Downstroke

What’s your frequency?
Is your dial turned to 107 The Point? Do you crank up “Chico’s Solid Rock” on 93.9? Are you a country fan and tune in to KALF 95.7? Or maybe you like the sounds of hip-hop station 96.7?

Well, whatever your frequency, if you listen to any of the above, your favorite station could soon be under new ownership. Regent Communications Inc. recently penned a $17 million agreement with LA’s Mapleton Communications, which owns 23 other stations in California and Oregon.

If approved by communication regulators, Mapleton will be the proud new owner of the four Chico stations, along with six in the Redding area. Mapleton president and CEO Adam Nathanson said the company can’t comment on whether the stations will be changed at all until the FCC rules on the matter—probably in October—and the sale is final.

Cell towers get first OK
By a 3-2 vote, the Bidwell Park and Playgrounds Commission voted Monday (July 31) to approve the conversion of two 85-foot light poles at the Hooker Oak Recreation Area into 110-foot poles that could house cellular antennas. The approval came despite residents’ concerns about noise, unsightliness and some potential health hazards caused by the antennas’ radiation.

Residents opposed to the towers plan to appeal the decision, thus mandating Chico City Council consideration. The towers must also be approved by the Chico Area Recreation and Park District, which would make money off the deal.

Nextel, which wants to construct a 125-foot cellular tower at the nearby Elks Lodge, says it intends to pursue the project, said company spokesperson Caroline Semerdjian, even though its argument that the area is underserved may be undercut if the new towers are built.

Give a meal, not money
Tired of getting panhandled downtown? The Jesus Center has a good solution—instead of handing out money (or getting hostile looks if you don’t), hand out meal vouchers.

Working in conjunction with the downtown business Advanced Light Technologies, the center is distributing free neon-green and pastel-purple meal tickets suitable for handing out to anyone who appears to be homeless.

“This is really an opportunity to talk to the homeless and make eye contact, and then hopefully the person will respond to that,” Bill Such, director of the Jesus Center, said.

The coupons are being distributed to business owners, but individuals who want some can stop by the Advanced Light Technologies office.

Raise ’em high
Life is going to get a wee bit better for Butte County’s 2,300 home-care workers if they accept a compromise offer worked out between their union, the United Home Care Workers, and the county.

Under the terms of the compromise, workers’ wages will go up from the current $7.11 per hour to $8.15 per hour and the county will pay an additional $.60 per hour toward health insurance.

“It was lower than they wanted but higher than we offered, so yes, it’s a compromise,” said Paul McIntosh, Butte County’s chief administrative officer. He said he’s optimistic that the workers will accept the deal.

The contract would begin on Sept. 30 and last three years. Local home care workers will vote by mail.