Top 20 of 2012

Team Rocket (Eric Hansen and Ken Fowler) crisscross as the sun sets behind them in the Twilight Air Show at the Chico Airport Friday September 28, 2012 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley /Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico High's Anthony Rodriguez (65) reacts to a interception against Pleasant Valley High in the fourth quarter of their Almond Bowl football game at CSUC University Stadium Friday, October 26, 2012 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley /Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's Hannah Womack (left) collides with Western Washington's Trishi Williams (right) when going for a loose ball in the second half of their women's basketball game at CSUC Acker Gym Friday, December 7, 2012 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Enterprise-Record)

Chico High competes against Pleasant Valley High's Gracie Hernandez (top) leaps from the platform as Kimberly Harbert (bottom) touches the wall in the 200 Medley Relay during their swim meet at In Motion Fitness Wednesday October 10, 2012 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley /Chico Enterprise-Record) 

A double rainbow reaches across the sky over Bidwell Ranch at the entrance of upper Bidwell Park Friday, November 30, 2012 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Enterprise-Record)

Durham High's Eric Shanks bleeds from the head after being knocked down against Willows High's Eduardo Briones (not seen) on an attempt to score at home plate in the bottom of the sixth inning during their baseball game at Butte College's Cowan field Saturday, May 19, 2012 in Oroville, Calif. Shanks was called safe because of obstruction, though suffered a bleeding laceration to the head on the play.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte College's Solomon Means (24, right) flips Shasta College's Tevin Slaton (8, center) on a tackle in the second quarter of their football game at Cowan Stadium Saturday, September 15, 2012 in Oroville, Calif. 

(Jason Halley /Chico Enterprise-Record)

Fire within the smoke column of the Chips Fire moves toward the shoreline of Butt Valley Reservoir as it continues to grow Saturday, August 11, 2012 in West Lake Almanor, Calif. 

(Jason Halley /Chico Enterprise-Record)

Hamilton High celebrates a win against Modoc High after the fourth quarter of their football game at HHS Friday, November 16, 2012 in Hamilton City, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cal Fire - Butte County firefighters Jason Signes (left) and Jason Hawkins (right) battle a house on Royal Meadows Lane, off Neal Road in south Paradise, burns Friday afternoon as Cal Fire-Butte County, Paradise, Chico and volunteer firefighters try to keep the flames from spreading Friday, August 3, 2012 in Paradise, Calif. 

(Jason Halley /Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Police officer Jeramie Struthers (left) looks at the blood on his hand as he arrest Devin Walker, 20 (center), for shoplifting JCPenny and resisting arrest which led officers on a foot pursuit from the Chico Mall across Hwy 99 into Michael's where he was detained by Butte County Sheriff on Saturday June 2, 2012 in Chico, Calif. Walker was injured with a laceration to the chin during the pursuit and treated on scene.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Hamilton City Volunteer Fire Protection District firefighters Danny Andreasen Jr. (left) and Dustyn Sousa (right) wait around with not much to do with the little over 1900 tubers took to the 58 degree cold waters of the Sacramento River for tubing Labor Day Weekend Saturday, September 1, 2012 in Hamilton City, Calif. 

(Jason Halley /Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cal Fire-Butte County firefighter John Gaddie along with Chico FIre, and Chico Fire Company 1 volunteer firefighters respond to a engulfed apartment structure fire in the 200 block of W 22nd St. that displaced at least one family Friday, November 9, 2012 in Chico, Calif. The family included a father with his 19-yr-old son and four younger daughters. The residence had its electricity recently turned off. Cause is still under investigation. The son was alerted by her sister screaming with smoke in one of the bedrooms. The family evacuated the residence as firefighters arrived to scene with the upstairs unit in flames. Other units were also damaged from smoke and water. Red Cross was called to help the displaced family. No injuries were reported at this time. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Sergeant Ethan White holds his daughter Elle White, 10 months, as members of the National Guard are honored for their tour of duty at the Freedom Salute Campaign at the Elks Lodge Saturday, February 18, 2012 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record) 

Chico Police offier Tony Ferreira (left) and det. Terry Tupper (center) talk to a young man who was given an minor in possession as they tend to unruly crowds along Ivy St. as early César Chavez festivities take place the day before the actual holiday on Friday, March 30, 2012 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record) 

