HIT — Weather-wise, October is often the nicest year on the calendar in these parts. The daytime temperature averages around 80 degrees and while nighttime can get a bit on the chilly side, it’s never anything that a nice, safe little fire pit can’t warm up for a pleasant evening.
That’s why it’s good that some of our most popular outdoor events take place this month, including two this weekend.
Up on the ridge, Paradise is hosting Johnny Appleseed Days, an event that was first held in 1888 — making it California’s oldest harvest festival. The fun will begin both Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. at Terry Ashe Park, 6626 Skyway.
Over in Corning, it’s Olive Festival time. The longest running olive festival in America, the 76th annual event will include a pancake breakfast at the fire hall Saturday morning (7-10 a.m.) and a car show and other events from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1485 Toomes Avenue.
Small-town events bring out the best of northern California charm. Call a time out from your typically busy schedule and go enjoy.
MISS — Every now and then we get a powerful reminder that this is Mother Nature’s world, and we just live in it.
A couple of powerful storms that came through Sept. 29-30 brought some welcome rain to the region, but also caused a lot of problems — and even some frightening moments.
Powerful thunder and all-too-close lightning led to the cancellation of several high school football games, such as the Orland-Durham game in Durham. The sights and sounds were so ominous, players and fans alike were hustling for the exits and the relative safety of their respective vehicles.
It didn’t get better for Durham from there. The Durham Water District’s generator went out of commission because of the storm, forcing customers to boil their water afterward.
And then there’s Chico. Why does so much of what happens in Chico all go back to the city council chamber? On this particular Tuesday night, councilors and staff were surprised to learn that the microphone system wasn’t working. Since that meant people viewing online (as well as, probably, many people in the chamber) wouldn’t be able to hear the meeting, it was called off after a closed session.
With no storms in the forecast for the next week or so, we trust the microphones will be fixed in time for the Oct. 17 meeting to go off without a hitch.
HIT — One of the very best things about Butte County is the fact that on any given day, hundreds of people are volunteering their time for a worthwhile cause.
This Sunday promises to be one of the most worthwhile yet.
About 150 people will sport orange t-shirts and spread out over Chico as part of Bidwell Presbyterian Church’s “Serve Chico Fall ’23.” The event will take place from 10 a.m. until noon or 1 p.m.
Volunteers will be doing everything from cleaning up graffiti to re-barking a new trail in Lower Bidwell Park to painting a U.S. map on the playground blacktop at Chapman Elementary School. They’ll also write letters of gratitude to more than 200 Butte County sheriff’s deputies and dispatchers.
In an era (like many before it) where some people complain “there’s nothing to do,” this is a fantastic reminder that sometimes in life, the very best thing “to do” is spend time helping others.
MISS — One of the most frustrating facts about our government is no matter how big it gets, the situation with local law enforcement agencies often just seems to get worse.
Another example happened recently in Glenn County, when the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office announced that it would be pulling its services from the city of Willows on Oct. 8.
On the bright side, Willows is looking to bring back its own police department.
A Glenn County Sheriff’s Office’s statement said the agency has continued its services in the city limits since July despite not having reached a contract agreement, building up a total of more than $600,000 in services. The city responded saying that it will pay for these services and then work to come up with a tentative plan for services going forward until a police department can be established.
It brought to mind a situation in neighboring Tehama County where the sheriff’s department had to suspend patrols in most areas because there simply weren’t enough deputies on staff.
Fox News reported last month that according to a Rice University study, nearly 40 small towns across the United States have abandoned their police departments since 2019.
That’s an ominous trend.
Hits and misses are compiled by the editorial board.
