The orion vol 72 issue 12 by The Orion

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volume 72 Issue 12

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Campus delays necessary repairs A 2013 report shows that Chico State has wracked up $150 million in deferred maintenance costs. Yessenia Funes

Staff Writer

The Orion ∤ Photographs by Sharon MArtin

combustible Crash Residents of Orland saw the smoke and heard the explosion from their homes and witnessed the gruesome aftermath.

Crash investigation continues Sharon Martin

Sports Editor

Ten people died after a crash Thursday involving a charter bus, a FedEx semitrailer and a white sedan on Interstate 5 near Orland. The accident occurred after a semitrailer traveling south crossed over the center divider and clipped a white sedan, then collided with the bus, according to California Highway Patrol officer Tracy Hoover. High school students from Los Angeles County were traveling by bus to Humboldt State to tour the campus, Hoover said. The students were part of a program that provides higher education opportunities for low-income and first-generation college students. The truck driver, the bus driver and five students and three chaperones on the bus were killed. The two people in the white sedan walked away with minor injuries. Other injuries many of the bus passengers

suffered include moderate to severe burns, contusions and cuts, Hoover said. Many of the victims have been released from the hospital. Three students still remain hospitalized. Arthur Arzola, one of the chaperones on the trip, was killed in the crash. Arzola had been working as an admissions representative for Humboldt State in Los Angeles for the past year, according to a statement on the Humboldt State website. “Our hearts go out to those who have been affected, and we are here to support them, and their families, in any way possible,” said Rollin Richmond, president of Humboldt State, in a written statement. Chico State paid tribute Friday by lowering the University flag to half-staff in honor of the 10 victims. Chico State President Paul Zingg offered support for Humboldt State in an email sent to students. “While the students were headed to Humboldt State University, they were seeking a

university education in the CSU, and we feel a connection with them and all of our campuses,” Zingg said in a written statement. “We’re doing everything we can to support our friends and colleagues at HSU during this time of intense suffering.” Early reports stated that the FedEx truck was on fire before crossing the median and colliding with the bus. There is no physical evidence of a fire occurring before the crash, said the National Transportation Safety Board. “It will take some time to fully understand exactly how this accident occurred and why,” Frederick W. Smith, FedEx chairman and CEO, wrote in a press release. The NTSB is still investigating the cause of the crash. Sharon Martin can be reached at sportseditor@theorion.com or

Chico State has been neglecting its old infrastructure. However, this maintenance requires serious cash. Total deferred maintenance on campus costs almost $150 million, according to a 2013 report by Andrew Boyd, former Facilities Management and Services design and construction manager. But what exactly is deferred maintenance? “It’s an impact of something that you have not done, so by not taking care of your house correctly, not changing the oil in your car regularly, your car is likely to have problems,” said Luis Caraballo, the assistant vice president for Facilities Management and luis Services. caraballo Though the camAssistant vice pus faces issues like president, Facilities squeaky doorknobs Management and Services and missing ceiling tiles, Caraballo worries about its central power plant, which provides the campus with electricity, heating and cooling. With only one main feed connecting the campus to Pacific Gas and Electric, Chico State risks a potential system shutdown, similar to Fresno State’s four-day power outage during last school year’s winter break. Luckily, the department of business and finance has allocated $1 million to create a backup electrical system for the central

@SharonBMartin on Twitter.

» please see repairs | A3

Downtown businesses struggle with homeless The transient population in downtown Chico leaves customers frightened and the community exasperated, local business owners say. Madison Holmes

Staff Writer

Katie Vaclavik, the owner of Katie’s Corner, was used to cleaning up urine and trash left by the homeless before opening her store each morning, she said. Before changing store locations from Third and Main streets to the Chico Mall on East 20th Street, Katie’s Corner was often the resting place of a host of transients who would often scare away customers, Vaclavik said. “People would walk on the other side of the street if the homeless were there,” she said. “That obviously affected my business because customers wouldn’t even walk by the window to see what I had.” The transients downtown contributed to Vaclavik’s decision to move her store location, she said. “I was on a corner, so I was in a really good spot for them,” she said. “Plus, I wasn’t as harsh with them as I could’ve been because I have a lot of compassion for them.” Some homeless neglect the resources available to them and instead reside outside businesses, said Budd Schwab, president of the Downtown Chico Business Association and owner of Campus Bicycles. The transient population downtown has received a lot of attention from a multitude of resources including the Jesus Center,

Street Ambassadors and various shelters, he said. The Torres Shelter has more than 120 beds that have never been completely full, said Brad Montgomery, the executive director of the shelter. The Torres Shelter, like most shelters, does not allow pets, smoking or drinking. The policy could prevent some homeless from seeking help, he said. There have been talks of building a wet shelter so transients can drink there, Montgomery said. “We are trying to break down the barriers, and that includes making a pet-friendly, wet shelter for transients,” he said. The Internal Affairs Committee shut down a proposal in February to use firefighters to patrol downtown in order to address transient problems because of the lack of police, said Mark Orme, the assistant city manager. The sit and lie ordinance passed in January prohibits people from sitting or lying on Chico sidewalks next to commercial property between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Those who are cited under the ordinance would be given a fine that increases with every violation the individual receives. The ordinance has been ineffective due to lack of enforcement, Schwab said “There’s just not enough police,” he said. The park would be an ideal location for transients, but it is neglected by them, Vaclavik said. “The park is beautiful and I don’t understand why they don’t stay there,” she said. The bathroom doors in the park are locked

Index

The Orion ∤ Photograph by Emily Teague

HELP WANTED Jay, a local homeless man, stands outside of a downtown bookstore asking for money. early in the day, which is one reason why the homeless may not stay there, she said. “I think that if they didn’t close those bathrooms so early, those guys would go down there and use it,” Vaclavik said. The Downtown Chico Business Association has an anti-panhandling campaign that tries to teach people to redirect their generosity, Schwab said. The campaign encourages people to do-

nate money to shelters to help the homeless rather than give money directly to transients, he said. “You’re not helping the homeless by giving them money,” Schwab said. “You’re keeping them on the street.” Madison Holmes can be reached at newseditor@theorion.com or

@madisonholmes95 on Twitter

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