2009 Archives

A Likely man sustained major injuries in a motorcycle accident March 27, 3:10 p.m. on Pencil Road two miles north of U.S. 395.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Dominic Mangiardi, age 54, was driving a 1991 Harley Davidson northbound on Pencil Road at an undetermined rate of speed when he allowed the bike to veer off the east side of the road. Mangiardi was thrown from the motorcycle when it collided with a barbed wire fence. He was transported to Mercy Hospital in Redding.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed local attorney David A. Mason to a judgeship in the Modoc County Superior Court March 26.
Mason, 59, of Alturas, has been in private practice since 1996. Prior to that, he worked as an assistant district attorney for the Modoc County District Attorney’s Office from 1988 to 1996 and deputy district attorney for the Calaveras County District Attorney’s Office from 1985 to 1988.

“We showed an operational profit in February,” said Modoc Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Walter Beck this week. “Things are going well and we’re making real progress.”
According to Chief Financial Officer Monica Derner, the operational profit for February amounts to just under $40,000. That’s the first such profit she’s seen and said it should bode well into the future as the new management changes take effect.

While March came in like the proverbial lion and left in the same fashion, that was a pretty dry animal.
Normal precipitation for March is 1.22 inches and last month only .75 inches was measured. That came on the heels of a February total of .76 inches, compared to a normal of 1.27 inches and January’s .76 inches compared to a normal of 1.54 inches.

Modoc’s Josh Wood placed seventh at the National High School Wrestling Championships in Virginia Beach last weekend, earning All-America honors.
Wood, who placed third at 215 pounds at the California State Championships, lost his first match in Virginia Beach then had to wrestle all the way back to place seventh. He wrestled and won five straight matches in one day. For the tournament, Wood went 6-2.Modoc golf team improving

Modoc’s young golf team is improving their scores, said coach Harold Montague this week. They’re still chasing league-leading Weed.
The Braves hosted an April 1 tourney at Arrowhead against Foothill, Lakeview and Portola High Schools. Foothill won the team event with a score of 442, Modoc shot 446, Portola 555, and Lakeview had just four players and no team score was posted.
Modoc’s Jeff Solomon led all players with a 72, with Drew Morgan firing a 78. Trent McQuarrie carded an 89, Justin Lee a 102, Gabe Fletcher 105 and Dejah Montague a 110.

Modoc’s baseball team, forced to play out of town as the Modoc Youth Park baseball field is still under repair, lost a double header to Mt. Shasta Friday.
Modoc dropped the first game 11-1, with Justin Estes getting the loss
Mt. Shasta won the second game 12-2 with Tyler Kuhn getting the loss
Modoc now travels to league-leading Fall River Friday. The Braves are 0-6 in the Shasta Cascade League and 0-8 overall.

The Modoc softball team dropped a pair of games to the Mt. Shasta Bears last Friday, 4-0 and 10-0.
Emily Conner got the loss, going six innings, allowing four runs on one hit and two errors and striking out 11.
The Braves got beat by 10 in five innings in the second game with Conner getting the loss. She pitched three innings, allowed eight runs on four hits and walked three.
The Braves travel to Fall River this Friday.

The lights went out in New Pine Creek about 1 p.m. Tuesday and the community remained without power through 5:30 p.m. Friday.
New Pine Creek’s Patti Carpenter called the Sheriff’s Office early when it appeared the power might be off for an extended period of time. The entire northern Modoc County area from the state line to the north of Sugar Hill and Lakeview, Oregon was hit with a massive snowstorm that dropped 18 inches of heavy, wet snow, downing power lines and breaking power poles.
Carpenter was concerned about the residents of the small community and especially concerned about the elderly or infirm.
The Modoc County Sheriff’s Office activated the Office of Emergency Service under Deputy Director Tony Richno. Undersheriff Gary Palmer and Richno set up a command station at the New Pine Creek Post Office Wednesday evening and set about assessing the situation.

The Sheriff’s Office recovered a human body Monday morning that had washed up against a Pit River dam at a ranch east of Alturas.
According to Modoc County Sheriff Mark Gentry, the body was found by ranch workers. It appeared it had been in the river for at least two weeks and had drifted to that spot. Gentry said the man had no connection to the ranch.
Gentry said the body was that of Gerald Williams, age 58, of Alturas.

Laura Correa, of Alturas, was sentenced to two years, eight months at a California Correctional and Rehabilitation Center by visiting Judge John T. Ball April 6 in Modoc Superior Court.
Correa was also ordered to make restitution of $29,092.30 to the victim in the embezzlement case, Ed Staub and Sons, Inc.

Local building activity remained slow for the month of March as the slumping economy refused to release its grip.
The Modoc County Building Department issued nine permits worth an estimated $84,577.70, with two of those permits amounting to $65,607. The county collected $2,142.91 in fees.
The City of Alturas issue nine permits worth an estimated $229,856, with one new manufactured home and a remodel making up $211,986. The City collected fees totaling $2,746.

Newly appointed Modoc Superior Court Judge David A. Mason will be sworn into office at a ceremony May 1.
Judge Francis “Fritz” Barclay will perform the honor at 4 p.m. at the Robert A. Barclay Justice Center at 205 South East Street in Alturas.
Governor Arnold Swarzenegger appointed Mason last month and he replaces retired Modoc County Judge Larry Dier. He is a local attorney and also served as the Assistant District Attorney in Modoc County.

Robert Kenneth Baker, 84, passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2009, at Surprise Valley Community Hospital in Cedarville, CA.
A funeral mass was held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 13, 2009, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church by Reverend Jeremy Leatherby, in Alturas, CA. internment services followed at the Lake City Cemetery along with an Honor Guard service from the Veterans. Ken’s youngest granddaughter, Air Force Staff Sergeant, Traci Reeves of Rome, NY was proud to be a part of the honor guard proceeding.
Donations may be made in his memory to the Surprise Valley Community Hospital, PO Box 246, Cedarville, CA 96101

Beatrice A. Larimore
Beatrice Aleene Larimore of Alturas passed away April 13, 2009 at Rogue Valley Medical Center, Medford, OR. A memorial service will be held at a future date, under the direction of Kerr Mortuary.

Shannon Lee Maycroft
Shannon Lee Maycroft, beloved wife and devoted and loving mother, passed away at her home in Loomis, CA on April 11, 2009, after a battle with cancer. She was born May 7, 1976. Shannon is survived by her husband Chad E. Maycroft who was reared in Alturas, CA and resides in Loomis with their sons Jeremy, 14; Barry, 12; and Ethan, 10, of Loomis.

Don Collis
A memorial service for Don Collis will be held Saturday, April 18 at 2 p.m. at the Veterans’ Memorial Hall, So. Main St., Alturas. The Rev. Dr. Ben Zandstra will give the service. Donald Parker Collis passed away at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Reno, NV on March 21, 2009.
Memorials may be directed to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 414 Archer Ave., Alturas, CA 96101.

Christopher Andrew Weighill passed away March 13, 2009 at his home in Potter Valley, CA at the age of 46. He was born in Santa Barbara, CA on March 19, 1962, and lived most of his later years in and around Mendocino County. Services were held at the Victory Outreach Church in San Jose, CA and a mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Santa Barbara.

Modoc’s varsity baseball team is still looking to get into the win column, dropping a Shasta Cascade League doublebill to Fall River last Friday 15-1 and 10-0.
Fall River is leading the SCL with a 7-1 record and the Braves were without four of their senior starters for the match-up. Modoc hosts its first home games of the season April 23 against Lost River and April 24 against Weed and the local field was finally repaired.

Modoc’s varsity girl’s softball team fell to Fall River last Friday 7-0 and 6-3.
Modoc’s girls are no 2-6 in the Shasta Cascade League, trailing Mt. Shasta 71, Fall River 7-1, Etna 5-3, Tulelake 2-4. Trinity is at 2-6 and Weed is at 1-7.

There will some federal stimulus funds for some transportation projects in Modoc County, according to the Modoc County Transportation Commission.
The MTC accepted the recommendations of its Technical Advisory Council April 2 and there are three projects identified for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding with work planned to start soon.

The Modoc County Tax Day Tea Party was held at the Modoc County Courthouse sidewalk on April 15 from 5:00pm to 7:00 p.m.
“For a small town and a low population county, I think we were very successful,” said organizer Diana L. Jankowski. “I had 98 confirmed attendees that signed my attendance sheet and approximately a total of 100 people that showed up during the event. In addition, we got a significant amount of traffic support (honking) when we marched down Main Street.”
Jankowski said the event was a non-partisan rally to protest excessive spending in Washington.

Bobby Moorehead entered guilty pleas to multiple sexual offense charges Tuesday in Modoc Superior Court and could be facing 16 years in prison. He will be sentenced on May 19.

Stephanie Evelyn Lowden, age 15, passed away at U.C. Davis Children’s Hospital in Sacramento, CA on April 21, 2009, while recovering from surgery. Stephanie is the daughter of Ted and Stacy Lowden of Alturas and sister of Jessica Lowden, 17, and Mariah, 10.
Pastor Rod Bodmer will hold services on Saturday, April 25 at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Baptist Church, West Carlos St., Alturas. A potluck gathering will follow. Condolences and contributions may be sent to the Lowden family at 708 East Sixth St., Alturas, CA 96101. Stephanie’s obituary will follow in a future issue.

On April 8, 2009, Lucille Ann Darlene Curnow of Alturas, beloved mother, wife, grandma, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, was taken up in the quietness of the afternoon. She was surrounded by her daughter Julie Holloway; husband Robert Curnow, her friend Bill Boland and nurse Paula Boissineau; her daughter Vallerie Malinowski was with her in spirit.
Lucille Ann Darlene Watkins was born January 24, 1929 in Inglewood, California.
Graveside services were held on April 9, 2009, in a private ceremony at Alturas Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Humane Society of America.

There are more questions than answers surrounding the death of Jerry Williams. His body was found in the Pit River on April 13, 2009, after being missing for six weeks. His death culminated more than a year of ill health and increasingly erratic behavior.
Jerry was born in Vallejo, Calif. on July 12, 1950.

Josefa O. Torres of Lookout passed away at Mercy Medical Center, Redding, CA of natural causes on April 13, 2009. Mrs. Torres, 73, was born in Mexico on March 19, 1936 and moved to Bieber and then Lookout in 1964. She was a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her husband Frederico preceded her in death.
The Rev. John Thompson conducted a graveside service April 16 at the Lookout Cemetery.

Mark David Cummings was born to Robert and Juanita “Corky” Cummings on July 13, 1954 in Kansas City, Kansas.
Mark passed away unexpectedly at home in Alturas on April 6, 2009. He truly disliked the cold winters, but he went home to be with his lord and maker on the warmest day we have had all year long. He will be dearly loved and missed.
A Memorial Service for Mark David Cummings was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 11 at Kerr Mortuary Chapel in Alturas.

Former Likely resident, C. Dennis “Denny” Ellerman, 81, died at the Lake District Hospital, Lakeview, Oregon from natural causes on Sunday, March 8, 2009.
His funeral was held March 14 at the Lakeview Methodist Church, followed by committal in the Westside Cemetery, Lakeview.
Contributions in Denny’s memory may be sent to a charity of the donor’s choice. He will be remembered as “father of the Flying Cossacks,” the trick horseback riding acrobatic act comprised of his family.

Four Modoc Braves were named to the Lions Club North Football All-star team with the game set at Shasta College July 25, 7 p.m. Practice will start July 19.
Modoc coach Shaun Wood is the head coach of the north team and selected Josh Wood, Dee Hunsaker, Ryan VanderHeyden and Justin Estes for the team.
Wood will be assisted by his brother Shane Wood, Tulelake head coach, Ken Dysert, Etna head coach and his son, Travis Wood, Modoc assistant coach.

The Modoc Braves track teams performed very well at the All Comers meet in Tulelake April 7, and travel to the Burney invitational this Friday.
Modoc coach Wendi Lowrey said that Michel Funk won both the girls 800 and the 1600 easily, while Rachel Field won the shot put, and sophomore Jordan Nolan placed third in the varsity 400 meters.
Gustavo Chavez won the varsity bouts 1600 with Willie Hamann second and David Potter third. Matt Mayes ran a strong 400 meters race, placing second.
Modoc’s junior varsity athletes did very well, with Austin Hoy winning all of his events, Zach Goulden winning the sprints, Brandon Baines won the hurdles, and Christina Correa won the shot put.

