Our news coverage of Shasta County is centered around the topics and stories most important to shaping our community. Much of our work centers on government accountability at the county and the three cities. We also report regularly on elections, law enforcement, public health and public safety.
Anderson Council member Darin Hale is running for California Assembly in next week’s primary. In the lead up to the election, he posted an AI video depicting himself assaulting a “woke” teacher. He’s using the endorsement of violence as promotional material for his campaign.
The chamber released its first ever candidate guide this spring. It was focused on supervisor races, endorsing Erin Resner for Supervisor in District 1, and both Chris Kelstrom and Mike Gallagher for District 5.
A proposed youth behavioral health campus is still moving forward. Family Dynamics Director Sandra Wilson said the mistakes she’s made have led to positive growth, including new policies and engagement processes.
For those who have recently purchased grapevines or citrus plants from Costco, the county is urging consumers to take immediate steps to prevent the spread of the invasive glassy-winged sharpshooter.
Thousands of dollars have been paid to Lex Rex Institute to cover legal costs from lawsuits since the initiative was placed on ballots. Slightly more than $10,000 in donations has been raised through the “Yes on Measure B” committee so far.
Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis is introducing a new role into the local election process: poll closers. The temporary election staffers, who have received about an hour and a half of training, will sort ballots at the precincts. Curtis hopes adding the new role will help him provide quicker results on election night.
In addition to voter ID requirements, Measure B would put in place a number of other changes that, like voter ID, are currently illegal in California, including hand-counting and disconnecting Shasta’s voter rolls from those of the state. If passed by voters, the measure would likely result in costly lawsuits that would be paid for by Shasta’s taxpayers.
There are two candidates running for Shasta County’s clerk and registrar of voters. Election official Joanna Francescut says she’s running for her children, and to ensure the community knows the truth about elections and has knowledgeable staff running them.
A brief press conference held yesterday by election official Clint Curtis was beset by chaotic interruptions from his opponents. Three election staff members spoke in his support, saying they’ve experienced him as a positive leader, despite substantiated findings that he engaged in abuse. One also campaigned on Curtis’ behalf.
At first glance, it appears that Mike Gallagher has received thousands more in donations than opponents Chris Kelstrom and Gary Oxley. But a closer look shows Gallagher’s lead in donations is the result of a major donation to his own campaign.
