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Volume XVIII Issue 214
Thursday, May 28th, 2026
| | A screengrab from the bodycam video released by the Susanville Police Department shows a man dangling a child out a second floor window of an apartment on Richmond Road. | |
Susanville PD Releases Bodycam Footage of Officer Involved Shooting
The Susanville Police Department and the Lassen County District Attorney’s Office have released critical updates regarding an officer-involved shooting that took place earlier this month in the 300 block of Richmond Road.
On Wednesday, authorities announced the release of a “Critical Incident Video” alongside the completion of a formal case review by Lassen County District Attorney Melyssah Rios.
According to police records, the incident originally unfolded on May 7th at approximately 12:25a.m., when officers responded to an apartment building on Richmond Road.
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Police Department Releases Body-Cam Footage
The newly released Critical Incident Video contains body-worn camera footage, audio recordings, and chronological details compiled from the morning of the encounter.
Susanville Public Safety Chief Allen Sobol stated that the department is sharing the footage to maintain transparency and provide the community with necessary context about the rapidly evolving situation.
According to Chief Sobol, officers responded to an apartment where an armed subject attacked an officer with a machete. Children were present inside the residence at the time of the violent assault.
One Susanville police officer sustained injuries during the confrontation. The officer was transported to a local hospital, treated for their injuries, and subsequently released.
“The Susanville Police Department recognizes that incidents involving the use of force are significant for our community and our officers,” Chief Sobol said. “We appreciate the public’s patience and attention in reviewing the information being shared.”
Follow this link to watch the video on the Susanville Police Department’s Facebook page.
District Attorney Concludes Case Review
Lassen County District Attorney Melyssah Rios confirmed that her office has finished its independent evaluation of the investigative files submitted regarding the officer-involved shooting.
The findings have been compiled into a comprehensive public report. Under California Assembly Bill 748, agencies are required to release relevant portions of investigative files—including body-worn camera footage involving the deadly use of force—within 45 days of an incident.
Rios noted that because Lassen County is currently transitioning to a brand-new public website, residents trying to find the formal report may need to look closely at the digital layout. The full document is currently hosted on the county’s existing web portal and can be accessed by following this link.
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Lassen Land & Trails Trust and Thompson Peak Writer’s Workshop to Host Poet Lara Gularte
Lassen Land & Trails Trust, in partnership with the Thompson Peak Writer’s Workshop, will welcome a special guest speaker, Lara Gularte, for an evening of literature and poetry. The community event is scheduled for June 14th and will begin at 4:00p.m. in the Historic Railroad Depot at 601 Richmond Road.
Gularte, El Dorado’s Poet Laureate Emeritus, is fresh back from the Himalayan Literature Festival in Kathmandu, Nepal. During her presentation, she will talk about the current state of literature, share stories about growing up in a ranching family and read a selection of her poetry.
Her work has drawn high praise from literary professionals. Literary critic Vamberto Freitas noted that in all her work, Gularte “reaffirms the sacred power of poetry itself—the art that binds the finite to the infinite.”
| | | The public is warmly invited to come out, hear a seasoned writer speak, and enjoy her remarkable work. This upcoming evening is promoted by The Thompson Peaks Writers’ Workshop. Anyone interested in obtaining further information regarding the event can call 1.530.253.3303. | | |
Hunter Education and Firearm Safety Class Announced for August
A traditional, classroom-setting Hunter Education and Firearm Safety Class has been scheduled for this August at the Janesville Fire Hall. The two-day instructional series is designed to prepare students for safe, responsible and ethical hunting practices.
In an effort to raise safety and conservation awareness, California’s first hunter education law was enacted in 1954. Today, California law requires hunter education training for anyone who has never held a California hunting license, does not possess a valid hunter education certificate, or does not have a hunting license from another state or province issued within the past two years.
Classes will be held August 1st and August 8th, at the Janesville Fire Hall, 463-390 Main Street in Janesville. Students must attend both days of instruction to take the final examination and receive their certificate of completion.
Important Notes for Parents & Guardians
Classes are offered throughout the State by more than 1,000 certified volunteer instructors, all dedicated to keeping hunting safe, ethical, and available to all Californians. If you have young students attending, please keep the following guidelines in mind:
Consent Forms: If the student is under 18 years of age, a required Student Consent Form must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Supervision & Mentoring: Parents or guardians are highly encouraged to attend with young students, especially those younger than age 16, to help define new words or provide additional mentoring during and after class.
