News in Brief: Airports Manager, West Nile Virus, Safe Medication Disposal, Sacramento River Trail Repairs and Additions to Tribal Access Program

Andy Solsvig is Appointed Airports Manager at Redding Regional Airport and Benton Field

On September 17, Andy Solsvig began his new role as Airports Manager at Redding Regional Airport (RDD) and Benton Field (O85). He will oversee safety, planning, budgeting, staffing, property management, and operations. He is replacing former manager Jim Wadleigh, who resigned from the position in December of 2023. 

Solsvig, an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) and private pilot, has worked in the aviation world for two decades. He has served as director at the Canyonlands Regional Airport in Utah and Minot International Airport in North Dakota, assistant director at the Eagle County Regional Airport Colorado, and as the marketing coordinator for the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. 

According to the City’s press release, Solsvig is“absolutely delighted” to begin his new position in Redding.

“This role presents an exciting challenge and an opportunity to make a real difference.”

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Season’s First Case of West Nile Identified in Shasta County

On September 12, Shasta County’s Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) identified this season’s first case of West Nile Virus. The patient is recovering.

Symptoms of West Nile Virus can include high fever, severe headache, confusion, or a stiff neck. The disease is nearly always transmitted through mosquito bites and can be found in all parts of Shasta County and California. Residents are urged to include effective mosquito repellent as part of their regular outdoor routine. The best way to avoid the virus is to prevent mosquito bites using the 4 Ds:

• Drain any standing water that may produce mosquitoes. This includes water in flowerpots, old tires, and buckets. Some species of mosquitoes can lay their eggs in very small sources of water, like a bottle cap.
• Defend yourself and your home by using an effective insect repellent and making sure screens on doors and windows are in good condition.
• Dusk or Dawn, avoid outside activities during peak mosquito feeding times.
• Dress in long sleeves and pants when mosquitoes are active.

For more information about how to prevent West Nile Virus in Shasta County, please contact Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District, (530) 365-3768 or visit www.shastamosquito.org

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Local Pharmacies Offer New Methods for Safe Medication Disposal 

Have expired or unused medication? There are now 16 medication disposal kiosks throughout Shasta County, as well as a free mail-back option. Properly disposing of medication, rather than letting old pills pile up or flushing them down the toilet, helps prevent unsafe medication use and protects our waterways from pollution and unsafe use of medication.

Click here for more information on how to safely dispose of medication. Visit Med Project to learn about a mail-back option. 

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City of Redding Announces Ongoing Effort to Repair Sacramento Trail

The city of Redding has received over a million dollars to undertake major repairs to the Sacramento River Trail. The improvements will replace damaged asphalt and concrete, benches, and fencing, as well as backfilling eroded areas. Work began on September 3, 2024 and will continue until February 10, 2025. Portions of the trail will be intermittently closed as the repairs progress. 

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Department of Justice Adds Three California Tribes to Criminal Justice Program: 

The DOJ is expanding the Tribal Access Program for National Crime Information (TAP),  a growing database that federally recognized tribes can access, enter, and exchange data with national crime information systems. Seventeen tribes were added to the program, including three in California. Those include the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians in Tuolumne County, the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians in Riverside County, and the Karuk Indian Tribe in Siskiyou County. 

In the words of Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, “(TAP) provides tribes with the crime information they need to investigate crimes, apprehend suspects, protect vulnerable persons, and ensure justice for victims.” The data aggregated by TAP will work toward identifying missing persons, registering sex offenders and orders of protection from domestic violence, and preventing dangerous persons from purchasing firearms.

Have questions, concerns, or comments you’d like to share with us directly? Reach out: editor@shastascout.org.