Residual weather activity from hurricane Clyde, which swept through Baja, Calif. and just missed Los Angeles, brought severe thunderstorms to the eastern Sierras. Lightning from the storms sparked numerous mountain fires, threatened livestock and charred countless residences.

65 years ago

A widespread hunt got under way for 20-year-old Virgil Lewis, who sawed his way out of the county jail and escaped in a stolen car. When it was discovered he was loose, police set up a roadblock on Highway 395 near Wendel.

40 years ago

The full-time enrollment at Lassen College hit a record high of 569. Tables and chairs were at a minimum as school officials had trouble accommodating the students.

Also, Father John Hannan was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Church. Hannan also served as administrator for the parish.

30 years ago

Foreclosure proceedings for the Hotel Mt. Lassen were finalized after months of negotiating. Owners Bob and Harriet Clune reportedly lost $250,000 over 15 months of operation. A source close to the business credited the hotel’s failure to skyrocketing overhead costs and the city’s failing economy.

20 years ago

Former Lassen County District Attorney Warren Hass will temporarily fill the vacancy created by the resignation of district attorney Mark Nareau.

According to Lassen County District Administrative Officer Bill Bixby, Nareau has appointed Hass as assistant district attorney and he will assume those duties on Sept. 11, the day on which Nareau’s resignation becomes effective.

Hass will perform the duties as district attorney while the board of supervisors continues its search for a successor to fill the remainder of Nareau’s term. According to Bixby, that search should lead to an appointment in about three months, at which time, Bixby said, Hass has indicated he will be ready to retire.

10 years ago

Investigators with the Lassen County Sheriff’s Department were still trying Friday, Aug. 23 to identify the body found on Highway 44 last week.

On Tuesday, Aug. 20, a motorist found the body of a 50-60-year-old Asian woman wrapped in a blanket and located about 50 feet from the highway roughly seven miles east of the Lassen/Shasta County line. Investigators responded at about 10:20 a.m.

“I would characterize this as a body dump,” Sheriff Bill Freitas said on Friday. “We don’t think she was killed there.”

A pathologist in Reno finished the autopsy before Friday. However, dental records and fingerprints did not match those of any person reported missing.

Five years ago

Lassen Community College (LCC) wrestling coach, Rex Branum claimed the recently released Lassen County Grand Jury showed he and Dr. Homer Cissell, LCC’s former president did nothing wrong regarding a $21,000 donation to the LCC foundation.

The J. Robinson Intensive Camps issued a $21,000 check to Lassen College wrestling, and at Cissell’s direction, the money was deposited into the account of the LCC Foundation.

The grand jury referred the matter to both the state attorney general’s office and the Lassen County District Attorney’s Office for review, alleging the coach and the former president misled the grand jury when they testified about the donation.

One year ago

Law enforcement agencies assisted the Lassen County Narcotics Taskforce in a large-scale marijuana eradication effort in Dixie Valley, just south of Little Valley.

According to a press release from the task force, upon entry into the marijuana garden, three suspects fled on foot and ultimately escaped. After the area was searched and secured, officers seized a total of 6,224 marijuana plants with an estimated street value of $21,854 at maturity; approximately 60 pounds of processed marijuana for sale with an estimated street value of $72,000; 3.5 grams of cocaine with an estimated street value of $350. Two firearms, ammunition and air rifles were also seized.