Jacob Asher, 16, flips into the Feather River underneath the green bridge along Washington Ave. Thursday, August 2, 2012 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley /Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte County Sheriff deputy Dan Angel (center) and other units search the alley between Oakdale St. and Broadway near 12th St.  for a suspect who ran through backyards after fleeing on foot following a police pursuit near 12th and Broadway Thursday, February 2, 2012 in Chico, Calif. Butte County Sheriff first attempted to make a traffic stop at 9th St. and Ivy on a Mercury Cougar that failed to signal making a turn onto Ivy, when the suspect failed to yield and a pursuit with unsafe speeds up to 55mph led officers in chase down Ivy to 11th st turning onto Broadway attempting to head down 12th st. when the suspects vehicle spun out turning around and accelerating into the Sheriff patrol car that was closing in. The male driver fled on foot after the collision and a female passenger, Stephania Gulbronson, 25, attempted to assault a Sheriff deputy wtih a 3" fixed blade knife. Gulbronson was taken into custody and will be charged with assult with a deadly weapon. The male suspect fled into nearby backyards jumping fences. A perimeter was set up as Sheriff units called Chico Police and K-9 to assist in the search of the male suspect, which turned up negative. Sheriff have leads to the identity of the male suspect which they are investigating and the reason the suspect fled was undetermined at the time. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record) 

Nick Wright wipes his brow as he is interviewed for the American Homecomings project in his home as he discusses his life as a civilian after serving in the armed services Thursday, April 26, 2012 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico firefighters Jesse Campos, opens a vent in the roof of an active attic fire at a home at 18 Woodside Lane Friday, August 10, 2012 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record) 

Chico State student Taylor Lord, 20, walk underneath her umbrella over fallen leaves along Salem Street near W. 3rd Street on Thursday, November 29, 2012 in Chico, Calif. Lord was on her way to a class on CSUC campus. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Raise Your Stein, It's Beer Time

Taylor Smith (left) and Kylee Johnson (right) raise their steins with the others who cheer during the Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest in reference to the German event at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Saturday, October 8, 2011 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Celebrating Cesar Chavez Day

Cesar Chavez Day did bring out hard work in volunteering Chico State students who cleaned up parts of the town. But it also brought out its usual crowd of intoxicated youth celebrating not what the day stands for, but the fact they have the day off. The later afternoon saw an increase in activity. Nothing was out of control or unusual.

Chico Police mounted patrol detectives Abigail Madden (left) waves to people partying at W 4th St and Hazel St. to celebrate Cesar Chavez Day Thursday, March 31, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

People party in front of a house on W 4th St. and Ivy St. to celebrate Cesar Chavez Day Thursday, March 31, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

People play music and dance in front of a house on W 4th St. and Ivy St. to celebrate Cesar Chavez Day Thursday, March 31, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Police mounted patrol detectives Jim Parrott (right) keeps an eye on the crowd as detective Abigail Madden (left) detains a suspect who assaulted the horse at W 4th St and Ivy St. in the south campus area during the celebration of Cesar Chavez Day Thursday, March 31, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Fire engineer Carlos Munoz hoses down a couch frame that was lit of fire as people celebrate Cesar Chavez Day in the south campus area Thursday, March 31, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Police administer a DUI checkpoint along Esplanade and E. Lincoln Ave during Cesar Chavez Day Thursday, March 31, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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8FPS: What a Wild Night

With Chico State students heading back into town, the south campus area is becoming much more wild. The student population creates much more party activity than in the summer months. With students, new, old, and from out of town, Chico Police are kept busy. I try to make an effort to head out in the late evening, early morning to capture the type of activity that is becoming more and more prevalent.

What made this night more wild than others was the close proximity to all the activity. It all centered around 5th and Ivy, a hot spot for crazy parties. Chico Police, Fire and Paramedics were all keep busy tending to fights, stabbings, and drug young people. There was even a commercial structure fire that night. The most unusual story happened at the end of the night when police were called out to the train track after a report of three men who jumped from a moving train injuring themselves... Maybe "wild" night is the wrong description; what a stupid night.

Chico Police arrest a man who was in a fight and had a stab wound, at 5th St and Ivy St. as Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Young people party at a home at 6th St. and Ivy St. as Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on them as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Fire tend to a victim of an assault and robbery, who was knocked in the head and bleeding along Ivy St. as Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Fire and Police attempt to locate a man who was reported to have jumped with two other friedns from a moving train along the train tracks and W. Sacramento Ave, after hopping on the train as it pasted through town. His buddies had injuries and were taken to Enloe. Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Tacos de Acapulco stays open late for midnight cravings for the Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Police arrest a man who at 5th St and Ivy St. who was harassing women as Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Fire respond to a commercial structure fire at Playtime-4-You lingerie shop at Esplanade and 12th Ave Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Police officer James Dimmitt (left) and Sgt. Greg Keeney (right) question a man as they make a stop at a party along 6th St. near Cherry St. as Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