Modoc County Health Department reports that Modoc County has no confirmed or suspected swine flu cases as of Tuesday. There are currently 11 confirmed cases in California.
Public Health Nurse Jennifer Slinkard explained that Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, however Public Health officials have determined that this strain of swine flu virus spreads from human to human and can cause illness.

Burn permits are required starting Friday May 1st, 12:00 a.m. in Lassen and Modoc Counties.
Cal Fire has announced the requirements of dooryard burn permits for residential burning required from May 1st, 2009 to Midnight June 30th, 2009 (July 1, 2009) for all residential burning on State Responsibility Area Lands.
Burning can only be done on permissive burn days and to find out if it is a permissive burn day, contact your local Air Pollution Control District at
(530) 251-8110 in Lassen County and (530) 233-5522 in Modoc County.

More than ever, some families, parents and children in Modoc County need a helping hand, due to the state’s economic crunch. And no one is better positioned to see that than Carol Callaghan, the executive director of TEACH.
Though she sees things improving somewhat in the county, Callaghan makes no bones about the gravity of the situation. “I think this year’s going to be rough.”
In Callaghan’s opinion, the vital role that TEACH plays will only become more critical for people that really need help, “and want to help themselves,” she says. “We don’t do a lot of hand-holding. It’s a real fine line we walk. (But) if you need help, boy, we’ll be there.”

There will be a Modoc County Resource Advisory Committee meeting May 4, 4 p.m. at the large conference room in the Forest Supervisor’s Office, Modoc National Forest, 800 West 12th Street, Alturas, Ca.

Former Alturas resident David Allen Roy, Sr., 61 died on April 16, 209 in Klamath Falls, OR. A memorial service of tribute and love was held on April 20 at the First Baptist Church in Dorris, CA. A reception followed.
David A. Roy, Sr. was born in Detroit, Michigan on Nov. 9, 1947, to Joseph and Marguerite Roy, who in later years, moved to Alturas, CA.
Condolences may be sent to Louise Roy, P.O. Box 297, Dorris, CA 96101.

Modoc’s baseball team got into the win column Thursday by crushing Lost River 23-1 and 12-4 in Modoc. A scheduled game on Friday against Weed was snowed out.
That game is rescheduled for May 4 and Modoc meets Etna here May 1 with a 2 p.m. start.

Modoc’s Braves finished second to the Weed Cougars in the 2009 Shasta Cascade League golf loop, and both teams will compete in the North Section Division II championship at Lake Shastina May 5.
Weed won the final match of the season April 23 at Arrowhead, scoring a 191 on the front nine and a 201 on the back nine. Modoc scored 233 on the front and 234 on the back. Weed finished the season with a 10-0 SCL record and 48-2 overall. Modoc had an 8-2 league mark and was 40-10 overall. Mt. Shasta placed third, Trinity fourth, Fall River fifth and Etna sixth.

Modoc’s track team heads to Mt. Shasta April 30 for the Mt. Shasta Time Trials. They competed at Burney April 24.
Modoc’s Michel Funk and Rachel Field were the only varsity individuals to win an event. Funk won the 1600 meters in 6:14.12 and Field in the discus at 93-11.
Field was second in the shot put at 29-10.5. Funk also placed fourth in the 800 meters in 2:52.44
Susanna Jones was second in the 3200 meters in 14:24.34 and placed fourth in the 1600 at 6:34.20 and Rachel Bratton was sixth at 9:48.24. Danielle Grier was sixth in the 300 hurdles at 1:07.20.
Matt Mayes placed second in the varsity boys 400 meters at 57.87 and was third in the 100 meters in 12.05. John Beck was sixth in the shot put at 32-09.50.
Austin Hoy won the junior varsity boys high jump at 5-6 and placed fourth in the triple jump at 32-10.50. He was third in the 800 at 2:35.81.
Brandon Baines was sixth in the 110 hurdles in 22.56 and Zach Goulden was sixth in the long jump at 15-6. Carlos Chavez was sixth in the shot put at 31-02.50.

While the overall value isn’t going up substantially, building activity in Modoc is on the increase.
The County Building Department issued 26 permits worth an estimated $131,345 in April. That compares to just nine permits worth an estimated $84,577.70 in March.

The Alturas City Council will hear a proposal to raise water and sewer rates by 2.9 percent at its May 12 meeting, with start time of 7 p.m.
According to City Clerk Cary Baker, the increase is a part of a city resolution passed in 2008 adjusting the rates by the amount of the Consumer Price Index and will be effective July 1 if adopted by the council.

A proposal to build Canyon Ridge Senior Apartments is in the application stages with the City of Alturas currently and has several hurdles to clear before approval.
The plan calls for a 200-unit senior apartment complex to be built on 13.71 acres on the north side of Highway 299 (12th Street) between Thomason Lane and Nagle Street. The developer of the project is Melvin Morris of Hawthorne, and the design was done by Ed Disario of Alturas.

Modoc Medical Center’s debt to the County of Modoc increased to $14,417,525.70 at end of April, jumping up $598,370, according to the Modoc County Auditor’s Office.
That’s in stark contrast to the debt of $13,819,155.94 at the end of March,
which was down from February’s $14,039,137.02.

Robert M. Hetherwick
Robert (Bob) Merrill Hetherwick, born December 10, 1946, in Alturas, California, and long time Biggs-Gridley resident and businessman, passed away May 3, 2009 at Enloe Medical Center in Chico after a valiant struggle with cancer.
Memorial services will be held on Thursday, May 14 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Gridley, CA, with reception following at the Moose Lodge. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bob Hetherwick Scholarship Fund at Gold Country Bank in Gridley. Obituary to follow.

On May 1, 2009, former Modoc resident Freda Harriet Wilson of Yreka, CA, died unexpectedly at the age of 67. Freda was born on August 14, 1941, in Lake City, California to Ernie and Vonitia Wimer where she was a fourth generation native of Surprise Valley. The home in which Freda was born is still owned by the family today.
Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Wednesday evening, May 6, 2009 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Girdner Funeral Chapel in Yreka. Services for Freda will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1001 West Miner Street, in Yreka. A graveside service and interment will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the Lake City Cemetery in Lake City with a potluck gathering to follow at the Modoc District Fairgrounds, Cedarville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Madrone Hospice, Fairchild Medical Center Foundation or to a charity of your choice. Girdner Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Robert Houghtby, Sr., 71, passed away at Sutter General Hospital in Sacramento, CA on April 22, 2009, of a rare and aggressive strain of leukemia. He was born December 30, 1937, in Denver, Co.
He was interred at the Likely Cemetery on April 28, 2009.
Contributions in Robert’s memory may be made to the Likely Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 515, Likely, CA 96116.

Modoc’s Jeff Solomon and Drew Morgan qualified for the North Section Golf Championship at Bailey Creek Golf Course, May 12.
Solomon and Pierce’s Ben Geyer each shot 78 to tie at the Division II tournament held May 5 at Lake Shastina. Morgan shot an 85.

Modoc’s Braves got their first win of the season against the Weed Cougars Monday 6-1, after losing the opener 4-3.
Last Friday, Modoc dropped a pair of games to Etna 14-5 and 10-4.
On Tuesday, Tulelake dropped the Braves 15-3 and 6-2 to finish the season.
“I’m extremely proud of all these young players; there’s a lot more to this game than just wins and losses,” said MacDonnell. “This team grew tremendously throughout the season and has shown a great deal of potential. I look forward to working with the majority of this group for the next few years.”
Modoc remains in the cellar of the Shasta Cascade league with a 1-11 record. The final standings are as follows: Fall River 12-2, Tulelake 8-3-1, Etna 8-4, Trinity 9-5, Mt. Shasta 6-8, Burney 5-8-1, Weed 2-10 and Modoc 1-11.

Modoc’s girl’s softball split in Shasta Cascade League action the last week, losing a pair to Etna 13-1 and 8-3 on Friday and beating cellar-dwelling Weed Monday 8-5; 13-9.
The Braves finished the season with two wins against Tulelake Tuesday.
The SCL final standings are as follows: Mt. Shasta 13-1, Etna 9-3, Fall River 10-4, Burney 9-5, Modoc 6-8, Trinity 3-11, Tulelake 3-11, Weed 1-11.

Modoc Coach Wendi Lowrey believes her track team will fare very well at he Shasta Cascade League meet at College of the Siskiyous on May 15.
The team is coming off an April 30 Mt. Shasta Time Trail performance where Michel Funk led the girls varsity with a second place 800 meters in 3:00.10 and a second place in the 1,600 meters at 6:12.20.
Zach Goulden led the junior varsity boys with second in the long jump at 16-9.75, a third in the 200 meters at 26.0 and a fifth in the 100 meters at 12.9. Jordan Nolan paced the junior varsity girls with a second place in the 400 meters at 1:11.90.

The new Dorris Bridge Paintball Field is located just 5.2 miles on the left side of the road, east of Alturas on County Road 56 past Dorris Reservoir.
Our first game will be on Saturday, May 9, 2009. The gate will open at 11:00 a.m. Players, please remember to bring water to hydrate and perhaps a treat to share during the midday hot dog barbecue.

Cutting the Washoe County budget may mean slicing the only line of communication and severing Vya’s lifeline to the rest of the world. Vya proper has two residents and serves as the hub of a loosely knit community of approximately 50 residents and another 20 people who work in the area, spread out over a 2,000 square mile area.
With budget cuts in mind Washoe County Public Works director Dan St. John paid his first visit and fact finding mission to Vya with possible closing or severely limiting services provided by the remote road maintenance station in mind. The town is located 23 unpaved miles east of Cedarville and 86 unpaved miles north of Gerlach, which are the closest towns.

Don’t forget the statewide special election set for Tuesday, May 19 with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
While many precincts in Modoc are mail-in ballots, the following polling places will be open: Cedarville at the Fairgrounds; North Fork at Surprise Valley Electric; Alturas B and Hot Spring 400 precincts, Alturas City Hall; Alturas C, CDF station Eighth Street; Alturas A and D, Alturas City Hall; Cal Pines, Cal Pines Lodge; Newell, Newell School.
There are six statewide propositions on the ballot, Proposition 1A through Proposition 1F.

The Union Pacific Railroad terminated its contract for the Alturas to Klamath Falls line with Modoc Northern Railroad May 5, effective that date.
According to Zoe Richmond, UP Public Relations, the contract was terminated because of UP’s serious concerns over Modoc Northern’s operation of the line from here to Klamath Falls and their ability to take care of customers and their business obligations.
Union Pacific intends to take over operation of the line and its first order of business was to do a safety inspection and do whatever upgrades are needed. There are no plans to shut down or abandon the line.
It’s uncertain whether a permanent Union Pacific maintenance crew will return to Modoc.

While the overall cash position with the County may not be feeling it yet, Modoc Medical Center appears to be trending into the positive financial territory.
MMC posted a profit of $419,000 for the month of March 2009. Monica Derner, Chief Financial Officer for the hospital said the profit can be attributed to several factors including improved billing practices, charge capture and retro-billing for Medicare services. The improved bottom line does not however, equate to immediate cash.
“We have been holding our Medicare bills for several months now while the Federal government revises our rates to account for our Critical Access status. We are in regular contact with them are expecting they will have it completed in the next 30 to 60 days,” Derner said.
MMC should see all the current profits materialize into cash at that time. That will help decrease the $14,417,525 debt owed to the county.

Robert M. Hetherwick
Robert (Bob) Merrill Hetherwick, long time Biggs-Gridley resident and businessman, passed away May 3, 2009 after a valiant struggle with cancer. At bedside were his loving wife Ilona, children Melissa, Shane, Kelly, and Alicia, his brother Troy and wife Susan, and cousin Carolyn Smith Cranford and husband Larry.

