Good morning, Chico.

Chico's new Aquatics & Recreation Center is under construction and features a towering water slide structure, an Olympic-sized pool, and two buildings to house a bathhouse, party rooms & concessions.

The Chico Area Recreation & Park District released its second update today and is sharing progress via video.

A free fair housing workshop is scheduled for Oct.

28 in Chico at City Council Chambers (421 Main Street) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The North Valley Property Owner's Association will lead the session for tenants, property owners and managers.

Local photographer Aaron Draper of Chico State said AI is changing commercial photography and graphic design as clients increasingly favor AI-generated images for menus, signs and advertising.

Industry professionals and students are learning to integrate AI into projects — a shift changing how creative work is done.

The Barn at Meriam Park holds Halloween events in October + a free concert by local band Hot Flash kicks off today from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by a community concert on Oct.

17, Halloweentown on Oct. 18, and a Silent Disco on Oct. 31.

This weekend in Chico, free events include Coming Out for Art’s opening reception at Stonewall Alliance Center Saturday from 3 to 8:30 p.m. + Witch’s Market at 1078 Gallery Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. + North State Symphony’s season-opening concerts Saturday and Sunday.

The USDA invested $200K in Mooney Farms to expand its product line in Chico on Oct.

15, according to USDA Rural Development. The grant, part of $1.1M in Value-Added Producer Grants to 10 businesses, will help boost market opportunities and rural economic growth.

Chico Unified School District hosted a public forum on Wednesday night where 19 community members shared views on adding up to 4 resource officers to high schools & middle schools.

The board will decide on funding options during the next meeting on Wed., Oct. 21.

CAL FIRE Butte Unit crews responded to a vegetation fire near Sunnyslope Thursday night; an evacuation warning was issued for Zone (BUT-BR-295A) along La Porte Road southwest of Bangor while Zone (BUT-BR-295B) stayed under normal status.

On Thursday, Oct. 15, more than 5,400 customers lost power in unincorporated areas of Shasta, Tehama, and Butte counties as PG&E shut service for fire safety; crews began inspecting lines and outages may continue into Saturday.

Caltrans District 3 plans to improve safety at the State Route 99 and Rio Bonito Road intersection near Biggs after 15 crashes — including 8 injuries — occurred from April 2019 to March 2024.

Approved by the California Transportation Commission in June 2026, the project will study options such as a roundabout or traffic signal.

The California Poison Control System warns residents to take precautions against wildfire smoke to protect family health.

They advise keeping windows closed, using air purifiers, recirculating indoor air, and having (N95 masks) ready when air quality drops.