Stories
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Oct- 2019 -31 October
Take a Walk Through History in this Ghost Town just Outside Redding, California
Brought to you by Visit Redding Shasta State Historic Park. Photo: Visit Redding In the mid-1800’s, the town of Shasta…
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31 October
To Dam or Un-Dam California? Now That’s a Complicated Question.
While some dams are old and nearly useless, major dams like Shasta provide flood control and water storage for millions…
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30 October
Viral Photo of Firefighters Sleeping on the Grass Near Kincade Fire Shows Their Plight
Firefighters battling the devastating wildfires of Northern California don’t have it easy. Not only do they risk life and limb…
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30 October
These Pets were Lost in the Kincade Fire and Need Your Help Finding Their Owners
As we’ve learned over the past three years dealing with massive wildfires in Northern California, it’s quite common for pets…
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28 October
City of Eureka Transfers Indian Island Back to Wiyot Tribe in Historic Ceremony
Facebook/ Wiyot Tribe In December of 2018, the Eureka City Council unanimously voted to return Tuluwat, or Indian Island, back…
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15 October
Napa Man Breaks California Record with 2,175-Pound Pumpkin
At the Half Moon Bay World Championship Weigh-Off, big pumpkins are a familiar sight. But when Napa pumpkin grower Leonardo…
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14 October
This is the Best Explanation of Lemurians I’ve Ever Read
Anybody who knows me well has probably seen my unhealthy fascination with legends. In fact, the deep dive on Lemurians…
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14 October
Scientists Explains How Climate Change is a Driving Force in Northern California Wildfires
View of the Camp Fire from a satellite. Photo: Stuart Rankin There’s no doubt that many contributing factors went into…
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11 October
Falling for Siskiyou County: The Ultimate Autumn Bucket List for California’s True North
Brought to you by Discover Siskiyou Flickr/D.O’Brien The season’s changing in Northern California. The days are getting shorter, the leaves…
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10 October
The Internet Hilariously Reacts to the #PGEPowerShutdown
With businesses closed, schools out and a general sense of angst in Northern California due to the recent PG&E power…
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9 October
The Land Without Power: Welcome to the New Normal in Northern California
Photo: Flickr/Santa Rosa Fires It’s all anybody in Northern California can talk about. Due to extremely windy conditions, PG&E began…
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Sep- 2019 -30 September
Exploring Redding’s Great Outdoors on the Sacramento River Trail
Brought to you by Visit Redding Photo: Visit Redding We’ve all felt like we were going in circles at some…
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24 September
Over 80 Miles of Fire Hose was Used to Extinguish the Walker Fire
The Walker Fire in the Plumas National Forest became the largest wildfire in California during this year’s fire season, as…
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19 September
Mountain Lion Breaks into NorCal House, Locks Self in Bathroom
A family in Sonora was terrified when they recently received a late-night intruder into their home – one of the…
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17 September
Tapping California’s North: The Siskiyou Beer Trail
Brought to you by Discover Siskiyou There are few things that hand-in-hand with the outdoors, but as we’ve learned over…
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4 September
Win Two Tickets to the Fifth-Annual Jefferson State Flixx Fest
Photo Courtesy of Discover Siskiyou Get ready for the fifth annual Jefferson State Flixx Fest September 19th – 22nd in…
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3 September
This Beautiful Northern California Site was Once a World War II Internment Camp
When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7, 1941, it started World War II, sending the United…
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3 September
Paradise’s Noble Orchards Looking for Apple Pickers Amidst Camp Fire Devastation
Noble Orchards was a successful apple orchard in Paradise when the Camp Fire hit, burning 11 buildings on their 35-acre…
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3 September
15 More Earthquakes Shake-Up Area Near Mount Shasta
Yesterday we reported five earthquakes that had hit near Mount Shasta, just north of McCloud, over Labor Day weekend including…
