Internet Pedophile Arrested In Tehama County

An alleged “MySpace internet pedophile” was arrested in Tehama County today.  According to a press release form the district attorney’s office, it’s the first of its kind in the county.  Officials say D.A. Investigator Martin Perrone kicked off operation “Safe Sam” and arrested 32-year old Benjamin Dennis from Corning.  “Safe Sam” is an online sting in [...]

Business Leaders Question School Board’s Proposed Fees

Chico business leaders have questions about the Chico Unified School District’s plans to impose developer fees of 47-cents per square foot.  Chico Chamber CEO Jim Goodwin says he just learned of the plan last week, and while the district did follow guidelines in releasing the information, it would have been nice to get a little [...]

Butte County Looks To Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Butte County is preparing to deal with the recent passage of AB 32, which requires California to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020.  Butte County Development Services Director Tim Snellings spoke to KPAY news on the issue. Snellings says in the next budget year which begins July 1st, the county [...]

State Deficit Swells to 16-Billion Dollars

     SACRAMENTO (AP) – California’s fiscal watchdog says the state’s
budget shortfall has grown to 16 billion dollars, in large part
because of falling tax revenue from the depressed housing market.
     Legislative Analyst Elizabeth Hill reported today the deficit
could swell even more in the coming months. She said state revenue
from all three major sources – personal income [...]

State Lawmaker Critical of Plan to Add Prison Beds

SACRAMENTO (AP) – A nearly 8 (b) billion dollar prison construction and rehabilitation plan would now add only 13,000 inmate beds at a staggering cost of 22-thousand dollars each.  Corrections officials testified at a hearing in Sacramento yesterday that the plan will now take an extra year, too, prompting criticism from Democratic committee chairwoman Gloria [...]

Local Realtor Expects Shortage of Homes on the Market

One local real estate expert says she expects a shortage of houses soon thanks to the passage of the Economic Stimulus package and higher loan limits. Chico Association of Realtors President Debbie Brodie recently told the KPAY Drive at Five she expects Bay Area transplants to move to the area.  She says the higher limits [...]

Former Live Oak Mayor Dies

A former Live Oak Mayor has died. 72 year old Melton Wilkins spent nine years on the city council and served as mayor in 2006. According to the Appeal-Democrat, he died Saturday at his Live Oak home.  Funeral services are scheduled for Friday morning.

Ranchers See Improved Rangeland Conditions in California

Rangeland grass conditions in California have greatly improved due to recent rain, according to a federal government report. Butte County cattle rancher Holly Foster says its a wait and see situation to see if the weather will encourage ranchers around the state to expand their herds. Foster says vegetation has recently gained considerable amounts of [...]

Redding Man Convicted of Baseball Bat Attack

REDDING, Calif. (AP) – A 24-year-old Redding man has pleaded guilty to an attempted murder charge in the baseball-bat beating of a homeless man. Nathaniel Lloyd told police that he hit 47-year-old Tony Souza five or six times with a bat because Souza had threatened to rape Lloyd’s girlfriend. But prosecutors say there are witnesses [...]