César Chávez Festivities

Chico's south campus neighborhood which generally comprises of CSUC students and out-of-towners, raised up their sombreros and drew on their mustaches to celebrate César Chávez Day. While the actual holiday bears no resemblance to the drunken mess of youth wandering the streets of downtown Chico, the day still had its moments of excitement. Chico State gave the students the Wednesday off, combined with a furlough for Thursday after and most students not having classes for Friday (or teachers letting them off), with the added Monday being a holiday for Easter, all created an extra Spring Break for some. The activity was higher than St. Patrick's Day. A lot more house parties than crowds at the bars. Activity picked up early in the evening but quickly dispersed as nightfall came. 

Morgan Allen, 19, stands at W. 5th St and Ivy st. waiting for her friends as she celebrates Cesar Chavez Day on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Police check the area of a reported gunshot along Ivy St. near W. 5th St. as people celebrate Cesar Chavez Day on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Alexis Fernandez, 20, wore a big sombrero as she walks near W. 5th St and Ivy st. during Cesar Chavez Day on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A party had many people dancing with a dj in the backyard at a residence along W. 5th St near Cherry St. on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Police mounted patrol Jim Parrott (right) moves partiers along at party in the backyard at a residence along W. 5th St near Cherry St. on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record) 

I did have one encounter that just comes with the crowds. A young man was so intoxicated he had to be transported to Enloe. I was going to take some images of him being transported with the party he was attending behind him to tell the story of young people endangering themselves with alcohol from parties. While waiting for the paramedics to load him into van, his friends decided to hop the railing at the party and tell me not to take pictures of the scene. When I say hop the railing, I mean stumble and fall over the railing. They were concerned that I would take his pictures.

 Well, they should be. I would take his picture. I am in all legal right to do so. He was drunk on a public sidewalk and I was standing in the public road. There were 3 women who approached me raising their hands to my camera. They were in my face, but not hostile. I wasn't afraid of them getting physical with the incident, but it was really nice that a VIPS officer Terry Smith quickly approached and told them to back off. I don't know what it couldn't have ended up as, but I am glad nothing came of it. I did manage to take a picture of what I was wanting... and I got a bonus of his friend trying to block the camera.

Ah Chico, just another day.

College Summed Up In One Image

Most of the time I will describe what is going on in a photograph. This one doesn't need much for me to explain. I would actually like to see what you think about the things going on in this image. There are so many elements to it. It would be fun to see what you think is going on. Let me know.

Partiers hang outside a home along Ivy St. near W. 3rd St. as St. Patrick Day celebrations spill into the streets as partiers, CSUC/Butte students and non-students, enjoy the week off on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in Downtown Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

No Luck in Finding the Irish

Chico is known for its high party activities during holidays. This year the luck might have run out. Chico State University in conjunction with Butte College and other academic institutions have decided to change the Spring Break week off to coincide with St. Patrick's Day. The intended thought is to have students head home for the vacation instead of staying and partying in Chico. St. Patrick's Day fell on a Wednesday, and I suspect that because no one wanted to wait for the party to come, they took advantage of their time off to plan trips for the holiday. 

Josh Low, 21, walks across Salem St. at W. 2nd St. as St. Patrick Day celebrations spill into the streets as partiers, CSUC/Butte students and non-students, enjoy the week off on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in Downtown Chico, Calif.  (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Kaitlynn "KB" Wolfe, 21 (left) rides her bike with Sarah Peters, 23 (right) as they head towards a house along W. 4th St. near Ivy St. as St. Patrick Day celebrations spill into the streets as partiers, CSUC/Butte students and non-students, enjoy the week off on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in Downtown Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The town had very few students. While it was kinda nice to not have the hassle of drunken youth yelling and fighting, it was a little challenging to find something unique. Most were dressed in the casual green with hardly anyone getting into the Irish spirit to decorate themselves for the day. 

Partiers play beer pong outside a home along W. 4th St. near Ivy St. as St. Patrick Day celebrations spill into the streets as partiers, CSUC/Butte students and non-students, enjoy the week off on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in Downtown Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Partiers walk past mounted patrol units Det. Abigail Madden and Sgt. Scott Ruppel along Ivy St. near W. 4th St. as St. Patrick Day celebrations spill into the streets as partiers, CSUC/Butte students and non-students, enjoy the week off on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in Downtown Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Word on the town is that César Chávez Day is going to be THE day for party plans. That day is in the middle of the week, yet students will not be on vacation for the week, giving them the close proximity to local venues.