Brush fire burns near Whiskeytown visitors center
National Park Service firefighters returned Friday to mop up where a small brush fire had burned to within about 600 feet from the visitors center at the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area on Thursday night.
The fire was reported at 11:17 p.m. Thursday at South Fork Lookout Road and the right side of Highway 299 as you’re going up the hill toward the park and about 200 feet before John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive, chief ranger Dave Keltner said.
“We had fire personnel on scene making sure the fire was out and mopping up Friday,” he said.
Firefighters from the park service, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the California Highway Patrol initially responded to the fire that burned 1.36 acres, Keltner said.
The fire’s exact cause is under investigation, but someone is believed to be responsible for it.
“It was a human-caused start likely and we’re currently investigating it. If anyone has any information, we would appreciate a telephone call to our dispatch center at 530-242-3431,” Keltner said.
— Mike Chapman
Youths playing with fire burn quarter-acre of vegetation
Friday, July 8, 2022
The Redding Fire Department said two youths started three separate fires Thursday night in the 3100 block of Lawrence Road in the Enterprise area.
A fire investigator determined the two juveniles were playing with fire and the flames burned a quarter-acre of natural vegetation just before 9 p.m.
Firefighter said they quickly extinguished the fire, which damaged a wood fence. Crews stayed at the scene for about an hour to mop up.
— Mike Chapman
Redding group says it lost its bid for Denmark-based 3D home printing firm
Update: Friday, July 8
Corrections & Clarifications: This story has been updated to reflect that the European company, COBOD International, says it has not yet selected where to locate its United States headquarters.
A Redding group says it has lost its bid to bring a European-based 3D printing firm to the city.
Instead, Copenhagen, Denmark-based COBOD International will establish its U.S. headquarters in Florida, said Don Ajamian, president of Redding-based Don Ajamian Construction.
Ajamian and local housing industry entrepreneur Matthew Gile are business partners in Emergent 3D, a venture launched to build 3D printed homes. Emergent 3D bought one of COBOD’s robotic construction systems last year and have building projects planned for the North State.
Along with the Economic Development Corporation of Shasta County, which wrote the local group’s proposal to the European company, Emergent 3D executives hosted COBOD executives during their multi-day visit to Redding late last year, hoping to attract the company.
High hopes: Could Denmark-based 3D home printing firm ‘put Redding on the map?’
But COBOD (Construction of Buildings on Demand) selected Florida, said Ajamian via email. “As I understand it, the primary deciding factor was that Florida is a closer time zone to Denmark. Additionally, it is more central for several of their customers,” he said.
COBOD’s construction system squeezes out cement in precise configurations to become the walls of single and multi-family homes.
Asked to confirm where its first U.S headquarters will be located, COBOD spokesperson Charlotte Joensen said: “This has not been selected yet, but I will let you know when we know more.”
— Michele Chandler
Retired K-9 Aero passes away after career with Anderson police
Saturday, July 2, 2022
A popular K-9 who formerly served with the Anderson Police Department has died at the age of 10.
Aero had a seven-year career after joining Anderson police in 2013.
“Aero’s handler officer Mike Hallagan would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of you in the community that have helped support K-9 Aero and the rest of the APD K-9 team,” the department said on Facebook.
As a patrol and narcotics-detection canine, police said Aero helped to catch more than 100 suspects, “the majority of whom surrendered when they were told Aero would be deployed to apprehend them.”
The community came to Aero’s aid when he almost died halfway through his career due to a medical condition. The dog’s fans made donations to help pay his medical bills at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
“Aero survived his battle with the disease and was medically retired for a short period of time,” the department said.
The dog was able to return to full patrol duty within a year.
One of Aero’s primary roles throughout his career was his duties as a narcotics detection canine. All told, Aero helped seize more than 500 pounds of marijuana, 25 pounds of methamphetamine, 15 pounds of heroin and smaller quantities of cocaine and MDMA.
In his last week of duty, Aero uncovered $95,000 as part of career haul of over a quarter-million dollars of suspected drug money.
— Mike Chapman
Brian Jackson promoted as new Shasta County undersheriff
Saturday, July 2, 2022
Brian Jackson has been named the new undersheriff for Shasta County.
