Disaster relief windfall

Approximately $5 million in disaster relief is on its way to two Butte County cities, according to a press release from Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City). Chico is slated to receive $3 million, Oroville $2 million. Each municipality’s population grew by more than 20 percent after the blaze.

The funds come from a one-time state budget appropriation. Chico City Manager Mark Orme is preparing a report for the Chico City Council’s consideration with specific suggestions on how the city could “most strategically” utilize the money.

“Even though it’s just a drop in the bucket of the actual impacts … it’s still a huge, huge gift to this city and its citizens and the folks who survived the fire,” he said.