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Articles by Callie Ross-Smith
Car shot at in Chico
CHICO, Calif. - Chico police are hoping witnesses will come forward who may have seen a shooting in the Chapmantown on Tuesday afternoon. It happened just before 4 p.m. in the area of E. 16th and C Streets. Police say someone fired a gun at a passing car with two sleeping children inside, but police could not locate the shooter. Neither the driver nor the children were injured. Call (530) 897-4900 if you know anything related to this case.
Murder suspect arrested in Chico
UPDATE 6:50 p.m., Monday, April 27, 2020 - Chico Police announced on Monday they have arrested the suspect in the murder of 21-year-old Joshua Elysee. Officials say they spoke with witnesses and obtained search warrants, determining 26-year-old Johnny Osby was the suspect. On April 27, almost two weeks after the deadly shooting, officials say they learned Osby was at an apartment on the 900 block of West East Avenue.
2,000 people without phone service in Shasta County
OLINDA, Calif. - The Shasta County Sheriff's Office says about 2,000 people in Olinda are without phone service as of 8:45 p.m. Monday. The sheriff's office is not sure what caused the phone outage nor when the problem will be resolved. If someone needs to call 911, the sheriff's office recommends that people use a cellphone.
DMV closure: Essential DMV services going online
CALIFORNIA - The DMV announced Thursday that it will be temporarily closing all offices, state-wide and halting all in-person services starting Friday, March 27. All in-office appointments will be canceled. Online services will continue uninterrupted and DMV Kiosks around the state will remain open. Instead, starting April 2, the DMV will offer virtual essential services. These servies will include complete vehicle title transfers and complex vehicle registration renewals.
No toll workers at Bay Area bridges
BAY AREA, Calif. - The Bay Area seven toll bridges will temporarily not be accepting cash payment until further notice, says CalTrans. These bridges are the Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael, San Francisco-Oakland Bay or San Mateo-Hayward bridges. This is because all toll plazas will be unstaffed. Representatives from CalTrans say they hope that the move minimizes the risk of exposure to the coronavirus.
Yosemite National Park closed indefinitely
YOSEMITE, Calif. - One of America's favorite national parks was shut down to all visitors Friday. The local health department requested that Yosemite National Park be closed. While other national parks have closed some areas, this is the first national park to close entirely. Guests were told that this move would last until at least March 31. Tuesday, the hotels and restaurants had already closed as a precaution.
Tehama Superior Court temporarily closed
TEHAMA COUNTY, Calif. - Besides some exceptions, the Tehama Superior Court announced on Wednesday that the court will be closed to the public from Thursday, March 19 through Friday, April 3 due to the coronavirus. This will also impact clerk windows and self-help centers. People who wish to use the self-help centers can still get help by emailing asksharp@buttecourt.ca.gov. • Felony preliminary hearings and in-custody arraignments.
Gov. Gavin Newsom: National Guard on alert
CALIFORNIA - Gov. Gavin Newsom announced today that the National Guard is now on alert to be ready to respond to humanitarian missions because of COVID-19. “As Californians make sacrifices over the coming weeks and stay home, we are immensely grateful for medical providers, first-responders and National Guard personnel who are assisting those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19,” said Gov. Newsom.
Joe Biden wins Florida and Illinois as he extends his delegate lead over Bernie Sanders
Former Vice President Joe Biden will win the Illinois and Florida Democratic primaries, CNN projects, victories that will allow him to substantially expand his delegate lead over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders as they vie for the Democratic nomination.
Redding votes to declare state of emergency
REDDING, Calif. - The Redding City Council voted unanimously on March 17 to declare of state of emergency due to coronavirus concerns. This allows the city to apply for federal and state relief. This declaration also allows City Manager Barry Tippin to oversee planning and response efforts. "It gives us a lot more flexibility in dealing with this issue and ables us to react quicker to help keep people safe and healthy in our community," says Mayor Adam McElvain.
