Shasta County News
Headlines from the newsrooms covering Shasta County, gathered in one place. Each story opens on its own site.
Yesterday
Shasta Scout8:52 PMMore than a dozen Shasta school board candidates have been endorsed by Moms for Liberty
The candidates are running for a range of school boards, including the Shasta County Office of Education. Shasta Scout unpacks what a Moms for Liberty endorsement means and why it matters.
- Shasta Scout6:29 PMWenham, Audette and Prosperi lead significantly in campaign donations for Redding councilThe three candidates’ earnings make up nearly 90% of the total funds raised in the race.
- Shasta Scout6:22 PMGorman issues clarification on campaign payment that could violate California lawA payment from Authur Gorman to his wife, Katie Gorman, may violate the Fair Political Practices Act. The law bars candidates from using campaign funds to compensate spouses or domestic partners for services. A clarification was uploaded to Gorman's campaign filing portal today referring to the payment as a reimbursement.
Friday, October 30
Shasta Scout6:19 PMIn the North State, changes driven by redistricting loom. Some fear a loss of representation, others see opportunity
Proposition 50, passed by voters last year, redrew part of the North State into a new district, one likely to elect a Democratic representative this November. Sources are divided on what that will mean for the North State.
- Shasta Scout6:04 PMWhat to Know About Shasta County Ballot Measures E, F, and CMeasure E would prevent the county from using eminent domain to transfer property from one private owner to another, while Measure F would give the Board of Supervisors another way to fill vacancies when elected officials leave their positions early. Versions of both were rejected by voters in 2024.
- Shasta Scout11:26 AMIn race for four open SCOE Board seats, Gorman has almost five times the donations of his closest competitorWith nearly $44,000 in campaign earnings, Gorman leads the pack among a pool of 10 candidates. He’s promoting a slate he hopes will win three of the open seats.
Thursday, October 29
Shasta Scout5:46 PMShasta elections chief says he doesn’t plan to set aside ballots of individuals flagged by Trump administration
The U.S. Department of Justice attempted to sue California in an effort to force election officials statewide to set aside roughly 20,000 ballots it claims belong to noncitizens. The attempt failed in court, and Shasta’s Clint Curtis said he’ll obey the court’s ruling.
- Shasta Scout4:16 PMDirector Christy Coleman agrees to outside consultant as Shasta HHSA’s financial woes persistAfter top Health and Human Services Agency staffers asked the board this week for continued financial help in the millions, Supervisors Matt Plummer and Allen Long pushed to bring in a third-party financial consultant. The motion passed unanimously despite verbal challenges from Supervisor Kevin Crye and Board Chair Chris Kelstrom.
- Shasta Scout3:37 PMOpinion: I ran Shasta County’s elections for 20 years. I know Trump’s playbook"To my fellow registrars and election officials across the country: I know what it feels like when the pressure arrives ... Remember, your oath is to the law and to every voter, not to a president, a party or a mob."
Wednesday, October 28
Shasta Scout7:42 PMPaid ‘supply captains,’ not volunteer rovers, will support Shasta’s poll workers this Election Day
The change means long-term volunteers who’ve provided support to poll workers in the past won’t play the same pivotal role this time. But Shasta’s election staffers said the new approach will still get the job done.
Tuesday, October 27
Shasta Scout5:10 PMTensions high as Shasta supervisors discuss possible cancellation of Flock camera contract
During a no-vote discussion today, county board members asked Shasta Sheriff Michael Johnson to bring forward a presentation next month addressing concerns over Flock cameras. If they don’t like what they hear, supervisors said, they could cancel the rest of the five-year contract.
Monday, October 26
Shasta Scout6:16 PMA last-minute voter guide to all 14 propositions on the California ballot
Californians are voting on 14 ballot measures, including propositions on taxes, voting, healthcare, housing and the environment. It’s a lot to take in, but we’re here to help.
Sunday, October 25
Shasta Scout8:20 PMCommunity members speak out during tense mental health advisory board meeting
Those impacted by the withdrawal of Kings View services shared concerns during a mental health advisory board meeting last week, saying the closure of a local mental health drop-in center had left gaps in care. Board members also navigated a number of other tense moments during the meeting.
Thursday, October 22
Shasta Scout5:46 PMRedding high school students call for tobacco ordinance enforcement
Students called on the Redding City Council to follow through on enforcement of a tobacco ordinance passed last year. Doing so, they said, would help address Shasta County’s high rate of teen tobacco use.
Wednesday, October 21
Shasta Scout6:09 PMRedding declares emergency in anticipation of El Niño, makes plans to clear congested drainage ditch
The cyclical weather event is expected to bring heavy rainfall to Northern California this winter, something especially worrisome for those who experienced severe impacts from last year’s flooding.
