Local News Articles & Features
- May, 2012: DKI Members Speak Out About SAFELY OUT Partnership (video)
- Jan. 9, 2012: NVPOA Expo - "Ride the Wave to Success" (video)
- Nov. 22, 2011: 3rd annual food drive a big success
- April 18, 2011: March of Dimes Golf Tournament raises money and awareness (video)
- April 3, 2011: Garden Walk Mall Grand Re-Opening
- March 15, 2011: NBC24 Wake Up! - 6th annual Red Cross Real Heroes Event interview with Bob Battezato (video)
- Feb. 17, 2011: Restoring Structures and Lives; Cleaning with Care
- Dec. 23, 2010: Garden Walk Flood in Chico Update (video)
- Dec. 20, 2010: Cleanrite-Buildrite responds to Garden Walk Flood (video)
- Sept. 10, 2010: Heavy rain causes an estimated $1 million in damage in Chico area (video)
- Sept. 2, 2010: Much loss, few answers: Cause of Cottonwood blaze undetermined
- June 16, 2010: Cleanrite-Buildrite responds to Paradise Fire (video)
- Jan. 17, 2010: Catalyst project connects Chico
- Jan. 6, 2008: For clean-up companies, this was the “Tree Storm”
- Nov. 13, 2007: Gas main break causes little concern at subdivision
May 14, 2012
DKI Members Speak Out About SAFELY OUT Partnership to Protect the Vulnerable in Disasters
January 9, 2012
NVPOA Expo, "Ride the Wave to Success"
Video feature on KHSL-TV 12 'Wake-up" program
If you own, manage or service rental properties, then you won't want to miss the annual NVPOA Expo. We have 9 classes to choose from with great educators. Including our Key Note Speaker BILL NYE, who will be teaching on "Hard Marketing in a Soft Market'.
NVPOA Member and advocate, Bob Battezzato from Cleanrite-Buildrite states, "The Expo is a great opportunity for those who serve this industry to meet them face-to-face, and introduce new services".
NVPOA EXPO 2012 Details
- Date: January 12, 2012
- Time: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Location: Masonic Lodge, 1110 W. East Ave, Chico, CA
- Phone: (530) 345-1321
- Website: NVPOA Expo
November 22, 2011
3rd annual food drive a big success
By Anderson Valley Post staff
“We are estimating our food drive has helped in feeding over 227 families this year!” said an excited Angie Burris-Hawkins following another successful Stuff the Truck food drive Wednesday, Nov. 16, to benefit South County food banks.
It was the third holiday food drive sponsored by Cleanrite-Buildrite, a business with offices in Anderson and Redding.
“I don’t have an amount in tons of food, but these food boxes are complete meals with lots of extras in each box including oatmeal, pasta, pasta sauce, cereal, bread, tuna, granola bars, canned veggies, soup, juice, potatoes, chili and rice,” she said.
“We tried to make sure every family gets all the food we can give,” Burris-Hawkins said.
Students from Anderson Union High School’s Cub Connections helped immensely in collecting canned foods for the donation effort.
After a month of gathering food, Anderson High School students gathered more than 300 non-perishable food items, said Clarinda Ahern, facilitator for Cub Connections.
According to Ahern, students started the campus food drive contest on Oct. 17 of homecoming week. Freshman Rosa Saeturn won by donating 27 cans of food, said Ahern.
Then last Tuesday, Nov. 15, students stood outside the Safeway in Anderson with banners and a flyer that students made asking shoppers the question: Have you ever been hungry for a week?
April 18, 2011
KHSL-TV 12- March of Dimes Golf Tournament raises money and awareness
April 3, 2011
KNVN NBC24- Garden Walk Mall Grand Re-Opening
The nightmare is now over for store owners inside the Garden Walk Mall in downtown Chico. It was December 20th when a sprinkler pipe ruptured inside the building, flooding the mall and the 12 stores inside. Read More»
March 17, 2011
6th annual Red Cross Real Heroes Event
interview with Bob Battezato on Wake Up!
It's a fundraising event by the American Red Cross of Northeastern California that honors local heroes in Butte and Glenn counties. We'll tell you about this special breakfast that recognizes great people within our community. The interview with Bob Battezato from Cleanrite-Buildrite explains why it's important to be involved in local fundraising and charity events. Click for Action 24 News Article
February 17, 2011
Restoring Structures and Lives;
Cleaning with Care
Carpet cleaners are not often known for their community-service efforts. But Cleanrite-Buildrite, a locally owned disaster-response cleanup company, has taken its commitment to customers affected by tragedy—and the agencies that help those victims—to the next level.
