candidates running for the seat of Rep. Doug LaMalfa participated in a forum. Ali Meders-Knight, a member of the Mechoopda tribe, opened the forum, calling for “ethical treatment of the environment” and reminding the audience that indigenous tribes maintained the region’s ecosystem successfully for thousands of years.
Lewis Elbinger, a Green Party candidate, said we should combine "indigenous wisdom" with the best modern technology. Protecting the Dreamers, he said, is a "no-brainer" and Trump supporters who feel threatened should be engaged in dialogue. Check out his Facebook page here.
Audrey Denney, a Democrat, said police violence is a “problem of impunity" and officers should be prosecuted in cases of fatal shootings. She also said she would eliminate federal crop subsidies and work for a “farm policy that makes sense for all farmers.” Check out her website here.
Marty Walters, a Democrat, responded to a question about police violence by noting that the federal government doesn’t regulate local law enforcement agencies. But she added that through training programs the “culture of policing can be changed.” Her website can be viewed here.
Jessica Holcombe, a Democrat, said she’s a “huge advocate of Medicare for all,” adding, “We’re the only developed nation that doesn’t provide some form of universal health care for its citizens.” Eliminating the role of private insurance companies could lead to substantial savings, she said. Her website is here. Slideshow photos by Karen Laslo, reporting by Leslie Layton.
Protesters surrounded a Jan. 26 rally led by Congressman Doug LaMalfa, Sen. Jim Nielsen and Assemblyman James Gallagher to oppose the gas tax repeal campaign and LaMalfa's policies in general.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation came to Chico State to get public reaction to its vague new proposal to “maximize” water deliveries from the north to San Joaquin Valley farmers. The reviews from most of the two dozen or so people speaking Thursday were overwhelmingly and passionately against the notion, as well as frequently distrustful of the federal agency.
“How much harder can you twist the sponge that is already quite dry?” asked Rick Switzer. “Someone should carry the message to them that we’re all out. … Water is finite. You people do not seem to be familiar with the concept.”read more
The Women's March on Chico 2018 took place on Saturday, Jan. 20, and crowd-size estimates ranged from 5,000 to 7,000.
The Women's March on Chico 2018 took place on Saturday, Jan. 20, and crowd-size estimates ranged from 5,000 to 7,000.
Ali Meders-Knight (fist in the air), a member of the Mechoopda tribe, provided an opening address.
Ali Meders-Knight (fist in the air), a member of the Mechoopda tribe, provided a welcome address and pressed for attention to the problem of unresolved crimes affecting indigenous women (#MMIW.)
Ali Meders-Knight (fist in the air), a member of the Mechoopda tribe, provided a welcome address and pressed for attention to the problem of unresolved crimes affecting indigenous women (#MMIW.)
The women's march was put together by a diverse team of women.
The women's march was put together by a diverse team of women representing cultural and community organizations and the group that organized the huge 2017 march.
The women's march was put together by a diverse team of women representing cultural and community organizations and the group that organized the huge 2017 march.
The march drew many who called for protection for young immigrant adults.
The march drew many who called for protection for young immigrant adults, and took place on the first day of a federal government shutdown over the budget and immigration.
The march drew many who called for protection for young immigrant adults, and took place on the first day of a federal government shutdown over the budget and immigration.
Many of the women at the march condemned language that's been used by President Trump in reference to women and some called on women to run for office.
Many of the women at the march condemned language that's been used by President Trump in reference to women and some called on women to run for office.
Many of the women at the march condemned language that's been used by President Trump in reference to women and some called on women to run for office.
Ann Byrns of Butte Valley wore her Pussy Power poncho to the march, which she had worn to the 2017 Women's March on Washington.
Ann Byrns of Butte Valley wore her Pussy Power poncho to the march, which she had worn to the 2017 Women's March on Washington.
Ann Byrns of Butte Valley wore her Pussy Power poncho to the march, which she had worn to the 2017 Women's March on Washington.
Ashley G. Miller confronted a young man holding an offensive sign.
Ashley G. Miller confronted a young man standing at the northeastern corner of Downtown Plaza waving a sign targeting women with vulgar language.
Ashley G. Miller confronted a young man standing at the northeastern corner of Downtown Plaza waving a sign targeting women with vulgar language.
