HHSA's Enterprise office re-opens for in-person services: News roundup

The roundup features news in brief from around the North State. Scroll down to read about the Redding airport getting a name change, a new phone scam affecting North State residents, a bill to rename the Anderson Post Office, the effort to return winter-run chinook salmon to the McCloud River, the European 3D home printing company that visited Redding, the death of Anderson K-9 Aero, and the new undersheriff in Shasta County.

Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency reopened it's Enterprise location for in-person assistance this month.

Prior to its closing 2.5 years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Enterprise office at 2757 Churn Creek Road worked with 80 to 100 people per day, the agency said. Staff continued to help customers by phone during the pandemic.

Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency reopened it's Enterprise location for in-person assistance in July 2022. The office took phone calls but had no face-to-face contact with customers during the first 2.5 years of the COVID pandemic.
Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency reopened it's Enterprise location for in-person assistance in July 2022. The office took phone calls but had no face-to-face contact with customers during the first 2.5 years of the COVID pandemic.

Services available at the office include:

  • Adult protective services

  • Community health advocates

  • Eligibility services for food, health coverage and cash aid benefits: Call 877-652-0731.

  • Water testing kits

  • Women Infants and Children supplemental nutrition program, by appointment: Call 530-224-4200.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information or questions 530-229-8400.

— Jessica Skropanic

Redding library extends hours for cooling center

Tuesday July 26, 2022

The Shasta County Library in Redding announced it will extend its regular hours to offer an emergency cooling center during the North State heatwave.

The National Weather Service said daytime temperatures will go above 100 degrees every day this week, reaching as high as 108 degrees on Thursday and Friday.

In response, the library at 1100 Parkview Ave. will keep its large community room open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily through Monday for people who want to sit in air conditioning.

If the heatwave lasts longer, the library will keep the extended cooling center hours next week, too, according to the announcement.

For more information call 530-245-7250.

— Jessica Skropanic

Concert to benefit Miss Rodeo California Jackie Scarry in quest for national title

Saturday, July 23

Music fans can help support Miss Rodeo California Jackie Scarry compete for Miss Rodeo America by buying tickets for an Aug. 12 show by country artist Chad Bushnell at Tiger Field.

Miss Rodeo California Jackie Scarry
Miss Rodeo California Jackie Scarry

The Redding Colt 45s is hosting the benefit concert for Scarry as part of its summer concert series on the baseball field.

Scarry, who previously held the Miss Redding Rodeo title, wants to compete for the national title this fall at the Miss Rodeo America pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Tickets for the 8 p.m. concert cost $10 and are available at Colt 45 games, Hawes Ranch and Farm Supply in Anderson and from Scarry, who is a Redding native.

— Mike Chapman

Cities will host National Night Out events on Aug. 2

Saturday, July 23

The cities of Anderson and Shasta Lake will host National Night Out get-togethers on the evening of Aug. 2.

The Anderson celebration will be from 5-9 p.m. in the field next to the River Splash Pad at Anderson River Park. Visitors can get free Anderson Police Department swag and watch a K-9 demonstration. Food trucks also will be there.

The Shasta Lake celebration will run from 5:30-7 p.m. at Clair Engle Park. There will be free hot dogs, kids activities, a K-9 demonstration and a watermelon eating contest.

— Mike Chapman

A boat floats beneath the Sundial Bridge on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. The current riverfront specific plan spans 500 acres from the Redding Civic Auditorium to the Sacramento River.
A boat floats beneath the Sundial Bridge on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. The current riverfront specific plan spans 500 acres from the Redding Civic Auditorium to the Sacramento River.

Open houses will talk about Redding riverfront update

Friday, July 22

Two public open houses in the Community Room at Redding City Hall are being held to talk more about and seek input on the riverfront specific plan update the city is working on.

The workshops are scheduled for Monday and Aug. 3. Both will start at 5:30 p.m. and are expected to last one hour.

Attendees are encouraged to ask questions and express their opinions at both open houses. In a news release, city Planning Manager Lily Toy said the open houses are "a vital part of learning what is best for Redding and all who enjoy the riverfront spaces."