Examination Policy: Generally, parents and guardians will not be allowed to assist students while they are taking the required final exam.
Seating is limited. To register for this class and reserve your seat follow this link. wildlife.ca.gov/hunter-education.
For more information please contact instructor Dave Henderson at 1.530.249.2624 or email yotesniper1@gmail.com.
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California Secretary of State Reminds Voters of Mail in Deadlines for June 2nd Election
The California Secretary of State’s office is issuing a final reminder to voters that Tuesday, June 2nd, is the last day to cast a ballot in the California Primary Election.
Officials are urging residents to finalize their voting plans and highlighting a crucial warning regarding mail-in ballots to ensure every vote counts.
While all active registered voters in California were sent a ballot with a prepaid postage return envelope, state election officials are drawing special attention to the United States Postal Service’s processing times.
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To be counted, a mailed ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day (June 2nd) and received by your county elections office by June 9th. However, state officials warn that depending on the location, mail may not actually be postmarked by the USPS until the following day. Additionally, some local postal facilities do not transport mail on the exact day it is dropped off.
Because a late postmark will cause a ballot to be disqualified, the Secretary of State recommends that if you choose to mail your ballot, you should do so well in advance of June 2nd. If you must mail it close to or on Election Day, officials strongly advise taking the ballot inside your local U.S. Post Office and requesting a manual postmark from a postal employee at the counter.
For those who prefer to avoid the mail system entirely, ballots can be dropped off securely at any official drop box, polling location, vote center, or the county elections office by 8:00p.m. on Election Day. Local drop-off and early voting options can be found online at caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov.
If you plan to vote in person on Tuesday, you can find your designated polling place at sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place.
Lost or Missing Ballots
Lassen County residents who did not receive their ballot, or those whose ballots were lost or damaged, can request a replacement. Voters can contact or visit the Lassen County Elections Office to get a new ballot.
To verify your current registration status, visit voterstatus.sos.ca.gov.
5 Steps to Ensure Your Vote Counts
Election officials have outlined five easy steps to successfully exercise your right to vote:
- Complete your ballot: Carefully mark your choices on the ballot.
- Seal your ballot: Secure the ballot inside the official prepaid return envelope provided by the county.
- Sign your ballot: You must sign the outside of the return envelope. Make sure your signature matches the one on your California driver’s license, state ID, or voter registration form. County election officials will compare these signatures before your ballot is counted.
- Return your ballot: Drop it off at a secure drop box or polling place by 8:00 p.m. on June 2nd, vote in person, or mail it early with a clear postmark.
- Track your ballot: Voters can sign up for automatic updates at wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov to track their ballot’s progress via text, email, or voice call.
For any questions or assistance regarding the upcoming primary election, voters can call the state’s toll-free English voter hotline at 1.800.345.8683.
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Westwood Unified School District Seeking Applicants to Fill Vacant Board of Trustees Seat
The Westwood Unified School District is looking for civic-minded community members who want to play a vital role in shaping local education. Following the recent resignation of a member of the Board of Trustees, the district has announced it is accepting applications to fill the vacant seat via a provisional appointment.
The decision to call for a provisional appointment was voted on and approved by the Board during a special meeting on April 22nd. This opening gives a dedicated local resident the chance to step up, represent the Westwood community, and help guide district policies and student success.
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Who Can Apply?
To be considered for this provisional appointment, community members must meet the following criteria:
District Residency: You must be a current resident of the Westwood Unified School District.
Complete an Application Questionnaire: Applicants are required to fill out a candidate questionnaire.
How to Apply:
Application packets and questionnaires can be obtained by contacting Trena Smith at the Westwood Unified School District, Westwood, CA, 96137, or by calling (530) 256-2311.
Completed questionnaires must be submitted back to the Westwood Unified School District Office no later than 12:00 p.m. on Friday, June 12th.
Next Steps and Term Info:
The Board of Trustees will review all qualifying candidate applications and expects to fill the vacancy at its June 17th, board meeting. The selected appointee will then be sworn in and officially seated at the June 18th, meeting.
Unless a petition calling for a special election (containing a sufficient number of signatures) is filed with the Lassen County Office of Education within 30 days of the appointment, the provisional appointment will become fully effective. The chosen appointee will hold office until the next regularly scheduled board member election in November 2026.
