Firefighters put a stop to a wildfire at Cherokee and Thompson Flat roads in Oroville on Monday.

According to a social media post by Cal Fire-Butte County, forward progress on what was dubbed the Cemetery Fire was stopped at eight acres. Firefighters remained at the scene overnight, conducting cleanup on the burn scar.

The fire began close to where the Thompson Fire started in 2024.

On Monday night, it was reported that the Cemetery Fire was 60% contained. An investigation is ongoing regarding the blaze.

Standoff

Officers with the Chico Police Department arrested John Minar after a standoff at the Motel 6 in Chico on Tuesday.

A press release issued Tuesday by the department said the incident occurred late Monday afternoon after dispatchers received a report that an armed man was trying to get into a locked motel room, which was later determined to have been occupied by Minar’s wife and son.

Officers allegedly found Minar in the business’s parking lot, waving a knife around and making violent threats. The motel was subsequently evacuated in response.

The release said Minar had entered a vehicle where he barricaded himself, prompting officers to attempt negotiations in hopes of getting Minar to get out on his own volition but after some time, officers utilized a pepper ball to get him out.

“The Pepperball is launched from a device similar to a paintball gun and contains oleoresin powder,” the release said. “Following further negotiation, Minar was safely taken into custody.”

Minar was taken to the Butte County Jail on suspicion of threatening a crime with the intent to terrorize and trespassing.

Child sex crimes arrest

An arrest was made after Deputies with the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at a home in Elk Creek and reportedly found evidence of sex crimes against three different children and possibly more that have yet to be identified.

According to a press release issued Monday by the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office, 31-year-old Andrew Burrows was arrested on suspicion of multiple child sex crimes as well as possessing drugs.

The warrant was served after a lengthy investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and the Glenn Investigations and Narcotics Task Force along with help from the Glenn County DIstrict Attorney’s Office.

The release said there were likely additional victims who haven’t yet come forward.

Burrows was taken to the Glenn County Jail with bail set at $2.05 million.

Proclamations

For the most part, the Butte County Board of Supervisors held off on items for its Tuesday meeting, only gathering for a monthly proclamation reinstatement.

The board approved a single consent agenda item to continue a Local Health Emergency Proclamation for both the Thompson and Park fires.

These proclamations allow the county to receive ongoing support at the state level for hazardous debris cleanup related to the fires.