[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6606865,"mediaKeyId","2957272-3aadf74acfb527844bcf703daddb0d48","parentId",2957272,"title","County health official warns rising youth anxiety and screen time are reshaping childhood","audioSeconds",520,"startMs",1100000,"endMs",1620000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2957272-3aadf74acfb527844bcf703daddb0d48&start=1100&end=1620","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2957272-3aadf74acfb527844bcf703daddb0d48/thumbnail_1100000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6606865/Willows-City/Glenn-County/California/County-health-official-warns-rising-youth-anxiety-and-screen-time-are-reshaping-childhood","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606865-0ec2e4ae6680355d9cbd8059f49e4af4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188445&Signature=CsMCLB3h0jxeiughwf0qu3BJ410KaKQv-AlqTc0FybNuijWsNoTSoHnt2hdXGP3uJIqwaKNOZVfMmswx3dOAtBKhxGQ2H93YRCIjJLUJWAmSTZMlcBSHAC1FAk4sp4zylY8oGosm8Q34nnj9Exbzni~xuOneh2IzzVyvQZIItvLJSD6ifgBaQyIEYpRXgAoeF1yYHFhG8HoEH1lc6NnDmijfCYQ5FuBsopco8tk4jTtn72wHWKF5BPN2AzEINBGuuUHkc~YRWd6ZjWHHSfCpAOHcyYknT9ilZ48Jv-qAf0uTOAd0kLFIdMu~O6sg7kcBMtmpAep7jnprIQy4j2vkZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-11T05:50:04.61Z","article","Dr. Garrison, a health professional who has written on youth mental health, told the Willows City Council on April 8 that the transition to screen‑centered social life has been accompanied by rising rates of anxiety, depression and loneliness among adolescents.

In a 30‑minute presentation, Dr. Garrison cited national survey trends showing increases in self‑reported depressive symptoms and anxiety since the early 2000s, particularly among teenage girls, and connected those trends to the rise of smartphones, social‑media features such as “likes,” and expanding screen time. He said face‑to‑face time with peers has fallen substantially from historic averages and argued that unstructured play, family reading time and community programs can help mitigate harms.

Dr. Garrison showed charts comparing long‑term trends across age groups, discussed evidence linking excessive social‑media use to poorer emotional outcomes, and described local emergency‑department encounters and self‑harm visits as a concerning signal. He warned that emerging technologies — including AI chat companions — could deepen isolation and addictive use patterns if adults do not intervene with parenting and community supports.

As remedies, Dr. Garrison recommended practical steps consistent with pediatric guidance: family media plans that set priorities and phone‑free times (for example at the dinner table and before bed), more unstructured out‑of‑home play for children to develop independence, and local efforts to increase youth programming such as expanded library services. He cited programs that encourage parents to let children experience controlled boredom and to step back to foster resilience.

Council members and the public connected the presentation to the library staffing debate, saying more local programming and a children’s librarian could be part of the community response. Dr. Garrison also encouraged collaboration across schools, public health and community organizations.

Dr. Garrison’s presentation was informational; it did not propose city regulatory action and no council votes were taken on his recommendations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 8, 2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Dr. Garrison presented national and local data at the April 8 Willows City Council meeting showing increases in adolescent anxiety, depression and loneliness coinciding with greater screen time, and urged community strategies such as more unstructured play and library programs to support youth mental health.","taxTitle","Willows City, Glenn County, California","taxId",71416,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6606870,"Council appoints Christina Ocampo and Keith Coram to Willows Planning Commission",200,2702000,2902000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2957272-3aadf74acfb527844bcf703daddb0d48&start=2702&end=2902","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2957272-3aadf74acfb527844bcf703daddb0d48/thumbnail_2702000.jpg","/articles/6606870/Willows-City/Glenn-County/California/Council-appoints-Christina-Ocampo-and-Keith-Coram-to-Willows-Planning-Commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606870-11ccd1468ee28ba1591094083e4c0e6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188445&Signature=gOsB5Vj~wPRAeHHvMEalzH6d-iyOuIuL8KbgIsodk2HDKuqDHJfsZo0xdTOAJn-Wzwk8Riufgrvcd-pTxaos2XKpDU~v6y59p75RbP9GzVIZaY1XYwSsEBPAZgoa-YjV7nKjfvosazsaC7IFszvPtSBjftqXGdfm44vTxOdxu6HPmMXItjadmrxoUOZnCimToCpbkAzTdmitp5w29R7NiLCPtZ3-zJ8uWpvqlGilEzC8VZS2O2TQ8w-MRBAruHK8uueMWBT34Qtf0R~kPaz3bAMf32Tv57L~Q0AA9CAK8-Fs-538M8Wzh0PWIxFRKG5bRJQ7lAWvtkhYlOFRoSFPJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Willows City Council on April 8 appointed Christina Ocampo and Keith Coram to two vacancies on the city’s Planning Commission.

