Remote Chowchilla, located in the San Joaquin Valley between Fresno and Sacramento, has an interesting heritage.

FORBES: Sliding Into The Pacific? Another California City Chokes On Its Bonds

Chowchilla already has axed more that one-third of the municipal payroll while cutting such services as a swimming program.

FORBES: Sliding Into The Pacific? Another California City Chokes On Its Bonds

The fall of Chowchilla had typically Californian elements, including a huge housing collapse that reduced property tax revenues and the recession.

FORBES: Sliding Into The Pacific? Another California City Chokes On Its Bonds

All kinds of governmental officials and financial experts are rushing to say Chowchilla is a one-off event that will be resolved.

FORBES: Sliding Into The Pacific? Another California City Chokes On Its Bonds

In the financial scheme of things, Chowchilla and Vallejo are small fry.

FORBES: Sliding Into The Pacific? Another California City Chokes On Its Bonds

Atkins was housed in the California Institution for Women at Frontera until May 2008, when her declining health caused her to be moved to Central California Women's Facility at Chowchilla.

CNN: 40 years after Manson murders, a bid for parole

Besides being home of a prison for women, Chowchilla is known for a bizarre 1976 incident in which a kidnapped bus with 26 children and their driver was buried in a local rock quarry.

FORBES: Sliding Into The Pacific? Another California City Chokes On Its Bonds