Redding news roundup: Coat drive for kids ends Dec. 16, mentorship program seeks volunteers

Jessica Skropanic, Damon Arthur and Michele Chandler, Redding Record Searchlight
·7 min read
Throughout May 2022, the Redding Teen Center exhibits hand-decorated masks created by survivors of crimes and advocates for justice.
Throughout May 2022, the Redding Teen Center exhibits hand-decorated masks created by survivors of crimes and advocates for justice.

A mentorship program that connects teens with older adults will be the focus of an informational meeting on Wednesday for those interested in learning how to become a volunteer.

The Hope Park orientation is scheduled 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Pathways to Hope for Children’s Benton Training Center, 2280 Benton Drive,  Building C, near the Redding Senior Center. The program is open to adults ages 60 and older.

All volunteers are required to go through a background screening, orientation session, mandated reporter training, trauma-informed communication training and other tasks.

The Hope Park mentorship project operates out of the Redding Teen Center, which opened last April in the area of Churn Creek Road and Hartnell Avenue, and the Anderson Teen Center.

— Jenny Espino

Good News Rescue Mission
Good News Rescue Mission

Coats, other warm clothes needed

Tuesday, Nov. 15

The city of Redding’s solid waste utility and fire departments are teaming with the Good News Rescue Mission for the 21st annual Coats for Kids program, which provides new and gently used coats for children.

People can donate coats from Nov. 21-Dec. 16. Hats, scarves, mittens and other cold weather items for adults and kids can also be donated. New underwear and socks for men, women, and children are also needed.

The items will be donated to the Good News Rescue Mission and given away on Dec. 19.

Curbside collection of donated items is offered to Redding residents only. Residents are asked to wrap donations in waterproof, plastic bags, clearly labeled, “Coats for Kids,” and place them on top of their blue recycling cart, and they will be collected on the regular collection day.

There are also drop-off locations for all North State residents looking to donate:

  • City of Redding Transfer Station, 2255 Abernathy Lane in Solid Waste Administration Building.

  • Redding City Hall main lobby, 777 Cypress Ave.

  • The Good News Rescue Mission, 2842 South Market St.

  • Redding Fire Station 1: 1335 Shasta St.

  • Redding Fire Station 2 : 3491 Placer St.

  • Redding Fire Station 3 : 4255 Westside Road

  • Redding Fire Station 4 : 2605 South Bonnyview Road

  • Redding Fire Station 5 : 955 Hartnell Ave.

  • Redding Fire Station 6 : 1695 Beltline Road

  • Redding Fire Station 7 : 3772 Flight Ave.

  • Redding Fire Station 8 : 131 Churn Creek Road

  • Redding Electric Utility’s customer service Center, 3611 Avtech Parkway.

For more information, visit www.GNRM.org or call the Good News Rescue Mission at 530-242-5920.

— David Benda

Unattended candle caused blaze in Redding mobile home

Saturday, Nov. 12

A burning candle left unattended in a bedroom sparked an early-morning mobile home blaze in Redding on Saturday.

None of the five occupants were reported injured in the fire, which happened at a home in the 17000 block of Apollo Lane about 2 a.m.

After responding to a report that a bedroom in the home was on fire, Redding firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control in 30 minutes.

The fire caused an estimated $84,000 damage to the home and its contents, according to the Redding Fire Department.

Six engines and 24 personnel were on the scene a total of three hours, according to the department.

— Michele Chandler

Shasta County kids' winter coat drive ends Dec. 2

Thursday, Nov. 10

Three Shasta County family health and welfare departments are asking for donations for their children’s winter coat distribution in December.

People can drop off new coats in any style and size, or monetary donations.

Donations are accepted through 5 p.m. Dec. 2 at these locations:

  • Shasta County Department of Child Support Services at 2600 Park Marina Drive in Redding

  • Shasta County Housing and Community Action Agency at 1450 Court Street, suite 108 in Redding

  • Shasta County Economic Mobility at 2757 Churn Creek Road in Redding; 889 E. Center St. in Anderson; and 4126 Shasta Dam Boulevard in Shasta Lake

  • Shasta County Adult Services at 2640 Breslauer Way in Redding 

  • Shasta County Children’s Services at 1313 Yuba St., 1560 Market St. and 1550 California St., all in Redding

Families who can't afford to buy their children a winter coat can pick one up while supplies last at a drive-through giveaway from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 9. The child receiving the coat must be present.

