This was a despicable act that occurred over the weekend. From the Chico Enterprise Record:
Joseph Igbineweka, 23, president of the Associated Students at Chico State University, was the victim of an apparent racially motivated attack early Sunday morning as he was returning home from a party on West Sacramento Avenue.
He is in stable condition and recovering at Enloe Medical Center.
Chico police said the suspects reportedly made racial comments before the attack. Igbineweka moved to the United States from Nigeria and is attending Chico State after attending high school in Richmond.*
At approximately 2:17 a.m., Igbineweka was walking home alone when two males approached and began to threaten him and make racial slurs, according to a press release from the Chico Police Department.
"I was just minding my own business," Igbineweka said from his hospital bed Sunday afternoon. He said the two men continued to follow him, even though he continued to walk away from the situation. "One of them said, 'Dude, you don't want to get shot.'"
Igbineweka said he turned around and saw something in the man's hand, but was able to confirm it wasn't a gun and kept walking. At that point, he said, the two men jumped him and he was able to knock down one of them before the other began to stab him.
"I didn't know what the object was, but I knew he had something in his hand," he said. "He was pretty much stabbing me wherever he could."
A friend of Igbineweka's, identified as "Mike," saw the incident and
attempted to help. Igbineweka said he realized he was "gushing blood," and stopped fighting while Mike tied the wounds with his shirt and called 9-1-1.
Igbineweka suffered injuries to the left side of his neck, the left of his chest, cuts on his abdomen and a particularly deep cut on his left arm, wrist and hand. He said the cut on his left hand is so deep that it has damaged the nerve endings and he cannot feel his left ring finger or pinkie finger.
Chico police were able to apprehend Barry Sayavong, 19, at the corner of West Sacramento and Citrus avenues minutes after the attack. Sayavong was arrested and booked into the Butte County Jail in Oroville on charges of attempted murder and a hate crime.
Chico police confirmed that Sayavong is a Chico resident and a Butte College student. However, police said there is also no evidence that Sayavong and his unknown accomplice knew who Igbineweka was at the time of the attack.
According to county jail officials, Sayavong's court date has been set for this Thursday. He is being held on $250,000 bail.
"I'm just happy they caught one of the guys," Igbineweka said. "It'd be much more painful if they hadn't caught him. I'm praying they give this guy maximum punishment."
Joe Wills, director of public affairs for Chico State, said the attack is "very distressing."
"We're obviously happy that Joe has survived this attack and is in the hospital and doing a little better. I know that our students and our entire campus hopes the best for him and our thoughts are with him today," he said.
Wills described the attack's classification as an attempted homicide and as a potential hate crime as "very, very disturbing."
The apparent hate crime against Igbineweka comes on the heels of another crime involving a Chico State student running for AS President, whose campus election posters were defaced with racial slurs just a week ago.
David Buckley, Associated Students executive director, visited Igbineweka in the hospital Sunday afternoon.
"We were shocked and concerned about Joseph when we heard this morning," Buckley said. "I think, for all of us, we're all really concerned for him."
Igbineweka said his experience shouldn't scare students, but they should walk in groups at night and not alone, as he was doing.
"It's as safe as much as you want it to be here in Chico," he said.
I've lived here for nearly eight years now, and I know for a fact that Chico is not a racist community. We embrace our diversity, and are proud of the diverse cultures and backgrounds of all of the students at Chico State. I know the community will rally around Mr. Igbineweka and will not condone this racially motivated violence.
Monday, April 19, 2010
still wet for tonight and tomorrow
It looks like this storm is picking up strength as it moves closer to shore. It's a very slow-moving system, and the actual low pressure is still out over the Pacific Ocean. The chances for rain have increased tonight and tomorrow, to near or at 100%. Just make sure to bring the umbrella to work or school tomorrow. Here's the latest forecast for Chico from the national Weather Service:
Tonight: Rain, mainly after 11pm. Low around 48. Southeast wind between 14 and 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 58. South southeast wind between 8 and 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. South wind at 5 mph becoming north. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. Northwest wind between 5 and 13 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. North northwest wind between 3 and 6 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Tonight: Rain, mainly after 11pm. Low around 48. Southeast wind between 14 and 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 58. South southeast wind between 8 and 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. South wind at 5 mph becoming north. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. Northwest wind between 5 and 13 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. North northwest wind between 3 and 6 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
increasingly wet
Yesterday was a warm one, and it hit 80 degrees in Chico. That's exactly what I had been predicting on Friday for Sunday. It's the first time this year Chico has seen 80degrees. It'll be the last time for awhile as cooler temps and wet weather invade. The winds will also pick up, with speeds around 15-20 mph from the south/southeast. Sunny weather and warmer temperatures will return by the end of the week, so it shouldn't be a complete washout. Here's the seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:
Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 71. South southeast wind between 6 and 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tonight: Rain likely, mainly after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. South southeast wind between 14 and 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 62. South southeast wind between 8 and 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 43. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 77.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 71. South southeast wind between 6 and 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tonight: Rain likely, mainly after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. South southeast wind between 14 and 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 62. South southeast wind between 8 and 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 43. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 77.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
yet ANOTHER storm on the way
I didn't post an entry on the blog yesterday because I was too busy enjoying the fabulous weather we were having. The high temperature under mostly sunny skies yesterday in Chico was 74 degrees. Everything is green right now- the trees, the grass, the air (thick with pollen), and it was quite enjoyable to be outside in Bidwell Park or hiking in the mountains nearby. It's too early to go swimming in the creeks and lakes, though. I'm sure the water temperature is right around 40 degrees! Today will be even warmer, with forecast highs around 80 degrees. However, rain enters the picture (again) by tomorrow night and will linger into Wednesday. Another Pacific storm is lurking offshore, and will begin to affect the area by late tomorrow. Expect some mid- and high- level clouds to stream across the sky later today in advance of the storm. A winter Storm Watch is already up for the Sierra Nevada above 3500 feet. Highs on Tuesday will not get out of the 50s! That will be a dramatic change from this weekend's temps. Here's the specific seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 78. North northwest wind at 5 mph becoming west southwest.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. South southeast wind at 5 mph becoming east northeast.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of rain after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming south between 7 and 10 mph.
