Ms Geoia and I in our roles as the paparazzi

We started the morning with a walk down the red carpet and it was truly the highlight of my week. Watching my friends strut their stuff in their finest dress up wear was something I will never forget.

On Thursday I lived out my childhood dream of being Samantha from Bewitched, but no matter how hard I wiggled my nose the papers on my desk did not grade themselves!

Students went back to their childhood dressed like Sponge Bob and Patrick, the Fairly Odd Parents, and multiple Disney characters like Bambi, Cinderella, and even Gus and Jaq.

Class of 2026 and their first Homecoming float

Friday’s parade highlighted the work of the classes with their floats and skits. The freshmen chose to create a red carpet with local celebrities Mr. and Mrs. Lassen High School (Christopher Mallory and Aurea Webb) battling Mr. and Mrs. UPrep.

Class of 2025 on their red carpet

The Class of 2025’s red carpet was led by reporter Julienne Bennett who interviewed celebrities and influencers as they made their way to the Homecoming dance. Tom Holland, played by Zayne Wright, took on the UPrep mascot.

Class of 2024 on their horror movie set

Our juniors took a different route and recreated a movie set. Director Justin Ellena held auditions for a character who could scare the Panther played by Tucker Schall. Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, and Jason failed so it was up to the Grizzly (Zeb Hall) to get the job done.

The cast of the Class of 2023’s documentary

Finally, the Class of 2023 presented a documentary film featuring senior and Miss Lassen County Olivia Ormachea. Much to the dismay of her assistant (Mariah Beckman) and film crew, she is kidnapped by a UPrep athlete only to be rescued by both the Grizzly mascot and the Lassen County Sheriff in an epic light saber duel.

The Junior Class took first place in the float competition with the freshmen taking second and the sophomores and seniors following.

Alumni of the Year, Fran Hemphill, was unable to attend the assembly or game and was honored last summer at the annual picnic. Fran was born in Westwood to John and Iris Webb, they later moved to Susanville. She graduated from Lassen High School in 1952.

In 1963 she married JD Hemphill (’51) and became a farm wife. They had two sons, Joseph and Jeff, who are also LHS grads. Granddaughter Abbey is a freshman this year.

Fran has been devoted to helping children and their families through a variety of organizations, including 4-H, Meals on Wheels, veteran’s organizations, Senior Center, and the LHS alumni association. She is most often seen on her side-by-side tooling around the fairgrounds.

Before the Varsity game, the Drill Team presented the flag accompanied by seniors Jeremy Nielsen and Manny LaPorte singing the national anthem. Thanks to donations from the Alumni Association and Ted Marino (’67), the flag is now housed at the high school and can be used for other occasions throughout the year.

Alumni of the year Fran Hemphill

on her ever-present side by side

LHS presents the flag

The week continued into Saturday with an Alumni Field Hockey game. The alumni proved they still “got it” and with several goals from Erin Zubillaga (’17) beat the JV and Varsity players handily. Coach Dorinda Shaffer and alumni Donna Morelini served as referees.

Come back next week for Homecoming Royalty coverage!

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.”

Greg Yeier from the Modoc County Sheriff’s Office, Lassen County

Sheriff Dean Growdon and Susanville Chief of Police Ryan Cochran

Lassen Family Services Holds Annual Law Enforcement Wreath Laying Ceremony

A SusanvilleStuff Photofeature

by Jeremy Couso

On Friday, October 7th, on the lawn at the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, the annual wreath laying ceremony was held honoring the memory of Lassen County Deputy Larry Griffith, Susanville Police Officer Robert McElrath, Modoc County Deputy Jack Hopkins and other law enforcement personnel who put their lives on the line to protect victims of crime and to end domestic violence in our community.

Speakers included Lassen County Sheriff Dean Growdon, Susanville Police Captain Ryan Cochran and Greg Yeier from the Modoc County Sheriff’s Office.

Singer Emily Vorlicky performed the Star-Spangled Banner, Jeremy Couso gave the Invocation and Benediction and Lassen Family Services’ Executive Director Angela Reed spoke.

The annual wreath-laying is one of several events that Lassen Family Services hosts each October to raise awareness during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

“The Susanville Click & Fix not only allows citizens to report concerns, but also to view, comment on, and vote to fix problems submitted by their neighbors,” explains Newton.

The app is a community-driven communication tool and request management system that bridges the gap between constituents and city staff to increase citizen engagement and improve citizen services.

Citizens can create their own “watch areas” to receive notifications about all the issues reported in their community, enabling them to follow the progress of all service requests – not just the ones they report.

You can download the App from Google Play Store or the Apple App Store to stay connected by receiving information on city events, road closures, utility service disruptions, press releases and direct access from your mobile device to services such as online bill pay, city council agendas, job opportunities and much more.

You can also submit your requests and concerns by visiting the City of Susanville’s website.

If you have questions about the ‘Coffee with a Cop’ event, please contact Officer Thuelchassaigne at 1.530.252.1800.

Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the Department’s work in local neighborhoods.

The majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies or emotional situations. Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community, and some community members may feel officers are unapproachable on the street. Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for relaxed, one-on-one interaction.

We hope community members will welcome the opportunity to ask questions, bring concerns forward, or simply get to know our officers. These interactions are the foundation of community partnerships.

Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are being held across the country as local police departments strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve.

The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one cup of coffee at a time.

Uptown Susanville in the early 1940’s from an Eastman Studios postcard

Thief Walks Out With Money Bags

October 11, 1943

The Torrey Rexall Drug Store on Main Street was looted of $500.50 last Saturday evening during open hours. Ardel Torrey, owner, discovered the loss about 8:20 p.m. shortly after he heard the crossbar of the rear door drop.

The thief apparently walked in with the ordinary customers. And then went to the office where he picked up the leather bag containing the money out of the unlocked safe. Torrey said the money was chiefly in twenty dollar bills.

Footprints were found leading out of a small window from the office and through the rear storeroom. The rear door can only be locked from the inside by a large crossbar. Torrey said he locked it at 6 p.m. as customary, and after he heard the large iron bar drop about 8:20 p.m. he discovered the door was unlocked.

Thinking that someone had gone out of the rear door at a later hour, he paid little attention until a few minutes later, when he stepped into the office and found things disrupted in the safe and discovered the loss.

Nothing else was apparently molested in the office. Torrey said the money is not ordinarily there.