Highlights and lowlights from the week’s news

HIT » We’re glad to see many of the charity holiday traditions continuing, as giving people adapt to the pandemic world.

There was the tradition community Christmas dinner in Oroville on Thursday, but it was drive-through. Tuesday, the El Medio Fire Department hosted a toy giveaway, and again it was drivethrough. Both events were put on by the Oroville Rescue Mission.

A week ago on Saturday, the Hispanic Resource Council distributed food and personal protective gear in Chico, drive-through. The same day. Chico fi refi ghters delivered food and toys to homes throughout town, following strict COVID-19 social distancing and other safety protocols.

There’s a theme here. Human generosity doesn’t die, even in years as miserable as this one has been. If people have to adapt, they adapt so they can keep on giving.

That’s something to be grateful for.

MISS » The news that it could be a white Christmas above 4,000 feet in Butte County undoubtedly brought to mind a Sacramento Valley tradition.

“Let’s go to the snow!” numerous people probably exclaimed.

That’s OK, but without question, a number of people also had the unspoken addition of “… in a vehicle not suited for snow, and not tell anyone where we’re going, and not pack sleeping bags and extra food and water in case we get stuck!”

It happens every winter. Butte County Search and Rescue has to go risk their lives to rescue people who didn’t think of at least one of the above.

Don’t be that guy. And don’t count on your cellphone to get help. There’s no reception in many of the places where you can get into trouble.

HIT » Congratulations go out to Butte County Supervisor Debra Lucero of Chico for her recent election to the Latino Caucus of California Counties, a branch of the California State Association of Counties.

In her role as vice president, Lucero will be helping the caucus represent the Latinos of California in focusing on issues of concern to Latino residents and bringing their voices to state leaders

s a public representative who pays attention to issues brought to her, Lucero is a good choice for the panel.

Additionally, she is the most northern representative on the board, which is composed of Bay Area and Southern California supervisors.

Congratulations go out to

Butte County Supervisor Debra Lucero of Chico for her recent election to the Latino Caucus of California Counties, a branch of the California State Association of Counties.

MISS » The patience of Chico Public Works staff who drive the leaf collection vehicles is stellar. We noticed the huge piles of leaves scattered throughout the town, which is the downside of being the City of Trees.

But we’ve been feeling bad for the collection crew which really has to be nimble in getting to those piles with cumbersome equipment and vehicles.

We’ve seen piles surrounding basketball hoops and garbage cans, in gutters and across sidewalks. There are cars parked on top of some heaps, and tire marks across others, scattering the neatly collected deposits like the wind.

With rain having settled in, let’s make sure the piles are away from gutters but not too far into the street. If your leaves still cover your lawn, remember the collection program ends at the start of the new year.