The city plans to spend up to $1.25 million on a new riverfront specific plan, a two-year process that apparently will include work to get buy-in from one of the waterfront's largest stakeholders.

In April, the City Council voted to hire a consultant and do a riverfront update rather than declare land near the Sacramento River as "surplus property," which would have allowed a potential change of ownership of property where the Civic Auditorium and Redding Rodeo Grounds sit.

The city considered putting the land in surplus after the council received an unsolicited offer last fall for 45 acres of the prime city-owned land near Turtle Bay Exploration Park.

For more information about the riverfront update, go to www.cityofredding.org/departments/development-services/planning.

— David Benda

FEMA
FEMA

FEMA grant to pay for backup generator as standby for fire fighting

Tuesday, July 19

The city of Redding will get a new backup generator that'll help keep water flowing in case another fire like the Carr Fire erupts and the city again needs extra water to fend off the flames.

Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale, announced Tuesday the city will receive a $1.6 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pay for the generator at the city's Foothill Water Treatment Plant.

The announcement comes four days before the Carr Fire's four-year anniversary. The Carr Fire started July 23, 2018, along Highway 299 and Carr Powerhouse Road in the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. The devastating blaze burned 229,651 acres as it crossed into the Redding city limits.

The grant will include the replacement of two existing transformers and switchboards with a single new transformer and switchboard, LaMalfa's office said.

"Redding’s water treatment plant operations were vital for their efforts to help fight the 2018 Carr Fire. By keeping up operations, the city of Redding was able to set up sprinklers and water down defensible zones to protect infrastructure," according to the announcement.

— Mike Chapman

The entrance to Redding Municipal Airport in December 2021.
The entrance to Redding Municipal Airport in December 2021.

Redding’s airport gets a new name

Friday, July 15

The Redding City Council has approved changing the name of Redding Municipal Airport to Redding Regional Airport.

The council approved the name change at its meeting on June 21. The new name will become official once the Federal Aviation Administration approves. By the end of the year, “we’ll definitely be operating under Redding Regional Airport,” said Airport Manager Jim Wadleigh.

The airport’s identifier, RDD, will remain the same, he said.

Wadleigh said that he and his team advanced the name change as part of the airport’s strategic planning process that started in December.

Getting ‘regional’ in the airport’s name “just drew attention and it’s going to continue to probably draw attention .. as we describe the services of the airport,” he explained.

The travel hub located just south of Redding broadly serves the North State, based on credit card data collected about airport travelers, he said. “That was something we wanted to reflect in our marketing efforts” with the name change, said Wadleigh.

The Redding airport now has service to Seattle via Alaska Air, Burbank and Las Vegas via Avelo Airlines and San Francisco and Los Angeles via SkyWest Airlines doing business as United Express.

— Michele Chandler

Haven hosts July adoption event

Friday July 15, 2022

People planning to adopt a cat or dog from Haven Humane Society in Redding can save money during the Bissell Pet Foundation’s Summer "Empty the Shelters adoption event.

Adoption fees are waived through July 31 for people approved to adopt a pet, funded by a grant from the Bissell Pet Foundation.

Pets up from adoption include dogs who graduated from Camp Love-A-Pet, a two-week boot camp during which dogs go through basic obedience training and learn tricks.

All adoptions are by appointment only. To schedule an appointment or for more information call Haven's adoption center at 530-241-1653.

— Jessica Skropanic

Phone scam: Callers claim to be from sheriff's office

Thursday, July 14

A phone scam is circulating in the North State in which callers claim to be sheriff's office staff, according to the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff's office said Wednesday it received reports over the past week from people claiming they had a voice message from someone claiming to be a sheriff’s office employee.

The message told them to call back "regarding a civil matter" using an out-of-area number.

The caller has no association with the sheriff’s office, the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office said. Its employees never call people to ask for money or any other compensation.

To report a phone scam call the Tehama County Sheriff's Office at 530-529-7900 or the Shasta County Sheriff's Office at 530-245-6000.

— Jessica Skropanic

The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill to rename the Anderson Post Office after former Councilwoman Norma Comnick.
The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill to rename the Anderson Post Office after former Councilwoman Norma Comnick.

