Judge grants 30-day continuance in St. Francis abatement case
Visiting Lassen County Superior Court Judge Leonard J. LaCasse granted a 30-day continuance today in the City of Susanville vs. Terranova Strategies, LLC et al case despite his public safety concerns due to asbestos present in the razed St. Francis Hotel on Main Street in Uptown Susanville.
The historic St. Francis Hotel before the fire.When the case returns to court in mid-July it will have been nearly 9 months since the historic building and the one next door burned in the early morning hours of Nov. 1, 2024.
Tahnee Willow Orr.Tahnee Willow Orr, 39, of Susanville, pleaded guilty to setting the fire June 10. Sentencing is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22.
Click here to see the LassenNews story on her plea.
In addition to the continuance, the judge allowed Terranova’s attorney to withdraw from the case. A new attorney will take over, and Terranova is expected to submit a remediation plan by the next court hearing in mid-July. He said the property owner has been working on a remediation plan, but he acknowledged it was not as timely as the city would like.
The St. Francis Hotel after the Nov. 1 fire and the city’s demolition of the front wall.LaCasse said the presence of asbestos in remains of the old hotel disturbed him because it may pose a danger to the public.
LaCasse said he thought the building should be covered because, “it’s windy here, and that bothers me. I think someone should look at that.”
The city’s attorney said the city was OK with the continuance and added the St. Francis Hotel site is fenced off from the public, reducing that hazard.
