And She Can Hit Too...

Chico Outlaws 18 year old female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida definitely brings a crowd with her. Yoshida is the first Japanese women to pitch professionally in the United States, and she just graduated high school. So you can imagine that she brings a lot of media with her. Up in this small town we don't get much other types of press other than the local guys. I'm generally the only photographer, besides a parent or two. I don't have much competition. But when a media hype is creating this town gets exciting. I enjoy playing with the big boys, AP and Reuters, and also see it as a challenge. I have the advantage of being local to the community. I know the people and the places they don't think about getting to. As the game got underway, Yoshida pitched a scoreless first inning and even knocked in a RBI single. It drew the biggest applause from the crowd when she knocked a solid hit. Most were expecting a walk because with her height of 5'2", she doesn't have much room for the strike zone. 

Chico Outlaws female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida pitches against the Tijuana Cimarrones in the top of the first inning during their GBL baseball game at Nettleton Stadium May 29, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

With the constant media coverage Chico Outlaws female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida warms up against the Tijuana Cimarrones before the top of the first inning during their GBL baseball game at Nettleton Stadium May 29, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Outlaws female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida (left) bumps knuckles with first base coach Garry Templeton Jr.  after knocking a RBI single against the Tijuana Cimarrones in the bottom of the first inning during their GBL baseball game at Nettleton Stadium May 29, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Outlaws female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida knocks a RBI single against the Tijuana Cimarrones in the bottom of the first inning during their GBL baseball game at Nettleton Stadium May 29, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Heavy media coverage is given to Chico Outlaws female knuckleballer Eri Yoshida who goes on deck against the Tijuana Cimarrones in the bottom of the first inning during their GBL baseball game at Nettleton Stadium May 29, 2010 in Chico, Calif.(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

 

8FPS: Butte's Graduation

Over 1,000 students graduated from Butte College Friday night. Butte has been a huge asset as a community college to the local area. It has even been a launch pad for many of its students. Once thought of as an outlier school for those with lower potential, Butte College has grown and received many impressive reviews. It has become a major decision for students entering into the college arena. It also offers many choices that you can't always get at the state level. The fact that they continue to grow and had over 1,000 students graduating was quite impressive.

Early Childhood Education Crystal Xiong, waves after receiving her diploma with Butte College graduates in their ceremony at Butte's Cowan Field on Friday, May 28, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte College graduates listen to speakers in their ceremony at Butte's Cowan Field on Friday, May 28, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Over 1,000 Butte College students were graduates in their ceremony at Butte's Cowan Field on Friday, May 28, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Admin of Justice majors Cameron Turner (left) and Jennifer Tambourine (right) take their seats with Butte College graduates in their ceremony at Butte's Cowan Field on Friday, May 28, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte College graduates enter their ceremony at Butte's Cowan Field on Friday, May 28, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte College graduates enter their ceremony at Butte's Cowan Field on Friday, May 28, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Fire Technology major, Tevin Roe, looks on before Butte College graduates began their ceremony at Butte's Cowan Field on Friday, May 28, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Social Behavioral Science major, Carrie Goodeill, looks through the fence for family and friends before Butte College graduates began their ceremony at Butte's Cowan Field on Friday, May 28, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

8FPS: PV Graduation

Pleasant Valley High's graduation was met with wet and cold weather. Rain poured down and there was even a short glimpse of lightning in the sky. I was all prepared to be soaked in the rain, but luckily the skies cleared right before the ceremony started. It was a blessing. I would have loved to shoot a graduation in a downpour, but was very thankful to be dry. Here's the highlights of the night. 

Pleasant Valley graduates are reflected in a puddle on the blacktop as they walk to their graduation ceremony at PVHS track Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cody Moss, 18 (far right) waves to his family giving them thanks as Pleasant Valley graduates celebrate their graduation ceremony at PVHS track Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cassie Starr, 18, wore star glasses as Pleasant Valley graduates celebrate their graduation ceremony at PVHS track Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Diego Ochoa, 18, prepares with Pleasant Valley graduates to celebrate their graduation ceremony at PVHS track Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Kiirstyn Williams, 17 (left), Camee Felix, 17 (center) and Kami Denlay, 18 (right) get dressed with ponchos underneath their gowns as Pleasant Valley graduates prepare to celebrate their graduation ceremony at PVHS track Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Heather Clark, 18 (left) and Karleigh Berens, 18, (right) gets dressed with ponchos underneath her gowns as Pleasant Valley graduates prepare to celebrate their graduation ceremony at PVHS track Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Jessica Ly sings "My Dear, My Friend" as Pleasant Valley graduates celebrate their graduation ceremony at PVHS track Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Pleasant Valley graduate Julio Zepada (center) embraces faculty Amy Besnard (right) as students celebrate their graduation ceremony at PVHS track Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Silver Dollar Fair

Two quick shots from the Silver Dollar Fair. I didn't get much time to focus on the fair as I normally do. This was because my time was split to covering graduations and sports. I would have like to give it more space, but we were really swamped this year. 

