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Volume XVI Issue 207

Tuesday, May 21st, 2024

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Jillaine and Sofia, 14 years of teacher and student

The Good Stuff by Shelley Bennett


Another weekend, another milestone for the Bennett family.


On Friday and Saturday we celebrated Joan Zuehlke and her dance studio with “50 Years of Magic”, a Disney-themed recital. The two nights went by in a blur or hair spray, sequins, and dance shoes.


Our tribute to Joan, organized by Jillaine Singleton and Kayla Millar, included a choreographed life story set to Disney tunes, fun old pictures, and several alumni who took the stage once again. There were also many of Joan’s friends, colleagues, and family members, including sons John and Doug, in attendance.

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As the pictures clicked into place, the audience was treated to scenes from Joan’s flamenco dancing, when she met her husband Fred, their sons growing up in Burney and later Susanville, her training in the Cechetti ballet method and tap, opening the studio, and a succession of past dancers turned dance teachers.


I get teary eyed every time I watch it and just let them stream down my face during the actual performance. As one of Joan’s students in the early 70s, I was officially the “oldest” alumni in attendance.

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Dancers, past and present, surround our beloved dance instructor Joan Zuehlke


As the pictures clicked into place, the audience was treated to scenes from Joan’s flamenco dancing, when she met her husband Fred, their sons growing up in Burney and later Susanville, her training in the Cechetti ballet method and tap, opening the studio, and a succession of past dancers turned dance teachers.


I get teary eyed every time I watch it and just let them stream down my face during the actual performance. As one of Joan’s students in the early 70s, I was officially the “oldest” alumni in attendance.


My contribution to the slide show was from 1984. I was in 8th grade and thought I was super cool because my friend Andrea Casillas and I were chosen to dance the Tarantella.


The photo captures me receiving a rose from Joan on the stage at McKinley school.

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1984


Joan’s Studio of Dance is so much more than a place to learn how to dance to me. It was my childhood. Where I met my friends, became confident, expressed my creativity. It helped me face feeling awkward. It was an escape.


Now it’s become my family.

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Chalise, Hayley, teacher Jillaine, Sofia, Hannah, Renee, and Joan


Which brings me to the second part of the celebration: the seniors. My daughter Sofia and her classmates Renee Delgado, Hannah Matchniff, Chalise Robbins, and Hayley Trevizu have all been dancing since they were preschoolers.


From tiny fairies, sweet mermaids, and cute clowns to tap-dancing orphans, can can girls, and flappers, they have danced all over the world, on Broadway and in the movies, through Cinderella, Peter Pan, and Alice in Wonderland, and in an enchanted Toy Store and a circus.


With this year’s Disney theme, they each chose a villain to portray. As the Evil Queen from Snow White, Sofia’s sassy facials and attitude were evident in each step she took onstage. Renee’s strength was shown in her complex and hard-hitting hip hop as Hades from Hercules.


Hannah’s jazz dance as the over-the-top Yzma was free-flowing and filled with fun. As Malficent from Sleeping Beauty, Chalise performed a haunting lyrical number with grace and composure. Hayley’s portrayal of Dr. Facilier mesmerized the audience as she leapt and turned around the stage with poise and confidence.


Together, their Villain Dance was my favorite of the night. The choreography was difficult, yet they made it look easy. They each showed their individual strengths and personalities, but as a whole they were a force. It was the perfect balance of give and take.


In the wings, they were there for each other. Cheering for whoever was onstage, helping with quick changes, dancing and getting hyped for their next dance, just laughing and enjoying their last recital.


These five young women have all accomplished so much. They are high-achieving students, competitive athletes, giving community members, and leaders. They have all been accepted to top schools and will continue to do great things as teachers, doctors, nurses, and musicians.


And they will always be my Dancing Queens.

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Remember when news was ‘newsy’? When you read about weddings,

family events and engagement announcements in the newspaper? If you have

something that might be newsworthy, please submit it to shelleybennett24@gmail.com

and I’ll do my best to include it here in “The Good Stuff.”