“We provide a service, but we also provide much more,” said Bob Battezzato, the company’s marketing director. Battezzato is referring to the demanding nature of the disaster-response industry, a field that’s marked by daily unpredictability and, sometimes, extreme sadness and loss.
“The physical structure can be replaced, but the victims don’t know what to do, they don’t know where to go,” he said.
That’s when Cleanrite-Buildrite’s relationship with nonprofits like the American Red Cross become so important. It’s the carpet-cleaning company’s strong partnerships with disaster-response agencies—which provide victims with the things the cleaning company cannot, such as food and water and a place to stay—that sets it apart from its competitors, said Martha Griese, CEO of the North State’s Red Cross chapter.
“[The company is] just always there to help, not just with their employees who volunteer, but also through what they donate,” she said during a recent phone interview.
Battezzato formed the partnership with Griese a few years ago after he identified the emergency-assistance organization as a natural affiliate. “We get together on the human side and make sure all the victims are taken care of,” he said. That care and concern for victims is also demonstrated by the company’s 100 employees through the time they spend volunteering at events including the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and attending benefit dinners for police and fire departments, Battezzato said. Employees also participate in benefit golf tournaments, the Salvation Army’s Stuff the Truck event and the March of Dimes fundraiser, a parent-education and research initiative that aims to prevent birth defects, to name a few. In March, the company is sponsoring the annual Real Heroes celebration at Manzanita Place, an American Red Cross event that recognizes individuals for charitable efforts.
“We’re not an open checkbook, but we do what we can,” Battezzato said sincerely.
Cleanrite-Buildrite was founded as “Cleanrite” in the mid-’70s by Verne Andreasen, a Chico resident and family man who felt a strong connection to his neighbors. Years later, his son Dan came on board and expanded the business to Redding, where Dan noticed a growing need for the company to add construction and restoration to its list of services.
Soon, the company added “Buildrite” to its name, and today its services range from Persian-rug cleaning and crime-scene cleanup to remodeling projects and plumbing. The company has also added branches in Yuba City and Sacramento.
Dan has continued Verne’s charitable mission and keeps company morale high by hosting an annual companywide family picnic in Durham and showing gratitude through gestures such as buying each employee a Thanksgiving turkey every year.
“What kind of boss goes out a buys a turkey for every single person?” asked Battezatto, who worked at a large corporation for 15 years before making the move to Cleanrite-Buildrite. “He invests in the community, he invests in his employees, and it betters everyone.
“We try to hire local people who also understand they will be expected to have that type of attitude,” he continued. “And that overall philosophy helps in the service business.” Read Chico News & Review Article »
December 23, 2010
Garden Walk Flood News Update
CHICO – After a devastating flood in the Garden Walk Mall early Monday morning, only 3 businesses out of 14 were able to open their doors Thursday for last minute holiday shoppers.
Cleanrite-Buildrite crews are doing all they can to help ease the pain. Bob Battezzato, Cleanrite-Buildrite Marketing Director says, "We're trying to get that back as fast as we can and get them back in business because that's what they really need to have happen." Read Chico News & Review Article »
December 20, 2010
Cleanrite-Buildrite responds to Garden Walk Flood
CHICO – "I came in here and some areas in here were up to two to three inches of water, I was just in shock" explained Weekend Wearhouse Owner Dan Torres. That's the overall feeling for most store owners inside the Garden Walk Mall in downtown Chico Monday, after arriving to work to find the entire mall had been flooded with two to three inches of water because of a ruptured sprinkler pipe.
Crews from Cleanrite Buildrite spent the majority of the day sucking up the water and tearing up carpets which will need to be replaced in almost every one of the 12 stores the mall houses. Many of the store owners say they are hoping they will be allowed to open Tuesday for holiday shoppers. Read Article »
September 10, 2010
Heavy rain causes an estimated $1 million in damage in Chico area
CHICO — Though the deluge of water that hit Chico Wednesday evening lasted just a few hours, the impact of the rare burst of heavy rain will take days to mop up, with the damage from the quick storm estimated to be near $1 million.
