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Politics

Last Updated: Jun 09, 2026 12:32PM • Subscribe via RSS • ATOM

Measure P to Reshape Butte Public Works

Jun 09, 2026 12:32PM ● By Susan Meeker

Butte County voters appeared headed toward approving Measure P, a proposed charter amendment allowing the county to separate the duties of Road Commissioner and Public Works Director.

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North State Sends Gallagher to Congress

Jun 08, 2026 04:44PM ● By Susan Meeker

Republican Assemblyman James Gallagher appears headed to Congress after unofficial election results showed him winning the special election to fill the vacant 1st Congressional District seat left by the death of Congressman Doug LaMalfa.

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Biggs Reviewing Utility System Costs

Jun 02, 2026 01:03PM ● By Susan Meeker

Biggs officials are reviewing long-term costs tied to the city’s water and sewer systems as infrastructure maintenance, utility expenses and future capital improvement needs continue growing.

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Council Frustrated Over Traffic Studies

Jun 02, 2026 12:58PM ● By Susan Meeker

The City of Gridley is pursuing federal traffic safety funding for dangerous intersections, school congestion and railroad access concerns, but several council members questioned whether the city is spending too much time studying problems instead of fixing them.

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Supervisors Back Sutter Buttes Event Venue

Jun 02, 2026 12:50PM ● By Susan Meeker

The Sutter County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to overturn a Planning Commission denial and approve a scaled event venue project near the base of the Sutter Buttes, siding with a local farmer seeking to diversify his agricultural operation despite opposition from nearby residents concerned about preserving the rural area.

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Gridley Advocate Presses County for Mental Health Support

Jun 02, 2026 12:30PM ● By Susan Meeker

A Gridley councilmember urged Butte County supervisors to protect behavioral health services for south county residents as the board approved several mental health contracts and funding increases May 26.

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What’s Wrong with the Legislature Can be Explained in these Two Bills

Jun 02, 2026 10:25AM ● By National Federation of Independent Business News Release

How Can Measures Passing 78-0, 34-2 in One House Never Get a Hearing in the Other Chamber?

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Rural Counties Back State Split Resolution

Jun 01, 2026 05:08PM ● By Susan Meeker

Rural frustration over water policy, state mandates, shrinking local control and what county leaders described as a widening political divide between urban and inland California is fueling new support across Northern California for Assembly Joint Resolution 23, a proposal signaling interest in forming a new state from California’s existing boundaries.

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Live Oak Approves Phased Planning Fee Increases

May 27, 2026 04:14PM ● By Shaunna Boyd

The Live Oak City Council approved phased increases to planning department fees during a public hearing on May 20, citing the need to better recover the city’s costs for development-related services.

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City Facing Major Infrastructure Pressures

May 27, 2026 03:54PM ● By Susan Meeker

Officials in Gridley said infrastructure demands are outpacing staffing and maintenance capacity as aging utilities, deteriorating streets and future development place increasing pressure on city operations.

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Butte County Moves Ahead on Dump Overhaul

May 27, 2026 03:49PM ● By Susan Meeker

The Butte County Board of Supervisors has approved the next phase of a long-term overhaul of the Neal Road Recycling and Waste Facility aimed at modernizing the county landfill and expanding recycling operations near Oroville.

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Biggs Targets Traffic, Road Safety

May 27, 2026 03:42PM ● By Susan Meeker

Concerns over speeding traffic, scooters and pedestrian safety dominated discussion at the Biggs City Council meeting May 12 as city officials outlined several road and infrastructure projects aimed at improving safety throughout the community.

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Live Oak Approves Road Funding Claim

May 13, 2026 08:09AM ● By Shaunna Boyd

The Live Oak City Council on May 6 approved the submission of a Transportation Development Act claim for fiscal year 2021-22 funding to support local road improvement projects.

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County Backs Tribe’s Foreign-Trade Zone Effort

May 12, 2026 04:14PM ● By Susan Meeker

The Butte County Board of Supervisors has approved a letter of support backing Enterprise Rancheria’s application to establish a federal Foreign-Trade Zone in Butte County, a designation county leaders said could help attract business investment and reduce operating costs for manufacturers and exporters.

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Local Taxpayer Protection Act Eligible for November 2026 Ballot

May 12, 2026 09:31AM ● By California Business Roundtable News Release

Voters to Decide on Critical Measure to Restore Their Rights on Taxes

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Statewide Ballot Measure Targets Local Revenue Rules

May 06, 2026 12:07PM ● By Susan Meeker

A statewide initiative headed for the November 2026 ballot could change how counties like Butte raise money for local services.

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Butte County Names New Public Works Director

May 06, 2026 11:38AM ● By Susan Meeker

Butte County supervisors has tapped Colusa County Public Works Director Daniel “Colt” Esenwein to head its department, pulling him from a position he has held for less than a year.

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Biggs Council Updates Payment, Voting and Travel Policies

May 06, 2026 10:43AM ● By Susan Meeker

The Biggs City Council approved three policy updates during its April 28 meeting, including a shift to electronic bill payments, a clarification on how council votes are recorded and changes to the city’s travel reimbursement rules.

