Category Archives: Greater Oroville

New Programs for Hmong Teens in Oroville

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The Hmong Cultural Center of Butte County is settling into its new location. Located on Feather River Boulevard in Oroville, the Center houses programs for both youth and, as previously reported, elders.

The new location features a study area complete with four computer stations. A large number of Hmong families cannot afford computers, Center director Seng Yang explained.


Oroville's Hmong Cultural Center Has New Home

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As reported here earlier this year, Butte County is home to about 10,000 Hmong. Now the Hmong Cultural Center of Butte County that serves them has a new home. Seng Yang is the director of the Center, located in Oroville.


Last Marijuana Dispensary Closes in Butte County

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Many counties now have marijuana dispensaries for those people who are unable to grow their own marijuana. Until recently, Butte County was home to nine dispensaries. But on October 18th the last cannabis dispensary operating in Butte County, North Valley Holistic Health, shut down. One week later, the Butte County Board of Supervisors voted to ban all cannabis dispensaries from the county. According to Supervisor Larry Wahl, (Rep. District 2) the ban will be in place as long as federal laws prohibit the sale of marijuana.


Medicare Anthem Blue Bows Out of North Valley

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Two low-cost Medicare supplemental health plans will no longer be offered in this area next year. Both Anthem Freedom Blue and Anthem Freedom Blue Classic were offered with no monthly premium and had been offered in every county in California. After January 1, 2012, the plans will only be offered in some California counties and Butte County will not be among them.

Marie Brackett, a local retired welfare worker, is frantically searching for a new plan for her husband, Jerry, an Anthem Freedom Blue Classic customer. She told me that since they received the letter informing him of the change in his coverage, she has been calling Medicare and gathering information online to choose another plan. Brackett has become concerned because many plans refer people to their websites and Brackett has several friends who do not own computers.


Dia del Campesinos: Migrant Farmworkers Fair

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Migrant workers make up 10 percent of Dr. Leon's patients in Chico and his practice is roughly 35 percent Hispanic. Leon told me that some of his patients return to Mexico when they need a specialist or a procedure, such as an MRI. That's because sometimes his patients have health insurance in Mexico, but not the U.S., and sometimes it's because the procedures simply cost less in Mexico.