Memorial services will be held in Gridley, CA on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the Gridley-Biggs Cemetery Gazebo, with the reception following at the Moose Lodge on Hwy 99.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bob Hetherwick Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of Alicia at Gold Country Bank at 567 Virginia Street Suite H, Gridley, CA 95948.
Arrangements entrusted to Gridley-Block Funeral Chapel.

Private family services were conducted for Ellen Isabel Greer, 93, of Fall River Mills. She was buried in the Fall River Mills Cemetery. Mrs. Greer died May 7, 2009 in Mayers Memorial Hospital of natural causes. She was born September 18, 1915 in Glenburn, CA

Funeral services for Edris Undeen Ellenberger, age 85, of Adin, will be held May 16, 11 a.m. at the Adin Community Church.
Mrs. Ellenberger passed away of natural causes May 7, 2009 at Mayers Memorial Hospital in Fall River Mills.

A memorial for Forrest Potter, beloved Brother and Uncle, will be held 1:00 p.m. on May 24, 2009, at the newly renovated “Old Potter House” in Lookout, California.
Forrest was born April 4, 1908 and raised in Lookout.

Dorris Bridge Paintball field is located just 5.2 miles east of Main Street on County Road 56 in the Alturas CA area. It is on the north side of the road past Dorris Reservoir. The field is operated by Bradley and Cathy Storm.

The first game day was last Saturday, May 9, 2009. The weather was perfect for the exciting outdoor activity. There were 24 players who enjoyed approximately 5 hours of game time. Everyone enjoyed a mid-play-day hot dog BBQ with homemade chili, chips, sodas, watermelon and cookies.

The next scheduled game day will be June 6th. Each play day promises to be full of fun and excitement!
If you don’t have any paintball equipment, but would like to participate in the fun, you may borrow equipment at the field and give this great family orientated sport a try.

Modoc County voters joined with voters across the state, although not that many, in soundly rejecting the state budgets measures in Tuesday’s special election.
Proposition 1A, the rainy day fund, failed statewide by 65.9 percent against and 34.1 percent in favor. Modoc voters rejected it by 74.2 percent against and 25.8 percent in favor, 1,731 votes against to 602 in favor.
Proposition 1B, education repayment, failed statewide by 62.6 percent to 37.4 percent. Modoc voters rejected it by a 69 percent to 31 percent margin, 1,605 against and 722 in favor.
Proposition 1C, lottery modernization, failed statewide by 64.6 percent to 35.4 percent. Modoc voters said no by 69.8 percent to 30.2 percent, 1,624 against and 703 in favor.
Proposition 1D, children’s services, failed statewide by 65.8 percent to 34.2 percent and failed in Modoc by 67.2 percent to 32.8 percent, 1,546 against and 758 in favor.
Proposition 1E, mental health, failed statewide 66.4 percent to 33.6 percent. Modoc voters rejected it 66.4 percent to 33.6 percent, 1,565 votes against and 758 in favor.
Proposition 1F, elected salaries, passed statewide by 73.9 percent to 26.1 percent. In Modoc, voters said yes by 82.7 percent to 17.3 percent, 1,932 in favor and 405 against.
Statewide voter turnout was a dismal 22.9 percent and only 42.9 percent of Modoc voters cast ballots.

Location, location, location . . . may have been one of the major reasons the local General Motors dealer, Carstens Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac survived the dealer cuts just announced by GM.
“We made the GM dealership cut and we will still be here,” said owner Bob Carstens Tuesday afternoon, visibly relieved after months of enduring the stress of the unknown.
According to Carstens, GM notified those dealerships who would lose their GM franchise, by letter last Friday. Prior to that, there was no notice, no clue given as to who would be on the cut list.

Honor sacrifices of veterans
On the observed Memorial Day holiday, Monday, May 25 at 11 a.m. the Alturas Veterans groups will host a Memorial Day service in remembrance of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice -- their lives in serving their country.
Join veterans and the public at the Big Flag at Plumas Bank’s parking lot, Main Street, Alturas. Guest speakers to be announced.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7888 of Surprise Valley will hold Memorial Day services at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 25 at the Cedarville Cemetery. Public welcome.
VFW Post 3327 will hold Memorial Day services at the Alturas Cemetery on Saturday, May 30, the true Memorial Day. The service will begin at 11 a.m. The public is invited to attend this service.

The Modoc Joint Unified School District will be taking public input on possible changes at New Pine Creek’s Stateline School.
According to MJUSD Superintendent Lane Bates, the fifth through eighth grade teacher, Lynnette Kingsley, has tendered her resignation at the end of the school year.
The Board is looking for public comment about whether to replace that position, or move the sixth through eight grade classes to Modoc Middle School, or in some cases to Lakeview, Oregon schools.

The Modoc County Board of Supervisors nearly destroyed the Modoc Frontier Healthcare Coalition when it voted down a new Memorandum of Understanding 3-2 last week.
Fortunately, following some needed soul-searching, Chairperson Patricia Cantrall brought the issue back up for another vote and it passed 4-1. But that didn’t completely resolve the issue or soothe some wounds.
The Coalition has been working, and had success, in an effort to build a new hospital in Alturas. The Coalition is made up of the County of Modoc, City of Alturas, and the Cedarville Rancheria tribe, Fort Bidwell tribe and the Pit River tribe.

Beatrice Aileen Larimore of Alturas passed away April 13, 2009, in Medford, Oregon, with family present, following surgery. Services for Mrs. Larimore will be Friday, May 22, 11:00 a.m. Graveside, Alturas Cemetery. Potluck Fellowship will follow at the Veterans Hall, South Main Street, Alturas.
Donations can be directed in Bea’s memory to Veterans Guest House 880 Locust St

Services: Forrest Potter
A memorial for Forrest Potter, beloved Brother and Uncle, will be held 1:00 p.m. on May 24, 2009, at the newly renovated “Old Potter House” in Lookout, California.
Forrest was born April 4, 1908 and raised in Lookout, the eighth child of John & Minnie Potter. During his lifetime he had several careers; the first was as a teacher. He lived with his sister Fay in Klamath Falls, OR, the last six years of his life.

Modoc will send 11 athletes to the Small Schools Championships May 22 at College of the Siskiyous.
The team will be led by Shasta Cascade League champions Matt Mayes who won the boys 100 meters in 11.44 and the 200 meters in 23.78 and Rachel Field who won the discus at 96-04.
“The whole team had an amazing day at the league championships May 15 at COS,” said coach Wendi Lowrey. “The team really came together and had an amazing day. All of their hard work during the season paid off at the league track meet.”
Mayes also placed fourth for the varsity boys in the 400 at 54.16. Chris McMaster placed fifth in the shot at 35-0 and sixth in the discus at 106 feet. Eric Rubio placed sixth in the shot at 35-0. Willie Hamman was seventh in the 1600 at 5:34.42 and John Beck was seventh in the shot at 34-07.
Field placed second in the shot at 30-06 while Michel Funk was third in the 800 at 2:42.29 and fifth in the 1600 at 6:08.33. Susanna Jones placed third in the 3200 at 14:01.44 and sixth in the 1600 at 6:08.51. Danielle Grier was fifth in the 100 hurdles at 21.28 and seventh in the 300 hurdles at 1:01.63. Grier, Celeste Yamagiwa, Jenelle Stillinger and Aurora Hall placed third in the 4x100 relay at 1:00.24. Yamagiwa was sixth in the 300 hurdles at 1:00.99 and in the 100 hurdles at 21.72. Hall was fourth in the shot at 29-07. Rebecca Field placed fifth in the discus at 70-04 and sixth in the shot at 27-09.
Zack Goulden led the junior varsity boys with a second place in the 200 meters in 26.22 and in the long jump at 17-06.75. He placed fifth in the 100 at 12.67 and in the triple jump at 33-07.75. Brandon Bains was third in the 300 hurdles at 50.74 and in the 100 hurdles at 22.24 and sixth in the 400 at 1.06. Austin Hoy was fifth in the discus at 880-05. Carlos Chavez was sixth in the shot at 32-03.
Jordan Nolan paced the junior varsity girls with a second in the 400 at 1:09.26 and a fifth in the 100 at 16.51. Christine Correa was fifth in the shot at 21-07 and in the discus at 57-01.

Modoc’s varsity girl’s softball team, seeded 12th, was knocked out of the North Section Division V playoffs last week 9-1 by Durham, the number five seed.
Durham scored three runs in the first, two in the second, three in the fourth and one in the sixth. Modoc scored one in the third. Durham picked up their nine runs on eight hits. Modoc had five hits in the game.
Durham lost the next game to Quincy and Quincy lost to Colusa.
The number one seed, Colusa lost to the number two seed, Etna, in the championship game.

Modoc’s Jeff Solomon shot a 72 and Drew Morgan an 84 Tuesday at Bailey Creek Golf Course in Lake Almanor, CA.
Coach Harold Montague said both played well and Jeff became the first Modoc Golfer to advance to the NorCal Championships. The NorCals were played on Monday, May 18 at Butte Creek Golf and Country Club in Chico.
Solomon shot 74 at the NorCals under calm and hot conditions.
He competed in a field of 90 competitors comprised of 12 teams and 18 individuals from the north state. Three teams and six individuals advance to the state championship at Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach, CA on June 10th. Solomon’s 74 was just two shots off of the qualifying score of 72 to advance to state.

The Modoc County Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted unanimously to affirm its support of the Modoc Frontier Healthcare Coalition, trying to resolve some issues that nearly stopped the effort last week.
The Coalition has been successful in an effort to secure funding to build a new hospital in Alturas. The Coalition is made up of the County of Modoc, City of Alturas, and the Cedarville Rancheria tribe, Fort Bidwell tribe and the Pit River tribe.

The Modoc County unemployment rate fell from March’s 15.7 percent to 13.7 percent for April, according to the state Employment Development Department.
According to EDD, the civilian workforce dropped from March’s 4,050 to 3,990 in April. There were 640 unemployed in March and 550 unemployed in April. Of the 3,450 people employed in Modoc, 1,400 (40 percent) work for either federal, state, or local government. Local government employment accounts for 1,080 jobs.

Bobby Lee Moorehead, who was originally charged with 31 felony counts and five misdemeanor counts, largely involving deviant sexual contact with a minor, was sentenced to 16 years in state prison May 19.
He could be released in as few as eight years.
Moorehead accepted a plea agreement offered by Modoc District Attorney Gary Woolverton and the sentence was imposed by Modoc Superior Court Judge Fritz Barclay.

Dorothy Louise Applin, 85, a long-time resident of Alturas, passed away May 24, 2009, in Alturas, CA. She had been a resident at Warnerview Skilled Nursing Facility for the past 18 years. Dorothy was born in St. Louis, Missouri on November 26, 1923 and lived for a time in Albert Lee, Minnesota.
Graveside services will be held Friday, May 29, at 10 a.m. at Alturas Cemetery. Donations may be made to a favorite charity.

Former Canby resident Dave Hill of Chiloquin, OR passed away in Klamath Falls, OR on May 8, 2009. A memorial service may be held at a future date in Canby, CA.
Mr. Hill was born July 23, 1947 in Reno, NV to Erma Lee (Tory) and Earl R. Hill. He grew up in Klamath Falls
Wards Chapel in Klamath Falls was in charge of cremation arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to any of the donor’s choosing or toward vision research. Condolences may be sent to the Hill family at 35361 Highway 62, Chiloquin, OR 97624.

Stephanie Evelyne Lowden was born January 17, 1994 at Modoc Medical Center in Alturas, CA. Stephanie, 15, was a student at Modoc High School when she passed away at U.C. Davis Children’s Hospital in Sacramento, CA on April 21, 2009, while recovering from surgery.
Pastor Rod Bodmer held services on Saturday, April 25 at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Baptist Church, West Carlos St., Alturas. A potluck gathering followed. Condolences may be sent to the Lowden family at 708 East Sixth St., Alturas, CA 96101.

