“You all played a part in making their holiday season that much sweeter and I cannot thank you enough.

“I want to note that these gestures of kindness do not go unnoticed and I appreciate the dedication this community has for one another. We truly are a family here in Lassen County.

“I wish you all success and growth as we start this new year.”

Country music star Chad Bushnell will be playing Friday night at the Cowboy Festival – photo provided

Shows begin at 6:00 both nights and tickets are $26 each at the door. Entrance to the Cowboy Festival itself is free. Click here to purchase your tickets online.

Bring some spendin’ money too, because the vendor hall will feature a whole world of cowboy and country stuff you will want to take home.

The vendor hall and activities kick off at 4:00p.m. on Friday, and on Saturday the festival starts at noon.

The Chili Cookoff

Registration is free for folks who want to enter their chili in the Cowboy Festival’s Chili Cookoff. The chili experts start cooking at 11:00 and the public tasting starts at 3:00. Tasting kits are $5. Chili Cookoff rules. Chili Cookoff Registration Form.

There are also still opportunities for vendors, but spots are limited and going fast. Click here for the vendor app.

For more information contact the fair office at 1.530.251.8900 or visit lassencountyfair.org.

Jeremy McComb – photo provided

“These acquisitions help advance the “America the Beautiful” initiative and will provide increased opportunities for people to connect with their public lands.”

In Lassen County, 680 acres along Upper Smoke Creek east of U.S. Highway 395 are now publicly owned, enhancing opportunities for the BLM and partners to maintain and improve critical habitat for greater sage-grouse, mule deer and other wildlife.

This high desert land contains numerous springs that provide water year-round, along with miles of creek habitat and hundreds of acres of riparian areas and wetlands. The area northeast of Susanville is popular with hunters who pursue mule deer, antelope, and upland birds. The area is culturally significant to local Native American Tribes.

The BLM has also acquired 40 acres near the Biscar Wildlife Area on the west side of U.S. Highway 395 northeast of Susanville. The parcel includes a quarter mile of Snowstorm Creek and its associated riparian area, including a spring that flows year-round. The area is important habitat for raptors, owls, waterfowl, mule deer and greater sage grouse.

Closer to Susanville, the Reynolds parcel acquisition of 18 acres at the Rice Canyon Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area will enhance riding and off-road driving opportunities. The addition to this off-highway vehicle area provides an important buffer between the recreation area trailhead and adjacent private property owners.

In far northwest Nevada, the BLM has expanded access for public land hunting and dispersed camping with the acquisition of a 40-acre parcel at Divine Springs in the Hays Range about thirty miles east of Cedarville. The parcel is dotted with stands of mountain mahogany and western juniper and expanses of sage and bitterbrush, all providing important wildlife habitat.

In west Redding, the BLM has acquired forty acres within the popular Swasey Recreation Area, allowing for expanded mountain biking and hiking trails. Swasey is one of the most visited recreation areas managed by the BLM in Redding, offering more than thirty miles of trails for riders and hikers of all abilities.

Flooded highway near Litchfield in 1940 from the Eastman Collection at UC Davis

Bridge Damaged by Baxter Creek

January 23, 1951

Baxter Creek flooded Monday afternoon and washed out a bridge on the county road in Honey Lake Valley, south from Missouri Bend school.

A veteran rancher in the area said it is the greatest runoff in 25 years. He said the static water level in a well, normally nine feet, now has risen to 39 inches.

Water was receding today beyond flood waters were running a quarter of a mile wide over fields in the area Tuesday, but no crop damage is believed to have been done.