Community Church Again Offering

Summer Lunch Program for Local Kids


The Community Church of Susanville will be offering a free summer lunch program for local kids during the months of June, July and August. Lunches will be available Monday through Thursday with exceptions for holidays and days during the week of the Lassen County Fair.


Registration for the program is easy – just call Kristin at 1.530.310.3741 or John at 1.530.965.6067. Forms are also available at the church’s office at 65 S. Lassen Street.

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Would you like to help with this worthwhile program? Cash and food donations will be gladly accepted!


The church is looking for the following items to help stock the shelves for the free lunch program:


Peanut Butter

Pre-packaged fruit

Pre-packaged snacks

Pre-packaged fruit snacks

You can drop off donations at 65 S. Lassen Street, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.


Volunteers are needed for the Herlong and Susanville areas. Susanville volunteers meet at Numa Road in Susanville, Monday and Wednesday at 8:45a.m. Herlong volunteers meet at 170 DS Road Tuesday and Thursday at 10a.m. Gas vouchers are available for drivers.

Lassen High News and Information

for Parents and Students


Individual Senior Art Shows are continuing in the 700 building. Zac Richmond, Art 4, and Ella Clavel, Art 3, have put up their shows in the display cases on the bottom floor of the 700 building. Their art will be on view through Monday May 20th, so take a walk past and see all their hard work and creative talent.


Reminder to clear holds in order to participate in end of the year activities such as prom, yearbook and graduation.

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Prom bids are on sale with Carol in the ASB office – Tickets are $25 for an individual or $40 for a couple. Reserve your copy of the yearbook today. The supply is limited. $100 with Carol in the ASB office or online through the Lassen High School payment portal.


PLATO classes close this Friday, May 24th. Seniors cannot participate in senior activities if their PLATO class is incomplete.


Reminder: Dance guest requests are always due the Wednesday before a dance. Also, sports physicals are good for the school year, not the calendar year.


Counseling News

Students taking LCC pathway classes in Fall 2024 – if you have not already turned in your special admit form to Shanda in the counseling office please do so as soon as possible.


Miss Lassen County applications are now available in room 115! Deadline to apply is this Friday, May 24th.

Wednesday is Public Works Day!

Come Celebrate at Memorial Park


This week has been designated as National Public Works Week and tomorrow, May 22nd, the City of Susanville’s Public Works team will be celebrating with a special day in the park where everyone can get to know about what the department does, participate in fun activities and maybe win some cool prizes.


From 2:00 to 4:00p.m., the nice folks from the Street, Natural Gas, Parks, Building, Planning and Engineering departments will have booths set up with information about their services and neat games and raffles where you can win passes to the Honey Lake Valley Community Pool.

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Sno Mountain Shaved Ice will be at the park selling their delicious eats and unique treats.


Kids can even help decorate some of the department’s heavy equipment.


What does our Public Works Department, headed by Public Works Director Rob Godman, do for the community? A lot of really important stuff! They maintain and improve the condition of our street and alley system, they keep our drainage ways open and free of debris, they maintain traffic signs and pavement markings, provide safe and reliable public water and natural gas, provide a local municipal airport and take on major projects across the town.


National Public Works Week has been around since 1960, and across North America, more than 30,000 members of the American Public Works Association use this week to, “energize and educate the public on the importance of public works to their daily lives: planning, building, managing and operating at the heart of their local communities to improve everyday quality of life.”

Lassen Superior Court Seeking

Members for 2024-2025 Grand Jury


The Superior Court of California, County of Lassen, is looking for community members to serve on the 2024-2025 Lassen County Grand Jury. The year-long service is rewarding, educational and a crucial part of local civic oversight. If you want to truly understand the most intricate workings of the governmental bodies in our area, this is for you.


Every year, in each of California’s 58 counties, a group of ordinary citizens takes an oath to serve as grand jurors.

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Its function is to investigate the operations of the various officers, departments and agencies of local government. Each Civil Grand Jury determines which officers, departments and agencies it will investigate during its term of office.


All qualified persons are encouraged and welcome to apply for grand jury service.


What are the requirements to be a grand juror?


