| | |
Volume XVIII Issue 206
Monday, May 18th, 2026
| |
Water Department Asks Customers to Conserve Water as City’s Largest Well Fails
An equipment failure early Saturday morning has disabled the City’s largest well, which serves as the primary source of irrigation water for summer usage. According to the Water Department, the city is currently relying on a backup well with a smaller pumping capacity.
“Given the circumstances, the City’s utmost concern revolves around ensuring an adequate water supply for fire suppression purposes. Maintaining a sufficient volume of water in storage is critical to enhance the fire safety measures in Susanville.”
| | | |
“Considering this situation, we kindly request the cooperation of all Susanville residents in reducing their outdoor watering activities by 25%. By collectively adhering to this measure, we aim to minimize water consumption and prioritize the preservation of our limited resources to maximize the city’s fire safety preparedness.”
City crews are actively working to address the problem and restore normal operations as quickly and safely as possible. Until repairs are completed and storage levels recover, the city is asking all customers to limit all non-essential water use.
Please conserve water by:
- Limiting outdoor irrigation and lawn watering
- Avoiding washing vehicles, driveways, and sidewalks
- Postponing non-essential water use
- Reducing overall household water consumption whenever possible
Your cooperation will help the City maintain adequate water supply and system stability during this critical period.
“We appreciate the public’s patience, cooperation, and understanding while repairs are underway. Additional updates will be provided as information becomes available.”
| | |
Lassen County Sheriff Addresses Community
Concerns Over Flock Safety Cameras
Lassen County Sheriff John McGarva issued a public statement on Friday addressing mounting community concerns regarding the recent implementation of Flock Safety cameras throughout the county.
The Sheriff’s Office currently operates 13 Flock cameras placed in strategic locations across Lassen County. According to McGarva, the technology was adopted as part of the department’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and protection of local residents.
However, as questions regarding privacy and surveillance circulate among community members, the Sheriff sought to clarify exactly how the cameras are used—and how they are not.
What Flock Cameras Are Used For
Sheriff McGarva emphasized that the 13 cameras are proactive investigative tools designed specifically to combat serious criminal activities. The technology is utilized to provide law enforcement with actionable leads in cases involving:
- Human trafficking
- Missing persons
- Stolen vehicles and property crimes
- Drug and weapons trafficking
- Other felonious offenses
What They Are Not Used For
In an effort to ease public anxiety, the Sheriff’s statement explicitly outlined the limitations of the system, noting that the cameras are not designed for routine traffic enforcement or citizen surveillance.
“We want to be clear: These cameras are not used for traffic enforcement purposes—such as speeding, expired registration, mechanical violations, or minor infractions,” McGarva stated. Furthermore, the Sheriff’s Office clarified that the cameras do not take photographs of vehicle occupants and do not possess facial recognition capabilities.
How the Technology Works
The Flock system works by capturing license plate data and specific vehicle characteristics. This data allows deputies to quickly identify suspect vehicles, track vehicle movements relevant to active investigations, and receive real-time alerts for Amber Alerts, stolen vehicles or known threats.
Addressing privacy concerns regarding the captured data, the Sheriff’s Office stated that all information is securely stored and is only accessible to authorized law enforcement personnel for investigative purposes.
Legal Compliance and Community Context
Sheriff McGarva assured residents that constitutional protections are being fully respected. The statement noted that legal advisors and partner agencies have reviewed and affirmed that the use of this technology complies with both state and federal guidelines, including the Fourth Amendment protecting against unlawful searches and seizures.
McGarva also contextualized the technology as a “natural extension” of existing safety measures, pointing out that surveillance cameras are already widely used by private businesses, homeowners and in public spaces across Lassen County.
“This is not a step toward unnecessary surveillance,” McGarva said, describing it instead as “smart policing” that assists deputies in solving crimes, rescuing vulnerable individuals, and keeping the county safe. “At the end of the day, our top priority is—and always will be—to protect the citizens of Lassen County. Flock cameras are simply another tool that helps us do that more effectively and efficiently.”
The Sheriff’s Office concluded the statement by reaffirming its commitment to transparency, integrity and accountability, inviting any residents with questions or looking for more information about the Flock cameras to contact the department directly.
| |
Look Twice for Motorcycles: Police Department Shares Crucial Safety Tips for Motorcycle Month
With the arrival of warmer weather, more motorcycles are taking to the roads in and around Susanville. Because of this seasonal increase, the Susanville Police Department is reminding all drivers to always look twice for motorcycles. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, making it the perfect time for everyone to stay alert, reduce crashes and save lives.
The stakes are high. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 6,335 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes in the U.S. in 2023, representing 15 percent of total highway fatalities for that year. Closer to home, 583 motorcyclists were killed in California in 2023.
| | | |
Tips for Drivers
To help protect everyone on the road, drivers are encouraged to keep these safety habits top of mind:
Check your surroundings: Always check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes.
Give them space: Do not follow a motorcycle too closely. Always maintain a safe driving distance.
Verify intentions: If you see a motorcycle with a turn signal on, be careful. Be absolutely sure that the rider is turning before you move ahead.
Tips for Motorcyclists
Riders can take proactive steps to minimize risks and increase their visibility:
Gear up properly: Always wear a U.S. DOT-compliant helmet with eye protection.