Ex-Head Central Valley wrestling coach arrested for statutory rape to return to court
Shasta County Sheriff's Department said they arrested the head Central Valley High School wrestling coach, 27-year-old Stephen Reed, for eight counts of statutory rape. Posted: Feb 27, 2020 8:29 PM Updated: Jun 8, 2020 2:49 PM Posted By: Callie Ross-Smith, Deb Anderaos UPDATE: 2:45 p.m. Monday, June 8, 2020 - A former high school wrestling coach will stand trial on more than 20 counts of sex involving underage girls.
Chico Council officially adopts district voting
CHICO, Calif. - The Chico City Counil voted Monday after a 30 minute meeting to waive the second full reading of the district ordinance and instead approve the ordinance that was ironed out last week. This means that the City of Chico has officially ammended its municipal code, establishing district elections, which is effective in 30 days, according to Chico City Manager Mark Orme. This November, voters in four of the seven newly established districts will cast ballots to elect council members.
One dead after structure fire on Sarah Avenue in Chico
CHICO, Calif. - Chico Fire Department confirmed that one person died on Saturday night in a strucutre fire on Sarah Avenue. When fire crews from Chico Fire and CAL FIRE arrived on scene, they reported heavy fire from the front of the structure. After searching the area, they found the person, who paramedics pronounced dead on scene. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. There were no reported injuries.
Traffic advisories in effect this weekend
Here are the latest chain control requirements for the Sierra, according to Caltrans: • I-80 between Alta and the Stateline
Rain doesn't seem to dampen people's holiday spirits
CHICO, Calif. - The weather outside may be frightful, but it's not keeping people from getting into the holiday spirit. Steady winter rain continues through the weekend, drenching streets and slowing traffic around town. The weather, however, is not dampening the efforts of Boy Scout Troop 31. The scouts started the weekend off with 600 trees. The troop's scout master says they are now down to about 400 trees, and the boys are having a blast.
Shooting on the edge of New Orleans' French Quarter leaves 10 injured
A shooter injured 10 people early Sunday on Canal Street, on the edge of New Orleans' French Quarter, and a person has been detained though not charged, police said. Posted: Dec 1, 2019 12:45 PM Posted By: Callie Ross-Smith, CNN New Oreleans, LA - A shooter injured 10 people early Sunday on Canal Street, on the edge of New Orleans' French Quarter, and a person has been detained though not charged, police said. The victims are being treated at local hospitals.
Oroville CHP and police search for man who fled traffic stop
OROVILLE, Calif. - Officer Thompson from CHP Oroville says that they are looking for a man who fled on foot during a traffic stop. Thompson said he pulled over the man just before 9 a.m. on Sunday for failing to yield near East Grant Avenue and Antler Drive in Oroville. When the man was out of the vehicle, Thompson said the man fled on foot. Butte County Sheriff's Office and Oroville Police helped CHP look for him. CHP's helicopter was also called out.
More blackouts may be on the way this Wednesday for parts of northern California
CALIFORNIA, Calif. - Due to a possible strong offshore wind event customers in the Sierra foothills, North Valley and North Bay could lose power, according to a news release from PG&E. The PSPS would impact up to 180,000 customers. PG&E says unseasonably high termpartures have increased the fire danger in these areas as well. PG&E says it has improved its website and call centers are now able to handle much higher levels of traffic. This comes after the Oct.
CAL FIRE responding to two possible fires
TEHAMA and BUTTE COUNTIES, Calif. - CAL FIRE Butte County is responding to a fire on Star Road in Berry Creek. The fire has a low rate of spread and no structures are threatened. Meanwhile, north of Red Bluff, CAL FIRE Tehama County is looking at another possible fire. We're working to find out the exact location of this smoke.
Anderson police identify Walmart bomb threat suspect
UPDATE 10:48 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2020 - The Anderson Police Department Detective Division has identified a suspect from a Walmart bomb threat that resulted in a loss of $19,000 worth in sales and employee compensation for the store. The Anderson Walmart received a bomb threat on November 16, 2019, that resulted in the evacuation of Walmart and the other stores located in the shopping center, officers said.
