Community members gathered in Redding today to express discontent with the current federal administration. The event, which was organized as part of nationwide protest action, included dozens of veterans and numerous seniors, some of whom attended in wheelchairs. #nokings

California’s conservatorship system can be used to force people with severe psychiatric illnesses into involuntary medical care for up to a year. Marci Fernandes said the process has been life-changing for her adult daughter, Ann, but significant obstacles to her well-being remain. @catchlight.io

The training exercise is intended to ensure airport staff and emergency personnel are trained for a mass-casualty event, like a plane crash. There will be emergency personnel, equipment and smoke in the vicinity of the airport.

A Shasta County Superior Court judge heard arguments today on whether a measure that promises to create specialized local election laws should remain on ballots for June 2. The judge has promised to deliver a ruling later this week.

SEIU 2015, the labor union that represents Shasta employees who provide In-Home Supportive Services, said it’s taking legal action against the county after supervisors withdrew a wage increase offer made last year. The union has also declared a labor impasse.

Like the previous nine cases, the newly-infected patient is a minor. Unlike those cases, this patient was partially vaccinated against measles.

In a statement made in late February, Bethel leaders said the church hadn’t yet chosen an investigative team to look into the allegations made against pastor Ben Armstrong, emphasizing that the church would remain “respectfully quiet on this matter until the investigation takes its course.”

To fill Brown’s vacancy, SCOE is accepting qualified applicants that reside in the area he represented.

The initiative, if passed by voters, would change Shasta’s election laws in ways that violate current state election law. A recent legal filing alleges that Measure B never received enough signatures to appear on ballots at all.

When Phetakhom Tu Manivong was arrested in 2022, Redding Police officers posted on the department’s Facebook page, claiming he had committed a heinous crime. He’s now been declared innocent and is suing the city.

The study is intended to “increase efficiency and accountability while reducing waste,” according to the staff report. The council allocated up to $300,000 to hire a consulting firm — chosen by the new city manager — that will conduct the study.

One Big Beautiful Bill funding will be used to make progress towards raising the Shasta Dam, federal government officials announced today. The money allocated so far isn’t nearly enough to actually do so.

See what it takes to start and grow a small newsroom that authentically serves its community in this Investigating with Sunlight session, with guest speakers from @shastascout.bsky.social, The Edge and @riversiderecord.bsky.social.

Officials with several state agencies held a listening session in Redding today. They asked community members to weigh in on topics connected to extreme heat, including appropriate services, resilient infrastructure, nature-based solutions and how to increase public awareness of risk.

State funding wasn’t awarded to build a proposed behavioral health campus that supporters said would have met intersectional county needs. Local leaders say problems have been identified and solutions are still needed.

The county says the current measles outbreak is projected to end on March 30, as long as no new cases are reported before then.

A contract with medical services provider Mediko, Inc. was approved by supervisors yesterday. It will increase medical expenses at the jail by about $3 million annually. But county officials hope it will reduce county costs overall by lowering litigation expenses.

Court records show that defense attorney Michael Borges requested the trial be moved because of his involvement in other trials, adding that his independent experts also need more time to complete their work. The prosecution offered no argument against the delay.

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Flight logs obtained by Shasta Scout reveal little more than what the California Highway Patrol has already said by press release, that the search of a private property as part of an “illicit cannabis cultivation operation” revealed weapons and an underground bunker — leading to an arrest.

A controversial ballot measure related to elections is still facing a legal challenge. In the meantime, the community is invited to submit arguments for or against the measure for possible inclusion in the voter information guide for the June 2026 election.

The beloved local bookstore was bought by a group of young people hoping to save it from permanently closing. They were able to gather enough funds to buy the store from its previous owner and reopen.

Knight First Amendment Institute staff attorney Jake Karr said Anderson’s new policy brings up constitutional questions, though whether the policy is actually unconstitutional or not is complicated.

Election staffer Laura Hobbs has successfully appealed a temporary restraining order, allowing a controversial ballot measure she helped champion to move forward. The measure would amend the county’s charter to implement local election practices that would violate state and national law.

After advocacy by IASCO Flight Training Operations Manager Miranda Vorhis, the Anderson city council adopted a social media policy Tuesday night. But she said there’s already been measurable harm inflicted upon the school.

