Volume XIV Issue 240 | Friday, July 1st, 2022
Westwood’s Big Annual Paul Bunyan Festival Happens This Weekend
The Westwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s big, annual Paul Bunyan Mountain and Blues Festival takes place this weekend, featuring live music, a logging show, a parade, a fun-run and much, much more!

The weekend begins tonight with a downtown street dance featuring one of northeastern California’s premiere cover bands, local favorites Forgery. The dance is free and starts at 8:00p.m. in front of the railroad depot.

Tomorrow’s fun activities include Breakfast Booths at 8:00a.m. in the Community Center, a Fun Run and the parade, which begins at 10:30a.m. at 3rd and Ash streets.
Festival gates open at 11:00a.m. in Westwood Park, Greenwood and 2nd streets, and will feature a logging show, antiques, crafts, collectibles, a kid’s area, games, and Blue Ox Bingo.

There will also be Pickle Ball on the tennis courts and food booths and more.

Two bands will be providing some awesome blues music for the afternoon: Stephen Kimball from noon to 2:00p.m., and Rowland and Tumblin’ from 2:30 to 4:30.

For more information call 256-2456 or visit westwoodareachamber.com.
City Residents Asked to Cut
Outdoor Watering by 25%
The Susanville Public Works Department is asking City water customers to reduce outdoor water use by 25%, by watering only three days per week, beginning today.

Also, as part of Susanville’s Water Conservation Plan, effective today, July 1st, 2022 there will be a rate increase of $0.25 per 100 cubic feet of water used after the allotted Base Rate Usage.

According to a press release sent out by the Public Works Department Thursday, the California Water Resources Control Board has adopted an Emergency Water Regulation that requires the City of Susanville to conserve water to a level that is 15% less than 2021 levels.
The conservation of potable water will continue until the State lifts restrictions. The City of Susanville must comply with the regulation or face steep fines from the State.

“Although the City is not observing a measurable decrease in spring production or static water levels of wells, conservation is mandatory statewide and will improve water security if drought conditions continue,” Public Works officials explained.

Mandatory Restrictions
Key Regulations of the State Water Resources Control Board
NOTE: All water provided by the City to your home or business is potable.

The following items will be actively enforced beginning June 10, 2022

Prohibited for everyone:

  • Using potable water to wash sidewalks & driveways
  • Runoff when irrigating with potable water
  • Using hoses with no shutoff nozzles to wash cars
  • Using potable water in decorative water features that do not recirculate the water
  • Using outdoor irrigation during and 48 hours following measurable precipitation

Required for Businesses

Hotels and Motels must provide guests with the option of not having towels and linens laundered daily
Restaurants and other food service establishments can only serve water to customers on request

Requirement of Urgency Ordinance
The following is required by the City of Susanville Urgency Ordinance Adopted May 27, 2015. Active enforcement will begin on July 1, 2022

All customers shall be allowed to water for only three (3) days per week. Customers with even numbered addresses may water on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. Customers with odd numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday.

Visit www.cityofsusanville.org for more information

Enforcement
The City is hopeful that education and public awareness campaigns will be enough to achieve the 15% conservation mandate. However, to ensure fair and consistent conservation among customers, the City will begin monitoring and enforcing the State Water Control Board Regulations and the requirements provided in the City’s Urgency Ordinance on June 1st , 2015.

Customers will receive a door hanger warning notice when a violation is observed. Observation of a second violation may lead to a citation with a potential fine of up to $500.

The City of Susanville Public Works Department would like to help you conserve water by offering a free low-flow shower head to City of Susanville Water Customers (1 per household). Visit City Hall at 66 N. Lassen Street to claim your shower head.

For more information, call (530) 257-1041.
CHP Reminds You To Celebrate Responsibly This July 4th Weekend
Independence Day is on a Monday this year, resulting in a three-day weekend for many and a likely increase in vehicles traveling California’s roadways. The California Highway Patrol is reminding motorists that driving too fast is not only illegal, but the leading cause of traffic fatalities.

To help slow down motorists and increase safe travel, the CHP will deploy extra patrol officers over the holiday weekend as part of a Maximum Enforcement Period.
Beginning at 6:01 tonight, July 1st, through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 4th, the CHP will observe the MEP with a special focus on speed enforcement. In addition to speeding violations, officers will be on the lookout for distracted and aggressive drivers, and motorists suspected of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“Give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. Speeding not only endangers your life, but the lives of everyone on the roadway,” said CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray.

“Fill the holiday weekend with celebration and fun activities, not reckless choices that lead to tragedy.”

There were 43 people killed in crashes on California’s roadways during the 2021 Independence Day MEP, and more than one-third of the vehicle occupants who died within CHP jurisdiction were not wearing a seat belt.

In addition, the CHP made 997 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs during the 78-hour holiday enforcement effort.

Last year’s stepped-up efforts to enforce speed limits during the Independence Day weekend, July 2nd through the 5th, resulted in CHP officers issuing nearly 10,000 citations statewide.

“Speed is the number one factor in roadway crashes in California, causing one-third of the traffic-related deaths,” added Commissioner Ray.

A report issued in May 2022 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows the number of people killed in speed-related crashes is on the rise nationwide. According to the NHTSA data, 11,780 deaths in the U.S. were attributed to speeding last year, a 5 percent increase over 2020.
Forest Service Gears Up
for 4th of July Activities
With Independence Day right around the corner, the Lassen National Forest becomes a popular destination for recreational activities. Forest Service officials urge residents and forest visitors to keep wildfire prevention in mind, particularly during Independence Day celebrations.

It only takes one out-of-control campfire or careless individual to ignite a wildfire.

Everyone is requested to recreate safely, especially when it comes to camping, cutting fuelwood, and even driving in the Forest. Here are a few reminders that will help ensure a safe holiday for your family.
  • On Monday, July 4, 2022, all the Lassen National Forest offices are closed for the holiday. Forest offices will resume regular business hours on Tuesday, July 5, 2022.
  • No fireworks of any kind are permitted on the National Forest. Please leave them at home.
  • When dialing 911, during high traffic holiday weekends, especially around Chester and Lake Almanor, emergency services can be more readily reached on a landline rather than a cell phone.
  • Never leave a campfire unattended and make sure it’s dead out before you leave it. Use water to drown it out!
  • Expect substantial vehicle traffic in and around the Chester and Lake Almanor area, please drive defensively.
  • Local recreation information, books, maps, guides, and Forest souvenirs are available in the lobby of all district offices.
The scene of the accident, 1937. From the Couso Collection
Gas Truck Driver Averts Tragedy
July 1, 1937

The quick action of Don Gott, truck driver for the Union Oil company, this morning prevented what might have been a tragedy when the truck he was driving turned over spilling gasoline, after colliding with a car driven by Richard Edenholm.

The minute he felt the impact, Gott turned off the ignition key.

Although both cars turned over after meeting at the intersection of Roop and North streets none was seriously injured. Edenhokm was taking several friends picnicking.

The truck escaped damage but the car owned by David E. Edenholm, father of the driver, was badly smashed.

It Takes 30 Days To Find Out Judge Means His Words

George E. Williams, 33, learned last night that Judge N. V. Wemple of Lassen county does not confuse the words “suspension “ and “dismissal”.

It was a costly lesson for Williams will spend 30 days of his life in the county jail after being arrested for the second time in two weeks for being intoxicated and disturbing the peace.

He was brought to the Lassen county jail last night by Sheriff Olin S. Johnson on the charge of violating the same sobriety ordinance which caused his arrest June 24, and resulted in a 30-day suspended jail sentence.
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