A traffic stop in Anderson leads to a drug arrest
ANDERSON, Calif.- On Nov. 15, Shasta County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop that led to a drug arrest. Officials say they pulled over a vehicle on Happy Valley Road near Happy Valley Market. In the vehicle was a female driver and a male passenger named Keith Schatek. While deputies searched Schatek, a K-9 officer alerted them to the presence of a controlled substance inside the vehicle.
San Diego Police say five members of a family are dead, one injured in murder-suicide
SAN DIEGO (AP) - Five members of a family, including three young boys, have died and another boy was hospitalized with injuries in an apparent murder-suicide in San Diego. Lt. Matt Dobbs said officers responded to a report of arguing and what sounded like a nail gun being fired inside a house in the Paradise Hills neighborhood Saturday morning. He said when officers arrived, they found a 3-year-old boy, a 29-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man dead inside.
As IPAs continue to dominate the craft beer world, Sacramento brewers adapt
Alaro’s Castillo, an IPA, has won medals at the California State Fair and the Great American Beer Festival. Alaro Even though many brewers say they would love to spend more time refining other styles of beer, IPAs play an outsized role in day-to-day operations at Sacramento-area breweries because customers love them. It’s a simple fact: Customers constantly want a brew that is even weirder or more extreme than the last.
People in redding cautiously optimistic for development replacing parking structure
REDDING, Calif. - A downtown Redding parking structure is slowly being demolished to make way for affordable housing and a retail complex called Block 7. The complex first got approval from the Redding City Council on Sept. 30. The project will cost $67 million, money which will come from state grants, private financing, federal and state tax credits, developer equity and a city development loan. As of Nov. 11, half of the parking structure is blocked off to be demolished first.
Veterans Day celebration in Chico
CHICO, Calif. - Events across Butte County took place on Nov. 11to honor those who have served, and are serving, in the U.S. military. It was a full house at the Chico Elk's Lodge for the 16th annual Veterans Day Program. The event included a veteran who discussed his father's experiences serving in World War I.
Huntington Beach hiker found dead on top of a glacier after missing for days
TULARE COUNTY, Calif. - A three-day search for a Inyo County hiker has ended after he was found dead on top of a glacier in Sequoia and Kings National Park. Alan Stringer, 40, of Huntington Beach, was reported missing Monday evening when he didn't return home after a hike, the Inyo County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. Investigators found his body Thursday at the top of the Darwin Glacier, which is near the base of Mount Darwin.
Shasta County Sheriff's Deputies arrest man for burglary
SHASTA LAKE, CALIF. - Neighbors in Shasta Lake worked together on Nov. 7 to help Shasta County deputies capture a man who is suspected of burglarizing a garage on Trinity Street. The Shasta County Sheriff's Office says deputies arrested 19-year-old Tajari Gabriel Phillips because they suspected him of taking a rifle and ammunition. After being confronted by the homeowner, deputies say he fled on foot through backyards in the neighborhood.
The Paradise Chamber of Commerce all Camp Fire related events
There is a full list of events that are observing the one year anniversary of the Camp Fire that the Paradise Chamber of Commerce released. For the full details of each event, CLICK HERE. • Theatre On the Ridge presents "Bright Star" will continue through Nov. 24. • 85 seconds of United Silence, at 11:08 a.m. all of Butte County, will unite during 85 seconds of silence. • We Stand Together, family fair, bounce houses, food and more.
CAL FIRE Tehama County tackles multiple brush fires
TEHAMA COUNTY, Calif. - CAL FIRE is currently working on a brush fire that started in Red Bank around noon on Nov. 3. CAL FIRE says the Ranch Fire is 15-20 acres, with a moderate spread. Two helicopters and four water tankers are responding to the fire. Just before that, fire crews knocked down two separate fires on I-5 north. CAL FIRE says both fires grew to .25 acres before being extinguished.
Blackout impacts on Red Bluff water
TEHAMA COUNTY, Calif. - Red Bluff's water pressure is low because of the PG&E power outages. The city has been relying on generators to power half of its water pump system. Red Bluff's city manager, Rick Crabtree, doesn't believe that citizens using the water will notice too much of a major difference on their side. During power shutoffs, the water should remain safe to drink.
