Volume XVII Issue 118

Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025

When I say she was a good person, it just doesn’t do it justice. She is… was… kind. So freaking kind and welcoming. She was funny. She was smart. She was breathtakingly beautiful (inside and out), she was a friend that any friend would be lucky to have and because of that there is a huge gaping hole in so many lives right now.

But Nikki would be so mad at me if I didn’t describe her in the way that mattered the absolute most to her. Nicole was an amazing, selfless mother. Out of all the titles she held, anyone who knew Nicole knew that her most prized title was being a momma to her son, Anthony, and daughter, Ryan.

Nikki was killed in a traffic accident doing something so many of us do every day… driving her daughter to school. I heard it and I didn’t believe it. How can someone who is so vibrant and full of life, just not be here? But then my heart sank. Ryann. Oh Ryann. Her fiery, sweet, funny, tough, firecracker 10-year-old. Is RYAN OKAY? Where’s Ryan?

I was told Ryan had the absolute best first responders on scene, that did everything imaginable to ensure Ryan has the best outcome possible.

Anyone who knows Ryan, knows she is a FIGHTER. She is petite like her momma, but talking to her you would think she is 6’2” and grown. She has always just been that TENACIOUS. And Ryan is fighting. She fought to be stable enough for transport to Reno, and her little body is fighting as we speak. She is perhaps one of the toughest humans I know!

I remember last spring, sitting with Nicole as Peach’s team played Ryan’s team and we laughed as Ryan stepped up to the plate… just ready to whack the ball as hard as she could, her strike zone, pretty much non-existent for how petite she is.

When she got on base, her little body sprinted to first base with so much determination and competitiveness – I told her momma, Ryan needed to come talk to the baseball team about what a TRUE COMPETITOR looks like.

Ahh… I am so going to miss seeing my friend and our kids’ sporting events. Just a couple of weeks ago Nicole sat in front of Frankie and I at Ryan and Pearl’s dance show. I would have given you a hug Nicole had I known it was the last time I would have seen you.

For those of you who don’t know Nicole, she was a beloved County employee, who just helped her office navigate through the tragic loss of another one of their employees just months ago. (My heart goes out to all of you in that office!)

I have attached Nicole’s TikTok account, because it shows how silly, wonderful and beautiful she was. It also shows how much she loved her children, family and friends. It is a bittersweet memorial for our sweet Nicole.

However, there is no better way to honor Nicole than to make sure her children are cared for. Nicole leaves behind her sweet son, and of course Ryan.

Ryan is so blessed with such an amazing, supportive family. If you know the Wrights, that you know when I say that they are and would be the first to offer help to anyone in need, you know the truth that is in that statement.

You also know they are the last to ever ask for help. They are so focused on Ryan (as they should be), that offers to help support them are overwhelming.

Ryan is a competitor, a Believer, and fighter. All these things are going to help her in the days, and months and years to come. I know in my heart, I will see her again sprinting down the first base line ready to steal, dancing on a stage, shooting a basketball in a hoop, and running around at Awana’s again (bossing me around in the cutest way only she can do).

I know it. But the Wright family is going to need help to get her there.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Kerissa Schall and I, with permission from the family, are organizing a spaghetti feed to raise funds for Ryan’s recovery. Her family commutes every day to Reno and as you can imagine, that gets expensive very quickly, among the other expenses that are quickly rising.

With the amazing people at the Diamond Mountain Casino, the dinner will be held on February 4th, between 5:00 and 8:00p.m.

We are accepting raffle prizes and baskets to help raise funds and we will be posting additional details about how to buy dinner and raffle tickets.

If you would like to donate to this sweet, sweet girl please contact me (Terra Avilla) at Justthegirlcop@gmail.com or 1.775.771.7876 (Text please) or Kerissa Schall at kerrissa.schall@lassenhigh.org.

Nicole’s sister has also created a GoFundMe to help cover the costs for her memorial.

Losing Nicole so suddenly has hit us all hard. Her death has left a void that can’t be filled, and anyone that knew her is ALWAYS going to miss her fiercely. The impact she had on our community is profound, and she made our town a better place with her Nicole magic.

However, our sweet sweet Ryan, just 10 years old, is facing a journey no child should have to endure. She’s not only lost her momma but is also battling her own injuries.

