135 years ago
Hoodlums — We challenge any town no larger than Susanville, in the state or in the world, to produce a grander set of hoodlums.    
It speaks well for our little town when visited by strangers, or at any other time, to see the sidewalk blocked by fifteen or twenty almost men, indulging in the most peace of our good citizens with their hideous noise, to which, there is no end or variety. It is a nuisance and should be abated. If said young men have no self-respect enough to desist from such annoying sports, there are others more advanced in age, occupying the position of parents, for whom they should have the proper respect.

70 years ago
One woman was badly beaten when she went to a ranch near Pittville, in northern Lassen County, to “count the kids.” Mrs. Edith Courtright accused John Belding, lessee on her mother’s ranch, of striking her about the head and face five times, and knocking her down when she took her mother to the Cook ranch to count the kids in a goat flock on the place. District Attorney Arthur J. Anderson said he did not approve of striking a woman but Belding had already languished 10 days in jail for waiting trial and Mrs. Courtright probably had no right to go on the ranch if the lessee objected.

45 years ago
Prospects for an abandoned water supply in California continued to dwindle as March marked the third month of a winter drought and April was considered the “last chance” to regain normal supply conditions, according to the Department of Water Resources. Statewide, the snowpack was about 85 percent of normal. “Fortunately, the reservoir storage in most areas was above normal for this date,” the department said.

30 years ago
The sale of Susanville’s Hotel Mt. Lassen to a Lucerne couple appeared “firm” according to a spokesman of American Motel Brokers. Although the spokesman would not specify the exact amount of the sale, he did say it was “in the area of $1 million.” The new owners and operators were scheduled to take over in May and planned a “complete overhaul” of the rooms with the restaurant and bar to be left as they were.

15 years ago
A federal prison complex bringing 1,000 jobs is a possibility on land being abandoned at Sierra Army Depot. The Federal Bureau of Prisons is interested in 600 to 1,000 acres at the depot for a prison complex. The complex would consist of four prisons ranging from minimum to maximum security.

10 years ago
“It doesn’t take an expert to know we’re in trouble,” said retired state water master, Lynn Bates.

With recent reports of a poor snow pack and low water storage levels, farmers and ranchers in Northern California are preparing for the worst. All water estimates are well below normal, and a drought seems imminent.

Five years ago
Almost a dozen residents report to the Susanville Police the theft of items left in their unlocked cars during the late evening and early morning hours.

All the break-ins had one thing in common — all the vehicles were unlocked and left out in the open.
Another possible common link is the same suspects might be responsible for the thefts. The majority of the reported incidents occurred in the North Roop to North Weatherlow street area of Susanville.

Last year
A suspect was arrested on charges of felony arson on Saturday, March 20, after a fire was set at a building at the Herlong Junction located on the corner of State Highway 395 and the Herlong Access Road.
District Attorney Bob Burns confirmed the man was Nathan Allan Helmers, a 30 – year – old Auburn resident. The man is being charged with attempted arson of an inhabited building and possession of a controlled substance.