120 years ago
Henry Berman has had three cork palm trees planted in front of his saloon and will probably make enough corks to supply his trade.

70 years ago
With supreme confidence in her ability to conquer the air after only eight hours of instruction, the minimum allowed by the Aeronautical Control Board for the issuance of civil pilot’s licenses, Miss Alta Wageman, a member of the Lassen Union High School Domestic Science Department, soloed unattended by instructors and today holds a civil pilot’s license.

45 years ago
The old Lassen Lumber and Box Factory, which ceased operation in 1952, was destroyed by fire of undetermined origin. Fire crews from the Susanville Volunteer Fire Department, the Susan River Fire Protection Agency, the California Division of Forestry and units from the California Conservation Center battled the blaze for about an hour before bringing it under control. The Orr Wood Products Company building was near the short but intense blaze, but it was protected from damage by the firefighters.

30 years ago
At a joint press conference, directors of the California Department of Forestry, the Lassen National Forest, the Bureau of Land Management and Lassen National Park, announced the Susanville Dispatch Center would service interagency dispatch for the four combined agencies.

25 years ago
After nearly five years, Lassen County has a solid waste management plan. The Board of Supervisors approved the extensive plan following months of in-depth study and public hearings. In addition to the management plan, the supervisors certified the Solid Waste Plan Environmental Impact Report. The plan was scheduled to go to the state where it would be reviewed by the Waste Management Board.

20 years ago
The proposed purchase of an airplane by Lassen Public Works Director Danny Graham and Jake Lorang — who has a proposal on the table to act as manager of the city-owned airport — nearly led to a conflict of interest, according to a letter from Lassen County District Attorney Mark Nareau. The DA advised Graham that he was “deeply improper” and emphasized that “this office considers governmental conflict of interest matters to be extremely serious.”

“This whole thing is the stupidest thing I’ve heard of in my life,” said Graham. “It isn’t fair what one person can do to my reputation. I have never had my integrity questioned.”

City Manager Roy Bysegger said he plans to make an effort to educate city employees regarding ethical conduct, and added they cannot enter any situation where “there might be even perceived conflicts.”

Graham, who said he just wanted to learn to fly, hadn’t voted on Lorang’s proposal and the deal for the airplane had fallen through.

15 years ago
The comet Hyakutake could be clearly seen as it crossed the nighttime skies in Northeastern California. Some scientists are speculating that as the comet streaks closer to the sun, it could split apart or disintegrate.

10 years ago
A search by eight law enforcement agencies last week resulted in detention of four alleged illegal aliens and temporary closure of Rice Canyon Road near High Desert State Prison.

Five years ago
Gas prices continue their relentless advance, according to a new report from AAA of Northern California.

An employee of the Diamond Mountain Casino gas station told a customer she expects gas prices to rise 13 cents by Sunday, April 3 which would make the cheapest gas in town $2.54.

Last year
The fatal accident that killed a 9-year-old boy and seriously injured his 13-year-old sister, on the Lassen Peak Trail in Lassen Volcanic National Park was unforeseen as the park completed assessments of the trail earlier in the season.

“We are so sorry this accident occurred,” said Park Superintendent Darlene M. Koontz.  “In the long history of the trail, there is no record of anything similar to this accident, and we had no idea that this rock wall would fail in such a manner.”