Author

Annelise Pierce

Annelise Pierce is Shasta Scout’s Editor and a Community Reporter covering government accountability, civic engagement, and local religious and political movements.

Annelise's Latest Articles

Unofficial Primary Results Show Shasta County Choosing Incumbents Over Anti-Establishment Political Newcomers
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June 8, 2022

Some of the experienced incumbent candidates have over 50% of the primary vote so far, numbers which would allow them to claim final victory without a runoff in November. Last night’s unofficial results appear to indicate Shasta County’s overall opposition to what some call constitutional candidates, political newcomers who challenged more politically experienced candidates in every local race.

Dacquisto Cast Lone Dissenting Vote Against Redding’s Secretive Bechelli Land Sale. Here’s What He Has To Say Now.
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May 23, 2022

A civil lawsuit filed against the City of Redding by the Redding Rancheria was decided in the Tribe’s favor last week. That case relates to a small parcel of land that provides important road access for the site of the Rancheria’s proposed casino development. Back in 2020, Michael Dacquisto was the only city council member who voted against vacating, declaring surplus and selling the land. He spoke to Shasta Scout over the weekend about what drove his decision then, and how he sees things now.

Redding’s Rapid And Secretive Sale of Public Land Violated State Laws and City Policy, Court Finds
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May 19, 2022

A small parcel of land that provided important access to the Redding Rancheria’s proposed new casino site off I-5 was declared surplus and sold within eleven days by the City of Redding in mid-2020. New court documents indicate city staff engaged in behind the scenes conversations with a local land holder before negotiating a property sale in closed session in a process that violated both state laws and city policy. The case bears important similarities to recent riverfront land dealings which created community concerns about city transparency.

Anti-Abortion Activists Train To More Aggressively Intervene at Local Women’s Clinic
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May 16, 2022

The only Shasta County clinic that provides women with access to surgical abortions was used as a training ground to equip anti-abortion activists for more aggressive interventions to dissuade women from accessing abortions. Local women organizing under the newly-formed Shasta Abortion Coalition say they are prepared to defend women’s right to abortion as clinic defenders, advocates, and escorts.

What Questions Do You Have for Your Political Candidates?
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Engagement
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May 13, 2022

We're centering YOU. Tell us what questions local politicians should be answering. We'll use your ideas to guide our local elections coverage. We hope you'll take our anonymous survey and share it widely!

“This Is a Misuse of the Pledge”: In Shasta County, Political Candidates Challenge League of Women Voters Forum Tradition
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May 8, 2022

Invoking “patriotism,” county candidates for the positions of superintendent of schools, elections clerk, and county supervisor called on participants at multiple forums to stand and pledge, despite the League’s policy of not doing so. One candidate also released disinformation about his incumbent opponent's response. The events appear to some to have weaponized the pledge as part of a political agenda.

black and white planning map showing Redding's riverfront area
Council Considers Updating Redding’s Thirty Year Old Riverfront Plan 
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May 3, 2022

Redding’s riverfront development was last planned decades ago before the Sundial Bridge, Turtle Bay Museum or the Redding Arboretum existed. Funding an update to the 30 year-old plan would be the city’s first step in deciding how to utilize riverfront land after the council voted against declaring the land surplus last month. The city could take advantage of $1 million or more in federal COVID relief money to fund the planning process.

Handmade poster reads "who is this Ramstrom supporter?"
Public Health Caught Up In National Mistrust Of Government and Science, Ramstrom Says 
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May 1, 2022

Shasta County's Public Health Officer is facing possible dismissal by county supervisors. Shasta Scout interviewed her after she released a public statement Friday saying she has received no specific information that her job performance has been unsatisfactory. Ramstrom has been the focus of public complaints about county COVID restrictions over the last two years.

a scale showing emotion weighing more than rationality
Shasta Scout Explains . . . Misinformation
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Video Explainers
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April 28, 2022

Do we have the power to slow the spread of misinformation? As part of our central commitment to building healthier communities and a stronger democracy, Shasta Scout explains why we're all susceptible to "information disorder" . . . and how we can fight back.

Public Riverfront Land Will Remain in Public Hands . . . For Now
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April 20, 2022

Redding's City Council voted to utilize funds to begin a city-led planning process instead of declaring prime riverfront properties “surplus." The vote followed months of discussion, public workshops, and community surveys about public land close to the Sundial Bridge. The land issue has provoked significant community conversations about who represents a city stakeholder and how local government engages the community in planning and decisions.

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