The first rain of the season hit Chico hard, with downtown seeing the most dramatic effect of the torrent that dropped nearly an inch of rain between 6:30 p.m. and morning, as measured at the Enterprise-Record's weather station.
Fourth Street between Main and Wall streets experienced heavy flooding as a result of the rains, with the roadway resembling more of a river than a thoroughfare late Wednesday evening.
The building at 180 Fourth St. that houses Prudential California and Kennedy/Jenks Consultants drew the attention of Chico firefighters Wednesday night, who noticed water from the roadway rising to the doorways of the businesses.
The building's roof was sound, but the 20,000 to 30,000 gallons of water that accumulated on the rooftop caused the drop ceiling to falter and water seeped into the businesses.
Thursday morning, crews from Cleanrite-Buildrite were working to clean up the water damage at the building, with company spokeswoman Jill Cooper saying crews were also called to approximately one dozen other locations throughout Chico. "It's been pretty intense," Cooper said.
Cooper said some of the company's employees started cleaning up businesses Wednesday night, working to mop up water until 4:30 a.m. Thursday. They returned at about 7 a.m., Cooper said.
She said crews were brought in from the company's Yuba City and Redding offices, noting about 30 employees were taking part in the cleanup effort Thursday.
From the amount of damage Cooper saw, she estimated the value of the collective damage to come close to $1 million. "It's in the high six figures, even seven," Cooper said.
Capt. Darren Stratton of Chico's Salvation Army estimated the damage at the 700 Broadway building to be at least $15,000 to $20,000.
Stratton said the water rising from Seventh Street flooded the rear offices of the building, hitting the nonprofit's donation receiving area the hardest. "We lost clothing, furniture, general household goods that we sell to fund our program," Stratton said.
He added that the carpet and sheetrock in the offices will have to be replaced and said there was one-inch of standing water in the building.
City of Chico General Services Manager Ruben Martinez attributed the large volume of water simply to the unpredictable and sometimes unrelenting character of Mother Nature. "It was a high intensity, unusual event," Martinez said.
Martinez and city crews checked the storm drains Wednesday night during the height of the rainfall, finding no obstructions. "There was plenty of capacity," Martinez said. "It was just a huge amount of water in a very short amount of time."
Although downtown Chico sustained most of the water damage, the rain was not isolated to the city's core. South Chico saw heavy rainfall, with flooding occurring at East Park Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway.
The Gold Cup Race of Champions at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds was canceled Wednesday night due to flooding on the track and Thursday the pits were a muddy mess.
Joe Wills, Chico State University spokesman, said no serious damage was reported at the university. Rachel Teasdale, acting executive director of the Gateway Science Museum, said the water also spared The Esplanade museum.
For the businesses that did see water damage however, the cleanup process will take time. Cooper said with the nature of the flooding, removing the water from businesses could take three to four days.
Standing in the warm Chico sun Thursday, Cooper said she was shocked to see the level of water damage that hit businesses, saying the heavy rain was a fluke event. "It's just a really weird weather pattern," Cooper said. "We would be ready to see this in November or December, but definitely not September."
Staff writer Toni Scott from the Chico News and Review can be reached at 896-7767 or tscott@chicoer.com.
September 2, 2010
Much loss, few answers: Cause of Cottonwood blaze undetermined
Officials still haven’t determined the cause of the Cottonwood fire that destroyed three homes Wednesday, and at least two neighborhood residents have been hospitalized as a result of the blaze.
William Lindel McCall Jr., 56, who initially refused treatment Wednesday, was flown to the UC Davis Health System’s Regional Burn Center later in the night, where he is being treated for severe burns covering both arms.
“He wanted to know where his dogs were, where his old lady was before he was hauled off,” said William McCall, 33, McCall Jr.’s son, who lived with his father on Willow Street.
McCall said his father was trying to pick up a garden hose to put out the flames on a nearby fence when he was burned. His father is expected to stay at the burn center for at least three days to prevent infection.
Carrie Ottinger, 34, McCall’s neighbor and an asthmatic, is being treated for smoke inhalation at Mercy Medical Center in Redding. Her husband Bobby, 34, is dividing his time between the hospital and caring for their three daughters, ages 11, 15 and 17.
“It’s a little overwhelming, trying to hold the family together,” Bobby Ottinger said.
Ottinger is also in the process of seeing that his 10 dogs receive veterinary treatment after the fire, but two are still missing.
