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Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

All content by Austin Herbaugh
Josh Katzki, sophomore business information systems major, thinks the change in composting will be detrimental. Photo credit: Austin Herbaugh

Composting cuts back at Chico State

Austin Herbaugh
November 9, 2015
Biodegradable plates and lids can no longer be composted— Only food scraps are now accepted.
A group portrait of the Associated Students Recycling Friday, November 14, 2014 in Chico, Calif. 
(Jason Halley/University Photographer) Photo credit: Jesus Torres

Students take recycling into their own hands

Austin Herbaugh
October 6, 2015
In some apartment complexes around campus, there are no recycling bins and students are finding alternative ways to reduce waste.
The view of Butte Creek Canyon as seen from Lookout Point on Skyway is muddied with smoke from local fires on Monday, Sept. 14. Photo credit: Alicia Brogden

Fire prevention in wake of destructive fires

Austin Herbaugh
September 29, 2015
The threat of wildfires is here, but that risk can be reduced by being prepared and aware.
Paul Gosselin, Butte County Director of the Department of Water and Resource Conservation, discusses the possibilities of subsidence happening in Butte County. Photo courtesy of Paul Gosselin.

Central valley sinking faster than ever in drought

Austin Herbaugh
September 20, 2015
Continued well water pumping in the drought is causing the land to sink in many areas.
The Sacramento River is home to the Chinook salmon, which have been dying in the heat waves as a result of the drought. Photo credit: Austin Herbaugh

Salmon population in the Sacramento River nearly wiped out by warm water

Austin Herbaugh
September 12, 2015
Drought conditions have caused the Sacramento River to warm up, which killed nearly 95 percent of the Chinook salmon last year.
Many trees may experience sudden limb drop— a phenomenon that usually happens during drought conditions where limbs can fall unexpectedly due to water build up. Photo credit: Sara-Elizabeth Whitchurch

Chico summers send tree branches crashing down

Austin Herbaugh
September 7, 2015
Tree limbs can come crashing down when you least expect it— it's a phenomenon called summer limb drop.
Chico State is making an effort to conserve water by not watering lawns and embracing the dead look. Photo credit: Alicia Brogden

Chico State reduces water usage by 43 percent

Austin Herbaugh
August 30, 2015
Chico State's campus-wide effort to conserve water has gone beyond mandatory water restrictions.
The Chico Municipal Airport has been sending planes to provide aid to the 14 active California wildfires Photo credit: John Domogma

Chico airport used as an air base to fight wildfires

Austin Herbaugh
August 24, 2015
CAL FIRE uses the Chico Municipal Airport runway to fight wildfires across the state.