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3 September
CHP Lambasts Truckers for Dumping Bags of Feces, Urine Along Donner Pass
When you’re heading east or west on Highway 80 near Tahoe’s Donner Pass, it’s not unusual to see semi-trucks parked…
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2 September
5 Earthquakes Recorded Near Mount Shasta
The Labor Day weekend near Mount Shasta received its fair share of shake-ups after five earthquakes were recorded on Sunday…
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2 September
Sunken Car Discovered in the Sacramento River in Redding
A group of people fishing the Sacramento River in Redding made an unusual discovery when they floated over what appeared…
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Aug- 2019 -28 August
The History of the McCloud River and its World-Famous Fish
Photo: California Trout It’s the strangest feeling. I can be standing for hours in a rushing trout stream totally absorbed…
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26 August
Wear a Map of Your Favorite Northern California Park with these New Bandanas
Photo: Wear A Map Outdoor fashion has become a worldwide phenomenon, with apparel giants like Patagonia and Columbia making a…
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26 August
Road Trippin’ Northern California’s Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway
Brought to you by Discover Siskiyou Mount Shasta overlooks much of the North State and provides a certain familiar presence.…
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26 August
Donate to Support the Family Who Lost Their Home in the Mountain Fire
The Mountain Fire in the Jones Valley area of Redding is all but extinguished, but like so many other wildfires…
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22 August
Terrifying Details Emerge from the Climber Who Fell 30 Feet Down a Crevasse on Mt. Shasta
Photo of crevasse by Siskiyou County Sheriffs Office Officials had a busy day on Thursday, August 15 on Mount Shasta…
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13 August
It Turns Out the Kayaker Who Fell Off Lower McCloud Falls is a Total Badass
Three weeks ago I posted a funny video of a kayaker who attempted to ride off Lower McCloud Falls with…
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12 August
Meet the Good-Samaritan Kayaker Who Returns Lost Items on the American River
Karl Bly returning lost items on the American River. Photo: American River Lost & Found Karl Bly has been diving…
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12 August
The Battle Between Ranchers and Tule Elk Coming to a Head in Point Reyes
Flickr/DAVID MCSPADDEN Point Reyes National Seashore, sitting north of San Francisco on the California coast, is home to a flourishing…
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8 August
Celebrate National Farmers Week with These 10 Markets in Shasta County
Brought to you by Healthy Shasta As the 2019 National Farmers Market Week gets off and running, it got me…
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7 August
The Best Places to See the Perseid Meteor Shower in Northern California
Photo by Michael Andrews On the nights of August 12th and 13th, the Swift-Tuttle comet will put on an extraordinary…
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7 August
Take a Historical Audio Tour Through the Modoc War
In the 1870’s, the national headlines set there eyes on the Modoc War, a bloody battle between the army and…
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1 August
Sad News: Wildcard Brewing Co. Closes its Doors After 7 Years
Facebook: Wildcard Brewing Co. In a sad and surprising turn of events, Wildcard Brewing Co. has announced it will be…
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Jul- 2019 -29 July
The 8 Best Burgers Joints in Northern California
We've searched far and wide and have chosen our Top 8 Best Burgers spots in NorCal. Here are our results:
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24 July
14 Awesomely Unique Hotels in Siskiyou County
There is no lack of adventure in Siskiyou County. From the mighty Mount Shasta to the seemingly endless stream of…
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17 July
It’s Official: This Song is Northern California’s New Anthem
To be quite honest, I’ve wanted to find the perfect anthem for Northern California for a while. There are a…
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14 July
Lassen’s Famed Wolfpack Grows with a New Litter of Pups
Trail Camera of the Lassen Pack The Lassen Pack, California’s only known wolfpack, has grown recently with the announcement of…
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8 July
Is the Next Big Earthquake Destined for Northern California?
