Yes, walking seven miles in a five-hour shift at the fair is tiresome, but stopping every couple of minutes to visit our community members makes the time and distance go by quickly.

Where else in world can you walk around eating your famous Rotary corn dog, while being able to give the Mayor a hug, visit with the District Attorney, hang out with the Sheriff, make small talk with Police Chief and see all your friends and family.

Our fair.

This year, I think I am even more excited as I didn’t realize how much I missed the fair, until Covid-19 put a stop to last year’s fair and parade.

This year I cannot wait for fair week, and everything that goes with it. From the rodeo, (there is just something absolutely adorable about watching the littlest of cowgirls and cowboys compete) to the Miss Lassen County scholarship pageant, the world-famous demolition derby, and of course the country concerts.

Our fair is structured to be a true ‘family and community event’ and it really is. From the first day of fair all way to the last day, our fair is one of a kind.

Watching the little kids run around, screaming with glee as they pet the lambs, or zip around, stuffing cotton candy in their mouth before hoping on the Ferris Wheel.

I love watching the children get bigger and bigger each year. Watching the teen boys and girls group up by the Zipper as they wait in line. I just love seeing our community come out to be together.

I love our fair, and I know that so many of you all do to. Let’s all have a great fair week, and be constantly reminded how lucky we are to have it back this year as it one of the reasons I love the place we live.

Block Captain meetings were discontinued during the pandemic but will resume soon. Block Captains are an integral part of the recently implemented MMCW Patrol. Patrol activities focus on areas defined by information provided by Block Captains.

MMCW patrol is also exploring direct contact and information exchange between sheriff deputies and Block Captains.

Board member Thomas Wright was appointed as Patrol Captain and worked diligently to establish basic policy and develop a Patrol Handbook. He also generously donated a trail camera which the Patrol will use to monitor areas of chronically malicious or socially aversive activity.

MMCW has maintained a presence at the Westwood’s Friday Night Farmers Market, with Larry and Seren Bradshaw hosting a space there week after week to spread the good word about MMCW. Membership applications are available and the Bradshaws can provide information on current activities. They will happily accept donations for more Neighborhood Watch signs, trail cams, etc.

MMCW has sponsored community Town Halls in the past and is considering this again to help Mountain Meadows residents with up-to-date information about public services, such as: What are departmental responsibilities and how do we know they are working? What can we do if they don’t work?

Many residents question why infractions are not prosecuted; District Attorney Melyssah Rios has said she would welcome an opportunity to attend a community meeting to answer those questions.

Other areas of concern are code enforcement, law enforcement, deteriorating roads and buildings, and, of course, wildfire risk. This is another area where Block Captains can advise on the topics most important to their residents.

If you want more information or would like to fill out a membership application to join MMCW, please contact President Larry Bradshaw at sureink@gmail.com. Or come to the Friday Night Farmers Market, located at the Walker Mansion in Westwood, and meet him and Seren in person.

“For reasons still under investigation,” details CHP Public Information Officer Bruce Thuelchassaigne, “Moran lost control of the Kenworth, overturning and blocked both lanes of State Route 32, with his tank trailer traveling over the edge of the roadway on a steep embankment.”

According to the CHP report the vehicle leaked approximately 2,500 gallons of diesel fuel that it was carrying into the surrounding area.

Hazmat protocol was initiated and crews responded for containment and cleanup. The roadway was reopened approximately 11.5 hours later.

The cause of the collision is still under investigation, but according to the report alcohol or drugs are not considered a factor in this collision.

While away from the academy, cadets were assigned to CHP Area offices throughout the state to observe a wide variety of activities and tasks uniformed officers routinely perform, enhancing the knowledge they had gained in the classroom. Cadets also participated in online learning for the first time.

“To say these cadets have been well-trained would be an understatement,” CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray said. “Today’s graduates persevered through challenging circumstances over a lengthy period of time, demonstrating their commitment to serving the people of California.”

At the CHP Academy, cadet training starts with nobility in policing, leadership, professionalism and ethics, and cultural diversity. Cadets also receive instruction on mental illness response and crisis intervention techniques. The training also covers vehicle patrol, accident investigation, first aid, and the apprehension of suspected violators, including those who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The cadets also receive training in traffic control, report writing, recovery of stolen vehicles, assisting the motoring public, issuing citations, emergency scene management, and knowledge of various codes including the California Vehicle Code, Penal Code, and Health and Safety Code.

Upon graduation, these uniquely trained cadets will be reporting for duty to CHP Area offices throughout the state.

Four “donkey” logging engines, valued at $5,000 each; eight Southern Pacific flat cars used for logging purposes, valued at $3,000 each; one tank care owned by the Fruit Growers Supply company, valued at $2,000; approximately 20 miles of railroad track owned by the Fruit Growers’ Supply company and several sections of valuable timber have been destroyed during the last 24 hours by a forest fire which is beyond control in the timber of the fruit growers’ logging camps.

The fire started Monday afternoon in camp F and swept through millions of feet of pine timber. At a late hour today it has been estimated that the fire has eight miles more of solid timber to burn through before it can be blocked, despite the efforts of 575 men working constantly.

There is an arid area located eight miles north and northeast of the present location of the blaze, where the firefighters hope it eventually may be checked. The fighters are handicapped by a heavy breeze blowing at 30 miles an hour or more.

Railroad Ruined

The logging railroad running into two of the fruit growers’ camps has been damaged to such an extent that it will have to be fully rebuilt. The ties which were projecting from the ground are entirely burned, while the large standard steel rails are curled beyond further use. The loss of suck trackage further handicaps the fighters, as had this railroad been saved it would have allowed immediate logging, as much of the timber in the path of the flames could have been immediately felled and hauled to the mills for cutting and avoid a total loss.

The Red River Lumber company of Westwood sent 110 firefighters to the scene of the blaze. Sixty additional men were equipped at the Lassen Lumber and Box company’s logging camp and were sent out tonight.

Another reserve of men is being sent from the plant at Susanville where 400 men are employed and its production at this end probably will be curtailed until the fire at the logging camps is entirely under control.

No damage was done to the Southern Pacific tracks, as the fire is several miles north in the woods, but the equipment which was destroyed was the property of the Southern Pacific and was being loaded with logs on the fruit growers’ siding.

The donkey logging engines are beyond repair.

The firefighters are fighting the blaze with shovels by throwing dirt on the fire, but the flames were making rapid progress through the timber at a northeasterly angle and has several miles to burn before firefighters can get in front of it to assure at least temporary control.

Three shifts of men are still being kept in the fire area, which threatened to destroy Susanville yesterday, and foremen in charge anticipated full control tonight. A strong breeze has stirred the ashes but there is very little left to burn in this vicinity, as the timber and shrubbery have been entirely wiped out.

Patients at the county hospital were returned there today after being driven out Monday by the flames. The county hospital and other county buildings were in the midst of the flames for three hours, but no great damage was done, the flames being confined to the treetops and shrubbery.

Miss Anna Stewart, who was confined to her home with typhoid fever, was taken from her home, when the yard was wrapped in flames, but has suffered no ill effects from the scare and is resting easily in the Riverside hospital. Her home was saved.

Residents believe this fire has destroyed all shrubbery and brush in a dangerous territory and assures safety for the future, as the shortage of water and equipment proved to be a handicap to the entire community during the progress of yesterday’s fire.

A small stack of hay west of the Ramsey ranch and located near the fire was totally destroyed late last night. The fire was due to combustion.