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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

Winners of 'Chico Unplugged' pose together. Photo credit: Abram Melendez

Chico Unplugged presents the creative heart of the community

Abram Melendez // October 8, 2019

The Chico Unplugged contest began at Madison Bear Garden on Thursday. This Chico State School of the Arts event is an American Idol-style competition in which contestants play two songs. After everyone...

Volunteers grabbed cans, glasses, and other recyclable materials out of bags like these. Photo credit: Melissa Herrera

Taking out the trash at Bidwell Park

Ricardo Tovar // September 22, 2019

A dump-truck full of trash and several bins full of recyclable items were picked up and sorted Saturday at Hooker Oak Park. The park was a meeting ground for the community of Chico. A wide range of volunteers...

Enzo Perri tosses pizza dough to the desired form for Friday's dinner rush at Celestino's. Photo credit: Brian Luong

Taste of Chico welcomes all foodies

Yaritza Ayon // September 19, 2018

Classics and newcomers will all gather in downtown Sunday to feed the foodies of Chico. The 33rd annual Taste of Chico will feature over 150 food and drink vendors from throughout Northern California....

Hundreds of volunteers line up to claim their free burger courtesy of Madison Bear Garden. Photo credit: Dan Christian

Getting trashed on a Saturday morning

Dan Christian // September 17, 2018

Bidwell Park is looking better than ever thanks to a record number of community members who gathered at the One Mile Pool, donating their Saturday morning to cleaning up the park. Organizers estimated...

Jordan Olesen took stage about halfway through the performances, blowing away the crowd and earning him a place in the finals. Photo credit: Josh Cozine

Amateur artists showcase at local restaurant

Josh Cozine // February 11, 2018

Local music artists and songwriters performed in a competition at Madison Bear Garden Thursday night.Chico Unplugged, hosted by student-run School of the Arts (SOTA) productions, kicked off on the upstairs...

Photo of Chico Unplugged winners (from left to right: Bradley Relt, Jared Kreuzberger, Thom Lacalle) Photo credit: Caitlyn Young

Musicians crank up the volume at ‘Chico Unplugged’

Niyat Teferi and Caitlyn Young // September 27, 2017

On Thursday, Chico's popular Madison Bear Garden hosted the singer/songwriter competition, "Chico Unplugged." The School of the Arts Production (SOTA) first launched Chico Unplugged in 2012 as a way for...

Whitney Hayes, and Weston Andrews sing some heartfelt christian songs. Photo credit: Sean Martens

Local talent shines bright at Chico Unplugged

Rylee Pedotti // October 9, 2016

It was standing room only Thursday night at Madison Bear Garden, where a vibrant crowd consumed the cozy upstairs lounge to catch a glimpse of local talent featured in Chico Unplugged. The singer-songwriter...

Pocket points has become a staple of student life at Chico State Photo credit: George Johnston

Pocket Points has Chico roots

Amelia Storm // April 28, 2016

While Pocket Point's popularity has skyrocketed in recent semesters, it may be a little known fact that the app was created by two former Wildcats. The app was created by Chico State students Rob Richardson...

First place finisher in the Advanced Women's category, Christina Saschin holds on before her next move.

The Ruckus rocks the WREC

Nick Martinez-Esquibel, Sports Editor // April 15, 2016

The smell of hand chalk and the sight of brightly colored tape filled the WREC on Sunday, April 10 for the fifth annual climbing competition, The Ruckus. The competition solely focused on bouldering,...

Step Into Sustainability will happen March 23 from 11-4 p.m. Photo credit: George Johnston

Trinity Commons event offers free music and raffle

George Johnston // March 20, 2016

Chico State's Trinity Commons is soon to be filled with the sounds of free music and raffles. On Wednesday, Step into Sustainability will take place in the Trinity Commons from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Live...

Illustration by Kayce Tynan Photo credit: Kayce Tynan

Madison Bear necessities: Beer, bars and burgers

Madeline Merlic // September 16, 2015
Madison Bear Garden wins the award for Best Bar in the Best of Chico contest.
Illustration by Kayce Tynan Photo credit: Kayce Tynan

Late night eats and treats

Jake Hutchison // September 11, 2015
Instead of sitting solemnly in your dorm wishing Broadway Heights was open past 9 p.m., check out the winner of the best late night food and a list of midnight menus from other killer Chico restaurants.
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