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Butte Supervisors Retain Friends of the Arts

Apr 28, 2026 03:23PM ● By Susan Meeker

In a split 3-2 vote, the Butte County Board of Supervisors on April 14 designated the Upstate Community Enhancement Foundation, known as Friends of the Arts, as the county’s Local Arts Agency after a competing motion to select the State Theater Arts Guild failed.

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City Cuts Administrator Salary Amid Backlash

Apr 28, 2026 12:37PM ● By Susan Meeker

The Gridley City Council on April 20 approved a revised employment agreement for City Administrator Elisa Arteaga, setting her salary at a lower amount after she declined a previously approved pay raise.

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Live Oak Advances Fee Increases, Eyes Land Sales

Apr 22, 2026 09:20AM ● By Shaunna Boyd

At the April 15 meeting of the Live Oak City Council, City Manager Ben Moody presented a list of unused city-owned properties that could potentially be sold.

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Council Approves Funds for Senior Housing Upgrades

Apr 15, 2026 09:16AM ● By Shaunna Boyd

The Live Oak City Council approved the use of state housing funds for improvements at the Live Oak Senior Village, directing more than $71,000 toward upgrades aimed at safety and accessibility.

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Gridley Debates Planning Commission Residency Rules

Apr 15, 2026 09:09AM ● By Susan Meeker

City officials may consider a potential ordinance change that would expand eligibility rules for Planning Commission appointments, opening the door for more residents living just outside Gridley to serve.

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Fire Service Costs Expected to Rise in Gridley

Apr 15, 2026 09:05AM ● By Susan Meeker

Anticipated increases to fire service costs were outlined during an April 6 special meeting of the Gridley City Council, where CAL FIRE Battalion Chief Jason Dyer presented an update on staffing levels and contract projections ahead of the city’s July 1 renewal deadline.

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City Disputes Basis of CVRA Claim

Apr 15, 2026 08:50AM ● By Susan Meeker

The City of Live Oak is challenging the basis of a California Voting Rights Act complaint, arguing in a newly released letter that the city’s single precinct structure makes it impossible to prove racially polarized voting, a key element in CVRA litigation.

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Butte County Seeks Federal Help on Afterbay Project

Apr 08, 2026 08:46AM ● By Susan Meeker

The Butte County Board of Supervisors has asked President Donald Trump to help move forward a long-planned recreation project near the Thermalito Afterbay, saying a federal delay now threatens the project’s future.

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Parcel Mergers Approved Near Biggs

Apr 08, 2026 08:34AM ● By Susan Meeker

The Butte County Board of Supervisors approved two Williamson Act parcel mergers near Biggs on March 24, allowing agricultural land to be consolidated under updated contracts.

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Biggs Moves to Tighten Food Waste Compliance

Apr 07, 2026 04:29PM ● By Susan Meeker

The Biggs City Council approved a plan to bring the city into full compliance with California’s SB 1383 organic waste regulations, directing staff to formalize inspection, monitoring and enforcement procedures that remain outstanding despite the city’s rural waiver.

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Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey

Ramsey Outlines Concerns with Diversion Law

Apr 07, 2026 04:24PM ● By Lloyd Green Jr.

Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey spoke at the Gridley Rotary Club on April 2, outlining how recent changes in California law are shaping public safety and the local justice system.

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CVRA Complaint Filed Against Live Oak

Apr 07, 2026 04:07PM ● By Susan Meeker

The Live Oak City Council held a closed‑session discussion on April 1 about how to respond to a warning that its at‑large election system violates the California Voting Rights Act.

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Butte County Supports Tribe’s Recognition Effort

Mar 31, 2026 04:49PM ● By Susan Meeker

The Butte County Board of Supervisors approved a letter of support earlier this month for the Konkow Valley Band of Maidu Indians of Butte County as the tribe continues its effort to obtain federal recognition.

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Biggs Council Advances Lump Sum Payments

Mar 31, 2026 01:03PM ● By Susan Meeker

The City Council on March 24 approved agreements granting one‑time lump‑sum payments to both represented and unrepresented employees, extending labor terms through June while the city continues to work through a delayed budget review.

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Gridley Council Updates Committee Assignments

Mar 24, 2026 03:10PM ● By Susan Meeker

Gridley City Council members finalized committee assignments earlier this month, making only slight changes to representation on regional boards while leaving most appointments unchanged.

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Council Approves Raise for City Administrator

Mar 24, 2026 01:38PM ● By Susan Meeker

The Gridley City Council on March 16 approved a pay raise for City Manager Elisa Arteaga, adopting an amended employment agreement following a recent performance review.

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City Debates Sidewalk Safety Needs

Mar 24, 2026 01:07PM ● By Susan Meeker

Infrastructure improvement projects took center stage during both a special workshop and the Gridley City Council’s regular meeting on March 16, as city officials weighed priorities for sidewalks, safety upgrades and long-term grant funding opportunities.

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