Kids ride the Yo-Yo swings at the Silver Dollar Fair that opened amid rainy weather and dark clouds on Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A baby pig sleeps under a heat lamp at the Silver Dollar Fair that opened amid rainy weather and dark clouds on Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Water Works

If you're going to crash and knock over a fire hydrant to gush hundreds of gallons of water onto the street, be sure not to do it in front of the newspaper office. There was an accident the other day that occurred on a busy street in front of our offices. All three of us photographs as well as editors were out of scene seeing all the commotion ourselves. I snapped a shot for myself. But our photo editor, Bill Husa, was the first on scene, so I let him take the assignment. It is a pretty impressive sight to see water gushing out of a broken fire hydrant. Sometimes they can soar to above 40 ft in the air. This incident didn't have to big of a height, but did release a lot of water. Just a reminder that you can never predict what will happen in this job.

A fire hydrant pours water over a VW Bug involved in a two vehicle collision on E. Park Ave. Thursday May 27, 2010.  (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Graduating Champions

    Champion Christian School celebrated their graduates of 2010 at Neighborhood Church. I attended Champion in Jr. High before going to high school at Pleasant Valley High School. It is always neat to see this graduating class. They classmates are all best friends because they know each other so well. There is generally no more than 20-25 students each year, which is the equivalent of about one SMALL class at the high schools. Always a neat group of kids.

 Jeremiah Gawthrop (left) and Karlee Burns (right) lead Champion Christian graduates to their seats during their ceremony at Neighborhood Church Wednesday, May 26, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Makenzie Zimmer (left) adjusts the decorative cap of Mary Romero (right) as Champion Christian graduates prepare for their ceremony at Neighborhood Church Wednesday, May 26, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Alysia Ballantyne (left) is embraced by Kate Lapp (right) as Champion Christian graduates prepare for their ceremony at Neighborhood Church Wednesday, May 26, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Welcome Back Annie's Glen

 Bidwell Park reconnected with an old friend.  The City of Chico held a ribbon cutting for its completion of the Annie Glen bike way under-crossing. Annie's Glen, located near Mangrove Ave and Vallombrosa Ave, has been a part of Bidwell Park for a very long time. It recently was reunited via a bike way that cuts below Mangrove Ave, which created a division in the Lower Park area. Now bicyclists do not have to cut across busy streets to get from one side to the other. It also allows for a safer bike route for children going and coming to local schools. In addition to the tunnel being completed, it was decorated with tiles from students to give it a very nice beautification. 

The east entrance leading Annie's Glen is seen as the City of Chico dedicated its Annie's Glen Bikeway during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Janice Hofmann (left) talks with Todo Best (right) who points out her son's tile as the City of Chico dedicated its Annie's Glen Bikeway during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

   

Going Sky High for Solar Assignment

     The other day I headed out to Sunset Moulding to photograph the company's CEO with the new solar field that was installed and maintained by Pacific Power. Sunset Moulding is switching their power resource to renewable energy. When I arrived, they had a scissor lift available for me to go up in. I love these assignments where I get to operate (or take a ride in) heavy machinery that under normal circumstances you must be well trained to use. I was raised about 30 ft or so in the air to get a higher viewpoint of the solar panels. I am sure almost every photographer would like a scissor lift in their camera bag at all times. Unfortunately this is one piece of equipment that doesn't fit the budget or the bag. It is nice to have for those high angle shots. 

Pacific Power Director of Communications Sarah Modgling, Pacific Power VP of Business Development Kelly McMahon, Sunset Moulding President and CEO John Morrison, and Pacific Power Project Manager Rod McKenzie, (left to right) look over the Solar Panels installed by Pacific Power at Sunset Moulding on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

8FPS: CSUC Graduation

Boy, was Saturday busy. What kept me scrambling the most was covering the first of many graduations. I went to the Saturday graduation ceremonies for California State University - Chico and was racing to find something. You never know what to expect at graduations. This particular one was suppose to be hit with rain in the forecast, but was treated to a wonderfully cool and partly cloudy morning. The event was rather mild in activity. I looked for signs of interest, but wasn't very successful.  I took part in finding the happy graduate portrait shots to illustrate the ceremony. One unique thing did happen in the program. An honorary degree given to David C. Favor. Here are the 8 highlights of the graduation. (more grad photos are sure to come).

