Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How 2025’s biggest Chico decisions could shape your 2026.
Coming up on the Chico Patch calendar: California Circuit Finals Rodeo

Hi Chico! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How 2025’s biggest Chico decisions could shape your 2026.
- How will Pleasant Valley challenge a top-ranked River Valley squad in January?
- How a Chico optometry audit led to fresh embezzlement charges
Today's riddle: What two things can you never eat for breakfast? . 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Chicofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 59 and low of 39 degrees.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 57, low: 41.
- Wednesday: Sun through high clouds, with a high of 54 and low of 47 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Butte County 2025: No shortage of flames or political fallout in a year that - for a change - didn't have a major fire (mercedsunstar.com) — Chico saw big changes in 2025, from new red‑light cameras and Big Chico Creek health warnings to ongoing homelessness enforcement rules under the Warren v. Chico settlement. Residents also grappled with Chico police misconduct revelations, murder-suicides involving Chico State students, and the unresolved future of fire-damaged Bidwell Mansion, while nearby Oroville and Paradise faced hospital, development, and sewer project turmoil.
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Find out what's happening in Chicofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. Falcons sit top-15 in SJS: YC; Lindhurst satisfy playoff formula through first month (appeal-democrat.com) — River Valley High’s boys soccer team will visit Pleasant Valley in Chico on Jan. 5 for a 6 p.m. nonleague matchup, part of a strong 11-1-3 start that has them top-15 in the Sac-Joaquin Section. Led by scorers Miguel Ortiz and Carlo Mendez Del Val, the Falcons are chasing a second straight postseason berth, with Pleasant Valley providing an early test.
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3. Chico man facing new embezzlement charges following prior conviction (mercedsunstar.com) — A Chico resident has been charged with allegedly embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from a local optometry business, following an anonymous tip and forensic audit. Authorities say he previously was convicted of embezzlement involving Chico State and still owes substantial restitution.
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4. Magnitude 5.0 earthquake shakes Northern California (latimes.com subscription) — A magnitude 5.0 earthquake shook Northern California Sunday afternoon, centered near Susanville and about 73 miles from Chico. While no local damage is reported here, the quake is a reminder for Chico residents to review earthquake preparedness, from emergency kits to reporting what you feel to USGS.
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📸 Around Chico
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📣 Chico Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
- California Circuit Finals Rodeo
Tehama District Fairgrounds , Tehama County Fairgrounds , 650 Antelope Blvd , Red Bluff
7:30 pm - LEGO Tuesdays
Butte County Library, Biggs Branch , 464 B St A , Biggs
3:00 pm - Toddler/Preschool Storytime at the Orland Free Library
Orland Free Library , 333 Mill St , Orland
11:00 am - Afternoon Kids' Club
Butte County Library, Gridley Branch , 299 Spruce St , Gridley
2:00 pm - New York New Years: New York: Steak, Cheesecake and Time: 9PM PST
Feather Falls Casino & Lodge , 3 Alverda Dr , Oroville
6:00 pm - New Year's Eve Bingo
Colusa Casino Resort , 3770 CA-45 , Colusa
7:00 pm - The Golden Countdown: A New Year’s Eve Special
Gold Country Casino Resort , 4020 Olive Hwy , Oroville
8:00 pm - Gold Country Casino Resorts: 6 Beats to Midnight
Gold Country Casino Resort , 4020 Olive Hwy , Oroville
8:00 pm - Gold Country Casino Resorts - Six Beats to Midnight
Gold Country Casino Resort , 4020 Olive Hwy , Oroville
8:00 pm - PRCA California Circuit Finals Rodeo 12/31
Tehama District Fairgrounds , Tehama County Fairgrounds , 650 Antelope Blvd , Red Bluff
9:00 pm - 61st Annual Colusa Farm Show
Colusa County Fairgrounds , 1303 10th St , Colusa
9:30 am - Colusa Farm Show 2026 — Terra West Group
Colusa County Fairgrounds , 1303 10th St , Colusa
9:00 am
Monday December 29
Tuesday December 30
Wednesday December 31
Tuesday February 3
Wednesday February 4
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Chico PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Hey Neighbors!
We're doing BBQ on Saturdays starting at 12 noon until whenever 3, 4 or if people are around later. Every Saturday... everyone is welcome to join… (Nextdoor 4th Ave and Warner) - We want to thank our neighbors who delivered our package and placed it in our mailbox.
We really appreciate it. (It was delivered to wrong address over holidays.) From our family We wish Your Family Happy Holidays and Happy New Year. (Nextdoor West Lindo Channel)
- REDDING, Calif. — American Red Cross volunteers are in Redding today distributing free cleanup supplies and assessing damage at homes impacted by... (X: ActionNewsNow)
- Butte County 2025: No shortage of flames or political fallout in a year that — for a change — didn’t have a major fire (X: ChicoER)
- Government Jobs posted a job opening for Court Interpreter Pro-Tempore (Spanish) in Chico. Apply here.
- HHM Hotels posted a job opening for Room Attendant / Housekeeper in Chico. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Chico here.
Ok Chico! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Lunch and dinner. (From Norine S.)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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