Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Pizza? Really? It can’t be that good.” Well, let me tell you, there’s nothing ordinary about Red Hut Pizza.

This local business has some of the best customer service you’ll ever see. That’s because the owners run the restaurant, bake the pizza, greet the customers and do all of the other 1,000 things needed to run a successful business. Mitch Martin and his wife are truly wonderful business owners, but even better human beings.

Recently I placed a rather large order online… right before their closing. When I arrived to pick it up, I felt so badly as they were completing my large order even though they had closed.

I apologized and told them I didn’t realize they had closed, and they were so nice. Even though I made them stay late, they helped walk my order out to my car and ensured that I had plenty of ranch, and other goodies for my dinner.

Because it’s not just the food that makes Red Hut Pizza stand out. It’s the people. Run by locals with hearts as big as their pizzas, this place is a testament to the power of community.

Any time I have ever asked Mitch for a donation he always protests about me giving him any sort of public kudos. His response is always the same, “I just want to help.” And he does. Whether it being gift cards, youth team sponsorships, or pizzas to go for hungry college kids, this business is definitely community oriented.

But – we can’t talk about Red hut pizza and ignore their wings. Oh, the wings! They’re the culinary equivalent of a symphony orchestra playing Beethoven’s Ninth. They’re the gastronomic version of a sunset over the Grand Canyon. They’re the foodie’s answer to the Mona Lisa’s smile. In short, they’re a masterpiece.

Oh yeah… their pizza is really good to. (Duh!) Ask any high schooler what the best deal for lunch is and they will tell you about the ginormous pizza by the slice available to them.

So, the next time you’re craving a slice of the good stuff, remember Red Hut Pizza.

Remember the staff who serve up kindness with a side of garlic bread. Remember the local heroes who are making our community a better place.

Red Hut Pizza. Keep doing what you’re doing, because you’re doing it right. And that’s why you are one of the reasons I love where we live.

Kassie Satica, Sareena Estes and Dean Growdon

Growdon Honored as Lassen Family Services’ Officer of the Year

By Jeremy Couso

Recently retired Lassen County Sheriff-Coroner Dean Growdon was honored Tuesday as Lassen Family Services’ Officer of the Year at a luncheon held at Susanville’s Monticola Club. Along with Growdon, LFS celebrated National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day by showing their gratitude to all members of local law enforcement, putting together a fantastic luncheon.

Sareena Estes, CASA Case Coordinator for LFS, gave a short presentation and introduced Sheriff Growdon, saying, “This year we have selected a man who has dedicated his life to keeping others safe no matter the risk to himself. He is a strong leader with an eye to the future while preserving the solid values of the past. His innovation and dedication are part of what has made our law enforcement community so strong.”

Estes added that Growdon will be sorely missed as he moves into retirement.

Growdon, as usual, humbly accepted the award, thanking LFS, his former staff and the local law enforcement community that he has been such a big part of.

Lunch was served to past and present LEO’s from agencies across the county including, among others, Lassen County Probation, the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office and the Susanville Police Department.

The Purpose of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

LEO’s of every rank and file have chosen a profession that puts their life on the line every day for their communities. They’ve answered a call to public service that is demanding and often unappreciated.

From local, state, and federal, their duties command dedication. The jobs are often thankless and take them away from their families for long hours. Rarely do they know what their days have in store for them.

Often law enforcement is the only paid emergency resource a community has. More often they work in coordination with other local, state, and federal organizations to make communities safer.

There is an urgent need for donors of all types to give blood now to meet the current needs of patients. According to Vitalant the winter season is always a challenging time to collect blood for many reasons, including cold and flu season. Yet, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.

“Blood on the shelf helps patients every day – for traumas, cancer treatments and critical transfusions – and enables us to be ready if disaster strikes,” explains Dr. Ralph Vassallo, Chief Medical Officer at Vitalant.

The blood drive will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 905 Richmond Road on Tuesday, January 23rd, from 12:00p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, January 24th, from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Vitalant asks that you please complete your Fast Track Health History the day of your donation on your smartphone or computer at vitalant.org/health.

Walk-ins are welcome or you can schedule and appointment online at the Vitalant website.

Click here to book an appointment for Tuesday.

Click here to book an appointment for Wednesday.

For more information you can contact Vitalant at 1.877.25.VITAL.

Guest request forms will be due to Carol at the end of lunch tomorrow. If you want to purchase corsages, boutonnieres or other flowers for the winter formal from Milwood Florist, please place your orders as soon as possible for the best selection.

Reminder to please use the gates when entering/exciting campus

Seniors please submit your baby photos, and a current senior photo to Mrs. Schall this week for the ‘then and now’ section of the yearbook.

Q3 lunch passes will be passed out in advocacy if you have any questions see Kelli in front office.

The Diamond Mt Golf Course is now accepting applications for the upcoming season. This is anticipated to start March 16th. See Kelli for an application.

Lassen Club Volleyball is starting up. There will be an information and parent meeting today, January 10th at 6:15p.m. at Susanville Pizza Factory. Club practice starts January 16th at the LCC gym from 6:00 to 7:30. Please see Mrs. Newman if you have any questions.

The organization includes nearly 300,000 members in more than 14,000 clubs in 144 countries. Since it’s inception in 1924, Toastmasters International has offered assistance to people of all backgrounds as they build confidence as speakers and leaders.

According to organizers, Toastmasters will give you the skills and confidence you need to effectively express yourself in any situation.

“Whether you are a mature manager, student, young professional, career advancer or looking to make an impact in your community, Toastmasters is the most efficient, supportive, enjoyable and affordable way of gaining great communication skills. You’ll improve your interpersonal communication and be more persuasive and confident when giving speeches.”

Everyone interested is encouraged to attend the meeting which will be held at 5:30p.m., at the Susanville Pizza Factory, 2795 Main Street in Susanville. If you can’t make the meeting but are interested in the club, please call or text Annika at 1.510.671.0617.

Lassen Lumber and Box’s Susanville mill site in the mid 1940’s. -Eastman Studios Postcard –

Lassen L and B Co Makes Lucky Find

January 10, 1920

While engaged in sinking a well near the log pond on the tract of the Lassen Lumber & Box Company to develop, if possible, supply of cold water, a strong flow of hot water was encountered, last Saturday.

At that time the temperature of the water was reported as 117 degrees, and, turned into the log pond, soon melted the ice formed thereon.

This find will obviate the necessity of running steam pipes into the pond as was contemplated and will furnish a sufficient supply warm enough for many purposes for all buildings of the Company.

Our informant stated that the flow filled a four-inch pipe, and that the pump hurriedly installed did not lower the supply in the well. This warm stream was tapped at a depth of a few feet over twenty, and there is every reason to believe it will be a permanent supply.

As those of us who have had occasion to fish or hunt on that side of the river have long known of the existence of warm springs at the lower end of Fruit Supply Company’s mill pond, it is more than probable that this company, also, may succeed in getting a supply of warm water.

Of course, since boiling water has a temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit, this find may not be considered as very hot, but, at the same time it is warm enough to prevent the freezing over the pond, and that is a desirable thing.