The Orion Vol. 75, Issue 3

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Theorion.com | Wednesday, September 9, 2015 | Vol. 75, Issue 3 | First copy free, additional copies 50¢

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Exhibition: Artist Catherine Sullivan

brings her work to campus this semester with her exhibition, “Does Size Matter.”

Babysitting: Among the topic of

contraception, one method might be foolproof.

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A7

Athlete Scholars: 64 Chico State student

athletes were awarded Academic All-American honors.

Comeback: Miles Montalbano, owner of the

Pageant Theatre, has big plans to change its image this fall.

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t er twee dmand rion a o #sal @the

ur with yo ning stories Di Sutter

BOOZE BAN STAYS AFLOAT

Staff Writer

Butte County officials patrol the Sacramento River for alcohol consumption during Labor Day weekend.

Police report a quiet Labor Day weekend as the temporary alcohol ban remains effective for a third year. Staff Writer The alcohol ban proved to be successful this Labor Day weekend in Chico. In 2013, a temporary ban on alcohol was made on Labor Day weekend at the Sacramento River. Two years later and the ban is still in full effect. Brett Olson, a 20-year-old Cal Poly San Luis Obispo student, drowned in the Sacramento River during Labor Day weekend three years ago while floating with his friends. His autopsy revealed that he was intoxicated and had consumed cocaine near the time of his death. Following Olson’s death, Chi-

co State officials sought a way to make Labor Day weekend more safe for students. Fewer incidents have occurred on the river since the alcohol ban was enacted. John Feeney, University Police chief, said he did not see many people out on Friday or Saturday nights. “All in all, it was a relatively quiet weekend,” he said. Alcohol Beverage Control was present Friday through Monday, as well as several DUI checkpoints. Other events were organized for students over the weekend including a barbecue at Lower Bidwell, a carnival at University Village and a movie showing of “Pitch Perfect” at the El Rey Theater Friday night.

Salamander slithers into Sutter salad Michael Catelli

Ryan Pressey/The Orion

Susan Leamon

Photo courtesy of Justin DiRuscio

This year, there were only hundreds of people floating in the Sacramento River compared to the thousands who would show up several years ago. “I drove by the river Sunday afternoon, and it was very quiet,” Feeney said. Feeney prepared for the weekend by following the lead of Mike O’Brien, chief of the Chico Police Department, and holding several meetings with the Student Life and Leadership office on campus. ”I consider the Chico Police Department shepherds, and Chico State students flock,” he said. “We are going to do whatever it takes to protect our flock.” Susan Leamon be reached at

Justin DiRuscio, first-year student, had a slimly surprise in his salad at Sutter Dining on Thursday night. DiRuscio was eating dinner at the dining hall around 7 p.m. when he uncovered a dead salamander lying on his plate underneath some lettuce, he said. “I talked to the advisor in the dining hall and he offered me a another salad,” DiRuscio said. “He said he would contact the food services immediately but he continued serving the salad to other people.” Sutter Dining is known for striving to serve quality food and accommodation to all students. “I’m seeking a way of rectifying the situation because my only source of eating is the Sutter Dining hall,” he said. DiRuscio was sitting with friends when he found the dead reptile. “I thought it was just a bunch of capers,” said Tamari Gurevich, first-year student. “The man (Sutter employee) said that this has totally happened before and was not surprised at what had happened,” she said. Debbie Fairman, Sutter Dining Hall service supervisor, was not present when the incident occurred, however, said nothing like this has ever been found in the salad. “We’ve found, like, little tiny bugs,” Fairman said. “But it’s rinsed three times before it’s even put in the bag, so that’s kind of suspicious. We’re thinking that somebody might have just dropped that in there.” Several Sutter Dining employees were contacted for this story. However, they were instructed not to comment. Michael Catelli be reached at newseditor@theorion.com or

newseditor@theorion.com or

@michaelcatelli on Twitter.

Drought, hot weather at fault for falling branches Austin Herbaugh

Staff Writer The thought of falling tree branches is usually associated with an intense winter storm with high winds. While storms can cause branches and trees to fall, hot summer days can do the same. The average summer day in Chico can lead to large branches crashing down without warning. This happened in August 2013, when a branch that had built up too much water fell on a student, killing her. The branch fell due to a common occurrence in trees during summer weather. This phenomenon is called summer limb drop. The combination of hot weather and no wind allows trees to draw water constantly throughout the day. As the day runs its course, the tree gets heavier and heavier. If a branch becomes too heavy, it will snap off without warning. “That’s why summer limb drop is kind of a weird phenomenon, it happens when

you think it shouldn’t happen,” said MiSummer limb drop is most common in chael Alonzo, supervisor of grounds and oak trees because branches will fall if they landscape services. “For reasons you think soak up too much water. To reduce the danwould cause a tree to get lighter, it actually ger of falling tree limbs, Alonzo and his gets heavier.” staff visually monitor all the trees across When water flows through a tree from campus, especially oaks. the roots and evaporates off “Including myself, we have 11 the leaves, it builds up presstaff members on campus that sure. If enough pressure builds keep their eyes peeled,” Alonzo up in a branch, it will essensaid, “And are constantly monitially explode from the inside toring the trees visually for hangout, which sounds like a loud ing limbs, suspect limbs that look pop, Alonzo said. like they’re drying out or anyA sudden increase in wathing out of the ordinary.” ter weight can also weigh a Each staff member has a specifbranch down and cause it to ic section of campus to monitor. fall, Alonzo said. If the ground If a staff member notices someMICHAEL has been dry for a while and thing off about a tree, an arborist ALONZO suddenly becomes wet, the tree from an outside vendor will help Superviser of will soak up the moisture imdecide what to do. Their company grounds and landmediately, quickly adding a lot will then be contracted to take scape services of weight. This can be caused care of it. by a summer storm, the first While the grounds and landrainfall of the year or overwatering. scape staff try to mitigate the danger, it’s

Index

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Opinion

A6

Features

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Sports

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Sex Column

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A&E

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Directory

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hard to see the signs of summer limb drop because the branches look healthy prior to falling, Alonzo said. To keep branches from falling, trees are also trimmed on a regular basis. Large branches that are either too heavy or weakly attached to the trunk are removed, Alonzo said. Efforts are also being made to keep the trees healthy on campus through the drought. “The larger trees are, for the most part, doing very well throughout the campus,” Alonzo said. “Part of that is because we’ve been following up and manually watering a lot of the large trees.” To water the trees, a truck with a 500-gallon tank dumps water on every tree that needs it. The trees that are watered are tagged with a blue ribbon, and each tree is usually watered once a week, Alonzo said.

» please see TREE | A3

Weather Precipitation: 0% Humidity: 17% Wind: 6 mph

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