Supervisor Gary Bridges with Archer and C.J. Hewitt at Sunday’s ceremony

After all, ‘Never Forget’ is a tall order in a hurried world that has trouble remembering what happened last week. Yet in Susanville, perhaps because time moves a little slower here, the ceremony is still well attended every year.

I see a lot of the same faces each time, and there are some that have attended every ceremony since 2011. Old friends that meet at the Fire Hall lawn every September 11th.

On Sunday Chief Moore once again held the remembrance. It’s one of those truly solemn events. Especially poignant for those who remember the events of September 11th, 2001. Those who remember where they were twenty-one years ago when the first plane hit the World Trade Center.

The SFD’s ceremony pays tribute to the firefighters, paramedics, police officers and other innocent victims who were killed in the attack.

Just before 7:00a.m., the group assembles in front of the Fire Hall’s flagpole.

There is a special monument on the lawn dedicated to the 2,977 people killed in the September 11th attacks, 412 of which were emergency workers in New York City who responded to the World Trade Center.

The remembrance begins with a haunting radio call, a call to service which is left unanswered by those who lost their lives that morning. The American flag is raised by the Color Guard, dropped to half-staff, then a memorial wreath is placed on the 9/11 monument.

In the early years of the ceremony, it was presided over by Pastor Bruce Engel, now Chaplain Danny Matchniff reads a short, passionate prayer.

And bagpipes! Real bagpipes! How many other little towns have an actual live bagpipe player for ceremonies such as these? C. J. Hewitt brings something so solemn, so perfect, to the occasion. This year he was joined by his son Archer, who helped with the ceremony.

Taps was played by the incredible Craig Harris. I have to emphasize this was on a real honest-to-goodness trumpet and not one of those computerized bugles that are popular at ceremonies nowadays.

CalFire’s Lassen Modoc Unit brought lots of firefighters and of course there was the usual outpouring of support from local L.E.O.s, both in and out of uniform. The audience was filled with community leaders, dignitaries and folks who came out on the smoky, kind of chilly, morning to pay their tributes.

Rachel Vincent and her Cadet Corps, who have been a part of the ceremony for several years, were missed, as the cadet program is not running this year at the school.

It is very somber, and very respectful and it is something I am immensely proud of us for doing year after year without fail.

News from around town

Sierra Theatre is reopening after a bit of remodeling and the addition of beer and wine, along with pizza slices, and this weekend you can see Bad Moms or Caddyshack for free and have an adult beverage! You get a free slice of pizza with each beer or glass of wine.

There is a new equipment rental place in town! Cashman Equipment has opened a new store in the old Baxter Auto building just past Kentucky Fried Chicken on Johnstonville Road.

Hey! Come see the Symphony this weekend! This is pure self-promotion because tomorrow at the Concert on the Green I get to sing a song. I LOVE doing this concert on the lawn at the old Courthouse, it’s a lot of fun to be a part of, with lots of people who are far more talented than I.

The concert starts at five and you can get tickets online at susanvillesymphony.org or from Margie’s Book Nook.

Bottle and Brush Art Bar is doing Trivia Nights and rumor has it that Mikalah and the Shaffer Elementary Trivia Team are unstoppable. I’m pretty sure the SusanvilleStuff trivia team could take them though.

Susanville’s nightlife is amazingly more active than it has been in years with several new places and things to do around town for entertainment. Awesome!

I think that is all! Have a great weekend everybody!

“You name it and most likely we will be playing it!” says Symphony Conductor Ben Wade. 

The concert features a fun, family atmosphere with people bringing picnic lunches, lawn chairs and blankets to watch the show from the courthouse lawn.

To make it a truly special day for families, the symphony is letting all children sixteen and under accompanied by a parent into the concert for free.

“We want to continue to foster the family focus of this concert. Patrons are welcome to come early and set up their camp.”

There will be a raffle and prizes for those who sign up for season tickets at the Concert on the Green, as well as a prize for the best “dressed” table.

If you buy a season ticket now you will get a discounted price on the five-concert season. General admission to each concert is $30, so if you plan to see them all the $125 season ticket makes sense.

The season ticket membership drive is currently open for the Susanville Symphony. If you would like more information about season tickets or membership in the Susanville Symphony, you can click here and download the season 19 brochure or drop by Susanville Dental Care at 720 Ash Street.

You can purchase tickets for the season, or individual concerts, online at thesusanvillesymphony.com

Commission on Judicial Performance Begins

Proceedings Concerning Judge Mallery

by Jeremy Couso

SusanvilleStuff Publisher

California’s Commission on Judicial Performance has instituted formal proceedings to inquire into matters concerning Lassen County Superior Court Judge Tony R. Mallery, according to details provided by the Commission Wednesday.

The commencement of formal proceedings is not a determination of judicial misconduct, and you can read a copy of the Notice of Formal Proceedings posted on the commission’s website.

There are twenty-one counts detailed in the formal proceedings that include allegations such as, “willful misconduct in office, conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute, and improper action within the meaning of article VI, section 18 of the California Constitution providing for removal, censure, or public or private admonishment of a judge or former judge.“

According to the Commission, Judge Mallery’s Answer to the Notice is due September 29th.

Upon filing, the judge’s answer will be made available for public inspection.

In accordance with the rules that govern commission proceedings, a hearing will be conducted by special masters appointed by the Supreme Court. At the hearing, the parties will have an opportunity to introduce evidence and examine and cross-examine witnesses.

Commission Trial Counsel Mark A. Lizarraga, and Assistant Trial Counsel Bradford Battson will serve as Examiners for the commission. Judge Mallery is represented by Attorney James A. Murphy of San Francisco.

Following completion of the hearing, the special masters will provide the commission with a report containing findings with respect to the charges. The parties will have an opportunity to present their views on the report to the commission through briefing and argument.

If the commission determines that the charges are proven by clear and convincing evidence, it is empowered to remove, censure, publicly admonish, or privately discipline the judge. Charges that the commission determines are not proven will be dismissed.

A determination by the commission to remove, censure, or admonish a judge is subject to discretionary review by the Supreme Court upon petition by the judge.

Forestry cabin on the campus of Lassen High and Lassen Junior College in 1941

NYA Training Course Planned

September 16, 1940

Sixty youths of the National Youth Administration will receive academic training again this year in forestry and lumbering through the offices of the Lassen high school and junior college.

Arrangements have been made by the school board with P. D. Hanson, supervisor of the forest service, in charge of the group of boys, to provide classroom quarters in an unoccupied hotel on the outskirts of the city.

The high school, according to Principal N. H. McCollom, will furnish teachers and books, while the government will house and feed the contingent, coming from all parts of the United States.