Chico Police Honors Three Officers as Heroes

“We were just in the right place at the right time.”   So says one of three Chico Police Patrolmen who are now being called heroes for their part in rescuing several people during an apartment fire in March.  Patrolman Justin Adrian says he arrived at the Mission Rancho Apartments to help his fellow patrolmen, Will Clark and Dale Prossie.  The three are credited with helping wheelchair bound Nathan Bramhill to safety.  Chico Police Chief Bruce Haggerty says the three are truly heroes. 

CA Supreme Court Overturns Gay Marriage Ban

     SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The California Supreme Court has overturned
a ban on gay marriage, paving the way for California to become the
second state where gay and lesbian residents can marry.
     The ruling overturns a California voter-approved law that
defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
     The cases were brought by the city of San Francisco, gay and
lesbian couples and gay rights groups in 2004. The court had halted
San Francisco’s same-sex wedding march that took place at Mayor
Gavin Newsom’s direction.
     Several of those original plaintiffs stood on the courthouse
steps today, cheering and weeping with joy as the decision came
down.
     Mayor Newsom’s spokesman, Nathan Ballard, sent out a two-word
text message to the mayor’s staff upon hearing the decision.
     “We won!” it read.
    

Candidate Forums Start Today

The local political scene heats up this week with the first of a series of candidate forums scheduled throughout the month.  The first takes place today with Supervisor Bill Connelly and challenger to the First District Seat Gordon Andoe answering questions in the County Board of Supervisors Chambers.

 

On May 19th District 2 Congressional Candidates will square off as well as District 3 Assembly Hopefuls in the Chico City Council Chambers. 

 

On May 21st District 5 Supervisor hopefuls will answer questions at the Paradise Town Council Chambers.

 

It all wraps up on May 22nd when District 4 Supervisor hopefuls will answer questions at the Chico City Council Chambers.  The Forums are sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the Enterprise Record.

Cost To Attend College Goes Up

     BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) - The cost of a four-year college
education went up again in California as leaders of the UC
and Cal State systems approved their sixth round of student fee
hikes in seven years. The systems are under orders from Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger to reduce campus spending to help make up a
statewide budget deficit. The two boards say they had to ask
students and their families to shoulder some of the burden come
fall.

Governor’s May Revise Released

    
     SACRAMENTO (AP) - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has released a
$144.3 billion dollar state budget that eliminates a massive
deficit by selling lottery bonds and cutting billions in state
programs.
     The spending plan for the fiscal year that begins in July is
austere, a byproduct of a slowing state economy.
     Tax revenue has been falling far short of what California needs
to keep pace with spending, leading to a more than $15 billion
dollar shortfall.
     The centerpiece of Schwarzenegger’s budget relies on a plan to
make the state lottery more lucrative and thus more attractive to
potential investors. The governor hopes to raise $15 billion
dollars over the next three years by selling bonds based on
anticipated lottery revenue. He will use about one-third of that in
the next fiscal year to help erase the state’s deficit. The rest
would remain in a reserve fund the governor wants to create to help
the state get through rough financial times in the future.

Autopsy Results Of North State Teen Slayings

Autopsy results show 18-year old Steven Furtado of Willows and 18-year old Jenny Carrigan of Chester died from stab wounds.  The Plumas County Sheriff’s Office released the results today.  The report also says the stabbings happened between late Saturday night and early Sunday morning.       The suspect, 18-year old Reyes Carrillo-Garcia is believed to have acted alone and is being held on no bail.  If convicted he could get the death penalty or life in prison.  He is scheduled to be arraigned June 4th.

Chester Double Murder Suspect Could Face Death Penalty if Convicted

The man accused of double murder this past weekend could receive the death penalty if convicted.  The suspect, 18 year old Reyes Carillo Garcia, was denied bail during his court appearance this week by Judge Ira Kaufmann because of the capital offense.  He faces two counts of murder and prosecutors reportedly added a count of first degree burglary and special circumstances for the incident.

Foreclosure Rates Jump in April

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A research company says more U.S. homeowners have fallen behind on mortgage payments in the last month. Figures from RealtyTrac show that more than 243,000 homes received at least one foreclosure-related filing in April. That’s up 65 percent from almost 148,000 in the same month last year and up four percent since March. The company monitors default notices, auction sale notices and
bank repossessions. Nevada, Arizona, California and Florida are among the hardest hit states, with metropolitan areas in California and Florida accounting for nine of the top 10 areas with the highest rate of
foreclosure. More than one million home foreclosures are forecast this year.

Two Arrested in Ridge Stolen Vehicle Investigation

Paradise police investigating a rash of stolen vehicle cases. Officers say nearly 20 vehicles have been stolen since January. Police found a stolen truck on Kay Court this week. A search of a nearby apartment turned up additional stolen property. Trevor Jones and Shannon Strand were arrested in the case. Police say several stolen vehicles have been recovered.

Chico High Schools Look to Outlaws for Help Fundraising

Baseball players from two local high schools are teaming up with the Chico Outlaws to raise money for school sports. According to the Chico Unified School District, the Outlaws will host a special baseball game later this month. Players from Chico High and P.V. will be mixed with players from the Outlaws team. The game is set for May 28th…with PRE-SALE proceeds going to fund athletics at both of the high schools.
The schools are facing a drop in sports funding due to the district’s budget shortfall.