25 years ago
At the Lassen County Fair, in a dunking booth, sits Lassen County Sheriff Ron Jarrell. He gives a good-natured warning to a ball thrower attempting to dunk him. Jarrell was one of a long list of local dignitaries who donated their time at the dunking booth. 20 years
The California Library Services Board notified Lassen County Librarian Rita Padden that the county library was awarded $53,418. The grant was offered to provide financial assistance for participation in the 1988-89 California Library Services Act literary campaign. Previously, Lassen County was one of only a few California counties that were not participating in the campaign.

15 years ago
A countywide superintendents of schools meeting was held to discuss a Joint Powers Agreement that could save the Lassen County Public Library. This was a concerted effort involving the city council, county board of supervisors and many agencies which pulled together to save the public library and increase literacy.

10 years ago
Bill Gustavson and Jay Thom, with Luhdroff & Scalmanini water engineers, make the final adjustments to the Commercial Street well in Portola. The well was brought on-line Wednesday, July 29. It is pumping about 600,000 gallons per day and allows the city to cancel water rationing for water customers.

Six years ago
An attempted kidnapping occurred at 1:10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, at the corner of Barbara Street and Ruth Way. A 10-year-old boy was walking home when the car drove alongside the boy. The boy said the driver yelled, “Come here kid so I can get you!”

The boy ran and the car followed. When the boy reached home, the car sped away. Officers said the boy did the smart thing by running away from the driver. With school starting soon, parents are encouraged to discuss being safe with their children.

Last year
After several disappointing delays, the pool house in Bieber is at last ready for use. And, to celebrate, there was a free, two-hour swim.

“It will be great to have for future use,” said Tammy Mitchell, the coordinator for the community park and pool projects. “It’s a great beginning for our community. We’re getting things updated and safe. The future looks bright because there are going to be new additions to the park, and next year the pool will be running more efficiently.”

The brown cinderblock building was designed primarily to provide dressing rooms with a few lockers and restrooms for pool patrons. It also provides outside showers and an office for entry and sign-in. It also houses a pump, pool heater and filtration system “to chlorinate the pool and keep it clarified and clean,” said Michelle Hammons, the pool manager.