Good morning, Chico.

Chico’s Red Kettle campaign has seen a 17% drop in donations with Northern California declines at 15% affecting key services like food assistance — The Salvation Army urges community members to support the effort before it ends on Dec.

24.

On Friday, VECTORS hosted its annual donation event at the Jerry L.

Knight House on Rio Lindo Avenue, gathering local groups to support veterans at the 15-bed transitional home. Volunteers continue to accept donations year-round to help provide necessary resources for those at the center.

Heel & Sole in Chico will give free kids' shoes on Dec.

21 thanks to a donation from the Law Offices of Sergio Garcia. Customers buying shoes can choose to keep the free pair for themselves or donate them to help a child in need.

Jeanie Beeman, a Target worker with over 20 years at the Chico store, saw a Monday encounter go viral when a TikTok video captured her calm reply regarding her red Charlie Kirk Freedom shirt.

A fundraiser for her passed $250,000 + she said the money will help pay bills and fund her retirement while she wishes no harm on the other person.

Cold mornings bring shoppers to the Chico Certified Farmers Market to warm up with bowls of soup from Fran’s Fresh Farm Soup (famous for chicken and wild rice soup made with local veggies).

The market opens at 7:30 a.m. on East Second and Wall streets each Saturday.

The Butte County Sheriff's Office hosted its 24th annual holiday bike giveaway yesterday at its Chico service center — handing out about 90 refurbished bikes to children in need with support from local schools and the county office of education and public health.

Safe Space Chico will open its winter shelter on Sunday to provide a warm place for up to 200 unhoused residents.

Those in need can visit 1909 Esplanade (5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. nightly) for referrals and rides to the shelter intake.

Today at 7:30 a.m., Chico Certified Farmers Market serves warm bowls of locally sourced soup made by Fran’s Fresh Farm Soup — with prices from $8 to $15.

Cold weather boosts business as shoppers seek healthier, comforting meals.

Hanukkah gives Kristy Collins (executive director of Chico State's Hillel Club) a chance to share traditions as she invites her children's friends to join her home celebration on the sixth night, and she stresses the importance of early cultural education to foster understanding after recent antisemitic attacks.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa announced nominations of six Northern California students for the US Service Academies on Friday.

Nolan McLaughlin from Chico is among the nominees who will compete with others for academy appointments beginning in January.

The Chico State Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve received $1.3 million from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy to fund 4.5 miles of fuel breaks along Musty Buck Ridge between Cohasset and Forest Ranch.

Local groups including Cal Fire Butte County and the Mechoopda Tribe will begin work in late spring 2026 (ongoing prescribed fuel treatments are planned).

The Butte County Fire Safety Council removed 8,800 trees and provided defensible space at 22 homes, the year-end report said.

A flood watch is in effect from Saturday afternoon through next Friday as atmospheric rivers are expected to bring heavy rainfall to the Valley & nearby areas.

Candlelight Christmas Carols Concert

6:30-7:30 p.m. — Chico Women’s Club — Tickets required — Experience the magic of Christmas carols performed by a string quartet in a candlelit setting.

New Year's Eve with Slide Tackle

6-9 p.m. — The Commons Social Empourium — Free entry — Enjoy live music from Chico's ultimate party band to welcome the new year!