Police arrest Anderson man for deadly traffic collision
REDDING, Calif. - At 1:45 a.m. on Oct. 27, Redding Police arrived on scene to a crash at 1885 Hilltop Drive in Redding. The pedestrian was quickly transported to Mercy Medical Center, where medical professionals determined that the victim was dead. Police say they arrested 49-year-old Jeffrey Brown, the driver of the involved vehicle, for a DUI and second-degree murder. Brown was booked into the Shasta County Jail today.
PG&E announces more possible outages starting Oct. 29
CALIFORNIA - PG&E announced another round of possible blackouts starting on Tuesday morning, Oct. 29, and going through Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 30. PG&E says around 32 counties will be involved in the event because of predicted strong winds. Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Shasta, Tehama, Yuba, Amador, El Dorado, Nevada counties could be affected. This is the third consecutive significant wind event in a week’s time.
The Paradise Chamber of Commerce released a list of all Camp Fire related eventsop
There is a full list of events that are observing the one year anniversary of the Camp Fire that the Paradise Chamber of Commerce released.
Three men in Shasta County arrested in connection with soliciting underage prostitutes
SHASTA COUNTY, Calif - In a multi-agency effort involving the Shasta County Sheriff's Office, the Shasta County District Attorney's Office and Anderson Police, three men were arrested for trying to solicit prostitution from teenage girls. On Oct. 18-19, undercover officers created an ad on several websites frequently used in the prostitution/escort community, posing as a young female prostitute between the age of 15-16 years old.
90-year-old man nearly scammed out of thousands of dollars
MOUNT SHASTA, Calif. - On Tuesday, Chase Bank workers alerted Mount Shasta Police about a 90-year-old customer who they believed was being scammed out of thousands of dollars. When police arrived, officers say the man was still trying to withdraw $6,000 from an account. The man did not want to talk to police because he said he signed a non-disclosure agreement about the withdrawal, which police later determined was fake.
Chain of murders in Roseville possibly linked to murder in Mount Shasta
ROSEVILLE, Calif. - The Roseville Police Department is investigating multiple homicides in Roseville, as well as one victim being found in a car at the Mount Shasta Police Department in Siskiyou County. Officers say they have a suspect in custody. There are a total of three victims in Roseville.
Gridley Police seize meth and heroin during traffic stop
GRIDLEY, Calif. - Saturday night, a Gridley police officer pulled a driver over on East Gridley Road and Highway 99. During the traffic stop, a K9 unit assisted the office. The dog alerted the officer that there were narcotics in the car. Officers found 16.75 grams of methamphetamine and 3.68 grams of heroin after searching the car. The driver, Ronald Lewis was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and heroin for sale.
One dead from crashing into tree while exiting
CHICO, Calif. - Officer David Gerstenkorn from the CHP said that a man died Saturday after he hit a tree while driving north on Highway 99 and missed the offramp of Highway 32 while exiting. CHP said the man was in his sixties and believe this crash was an accident. Gerstenkorn does not think speed played a factor. The victim was the only person in the Chevy pickup. Avoid the area, traffic continues to still be delayed.
87-year-old man missing from Redding home since Oct. 1
Redding, Calif. - Redding Police issued a silver alert for 87-year-old James Carroll who was reported missing by his family on Oct. 4. They last saw Carroll at his house on Red Bank Road in south Redding on Oct. 1. James is 5'10'', with a thin build, ahunched back, gray hair, brown eyes and wears glasses. He uses a cane to walk. Police say they located his vehicle at his home, so it is believed he left on foot.
Paradise Police arrest man for multiple warrants
PARADISE, Calif. - Paradise Police arrested Everette Crownover on Sept. 21 after performing a traffic stop on 637 Pearson Road for expired registration tags. The officer who pulled Crownover over says that a records check showed that he had a suspended driver's licenese from a previous DUI conviction. Crownover also had other arrest warrants from Paradise, Oroville, Chico, and the Butte County Sheriff's Office. The warrants were for numerous narcotics and traffic related offenses.