Chico State students graduate in ceremonies at CSUC University Stadium on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

CSUC President Paul Zingg (left) and Bob Linscheid (right) give an honorary degree to David C. Favor (center) as Chico State students graduate in ceremonies at CSUC University Stadium on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Eva Butler (left) and Eva Skowronski (right) were among Chico State students graduate in ceremonies at CSUC University Stadium on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State students graduate in ceremonies at CSUC University Stadium on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State students high-five faculty who pass by as they graduate in ceremonies at CSUC University Stadium on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Airell Loadholt, 25, looks for family as he sits with Chico State students graduating in ceremonies at CSUC University Stadium on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Economics major Travis Thomas, 25, has fellow students reflected in his sunglasses as Chico State students graduate in ceremonies at CSUC University Stadium on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Child Development major Lindsey Tait, 21 (left) has her hat adjusted by Child Development major Jessica Hudson, 21 (right) as they assemble prior to Chico State students graduating in ceremonies at CSUC University Stadium on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Getting Hooked

The Annual Hooked on Fishing event took place this Saturday at Horseshoe Lake in Upper Bidwell Park. This event is always exciting as it offers kids a chance to experience fishing absolutely free of charge. The events gives our free fishing poles (if needed) to kids of all ages to try to catch catfish that was stocked in the lake. The event draws crowds in the upper hundreds. It is pretty easy to get some great shots, almost like fishing in a barrel.

Chloe McDemus, 7 1/2, (center) reacts to seeing her catfish she caught as hundreds of kids headed out to Horseshoe Lake for the Hooked on Fishing event in Upper Bidwell Park on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Connor Dailey, 2 (left) and Devan Dailey, 4 (center) fish with help from grandpa Rory Rottschalk (right) as hundreds of kids headed out to Horseshoe Lake for the Hooked on Fishing event in Upper Bidwell Park on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A Fair Start

The Fair Season has begun! Get your corn dogs and cotton candy ready, the fairs are hitting towns near you. And the Glenn County Fair was the first to start. I didn't have much time to devote to the coverage of fair life. I did try to get to aspects of fair that people enjoy, the rides and the animals. 

People ride around on the Yo-Yo Swings as the community came out to enjoy the Glenn County Fair Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Orland, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Judy Mendes, 17, of Willows FFA dries her cow "Emmitt" as she prepares for show as the community came out to enjoy the Glenn County Fair Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Orland, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Clouds Moooving In

The weather this time of year is a photographer's paradise. Dark full clouds are always passing through creating a real dynamic sky. The ground is saturated from the winter rain and the skies are deep blues. This is why I was excited to head out to Upper Bidwell Park to see what type of weather art I could get. I didn't have much time, but I decided to take a shot of the clouds hanging over these cows in a field. A simple shot, but intriguing to me.

A cow stands in a field as dark clouds loom over Upper Bidwell Park just east of Wildwood Park on Friday, May 21, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Stabbings Don't Make The Frontpage Anymore

Update: The woman was cleared of charges. Her name has been removed from this post.

Has Chico really settled for this? Today I responded to a call of a man who was stabbed in the neck and abdomen by his girlfriend. Police arrived to find a women, exiting the apartment and leaving. She was arrested (at the time) and the victim, was taken to Enloe Hospital for serious wounds. The stabbing occurred midday near a school area. This used to big big news for such a small town, but this town isn't as small as it used to be. Chico has been growing and news like this is becoming routine. It is a sad state of affairs that our community has been turned to this. There are more interesting news to be placed on the front page. What is most unfortunate, is that this event is not becoming big news because it is not happening as frequently, but rather that it is not as unique as it once was. It doesn't have the unusual or more extreme circumstances like death, as in a Durham wife shooting and killing her husband. That story will make the frontpage.

Chico Police officer Jamie Houland (left) Lt. Linda Dye (center) and officer Dave Dominguez (right) investigate the scene of a stabbing at SunRidge apartment complex along Amanda Way on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)


Paramedics take the victim, Ricahrd Chand, to Enloe Hospital after he was stabbed in the neck and abdomen at SunRidge apartment complex along Amanda Way on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Not So Fast

     I was excited to finally be pulling into my driveway after a long day of work, but not so fast. 

