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Consumer News

Last Updated: Nov 03, 2026 05:09PM • Subscribe via RSS • ATOM

Audit Raises Questions Over Billions in Medi-Cal Billing

Nov 03, 2026 05:09PM ● By Lloyd Green Jr.

A state audit identifying billions of dollars in potentially improper Medi-Cal billing and hundreds of millions in unrecovered overpayments has prompted California lawmakers to demand answers about the state's oversight of its health care program.

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BBB Warns of Social Security Scam

Oct 27, 2026 04:20PM ● By Lloyd Green Jr.

A caller claiming there is a problem with your Social Security number may sound convincing, but the Better Business Bureau warns that threats to suspend or revoke a Social Security number are signs of an impostor scam.

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California Growers Await Federal Relief Details

Oct 27, 2026 01:47PM ● By Lloyd Green Jr.

California specialty crop growers face uncertainty over how much assistance they could receive through a new $8 billion federal relief program aimed at offsetting rising fuel prices and agricultural production costs.

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Scammers Turn to AI Voice Cloning

Oct 20, 2026 05:31PM ● By Lloyd Green Jr.

BBB Warns of Fake Emergency Calls

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Gridley Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony

PokaBears Brings Collectibles to Downtown Gridley

Oct 20, 2026 04:19PM ● By Seti Long

The Gridley Area Chamber of Commerce helped welcome a new business to Gridley on Wednesday, Oct. 14, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for PokaBears, the newest addition to historic downtown Gridley.

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Gridley Pool Faces Closure Without New Funding

Oct 20, 2026 03:51PM ● By Susan Meeker

Butte County supervisors took a step toward saving Gridley's aging public swimming pool Oct. 13, authorizing an application for a state grant that could provide up to $8.5 million to repair or replace the facility.

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Seniors Urged to Watch for Scams

Oct 12, 2026 12:44PM ● By Lloyd Green Jr.

Older adults face scams ranging from fraudulent investments and romance schemes to home improvement fraud and government impostors, prompting the Better Business Bureau to urge consumers to recognize common warning signs.

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Meat Processing Facility Nears Opening

Oct 06, 2026 03:13PM ● By Lloyd Green Jr.

Construction continues on a livestock processing facility at the Colusa Industrial Park, with the first phase nearing completion and initial test harvesting planned for October.

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Vanity Awards Target Local Businesses

Sep 29, 2026 10:16AM ● By Lloyd Green Jr.

Several local businesses have recently received congratulatory postcards or solicitations telling them they have earned recognition as one of the best businesses in their community.

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Butte County Libraries Go Permanently Fine-Free

Sep 29, 2026 09:59AM ● By Susan Meeker

Library patrons in Gridley, Biggs and throughout Butte County will no longer face daily fines for overdue books and other materials after a successful one-year trial of the fine-free program.

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Sacramento International Airport parking

SMF Parking Rate Changes Support New Garage and Customer Improvements

Sep 28, 2026 10:01AM ● By Sacramento International Airport News Release

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) will adjust public parking rates when the new Parking Garage 2 opens later this year, supporting a major expansion and modernization of the airport’s parking system.

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Trash Collection Days Changing in Yuba-Sutter

Sep 21, 2026 04:09PM ● By MPG Staff

About 35,000 Recology Yuba-Sutter customers could see changes to their garbage collection days beginning the week of Oct. 12 as the company restructures routes across Yuba and Sutter counties.

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Garbage Rate Hike Hits Biggs Residents

Sep 15, 2026 02:41PM ● By Susan Meeker

Biggs residents began paying 6.57% more for garbage service Sept. 16 after the City Council approved Waste Management’s annual rate adjustment and authorized negotiations toward another five-year agreement with the company.

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Dr. Maralee Bowers, a board-certified family medicine physician

Dr. Bowers Continues Care Through Telehealth

Sep 01, 2026 03:12PM ● By Seti Long

In a letter drafted to her patients, Dr. Maralee Bowers has shared the news that she intends to move on from her position at Orchard Hospital.

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Butte County Launches Property Alert Program

Sep 01, 2026 03:06PM ● By MPG Staff

Butte County property owners will begin receiving automatic notices when certain documents transferring or affecting title to their property are recorded, under a new notification program scheduled to begin in January.

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USDA Opens Peach Removal Program

Aug 11, 2026 09:40AM ● By Lloyd Green Jr.

California peach growers have until Sept. 1 to apply for a $9 million federal program to help remove cling peach trees following economic challenges facing the industry and the closure of the Del Monte processing facility.

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Gridley Delays Waste Management Liens

Jul 22, 2026 08:36AM ● By Susan Meeker

The Gridley City Council on Monday delayed placing liens on properties with delinquent Waste Management accounts after residents raised concerns about billing errors, ownership changes and a lack of notification.