Modoc’s Matt Mayes won the small schools 100 meter dash in 11.66, edging Mt. Shasta’s Austin Herrick who clocked 11.76. With the win, Mayes is the sole Modoc athlete to qualify for the North Section finals at West Valley May 29.
Mayes also place second, to Herrick, in the 200 meters at 23.54. Herrick ran 23.35 for the win.
For the Modoc girls, there were some seconds, but no wins.
Michel Funk was second in the 800 meters at 2:36.02 and third in the 1600 meters at 6:08.68. Susanna Jones placed second in the 3200 meters in 13:46.53.
Rachel Field was third in the shot put at 30-10.25 and in the discus at 84-03. Auroa Hall was fourth in the shot at 30-04.75. Danielle Grier was fifth in the 100 hurdles at 20.09.
Zach Goulden led the junior varsity boys with a win in the 200 meters at 26.09, a fifth in the 100 at 12.61 and a sixth in the long jump at 17-02.50. Brandon Baines had a solid day placing second in the 110 hurdles at 20.73 and in the 300 hurdles at 49.04.
Jordan Nolan led the junior varsity girls with a second place in the 400 meters at 1:09.71.

Modoc High School will be hosting the Sierra College wrestling camp here June 8-12 at the Griswold Gym.
The fee is $75 and can be paid at registration June 8 starting at 9 a.m. The camp is open to high school to elementary school age wrestlers. About 50 wrestlers of all ages are expected to attend.
Coaches for the event are Sierra College’s Kenny Wharry and Dan Martinez.

The Modoc Motorsports Association is revving up for an eight race series, over four separate weekends May 30 through August 23. The first races will beheld May 30-31.
The races are open to local riders of all ages and abilities as well as riders from throughout California and contiguous states.
Race weekends at the Modoc Fairgrounds Cedarville track will open sign ups at 8 a.m. and run events from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the following dates: First race, May 30-31; June 27-28 (same weekend as Modoc SuperBull); July 25-26 and during Modoc Fair, August 22-23. Gate fees are $10 per person; members of MMA, $5. Public spectators encouraged.

Your communities’ Dorris Bridge Paintball Field will be the site for a Paintball game day on June 6. The site is located just 5.2 miles east of Main Street on County Road 56 in the Alturas CA area. It is on the north side of the road past Dorris Reservoir.

The Modoc Joint Unified School District voted unanimously last Thursday not to replace the fifth through eighth grade teacher at Stateline School in New Pine Creek.
That decision means the small school will drop from a kindergarten through eighth grade school to kindergarten through fifth grade for next year.
According to MJUSD Superintendent Lane Bates, the fifth through eighth grade teacher, Lynnette Kingsley, has resigned effective the end of the school year.

The Modoc Medical Center debt to the county at the end of May dropped $80,386 from $14,417,525.70 at end of April to $14,337,139.51.
The debt stood at $13,819,155.94 at the end of March, which was down from February’s $14,039,137.02.
While the financial picture remains a little bleak as far as the debt is concerned, the hospital has been reporting profits over the past two months and the overall debt figures, which had been rising consistently, have actually slowed or dropped.

Washoe County Public Works director Dan St. John has informed Dusty Ferguson manager of the Vya Station, that the remote road maintenance facility will remain running as before. There will be some transfer of personnel, but Ferguson will remain as the manager.
With severe budget cuts facing the Washoe County Road Department, shutting the maintenance station or severely limiting its services to the area, was being studied.

Cynthia Susan Kitchen, 68, passed away May 25, 2009 in Redding, CA after a long illness. Her husband Marvin and her son Michael were by her side. Born at Wayland, Texas on April 24, 1941, to Cecil and Inez Carey, she was known as Susan to all who knew her.
Susan will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Services for Susan will be set at a later date.
Memorials may be sent to the American Heart Association Fund.

A Memorial Service for Adin resident Michael Dale Lyons, 54, will be held Saturday, June 6 at 4 p.m. at Grace Community Church in Burney. A potluck will follow at the church. Mr. Lyons passed away May 14, 2009 in Adin, CA.

Long time and now retired Alturas businessman Robert F. Brooks, age 83, died June 1 in Reno, Nevada following a brief hospitalization.
A full obituary will be published in next week’s Modoc Record.

Aletha Lorene Driscoll, age 79, of Likely, died May 31, 2009 in Likely.
She was born May 3, 1931 in Weed, Ca. and had spent the past 32 years in Modoc County.
There was a private family inurnment.

Elma Jane Dorton
Elma Jane Dorton, 87, passed away May 31, 2009 in Alturas, CA. Mrs. Dorton was born in Eagleville, CA on January 13, 1920. The mother of three daughters, she was also a teacher for 30 years. Memorial services are pending with Kerr Mortuary handling arrangements.

Luella McCulley Chace
Luella McCulley Chace was born November 30, 1916 in Cedarville, CA and passed away on May 30, 2009, at age 92 at Madrone Hospice is Yreka, CA.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 5 at 1:00 p.m. at Kerr Mortuary Chapel. A private burial will be held at the Alturas Cemetery. The family requests that any donations be made to the donor’s charity of choice.

Bernice Irene Hall died in Klamath Falls, Oregon on May 26, 2009. She was born on February 22, 1924 to Albert and Elsie Beebe on the family ranch in Modoc County. Bernice spent her childhood on the Thom’s Creek Ranch, and the remainder of her life as a resident of Alturas.
At her request, no services are planned.

The annual junior fish derby sponsored by the Pit River Rod and Gun Club and the Ash Valley Wildlife Area is scheduled for June 13, off State Route 299 one mile west of Adin.
The event is open to all junior anglers with application available at Ash Creek Wildlife Area and Adin Supply. Application may be mailed by June 8 to Ash Creek Wildlife Area P.O. Box 37, Bieber, Ca. 96009, or register in person the derby day prior to 8 a.m. Fishing starts at 8 a.m. and goes until 12 noon. For further information call 530-294-5824 or 299-3414.

Utah Valley University head wrestling coach Greg Williams recently finished his spring recruiting session and is pleased to announce that the Wolverines signed 10 new recruits this spring to add to the three they signed this past fall. One of those new recruits is Modoc’s Josh Wood.
The team's biggest needs were in the upper two weights at 197 lbs. and heavyweight. Wood, a two-time California state placer (3rd and 4th) from Modoc High School (Alturas, Calif.) is currently ranked 19th in the country at 215 lbs. He will compete at 197 lbs. for the team next year.
Coach Williams is very excited about the new recruits and the direction they will help take the program.
"Each of these wrestlers possess the work ethic and attitude to make our program better," Williams said. "Our practice room just got a lot tougher. There are some potential All-Americans in this group, but I am mostly pleased with the type of individuals they are. They all fit in with the character of our team."

The Modoc Rockies trounced the Intermountain girls junior Little League team 23-2 and 30-2 on May 30.
Cheyenne King got the win in the first game, going four innings, giving up four hits and fanning six.
Leading hitters for the game were Monica Eppler, King, Tamra Wheeler, and Telese Dowdy, all 2-for-2; Sarah Glidden 2-for-3, Courtney Knoch 2-4 and Kimberly Dewitt 2-for-5.
Olivia Peters got the win in the second game, going five innings, giving up two runs on two hits and she struck out three.
Leading hitters in that game were: Eppler 5-for-5, Glidden 4-for-6, Peters and Dowdy 3-for-3, and Dewitt 2-for-2.

Dorris Bridge Paintball Field will be the site for a Paintball game day on June 6. The site is located just 5.2 miles east of Main Street on County Road 56 in the Alturas CA area. It is on the north side of the road past Dorris Reservoir.
Just a reminder that every participant is required to fill out, sign and date an annual “NSERA Waiver and Release of Liability” form as well as a “Field Waiver and Release of Liability” form. For those players that are less than 18 years old the forms must also be signed and dated by their Parent/Guardian.
The field is committed to providing an alcohol, tobacco and drug free environment encompassing our youth/families. A designated smoking area is provided for adults.
We appreciate your continued support. If you would like give a personal contribution toward the field insurance you may contact Bradley and Cathy Storm at (530)233-3770.
Each play day promises to be full of fun and excitement. You may borrow equipment and give this great family orientated sport a try. If you need supplies prior to game day please contact the Storms.

Modoc County, not unlike other counties in the state is bracing for major budget impacts, once the state legislature and Governor come to terms on their balancing act.
According to County Chief Administrative Officer Mark Charlton, he and county department heads are going through their budgets with a fine tooth comb and trying to ferret out any savings possible.
While none of the numbers are clear right now, Charlton said he expects the county’s General Fund to take about a $300,000 to $400,000 hit. Other departments in the county, which are more state funded, may get hit hard.
Some of those on the chopping block include CalWorks, programs through the District Attorney’s Office, The Rural Sheriff’s Grant Program, Social Services programs, Mental Health programs, some Medi-Cal programs and payment levels, Healthy Families, and others.

A new showdown over the leadership of the Alturas Rancheria Tribe is brewing for next week, according to Darren Rose, Vice Chairman of the Business Committee.
The showdown is made possible, he said, because of a decision made June 6 by Dr. Virgil Akins, Superintendent, Northern California Agency of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, that effectively increases the number of tribal members from five to seven. That decision, however, is not in effect for 30 days, or until the appeal process is concluded, Rose said.
Rose said his faction of the tribe -- himself, Jennifer Chrisman and Joe Burrell -- will appeal Akins’ ruling. The other two of the five members are Chairman Phillip Del Rosa and his sister Wendy.
Phillip Del Rosa said he was not overly concerned about the appeal and wished them “Good luck.” Del Rosa has maintained control of the Tribe and has fended off other efforts to remove him from the Business Committee Chairman position. He doesn’t believe a new effort to remove him will be successful.

A national meeting of the Experimental Stewardship Program (ESP), which had been set for June 15-18 in Cedarville, has been cancelled.
Shane DeForest, manager of the Bureau of Land Management’s Surprise Field Office in Cedarville, said advance registration numbers were too low to justify holding the meeting.
“We are disappointed in missing this opportunity for those interested in cooperative management of rangeland resources to meet and share ideas,” DeForest said. “Experimental Stewardship provides an excellent forum for people with various viewpoints to develop ways to maintain and improve health of public rangelands.”

The current status of the Bly Tunnel at Eagle Lake will be discussed when the Eagle Lake Interagency Board of Directors meets Thursday, June 18, at 1:30 p.m. at the Lassen County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 707 Nevada St., Susanville.
The Bureau of Land Management’s Eagle Lake Field Office will present information received from the California State Water Resources Control Board regarding rights to water flowing through a bypass pipe in the Bly Tunnel plug.
The Eagle Lake Board is comprised of agencies that have management responsibilities in the basin, including Lassen County, the Bureau of Land Management, Lassen National Forest, the California State Lands Commission and the California Department of Fish and Game.

Robert F. Brooks
Robert F. Brooks died on June 1, 2009, in Reno, NV, after suffering a stroke. He will be sorely missed by his family.
Graveside services will be held on June 18, 2009, at 11 a.m. at the Alturas Cemetery with fellowship to follow at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.
Robert Franklin Brooks was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 19, 1926.

Elma Jane Dorton
Elma Jane Dorton, a lifetime resident of Modoc County, passed away on May 31, 2009 in Alturas. She was 89 years old. Elma was born on “lucky Friday the 13th” January 1920, in Eagleville, CA, to Elmer and Ellen Minto, the second of eight children.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 13 at 11 a.m. at Faith Baptist Church, Carlos Street, Alturas. Donations in Elma’s memory may be made to the piano fund at Faith Baptist or to any favorite charity.

Valentine ‘Val’ Jochim, 76, died of natural causes June 8, 2009 on his ranch in Likely, CA. Graveside services will be held Monday, June 15 at 10 a.m. at the Likely Cemetery. Mr. Jochim was born in Eagle Butte, S.D. His wife Carol is among the family members who survive him. Mr. Jochim’s obituary will be published in a future Modoc Record issue.

Mary Ann Myers, 57, of Canby, CA passed away from Lou Gherig’s Disease (ALS) on June 4, 2009 at Warnerview Care Center in Alturas, CA. She was born on March 9, 1952 to James and Doris Myers in Sunnyside, WA.
Services under the direction of Kerr Mortuary, will be held at the I’SOT Tabernacle in Canby, CA on Saturday, June 13 at 2 p.m.