Penal Code section 893 states that a person is qualified to be a grand juror if he or she:

• Is a citizen of the United States,

• Is at least 18 years old,

• Has been a resident of the county for at least one year immediately prior to selection,

• Possesses ordinary intelligence, sound judgment, and good character, and

• Possesses a sufficient knowledge of the English language to communicate both orally and in writing.


There are only four disqualifiers. A person is ineligible to act as a grand juror if he or she:

• Is serving as a trial juror in a state court at the time of selection,

• Has been discharged from grand jury service within the preceding year,

• Has been convicted of malfeasance in office or any felony or other high crime, or

• Is serving as an elected public officer.


No particular background, training or experience is necessary to be a grand juror. In fact, according to the court, it is the diversity of its members that is one of the grand jury’s greatest strengths.


Interested applicants should contact the Jury Commissioner no later than May 30th, at 5:00p.m., by phone at (530) 251-8205, or in-person at 2610 Riverside Drive in Susanville.


You can click here to visit the court’s Grand Jury page, which includes the Jury Questionnaire.


What is a county grand jury?


In California, the grand jury system consists of 58 separate grand juries – one in each county – that are convened on an annual basis by the Superior Court to carry out three functions:


Investigating and reporting on the operations of local government (which is known as the “watchdog” function a civil, rather than criminal function),

Issuing criminal indictments to require defendants to go to trial on felony charges, and

Investigating allegations of a public official’s corrupt or willful misconduct in office, and when warranted, filing an “accusation” against that official to remove him or her from office. The accusation process is considered to be “quasi-criminal” in nature.

What does a grand jury do?


With regard to its watchdog authority, the grand jury is well suited to the effective investigation of local governments because it is an independent body, operationally separate from the entities and officials it investigates. It conducts its investigations under the auspices of the Superior Court and has broad access to public officials, employees, records and information.


The grand jury’s fact-finding efforts result in written reports which contain specific recommendations aimed at identifying problems and offering recommendations for improving government operations and enhancing responsiveness. In this way, the grand jury acts as a representative of county residents in promoting government accountability.


In some counties, the regular grand jury issues indictments. In others, the Superior Court, at the request of the District Attorney, impanels a separate “criminal grand jury” to hear evidence in support of an indictment. Accusations, which are also filed and taken to trial by the District Attorney, are filed infrequently. Overall, grand juries throughout the state spend considerably more time on investigating and reporting on local government operations than they do on criminal matters. CGJA does not get involved in the any criminal indictment matters; however, the Penal Code requires the Grand Jury to:


• Inquire into the condition and management of the detention facilities within the County

• Investigate and report on the operations, accounts and records of county and other local public agencies, officers, departments or functions

• Inquire into the willful or corrupt misconduct in office of public officers, and,

• Submit a final report of its Findings and Recommendations no later than the end of its term to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court.


The local governmental entity to which a report is directed is required to answer both the Findings and Recommendations in writing and within a specified period of time after the issuance of the final report (60 days for officials or agency heads; 90 days for governing bodies).


How does a grand jury operate?


As a truly independent body, each grand jury is free to choose which local governmental entities or public officials to investigate. With very limited exceptions, no one outside the grand jury can direct it to conduct an investigation. Ideas for investigations generally come by way of three avenues:

• citizen complaints,

• matters raised by the members of the grand jury, and

• referrals from the preceding grand jury.


During its investigations, the grand jury acts as a finder of fact. In addition to determining if the official or entity under investigation is adhering to the laws that govern the operations of that entity, the jury analyzes whether the entity is operating in a businesslike manner and providing public services effectively and economically.


While it has no authority to order or otherwise compel compliance with its recommendations, it is through its reports that the grand jury wields its power.


What gives the grand jury authority?


Grand juries have existed in this state since the adoption of California’s original Constitution in 1849-50. Section 23 of Article 1 of the state Constitution requires that a grand jury “be drawn and summoned at least once a year in each county.” This Constitutional mandate is supported by statutory provisions found in the following:

• Sections 888 through 939.91 of the California Penal Code—relating to the selection and impanelling of grand jurors and to the grand jury’s watchdog and indictment functions.

• Government Code sections 3060 through 3075—covers the grand jury’s accusation process.


