This year the college hired former LCC player, Colby Chavez to take lead of the lady cougs and he has done an amazing job. Coach Colby (whose wife is an LCC softball Alum) hit the ground running to recruit his team and let me tell you about these wonderful, wonderful, girls.

I had the honor of being able to take some of their pictures for a media day and I instantly fell in love with them. I had my middle girl, Pearl “helping”, and these athletes did nothing but show her love and patience.

As I was taking their pictures, I was lucky enough to get to see their personalities. They are bright. They are funny. They kind and they are such good ambassadors for our college and community.

Coach Colby was present, and it’s obvious that his relationship with the girls is very genuine. They are lucky to have such a great role model helping them along their athletic college career.

Coach Colby is also very dedicated to making sure his girls give back to this community.

They are incredibly active! Last year they participated in the Suicide prevention walk, as well as other community wide events. This year the girls have been chugging along full speed balancing their season along with community softball day, helping host a clinic for pitching and catching which was free to the softball girls!

Anytime I see them, they are so incredibly polite and are such great role models for my girls. (Sorry baseball brothers but if the Lady Cougs are around ten out of ten times they are taking their side!)

This team dynamic just does not happen by accident. It is created by the coach and also by the caliber of humans that are recruited on the team. I am so excited to watch this softball program grow, and I know that they have the right staff to do it!

I would strongly encourage all of you to come out and support these wonderful young women! You cannot help but love them and their coach. All of them, on team, but a bunch of different reasons I love where we live.

General Burning (LE-5) consists of agricultural burning, incinerator barrel burning in specific counties, burn piles, small parcels or strips, small plots of grass or weeds, or burn on vacant land. This permit is also used for a Hazardous Project work that could cause a fire (e.g., outdoor welding, grinding, metal work, hot work etc.).

Broadcast Burning (LE-7/8) is controlled application of fire to the land for fuels reduction purposes (e.g., grasslands, shrublands, and oak woodlands). No pile burning.

The permits are for projects located within the State Responsibility Area and other jurisdictions where Cal-FIRE has the authority to require them. Users can now fill out the application form from anywhere they have internet access.

The applicant will receive email confirmations throughout the process and the Department will have easy access to the records electronically. Once the application is submitted, a Cal-FIRE representative will review and process the information. If a site visit is required, the Department representative will schedule a time with the applicant and move the project forward.

Even with a valid burn permit from CAL FIRE, residents must confirm that it is a permissive burn day with their local air quality management agency. The contact phone numbers will appear on the permit. For information and permits required outside Cal-FIRE’s jurisdiction, residents should contact their local fire authority.

“Burn permits are an important education tool for us to ensure Californians know the steps to burn safely”, said Acting State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant, “This new online system will make it easier for not only residents, but also our prescribed fire community to get a permit.”

For more information on the online burn permit application, visit burnpermit.fire.ca.gov.

According to the 2022 California Statewide Public Opinion Survey, nearly 72% of drivers surveyed said that distracted driving because of texting was their biggest safety concern.

In 2021, the California Highway Patrol issued nearly 59,000 citations for distracted driving.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting, or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine.

“Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record.”

“If you have an important phone call,” explains Chief Cochran, “text, email, or in a situation with other distractions, pull over to a safe parking spot. Other distractions can be eating, grooming, reaching for something that fell on the floor, putting on or taking off clothing, talking with passengers, or children in the back seat.”

The first day of school in the fall will be August 16th.

If you have any questions, please call McKinley School at 1.530.257.5161.

Uptown Susanville in 1953 - from the Eastman Collection at UC Davis

Alleged Jewel Thief Wanted by Long Beach Captured in Cemetery at Susanville

April 19, 1953

Officers from Long Beach arrived here Saturday to get Virgil C. Lewis, wanted in Long Beach on a jewelry theft charge and apprehended by county, city and FBI officers in the Lassen cemetery at about 10:30 a.m. Thursday morning, following a tip that he was in Susanville.

The cemetery was surrounded by officers. Lewis offered no resistance when he was taken into custody by Sheriff Olin S. Johnson and Officer Otis Hibbs.

Johnson stated that when arrested Lewis had $242 in cash and a full set of burglary tools. A native of Susanville, Lewis had been arrested on numerous various charges.

Prior to World War II he was arrested here on a check charge and sentenced to San Quentin. While in there Lassen county jail pending delivery to San Quentin he escaped from jail by the use of blades passed through the window. He was taken into custody shortly after at Medford, Ore., and returned to Susanville.

During World War II he was pardoned from San Quentin to enlist in the armed services. During the term of service he deserted and was picked up by military authorities. Following the war he was released.

Later Lewis was arrested for passing postal money orders and sentenced to McNeil Island. Last December he was arrested at San Diego on a burglary charge, and while receiving treatment at a San Diego hospital where he was placed under armed guard, he again escaped, taking the guard’s gun.

Sheriff Johnson said local officers had been on the lookout for Lewis since his last escape. Lewis told the officers that he had arrived in Susanville at 4 o’clock Thursday morning.