If you live in the district and want to make a meaningful difference for local students and staff, make sure to request your application questionnaire before the June 12th deadline
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Almanor Fishing Association Invites All Veterans to June 27th Fishing Day
The Almanor Fishing Association has announced the return of the premier veterans’ fishing event in Northern California, scheduled for Saturday, June 27th. Since its inception in 2016, this tradition has grown into a cornerstone community event, offering a day of outdoor recreation and meaningful camaraderie on the beautiful waters of Lake Almanor.
The festivities begin earlier in the week with the Veterans Fish Camp, running from June 24th through June 29th at the Rocky Point Campground Group Camp. Participation for the camp is by reservation only, and interested veterans should contact Michael Jones at 1.530.520.2304 to secure their spot.
To kick off the main event weekend, everyone is invited to a Friday Night Meet and Greet on June 26th at the Chester Elks Hall. From 5:00p.m. to 7:00p.m., guests can enjoy appetizers and a no-host bar while connecting with fellow service members.
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On the main event day, veterans will enjoy a morning of fishing followed by a boat parade at Flag Island. The celebration continues at the Lake Almanor Country Club Rec 1 Picnic Area, where a catered BBQ lunch will be served from 2:00 to 6:00p.m.
Participants will also receive an event hat and have the chance to win various raffle prizes. Most importantly, the entire experience is provided completely free for veterans in coordination with the local Elks Club.
Registration for this year’s event officially opens on March 1st, and will remain open until the deadline on June 14th. To sign up and ensure your place in this incredible day of fishing and community, please visit almanorfishingassociation.org.
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1,000 Lbs. Beef for Barbecue Sunday
May 28, 1972
BARBECUE SITE. Business end of the Lassen County Cow Belles 10th annual beef barbecue scheduled for this Sunday is this deep barbecue pit located south of the grandstand on the county fairgrounds.
A thousand pounds of carefully prepared beef will be buried deep in hot coals from this oak wood fire to cook slowly for a full 12 hours before serving. A potential beef eater checks the fire’s progress.
Lassen County Cow Belles are set to feed one of the biggest “round-up crews” of the year this Sunday for their 10th annual beef barbecue at the county fairgrounds.
Provisions are on hand to feed more than 1,500 people, starting with 1,000 pounds of choice rolled chuck roasts that will be barbecued underground for a full 12 hours before serving time.
Once again Tom Jenkins of Susanville will mastermind the beef cookery department. First he will carefully season the beef and wrap it in aluminum foil and then gunny sacks. Fires of oak wood will be started in the deep barbecue pit north of the fairgrounds grandstand and by Saturday night the carefully prepared beef will be buried underground in a deep blanket of hot coals to cook slowly for the full 12 hours. Serving of the barbecue starts at 10:30a.m. Sunday and will continue through to approximately 5p.m.
To the beef, Cow Belles will add 80 pounds of barbecued beans, 80 loaves of French bread, 100 homemade cakes and 75 heads of lettuce and 250 tomatoes for tossed green salad.
All Lassen County Cow Belles, 102 members strong, work together to produce this event, proceeds from which provide a $500 agricultural college scholarship annually to a deserving Lassen County student as well as provide funds for other community projects and industry services.
Cow Belles looked back over a decade of history as they prepared this tenth event. In 1962, they fed 450 people, last year it was close to 1,700.
This year Cow Belles were happy to point out that food in general and beef in particular is still the biggest bargain the consumer can buy. This year the Cow Belles kept the price of the barbecue tickets for “all you can eat” at the same price they have been for more than five years.
Co-chairmen of this year’s event are Mary Bengard of Eagle Lake and Janet Chappuis of Standish. Other Cow Belles heading the various committees are: Marge Buckner, food purchasing; Dorothy Capezzoli, serving; Dorothy MacDonald, decorations; Donna Beckett, tickets; Gloria Farris, meat; Alma Flux, cakes; Bertie Fraley, bread; Louise Bennett, coffee; Elburna McClelland, salad; Margaret Doyle, salad dressing; Evelyn Rowland, hot dog stand; Janice Flux, refreshment stand; Dorothy Morelini, clean-up; Lyn Allen, publicity.
The barbecue is being held in conjunction with the Lassen County Junior Rodeo sponsored by the county cattlemen’s association.
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Through your membership you help preserve local history. You can download a membership application by clicking here.
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