Fires erupt all over San Francisco in the earthquake of 1906 On January 27, 1700, a six-hundred-mile-long wave struck the…
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4 July
Enjoy an Exclusive 4-Course Dinner by Chef Brien O’Brien in San Francisco
This elegant four-course dinner "pop-up" will celebrate the mid-way point of the 10th Season of MasterChef on FOX. A menu…
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Jun- 2019 -24 June
NorCal Adventurer Featured on ‘American Ninja Warrior’ to Raise Awareness for Camp Fire
View this post on Instagram That face you make when you realize the floating steps are spring loaded! 😳 Woah!!…
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17 June
10-Year-Old Becomes the Youngest to Climb ‘The Nose’ on Yosemite’s El Capitan
Selah Schneiter is no stranger to rock climbing. She first touched a boulder at 3-days-old, and has been climbing for…
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6 June
California Untamed: NorCal Trail Runner Sets Out to Run 330-Miles From Arcata to Mt. Shasta
Ryan Spitz is ready to complete the first ever California Untamed. Photo via CaliforniaUntamed.com Ryan Spitz is accustomed to being…
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May- 2019 -31 May
Finding the Spiritual Side of Mt. Shasta with Andrew Oser
Although many of us know Mt. Shasta as a utopia for outdoor adventure, it’s estimated that 50 percent of tourism…
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30 May
Man Digs Out Jeep Buried Under 10 Feet of Tahoe Snow
Photo via Jalopnik In November, a Tesla engineer bought a 2000 Jeep Cherokee but not long after it was purchased,…
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23 May
The Newest Member of Squaw’s Avalanche Dog Team is the Cutest Thing You’ll See Today
Many resorts in Northern California have a team of ski patrol dogs who are highly trained to find and rescue…
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17 May
Veteran Northern California Forest Service K9 Celebrates Retirement
K9 Jasper and Patrol Captain Harris. Photo: US Forest Service The Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Law Enforcement and Investigations is celebrating…
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14 May
New King of Tahoe? Mark Zuckerberg Quietly Purchases $59 Million Properties in Tahoe
Carousel Estate. Photo: sunnysidelakefront.com If you drive through any areas surrounding Lake Tahoe, you may come across numerous bumper stickers…
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13 May
NorCal Couple Ordered to Pay $600K After Uprooting 180-Year-Old Tree
Photo: Sonoma Land Trust Stewardship When Peter and Toni Thompson bought their Sonoma County land in 2014, they were made…
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8 May
Showcasing the Animals of Turtle Bay Exploration Park
Most families have some sort of pet, whether it be a dog, cat or goldfish. Humans and animals are connected…
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8 May
We Stayed in a Railroad Caboose in Northern California
We were in Dunsmuir, California and decided to stay at the Railroad Park Resort nestled right under the majestic Castle…
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7 May
Northern California Lake Levels are Currently Historically High
I was lucky enough to drive across Shasta Lake along Interstate 5 this week and I could not believe what…
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7 May
5 Epic White Water Rafting Trips in Northern California
Photo: Trinity River Rafting Once, in the dawn of pre-history, a ravenous saber toothed tiger stalked a little family of…
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6 May
Folsom Man Breaks World Record Slacklining 1,919 Feet Across American River
View this post on Instagram Looking up as I walked this line and seeing thousands of people there cheering me…
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2 May
New Book Highlights the Compelling Geologic Story of Lassen
Named for Kendall Vanhook Bumpass, a Lassen Country settler and prospector from the mid-1800s, Bumpass Hell encompasses 16 acres and…
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1 May
Meet Bubba – A Ginormous Bear Living in this Northern California Neighborhood
There’s a neighborhood in Truckee, California that has an unusual neighbor. They call him Bubba – and he’s a ginormous…
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Apr- 2019 -26 April
You Can Help Solve a Centuries-Old Mystery on the Northern California Coast
The nature of Northern California is full of so much beauty, and possibly just as much mystery. There is still…
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26 April
The Chico Episode of Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives is Perfectly NorCal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkqEf78xL-U&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0j_qeMsYRwwuhq0A2UWxsE00Pc82PHA-eNoPSMVcg551mAYet7CBlR-tU “I don’t think many people know how great Chico is.” The much anticipated Chico episode of the Food Network’s…
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26 April
How Mammoth Mountain Uses World War II Howitzers to Battle Potentially Deadly Avalanches
Mammoth Mountain is known to receive a lot of snow. With massive snowfall each winter, ski patrol is forced to…
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25 April
The 12 Most Instagrammable Destinations in Northern California
There are just so many beautiful destinations in Northern California that everyone should see once in their lifetime, and what…
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24 April