An ad hoc recruitment and interview process produced two applicants for two open positions. Council members said the recommended appointments provide a mix of experience: Coram brings long experience on local planning bodies and elected office, while Ocampo is a local business owner with interest in serving and learning the commission’s work. The council assigned the shorter, expiring term to the less experienced appointee and the longer term to Coram so the commission retains continuity.

The council’s motion to appoint both candidates carried 5‑0. No formal objections or public opposition were recorded during the meeting; several council members praised the applicants’ commitment to community service. The appointments are effective immediately for the terms described by staff during the meeting.

Councilmembers noted a low number of applicants generally for commissions and encouraged broader public engagement in future recruitment.

The motion passed 5‑0; the audio record did not identify a single mover or seconder by name for the final roll call recorded in the meeting minutes.","Willows City Council appointed two residents — Christina Ocampo and Keith Coram — to fill two vacancies on the Planning Commission, assigning staggered terms to balance experience and community representation; the motion passed 5‑0.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6606874,"Willows council adopts citywide contract template to standardize agreements",361,2915000,3276000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2957272-3aadf74acfb527844bcf703daddb0d48&start=2915&end=3276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2957272-3aadf74acfb527844bcf703daddb0d48/thumbnail_2915000.jpg","/articles/6606874/Willows-City/Glenn-County/California/Willows-council-adopts-citywide-contract-template-to-standardize-agreements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606874-4a01f94992ab52f4e51d21cb9966ca79/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188445&Signature=ESOUx6e5wpbM7Vpc~dgoCg7v6QF1p8TKNH5cgCRW4XvZ2R5l06CHkP~MECPBViimZRZ7EyHmj1XV7q8cYmlPZ4Ba26ofIY-A581WS3aA~zq5lTZqdu5bpaCBvy1yQBvErLj8ExfOdLeGHZIRcCYrr9HwY7IgJavqZTC6en4MWOsO3p6wZWTLqRvCwplWxzfo8iOukyLolg66obytz6JFO~-RUtppIqdhtOUg3W2RDNLnlATWlxrK98UGWhPtLyRCVpUryNhc7k0GN-4yGYJ804UTZs8RY2EMmKeqbrUflunSy7ued-BwsesqKD1Y1wKnM6s8rJfY6XjV8~NAWyJGRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Willows City Council unanimously adopted a standard contract template April 8 intended for city agreements over $10,000.

City Attorney presented the draft template as a “foundation” for future contracts and said a standardized agreement would protect the city while still allowing scope‑specific changes. Council approved a motion to adopt the template as the city’s standard for larger contracts; the motion passed 5‑0.

In discussion, council members asked whether the template addresses prevailing wage requirements for public‑works contracts. The city attorney explained that the template is intended to be modular and that specific requirements — including prevailing wage and other project‑specific terms — would be inserted into Attachment A (the contract’s scope of services) for the relevant solicitation or request for proposals. The attorney noted some vendors and state agencies sometimes insist on using their own forms and said staff would negotiate to preserve the city’s preferred terms where feasible.

Councilmembers praised the standardization as a time‑saver for staff and a way to ensure consistent legal protections across vendors. The motion to adopt the template specified use for projects or services that exceed $10,000; the motion passed unanimously.