House passes bill to rename Anderson Post Office after former councilwoman

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

The House of Representatives this week passed a bill to name the Anderson Post Office building after former Councilwoman Norma Comnick.

The house unanimously passed the bill, which now goes to the U.S. Senate. If it is approved there, it goes to President Biden for his signature. The bill was introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale.

Comnick served on the Anderson City Council from 1996 until her death in 2020. She was active in several other community programs and was a business owner in Anderson.

— Damon Arthur

Winter-run juvenile Chinook salmon are prepared for release at Coleman National Fish Hatchery in March 2018. (Photo: Steve Martarano/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
Winter-run juvenile Chinook salmon are prepared for release at Coleman National Fish Hatchery in March 2018. (Photo: Steve Martarano/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Winter-run salmon eggs returned to the McCloud River

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

As part of a long-term effort to return winter-run chinook salmon to the McCloud River, 20,000 salmon eggs were placed this week in the river for the first time since Shasta Dam was built in the early 1940s.

The fertilized eggs were placed in a special incubator to keep them safe until the eggs hatch, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The young fish will be released but later be trapped in the river and then released downstream of the dam so they can migrate out to the ocean.

The endangered winter-run salmon once spawned in the McCloud River, but after Shasta and Keswick dams were built, the fish could no longer reach the river.

The fish now spawn in the Sacramento River in the Redding area, but the recent drought and warm water in recent years has killed thousands of eggs, which require cold water to survive.

"The historic return of winter-run chinook salmon eggs to the mountains upstream of Shasta Reservoir is in urgent response to reduce the extinction risk during a third year of severe drought. It is not a species reintroduction program," the department said in a news release.

— Damon Arthur

Brush fire burns near Whiskeytown visitors center

Friday, July 8, 2022

National Park Service firefighters returned Friday to mop up where a small brush fire had burned to within about 600 feet from the visitors center at the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area on Thursday night.

The fire was reported at 11:17 p.m. Thursday at South Fork Lookout Road and the right side of Highway 299 as you’re going up the hill toward the park and about 200 feet before John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive, chief ranger Dave Keltner said.

A sign stands in front of Whiskeytown Lake next to the visitor center just off Highway 299 in Shasta County on Friday, April 24, 2020.
A sign stands in front of Whiskeytown Lake next to the visitor center just off Highway 299 in Shasta County on Friday, April 24, 2020.

“We had fire personnel on scene making sure the fire was out and mopping up Friday,” he said.

Firefighters from the park service, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the California Highway Patrol initially responded to the fire that burned 1.36 acres, Keltner said.

The fire’s exact cause is under investigation, but someone is believed to be responsible for it.

“It was a human-caused start likely and we’re currently investigating it. If anyone has any information, we would appreciate a telephone call to our dispatch center at 530-242-3431,” Keltner said.

— Mike Chapman

Youths playing with fire burn quarter-acre of vegetation

Friday, July 8, 2022

The Redding Fire Department said two youths started three separate fires Thursday night in the 3100 block of Lawrence Road in the Enterprise area.

A fire investigator determined the two juveniles were playing with fire and the flames burned a quarter-acre of natural vegetation just before 9 p.m.

Firefighter said they quickly extinguished the fire, which damaged a wood fence. Crews stayed at the scene for about an hour to mop up.

— Mike Chapman

Exterior view showing the printer layers of the 3D-printed 94-square meters (1,011-square feet) two-bedroom bungalow resembling a boulder with windows in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Friday, April 30, 2021. The fluid, curving lines of its gray walls look natural. But they are actually at the cutting edge of housing construction in the Netherlands and around the world. They were 3D printed at a nearby factory. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Redding group says it lost its bid for Denmark-based 3D home printing firm

Update: Friday, July 8

Corrections & Clarifications: This story has been updated to reflect that the European company, COBOD International, says it has not yet selected where to locate its United States headquarters.

A Redding group says it has lost its bid to bring a European-based 3D printing firm to the city.