Tuesday, October 20
Shasta Scout8:56 PMMobile home residents voice concerns at town hall meeting
Residents from mobile home parks met with park owner Harmony Communities on Monday night to discuss rent increases. Supervisors are considering rent stabilization to address the issue.
Monday, October 19
Shasta Scout12:46 PM“No Kings” rally encourages civic engagement but sees a decrease in participation
Around 1,450 people attended the No Kings Get Out The Vote Rally on Oct. 17 in Redding, according to organizers. In March, about 2000 protestors organized.
Friday, October 16
Shasta Scout6:26 PMHaven Humane opens disaster response center built with Zogg Fire funds
The animal welfare organization opened a new disaster response and humane education center today next to its existing facilities in Anderson. The center was built with funds from the Zogg Fire that were designated for animal care in honor of Karen King.
Thursday, October 15
Shasta Scout6:40 PMRedding Rancheria PAC spends $32,000 to support four city council candidates
The Tribe said it created a PAC, or political action committee, to support city council members who understand the relationship between the Tribe and the city. Those candidates haven’t received direct donations of funds; instead, the PAC has provided indirect support through media campaigns.
Wednesday, October 14
Shasta Scout4:34 PMRedding has eliminated more than a dozen vacant police and fire positions and will close Fire Station 3
The changes were made to increase city savings amidst a struggling budget. Council members were united on fire department changes, but two were opposed to some of the police department cuts.
Tuesday, October 13
Shasta Scout7:56 PMAccountability vs. micromanagement: Shasta board debates its role during wide-ranging discussion
Supervisor Matt Plummer was accused of micromanagement for asking for data in response to an assessment of fire services. Meanwhile, Supervisor Kevin Crye spent nearly thirty minutes questioning a decision by the HHSA director with no such accusation sent his way.
Monday, October 12
Shasta Scout9:19 AMFor Shasta, collaboration needed to solve physician shortage
Political division is a barrier to improving healthcare access in Shasta County. Experts say solving the entrenched problem requires working together.
Sunday, October 11
Shasta Scout11:47 AMGallery: Downtown Redding hosts fourth annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration
Red Bluff-based entrepreneur Araceli Gutierrez collaborated with Viva Downtown to bring the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month to Redding.
Friday, October 9
Shasta Scout3:20 PMMeet Jack Munns for Redding City Council
There are three council seats on the ballot this November, and nine candidates are running. Munns is a current council member and former police officer.
Thursday, October 8
Shasta Scout4:56 PMThe same union supporting a billionaire tax wants voters to limit clinic spending. Here’s what to know about Prop. 44
Proposition 44 would require clinics to spend more money on patient care. The union pushing the measure is the same one supporting the billionaire tax proposal. Clinics say the measure will force closures.
- Shasta Scout4:53 PMMeet Joana Rebollar for Redding City CouncilThere are three open seats on the council, and nine candidates are in the running. Rebollar is a tax preparer and accountant who has a primary focus on the city’s finances.
- Shasta Scout3:47 PMRedding clerk race not included on Shasta ballotsThe candidate for Redding city clerk, appointed incumbent Sharlene Tipton, has no opponents. It’s not yet clear what impact leaving the race off the ballot might have on the election process.
Wednesday, October 7
Shasta Scout5:37 PMAnderson police chief tasked to respond to council questions about Flock cameras
Council members heard from more than a dozen public commenters with concerns about the cameras which have been deployed in Anderson since 2019.
- Shasta Scout3:24 PMMeet Elise Ramirez Sloan for Redding City CouncilNine candidates are running for three open seats on the council. Ramirez Sloan moved to Redding two years ago, and she’s worked in the restaurant industry and in administration for Eureka High School. She now focuses on volunteering and giving back to the community.
- Shasta Scout11:00 AMMeet Bruce Ross for Shasta County Office of Education TrusteeBruce Ross is running for one of four open seats on SCOE. He's served on another local school district board for more than a decade and is a parent who hopes to bring a “focus on kids’ needs, not adults’ dramas" to the SCOE Board.
Tuesday, October 6
Shasta Scout12:51 PMMeet Dan Sloan for Shasta County Office of Education Trustee
Dr. Dan Sloan is running for one of four open seats on SCOE. Sloan is a Redding-born candidate who hopes to bring his multicultural and law-focused perspective to the school board.
- Shasta Scout11:52 AMRedding Chamber of Commerce endorses Wenham and Prosperi for City Council.With three seats open, the Chamber has endorsed two candidates after an evaluation “measuring competence over confidence.”
- Shasta Scout11:30 AMMeet Russ Wenham for Redding City CouncilThere are nine candidates running for three seats on the council. Wenham is a civil engineer who’s focused on the city’s budget, public safety, infrastructure and job expansion.