The council directed staff to begin using the template and to flag any instances where negotiations require deviations from the standard form. No fiscal appropriation was required at the time of adoption; the template sets contracting practice but individual contracts will come back for approval as required.","The Willows City Council voted 5‑0 April 8 to adopt a standard contract template for city agreements over $10,000, a change staff and the city attorney said will streamline negotiations and better protect the city’s legal interests.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6606879,"Willows council approves part‑time children’s librarian after debate over full‑time role and budget limits",2451,3789000,6240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2957272-3aadf74acfb527844bcf703daddb0d48&start=3789&end=6240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2957272-3aadf74acfb527844bcf703daddb0d48/thumbnail_3789000.jpg","/articles/6606879/Willows-City/Glenn-County/California/Willows-council-approves-parttime-childrens-librarian-after-debate-over-fulltime-role-and-budget-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606879-b45673ca31f4552cd177de3f52a6c9cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188445&Signature=hZ8uENu~8T~vJ3os~Ocd1~5Q5MTzFjnU4B3ooOq0JS-EII9iELoBAVMG71HbAqIH2levH9K~W3Azg7M17W0HCSGUOxxF8PlQ~71mBL~5WEVR~~Z6LEg-~8~DwBUUFW2GU5c3K6d3qNZBpQKeXlsV1ZvLgLV6Cr0qG0aBYKpn4ywTN3hXgI2TIaxb5ZF8K6p8qAx3Lr6qfyA2A1puohHigjIrzPxjIIccx4KOGHF5bbjYRLJhNXShjMGF0HwskqvB5WnvilP8miTDKnTm4BVJbi48ZgQcpr7xvpoWDC~E-m8bdPz9toq-AR1dlzNVlUl-K4aMN35s7eKAsSJ0crPBSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Willows City Council voted unanimously April 8 to authorize hiring a part‑time children’s librarian to restore library programs for children this summer.

Council members and dozens of residents who spoke during a long discussion divided over whether to restore the role as a part‑time position now or wait until the city’s finances can support a full‑time hire. After public comment and council questions, members approved a motion to hire a part‑time librarian; the motion passed 5‑0.

City staff and library advocates said reinstating a children’s librarian is needed to run summer reading and regular children’s programming. Pediatrician Becca Boney told the council that programs tied to the library reach families who otherwise lack books, and that “without a summer reading program… there is nothing for our kids to do here.” Phady Irons, coordinator for the Glenn County local childcare planning council, cited county reading rates and told the council many children’s earliest learning experiences occur at libraries.

Library staff described how the position had been full time while funded in part by a grant through fiscal 2023, then reverted to part time after the grant ended; the full‑time librarian left in February. Jody, library staff, described the difference between part‑time and full‑time coverage: a single full‑time children’s librarian previously ran a wide menu of activities, outreach and school visits; a part‑time hire typically is limited to about 19 hours a week and has less capacity to plan expanded outreach.

Council members repeatedly noted the city’s tight finances as they weighed whether to fund a full‑time position. City staff reminded the council that Measure I, a recently approved local sales tax measure, will not generate its first receipt for the city until July; the city manager said the months ahead are the leanest in the current fiscal forecasting. Councilmembers said they support the library but must balance other urgent needs including public safety and public works.

Council discussion also touched on technical limits: staff explained that CalPERS membership rules are triggered by part‑time annual hour thresholds, and that many part‑time library roles are kept at roughly 19 hours a week to avoid automatic CalPERS enrollment. Council members asked staff to explore whether summer scheduling could allow more hours temporarily without creating CalPERS obligations and asked library staff to propose how a part‑time hire would prioritize programming.

After the vote the council directed staff to proceed to hire a part‑time children’s librarian and to return in future budget discussions with options and any fiscal implications of increasing hours or restoring a full‑time position. The council also asked staff to pursue partnerships with county and neighboring libraries for program sharing where feasible.

The vote was 5‑0 to hire a part‑time children’s librarian; the motion did not identify a named mover or seconder in the audio record. The council asked staff to work on scheduling and compensation details and to revisit the staffing level as part of the next fiscal‑year budget process.

Looking ahead, council members said they hope a part‑time hire will enable summer programming and outreach while keeping the city within near‑term budget limits; several members said they want staff to return later with metrics on attendance and program reach to inform a future decision on making the position permanent and full‑time.","The Willows City Council voted 5-0 on April 8 to hire a part‑time children’s librarian for the Willows Library amid public appeals for more youth programming and council concern about near‑term budget constraints and CalPERS limits on part‑time hours.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County health official warns rising youth anxiety and screen time are reshaping childhood

Council appoints Christina Ocampo and Keith Coram to Willows Planning Commission

Willows council adopts citywide contract template to standardize agreements

Willows council approves part‑time children’s librarian after debate over full‑time role and budget limits