Alturas’ Doug Wellemeyer won the United States Powerlifting Federation’s Sierra Nevada Cup 2009, competition in Grass Valley June 7.
The 24-year-old won the 165-pound men’s division deadlift competition with a lift of 451 pounds and overall full power total of 1,036.3 pounds. He had a bench press of 271 pounds and a squat of 316 pounds.
During the event, he had three lifts in each category and the best lift was taken. He works out primarily at Alturas’ Weights and Figures Gym where his normal bench press is 295 pounds, deadlift is 465 pounds and squat is 405 pounds. He knew he could have lifted more at the competition.
“It was my first competition and nerves got the best of me early,” Wellemeyer said. “But I fought through that and ended up winning. I’m looking forward to the next competition. I know what to expect now.”
Wellemeyer has been vigorously training for the past year and five months and the Grass Valley event was his first step into the public weightlifting arena. When he’s not training at Weight and Figures, he goes to Susanville twice a month to train with another person involved in the sport.
The next competition is Sept. 5 in San Jose, and then he’ll be in Modesto Oct. 3. He’ll also be competing at a Strongman Competition in Susanville in October. He also will compete in a major United States Powerlifting Federation event in Sacramento December 12.
Wellemeyer said he is currently training four to five days each week and finds the training exhilarating and therapeutic.
He would also like to thank his parents Richard and Linda Wellemeyer, brother Jon, and his entire family, Marty Shaffer, Tex Dowdy, and Daniel Williamson for their support.

Looking for some fun and fitness, plus a place the kids can burn off energy this summer? The Alturas Municipal Pool and its lifeguards are ready to go, and officially opened the pool on Monday, June 8.
The “open” sign on Warner and West Fourth Streets, Alturas will be put in place Mondays through Saturdays. Rates remain unchanged from last year: $3 general admission; $2, senior citizens. Season pass, individual, $75 or family $100 single household, up to five people; each additional person, $10. The pool will be closed Sundays this year, except to private parties who rent the facility.
Hours: Recreational Swim, Monday through Friday, 1-4 p.m. and Saturday, 1-5 p.m.
Lap Swim: Monday through Saturday, noon-1 p.m. and Monday through Friday, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
The first session of Swimming lessons will be held June 22 through July 3. There will be a week break in between, before the second session of swimming lessons begins. Sign up for private one-on-one, semi-private lessons for two and three students or group lessons. Private parties can rent the pool on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for $50 one hour minimum (includes one lifeguard and additional lifeguards, $9 per hour).
Little bites keep ‘em swimming
The pool area snack concession to be managed by city employee Beth Colbert, will offer burritos, crackers, ice cream, cookies, candy, bottled water, fitness water, sports drinks, soft drinks and more.
Eleanor Dorton returns for her 22nd year as Pool Manager. Reach the pool by calling 233-4299.

A Modoc Volleyball Mini-Camp will be offered for sixth graders to adults from Monday, June 22 to Wednesday, June 24, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Griswold Gym, Modoc High School. Registration fee is $30 and includes camp t-shirt. Forms are available at Modoc High School Register by Monday, June 15 in the MHS Principal’s office.

Modoc County Chief Administrative Officer Mark Charlton laid the financial picture of Modoc County bare during Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, and stunned board members never asked a single question.
Modoc Schools, on the other hand, were shocked and have mounted a concentrated effort to understand and rectify any impacts to their funds held in the county treasury.
Basically, Charlton told the Board they were going to be looking at about $1.2 million deficit in the General Fund to start next year. Additionally, he told the Board the county was now being run primarily on schools’ funds.
The news was a shock to Modoc County Superintendent of Schools Gary Jones and district administrators. “One way to frame this is that the county has been operating on schools money since April or May, and it may be illegal,” said Jones.
“We are in a hole in the General Fund, projected at about $1.2 million,” Charlton said. “Some state accounts may pay up, but we’ll still be in that neighborhood of deficit.”

The Modoc water pitcher got a little fuller with a wet April and a wet June, but the overall view remains dry.
As of June 15, 1.46 inches of precipitation was measured in Alturas, well above the normal full month total of .99 inches, and well above the normal-to-date amount of .53 inches.
April was a very wet month with 1.72 inches of precipitation in Alturas, substantially more than the 1.07 inches average.

The issue is settled—at least in some minds, if not others.
Eagle Lake water passing through the pipe in the Bly Tunnel should be shut off. That’s the opinion of the California State Water Control Board, expressed in a recent letter to Dayne Barron, the BLM field manager responsible for the tunnel.
But in a meeting scheduled for today in Susanville, Barron plans to announce the need for an environmental study before following the board’s directions, according to Jeff Fontana, a BLM public affairs officer. “We have to follow the process laid out by NEPA,” said Fontana.
“I don’t quite understand why it’s necessary to have a NEPA study,” said Gwen Beck, an Eagle Lake resident who owns and operates Flying Eagle Guide Service and Taxidermy along with her husband, Ron. “Every minute that that pipe is spitting out water is not good. … There shouldn’t be one drop that leaves this lake unnaturally.”

The Modoc County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved a proposed new Modoc Medical Center policy aimed at setting up a manner in which to repay the hospital’s 14.1 million debt to the county.
Hospital Chief Executive Officer Walter Beck told Supervisors the revenue trend is looking up and he sees continued improvement. He called the new policy “A step in the right direction.”

Mary Marshall Flournoy, Likely’s oldest resident, died about 10 a.m. Monday morning, June 8, 2009, at the hospital in Alturas.
She was born September 30, 1906, at Douglas City, California.
Services for Mary are planned for Tuesday, June 23 at 11:00 a.m. at the Likely Fire Hall. A potluck dinner will follow. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Warnerview Convalescent Hospital, McDowell St., Alturas and/or the Modoc County Museum, 600 So. Main St., Alturas, CA 96101.

Graveside services for Robert F. “Bob” Brooks will be held today, June 18 at 11 a.m. at the Alturas Cemetery with fellowship to follow at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Alturas. Mr. Brooks, 83, passed away June 1, 2009 in Reno, NV, after suffering a stroke.

David Lee McLaughlin, 41, passed away at his residence in Oklahoma City, OK on June 9, 2009 of natural causes. He was born December 20, 1967 in Anaheim, CA to Charles and Judith McLaughlin.
A service was held in Okalahoma City, OK on Saturday, June 13 where family and friends gathered to share laughter and memories. David will be missed greatly.

Lorin J. Edgerton
Lorin Justin Edgerton, 74, passed away unexpectedly at his Adin home on June 12, 2009. Services were held June 15 graveside at Adin Cemetery at 11 a.m. Mr. Edgerton spent his life working in the logging industry and was one of the principals of Edgerton Bros. Lumber Co. Memorials may be directed to the Modoc County Sheriff’s Posse, P.O. Box 1408, Alturas, CA 96101. Mr. Edgerton was a long-standing member of the Sheriff’s Posse. His obituary will be published at a future date.

Patricia C. (Sutton) Bostwick
Patricia C. Bostwick, 58, passed away Thursday, May 14, 2009 in Goodland, Kansas, after becoming ill just a few days before. Born to Robert L. and Zelda Sutton on November 24, 1950, in Reno, NV, Patricia attended Alturas schools from kindergarten through her junior year of high school. A memorial service was held May 27 at First United Methodist Church in Goodland, Kansas.

Valentine Jochim, known as “Val,” was born on April 3, 1933 in Eagle Butte, South Dakota to Peter and Rose Dorscher Jochim. Val, 76, passed into eternity Monday morning, June 8, 2009 at his ranch in Likely,
Graveside services were held Monday, June 15 at 10 a.m. at the Likely Cemetery.

Alturas resident Steve Kurtz passed away in Ireland on June 4, 2009. Mr. Kurtz has retired from his own contracting company Concord Equipment Co in the Bay Area and moved to Alturas, where he quickly got involved with the Modoc Horseman’s Association and volunteered to help in many events.
He was born in San Diego, CA July 2, 1936. At his request no services will be held.

Roy C. Atkinson
Alturas resident Roy Calvin Atkinson passed away unexpectedly on June 8, 2009 in Alturas. He was 85.
Born in Stark, Montana on October 24, 1923, his family lived in Willow Ranch, Modoc County, CA and later moved to Lakeview, OR. Services were private.

Phyllis A. Mercer
Phyllis Ann Mercer, 88, longtime Alturas resident and respected teacher/educator, passed away June 12, 2009 in Elko, NV, where she had been living for the past few years. Services will be held in Alturas at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Friends of the Modoc County Library, 212 W. Third St., Alturas, CA 96101. Mrs. Mercer is survived by her daughters, Jane Ann Stephens of Oakland, CA and Barbara Stephens of Lakeview, OR.

Former Lake City resident, Weta Mary (Toney) Meland, 79, passed away in Mountain Home, Arkansas, April 24, 2009.
Weta was born on Christmas Eve 1929, two minutes behind her twin sister Reta. Weta - it had to rhyme with Reta
Services for Weta Mary Meland will be held in several places including Mountain Home in June, Arlington, Wisconsin on August 1, 2009, and Lake City in September Please remember Weta planting a tree in her memory and watching it grow.

Michael Alan White, Jr.
A Memorial Service for Michael Alan White, Jr. will be held Friday, June 19 at 11 a.m. at Federated Church, 307 East First St., Alturas. Dr. Rev. Ben Zandstra will officiate. A 21-gun salute will follow. Michael, 33, passed away June 14, 2009 in Reno, NV.

Modoc Motorsports adds Rancher Quad Race to excitement
The season for Modoc Motorsports Association is underway with the third and fourth round of races coming June 27-28 to the Modoc Fairgrounds Cedarville track. The races are open to local riders of all ages and abilities as well as riders from throughout California and contiguous states.
A Rancher Quad Race has been added to the excitement for intermission June 27. Enter that morning at the race office for a $25 entry fee and chance to take home $100 as the first one across the finish line with a bale of hay and tire, after navigating the course and water obstacle. The event will start after the first round of motos.
Les Schwab Tire Center in Alturas will sponsor (reimburse fees) one class on either Saturday or Sunday, for all riders living in Modoc County.
Race weekend sign ups open at 8 a.m. and events run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gate fees are $10 per person; members of MMA, $5. Public spectators encouraged. Friday night,
Riders can earn individual event trophies for each race and Series trophies, based on points earned by competing at all the season’s events. Series High Point Trophies will be awarded at the close of the season. Young children, teens and adults can participate in the separate categories.
For more information please contact President Pat Reese at 708-0116 or Director Rendy Rees.
It will be a big weekend of events at the Modoc Fairgrounds:
Friday night, June 26, Baxter Black will be performing at the Fairgrounds. Saturday night, June 27, the Super Bull event and Dance will be held at the fairgrounds. MMA races run both Saturday and Sunday. For more information go online to modocmotorsports.com.

The Modoc Rockies junior girls Little League team beat Burney 14-0 and 18-0 last week.
The winning pitcher in the opening game ws Cheyenne King and leading hitters were: King and Telese Dowdy each 2-for-3; Rochelle Keller 2-4; Courtney Knoch 1-2 and Kimberly Dewitt 1-3.
Keller was the winning pitcher in the second game. Leading hitters were: Keller 4-5; Tamra Wheeler 2-3; King, Sara Glidden Dewitt, Dowdy, King, Knoch, and Katelyn Dewitt 1-3.

Bike riders have a chance to join with fellow enthusiasts in the Fourth Annual Loop bike ride around the Modoc Wildlife Refugee the morning of July Fourth.
Sign up for the bike ride either at Altec Engineering at 1036 North Main Street in Alturas before the event or that day at the Veterans Park at 8 a.m. The ride begins at 8:30 a.m. to take advantage of the cool of the morning.
The 12.5 mile route is marked and water is offered midway. Those wanting a shorter bike ride may join the group at the parking lot of the refugee. Call 233-7115 for more details.
Fees to enter the ride are $10 per adult and $5 for those 13 through 19 years old and one dollar for those 12 years or younger. Cold water and a picture of the entrant are included in the fee, which benefits the Modoc Parks and Recreation District.

