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Zak Marasti graduated from CAL FIRE's Company Officer Academy after completing COA 26-13 at the Ione training center and has been assigned as a fire apparatus engineer at Station 35 in Paradise, bringing additional trained personnel to the unit.

Dozens of families gathered at the Chico Cemetery to celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), with Chico High’s Ballet Folklórico Club performing regional dances in elaborate costumes and live music.

Local high school swimmers closed their season at the Masters Swim Meet on Sunday, Nov.

1, where Pleasant Valley won the boys division and Foothill captured its first girls title; Holden Campos hit state qualifying times in the 100 breast and 200 IM and was named NSCIF Boys Swimmer of the Year, and Marina Perry was NSCIF Girls Swimmer of the Year after an undefeated season.

CAL FIRE Butte County Capt. Matt McKenzie retired after decades of service, starting as a volunteer with Company 63 before driving Engine 63 along the Feather River Canyon, and colleagues praised his calm leadership, skills + wit as he heads into retirement.

Several local radio personalities including Chico State alum A.J.

Kirsch, Redding's Mark Wright, and Action News Now's Ryan Ketcham and Robert Sheridan are competing in iHeartRadio's Top Host Contest for a $25,000 prize, a national guest spot and six iHeart-produced podcast episodes. Vote on NewsLinks at Action News Now.

Downtown Chico Plaza closes today so crews can install the 2026-2027 Chico Ice Rink, which will open Thursday, Nov.

12 at 132 West Fourth Street (Downtown Chico Plaza) and will offer public skating, group outings, field trips, private rentals, and Adult 3v3 Ice Hockey.

Chico State held its annual Pumpkin Drop Friday at Trinity Commons, drawing about 300 local elementary students to watch pumpkins fall from a cherry picker and learn physics from the Society of Physics Students (chemistry demos included).

Chico’s Day of the Dead Festival will return for its fourth year on Sunday, Nov.

1 at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, with more than 100 vendors + 25-plus food trucks and stalls, a lowrider car show, a Catrina Pageant, and live performances throughout the day.