Nicole would’ve moved mountains for that kid, and now it’s our turn to carry that torch. I’m asking all of you to rally around Ryan, Anthony and her family. Whether it’s helping with homework, showing up at her school events, or just being there to listen when they need to talk about her mom – we’ve got to be there for the long haul.

Nicole might not be here physically, but I’ll be damned if we let her spirit fade. Nicole… we are gonna miss you like crazy. And to Ryan and Anthony – kiddo, you’ve got a whole town in your corner. We’ve got you.

I’ll see you all February 5th at the Diamond Mountain Casino. Let’s show this family why where we live is the best place on earth.

If you register by February 10th, they guarantee you will get the correctly sized t-shirt.

All proceeds go to benefit the Lassen College Foundation and Lassen College athletics.

Click here to head over to the event registration page.

Cal-FIRE Warning Public to Beware of Fake Accounts Requesting Donations

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is alerting the public about fraudulent social media accounts impersonating Cal-FIRE and soliciting donations. Cal-FIRE does not solicit donations from the public, either in person or online.

Additionally, all of Cal-FIRE’s social media accounts are verified accounts and have the blue or gray checkmark and are categorized as a Government Organization. If you do not see the checkmark, it is not an official Cal-FIRE account.

While Cal-FIRE does not request donations, there are legitimate organizations that support victims affected by disasters, the fire service, and first responders. Anyone wishing to contribute to such organizations is encouraged to thoroughly research them to ensure their validity before making a donation.

Cal-FIRE urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious accounts or activity to the relevant social media platform or authorities. Protecting our communities includes safeguarding them against scams and misinformation.

For official information and updates from CAL FIRE, please visit our verified website at www.fire.ca.gov or follow our official social media channels.

Tips for confirming that a Government Organization’s social media account is valid:

• Make sure the social media handle matches what is listed on official websites.
• Official government accounts generally post professional, relevant, and timely information.
• Look for official announcements or references to other credible sources, such as links to government websites or trusted news outlets.
• Be wary of accounts with low follower counts or sudden, rapid growth.
• Government accounts will never ask for sensitive personal information via social media.

The art piece also must incorporate some specific text – Teen Dating Awareness Month, February 2025 “Respect That” – that must be easily read from a distance. You can click here to download complete rules and information.

The concept and images for the artwork should be based on the benefits of healthy relationships, and in relation to the theme. The theme “Respect That” highlights the importance of treating partners with dignity, listening to their viewpoints, respecting their boundaries, and valuing their autonomy by focusing on “respect.”

Only original artwork will be considered.

All entries will be reviewed by Lassen Family Services’ Board of Directors to pick the winning design in two categories: Category One for grades 6 to 8, ages 11 to 13 and category two for High School students ages 14 to 17.

The competition will be judged on the marketability of piece to multiple audiences, the creativity and originalality of the artwork and idea, attractiveness in terms of design and the neatness of the layout. Art will also be judged on its overall impact.

The deadline for submissions has been extended until January 27th. For questions, please send an email to angela.reed@lassenfamilyservices.org.

Uptown Susanville in the late 1950’s -photo courtesy Karla Mckahan

Anti Litterbug Program

January 22, 1957

The Lassen County Chamber of Commerce and the Susanville Monticola Club will have additional aid from the Lassen County High 4H Club and the Susanville FFA in their 1957 anti-litter campaign.

Phil Ebert is chairman of a clean-up committee of the Lassen Union High 4H Club which will construct and place four signs at the four main entrances into Lassen County warning the traveling public that California litter laws will be strictly enforced in Lassen County.

L. E. Francis of the First Western Bank in Susanville is advisor of this group and Richard Dieter is president pro-tem.

The cleanup committee of the Susanville FFA club, chair-manned by James Markham, have several important projects for the anti-liter campaign. Rubbish barrels already have been painted and will be placed at strategic points throughout the country.

A spring county road cleanup is being planned, and litterbug signs are to be placed at county vacation spots. Frank Fox is advisor of this group and Larry Dunn is president.

All four organizations are appealing to the local and county law enforcement agencies for the enforcement of the California law which prohibits the dumping of litter or rubbish along highways.

Judith Jean Fraticelli – November 8, 2024

Thomas Joseph Pourchot – January 9, 2025

Barry Ellis Edwards – December 23, 2024

Francis Deem Law – December 30, 2024

Johnny B Garate – December 13, 2024