The three Modoc school districts and the County Office of Education will be holding closed session meetings this Thursday and next Tuesday under the “pending litigation” subject.
While not specifically detailed in the agendas, the issues will surround Modoc County’s use of restricted school funds to basically run the county. School officials cite Government Code that says the county’s action is illegal.
The county’s budget mess, in part a result of the State of California’s budget crisis, hit a crescendo last week when school officials learned that the county had no cash and was dipping into their funds for operation.
On Tuesday, school officials informed the Board of Supervisors that their taking of school funds was illegal. While the Supervisors basically apologized for using school funds, school officials said they did not get a commitment from the Board that it would stop using school funds for its operations.

Friday night, Baxter Black, often described as “the nation’s most successful living poet,” will perform in the Grandstand Arena at the Modoc District Fairgrounds in Cedarville. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Proceeds from the one-night only performance benefit the Doctor Robert’s Fund.
Modoc is truly in for a memorable ride, “cowboy-style!”
From shining a spotlight on everyday cowboy life and the day-to-day ups and downs of people who live with livestock and work the land to sharing his astute views on the day’s breaking news, Black is sure to win over everyone from the longtime fan to the merely curious.

Fearing dry and hot conditions in this area, CAL FIRE states that all dooryard burn permits within Modoc, Lassen and Plumas Counties are suspended at midnight June 30 until further notice.
Dooryard burn permits will not be issued and dooryard burning is not allowed during this time. Agricultural vegetation control burns are still authorized with special permits issued from CAL FIRE and Air Quality. Campfire permits are still authorized in designated campfire area only.
Each Year, CAL FIRE responds to nearly 1,600 fires started by Californians using equipment the wrong way. Whether working to create defensible space around a home, mowing the lawn, or pulling a dirt bike over to the side of the road, people who live in wildland areas need to use all equipment responsibly, states CAL FIRE.
The agency states that lawn mowers, weed eaters, chain saws, grinders, welders, tractors and trimmers can all spark a wildland fire.
For tips on how to use equipment the right way, go to www.fire.ca.gov.

It's time to saddle up for the 13th Annual Super Bull Rodeo in the Grandstand Arena at the Modoc District Fairgrounds in Cedarville!
A night of “buckin’ broncs, and bull ridin’ thrills” starts at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 26. A Barn Dance at the fairgrounds will round out the evening.
The Super Bull features some of the best rodeo in Northern California, with the excitement building to the climactic “Short Go” where the night’s top six bull riders compete for a grand prize, silver buckle and $2,000 added purse.
Super Bull tickets are $12 if purchased at one of many local outlets including Page’s Market and Surprise Valley Auto Parts in Cedarville, Modoc Auto Parts, Seab’s True Value, and Jay’s Clothing in Alturas, and at Jack’s General Store in Eagleville.

Robert “Neal” Bearden, fifth child born to Emory E. Bearden and Dovie (Neal) Bearden on July 28, 1918 in Ringgold, Georgia, passed away on June 13, 2009 of age and diabetes-related issues at his home in Springfield, Oregon. He was 90 years old.
He was a past president and long-time member of the 20/30 club, B.P.O.E. in Auburn and later transferred to the Alturas Elks Lodge and Veterans of Foreign Wars in Alturas
Graveside services will be held in Alturas at a future date to be announced. Memorial contributions may be made to Disabled Veterans Associations and/or the Diabetes Foundation.

Clarence Graham, Jr.
Clarence William Graham, Jr., 86, of Nubieber, passed away of natural causes June 18, 2009 at Mayers Memorial Hospital, Fall River Mills, CA. Services were held June 23 at Hillside Cemetery, Nubieber. The Rev. Kent House of Grace Bible Church conducted the service.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Youth Center in care of Jennifer House, P.O. Box 187, Bieber, CA 96009.

Beverly R. Wolter
Services were held June 11, 2009 at the Adin Cemetery in Adin for Beverly Ruth Wolter, 83, of Fall River Mills.
She died June 6, 2009 of natural causes at her residence.
She was born February 8, 1926 in San Lorenzo, CA. She moved to Fall River Mills in 2009 from Bieber

Junior Boys All Star Tournament starts next week
Alturas will play host to the Junior Boys All Star Baseball tournament June 29 through July 3 at the Little League complex off West C St., in Alturas. Teams from Intermountain, Feather River/Quincy, Susanville and Modoc will play. Come out to show support for your local team when Modoc’s team sponsored by Larranaga Trucking plays Susanville at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 29. Food concessions will be available. For the remainder of the tourney, game times are 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Junior Boys teams include players ages 13-14.
Modoc’s Junior Girls team sponsored by Modoc Steel travels to Portola to play June 27.
Modoc Major Girls team sponsored by Alturas Ranches will travel to McArthur to play on July 6. Modoc’s Major Boys team sponsored by Joe Lloyd Construction, will head to Portola July 6.

The Alturas Rotary Club is excited to announce its 52nd Annual Rotary Fish Derby on Friday, July 3rd at Pine Creek Reservoir.
All children age 12 and under are welcome to participate. Bring your own fishing poles, bait and lures. Parents are welcome.
Rotary will award prizes for the first fish caught, both boy and girl; the biggest fish, both boy and girl; the most fish caught, both boy and girl; plus special drawings for one boy's bike and one girls bike, plus many more prizes!
Fishing begins at exactly 8 a.m. and ends at 10 a.m. As is the custom, Rotary will serve hot dogs and soft drinks.

Modoc Motorsports Association will run the third and fourth round of races June 27-28 at the Modoc Fairgrounds Cedarville track. The races are open to local riders of all ages and abilities as well as riders from throughout California and contiguous states. Les Schwab Tire Center in Alturas will sponsor (reimburse fees) one class on either Saturday or Sunday, for all riders living in Modoc County.
A Rancher Quad Race has been added to the excitement for intermission June 27. Enter that morning at the race office. A $25 entry fee offers a chance to take home $100 as the first one across the finish line with a bale of hay and tire, after navigating the course and water obstacle. The event will start after the first round of motos.

Join local gamers on Saturday, June 27 at the Dorris Bridge Paintball Field. Gate opens at 11:30 a.m. The safety briefing will be at 12:30 p.m.; speedball, woodsball and scenario type paintball games will start at 1:00 p.m. You must be present at the safety briefing to begin play on time.
Remember to bring water to hydrate yourself and perhaps a goodie to share during the mid play day hot dog BBQ.
The Dorris Bridge Paintball Field is located just 5.2 miles east of Main Street on County Road 56 in the Alturas area. It is on the north side of the road past Dorris Reservoir.
Race weekend sign ups open at 8 a.m. and events run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gate fees are $10 per person; members of MMA, $5.

Not one, but three big days of “Hometown Celebrations” known as Fandango Days in Alturas will bring on the Fourth of July festivities. The Alturas Chamber of Commerce and local organizations are offering activities from July 3 through 5.
Don’t miss the parade at 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning; a half hour earlier this year to beat the heat.

The Modoc County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday morning to assure local schools that “all school funds on deposit in the Modoc County Treasury will be available when needed by Modoc County Schools for cash flow purposes.”
That action came about after the schools learned two weeks ago that the county was basically operating on school funding, which school officials pointed out was illegal.
At that time, the county treasury had a total balance of about $12.3 million, but $12.6 belonged to the schools, so school funds were being dipped into for general county expenses.
“The Modoc County Treasury at this time (Tuesday morning) has a cash balance of $13 million,” the Supervisors report. “ The school funds hold ownership of $12 million of that balance.”
That meant the county had $1 million above the school funds, so it was no longer having to use those funds to cover costs. Modoc County Chief Administrative Officer Mark Charlton said the county was also expecting a large portion of the $600,000 owed on the Newell Water Project and other revenue to come in this week.

Two weeks ago, Modoc school officials were made aware of the fact that on May 31, 2009 the Modoc County Treasury had less cash on deposit than the schools had deposited. We are thankful that the CAO, Mark Charlton, publicly identified this problem.
The illegal use of these funds was unknown to school officials. It is prohibited by law for county government to use school funds.
“Our legal responsibilities for the proper use of school funds are clear and restrictive. We are required to ensure school funds are safe, secure, and used for the education of the children of Modoc County,” the school officials formally state.
Over the course of the last week, the four school boards of Modoc County have voted to pursue legal action to secure all school cash deposits held in the Modoc County Treasury and the cash deposits belonging to the schools missing from the treasury.

The Modoc Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees voted not to renew the Modoc Charter School Renewal Petition at its June 25 meeting.
The action ends a very rocky run of the charter school over the recent past, which was hit by managerial and financial accountability issues, severe drops in enrollment and eroding credibility.
The District is the charter authorizer for the Modoc Charter School, and that charter expired June 30, 2009. The Charter School filed a renewal petition in April, another in May and another on June 12 in response to the District’s concerns. District staff concluded the petitions did not adequately address the District’s concerns and MJUSD Superintendent Lane Bates recommended denial of the renewal.

The Bureau of Land Management is accepting public comments on issues that should be considered when the agency analyzes options regarding a bypass pipe in the plug of the Bly Tunnel at the east shore of Eagle Lake.
Written comments will be accepted until Tuesday, Aug. 4. The BLM staff will use them in determining a range of alternatives to be analyzed.
Comments should be sent to: Bureau of Land Management, 2950 Riverside Dr., Susanville, CA 96130, or sent by email to the BLM Eagle Lake Field Office, ca350@ca.blm.gov.

Michael A. Hewitt, 49, of Alturas, a Modoc resident for the past 36 years, passed away June 23, 2009, in Brookings, Oregon, after a brief battle with cancer. Services will be held July 11 at 1 p.m. at Christian Life Assembly in Alturas. A potluck fellowship will follow.

Joleen Lou Fred-Erwin was born April 26, 1959, and passed away June 24, 2009. Funeral services were held at the Carson Colony Gym, June 26 with burial at the Woodfords Indian Cemetery. Dinner was held at the Woodfords Community Building.

Joleen Lou Fred-Erwin was a resident of the Carson Valley in Nevada and lived on the Dresslerville Indian Colony. She was born in Shurz, NV to the late Rev. Lucerina Sanchez and the late Louvain Fred. She was the wife of Johnnie Ray Erwin, Jr. and mother of Johnnie Ray Erwin Jr. II, Cerena Lorraine DeGarmo, Joseph Lee Erwin, and Louvain Gene Erwin and grandmother of 22 beautiful grandchildren. Her sisters are Maureena Dressler, Terri Wilkes, and Teresa Wilkes and she has numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, brothers Jonathan Dressler, Leonard Mack and Leon Mack; granddaughter Zaniyha Antonia Erwin, daughter of Joseph and Victoria Erwin; aunt Pauline Potts and Willis Potts both of Greenville, CA. Joleen enjoyed watching sports with her sons, especially when her 49ers were playing, and was obligated to humbly respect her Raider fans. She also enjoyed fishing, camping and singing songs and telling stories by the campfire. With all her grandchildren, she tried to spend as much time with them as possible especially when making baskets with her grandson, Son Son. She worked hard to get her GED and graduated from ITT Tech which gave her a degree in electronics. She is a former firefighter and camp crew leader.
Joleen has always been and will always be truly loved and missed. Donations are greatly appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Walton’s Chapel of the Valley, 1281 N. Roop Street, Carson City, NV

Thirteen was the lucky number as the 13th Annual Super Bull Rodeo, held Saturday night under the summer stars at the Modoc District Fairgrounds in Cedarville, drew over 800 spectators, contestants and team supporters to fill the Grandstand Arena.
Twenty-eight bull riders were whittled down to the final 6 who competed in the much-anticipated Short Go. Only one rider stayed on for the 8 seconds needed to win the night’s big money.
Time after time, the bulls dashed the hopes of each contestant, leaving only JT Davis from Red Bluff hanging on long enough to claim the top prize.
Along with a handsome purse, Davis earned a silver belt buckle donated by Modoc Motor Parts and Surprise Valley Auto Parts. It was presented by Dr. Chuck Colas, the 2009 Bull Committee President.

