Scott Ruppel Archives - ChicoSol News

by Dave Waddell

Court testimony last week by former Chico police Sgt. Scott Ruppel uncovered a secret that city officials have tried their darnedest to keep the public from knowing: Ruppel took no time off from work after shooting Tyler Rushing twice at point-blank range in July 2017.

Rushing’s father, Scott Rushing of Ventura, called the revelation “monstrous, sickening, disturbing.” read more

Plea entered in Bidwell Mansion arson

Kevin Alexander Carlson, charged with felony arson in connection with the fire that destroyed Bidwell Mansion, pled no contest Feb. 5 in Butte County Superior Court.

The 30-year-old Chico man was jailed without bail until he returns to court for sentencing at 1:30 p.m. March 5. Carlson faces up to 11 years in state prison.

Investigators from various agencies spent “thousands of hours” solving the Dec. 11 arson case, said Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey in a press release.

City Council members to look at homelessness response

Chico City Council voted unanimously Feb. 4 to authorize the mayor to use emergency powers to address and enforce measures against unsafe and hazardous fires in parks.

The vote doesn’t alter city codes in any way, but enforcement of some codes has been lax under the Warren v. Chico lawsuit settlement agreement.

The vote thus represents a consensus that safety has to be a priority.

The discussion was sparked by Councilmember Tom Overbeek, who asked the panel to authorize the mayor to declare an emergency in dry conditions that would ban encampments in Bidwell Park, Teichert Ponds and Lindo Channel.

Later in the meeting, Councilmember Bryce Goldstein asked to agendize a discussion “on ordinances, code changes, and programs beyond enforcement that the City can use as tools for addressing homelessness.”

That passed unanimously, too.

Tag: Scott Ruppel

Ex-sergeant missed ‘no work’ after Rushing shooting Former Chico police Sgt. Ruppel acquitted of assault in later choking incident