     I heard on the police scanner of a high speed pursuit of a suspect along southbound Hwy 99 from East Ave. He was heading southbound along the highway at speeds of excess of 100 mph, and he was getting closer to passing my home which not to far away from where the chase was occurring. I decided to drive out to see if I could catch up to the scene. I didn't know if the pursuit would go into the town streets or out of town along the highway. I was hoping it would head out of town and I wouldn't have to cover it, but not so fast. 

     I was just approaching the overpass when I heard the suspect ended up colliding with another vehicle just south of E. 20th st. I saw police lights flashing as I got onto the onramp. I was thinking "oh no, a high speed collision is not going to be good." Not so fast, luckily, there were no major injuries. The people involved were really lucky, except for the suspect that is. He was arrested an treated for medical purposes.

     Because I was so close to the scene when it happened, I was able to get there right as everything was unfolding. Unfortunately it was too late for tomorrow's paper, so I didn't have to work too fast on deadline. I was able to get some real close shots. Something a little different being that most of the time we arrive much later to breaking news assignments. 

Chico Police officer Travis Johnson (right) looks over CHP officer Brian White (left) as he talks to the suspect involved in a high speed (105mph) pursuit that started from southbound Hwy99 and East Ave that ended with a two-vehicle collision at Hwy99 just south of E. 20th Ave Friday, May 14, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte County Fire and Paramedics officer treat the suspect involved in a high speed (105mph) pursuit that started from southbound Hwy99 and East Ave that ended with a two-vehicle collision at Hwy99 just south of E. 20th Ave Friday, May 14, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

CHP officer Brian White takes information from the victim's vehicle that was hit by a suspect involved in a high speed (105mph) pursuit that started from southbound Hwy99 and East Ave that ended with a two-vehicle collision at Hwy99 just south of E. 20th Ave Friday, May 14, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Oh, I also got to try my new safety vest, which has become a federal law for highway incidents. 

8FPS: Running with Undies

I didn't quite know what to expect from the assignment I got tonight. It was called the "Undie Run" and it was pitch as a bunch of college students running around Downtown Chico in their underwear. It was also created through a Facebook announcement, so we didn't know how big or organized it would be. We heard a start time to the run around 7pm, but then were informed it might be later around 8pm. We didn't know if there would be 3 people or 300 people. As it turns out the event was a little more newsworthy that it first appeared. About 400 people gathered in City Plaza to strip down to their undies and donate the clothes of their back to the Salvation Army. Then the group would race out through the streets of downtown to relieve the stress of upcoming finals testing. It was a little disorganized, but the group were able to gather under the watchful eye of law enforcement. As it is meant to be a safe and fun event with a good community donation, I hope to see it stay and not get too out of control as years go by.

Kaylee Agamon (right) tries to get the attention of hundreds of people to run through Downtown Chico in the 2nd Annual Undie Run Friday, May 14, 2010 in Chico, Calif. The event donated the clothes off peoples backs to the Salvation Army.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Students strip off their clothes for a donation before hundreds of people run through Downtown Chico in the 2nd Annual Undie Run Friday, May 14, 2010 in Chico, Calif. The event donated the clothes off peoples backs to the Salvation Army.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record) 

Andrew Wain, 18, wrote on his chest for the hundreds of people run through Downtown Chico in the 2nd Annual Undie Run Friday, May 14, 2010 in Chico, Calif. The event donated the clothes off peoples backs to the Salvation Army.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Hundreds of people run through Downtown Chico in the 2nd Annual Undie Run Friday, May 14, 2010 in Chico, Calif. The event donated the clothes off peoples backs to the Salvation Army.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record) 

Hundreds of people run along W. 2nd St. through Downtown Chico in the 2nd Annual Undie Run Friday, May 14, 2010 in Chico, Calif. The event donated the clothes off peoples backs to the Salvation Army.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record) 

Chico Police Lt. Linda Dye (left) directs people run along Broadway as the run through Downtown Chico in the 2nd Annual Undie Run Friday, May 14, 2010 in Chico, Calif. The event donated the clothes off peoples backs to the Salvation Army.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record) 

Hundreds of people run through Downtown Chico in the 2nd Annual Undie Run Friday, May 14, 2010 in Chico, Calif. The event donated the clothes off peoples backs to the Salvation Army.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record) 

Hundreds of people run through Downtown Chico in the 2nd Annual Undie Run Friday, May 14, 2010 in Chico, Calif. The event donated the clothes off peoples backs to the Salvation Army.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)