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Gridley Offers Credit for Paperless Utility Bills

Jul 21, 2026 04:29PM ● By Susan Meeker

Gridley utility customers who switch to paperless billing will receive a one-time $10 credit under a new incentive program the City Council approved Monday, a move city officials hope will reduce long-term operating costs paid through the utility system.

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Happy Hippie Dog Grooming Opens in Gridley

Jul 07, 2026 03:06PM ● By MPG Staff

For Madaline Sweetman, opening Happy Hippie Dog Grooming was an opportunity to combine her passion for caring for dogs with the need she saw in the Gridley community.

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Biggs Council Adopts Surplus Budget

Jun 30, 2026 02:24PM ● By Susan Meeker

The City Council adopted a $7.6 million budget for the 2026‑27 fiscal year, approving a spending plan effective July 1 that maintains essential services and increases the citywide fund balance to $17.4 million.

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Butte County Budget Facing Deep Cuts

Jun 30, 2026 01:20PM ● By Susan Meeker

Butte County’s $1.08 billion recommended budget for 2026‑27 shows shrinking revenue, deep staffing cuts, and rising pressure on health and safety services.

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May New Home Sales Remain Steady

Jun 15, 2026 02:08PM ● By North State Building Industry Association News Release

New home sales in the greater Sacramento region remained steady during May despite continued affordability challenges and slightly higher mortgage rates, as members of the North State Building Industry Association reported 474 sales during the month.

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Gridley Facing Budget Challenges

Jun 09, 2026 12:04PM ● By Susan Meeker

Gridley officials warned during a special budget workshop that the city’s general fund reserves continue to decline as public safety, personnel and infrastructure costs rise faster than revenues.

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Biggs Approves Rebates for Utility Customers

May 27, 2026 03:34PM ● By Susan Meeker

Biggs electric customers will receive a $300 rebate on their June utility bills after the Biggs City Council approved the measure May 12 using greenhouse gas funds generated through the city’s municipal electric utility.

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Butte County Waives Permit Penalties

May 20, 2026 08:31AM ● By Susan Meeker

Butte County property owners with unpermitted buildings, additions or remodels can now seek permits without paying penalty fees under a temporary amnesty program approved by the Butte County Board of Supervisors.

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Gridley Firm Wins Trucking Contract

May 13, 2026 08:25AM ● By Susan Meeker

The Butte County Board of Supervisors has approved five-year trucking service agreements with three local companies, including a Gridley-based firm, to support road maintenance, storm response and public works operations across the county.

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Federal Aid Approved for Peach Growers After Plant Closure

May 06, 2026 11:07AM ● By Lloyd Green Jr.

Federal officials have approved up to $9 million in aid to assist California peach growers following the closure of a major processing facility in Modesto, a move lawmakers say left farmers without a market for their crops.

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Burn Ban Set for Sutter Buttes

May 05, 2026 01:12PM ● By MPG Staff

The Sutter County Fire Department will implement its annual burn ban in the Sutter Buttes, requiring all permitted burning to stop by 5 p.m. May 15.

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Federal Cut Ended County Nutrition Program

Apr 28, 2026 03:38PM ● By Susan Meeker

A federally funded nutrition education program that provided services in rural communities across Butte County ended last month after Congress eliminated funding, forcing the county to close out the effort earlier than planned.

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B-Line Adds App, Smart Card Payments

Apr 28, 2026 01:08PM ● By MPG Staff

Butte Regional Transit has introduced new fare payment options, allowing riders to use a mobile app or reloadable cards as part of a broader system upgrade.

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Supervisors Oppose Return of State Fire Fee

Apr 22, 2026 08:57AM ● By Susan Meeker

The Butte County Board of Supervisors on March 14 authorized a letter opposing Senate Bill 1404, a proposal that would reinstate a state fire‑prevention fee on rural property owners.

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Biggs Finances Hold Strong at Mid Year

Apr 22, 2026 08:43AM ● By Susan Meeker

The City of Biggs is moving through the second half of the fiscal year in a solid financial position, with mid-year figures showing higher revenues, lower spending and reserves well above the required level.

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NFIB Details Benefits of 20% Small Business Tax Deduction Becoming Permanent in California

Apr 20, 2026 12:42PM ● By National Federation of Independent Business News Release

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, released a new report outlining the economic benefits and massive tax savings the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction will bring to the 4.3 million small businesses in California now that it has been made permanent.

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Pacific Coast Producers Acquires Del Monte Fruit Assets

Mar 30, 2026 04:18PM ● By MPG Staff

Pacific Coast Producers has completed its purchase of key Del Monte Foods assets tied to its fruit business, the company announced.

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Butte County Urges Action for Peach Growers

Mar 24, 2026 03:02PM ● By Susan Meeker

The Butte County Board of Supervisors is urging state and federal action as Northern California cling peach growers face a market collapse tied to the closure of Del Monte’s Modesto cannery.

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