‘DOUBLE WHAMMY’ FOR THE RIDGE

Recovery from the Camp Fire was well underway, 19 months after the most destructive wildfire in state history. Then the coronavirus outbreak hit.

At stake as the pandemic plays out here is the resilience a community that’s had to tap into its stores of patience and solidarity again and again — as well as the government’s ability to manage several ongoing crises at the same time.

“It’s a blow, but we’re tough,” said Monica Nolan, who leads the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce. She was busy gathering scattered information to get an overall picture of the impact on the ridge.

The stay at home order has shuttered many small businesses which only recently were celebrating their return with ribbon- cuttings and offering the community a place to reunite. The fitness center Curves of Paradise is closed; so is the Theatre on the Ridge, which was on the brink of its April production. The churches that are still standing, sometimes by combining congregations in surviving buildings, have suspended services or

PHOTOS BY MATT BATES — ENTERPRISE-RECORD Paradise Strong Coffee on the Skyway remains closed Tuesday in Paradise.

Maria’s Kitchen on Elliott Road remains open for take-out Tuesday in Paradise.