Highlights, lowlights from the week’s news | Hits & Misses

HIT — Did you hear it too?

That wonderful sound of a decent-sized rainstorm, dropping nice, big raindrops on our roofs throughout much of Thursday night.

We know it’s literally a drop in the bucket as far as meeting our needs, but the fact we did get enough rainfall to create some mud puddles — and, the fact that a couple more inches appear to be on our way over the next 2-3 days — is indeed something to celebrate.

For one, it’s a positive sign that maybe, just maybe, the jet stream is going to work in our favor this fall and turn much of this brown grass to green much earlier than a year ago. (Or three years ago; remember, the Camp Fire started Nov. 8, and an absence of any rain in October or early November was a huge factor in the fire’s incredible growth.)

Meanwhile, have you checked the air quality numbers lately? It’s so refreshing — literally — to breathe with an AQI in the teens and 20s after coughing our way through triple-digit numbers (that’s AQI, along with the temperature) for so much of the summer.

We’ve got enough rain in the forecast for the words “flash flood warning” to again enter our lexicon. Let’s be careful on that front — and in a bigger picture, keep in mind that all things considered, that’s a potential problem we’ll gladly take on right now.

Speaking of storms — the city of Chico public works department is ready to help. For any storm-related issues, you can call 824-4000 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or call the Chico Police Department’s non-emergency line 897-4900 after hours.

For smaller, less-timely issues, email rightofwaymaintenance@chicoca.gov or fill out an online form at https://chico.ca.us/report-infrastructure-issue.

MISS — On the flip side, there’s nothing like some wet pavement to make a few knuckleheads decide it’s time to start racing their engines and spinning around on the asphalt again, often with disastrous results.

We’ve already seen it at many stoplights and even a number of curves on the road. The drivers, almost always young and usually male, push the gas pedal just a little too hard and a little too fast, leaving them spinning out of control — usually briefly. But not always.

For the lucky ones, there will finally come a day where they’ll lose control and end up with nothing worse that a dented fender or some bruised ribs. Inevitably, some careless drivers — and innocent bystanders — end up not being so lucky.

As we’ve noted before, there are reasons you don’t see elderly drivers pull those shenanigans. Usually, they learned their lesson after a near-miss and never forgot it. Or, they just grew up. And to be blunt, the really bad drivers simply don’t live that long.

Don’t be a knucklehead. Drive safe. Stay alive, and show consideration to those around you.

HIT — With each passing generation, it seems more and more of the long-standing traditions around any community fade into obscurity.

That’s why we were so delighted to see the 50th Almond Bowl finally take place Friday night.

While Chico and Pleasant Valley met this spring during the shortened “COVID” football season, those games were not counted as Almond Bowls, since the numerous associated activities were not able to happen.

Friday night, though, it was back in all of its glory, once again being played before a sellout crowd.

By the way, we enjoyed the fact that several Chico city council members were displaying their respective Vikings/Panthers colors at their meeting Tuesday night, and we’re disappointed (but not at all surprised) that a few people ended up complaining about it.

Those chambers have seen more than their share of anger, arguments and toxic behavior for the past couple of years. Why should it bother anyone to see some actual fun take place for a change?

MISS — Speaking of Tuesday’s council meeting, we share the frustration from residents and councilors regarding the parking situation near Enloe Medical Center. A survey performed by a consulting firm that rings rather “incomplete” in our ears didn’t do much to help.

Several speakers, most of whom are residents in the area, remarked that the survey Dixon Consulting performed had less than 70 participants. And we can’t get on board with the notion that residents in the area should suddenly have to purchase a parking permit every year because of a problem none of them created.

The consultant didn’t even attend the meeting, leaving the task of reading the recommendations to the city’s Senior Traffic Engineer, Bikram Kahlon,

“I can see why the consultant didn’t want to be here,” Councilor Sean Morgan said. “The consultant should be embarrassed they put this before us.”

Hopefully, better signs and street striping directing visitors to the parking lot and garage will have a positive impact.

Hits and misses are compiled by the editorial board.