Instead, Copenhagen, Denmark-based COBOD International will establish its U.S. headquarters in Florida, said Don Ajamian, president of Redding-based Don Ajamian Construction.

Ajamian and local housing industry entrepreneur Matthew Gile are business partners in Emergent 3D, a venture launched to build 3D printed homes. Emergent 3D bought one of COBOD’s robotic construction systems last year and have building projects planned for the North State.

Along with the Economic Development Corporation of Shasta County, which wrote the local group’s proposal to the European company, Emergent 3D executives hosted COBOD executives during their multi-day visit to Redding late last year, hoping to attract the company.

High hopes: Could Denmark-based 3D home printing firm 'put Redding on the map?'

But COBOD (Construction of Buildings on Demand) selected Florida, said Ajamian via email. “As I understand it, the primary deciding factor was that Florida is a closer time zone to Denmark. Additionally, it is more central for several of their customers,” he said.

COBOD’s construction system squeezes out cement in precise configurations to become the walls of single and multi-family homes.

Asked to confirm where its first U.S headquarters will be located, COBOD spokesperson Charlotte Joensen said: "This has not been selected yet, but I will let you know when we know more."

Michele Chandler

Aero, a retired police canine with the Anderson Police Department, has died at the age of 10. He joined the department in 2013 as a patrol and narcotics detection canine.
Aero, a retired police canine with the Anderson Police Department, has died at the age of 10. He joined the department in 2013 as a patrol and narcotics detection canine.

Retired K-9 Aero passes away after career with Anderson police

Saturday, July 2, 2022

A popular K-9 who formerly served with the Anderson Police Department has died at the age of 10.

Aero had a seven-year career after joining Anderson police in 2013.

Retired K-9 Aero of the Anderson Police Department has died at the age of 10.
Retired K-9 Aero of the Anderson Police Department has died at the age of 10.

“Aero’s handler officer Mike Hallagan would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of you in the community that have helped support K-9 Aero and the rest of the APD K-9 team,” the department said on Facebook.

As a patrol and narcotics-detection canine, police said Aero helped to catch more than 100 suspects, “the majority of whom surrendered when they were told Aero would be deployed to apprehend them.”

The community came to Aero’s aid when he almost died halfway through his career due to a medical condition. The dog’s fans made donations to help pay his medical bills at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

“Aero survived his battle with the disease and was medically retired for a short period of time,” the department said.

The dog was able to return to full patrol duty within a year.

One of Aero’s primary roles throughout his career was his duties as a narcotics detection canine. All told, Aero helped seize more than 500 pounds of marijuana, 25 pounds of methamphetamine, 15 pounds of heroin and smaller quantities of cocaine and MDMA.

In his last week of duty, Aero uncovered $95,000 as part of career haul of over a quarter-million dollars of suspected drug money.

— Mike Chapman

Sheriff-Coroner Michael Johnson, left, recently swore in Capt. Brian Jackson, right, as the 25th undersheriff of Shasta County.
Sheriff-Coroner Michael Johnson, left, recently swore in Capt. Brian Jackson, right, as the 25th undersheriff of Shasta County.

Brian Jackson promoted as new Shasta County undersheriff

Saturday, July 2, 2022

Brian Jackson has been named the new undersheriff for Shasta County.

Sheriff-Coroner Michael Johnson last week held a swearing-in ceremony for Jackson, who previously served as a captain.

Jackson is Shasta County’s 25th undersheriff and takes over from Jason Barnhart, who retired. Barnhart had served as undersheriff since January 2020.

Undersheriff Jackson is a 26-year veteran in law enforcement, sheriff’s office said.

He is a Shasta County native who began his career as a public safety service officer in the jail. After being selected as a deputy sheriff trainee, Jackson went on to serve in the patrol division, was a detective in the Major Crimes Unit and held titles of patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, lieutenant and captain.

Before his promotion, Jackson was captain to the enforcement division commander position that has oversight of all patrol stations including the investigation units of the Major Crimes Unit, Shasta Interagency Narcotics Task Force and the Marijuana Eradication Team, according to the sheriff’s office.

