My dad wakes really early every morning. And on Tuesdays he gets up and reads my column. (Good morning dad!) When there isn’t one, he worries. And then I think he questions my work ethic.

It might come as a surprise, but I am a proud procrastinator. (shhh…don’t tell my students.) Yes, sometimes I start writing my article on Sunday but usually it’s during my lunch or after school on Monday. A lot of weeks I don’t even know what topic will be until I sit down at the keyboard.

Luckily, I work at a place where there is always something going on.

Currently we’re 15 minutes into Cookies and Cram and the 40 or so students here have gone through six dozen cookies.

Back to my dad…he is the hardest working person I know. As a kid I remember my dad being gone all day. He is a land surveyor and works outside, coming home with dirty boots and a suntan. My brother and I would go straight for his lunch pail to see if he had any treats for us. A Hostess cupcake or fruit pie, maybe.

One day we opened the lid and found a horned toad inside!

On the weekends, my dad would work around the yard, get firewood, go to the dump, and watch football on Sunday. He might get called out on a fire or to assist with an accident since he was a volunteer firefighter.

There were many years that he coached basketball for various youth teams and played in the mens’ league. His buddies in the firehall competed in a show of firefighters’ skills called a “muster.”

Later, he served on the Susanville City Council and was even the mayor. All that and he still had time to be a great dad and then the best papa ever.

As I write this, I realize that maybe this is where I get my “I can do it all” gene. Which makes it even more important that I make my deadline today! He would have never “called in” because he felt overwhelmed and uninspired.

He also wouldn’t have been worried about Christmas shopping and holiday meals, but that’s because my mom was. And that’s another column.

Merry Christmas everyone! We’ll see you in 2024.

Remember when news was ‘newsy’? When you read about weddings, family events and engagement announcements in the newspaper? If you have something that might be newsworthy, please submit it to shelleybennett24@gmail.com and I’ll do my best to include it here in “The Good Stuff.”

“This verdict is a first of its kind for Lassen County,” explains Lassen County District Attorney Melyssah Rios, who tried and prosecuted the case.

“We appreciate the jury recognizing the dangerousness of the type of conduct Moore engaged in and further emphasizing the message that furnishing controlled substances, such as oxycodone, is dangerous to human life.”

“If someone dies as a result of ingesting controlled substances, and the evidence supports it, the person providing those substances can be charged with murder.”

“We thank the jury for their time and attention over the course of this week. We also thank the decedent’s family for their patience and continued support over the last 22 months. We hope this verdict helps bring them some long-awaited closure.”

This case was investigated by the Susanville Police Department, the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lassen County District Attorney Investigations unit with Rios calling it a collaborative effort by all agencies.

This project proposes to update the Lassen National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map and allow off-highway vehicles access on 147.8 additional miles of National Forest System Road.

The project is needed to create a system of existing motorized routes available to off-highway vehicles that include loops of a size to create interest in the rides, provide access to overlooks and recreational areas, and create connections to county roads already available to OHVs.

This proposed decision is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218, subparts A and B. A written objection must be submitted to the reviewing officer within forty-five calendar days following publication of the legal notice of the objection period, which was published in the Lassen County Times on December 15, 2023.

Copies of the Environmental Assessment and Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact are available for review at the Lassen National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 2550 Riverside Drive, Susanville, CA 96130. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding federal holidays. These documents continue to also be available online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/lassen/?project=55457.

Objections can only be accepted from those who have previously submitted specific, written comments regarding the project during the scoping and opportunity for comment periods.

Objections can be submitted by mail, delivered in person, by fax, or submitted electronically. To submit and objection, hand deliver or mail to “Objection Reviewing Officer, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region at 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592.” Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding federal holidays.

For additional information, please contact Tamera Taylor, NEPA Planner, at tamera.taylor@usda.gov or by phone at (530) 336-5521.

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Snowy uptown in the late 1920’s

Stage all Set for Community Christmas Tree

December 19, 1923

Everything is in readiness for the big community Christmas tree of the Salvation Army.

At a special conference with Santa Claus held early this week all the details of his appearance were worked out and an evening of real delight for the children has been arranged.

This conference was held with Santa over the Radio at his headquarters at the North Pole.

Between 400 and 500 children are expected to be present and Captain Diez the local representative of Santa Claus, on this occasion has completed all details so that none will be missed. Santa will have something for every one of the kiddies.

A fair list of names of deserving families has been made up by Captain Diez and they will be taken care of during this season. Any additional names suggested by anyone will be welcomed by the captain.

Everyone is urged to cooperate in this effort of the army as possible.

The program will commence at 7 o’clock P.M. sharp on Monday, December 21 so as not to interfere with any family trees to be held later in the evening.

Grown-ups are just as welcome as the kiddies so do not hesitate to put in an appearance at the high school auditorium.