Monday Night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 49. South wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. South southeast wind between 13 and 16 mph becoming light. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
Today: Sunny, with a high near 78. North northwest wind at 5 mph becoming west southwest.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. South southeast wind at 5 mph becoming east northeast.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of rain after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming south between 7 and 10 mph.
Monday Night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 49. South wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. South southeast wind between 13 and 16 mph becoming light. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
Friday, April 16, 2010
warm and sunny this weekend
That volcano in Iceland (I can't even begin to spell the name of it, let alone pronounce it) is causing travel headaches across Europe for a second day today. If you have plans to visit Europe this weekend, check with your airline. Many countries in Europe have suspended flights into their airspace because of dangerous ash which can accumulate inside jet engines and cause them to seize. Not good. Anyway, we here in Northern California don't have to worry about ash or volcanic eruptions. Fabulous weather is still on tap for this weekend, and we may see 80 degrees by Sunday. You can finally break out the shorts and tank tops! However, this wonderful weather will be short-lived as a trough of low pressure will overspread the area early next week, bringing a chance of showers and cooler weather. Temps may drop 20 degrees between Sunday's forecast highs and Tuesday's forecast highs. In the space of 48 hours, we'll go from tanks and shorts to sweatshirts and coats! Weird weather, indeed. The National Weather Service website is experiencing some technical problems, so the specific Chico forecast is currently not available. Here, instead, is the Sacramento Valley forecast, which includes Chico:
Today...Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming mostly sunny. Highs 68 to 73. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight...Mostly clear. Lows 44 to 49. South winds 10 to 15 mph.
Saturday...Mostly sunny. Highs 69 to 74. Southeast winds up to 10 mph.
Saturday Night...Mostly clear. Lows 43 to 49. Light winds.
Sunday...Partly cloudy. Highs 73 to 79. Light winds.
Sunday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows 46 to 52.
Monday...Mostly cloudy. Highs 64 to 69.
Monday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain. Lows around 47.
Tuesday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain showers. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs 57 to 63.
Tuesday Night And Wednesday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain showers. Lows 37 to 43. Highs 57 to 65.
Wednesday Night...Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain showers. Lows 38 to 46.
Thursday...Mostly sunny. Warmer. Highs 65 to 74.
Enjoy the gorgeous weather this weekend!
Today...Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming mostly sunny. Highs 68 to 73. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight...Mostly clear. Lows 44 to 49. South winds 10 to 15 mph.
Saturday...Mostly sunny. Highs 69 to 74. Southeast winds up to 10 mph.
Saturday Night...Mostly clear. Lows 43 to 49. Light winds.
Sunday...Partly cloudy. Highs 73 to 79. Light winds.
Sunday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows 46 to 52.
Monday...Mostly cloudy. Highs 64 to 69.
Monday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain. Lows around 47.
Tuesday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain showers. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs 57 to 63.
Tuesday Night And Wednesday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain showers. Lows 37 to 43. Highs 57 to 65.
Wednesday Night...Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain showers. Lows 38 to 46.
Thursday...Mostly sunny. Warmer. Highs 65 to 74.
Enjoy the gorgeous weather this weekend!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
gorgeous weekend weather ahead
Today has been a weird weather day. It started off partly cloudy and fairly mild, then began to cloud over by lunchtime. The winds picked up from the south and isolated thundershowers popped up here and there over Butte County (the county in which Chico is located). Most of the shower activity has moved off to the east now, mainly over the foothills and mountains of the Sierra Nevada. Other than a slight chance of lingering showers this evening, it looks dry through Sunday. Gorgeous weather is predicted this weekend, with sunny skies and high temperatures in Chico in the mid 70s. That's where we should be for mid- April. Enjoy it while it lasts as another trough of low pressure brings rain and cooler temps early next week. Winter does not want to go away! Here's the specific seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:
Tonight: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. South wind between 7 and 10 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. North northeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. South wind between 4 and 7 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Monday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68.
Monday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Tuesday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.
Tuesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Wednesday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
Tonight: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. South wind between 7 and 10 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. North northeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. South wind between 4 and 7 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Monday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68.
Monday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Tuesday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.
Tuesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Wednesday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
a whole lotta rain
Wow! Chico received, between Sunday morning and early this morning, over 2 inches of rain! This was a wet, slow-moving storm that is just now beginning to exit our area after an unwelcome arrival Sunday morning. Chico now has 26.75 inches for the rainy season. It looks like we'll dry out for the rest of the week, other than a slight chance of showers tomorrow (Wednesday) and Saturday. There is an increasing chance of rain by next Monday, but we won't worry about that right now. Until then, enjoy the sunshine (we deserve it after the deluge yesterday) and warmer temperatures (highs were stuck in the 40s yesterday). Highs will range from the mid 60s to lower 70s through this weekend, while lows will be mainly in the 40s. Enjoy!
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