Humility is one of his strong points. You know what else is one of his strong points? He is so funny! Even in the roughest, toughest situations, Russell can always bring levity which is crucial in this field.  

Dustin, however, is a little bit more introverted than I am. He kindly reminds me that you can still be an effective law enforcement officer without being over the top and obnoxiously loud. (Which I am working on). 

Luckily, despite our very different personality styles, Dustin never makes me feel bad, or like I’m too much, and as of this date, he has yet to ban me or kick me out of his office.

Sgt. Russell is an essential at the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, and whether you live in the city or the county I’m sure you have seen Sgt. Russell out and about in the community.

Sgt. Russell is a community staple. Through the Covid pandemic as well as the wildfires, Sgt. Russell put in hours and hours away from his family to serve and protect yours.

Dustin and I have children that are approximately the same ages and so we end up at a lot of the same events, (back to school nights, soccer games, etc.) He, however, is trying his best to manage being a dad and still serving his county. I know what it was like to tell my child, that I would “try” to make it, but it depended on calls for service. He never complains. 

Dustin currently is the Investigations Sergeant, a very crucial role in solving some of our most heinous crimes. When I started as an Investigator, he was so patient with me (and still is) when I would inundate him with my millions of questions. And everything outside the city limits was foreign to me. 

He continues to be a wealth of knowledge and great resource from me at my job, despite the fact the he refuses to make Tiktoks with me. (Maybe one day, I’m still holding out).

In his free time Dustin spends time with his beautiful family. He plays slow pitch softball, enjoys poker nights with his friends, attends his child’s sports, and is always willing to help anyone out. 

I am really grateful to have the assistance of Sgt. Russell, but I’m also more grateful to have his friendship. He makes some of the hardest case bearable, and I don’t think I’ll be able to repay him for that.

So, in closing, I TOLD YOU I wasn’t joking Dustin. Don’t be mad at me. Just accept the fact that you are and always will be, one of the reasons I love where we live.

Photo: Shaun White, chief of the Standish-Litchfield Volunteer Fire Department, climbs into the cab of a fire engine donated by the Bureau of Land Management to his department. Looking on from left are Standish-Litchfield engineer Randy Bock, BLM Eagle Lake Field Manager Emily Ryan, and BLM Northern California District Fire Management Officer Albert Savage. (Jeff Fontana/BLM)

BLM Donates Fire Engine to Standish-Litchfield Volunteers

The Bureau of Land Management has transferred ownership of a wildland fire engine to the Standish-Litchfield Volunteer Fire Department, a small Lassen County department often called upon to assist the BLM with wildfires on public lands near small communities.

BLM Eagle Lake Field Office Manager Emily Ryan said transfer of the surplus engine boosts the capability of the rural department and the BLM, which relies on support from local fire departments when battling wildfires threatening natural resources and communities.

“We are happy to see that this engine will continue in service for years to come,” Ryan said. “This fire engine will improve Standish-Litchfield’s ability to support other agencies in fire suppression. We are pleased to be able to provide this vital piece of equipment.”

The fire engine was made available to the Standish-Litchfield volunteers under the BLM’s Rural Fire Readiness Program, which provides equipment to qualifying departments that cooperate with the BLM and assist with fire response on public lands. Under the program, local fire departments apply to receive BLM fire engines and other equipment that are declared surplus when newer equipment is purchased.

Prior to the transfer, mechanics inspect the trucks and make any needed repairs, so they are fully operational and fire ready.

The engine being transferred to Standish-Litchfield is a 2007 crew cab unit. It is a high clearance, four-wheel-drive truck that can handle difficult off-road terrain. It has a 500-gallon water tank and a pump rated at 250 gallons per minute. It can pump water from its onboard tank or draft from water sources.

The engine was based at the BLM Susanville Fire Station for most of its service with the BLM and was also dispatched to fires across the West and throughout the state of California, working closely with local, state and federal fire departments.

The warning is for all of western Nevada and northeast California, including the cities of Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Minden, Yerington, Fallon, Fernley, Nixon, Lovelock, Hawthorne, Gerlach, Susanville, and Cedarville from Saturday morning through Monday evening.

Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those without sufficient cooling or hydration resources, and those working or participating in outdoor activities.

While daytime high temperatures will be near or above records, limited overnight cooling and the duration of extreme heat will exacerbate heat health impacts especially for those without air conditioning.

Be prepared to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. This is especially true during warm or

hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.

Doyle California around 1915 from the California State Library

Survey Completed On Susanville Road

August 31, 1919

Division Engineer Bradford of the California highway commission has just completed the preliminary survey of the proposed state road from Susanville, Lassen County; to the Nevada state line, which, under a recent agreement, is to be built jointly by the state and Lassen County.

The report discloses that the funds available for this section of road, some $360,000, are inadequate, and that if the whole road is built it must be in an inferior manner. The other alternative is to expand the bulk of the funds upon a portion of the road, constructing a standard paved highway as far as the money will permit.

The commission has detailed Engineer Bedford to go at once to Susanville and explain the matter to the board of supervisors of Lassen County to ascertain the wishes of the members of the board and of the people of the county.

Should the supervisors of Lassen County give their approval, the highway commission will proceed at once to grade and pave with concrete a section of road at least twenty miles in length. Under this plan, the improvement would start at the town of Susanville and proceed in the direction of the Nevada state line.

The highway commission is unable to state when or from what funds the road would be eventually completed.