The Orion — Fall 2013, Vol 71 issue 1 by The Orion

Playing with fire

Woman hit by tree

Chico State student swings spheres of fire during his spare time. See Features B5.

For continued coverage of a woman struck by a tree limb Tuesday afternoon, visit our website. theorion.com

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volume 71 Issue 1

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CRIME

Police quell out-of-control party as cans, bottles fly Nicholas Carr

The Orion ∤ Photograph by Dan Reidel

News Editor

Chico police officers responded to a large crowd of party-goers and were targeted with thrown bottles early Saturday morning. About 25 officers from Chico Police Department, the University Police Department and the Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control reacted to the commotion that centered along Ivy Street. The officers, which were wearing helmets and protective vests, were hit by projectiles as they tried to break up and move the disorderly mob. “We had some folks who chose not to act appropriately tonight,” said Lt. Linda Dye of the Chico Police Department. Crowds of Saturday morning’s magnitude are typical during the last weekend before classes commence at Chico State, Dye said. Incoming freshmen tend to flock to the student neighborhoods south of the campus in search of parties. “The information I’m getting from my guys is that 90 percent of the people out there are cooperating,” Dye said. One male was arrested; We had some at the time of folks who publication chose not to act his identity appropriately and reason tonight. for detention were not Lt. Linda Dye known. Chico Police The disturDepartment bance began just after midnight, when Chico police responded to a party that had grown out of control on the 600 block of Ivy Street, Dye said. At one point, a resident of the home hosting the party contacted Chico police asking for assistance in clearing it out. When officers moved in to control the scene, the crowd spilled into the street, she said. Police were pelted with bottles, causing officers to withdraw and wait for assistance. After police set up a staging point in the parking lot of Notre Dame Elementary School, they began to move out and disperse the crowd, which by then had spread south of the intersection of Sixth and Ivy streets. At that time, a fight broke out involving a person being thrown to the ground and pummeled by a group of people, Dye said. The incident is currently being considered a felony assault. By 12:45 a.m., the intersection of Second and Ivy streets was cleared and remaining pedestrians in the area began to leave. At 1 a.m. all units were called back to Notre Dame Elementary to regroup and return to their regular duties.

No drinking A newly-installed sign at Irvine Finch River Access reminds passersby not to drink alcohol on the Sacramento River.

In search of a

SAFE Labor Day 1 year after a tragedy on the Sacramento River, a countywide coalition is trying to prevent history from repeating itself As Labor Day approaches and floaters are expected to swarm the Sacramento River, this weekend will be marked by collaboration between city and university leaders who aim to prevent a second tragedy similar to the one that shook Chico a year ago. This time last year, the Chico Police Department and the Glenn County Sheriff ’s Department were two of many agencies that worked together to find Brett Olson, a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo student who drowned in the Sacramento River. When he went missing after the annual Labor Day Float, a search effort swept Butte County and a Facebook group dedicated to his recovery received tens of thousands of conTaylor HerreN tributors. His body was Associated recovered a week later, Students president and toxicology results showed he’d consumed alcohol and cocaine before he died. A year later, in preparation for the weekend, law enforcement officials are working together with leaders from the city of Chico and Chico State to make the Labor Day float safe.

Nicholas Carr can be reached at

Keeping booze off the river

newseditor@theorion.com

The Orion ∤ File Photo

Ready to Tube Floaters exit the river during last year’s float while first responders observe (above). State Parks workers erected this sign at the Irvine Finch boat

on the river, Coon said. The Glenn County Board of Supervisors Fines for violating passed an ordinance in April banning the the new ordinance will consumption and possession of alcoholic bevcost $100, $200 and $500 erages on the Sacramento River during Labor for first, second and Day weekend, as well as Memorial Day and third offenses, respecFourth of July weekends. tively. In combination with an identical law passed Fines for carrying by the Butte County Board of Supervisors in an open container may 2012, law enforcement officials will now have Paul Zingg clearance to cite people in possession of alco- start at only $100, but Chico State hol on the river. Conflicts with jurisdiction could end up costing president as much as $380 in between counties prevented this in the past. court costs, said Butte Nearly 20 state and emergency service County District Attoragencies, including the Glenn and Butte County Sheriff ’s offices, the California High- ney Michael Ramsey. “In addition to on the water, alcohol will be way Patrol and the Department of Fish and Wildlife will be active on the Sacramento banned up to 50 feet up the river banks and on all state park propRiver this weekend. erty bordering the They’ll bring a variver,” said Denise riety of watercrafts, This time of year generRist, department ranging from jet skis ally sees high visitation of parks and recreto at least five patrol and many issues that come ation valley sector boats for river rescue. with it. superintendent Enloe Medical CenCalifornia Highter will also have adKirk Coon way Patrol officers ditional staff on duty, State Park Ranger will close northsaid Kirk Coon, a state bound traffic on park ranger. River Road into “This time of year generally sees high visitation and many is- Chico when they feel it is necessary to stem traffic in addition to setting up DUI checksues that come with it,” Coon said. Last year there were roughly 10,000 floaters » please see BOOZE | A3

$2 million gift largest in university history arship Endowment will bring the best and brightest agriculture students in California Staff Writer to Chico State,” Giustina said. “Our higher education system is the envy of the world, Chico State’s College of Agriculture is now and student scholarships play an important the recipient of a $2 million scholarship enpart in maintaining that level of excellence.” dowment — the single largest gift in the uniThis gift is evidence that Chico versity’s history. State’s students are the key to uniThe gift comes courtesy of Dan versity’s success, Zingg said. Giustina, the managing partner “Giustina didn’t know us from of Giustina Resources, an Orea hole in the wall until about regon-based timber products comally six months ago, when he first pany. Giustina presented a check came to the campus and he began to Chico State President Paul to poke around and find out what Zingg on Aug. 22. we’re all about.” Zingg said. “It’s The Bell Family Presidential not the Bell family money, it’s his Scholarships will be available to money. It’s in the Bell family’s two new students next year, and Dan Giustina name — it’s his personal investup to four in each subsequent Started Bell Family ment in what he believes is a powPresidential year, in the amount of $5,000. Scholarship erful story here.” The college will have up to 16 Giustina shared a passion for active scholarship recipients at supporting higher education with any given time. “I hope the Bell Family Presidential Schol» please see gift | A3 Bill Hall

The Orion ∤ Photograph by Nicholas Carr

High roller Giustina shows off a jacket the College of Agriculture gave him in appriciation of the endowment. Students that graduate with the Bell Family Memorial Scholarship will recieve identical jackets.

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