Officials at the Susanville Interagency Fire Center said vegetation is drying quickly due to light winter precipitation and recent warm and windy days.

As the holiday weekend approaches SIFC agencies, the Lassen National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, CAL FIRE, and Lassen Volcanic National Park will all increase staff and continue opening fire stations that had been closed over the winter.

“It’s important to begin incorporating fire safe practices into all your outdoor activities,” said Jim Hedges, a co-manager at SIFC. Hedges suggested that spring is a good time to:

• Clear vegetation and create “defensible space” around homes and property. Details on defensible space can be found online at www.firewise.org.
• Complete mowing and burning projects early and only on calm days. Adhere to hours and conditions on burning permits.
• Plan outdoor trips, such a fishing, camping, firewood cutting and back country exploring with fire safety in mind. Be equipped with a bucket and shovel. Be sure campfires are dead out when retiring or breaking camp.
• Complete firewood cutting early in the day, ensuring that chainsaws have properly functioning spark arresters.

Officials at Lassen Volcanic National Park remind visitors that campfires are allowed only in fire rings provided in designated campgrounds. Back country fires are not allowed.

Fire restrictions are not yet in place for the Lassen National Forest on BLM-managed public lands, but they could be implemented when fire dangers increase this summer.

Area residents should also remember that debris burning permits have been required since May 1st, and will be suspended July 1st. Burn permit information is available from local fire departments, CAL FIRE, BLM offices and Lassen National Forest Ranger District offices.

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The Susanville Police Department today released details of a call that lead to the arrest of two men at a residence in the 200 block of South Gay Street.

According to the department on May 16th, at around 11:20p.m., officers were dispatched to a loud party call and when officers arrived they observed multiple individuals in the back yard.

As the officers attempted to contact the individuals, the subjects went into the residence and refused to speak with the police.

After a short time, officers were able to contact a few subjects who exited the residence into the front yard. One of the subjects, identified as 24 year-old Janesville resident Jordan Patrick Drury, was asked to leave the residence because of the noise complaint and the fact that he was not the resident.

Drury allegedly refused to comply and a verbal exchange ensued with the officers on scene. “As officers were attempting to place Drury under arrest,” the report says, “he resisted.”

This resulted in a physical altercation and Drury was ultimately arrested for resisting an officer. During the altercation, officers deployed their department issued Taser to effect the arrest.

While officers were struggling with Drury in front of the residence, a large group of people exited the house and began interfering with the arrest. This caused the two officers, who the reports says were concerned for their safety, to call for additional assistance. Additional personnel from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office responded and assisted with the crowd.

A second subject, identified as 21 year-old Susanville resident Manuel Raul Faustino was also arrested. He was arrested for interfering with the officers while they were attempting to arrest Drury. 

According to Chief of Police Tom Downing, Drury was booked into the Lassen County Adult Detention Facility on the felony charge of resisting an officer and was held on $7,000 bail. Faustino was booked as well, and later released on a notice to appear for a misdemeanor charge of resisting an officer.

The case will be sent to the Lassen County District Attorney’s Office for review.

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The performances were held at the Assembly of God Church on Richmond Road.

Dr. Bateson sent us these great photos to enjoy.

For more pictures of the Youth Orchestra and the Susanville Symphony visit Bateson’s SusanvilleSymphonyPhotos.com.

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According to details released by the California Highway Patrol, 41 year-old James Parsons of North Carolina was at the wheel of a 2011 Freightliner and box trailer when it overturned, partially ejecting the passenger who was sleeping in truck’s berth.

“For reasons yet to be determined,” says the report, “Parsons allowed his vehicle to drift off of the roadway and down the embankment where it collided with several trees.”

The passenger, whose name was not released, sustained serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver reported no injuries.

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Jim Chapman sends us this cool video from the Friday night performance of the Susanville Theater Company’s radio re-creations.

The music is performed by the Lassen High Jazz Band under the direction of Carlin Hagen. Vocals are by Julianne Pepetone.

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Night Construction of Shasta Dam in 1940. From an Eastman Studios Postcard

Lassen Students Visit Shasta Dam
May 16th, 1940

Several school buses took rural school children and the teachers of Honey Lake valley schools to Shasta dam, Tuesday, to see the work being done on the government project north of Redding.

Tuesday being election day, the instructors took advantage of the day off and escorted the children on a sight-seeing trip.

The Lassen students were witness as the world’s longest conveyor belt began hauling sand and gravel from East Redding 9.6 miles to the site of the Shasta Dam, under construction on the Sacramento River.

The sand and gravel will be stored in huge bins at the dam site preparatory to the pouring of concrete on the structure.

Workmen Saturday completed reconstruction of a bridge and sections of the belt which were washed out by the February floods.

The Sacramento is usually a sluggish stream, but the raging floods of late gave point to construction of the dam, an important unit of the Central Valley Water project, one effect of which will be to control the river and avert future floods.

We are always looking for new pictures to preserve and share in our historical photo collection and we would love to see yours.Your picture will be added to our digital archive for future use and we will make sure you receive credit whenever possible. Email your contribution along with your name and a short description of what you’ve sent to webxtra@susanvillestuff.com. A digital copy of every submission will also be donated to the Lassen Historical Society for preservation in their files.

Don’t know how to scan your photos? Our friends at the UPS Store have offered to professionally scan your vintage photo submissions for free. Just stop by 2850 Main Street in Susanville and they will be happy to help you.

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“What a wonderful Mother’s Day gift!” said the baby’s mother, Katrina. “I was scared at first but I wouldn’t have changed a thing. The nurses were fantastic and they helped us a lot.”

Proud father Trinidad, holding his new daughter, said, “It was a wonderful experience! The nurses were all great.”

When asked how they decided on the name Loveah, the parents explained it was important for them to have the word “Love” in her name.

Proud parents Katrina and Trinidad with their daughter Loveah

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The fair’s scholarship competition is open to girls between the ages of 17 and 23 who have been residents of Lassen County for at least a year.

Miss Lassen County serves as the official hostess of the Lassen County Fair and then continues to represent Lassen County until next year’s fair.

Between now and the fair Miss Lassen contestants will be taking part in a series of events and competitions leading up to the final competition in the grandstands.

Along the way the girls attend publicity sessions, photo sessions, rehearsals, fundraisers, social events and promotional appearances for the Lassen County Youth Scholarship Competition.

2011 Miss Lassen contestants at rehearsal for last year's scholarship pageant in the fair's grandstands.

Miss Lassen and her court, once crowned, have a multitude of opportunities, including eligibility to compete for Miss California State.

Entry forms are due by 5:00p.m. this Friday, May 18th, at the fair office, 195 Russell Avenue.

For further information or questions, please call Pageant Director Shelley Bennett at 257-4399 or the fair office at 251-8900.

Click here to download the official application for Miss Lassen County.

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