And for obvious reasons. The first being, Meghan is so incredibly smart. The way her brain must constantly be rapid firing astonishes me.

At the District Attorney’s Office, I had the privilege of getting to have a lot of contact with Meghan. Number one, she has always been a go-getter. She is constantly out and about being proactive.

Reading her reports, I am learning new things. I cannot count the number of times I read what she did, and was like, “That was brilliant.” She has a knack for this career.

Number two, I knew I would love her forever when she agreed, and wanted to be trained to be a forensic interviewer. So, through our Child Advocacy Center I have a firsthand view of watching that woman work and, oh my gosh, she has mastered both the art and science of interviewing children.

I will never, ever forget watching her first interview. All the cases we handle are tough, and this one was no exception. Watching her on the monitor – Meghan was truly a pro.

She had so much finesse, but was also mindful to watch her technique, creating a very relaxing atmosphere for our survivor, but also engaging in a very robust interview. I was blown away.

Meghan is also very cool. I know I’m old, but dang, I so badly want to be cool like her one day. It just comes naturally to her.

Meghan is always so polite and courteous to everyone. She could very easily, considering how smart and beautiful she is, be haughty and stand-offish, but she isn’t. She is just the opposite. Approachable and wonderful.

She married David Lee, and the two of them are quite literally a crime fighting duo. I love that our county somehow snagged her, and I am so happy and eager to see where her future goes, because it is incredibly bright and because she is one of the reasons I love where we live.

Remodeling the building to house Jill’s law practice, the couple set aside the front portion of the building as a gallery for Randy’s photography.

“A Thousand Windows” comes from a John Muir quote that Robbins has always found inspirational in his work: “Oh these vast, calm, measureless mountain days, inciting at once to work and rest! Days in whose light everything seems equally divine, opening a thousand windows to show us God.”

Randy’s photography focuses mainly on wildlife, landscapes, night skies, and camera trapping. He has grown a rather large social media following and has found recognition for his photography by obtaining some rare and difficult images.

His work has been featured in Outdoor California Magazine, Outdoor Photographer Magazine, The San Fransisco Chronicle, Adventure Cyclist Magazine, and The Journal of Wildlife Photography, in addition to many local publications like the annual Lassen County Visitor’s Guide. He also recently became an FAA licensed commercial remote pilot, adding aerial photography using a drone to his quiver.

Robbins captured one of the first close-up high-resolution images of a gray wolf in California, spending two years researching and tracking our local Lassen Pack. He has photographed mountain lions, bobcats, black bears, and many other local wildlife “stars,” including spending many years pursuing local bald eagles, mostly at Antelope Lake.

Last summer he shared a river with grizzly bears in Alaska and brought home some incredible images of North America’s most fearsome predator. He won the coveted California Wildlife Photo of the Year contest in 2019 and is the only photographer who has had two images selected as finalists in that contest in the same year, something he has accomplished for the past two years in a row.

Randy’s gallery features several large format Chromaluxe metal prints, which showcase his images in a stunningly vibrant, sharp format. He also prints his own canvas and fine art prints in various custom sizes and formats.

“It’s exciting to be able to contribute some beauty to uptown Susanville, and to show off this place that I love so much through my photography,” Randy says. “We live in an amazing part of California, and being able to show people the beauty around us is a privilege.”

A Thousand Windows is located at 800 Main Street in historic uptown Susanville. Current hours are 11:00 to 4:00 Monday through Thursday. The gallery is also open by appointment, just email randy@randyrobbinsphotography.com, or message Randy Robbins Photography on Facebook to set up a time.

Randy’s facebook page can be found at facebook.com/randyrobbinsphotography and his website is randyrobbinsphotography.com

Click here to download a packet with a copy of the chamber’s board application and board of director member agreement, outlining the requirements and obligations if you are selected to serve on the board.

“Board meetings are held the second Thursday of each month beginning at noon; meetings usually last an hour but, on a rare occasion depending on agenda items, can last up to an hour and a half.”

Board members are expected to attend meetings each month, as well as serve on various committees and attend monthly Chamber Mixers. Applications are open until the Board of Directors position is filled.

If you have questions, you can contact Ackley at 1.530.257.4323.

Organizers explain that this is not a race, but an adventure ride, and encourage everyone to enjoy the spectacular scenery as they cruise through pine forests and beautiful mountain meadows.

As you ride along the Susan River, you’ll pass through two incredible, historical train tunnels on the Bizz Johnson Trail. The long course will take you near the shores of two serene, high-altitude lakes.

The three courses fit all levels of riding, with well-stocked rest stops, and all three begin and end at the historic railroad depot on Richmond Road. You will have a RFID chip on your bike number plate to keep track of your start and finish on the course.

The first group of riders (the Full Squatch) takes off from the depot at 7:00a.m. and bicyclists will ride ninety-six miles to Silver Lake and back.

The second group (the Half Squatch) will leave at 8:00a.m. and the ride is sixty-four miles.

The final group (the Short Squatch) leaves at 9:00a.m. and will ride forty miles.

For the Full Squatch riders to continue on the course, they must reach Swain Mountain Snowmobile Park (County Road A-21 at Swain Mountain Road) at Mile 32.4 in five hours, by 12:00p.m. If they arrive after the cutoff time, they will be directed onto the Half Squatch course, where both courses will eventually merge for the return toward Susanville.

According to organizer Charlotte Roberts there are currently 238 registered riders.

While it isn’t a race, the Full Squatch participants will have the opportunity to earn ‘King of the Mountain’ and ‘Queen of the Mountain’ titles by being the fastest on three different segments of the ride.

At the finish line, riders will get free ChaCha’s tacos, a free beer from Lassen Ale Works, and all registered riders will receive a commemorative finisher’s medal, a soft blend T-shirt and a logo sticker. A coupon for a free meal is also included in registration.

“We are super excited for this to be a fun yearly fundraiser for SABA and LLTT,” explains Roberts. “More importantly, it’s an opportunity for tourism. We have already met people from out of the area who have come to ‘pre-ride’ the course. There is a lot of buzz in the gravel bike community about our ride.”

You can find out a lot more by visiting www.lassengraveladventureride.com or connect with the group on Facebook. You can click here and follow the link to register online.

A view of Susanville with Chestnut street in the foreground, taken in the mid-1890’s

Straw Stack On Fire

August 30, 1894

The buildings and hay stacks on the McKissick Ranch have a narrow escape.

A man working with Berry & Lamb’s Thrasher, came hurriedly to town with the information that the straw stack and chicken house on the ranch of Jacob McKissick, and rented to Flo Grass, about one mile north of town on the Susanville road was on fire; caught from a spark from the steam engine that runs the thrashing machine.

Chief Engineer Hodgkinson took one of the steamers and four horses and went to the scene.

The fire was confined to the two straw stacks. About one hundred bushels of unthrashed oats was destroyed and several sacks of wheat. At 2:30 it was thought the fire was under control.

Mr. Grass’s family moved out of the little house for it was in close proximity to the burning straw stacks, on the east side with a strong wind blowing from the west.

There are two big stacks of hay just a few feet further north of the burning stacks, and if the fire should get into them the loss would fall heavy on Mr. Grass.