On July 6th a hundred experienced riders will depart Davis on a 1,200
km (750 mile) bicycle ride called the Gold Rush to Davis Creek and back.
They will have 90 hours to complete the trek. The route takes them through the back roads of the Sacramento Valley to Oroville before they begin the climbover the Sierra following the Feather River to Taylorsville, Antelope Lake and then down the Janesville Grade to Susanville.
From Susanville, the riders will continue up State Route 139 to Adin and on to Alturas and Davis Creek via SR299. There are several stops, called controls, along the way where riders record their progress and stock up on food and rest. Riding 750 miles in 90 hours does not afford much sleep. The Elks Club in Alturas will be one of the stops.
Riders will be passing through Alturas between Tuesday afternoon and
Wednesday evening.

Modoc County is gearing up for a bleak budget picture, with a preliminary budget to be presented next Tuesday. That budget may include some recommendations for employee layoffs.
The State of California remains a big question mark in preparing any local budget at the moment since it cannot come to terms on how to balance a $24 billion shortfall.
There is no doubt that some of the state’s balancing act will come on the backs of counties, cities and state employees and programs. Just what those impacts will be on Modoc is not known, but there is speculation.

Cash-strapped Modoc County was unable to loan the Modoc Senior Center $9,189 to meet payroll.
The County has fronted the funds to the Senior Center the past three years because of the state’s inability to pass a budget and release the Seniors’ funds.

If a person wants a Medical Marijuana Identification Card, the Modoc County Health Department will be the place to make application.
The Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted to authorize and implement the ID Card program and designate the Health Department as the responsible agency. The Board also set a public hearing on July 28, 9:15 a.m. to consider the adoption of a fee for those cards. It will take some time to implement the overall program, once the fees are set.

Three new homes kept Modoc County’s building permit totals at respectable levels for June. The Building Departments issued 15 permits worth an estimated $772,275.71 last month.
The three new homes made up $727,539 for the total estimated value.
The county issued 17 building permits for May, worth an estimated $931,581. Two new stick-built homes and two manufactured homes accounted for about $685,854 of that value.
The County Building Department issued 26 permits worth an estimated $131,345 in April. That compares to just nine permits worth an estimated $84,577.70 in March.

Ernest Bryan Server, 49, passed away on June 30, 2009, in Carson City, Nevada. Bryan was born on September 7, 1959, to John and Mary Server in Alturas, CA. and grew up in Alturas, where he attended kindergarten through high school. He graduated from Modoc High School in 1977 and attended Shasta College in Redding and Chico State University, Chico, CA.
A Catholic Mass funeral is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, 2009 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Alturas, CA at 11:00 a.m. Interment immediately following the ceremony at the Alturas Cemetery where Bryan will be laid to rest with his father. An account has been established at Bank of America in honor of Bryan Server.

Midlred (Millie) Elizabeth Goodfellow passed away July 3, 2009 at Warnerview Convalescent Hospital, Alturas, CA. Millie was 93 years old and proud of her age. She was born August 29, 1915 in Emeryville, CA to James Keith and Charlotte Royeton
Services will be held at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Alturas on Monday, July 13 at 2 p.m. A reception will be held in the adjoining Trumbo Hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the ECW Women’s group of St. Michael’s Church, 310 North Street, Alturas or to the High Plateau Humane Society, P.O. Box 1383, Alturas, CA 96101

John Andrew Spoonhower departed this life on June 25, 2009 at the age of 57. Mr. Spoonhower, a resident of California Pines for the past 14 years, was born January 23, 1952 in San Gabriel, CA. He leaves his wife Linda Spoonhower of Alturas; their son Andrew and wife Michelle Spoonhower of Corona, CA and three grandchildren. A private family service will be held at a later date.

Darrill Ray Ponti, 51, passed away Tuesday, July 7, 2009, in Alturas, CA. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, July 11 at 10 a.m. at the Ponti residence, at 50 Co. Rd. 236 (Woodduck Lane), Alturas. Donations can be made at Plumas Bank, Alturas, to help the Ponti family with funeral expenses. Mr. Ponti is the father of three. Mr. Ponti’s obituary will be published at a future date. Arrangements by Kerr Mortuary.

Hollyce (Holly) Genevieve Smelcer, age 87, of Burney, CA passed away at the Mayers Memorial Hospital in Fall River Mills, CA on July 4, 2009.
Holly was born September 4, 1921, in Greenville, Plumas County to Ira C. and Hazel Elledge Baldwin and was raised in Portola, Plumas County, graduating from the Portola High School in 1940. She attended her 60th year class reunion in the year 2000, which was held in Reno, NV.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) hosted a public meeting on July 1, 2009 regarding its Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment (CCP/EA) for the Modoc National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge).
"The Draft CCP/EA describes and evaluates four alternatives for managing Modoc Refuge over the next 15 years. The alternatives include various proposals for wildlife and habitat management, habitat restoration and compatible recreation," said Steve Clay, Modoc National Wildlife Refuge Project Leader. "We encourage the public to be involved in this planning process by reviewing the document and providing comments."
At the meeting, potential changes to management of the Refuge were discussed. Possible changes include: increased invasive species management;
opening the Grandma Tract (approximately 200 acres) to waterfowl hunting;
prohibiting waterskiing and implementing a no wake restriction on the Refuge owned portion of Dorris Reservoir; opening the environmental education area (approximately 60 acres) including a trail, boardwalk, and observation blind for wildlife observation and photography from March 1- August 31; creating a bicycle trail; increased habitat restoration and biological monitoring, and; increased funding an staffing over the next 15 years to implement the CCP.
Modoc Refuge provides feeding and resting areas for ducks, geese, and other wetland dependent birds during spring and fall migration. The Refuge’s wetlands and adjacent uplands are also an important nesting area for resident and migratory birds including greater sandhill cranes, which are listed by the state of California as a threatened species.
The public is encouraged to comment on the Draft CCP/EA which describes conservation issues and management alternatives for the 7,100-acre Refuge located in Modoc County in northeastern California.
Copies of the Draft CCP/EA are available on the Internet at: www.fws.gov/modoc or by contacting Jackie Ferrier at (530) 934-2801. Comments on the Draft CCP/EA should be sent to Jackie Ferrier, Refuge Planner, Sacramento NWR Complex, 752 County Road 99W, Willows, California 95988 or emailed to Jackie_Ferrier@fws.gov by July 31, 2009. Questions concerning the Refuge or the Draft CCP/EA should be directed to Steve Clay, Project Leader, Modoc National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 1610, Alturas, CA 96101; (530) 233-3572.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses 545 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
More information about Modoc Refuge is available on the Internet at: www.fws.gov/modoc.

Last week the State Controller’s office sent a letter to Modoc County Treasurer Cheryl Knoch and Chief Administrative Officer Mark Charlton stressing the county’s need to repay what it considered millions owed to Modoc Schools.
This week, Knoch and Charlton responded with a letter stating that: “This interim reply is to clarify the treasury related data. Because the treasury is active on a daily basis, any financial data must be date sensitive. The Modoc County schools are not ‘owed’ $12.7 million.”
Wednesday, Knoch told the Record that the county did not owe the schools any money currently.
“We’ve always been able to meet cash flow and we’ve never lost any school funds,” she said.
She explained in the letter that as of June 30, 2009 the Modoc County treasury cash balance was $12,587,980. The accounts for schools as of that date were $11,858,144. On Tuesday, the treasury had a balance of $11.6 million, of which $11 million was school funding. School funding is restricted and the county cannot use it for its operation.

The Modoc County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, adopted a preliminary budget, recommended by Chief Administrative Officer Mark Charlton, that includes 10 road department and 10 to 11 other employee layoffs. That budget is about $1.3 million lower than last year’s.
The preliminary budget will be amended as more information comes in from the State of California and just what impacts its budget remedies will pass on to counties. There will be changes to this budget, according to Charlton.
The Road Department takes the hardest hit, as the state is planning to take its Highway User Tax, amounting to about $1.5 million.
In addition, the Modoc Museum will be closed after July; the Sheriff may lose two to three employees, at least two dispatchers. Sheriff Mark Gentry said he was asked to cut $600,000 from his budget.
Other departments asked to cut one employee each: Treasurer/Tax Collector; Assessor; Auditor/Recorder; Probation; Clerk, and Agriculture Commissioner.
Taken off the layoff list Tuesday was the Clerk of the Board position, and possibly finding funding for the Tulelake Farm Advisor and state trapper.
In addition, on August 1 Modoc County Public Works will be closing the following transfer stations due to lack of funding: Adin, Canby, Davis Creek, Eagleville, Ft. Bidwell, Likely, and Willow Ranch.

The Modoc County Road Department fully expects the State of California to take all of its Highway Users Tax when it comes to terms on its budget. And that’s without considering the current issues involving the county budget.
That would mean a loss of 10 road department positions.
On Tuesday, Director Rick Rudometkin asked the Board of Supervisor to approve his preliminary budget to begin the process of those 10 layoffs. The Board approved his request unanimously, pretty much agreeing they had no other choice. Those layoffs will be effective August 1.
“It breaks my heart to do this,” Rudometkin told the Board. “I’m not good about it.”
According to Rudometkin, the county road department will lose about “$1.5 million and change” in funding, which is basically his maintenance budget.
He explained to the Board that the impacts will be felt across the county, and especially when it comes time for snow plowing. If the state does take all the gas tax funding, the snowplows will not be able to perform the coverage they have in past years. In many cases, only the main roads would be plowed.

“I would love to have my patients meet outside the clinic every morning to go for a walk with me, and I hope to be doing this with them in the near future,“ said Dr. Mihaela Hasse. “I have spent the last two years studying literature published by other MD’s, and reviewing scientific studies on living a healthy life style. The benefits are well documented. I have been making healthy lifestyle choices with my family, and my dream is to give this to my patients.”
Dr. Hasse began seeing patients at Modoc Medical Center’s Family Practice Clinic on July 6th.
“This is an opportunity for us to see new patients, and to provide more coverage for our current patients,” said Dr. Richert. “As a female physician she provides an increased opportunity for our patients. “

Darrill Ray Ponti, beloved husband, father and son, passed away in Alturas, California on July 7, 2009, at the age of 51.
Darrill was born July 26, 1957 in Riverside, CA, where he attended Rubidoux High School. After receiving his diploma, he enlisted in the Armed Forces where he proudly served our country as a Second Class Petty Officer.
A Celebration of Life service was held July 11 at 10 a.m. at the Ponti residence in Alturas. Donations can be made at Plumas Bank, Alturas, to help the Ponti family

Margaret Soriano passed away June 30, 2009, at home in Auburn, CA, after being defeated by cancer. She was 71 years old.
Margaret was born July 30 1938, in Tonasket, Washington where she spent her early childhood before moving to Portland, Oregon.
Memorial services were held at St. Michael’s Trinity Cathedral in Sacramento, California July 4, 2009. Father Kiernan, a friend of Margaret and former priest and resident of Modoc County, gave a beautiful sermon in Margaret’s memory.

Trilma Shippen
Trilma Shippen, 94, of Cedarville, CA passed away July 10, 2009, of natural causes. Obituary to follow at a later date. Arrangements by Kerr Mortuary.

John Michael “Mike” Bryant of Davis Creek, CA, passed away on Friday, July 10, 2009 at Lake District Hospital, Lakeview, OR.
A potluck gathering will be held on Sunday, July 26 around 4 p.m. at the Plumb Valley Campground behind Davis Creek, CA.

Modoc High School will have a soccer team this year, with 22 players already signed up to play. But the catch is, it will be a club team, not a school team and they have to raise about 75 percent of the funds for the program, around $2,000, by the middle to the end of August.
What’s making the situation stressful is that the team members themselves cannot hold official fundraisers until those are approved by the administration. That won’t happen until the first of August, so they’ll only have a couple of weeks to get the job done.
In addition, Jim Blankenship has volunteered to coach the team.
But there’s no lack of enthusiasm. Team members Jonathan Jones and Deanna Jones (not related) and team mother Noelle Jones, said the players are anxious to get started and are confident they can raise the funds. They are planning several fundraisers, including outdoor movie, car wash and others.
In addition, anyone who would like to donate to the team can send a check to Modoc High School Associated Student Body, 900 N. Main Street, Alturas, Ca. 96101. Be sure to designate those funds for the soccer team.

While Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders from both parties were smiling ear-to-ear Monday night as they announced a tentative budget deal to close California’s $26 billion budget deficit, no one in schools or local government was nearly as upbeat.
Actually, local government officials were trying to figure out where they’d get the blood the state asked for out of their budgets, which resemble a dry turnip.
The budget plan still must get a two-thirds vote in the Assembly and Senate.
So far, thanks in large part to state cuts in funding and programs, Modoc County is looking at about 20 county positions being lost. With this new budget deal, if it stays intact, County Chief Administrative Officer Mark Charlton said while it’s not going to be fatal, there just aren’t a lot of places to cut that don’t include layoffs.
“These are tough times and I don’t have a silver bullet solution,” he said this week.
Last week the Board of Supervisors approved up to 10 Road Department layoffs, which were put in motion and those employees given notice. In addition, there were 10 other general fund positions that were approved for layoffs and more could be in the offing. The biggest hit to the Road Department came when the state decided it would keep the highway users tax, amounting to about $1.5 million to the county.
The County also closed the Modoc County Museum and shut down several landfill transfer stations.
The actual number of layoffs in the county as of Tuesday were as follows: 10 from roads; one from probation, one from Museum, one from Assessor’s Office, one from Auditor/Recorder/Clerk’s Office, one from Treasurer/Tax Collector, and two from the Sheriff’s Office.

Modoc National Forest employee Thomas M. Marovich, 20, died during a rappel proficiency training exercise at the Backbone Helibase in Willow Creek, California on July 21, 2009.
He was a second-year apprentice with the Modoc National Forest working with the Chester Helitack Crew from the Lassen National Forest. The crew was assigned to the Backbone Fire in Willow Creek at the time of the accident.
Marovich started his career with the Modoc National Forest as a volunteer where he completed his basic fire training. He was hired in 2007 as a firefighter on Engine 44 stationed in Adin, California. He worked on the engine for two fire seasons before being hired under the Apprentice Program in 2008 as a Wildland Firefighter Apprentice. He attended the Apprentice Academy in 2008.

Alturas resident Grady White was sentenced to eight years in state prison July 14 in Modoc Superior Court.
White had entered a guilty plea to assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury to Gary Sweetin. According to Modoc County District Attorney Gary Woolverton, this was the aggravated term, doubled. The court also ordered restitution paid in an amount to be determined and jurisdiction is reserved.
White was arrested in May 2008 and originally charged with attempted murder. He was accused of stabbing his landlord, Sweetin, five to six times during an altercation. Sweetin survived his wounds.

The unemployment rate in Modoc for June stood at 11.8 percent but that number could bump up in July as the county enters layoff modes. It had dipped slightly from May’s 12 percent.
The jobless rate is 38.2 percent higher for June 2009 than it was in June 2008, which was 8.0 percent, according to the Employment Development Department.
According to EDD, Modoc civilian labor force was 4,000 in June and 3,530 were employed while 470 were unemployed.
Obituaries:

The family of Bryan Charles Smith “Smitty” was saddened by loss of their fun loving and adventuresome brother who passed away on July 6, 2009. He was 49 years old.
Bryan was the third child born to Joanne Smith. Bryan was born on August 13, 1959 in Seattle, WA. Joanne moved to Alturas, CA from Seattle, to raise her children.
Bryan attended schools in Alturas from kindergarten though high school. He graduated from Modoc High in 1978.
Services for Smitty will be held on August 15, 2009 in Milleville, CA. For more information contact Colleen by e-mail at colleen-mchugh@norcalpacific.com.

Donald Alan Hoffman, age 79, passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2009 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Red Bluff, CA. He died after surgeries from complications with diverticulitis. He stayed with his son in Red Bluff the last year of ill health until his death.
He was born October 25, 1929 in Jersey City, New Jersey and grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y. where both his father, John Hoffman, and his mother, Lucille (Murtha) Hoffman died.
A private family service will be arranged at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the DAV Disabled American Veterans: (877) I AM A VET/www.dav.org.

Lola Beatrice Jeske, 88, died July 13, 2009, in Alturas, CA of complications from an Alzheimer’s related illness. Born in her family home in Malone, WA to Milton and Mae (Leek) Graham, she remained at heart Washingtonian.
In 1982, Lola followed her husband to Cedarville, CA where she continued her profession as an RN many years for the Warnerview extended care facility in Alturas.
As per request, there will be no service.

Trilma Aleen McCulley Shippen entered into rest on July 10, 2009 at the Surprise Valley Community Hospital where she had been a resident for several years. Trilma was a lifelong resident of Surprise Valley with only a few short stays elsewhere.
There will be a celebration of her life at the Cedarville Community Church on August 1, 2009, at 2 p.m., with a reception to follow in the church hall. Trilma has requested that her ashes be scattered at sea.
The family would like to thank everyone at the Surprise Valley Hospital for their loving care of her during her stay and especially in her final days. Donations in her honor can be made to the SVHCD, the Dr. Roberts Fund, or any charity of choice. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her; one granddaughter in particular.

Jack Arthur Goltz of Alturas left us in the same fashion in which he lived.... gracefully. On July 1, 2009, he passed away in Medford, OR. Jack could build a house from the ground up. He helped build the hospital in Cedarville, CA.
Jack was born September 29, 1931 in Cudahy, CA. He married Edna Marie Calhoun on July 23, 1950 in Kingman, Arizona. The family moved to Modoc County in 1973
No services are planned.

Modoc’s Major Little League Girls All Star team was eliminated in the Red Bluff section tournament where they lost to Redwood Empire and Paradise.
The team won the District 48 tournament July 6 to July 11.

The Modoc Teachers’ Association is sponsoring a Cancer Benefit 4-person Scramble Golf Tournament August 15 at Arrowhead Golf Course in Alturas.
All proceeds with benefit the Modoc County Breast Cancer Support Group and the American Cancer Society.
People wishing to play need to sign-up by 9:30 a.m. August 15 at Arrowhead. The entry fee is $30 per player. The fee includes green fees, door prize, gift drawing, silent auction, plus closest to the pin, long drive and longest putt competition.
Mulligan tokens will be available for $5, and wear a pink shirt or blouse and receive a free mulligan token.
There will be a blind drawing prior to the tournament to select teams. The tournament is set to tee off at 10 a.m.

A photo contest with a wildlife theme is once again being sponsored by the Friends of the Modoc National Wildlife Refuge. This year photos that best depict “Moments of Refuge” will be awarded bigger prizes at this year’s Wings of the Warners Migratory Bird Festival, coming up September 19.
Submissions can start from now until September 18th and will be displayed at the Refuge and The River Center as they come in.
Entry fee is $10 for the first entry and $5 for additional entries. All entries must be 8x10” matted prints. Information and entry forms can be picked up at the Modoc National Wildlife Refuge or The River Center in Alturas or can be downloaded by calling the Friends, 233-1958, and requesting an e-mailed form. Entries can be dropped off at MNWR or sent to the Refuge at PO Box 1610, Alturas CA 96101 or The River Center, PO Box 1189, Alturas CA 96101.

While the California Assembly pulled the state’s taking of the Highway Users tax, some questions still linger as to how the state is going to implement its newly-adopted budget.
The state taking of HUTA tax (about $1.5 million in Modoc) was blamed for the layoffs of 10 Modoc County Road Department employees two weeks ago. Now, whether those employees will return to work is under analysis.
Modoc CAO Mark Charlton said they will report the results of their analysis to the board of Supervisors next week, perhaps with recommendations to rehire some of all of the Road Department employees.

Modoc County’s secured property assessment shows a 3.28 percent drop for 2009-10, according to Modoc Assessor Cheri Budmark. She reported the dip in value to the Modoc County Board of Supervisors Tuesday.
The 2009-10 total is compared to a 5.69 increase in value for last year. The secure roll for 2009-10 came in at $839,991,578 compared to $868,447,666 last year.
Interestingly, the numbers of parcels included in the 2009-10 assessment was 27,613, above the 27,545 in 2008-09, but the total value still dropped.
The unsecured roll actually increased 16.412 percent but is a much smaller portion of the overall assessment. The unsecured roll went up from $29,855,234 to $34,753,272, and in each case dealt with 1,120 parcels.

The City of New York’s got nothing on Alturas. Well, maybe it’s got more of some things, but Alturas was successful in the federal COPS Hiring Recovery Program and New York was not.
Alturas Chief of Police Ken Barnes had submitted an application in the highly competitive grant program under the federal stimulus package. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, there was $1 billion available nationwide and there were 7,272 applications, totaling $8.3 billion received.
Barnes and the City were notified July 28 that his application was approved for one officer position he requested. The grant amount is $235,220 covering a three-year grant period and the city must agree to keep that officer for one year after the grant expires.

Rickey Jack Sheldon, 55, passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack in his sleep on July 13, 2009 at his home in Alturas, CA.. Mr. Sheldon had moved from Santa Cruz, CA to Alturas two years ago, to enjoy what Modoc had to offer at the suggestion of one of his older brothers, Mike of Alturas. Rick loved living in Modoc County.
A Remembrance Service for Rick will be held at the Alamo property in Alturas, his home of late, for family and friends on Saturday, August 15 at 2 p.m. Interment will be at the Alturas Cemetery.
Condolences and memorial contributions may be sent to Mike Sheldon, HC4, Box 48512, Alturas.

Moriyasu “Mori” Yamagata of Alturas, 82, passed away July 19, 2009, at Modoc Medical Center, Alturas, CA. Born December 26, 1926 in Brawley, CA to Morio and Mitstuyu (Shirawaka) Yamagata, Mori was the fourth eldest of their 15 children.
He leaves his wife of 50 years, Sumako Yamagata of Alturas, CA; nine brothers and two sisters: Tomo Sonoda of Cleveland; Joi (Joseph) Yamagata of Illinois; Mits Yamagata, Sacramento; Shinny Yamagata, Glendale, Arizona; Keiko Takemoto, Chicago; Yosh, Oceanside, CA; Hich, Chicago; Hach, Alturas; Tats, Cedar Rapids; Tosh, Valley Center, CA. and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be private.

Trilma A. Shippen
Services for lifelong Surprise Valley resident Trilma Aleen McCulley Shippen will be a Celebration of her Life on Saturday, Aug. 1 at 2 p.m., with a reception to follow in the church hall. Trilma has requested that her ashes be scattered at sea.
She is survived by her two children Larry and Launa Shippen both of Cedarville.

A graveside interment service for Mary Marshall Flournoy of Likely will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 1, 2009 at the Likely Cemetery. No fellowship to follow.

The California Department of Fish and Game, in no uncertain terms, states that shooting ground squirrels from a vehicle is illegal.
The issue bubbled up a few weeks ago when the Record reported that some guides were told they could be cited for shooting the squirrels from the vehicles, back of the vehicles or from platforms or seats they had built on those vehicles for the purpose of shooting ground squirrels.
The issue also sparked a lot of interest from local and out-of-the-area squirrel shooters who participate in the annual Surprise Valley Squirrel Wars. Many of those people actually have constructed shooting platforms or seats on the vehicles.
People in Modoc have shot ground squirrels, a major agriculture pest, from their vehicles or back of their vehicles for decades. They will not agree with the DFG’s stance.

The North team under Modoc Coach Shaun Wood won the 32nd annual Lions All-Star Football Game 38-32 on the Shasta High School campus last weekend.
“It was a good game,” said Wood. “Our players did very well and both Braves, Josh Wood and Ryan Vanderheyden, had very good games.”
North quarterback Josh Barrett of West Valley finished with an 11-for-18 night that included 265 yards and four touchdowns. He was named MVP for his efforts.
The win gives the North a 17-14-1 advantage in the series.
Coach Wood got his second win in the series, having won in his initial All-star coaching effort in 1995.
Wood also said his coaching staff – Shane Wood, Tulelake; Travis Wood, Modoc; Joe Moreo, Modoc, and Ken Dysert, Etna – did an outstanding job.