Downstroke

Rec the vote: The Wildcat Activity Center, the $55 million, 120,000-square-foot rec-mecha, was put before Chico State University students this week. Students were able to vote online beginning at 8 a.m. March 8 to 5 p.m. March 9. Voting results were not available before CN&R press time.

A similar $65 million project was shot down in 2001 because students weren’t willing to pay for something they couldn’t use. The Associated Students Government Affairs Committee adopted the slogan, “You don’t pay until you play,” referring to the fact that students wouldn’t begin paying until the center’s completion, scheduled for fall 2008.

The 2001 version, as well as the current one, has steamed some local gym owners, who claim it will rob them of their college-aged members.

The fee increase would raise tuition $175-per-semester and average out to about $29 per month.

That ain’t candy, kid: The Chico parents whose child accidentally ingested an unknown amount of methamphetamine late last month are now facing six years in prison on felony charges of child endangerment. Michael James Garnett and his wife Rosa Mae Christie are being held on $60,000 bail after both pleaded not guilty to the charges on Tuesday, March 9. Their 20-month old son, Michael, who they say got the substance from outside their hotel room, was rushed to Enloe Medical Center Sunday, Feb. 27. Now in a critical-care ward in Sacramento, where doctors are treating the child, Michael is expected to make a full recovery from the incident, without any long-term damages.

The couple has admitted that they were smoking methamphetamines in the room where they were staying. The mother has had a misdemeanor meth possession charge added to charges of child endangerment as a result of officers reportedly recovering meth from her wallet. Officers found other substances, including unidentified prescription drugs and various unknown pills that they believe were easily accessible to the child in the couple’s hotel room on The Esplanade.

Quit methin’ with my mind: CSUC psychology professor William Clapham was charged this week with possession of a controlled substance, being under the influence of a narcotic and being in possession of a smoking device. Police said the prof was sitting in his car near Bidwell Mansion smoking between classes on Jan. 28 when he was spotted by an officer and rousted.

Clapham was reported to be in possession of less than one gram of meth, which classifies it as “personal use.” District Attorney Mike Ramsey believes that Clapham will be eligible for a diversion program. He would then be subject to drug testing for at least eight months and receive a diploma after conclusion of the program.