Highlights, lowlights from the week’s news
HIT » We made our position clear in Friday’s editorial about the emergency non-congregate housing site near the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, but considering what it took to get from there to here, we’re giving it a “hit” today anyway.
As noted yesterday, “For the first time, in one centralized location, there can be a near-smorgasbord of services and amenities — everything from beds and showers and laundry to mental health services and drug-treatment options and numerous pathways for escaping the situation the unhoused are in.”
It took a lawsuit to get the city council to finally go down this path, after other attempts (most notably the short-lived “resting site” near the airport) failed to pass the straight-face test from Senior Judge Morrison England.
But here we are. In an issue marked by in-fighting and ridiculous back-and-forth allegations and daily social media drama and name-calling and even body-bumping at press conferences, it’s good to have some sign of progress that most (not all) of the people involved can actually agree with. Or, at least, live with. Sometimes, that’s reason enough to celebrate.
And it will do some good. Some people will receive much-needed help, the city can enforce their ordinances again, and — dare we say it — everybody should find some reason to be happy.
MISS » Regardless of the reason, it’s a shame to see the Chico Flea Market’s 33-year run at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds come to an end. The flea market has always attracted great crowds of locals and out-of-towners, and seemed to be as much of a part of the fairgrounds as the grandstands and cotton candy at fair time.
We can certainly understand the concerns of Silver Dollar Fairgrounds CEO Nick DiGrazia. The fairgrounds has taken an especially hard hit from COVID, which was particularly bad news for any entity that relies on live events and attendance for income.
On the other hand, we hate to see the flea market shut down. Vern Ingraham, operator of the flea market, said he’s been given until the end of October to clear everything out.
There is no shortage of empty lots and long-closed businesses in the area. We hope a solution can be found here and the flea market can continue in a new location.
HIT » It’s been a while since we’ve been able to give a “hit” for any positive COVID news, and we’re happy to do so today.
The numbers are trending downward locally again. As of Friday morning, there were 351 cases in isolation in Butte County, with 59 hospitalizations; those are down from 903 and 106, respectively, just one month ago. Hospitalizations topped out at 125 in late September and have been declining ever since.
On the flip side — those numbers are still way too high for comfort. Butte’s vaccination rate is up to 44.8 percent but statewide, more than two-thirds of the population is fully vaccinated. And statewide, almost everybody’s case count is, by percentage, lower than Butte’s.
Funny how that works.
MISS » We’ve been down this road before, but now that the smoke has (literally) cleared and many people are thinking about other things, we figured it’s time for a reminder.
Fire prevention, and the need for various parties to quit their bickering and finally take more common-sense steps, remains the number one issue for our north state.
The debate over forest management, particularly thinning of the underbrush, shouldn’t be a debate at all. It has to happen. Period. The science, as evidenced by numerous studies as well as experience (witness the Tahoe area where forest management helped slow the spread) say that thinning helps.
And while we’re not doubting climate change plays its role, we need to remember the annual output of carbon from these fires is blowing every annual-reduction-goal off the charts. If we’re serious about fighting climate change, we need to be more serious about cleaning out our forests to help bring these fires under control more quickly.
We need a common plan and action, not protracted bickering that results in nothing being done.
Hits and misses are compiled by the editorial board.