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.
School absentee data provided by the Shasta County Office of Education indicates that a majority of Shasta County community members oppose COVID vaccine mandates in schools. Organizers of school walkouts say they’ll continue to pull their children out of school on Mondays until they’re given freedom of choice about vaccines. Student COVID vaccine mandates are not yet in effect.
Some also expressed concerns about the potential for violence as local unrest against Newsom’s COVID mandates swells.
Bethel Church, a Redding megachurch that claims to perform miraculous healings, has been the center of controversy over statements and actions related to COVID. Neither Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry nor Bethel Christian School require masks for students.
In the first of four public workshops on a proposed riverfront land development, the Council will hear a presentation on the process for declaring city land surplus in preparation for sale. A report from the City Attorney indicates that the City could declare the properties as “exempted surplus land” and sell to a developer ready to build at least three hundred housing units, with 25 percent of them meeting affordable housing requirements.
Recall Shasta has found new focus after Newsom’s recent announcement of vaccine mandates for school children. A gathering held Wednesday, October 6, by those opposed to COVID mandates in schools, drew hundreds of supporters. A second meeting is scheduled for Monday night, October 11. COVID vaccine mandates for California school children are not yet in effect.
A new Texas anti-abortion law and a pending Supreme Court case that could lead to the overturning of Roe v Wade, present urgent concern for the majority of Americans that support abortion access.
Shasta County Office of Education's American Indian Advisory played a pivotal role in new legislation that provides excused absences for California students attending Native cultural ceremonies and events. The bill, sponsored by Assembly member Megan Dahle, addresses one of the primary causes of Native student’s chronically high rates of absenteeism.
In this Building Democracy column we're sharing the strategies that are shaping our coverage of Redding's riverfront land development proposal and other news stories. And we're welcoming your feedback.
Marge Cantrell emphasized the importance of keeping Redding’s natural beauty and small-town feel front-and-center. “Every town doesn’t have to have a Disney,” Cantrell said.
The discussion centers around a proposal by two developers and two non-profits to develop key riverfront land.