Monday, October 5
Shasta Scout5:48 PMAfter chaotic last month, some concerns as Shasta elections official opens early voting
The Market Street elections office was busy with staff as early voting opened for the November election. Curtis said he's ahead of the game, but observation indicates some steps remain to be completed.
- Shasta Scout4:17 PMMeet Paul Saulsbury for Redding City CouncilThere are nine candidates running for three seats on the council. Saulsbury is a mobile crisis clinician who’s focused on public safety, balancing the budget, homelessness and implementing safeguards for REU ratepayers.
- Shasta Scout3:53 PMSpecial board meeting called to address ballot shredding, not subpoena, Kelstrom saysA special county board meeting scheduled for today was cancelled this morning. The meeting was intended to address next steps related to ballot shredding, Board Chair Chris Kelstrom said. Since the 2024 ballots were shredded on Saturday, no special meeting was needed.
Saturday, October 3
Shasta Scout7:15 PMROV Curtis oversees shredding of 2024 ballots amid activist protest
Several dozen people protested the mandatory shredding of 2024 ballots at the election office today. Amid the chaos, election official Clint Curtis supervised the proceedings with his signature cheerfulness.
Friday, October 2
Shasta Scout5:42 PMShasta County risks litigation after attempting to shield federal subpoena
The First Amendment Coalition has issued a legal demand on Shasta Scout’s behalf in an attempt to compel disclosure of a federal grand jury subpoena under public records law. A board meeting to discuss anticipated litigation is scheduled for Monday.
- Shasta Scout4:59 PMMeet Christina Prosperi for Redding City CouncilThere are nine candidates running for three seats on the council. Prosperi is a local business owner who wants to focus on the city’s budget, filling top leadership positions, collaboration within the council and staff morale.
- Shasta Scout4:56 PMCalifornia Supreme Court cancels outreach session in Redding due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’The Oct. 7 session has been moved to San Francisco. It would’ve been the first time in more than 20 years that it was held in Redding, and it was intended to help the public better understand how the judicial system operates.
Thursday, October 1
Shasta Scout4:43 PMHHSA Eligibility and Employment Services Office reopens with limited services at Park Marina Drive
Eligibility services for CalFresh, Medi-Cal and CalWORKs are not yet available at the new location but can be accessed at other HHSA locations, the county said.
Wednesday, September 30
Shasta Scout5:39 PMShasta ROV’s failure to shred 2024 ballots draws ire of county officials but so far, no consequence
An official with the state said elections official Clint Curtis was instructed this afternoon that he must continue with the shred, noting that he's stated that he plans to comply. It’s unclear so far what penalties he might face if he doesn’t or how the process of prosecuting his failure to destroy ballot materials might play out.
Tuesday, September 29
Shasta Scout5:39 PMShasta board divides over county counsel’s contract
Joseph Larmour is already slated to serve as the county’s attorney for another nearly three years, but supervisors were divided on whether to enter a new contract with the attorney that would extend his time in Shasta for another year.
Monday, September 28
Shasta Scout5:44 PMFive entities seek to run Civic Auditorium
The city issued a request for proposal this summer to allow for interested entities to apply to operate the entertainment venue. The auditorium’s fate has been uncertain as the city navigates funding and management challenges.
Friday, September 25
Shasta Scout2:38 PMOpen Notebook: The intersection of mental health and criminal justice
Our Open Notebook series offers readers a behind-the-scenes look at how our journalists work. In this notebook entry, reporter Madison Holcomb shares insights into the considerations she makes as she reports on criminal justice stories, especially where mental health plays a major role.
Thursday, September 24
Shasta Scout9:02 AMLaBarbera resigns from Anderson Union High School District Board
The school board member stepped down one day after the state authorized a lawsuit against her for the second time this year. She could still face legal action.
Wednesday, September 23
Shasta Scout4:42 PMCurtis says he won’t appear in federal court tomorrow to testify
The elections official received a subpoena earlier this month to testify before a federal grand jury and bring June election ballots with him. He said he confirmed today he won’t have to go but did not explain who had informed him he was released from testifying.
Tuesday, September 22
Shasta Scout12:11 PMRedding council to open recruitment for a new city manager
The council is contracting Rocklin-based recruiter Ralph Anderson & Associates to run the recruitment. It’s a decision met with mixed opinions by council members, some of whom wanted to offer the role to the city’s interim manager.
Monday, September 21
Shasta Scout5:47 PMFlock, data centers and development: Here’s what two Anderson council candidates want — and don’t want — for the city
The League of Women Voters held a forum for Anderson City Council candidates last week. Former Mayor and Council member Stan Neutze and Sikh Centre Director and Shasta community organizer Amarjit Singh discussed their top priorities if elected. They’re among three candidates competing for two vacant seats on the council.