Ken Devol
All Things Considered Anchor & ReporterKen came to NSPR through the back door as a volunteer, doing all the things that volunteers do. Almost nothing – nothing -- in his previous work experience suggests that he would ever be on public radio.
His resume is nearly Frankensteinian with one disparate job sutured to another: California Department of Parks and Recreation, marina employee, archaeological field technician, electrician, woodworker, furniture import, and 20 years in manufacturing management. He was an English major.
He’s traveled some. He likes to sail and writes fraudulent poetry. And now he’s in radio -- another unlikely part is sewn into the whole. And he loves it.
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President Biden has issued a disaster declaration following a request from Gov. Gavin Newsom. It will reimburse 10 California counties, including Butte, Glenn, and Sutter, for disaster response and recovery costs. Also, the Redding Police Department is preparing to release footage after the first officer-involved shooting in Shasta County since its adoption of body cameras last year, and bus commuters in Redding this month can get a free bike ride pass. -
Shasta County Supervisor Kevin Crye narrowly avoided a recall. Now, he’s pushing for unity. Also, a group of North State bird enthusiasts is spying on a family of bald eagles and they invite you to join them, and Chico begins pavement upgrades across the city.
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A group of North State bird enthusiasts is spying on a family of bald eagles, and they invite you to join them. Friends of the Redding Eagles has placed a live webcam within arm’s reach of the eagles nest. -
The Environmental Protection Agency is rolling out the first federal standards for forever chemicals in drinking water. According to an analysis by CalMatters some wells in the North State would exceed the new safety regulations. Also, the California Dream Act Application has been opened to students with mixed citizenship status and non-U.S. citizenships, and free waste disposal will be available at Oroville’s Recology Transfer Facility next Sunday.
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Eleven inmates at the Butte County Jail were flagged for possible detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement last year. But, Sheriff Kory Honea told supervisors at this week’s meeting that ICE did not pick up any of them. Also, the runner-up for a seat on the Shasta County Board of Supervisors asked election officials for a recount. Now she’s backtracked, and Chico’s Thursday Night Market is back tomorrow and it will be bigger than ever.
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The city of Chico is continuing to clear homeless encampments throughout the city. In its most recent enforcement, three encampments were cleared forcing 23 residents to relocate. Also, the Paradise Town Council is expected to vote on a plan for acquiring easements along the route of a proposed sewer line connection with Chico’s water treatment facility, and the Butte County Board of Supervisors will consider approving a 5.2 million dollar grant from the state to help the behavioral health department expand its services.
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The city of Chico is set to remove three homeless encampments today. In total, 23 unsheltered residents will be forced to relocate. Also, most business coming before the Butte County Board of Supervisors at its meeting tomorrow pertains to routine budget adjustments and contract approvals but some agenda items stand out, and North State residents won’t see the full solar eclipse today but even a partial eclipse is a remarkable event.
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Some 125 acres of forest land in California's Redwood National and State Parks will return to the Yurok Tribe in a first-of-its-kind arrangement. Also, Chico’s historic El Rey Theater is up for sale for just under $2 million, and the Shasta County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 this week to approve the county's election results.
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Chico has established fees for its shopping cart ordinance aimed at retailers who don’t collect abandoned carts taken off their properties. Also, Chico Housing Action Team has been selected to receive more than $15 million in grant funding, and California’s snowpack is above average for this time of the year.
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Whitney Hall, the largest dormitory on Chico State’s campus, is closed for a second year pending the replacement of its HVAC system. It may be closed for a third year, if the facility reopens at all.