For more information call 530-229-8845.

— Jessica Skropanic

Support group to honor World Diabetes Month by lighting bridge

Wednesday, Nov. 9

The Children’s Type 1 Diabetes Support Group will honor World Diabetes month Friday and Saturday in Redding.

On Friday, the lights on the Sundial Bridge will go blue at 5 p.m. and stay blue through Monday, which is World Diabetes Day. PolyTek of Redding is sponsoring the bridge lighting.

Boaters float beneath the Sundial Bridge on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. The current riverfront specific plan spans 500 acres from the Redding Civic Auditorium to the Sacramento River.
Boaters float beneath the Sundial Bridge on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. The current riverfront specific plan spans 500 acres from the Redding Civic Auditorium to the Sacramento River.

Then at 10 a.m. Saturday, there will be a 2.3-mile walk on the Arboretum Loop portion of the Sacramento River Trail.

For more information, call 530-357-4200.

— David Benda

Wet weather allows outdoor burning, with permits

Thursday, Nov. 3

With more wet weather and chilly temperatures in the forecast, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection plans to allow outdoor burning in some areas of Shasta County.

While outdoor burning of debris piles can resume beginning Monday, residents still may need to obtain a burn permit from Cal Fire. The permits can be obtained online at https://burnpermit.fire.ca.gov.

Burning is only allowed on permissive burn days. Information about which days burning is permitted is available by calling the Shasta County Air Quality Management District at 530-224-8777 or 800-411-8728.

Cal Fire had suspended issuing burning permits during the summer months, but with the return of wet weather, the agency will lift the suspension.

Eastern Trinity County residents can obtain a burn permit from the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District at any of the following numbers. The district can be reached at 707-4443-3093. For eastern Trinity County burn permits, call 707-443-7665 or 866-287-6329.

— Damon Arthur

High flows on McCloud River during PG&E maintenance work

Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022

Through Nov. 21, people recreating near or in the lower McCloud River — the stretch between McCloud Dam and Lake Shasta — should watch for fast-flowing water and higher than normal water levels.

Flows are about a foot higher on the lower McCloud River in northern Shasta County while Pacific Gas and Electric Company maintenance crews work on the James B. Black Powerhouse, the utility company said. That's because PG&E won't divert water from the McCloud Reservoir to Iron Canyon Reservoir and to the powerhouse while crews work in the area. As a result, the McCloud Reservoir filled and excess water is coming over the spillway into the lower McCloud River.

The McCloud River flows into Lake Shasta.
The McCloud River flows into Lake Shasta.

Flows below the dam are approximately 600 cubic feet per second, sometimes higher if flows into the McCloud Reservoir increase from wet weather, PG&E said. Once the powerhouse is online, hopefully on Nov. 12, PG&E will gradually reduce flows to seasonal norms: 230 cubic feet per second. That process will likely take a week, depending on weather and other conditions.

If work isn't done by Nov. 12, flows may be fast and levels high later than Nov. 21, the utility said.

When crews are done, water levels in McCloud Reservoir will drop to winter operating range so the reservoir can help capture snowmelt during the wet season.

The powerhouse is closed while crews work.

For water safety tips go to www.pge.com/hydrosafety.

— Jessica Skropanic

The Klamath National Forest is giving fourth graders a free Christmas tree permit for their family to cut their own tree this holiday.
The Klamath National Forest is giving fourth graders a free Christmas tree permit for their family to cut their own tree this holiday.

Klamath National Forest gives free Christmas tree permits to 4th graders

Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022

The Klamath National Forest is giving fourth graders a free Christmas tree permit for their family to cut their own tree this holiday. The U.S. Forest Service offers the freebies through its Every Kid Outdoors program.

Fourth graders are eligible for a pass that allows free access to more than 2,000 federally-managed lands and water sites through August 2023.

To get a pass go to everykidoutdoors.gov or call a Klamath National Forest district or supervisor’s office:

  • For the Goosenest Ranger District call 530-398-4391

  • For the Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger District call 530-493-2243

  • For the Salmon/Scott River Ranger District call 530-468-5351

  • For the Klamath National Forest supervisor’s office call 530-842-6131

— 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: Redding news roundup: Residents asked to donate coats for kids