Volume XVI Issue 148

Wednesday, February 28th, 2024

I don’t know why I remember it so vividly, but perhaps it has to do with how genuinely nice she was. How genuinely… well, I guess… genuine she was.

Since then our paths have crossed several times.

For one thing, if her name sounds familiar it’s probably because you recognize her from her role as the executive director for the Lassen County Chamber of Commerce. Yep. Kelly’s entire job is pretty much dedicated to making Lassen County the place to be.

Her tireless efforts are as much a part of the county’s fabric as the annual tree lighting on Susanville’s Main Street.

Kelly, who has held that role since 2021, has since been the driving force behind the Chamber’s initiatives, from the mixers that knit the business community closer, to the updates that keep everyone informed and engaged.

You love the Uptown Christmas parade and fireworks. Kelly is at the heart of that!

But it’s not just her professional role that makes Kelly a cherished figure in Lassen County.

Beyond the spreadsheets, meetings, and strategic planning, Kelly has a heart for the arts and a passion for volunteerism. This year she has undertaken the crucial role as a volunteer with Best of Broadway.

Kelly takes on what could only be described as a Herculean task: organizing and watching over dozens of children downstage during performances.

Imagine the scene: a whirlwind of youthful energy, a costume changes, shoes to be tied, makeup to me done, children to be rounded up and accounted for and there, in the midst of it all, is Kelly, the calm in the storm, ensuring each child is safe, prepared, and ready for their moment in the spotlight.

Seriously. I volunteer for the dang thing too, and half the time I find myself wondering how Kelly isn’t pulling her hair out in the middle of it all.

But she is just so organized and calm. I can see why she is a great fit for her role at the Chamber.

When she is not busy at work or volunteering, Kelly is a wonderful and dedicated momma and a very loyal friend. She is incredibly down to earth and easy to talk to.

I have so enjoyed our time (even in the middle of the chaos) the past weeks. I joke that she is the adult I have put in charge of me, and she again smiles that wonderful Kelly Ackley smile.

Whether she’s addressing the city council to herald the festive season or penning updates to keep the community in the loop, or volunteering to help children in a variety of ways, her contributions are a testament to her commitment to the place she calls home, Kelly is forever are part of the reasons why I love the place we call home.

The fire was confined to the kitchen, and there was one patient with burn injuries. Semsa Medic 2 was requested.

“Truck One arrived on scene and confirmed the fire was out with smoke throughout the residence,” details Susanville Fire Captain Dale Johnson.

“Susanville E622 and CalFire E2271 arrived on scene and worked to overhaul the kitchen and clear the residence of smoke.”

“Semsa M2 arrived on scene and provided care to the patient and transported to Banner Lassen Medical Center with minor burns and possible smoke inhalation.” The victim has since been released from the hospital.

Cal-FIRE crews cleared the residence of smoke and firefighters from Engine 622 confirmed that the fire was fully extinguished with no extension.

Once the overhaul was completed, a fire investigation began. Through investigation and statements from the occupants, it was determined to be an unintentional fire due to combustible materials placed on a hot stove top and then left unattended.”

There were no firefighter injuries.

The Susanville Fire Department was supported by Cal-FIRE, the City of Susanville Water and Gas Department, the Susanville Police Department and the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office.

“The Susanville Fire Department would like to remind people to stay in the kitchen while they are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.”

Cedarville Fire Chief Jim Hill, left and John Toomey, fire management officer for the BLM’s

Applegate Field Office, complete paperwork transferring ownership of a wildland

firefighting water tender from the BLM to the Cedarville department.

BLM Donates Water Tender to Cedarville Volunteer Fire Department

Jeff Fontana

BLM Public Affairs Officer

The Bureau of Land Management has donated a firefighting water tender to the Cedarville Volunteer Fire Department, increasing the capability of the department that often assists the BLM with wildfires near northeast California communities.

The 1997 diesel powered tender has a 3,000-gallon water tank and is designed to draft water from a source such as a pond, stream or hydrant and haul it to fire engines working on the fireline. This vehicle is ruggedly built and can handle travel to and from wildland fire incidents.

“We are happy to donate this engine to the Cedarville Fire Department,” said John Toomey, fire management officer for the BLM Applegate Field Office. “This unit has served the BLM well, and still has plenty of service life left.”

Cedarville Fire Chief Jim Hill said the unit will replace an older water tender. It will support the department’s wildland fire engine and two engines designed for fighting structure fires.

The water tender was provided to the volunteer department under the BLM’s Rural Fire Readiness Program, which provides equipment to qualifying fire departments that cooperate with the BLM and assist fighting fires on public lands. In the program, local departments apply to receive BLM fire fighting equipment declared surplus when the BLM purchases new equipment.

The water tender went into service in 1997 with the Bakersfield Field Office, where it was steadily utilized until it was replaced about two years ago. Before transferring the truck to the local department, the BLM arranged for inspections and repairs so that it arrived in Cedarville ready for service.

The donation was the fourth in recent years in northeast California. In addition to the water tender donation to Cedarville, the BLM has donated wildland fire engines to the Standish-Litchfield, Milford and Fort Bidwell volunteer fire departments.

As part of the application process, stakeholders are encouraged to make comments on submitted applications. The comments will be used to shape the final grant application package which is due to the California State Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division by June 3rd.

Preliminary applications for the 2024 projects will be made available for review and comment on the California State Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division’s website beginning March 5th.

Interested parties can find more information about Lassen’s Off-Highway Vehicle program on the Lassen National Forest website.

In addition to the California State Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division’s website, public comments regarding the proposed project may be submitted in writing to Troy Kimberling, Law Enforcement Patrol Captain, at 2550 Riverside Drive, Susanville, CA 96130, or electronically to troy.kimberling@usda.gov by May 6, 2024.

For more information contact Troy Kimberling at 1.530.252.6400.

Looking down at the Honey Lake Valley from Viewland in 1937 – from an Eastman Studios photograph

Pheasant Crashes Through Windshield

February 28, 1935

George Jones has a bad cut on his forehead as the result of a pheasant crashing through the windshield of his car while he was driving near the Bantley ranch near Standish.

He stopped his car beside the road when recovered from the shock, a fluttering pheasant lay on the seat beside him. The dead bird was turned over to Carl Fisher, fish and game warden.

Jones is employed at Bud Younie’s store in Susanville.