“That’s our main focus, trying to find our dogs for the girls,” he said. “Your personal belongings, you can buy more of those. When you have a pet for 10 years, it’s no longer a pet, it’s a family member.”
The younger McCall, on the other hand, returned to his home Thursday in an attempt to salvage any of his family’s belongings.
“So far we’ve found a few things that I was glad made it through the fire,” he said. “But it’s pretty much a total loss.”
Donovan Lightfoot, 32, of Cottonwood, helped McCall sort through the charred remains of his home. “It’s hard to remember what this place even looked like,” he said.
And while the victims of the fire are searching for any remnants of their possessions they can find, other Willow Street residents are still shaken by the sight of their neighbors’ homes engulfed in flames.
“It was just pure pandemonium,” said Shawn Domoe, 41. “I just watched a third of my neighborhood go up in flames.”
But area businesses including Cleanrite Buildrite in Anderson, are taking action to help the burned-out families.
Angie Burris, 44, marketing director for Cleanrite Buildrite, saw the fire unfolding and began making calls to radio stations and local banks to organize a fundraiser for the families.
“Once I was there, I couldn’t leave,” she said. “I felt like I needed to help the family.”
She is also accepting donations of clothing and furniture for the families at Cleanrite Buildrite, located at 19690 Hirsch Court in Anderson.
Burris has arranged for various local branches of PremierWest Bank to have trusts set up by early next week for monetary donations for each of the families.
Shanda Duncan, 23, a customer service representative for Cottonwood Health Equipment and Scooters (CHES) and a friend of the Ottinger family, also organized a donation drive when she learned of the fire. Duncan, who lived through a house fire herself in 1999, knew the Ottingers and their neighbors needed the community’s aid after such devastation.
“Nobody helped us,” she said. “We just lost all our personal items, all our memories.”
But Bobby Ottinger, who said he may relocate to Florida with his family to live with relatives, would rather create new memories than try to salvage his old home.
“I’d like to turn it into a safe haven for kids to play,” Ottinger said. “I’d like to see something good come out of something bad.”
Donations of clothing and appliances can be dropped off at CHES, 20635 Gas Point Road, in the Holiday Market Shopping Center in Cottonwood. The Ottinger family needs women’s clothing in shirt sizes small, medium and large; shoe sizes 7 and 7 ½; and pants sizes 1, 3 and 5/7. Men’s shirts are needed in sizes extra-large and extra-extra-large; pants in size 38; and shoes in sizes 10 ½ and 11.
Larger items and furniture are being accepted as well, though special arrangements need to be made. Call CHES at 347-3721 to arrange a pick-up appointment.
For donations to Cleanrite Buildrite or information on monetary donations through PremierWest Bank, contact Angie Burris at 945-3282.
June 16, 2010
Cleanrite-Buildrite responds to Paradise Fire
Cleanrite-Buildrite, Northern California's premier Carpet Cleaning, Rug Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning and full service Mitigation and Restoration Contractor, was called to respond to a house fire in Paradise, California. The fire was started by a heating lamp and the cost of fire and smoke damage is estimated over $20,000. Cleanrite-Buildrite quick response and professionalism, assisted with the home owner with the fire cleanup and works directly with insurance companies. Click to see Video (YouTube)
Jan. 17, 2010
Catalyst project connects Chico
Members of the local construction industry have provided guidance on the project, volunteers have ranged from members of the Chico Noon Rotary Club to students of the Oroville Northwest Lineman College, and time and equipment has been donated by a number of local businesses, including Cleanrite-Buildrite. Click for more...
Jan. 6, 2008
For clean-up companies, this was the “Tree Storm”
CHICO -- For Chris Hill, this has been "The Tree Storm." Hill, general manager of Cleanrite in Chico, has been sending crews out to dozens and dozens of "tree into my house" calls. "Last year was all about the ice freeze and broken pipes. Four years ago, there was a windstorm, but it wasn't like this," he said. "This is about roofs; trees into roofs. This is the tree storm." Click for more...
Nov. 13, 2007
Gas main break causes little concern at subdivision
CHICO -- A natural gas main rupture at a housing subdivision on Glenshire Lane caused flames to shoot toward a recently framed home, but firefighters kept it from burning by hosing down the roof. Chico fire Capt. Keith Carter said a backhoe operator cut into a main gas line buried about two feet down at Glenshire Park, a community of single-family homes under construction off Mariposa Avenue, north of East Avenue. Click for more...