South Fire: 5,203 acres and 53% containment
SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. - The South Fire burning in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, west of Red Bluff has grown to 5,203 acres. The fire has reached 53% containment. The cause of the fire is due to lightning. The fire started Thursday, Sept. 5 approximately at 1:45 p.m. According to Inciweb, their estimated containment date is Tuesday, Oct. 1.
Person killed by train in Chico on W. 1st Street
CHICO, Calif. - Chico Police reported that a pedestrian was killed by a Union Pacific train Saturday night 600 yards north of W. 1st Street near the Chico State WREC. While investigators were on scene, the railroad crossing at W. Sacramento Avenue was closed for approximately five hours. Police say they are still unsure what the pedestrian was doing on the tracks, and that that is still under investigation. The identity of the person who died will not be released until next of kin is notified.
FEMA admits to oversharing disaster survivor personal information
BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. - Thousands of Camp Fire survivors are among the 2.5 million disaster survivors across the country who FEMA says may have had their personal information improperly shared. FEMA initially announced this back in March. Survivors who were a part of the Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program received letters about the possibility of their information being overshared.
Swedes Fire: 400 acres, 10% contained
OROVILLE, Calif. - The Swedes Fire burning on Chinese Wall Road remains at 400 acres and is 10% contained as of 9:35 p.m. on September 7. Cal Fire says the fire is rapidly spreading. • Deer Valley Road from Swede Flat to the end • Jernigan Way from Hurleton Swedes Flat Road to the end • Old Olive Highway to Old Quincy Highway • Feathervale Drive and Mt. Ida Road and all adjoining roads to the east.
More than 1500 PG&E customers without power in Chico
CHICO, Calif. - Over 1500 customers in Chico are without power from downed powerlines laying across a driveway on Oakpark Ave and Rose Ave. The exact cause of the downed powerlines is still being investigated. Chico Fire and PG&E are responding to the incident. We have a reporter who will be on scene shortly.
Big rig explosion involving multiple vehicles in South Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe, Calif. - El Dorado County CHP says a big rig exploded in El Dorado County south of the Lake Tahoe Airport on Hwy 50 at Elks Club Road on Saturday morning after hitting multiple vehicles. CHP and the sheriff's office is still responding to the incident. We are working to find out more information.
Man dies from propeller cuts at Shasta Lake
SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. - Propeller cuts to the lower body killed a man yesterday afternoon at Corey Cove after he was in the water while his father reversed a houseboat. Shasta County Sheriff says it is unsure whether 23-year-old Kevin Rivera-Cornejo fell or jumped into the water while his father, Hector Rivera, maneuvered the rented houseboat to shore. Rivera says he only heard a scream and stopped the boat while other family members jumped in to try to rescue Rivera-Conejo.
Walker Fire reaches 100% containment
The Walker Fire that began burning on September 4, 2019, has reached 100% containment as of 8:44 a.m., on Sept. 26. Posted: Sep 4, 2019 3:38 PM Updated: Sep 26, 2019 8:56 AM Posted By: Deb Anderaos, Elita Goyer, Callie Ross-Smith, Sara Mansour Photo Gallery 7 Images PLUMAS COUNTY, Calif. - The Walker Fire that began burning on September 4, 2019, has reached 100% containment as of 8:44 a.m., on Sept. 26.
Mom thought she had kidney stones, gave birth to triplets
RAPID CITY, S.D. - A family in South Dakota is in shock after the mom, Dannette Giltz, went to the hospital thinking that she was having pain from kidney stones but ended up having an emergency cesarean section to give birth to triplets. Before going into labor, Dannette says she and her husband, Austin, were done with having children. The couple has been together for over 12 years and has one daughter and a 10-year-old son.
Nearly 4 tons of weed was discovered inside a shipment of jalapeños
(CNN) -- A shipment of jalapeños from Mexico to the US proved to be carrying more than just a spicy kick when Border Patrol agents found nearly 4 tons of marijuana hidden in the cargo. The discovery was made Thursday when a truck driver was flagged for a secondary inspection at the Otay Mesa border crossing in San Diego. During the inspection, a K-9 team alerted officers to the peppers, according to a press release from US Customs and Border Protection.
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