Humboldt Photographer Wins EcoWatch’s Photo Contest with “The Mighty Redwoods”
The Mighty Redwoods by David Ruddock For EcoWatch’s Earth Day Photo Contest, a Humboldt photographer submitted his photo The Mighty…
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24 April
Sonoma Sheriff Finds $15K Prosthetic Leg and Returns it to Extreme Athlete Who Lost It
Photo: Sonoma County Sheriff It was an interesting sight when someone found a high-end prosthetic leg in the Cloverdale lumber…
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24 April
Investigators Reveal New Details in Teen’s Fatal Fall in Yosemite
Yosemite’s Nevada Fall The culture of capturing “epic” photos at outdoors destinations is becoming a deadly problem, with new evidence…
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23 April
A Weekend in Redding, California – The Gateway to Northern California’s Outdoor Mecca
The Sundial Bridge, Burney Falls, Shasta Dam and Lassen Peak are all located within a short drive from Redding, California…
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23 April
It’s Official: Squaw Valley Received the Most Snowfall in the United States this Winter
Photo: Squaw Valley/Ben Birk Northern California saw a historic winter of 2018/19, with snowfall hitting every region in bulk and…
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22 April
Watch How West Sacramento is Using Goats for Fire Suppression Along the Sacramento River
Photo: City of West Sacramento The hottest new trend in Northern California fire suppression has been hiring goats to clear…
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19 April
Fall River Brewing Releases Limited Craft Beer to Raise Funds for Local Salmon Conservation
Photo: Fall River Brewing Co. Craft beer and local fundraising. Is there anything better? Fall River Brewing Co. announced the…
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19 April
Caught on Camera: Wild Animals are Returning to Whiskeytown Following Carr Fire
The Carr Fire had many ill effects on the human community of Shasta County, burning over 1,600 structures, claiming seven…
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18 April
Merry Fishmas! The 7 Best Places in NorCal to Fish on Opening Day
Saturday, April 27th is truly a magnificent holiday. It’s the time of year when you get together with your friends…
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16 April
International Succulent Smuggling Still a Major Problem on Northern California Coast
Photo: California Department of Fish and Wildlife The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is stepping up their game…
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11 April
Go on a Northern California Adventure with Stella the Dog
What an awesome video! There is no better way to explore the Shasta region then through the lens of a…
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11 April
A Piece of NorCal History: Redding’s Diestelhorst Bridge
Considering its place adjacent to the recently added Lake Redding Bridge, you might overlook Redding’s storied Diestelhorst Bridge. Without scanning…
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9 April
Nesting Birds Close Down Sacramento High School’s Brand-New Field
Kildeer bird Construction workers had just finished the brand-new cork and synthetic turf field at Sacramento’s Rio Americano High School…
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2 April
The Best Jokes from April Fool’s Day in Northern California
April 1st has become a fun day for everyone. It gives even the most serious organizations the opportunity to let…
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Mar- 2019 -28 March
A Guide to Spiritual Tourism in Mount Shasta
Flickr/Harold Litwiler If you’ve been lucky enough to walk through the quaint downtown area of Mount Shasta, you’ve probably noticed…
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22 March
Shasta Pack Murder? What Happened to NorCal’s Famed Gray Wolfpack?
Photo of the Shasta Pack in 2015 Four years ago, two wolves had a litter of five pups in the…
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8 March
Humboldt 4-H Leader to be Honored in D.C. Following Young Sisters’ Wilderness Survival Story
When 5-year-old Caroline Carrico and 8-year-old Leia Carrico were younger, they were taught wilderness survival tactics from their local 4-H…
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8 March
Foodie Getting Active – How I Dropped 30 Pounds in 60 Days
By Brien O’Brien Let me start off by noting that I am in no way an expert on weight loss.…
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5 March
Meet the Athletes from NorCal Heading to the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi
Lighting ceremony at the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi For a week in March, three Northern California Special Olympians…
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3 March
Tourist Trapped in Deep Snow on Mt. Shasta Rescued with an Extensive Snow Removal Operation
Everitt Memorial Highway The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office received a desperate call from a Massachusetts woman whose Toyota Prius had…
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Feb- 2019 -28 February
Lake Tahoe has Risen a Foot this Month with 40 Billion Gallons of New Water
Flickr/Reno Tahoe The historic snowfall and prevalent rains of February 2019 in Northern California has transformed the landscape following a…
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12 February
One Year Later: How Did a Lost Canadian Skier End Up in Northern California?