Wear protective clothing: Choose leather or other sturdy clothing, such as a jacket, pants, gloves, and boots with nonskid soles.
Be visible: Add reflective strips or decals to your clothing and motorcycle to make it easier for other drivers to see you. Always keep your lights on, even during the day.
Ride defensively: Don’t assume a driver can see you. Avoid riding in a vehicle’s blind spot.
A Shared Responsibility
Lastly, safety is a two-way street. Both drivers and riders should never drive or ride while distracted, and absolutely never operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
For more safety information or community updates, you can contact the Susanville Police Department at 1.530.257.5603.
| |
Agenda: May 19th 2026, Lassen
County Board of Supervisors Meeting
There will be a Lassen County Board of Supervisors Meeting on Tuesday, May 19th, 2026, at 9:00a.m. at the Board Chambers, 707 Nevada Street, Susanville.
Click here to download a printable agenda for the meeting.
| | |
395 Wildlife Crossing Discussion to be Held This Thursday at the Fairgrounds
Local residents are invited to attend a public presentation regarding a major safety and conservation initiative: the US 395 Wildlife Crossing Project. The event will take place on Thursday, May 21st, at 6:00p.m. at Jensen Hall.
The presentation will provide the community with an in-depth look at plans to build a wildlife crossing near Hallelujah Junction.
| | | |
Speakers for the evening include John Clerici of the Lassen County Transportation Commission and Mari Galloway, California Program Director for the Wildlands Network.
Why a Wildlife Crossing?
Highway 395 is a critical artery for North-South travel, but it also bisects essential migration routes for species that have been in decline for decades. Specifically, the highway cuts through sagebrush habitats to the east and the Sierra Nevada range to the west, creating a hazardous barrier for the Doyle and Loyalton mule deer herds.
Beyond mule deer, the project aims to reconnect habitats for bears, wolves, pronghorn and the gray fox.
Roadways are a leading cause of wildlife mortality and habitat fragmentation. By providing safe passage, these crossings can improve wildlife movement and have been shown to reduce dangerous wildlife-vehicle collisions by up to 100%.
Economic and Safety Benefits
The project isn’t just about conservation; it’s about public safety and fiscal responsibility. Properly designed wildlife crossings can provide net financial benefits that far exceed construction costs by reducing the high price of vehicle repairs, medical expenses, and emergency responses associated with highway collisions.
Project Status and Funding
In August 2023, the Wildlife Conservation Board awarded a $5,375,000 grant to the Lassen County Transportation Office to support the planning and design phases. This success was the result of a collaborative effort between the Lassen County Transportation Commission, Wildlands Network, U.C. Davis Road Ecology Center, and Dudek.
The project team is currently assessing potential sites for their ecological importance and engineering feasibility. According to the project timeline, the US 395 Wildlife Crossing Project is expected to be “shovel-ready” by 2028.
Join the Discussion
Community feedback is a vital part of the planning process. Residents are encouraged to attend the May 21st meeting to learn more about how this project will enhance safety for both motorists and wildlife in Lassen and Sierra Counties.
| |
Agenda: Lassen Fish and
Game Commission May 21st, 2026
The Lassen County Fish and Game Commission will be holding a Special Meeting at the Lassen County Fairgrounds this Thursday, May 21st, 2026 at 6:00p.m.
The meeting is being held to allow for the scheduled presentation: 395 Wildlife Crossing Project Talk, with speakers John Clerici, with the Lassen County Transportation Commission, and Mari Galloway, California Program Director Wildlands Network.
| | | |
Matters under the jurisdiction of the Commission, and not on the posted agenda, may be addressed by the general public at the time provided on the agenda. The Commission limits testimony on matters not on the agenda to five (5) minutes per person and not more than ten (10) minutes for a particular subject.
Click here to download a printable agenda for the meeting.
| | |
Connect with SusanvilleStuff on
Facebook, Instagram and YouTube!
| | | |
Spring Dance Concert Friday and Saturday
May 18, 1979
DANCE CONCERT — Two hours of dance, featuring more than 30 dancers, will be featured in “Mercurial Moments,” the spring dance concert to be presented by the Lassen College Dance Production Class Friday and Saturday at McKinley School.
From left, performers Joan Kennedy, Eve Gibson and Theresa Mason are shown rehearsing a number for the upcoming performance.
The cast includes 24 adults and 10 children. Performances will begin at 8 p.m. in the school auditorium. Tickets will be available at the door or from cast members.
The production is being coordinated by dance instructors Tanya Braunstein and Lynda Baer. (Advocate photo).
| |
| | |
If you are a fan of our daily history stories you should join the Lassen Historical Society! It's a fun way to be a part of our county's rich history. When you sign up you'll receive regular Historical Society newsletters with interesting stories and information. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in area history.
Through your membership you help preserve local history. You can download a membership application by clicking here.
| | | |
Contribute to SusanvilleStuff
Our independent, local coverage takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. We work around the clock to keep you informed whenever something important happens.
While we make a significant portion of our money from advertising revenues, these days, with certain economic realities that we face in Lassen County, those can only go so far to support what we do.
| | | SusanvilleStuff WebXtra is a copyrighted feature of Couso Technology and Design | | | | |