— Mike Chapman

Shasta County groups eligible for healthy lifestyle grants

Friday, July 1, 2022

Nonprofit Healthy Shasta is inviting individuals and organizations to apply for grants to be used for equipment purchases that foster healthy living among North State residents, the group announced.

Shasta County organizations that are eligible to apply include:

  • schools

  • community centers

  • government buildings

  • businesses where community members can assess the equipment

  • facilities frequented by community members

Three to six grants will be selected, with up to $2,000 available per organization.

The Healthy Shasta partnership encourages people to ride bikes, drink more water and eat healthier.

The application deadline is Aug. 1. Find the application at https://bit.ly/3yy1tVU and direct questions to admin@healthyshasta.org.

— Michele Chandler

Haven Humane golf tourney tees off July 8

Friday July 1, 2022

Haven Humane Society hosts sixth annual "Putt 4 Paws" golf tournament at 9 a.m. Friday July 8 at Riverview Golf and Country Club, 4200 Bechelli Lane in Redding.

A shotgun start kicks off this four-person scramble tournament that features 18 holes along the scenic Sacramento River, contests, a raffle, a lunch and an awards ceremony. There's also a poker game to win a five-night stay in Hawaii.

All levels are welcome.

Cost is $125 per person, $500 for a team of four. Included in the price are range balls, cart use, a catered lunch, games, a goodie bag and other activities. Proceeds benefit animals at Haven Humane Society and are used to fund daily operations.

For more information or to register call 530-241-5262 or go to havenhumane.org or to bit.ly/3QWACtG.

— Jessica Skropanic

Tickets available for "Singin' in the Rain Jr."

Friday July 1, 2022

The Redding Theatre Company and Redding City Ballet present "Singin' in the Rain Jr." at 7 p.m. on July 22, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on July 23 at the Shasta College Theatre, 11555 Old Oregon Trail in Redding.

Students ages 8 to 18 enrolled in this summer's Broadway Boot Camp perform all rolls in this musical which is based on the 1952 romantic comedy film by the same name.

Tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for children ages three to 12, free to children ages 2 and younger with a paying adult.

For more information or to buy tickets call 530-245-1019 or go to thereddingartsproject.com.

— Jessica Skropanic

Quartet plays classic jazz at Pilgrim

Friday July 1, 2022

The Cameron Sewell-Snyder Jazz Quartet plays a concert called "To Remember the Past" from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday July 8 at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 2850 Foothill Blvd. in Redding.

The Cameron Sewell-Snyder Jazz Quartet performs "To Remember the Past" on Friday July 8, 2022 at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Redding.
The Cameron Sewell-Snyder Jazz Quartet performs "To Remember the Past" on Friday July 8, 2022 at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Redding.

The Performing Arts Society of Redding hosts this concert featuring a program of jazz standards by Thelonius Monk, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus and other classic jazz artists. The concert honors composers who helped shape the ensemble's repertoire.

Admission is free. Donations are accepted.

Masks are required. Attendees must provide verification of COVID vaccinations or their negative COVID test result taken within 48 hours of entering the church.

For more information email pasreddinginfo@gmail.com.

— Jessica Skropanic

Art league kicks off July show

Friday July 1, 2022

The North Valley Art League opens its July exhibit called "Alcohol and Rust" with a meet-the-artists reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday July 8 at the Carter House Gallery in Caldwell Park, 48 Quartz Hill Road in Redding.

Alcohol ink painting by North State artist Kathleen Evans. The North Valley Art League's July 2022 exhibit is "Alcohol and Rust," now open at the Carter House Gallery in Caldwell Park in Redding.
Alcohol ink painting by North State artist Kathleen Evans. The North Valley Art League's July 2022 exhibit is "Alcohol and Rust," now open at the Carter House Gallery in Caldwell Park in Redding.

The exhibit features the work of North State artists Kathleen Evans and Don Linn. Pieces on display include Evans' alcohol ink paintings, Linn's metal sculptures and work in other media by league members. The show closes on July 30.

Admission is free. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.

For more information call 530-224-1023, email info@nval.org or go to nval.org.

— Jessica Skropanic

Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and entertainment stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Shasta County Public Health office opens after COVID pandemic closure