The council agreed to honor a request from REU to take more time for more public outreach, given low attendance at recent workshops used to explain the rate increase.

Shasta’s lead attorney confirmed yesterday that Jennifer Katske is the woman behind a “Jane Doe” legal challenge that’s been filed over an election-related ballot measure. She refiled court paperwork this week under her real name after Shasta judge said her identity is a matter of public interest.

The Shasta County Republican Central Committee recently made public endorsements of candidates in local offices, including supervisor and registrar of voters, both of which are nonpartisan positions.

Curtis asked the board to hire Trump-connected attorney Peter Ticktin in hopes of ensuring the amendment makes it to ballots. A majority said no.

The discussion comes after council member Darin Hale made numerous claims on his personal Facebook account attempting to link a local flight school to Chinese espionage. The school has called the claims unfounded and said they undermine community safety.

During a February meeting, council member Tenessa Audette pitched the idea to make part of Hilltop Drive an entertainment zone during a three-hour period on April 24, when the Kool April Nites Cruise is scheduled to occur. City staff have concerns about the idea’s feasibility.

Redding Electric Utility has proposed a series of 4.5% annual hikes in electric bills over the next four years. The city-owned utility hosted two public forums for residents yesterday to explain the factors behind price hikes.

The decision came in response to a petition filed earlier this month by an anonymous plaintiff. If approved by voters in June, the ballot measure would amend local law to allow for changes to elections, including hand counting and voter ID.

Shasta ROV Clint Curtis told county supervisors during Tuesday’s public board meeting that the Riverside department was “confiscating all of the records in Riverside.” Riverside officials have confirmed the news of an investigation.

A statement posted on Facebook today said he’s been given an “excellent prognosis” for recovery. He’s also being treated for colon cancer.

Redding Christian School had an 87.8% vaccination rate against measles for kindergarteners in the most recent state data, which is below the 95% protection threshold identified by the CDC. It’s one of several schools in the county with a history of low measles vaccination rates.

At yesterday’s board meeting personal testimonies were shared about how Our Heroes’ Dreams has impacted local lives. Specifics of how count opioid settlement funds will augment current services, or expand them, were not shared.

Last month, Shasta’s election official was accused by some of campaigning on county property. Today the election official defended himself while repeating the claim that former officials — including his campaign opponent — committed election fraud. He’s provided no evidence.

William S. Tarbox attended his first Redding City Council meeting last week and is transitioning into the role by meeting with staff and touring city facilities.

A discussion about an allegation that Shasta’s election official misused public resources took place earlier this month without any public comment. This week the item has been brought back to allow the public to weigh in.

The California Nurses Association and the Caregivers and Healthcare Employees Union have organized a strike of nurses at Shasta Regional amid stalled contract negotiations with the hospital.

The petition seeks to stop a proposed ballot initiative that, if approved by voters in June, would amend Shasta’s charter to implement local election policies. Supervisors will discuss the petition in closed session on Feb. 20.

Bethel Church says the allegations are being investigated by a third party. Armstrong did not respond to a request for comment.

The county has provided a new list of exposure sites where people may have contracted the measles virus.

The council’s decision to consider creating a social media policy comes after controversial social media posts by Council member Darin Hale.

With the aim of improving aging infrastructure and keeping up with factors such as inflation and California clean energy mandates, REU is proposing a 4.5% increase in utility costs for the next four years, starting in April.

As Prop. 50 lines come into play at the midterms, Shasta County will join California’s second congressional district, currently represented by Jared Huffman of San Rafael. His representation would mark an immense shift for Shasta’s conservative voters.

“I love to encourage people to become volunteers. There are so many opportunities out there that could match your interests. If they have time, it’s such a fulfilling thing for your spirit, for your heart. I want to leave this earth knowing I did good work, that I helped people.”

The library, which hasn’t been fully operational since last July, will reopen on Feb. 17 after significant upgrades made through a grant from the California State Library.

This week, county supervisors discussed whether Shasta election official Clint Curtis might have violated county policy by making campaign-related statements on county property. The county’s attorney said he had reviewed a single comment. A recording of the event illuminates many similar statements.