Many of the statutory provisions relative to the grand jury have been reviewed and interpreted by the California Supreme Court and the Courts of Appeal. Their written opinions, known as “case law,” clarify the powers and duties of the grand jury. Because of the complexity of state law, the legislature has provided legal assistants for each county grand jury:

• A judge of the Superior Court

• The District Attorney

• The County Counsel

• The state Attorney General (under certain circumstances).


In addition, the law requires the Superior Court to ensure that each incoming grand jury receives training to help it understand these laws; this training also provides practical advice on conducting watchdog investigations and writing grand jury reports. Most grand juries are given a local orientation program in addition to attending training provided by CGJA.


Who serves on county civil grand juries?


Civic-minded citizens who have chosen to give back to their communities by collaborating with a diverse group of like-minded persons over a one-year period to evaluate the operations of local governmental entities and the conduct of public officials, and to develop practical innovative recommendations for improving government operations.


Grand jurors are agents of change in their communities. They come from all walks of life. They bring with them a broad range of interests, talents and life experiences, but they share a dedication to democratic ideals and a willingness to devote their time and energies to matters of civic importance

Public Notice: Planning

Commission Vacancy


The City of Susanville is now accepting letters of interest for Planning Commissioners for one (1) full, four-year term (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2028) and one (1) two-year term for an alternate position (ending June 30, 2026).


The Planning Commission consists of five members who are responsible for advising the City Council and making decisions for the City in the area of land use, environmental review and development.


The Commissioners are appointed by a quorum of the City Council, and at a minimum, responsibilities include attendance at two monthly meetings and reviewing development projects.

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The Planning Commission’s meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 5:30p.m. All Commissioners must be a resident and registered voter of the City of Susanville.


If you are interested in becoming a member of the City’s Planning Commission, please submit a letter of interest and resume to the City of Susanville, ATTN: City Clerk, 66 N. Lassen Street, Susanville, CA or they can be emailed to hwhitlock@cityofsusanville.org.


Positions will be open until filled with the first review occurring on June 5, 2024.

This notice constitutes the notice under Government Code §54974.


No appointment shall be made to fill the vacancy for ten days after the final posting of this notice.

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Uptown Susanville in the early 1920’s from an Eastman’s Studio photograph

Polish Colony Head is Held

May 21, 1929


Another echo of the plan of Stanislaus Przbysz, priest of a Polish church, to establish a colony, north of Reno, was heard yesterday when Przbysz was held at San Francisco by postal authorities on a minor charge, pending a further inquiry into his financial operations.


Under his plan several hundred Polish settlers were to have been brought from Eastern states to settle upon a large area of Lassen county lands north of Susanville. The California real estate board interfered upon the ground that the lands are unsuited for farming purposes.


The postal authorities started an investigation when complaints were made that the value of the lands had been misrepresented.


Przbysz’s ignorance of land values and farming conditions are asserted by some to have misled him in his undertaking.

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If you are a fan of our daily history stories you should join the Lassen Historical Society! It's a fun way to be a part of our county's rich history. When you sign up you'll receive regular Historical Society newsletters with interesting stories and information. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in area history.


Through your membership you help preserve local history. You can download a membership application by clicking here.

The SusanvilleStuff Team


Jeremy Couso

Owner, Publisher and Editor

Marshel Couso

Owner and General Manager

Ray Couso

Sales and Retention Consultant

Susan Couso

Feature Writer

Terra Avilla

Feature Writer

Shelley Bennett

Feature Writer

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Today: Sunny, with a high near 70. North wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.


Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Northwest wind around 10 mph.


Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 69.


Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37.


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Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.


Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 68.

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Congratulations to Tanner Benner-Franco, the

winner of this week's Pizza Factory giveaway!


You too could win a large one-topping pizza from the Susanville or Janesville Pizza Factory locations just by entering our weekly giveaway!


Just click here and follow the link to our handy entry form. You can enter once per day from each email address. We'll announce our weekly winner right here next Monday morning.


The prize is good for take-out or dine-in orders only, sorry no delivery.


Good luck and enjoy that yummy Pizza Factory Pizza!

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