SHARE:  
Volume XIV Issue 232 | Tuesday, June 21st, 2022
The Good Stuff by Shelley Bennett
It’s full-on summer in the Bennett household and that means that mom is in Miss Lassen County pageant mode. This year we have eleven lovely young ladies to introduce you to, but that will come at a later date.

They have already been busy with workshops in speech writing and walking, attending a chamber mixer, and participating in a few community service opportunities.

When I saw that the fair office was looking for groups and families to sponsor flower beds at the fairgrounds, I knew that this would be a new project for the MLC contestants.
After a conversation with gardening expert (and my former middle school science teacher) Sherrie Thornton, we decided on a raised bed that contains a flagpole and memorial to a local Vietnam vet. (More on that later.) 

Last week the contestants planted a variety of pink and purple flowering plants under the direction of Sherrie. They got right to work; organizing the plants by color and size, making sure the design was balanced and pleasing to the eye. 

Some worked on cutting out an old rose bush while others dug holes and added fertilizer. They brought water over and planned for the next phase of repainting the brick and wooden planter.  

Now it’s time to water and nurture them so they will “fill and spill”. That’s Sherrie-speak for the plants will grow and spread out, filling the bed with colorful blossoms to be enjoyed by fairgoers in less than a month. 

It ended up being a great way to start our pageant preparations. Personalities were unveiled. Friendships began. Relationships were cultivated.  

It also reinforced that community service not only benefits the community, it benefits you. It feels good to do something that others will enjoy. To make something beautiful. To realize a potential. It’s not just flowers, it’s fulfilling. 

As I am reflecting on this, I realize that it is a great metaphor for what we do with our pageant contestants: plant, water, bloom! 
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.”
The Panda Express Restaurant Saturday afternoon – photo by Alicia Presswood
Fire at Panda Express Damages Roof Ventilation System

Firefighters from the Susanville City Fire Department made quick work of a fire on the roof of the Panda Express restaurant at the corner of Rob’s Way and Main Street Saturday afternoon.

Crews were dispatched to the commercial structure fire at around 3:45p.m., arriving to find flames coming from the roof of the building, with heavy smoke throughout the restaurant.

“After confirming that all occupants were out the building, the utilities were secured and access was made to the roof with a hose line,” explains SFD Captain Leon Myers.

The blaze was extinguished, and crews began to overhaul the area to search for extension of the fire.

According to Myers damage was contained to a single roof ventilator, ventilation duct and the area of the roof near the roof ventilator.

Joining the City Fire Department at the scene were one Cal-FIRE engine, one Susan River engine, the Susanville Police Department, the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol and Lassen Municipal Utility District.
Fire Department Reminds Residents of June 27th Weed Abatement Deadline
The Susanville Fire Department is reminding city residents that the Weed Abatement deadline is Monday, June 27th, 2022 for removal of weeds and fire hazards.

“We are asking that all hazards be mitigated before the deadline,” explains Assistant Fire Chief Tom Hernandez. “The following Weed Abatement Standards are designed to assist firefighting efforts by, prevention of, or slowing the spread of fire.”

According to Hernandez the Susanville Fire Department has the final decision in determining whether an area is ‘safe from the spread of fire’ and conforms to the intent of the code.
The applicable City Code Section, 8.28.030, says that, “It is unlawful for the owner, agent, lessee or other person having charge or control of any piece or parcel of land within the city to allow weeds or rubbish to grow, or to remain thereon, or upon the street or sidewalk in front of such piece or parcel of land.”

Weeds, grass, or other combustible growth may be abated by mowing, disking, or scraping. If mowed the combustible growth must be cut and maintained to a maximum height of 4 inches.

All hazards must be mitigated prior to the June 27th, deadline and abatement by open burning is not permitted.

Abatement by open burning is not permitted.

Guidelines for removal of hazards on all properties within the city:
  • Mow or disk space around all buildings 30 feet wide at minimum.
  • Mow or disk space 50 ft. wide minimum completely around the perimeter of the property to the street or sidewalk. Mow or disk 30 ft. wide minimum cross-breaks every 50 ft. maximum, (property can be completely mowed or disked in lieu of cross-breaks.)
  • Mow or disk space extending 30 ft. minimum beyond the foliage of any group of trees.
  • All rubbish, trash, trimmings, rubble or litter shall be removed from the property.
  • All woods, fuel, or lumber shall be neatly stacked or removed from the property.
  • All weeds, grass, or other combustible growth shall be cleared at least 10 ft. from around any combustible storage.
  • Greenbelt, pastures, and environmentally-sensitive areas shall be assessed on an individual basis. Contact the fire department if you believe that this applies to your property.
  • Mow or disk space may be required to be larger if a potential fire hazard exists.
  • Remove down branches from trees and trim lower branches up to 6 ft. from the ground or 1/3 the height for smaller trees.

For more information regarding the Susanville Weed Abatement Program please contact Assistant Chief Tom Hernandez at 530-257-5152.
LMUD Makes Decision to Abandon
Hayden Hill Transmission Line
Lassen Municipal Utility District’s General Manager, Pat Holley, announced Friday that the utility district intends to remove the Hayden Hill transmission line.

As part of the announcement, a letter was sent earlier this month to local government officials and community partners.

“As prescribed in the 1991, Hayden Hill Mine Reclamation Plan, LMUD plans to remove the line, with work beginning October 3, 2022″, said Holley who also added that LMUD has determined that no additional environmental review is required for the line removal.
“The Hayden Hill line was purchased from Lassen Gold Mining in 2006,” explains Public Relations Manager Theresa Phillips. “It was originally thought the line could be salvaged and used to provide much needed power to the residents in the area. However, after evaluating the project and the cost associated with leaving the line in place, LMUD has determined that this is no longer a viable option.”
A 1931 model Pitcairn auto-gyro from thisdayinaviation.com
California Candidate Downed at Susanville as Autogyro Breaks
June 21, 1932

Tallant Tubbs, candidate for the Republican senatorial nomination, said tonight he was safe and planning to continue his tour of the northern counties in an autogyro, despite an accident to the plane today. “We were six miles out of Susanville, at an altitude of 6000 feet, starting to climb the Sierras, bound for Downieville, when one of the two strut wires supporting the left-wing crystalized and broke,” Tubbs said.

“Due to the fact we were in an autogyro instead of an airplane, we were able to return to Susanville and land. We will continue our tour of northern counties Saturday morning after the wire has been repaired.” he declared.

The airship’s pilot Hugo Bauhaus, from the Bauhaus family of aeronauts, said that although there were some tense moments after the struts failed he at no point felt as though he and his passenger were in danger of crashing to the forest below.
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.
SusanvilleStuff WebXtra is a copyrighted feature of Couso Technology and Design