Highlights, lowlights from the week’s news
HIT >> As long as there are fires — and in our neck of the woods, that seems to be about six months out of the year — and crises in general, there are heroes. Typically, there are far too many to mention but today, we’ll mention a few once again.
For starters, there’s the
North Valley Community Foundation, which is now partnering with the Almanor Foundation to aid Dixie Fire victims. The NVCF has shown a remarkable (and much needed) ability to adapt to whatever the latest crisis to unfold in our battered region; throw in the strong right arm (and pocketbook) of Aaron Rodgers, and it’s been a winning combination benefitting thousands of people who desperately need the help.
Their task isn’t easy. They have repeatedly shown great care in directing the funds to the areas that need it the most and will do the most common good, and they’ve done it well.
We’re also going to thank Butte County Search & Rescue for all they do. If you didn’t see our story this past Monday on their 60th anniversary celebration, please do — it’s a great opportunity for the public to learn of the many functions they serve.
And how about that new wild land fire engine in Paradise? It’s not only much-needed; it’s got to be a huge morale boost to a community still in desperate need of one.
For every tragedy, there are heroes who step up to do remarkable things — most notably our firefighters and first-responders. Let’s never forget to thank them every chance we get.
MISS >> Imagine a world in which people are afraid to take an FDA-approved vaccine that has proven to be a literal lifesaver against COVID-19.
Imagine a world in which many of those same people feel no qualms about taking a horse dewormer (invermectin) instead because they’ve been told it’s a better alternative.
Imagine a world in which many people trust anecdotal evidence, sketchy YouTube videos and Facebook memes over the word of doctors, departments of public health, scientists, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Imagine a world in which 99 percent of the people dying from COVID are unvaccinated, and yet people still don’t want to get the vaccine because “I heard it’s not safe.”
Imagine a world in which most of the people who don’t want to take the vaccine supported President Trump and almost every one of his policies — but refuse to listen to Trump when it comes to the vaccine. (Hint: He’s vaccinated. So is his wife. So is Sean Hannity.)
Imagine a world where hospitals are not only overcrowded with unvaccinated COVID patients, they’re overcrowded with people who are overdosing.
Hard to imagine, isn’t it?
HIT >> Anyone looking for a getaway from all of the madness should check out the 13th annual Louie Vermeil Classic, which is being held at Silver Dollar Speedway this weekend.
In addition to some great dirttrack racing, the weekend will also feature a wine tasting festival and a beer tasting festival. The wine festival, which also includes live music and food vendors, will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday while the beer festival will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Not only that, the sight of Sheriff Kory Honea — the honorary grand marshall of the event — flying into the Silver Dollar Speedway on the Butte County Sheriff’s Office helicopter should be worth the trip all by itself!
MISS >> It seems like only yesterday we were writing a story about City Plaza being closed for cleaning and repairs. And here we are, yet again.
It’s a mess, in more ways than one.
Of course, none of this is going to change until the City of Chico and the plaintiffs representing unhoused individuals come up with an agreeable solution — or, maybe, the judge does it for them.
The city has been frustrated by what some say is the plaintiffs’ refusal to negotiate on a solution; plaintiffs and homeless advocates remain united in their belief that the resting site at the airport is not an acceptable answer.
We hope both sides continue working with the magistrate judge to get past this and that both sides are willing to bend to find an answer that protects unhoused individuals’ right to exist — in a safe area where service providers can work with them to provide the help the need. City Plaza isn’t the answer for any of this.
Meanwhile, as far as a longterm solution, a long-overdue commitment from the state and federal government toward addressing our nation’s mental health crisis would be a fantastic place to start. Nothing is completely going to change without that.