Sheriff-Coroner Michael Johnson last week held a swearing-in ceremony for Jackson, who previously served as a captain.
Jackson is Shasta County’s 25th undersheriff and takes over from Jason Barnhart, who retired. Barnhart had served as undersheriff since January 2020.
Undersheriff Jackson is a 26-year veteran in law enforcement, sheriff’s office said.
He is a Shasta County native who began his career as a public safety service officer in the jail. After being selected as a deputy sheriff trainee, Jackson went on to serve in the patrol division, was a detective in the Major Crimes Unit and held titles of patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, lieutenant and captain.
Before his promotion, Jackson was captain to the enforcement division commander position that has oversight of all patrol stations including the investigation units of the Major Crimes Unit, Shasta Interagency Narcotics Task Force and the Marijuana Eradication Team, according to the sheriff’s office.
— Mike Chapman
Shasta County groups eligible for healthy lifestyle grants
Friday, July 1, 2022
Nonprofit Healthy Shasta is inviting individuals and organizations to apply for grants to be used for equipment purchases that foster healthy living among North State residents, the group announced.
Shasta County organizations that are eligible to apply include:
Three to six grants will be selected, with up to $2,000 available per organization.
The Healthy Shasta partnership encourages people to ride bikes, drink more water and eat healthier.
The application deadline is Aug. 1. Find the application at https://bit.ly/3yy1tVU and direct questions to [email protected].
— Michele Chandler
Haven Humane golf tourney tees off July 8
Friday July 1, 2022
Haven Humane Society hosts sixth annual “Putt 4 Paws” golf tournament at 9 a.m. Friday July 8 at Riverview Golf and Country Club, 4200 Bechelli Lane in Redding.
A shotgun start kicks off this four-person scramble tournament that features 18 holes along the scenic Sacramento River, contests, a raffle, a lunch and an awards ceremony. There’s also a poker game to win a five-night stay in Hawaii.
All levels are welcome.
Cost is $125 per person, $500 for a team of four. Included in the price are range balls, cart use, a catered lunch, games, a goodie bag and other activities. Proceeds benefit animals at Haven Humane Society and are used to fund daily operations.
For more information or to register call 530-241-5262 or go to havenhumane.org or to bit.ly/3QWACtG.
— Jessica Skropanic
Tickets available for “Singin’ in the Rain Jr.”
Friday July 1, 2022
The Redding Theatre Company and Redding City Ballet present “Singin’ in the Rain Jr.” at 7 p.m. on July 22, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on July 23 at the Shasta College Theatre, 11555 Old Oregon Trail in Redding.
Students ages 8 to 18 enrolled in this summer’s Broadway Boot Camp perform all rolls in this musical which is based on the 1952 romantic comedy film by the same name.
Tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for children ages three to 12, free to children ages 2 and younger with a paying adult.
For more information or to buy tickets call 530-245-1019 or go to thereddingartsproject.com.
— Jessica Skropanic
Quartet plays classic jazz at Pilgrim
Friday July 1, 2022
The Cameron Sewell-Snyder Jazz Quartet plays a concert called “To Remember the Past” from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday July 8 at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 2850 Foothill Blvd. in Redding.
The Performing Arts Society of Redding hosts this concert featuring a program of jazz standards by Thelonius Monk, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus and other classic jazz artists. The concert honors composers who helped shape the ensemble’s repertoire.
Admission is free. Donations are accepted.
Masks are required. Attendees must provide verification of COVID vaccinations or their negative COVID test result taken within 48 hours of entering the church.
For more information email [email protected].
— Jessica Skropanic
Art league kicks off July show
Friday July 1, 2022
The North Valley Art League opens its July exhibit called “Alcohol and Rust” with a meet-the-artists reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday July 8 at the Carter House Gallery in Caldwell Park, 48 Quartz Hill Road in Redding.
The exhibit features the work of North State artists Kathleen Evans and Don Linn. Pieces on display include Evans’ alcohol ink paintings, Linn’s metal sculptures and work in other media by league members. The show closes on July 30.
Admission is free. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.
For more information call 530-224-1023, email [email protected] or go to nval.org.
— Jessica Skropanic
Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and entertainment stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Brush fire burns near Whiskeytown National Recreation visitors center