Coming&going

Law enforcement

The Chico Police Department has found a new captain in John Viegas (pictured). Viegas, who has been chief of police for the city of Orland since 1995, was hired after the retirement of veteran Ken Klassen.

Viegas, excited to be joining the department, sees the position as a way to further his career in a larger agency, with more responsibility and room for “personal growth.” He said he has a “participatory” management style. “I like to get the community’s input—do a lot of community policing type programs,” he said.

Viegas, who has 24 years of experience in law enforcement, previously worked in Angels Camp, Grover City and San Luis Obispo. In Chico, he’ll be in charge of the Support Division, which includes the detective division, dispatch, records, evidence and animal control.

Employment

The Chico Chamber of Commerce is pleased with the community’s response to the Web site that began early this year as Chico Tech Jobs and is now located at www.greatchicojobs.com. The site has recently been updated.

On the site, businesses affiliated with the chamber post job information, and applicants establish contact with employers. Already, Videomaker Magazine and Matson & Isom Technology Consulting have hired workers they found through the site.

Gaming

The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians announced Aug. 2 that it plans to build a casino in Corning. There will be 650 slot machines, table games, a restaurant and a bakery/deli.

The 65,000-square-foot Rolling Hills Casino, which is expected to open in spring 2002, will help the tribe achieve self-sufficiency, stated Tribal Chairperson Everett Freeman in a press release. The revenues will pay for such social programs as education and medical care, and the business is expected to provide 400 jobs.

Community

Southside Oroville Community Center was approved to begin construction on a new facility for the community. The facility would have a variety of health and social workers, employment training services and many other health, educational and recreational services.

Construction began June 18 and will be complete in about 10 months.