Volume XVI Issue 230

Friday, June 21st, 2024

Jeremy Couso with past Alumnus of the Year Bill Ellena, George Sargent,

Linda and Dale Soule, Jim Chapman, Donna Morelini and Jerry Attaway

Couso Named Lassen High Alumnus of the Year at Annual Picnic

A SusanvilleStuff Photofeature

by Marshel and Jeremy Couso

Lassen High School class of 1988 graduate Jeremy Couso was honored by the LHS Alumni Association Saturday as their Alumnus of Year, at the group’s annual picnic, held at the Lassen County Fairgrounds.

More than three hundred former Lassen students attended the event which included graduates from as far back as the 1950’s.

The youngest attendee was Justin Ellena from the class of 2024 and Darrell and Marsha Gardner were honored as the Alumnus that came from furthest away.

Alumni Association President Donna Morelini, from the class of 1962, presided over the ceremony – introducing picnic committee chair Deanna French, Kathryn Dempsey and Michelle Zubillaga.

Morelini honored outgoing Lassen High Superintendent Morgan Nugent, who she had worked with on several projects, calling him a, “true friend of the Alumni Association.”

Morelini explained that on numerous occasions Nugent, who came to Lassen in 2019, had helped make Alumni related projects possible, providing follow-through that she had never recieved from previous administrators.

She also wished him well as he leaves Susanville for his new job as superintendent at the Fall River School District July 1st.

Niki Jarrell, from the class of 1991 introduced Jeremy Couso as the Alumnus of the Year, saying, “When I think about this recipient the first words that come to mind are Community Connect. This community member is a multi-faceted as they come. From being President of the Lassen County Historical Society, MC of the Miss Lassen County Pageant, Dancing for a Brand New Me, Crime Stoppers, Susanville Symphony and the Lassen High Alumni Association just to name a few.”

According to Jarrell, after graduating from Lassen High Couso received his master’s degree in communication, a degree she says he still uses every day.

“This Alumnus is also a fantastic musician,” Jarrell continued, “He began playing piano at the age of eight. He joined his first rock band when he was 16 and continues to perform with his current band. In fact, I hear he was rocking the house last night. In addition to performing, he has been a songwriter and studio pianist, recording on several nationally released albums.”

“The recipient received the 2016 Susanville Police Officer Association’s Hometown Hero Award. He also purchased and had installed a new American Flag for the Susanville Elks Hall when he found them in need of one.”

Jarrell called Couso a dedicated business owner who brings us our daily news, weather, sports and emergency information along with daily pictures from his morning walks. Couso and his wife Marshel own SusanvilleStuff.com and Couso Technology and Design.

“These are just some of the accolades he deserves,” Jarrell concluded, “If you attend any community event in Susanville, you can be assured that this alumnus will be there with his camera capturing the life and heart of our community so it can be enjoyed by all of us.”

“This was a complete surprise! I was just here to take pictures,” explained Couso, who mainly stood in the corner and blushed.

“It is an amazing honor to stand here. I watched earlier as they introduced the past recipients of this award and every single one of them is someone that I have admired and respected for years. To be included in their ranks is just incredible. Thank you.”

[editor’s note: It’s really difficult to write news stories about yourself.]

We have more pictures from the Alumni Picnic over at SusanvilleStuff.com. Click here to see them all!

Shaffer Elementary Breaks Ground on New TK Classroom

Photos by Mikalah Gray

Shaffer Elementary School in Litchfield broke ground for construction of a new TK Classroom June 5th, kicking off a six month project funded through the PKTKFDK Funding Grant Program and other local funds.

Superintendent Principal Josh Blackburn welcomed Shaffer’s Board of Education – President Silas Rojas, Clerk Linda Joseph, Kellynn Simms, Kyle Parady and Jake Martin.

“King consulting helped us find funding,” explained Blackburn, “Approximately 90% of the funds are from grants.”

Blackburn said that Core Construction have been extremely kind and helpful and Jenn from Van Pelt is helping and consulting for free. Eagle architect is helping design the new building.

The same group of nice folks are also helping the school install a new septic system.

“This declaration of suspension of all burn permits has come to fruition after a wet winter and above-average snowpack, warmer temperatures, and winds are quickly drying out the abundant annual grass crop,” explains Bengoa-Bollinger.

Please visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org for information on how to create Defensible Space, Home Hardening, Evacuation Planning and how to be prepared for wildfire.

You may also contact the Susanville Fire Department for directions and information.

Host Drum for the event are 4 BANDZ from White Swan, Washington.

Head Woman is Alissa Sanchez and Head Man is Justus Eaglesmith. The arena director will be Algin Scabbyrobe. The event MC will be MC Skunk Scabbyrobe.

The first Grand Entry of the weekend, with its colorful dancing and music, is Friday at 7:00p.m.

For more information contact Powwow Chairwoman Amelia Luna at 1.530.310.2623 or email powwow@sir.nsn.gov. Click here to visit the SIR website.

Bluegrass acts already booked for the festival include Darin and Brooke Aldridge, Volume Five, Edgar Loudermilk Band, Hillbilly Fever Band, Eddy B and Pure Country, Yoseff Tucker and the Bow Ties, Red Dog Ash, Sugarpine Bluegrass and The Strung Nugget Gang.

A three-day festival pass is $90 and you can click here to purchase them online.

For more information visit the Susanville Bluegrass Festival’s website.

A 1931 model Pitcairn auto-gyro from thisdayinaviation.com

California Candidate Downed at Susanville as Autogyro Breaks

June 21, 1932

Tallant Tubbs, candidate for the Republican senatorial nomination, said tonight he was safe and planning to continue his tour of the northern counties in an autogyro, despite an accident to the plane today. “We were six miles out of Susanville, at an altitude of 6000 feet, starting to climb the Sierras, bound for Downieville, when one of the two strut wires supporting the left-wing crystalized and broke,” Tubbs said.

“Due to the fact we were in an autogyro instead of an airplane, we were able to return to Susanville and land. We will continue our tour of northern counties Saturday morning after the wire has been repaired.” he declared.

The airship’s pilot Hugo Bauhaus, from the Bauhaus family of aeronauts, said that although there were some tense moments after the struts failed he at no point felt as though he and his passenger were in danger of crashing to the forest below.

Robb Thomas Williams April 28, 2024

Celebration of Life for Faye and Geraldine (Gerry) Roberts

Steven William Dustin – May 16, 2024

Daniel Mark Gaumont – May 28th, 2024

Scott Allen Evans – May 30, 2024