Danny Filippidis pictured above. On the left is a photo of him found in Sacramento after 6 days missing from…
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12 February
Blizzard Trapped 120 Guests for 5 Days at South Sierra Resort
It started out as a normal winter vacation for 120 guests at the Montecito Sequoia Lodge in the South Sierra…
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Jan- 2019 -31 January
Chico State Adventure Outings Wins Award for “Excellence” and its “Get Outdoors” Scholarship
Chico State’s Adventure Outings is a program dedicated to outdoor recreation for students. The program is student operated and includes…
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28 January
Eat the Burger That Wears A Skirt at Napa’s Squeeze Inn
Their popular "Squeezeburger w/Cheese" comes with it's own unique "Cheese Skirt" that always astonishes and satisfy's guests...
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26 January
Wiyot Tribe Reclaims “Sacred” Indian Island in Humboldt Bay
Located off the shore of Eureka in Humboldt Bay sits an island called Duluwat, better know as Indian Island, which…
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24 January
Northern California Chinook Salmon up for Endangered Species Consideration
Spring Chinook Salmon. Photo courtesy Michael Humling, US Fish & Wildlife Service The recent volatility of Northern California waterways has…
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23 January
UberSKI Now Offered in the Tahoe Area
Photo courtesy of UberSKI Back in my day, taking a trip to the ski resort for some snowboarding including jamming…
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15 January
A Total Lunar Eclipse Called the ‘Super Blood Wolf Moon’ is Happening this Week
The first significant celestial event is slated to occur this week and it should be visible from Northern California. On…
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15 January
Did the Real-Life Tarzan Dive Off Burney Falls?
BThe story was well known to me, but we at Active NorCal always check our sources. If you Google “Tarzan,…
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14 January
Lady Bird is a Beautiful Love Letter to Northern California
When Lady Bird was released to the public on December 1st, 2017, there was no massive marketing campaign or high-flying…
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13 January
Northern California Town Uses Goats to Prevent Catastrophic Wildfire
Just 47 miles southeast of Paradise, California sits Nevada City, a town of about 3,000 people which has seen wildfires…
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4 January
Two Hospitalized After Plane Crashes into the American River
Photo: SACRAMENTO FIRE DEPARTMENT For anyone driving across the Jibboom Street Bridge over the American River near Discovery Park in…
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4 January
Netflix’s Smash Hit ‘Bird Box’ has Strong Northern California Connections
Netflix announced that it’s new thriller film starring Sandra Bullock, Bird Box, made a record-breaking debut with over 45 million…
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Dec- 2018 -30 December
The Top 10 Active NorCal Stories of 2018
By Zach O’Brien, Founder of Active NorCal Phew! What a years it’s been! In 2018, we really caught our stride…
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21 December
Remembering Babe Ruth’s 1924 Exhibition Game in Dunsmuir, California
Photo by Paul J. Standar The Babe. The Sultan of Swat. The Great Bambino. The legend of Babe Ruth has…
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20 December
Dramatic Footage Shows Rare Meteor Cloud in the Sky over NorCal
No one knew what was going on in the Northern California sky this week, as a bright, streaking cloud appeared…
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15 December
Yosemite Park Retires 32-Year-Old Veteran Patrol Horse
Ben, a 32-year-old patrol horse that has worked for the National Park Service in Yosemite National Park since 1992 has…
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9 December
Dog Found After Waiting for Weeks at Home Burned Down by Camp Fire
When the Camp Fire erupted in Paradise on November 8, Andrea Gaylord was unable to return to her home to retrieve…
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8 December
The Conflicted History of the Lava Beds National Monument
By Ryan Loughrey This past summer, we visited the desolate and beautiful Lava Beds National Monument to try to escape…
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