Untitled Document

February 28, 2002

NEWS

Voters set to go to polls March 5

Modoc voters are set to go the polls March 5, with several local races on tap, as well as state and national issues.

Polls will open at 7 a.m. March 5 and will close at 8 p.m. Absentee ballots must be turned in to the Modoc County Clerk's Office no later than 8 p.m. March 5. Those ballots can be turned in to precincts as well.

Modoc is going with a new computerized election system this year, and Modoc County Clerk Maxine Madison has been out explaining how it works for the past month. She said most voters are looking forward to the system. With the new computerized system results will be in and tabulated much sooner. The clerk and Modoc County Record have set up a system where the results of this election will be available on the Modoc Record website, at www.modocrecord.com as soon as they are available. It is anticipated the results should be up by 9 p.m. March 5. It took hours to tabulate the ballots under the old election process, and this new system will be much quicker. In addition to the state and federal races, several contested races are on this year's ballot.

When a voter goes to the polls, he'll receive a paper ballot where he will fill in the oval opposite the candidate he wants. There will be pencils, instead of the punch card machines in each voting booth. The ballots are on legal size paper, printed black on white, so they're easily read.

Once a voter completes the ballot, it goes back to the elections officer who will place it in the Accu-vote counter. The ballot is pulled quickly into the computerized counter and the computer tallies the votes. For those people who want to insure their vote remains private, a secrecy sleeve is available at the booth.

Voter registration picked up over the last month, going up from 4,883 to 4,958. That's still down from a high recently of 5,312. By party, Modoc voters break down as follows: Republican 2,369; Democrat 1,794; No Party 559; American Independent 149; Libertarian 36; Green 20; Reform 19; Miscellaneous 10; and Natural Law 2.

The race drawing the most comment and controversy this year is for District Attorney, where one-term incumbent Tom Buckwalter is challenged by Jordan Funk, a former assistant, and John Lawson, a public defender.

Funk was terminated by Buckwalter, and has accused Buckwalter with variety of things, including malfeasance. The two have verbally sparred at local candidate forums and in newspaper comments and advertisements. Buckwalter has said Funk is unprofessional, incompetent and was unprepared in court cases. He said he was terminated because he sabotaged his office.

Lawson, who has participated in the debates, has stayed away from personal attacks on either of his opponents.

The District Five (Tulelake-Big Valley) County Supervisor's race has several choices including David Bradshaw, Lookout; David Porter Misso, Barbara Boyd, and Delbert Craig, all of the Tulelake area.

They are in a race to fill the seat of Nancy Huffman, who is retiring after serving three terms.

David Allan, from Cedarville, and Dan Macsay of Eagleville are running against incumbent District One Supervisor Terry Williams. That race is also drawing interest in Surprise Valley.

Also in Surprise Valley, voters will again be asked to continue the $150 per year assessment for the Surprise Valley Community Hospital. It is expected to pass.

Madison has filed for re-election as Clerk and will face a challenge from Patricia Malson, an employee of the court system.

County elected officials who have no opposition include: Sheriff Bruce Mix, Superintendent of Schools Carol Harbaugh, Auditor/Recorder Judi Stevens, Assessor Josie Johnson, and Treasurer Tax/Collector Cheryl Knoch.

Modoc Superior Court Judge John Baker has filed and is unopposed.

The City Council seats of Dick Steyer and John Kerr will be up for election in March. City Treasurer Kathie Alves has filed for re-election.

Jerry Smith and John Vass are running for City Council. Kerr had taken out papers, and will be on the ballot, but because of health reasons has pulled out of the race.

Modoc jobless rate jumps up to 10.9%

The unemployment rate for Modoc in January jumped to 10.9 percent, up from December's 8.0 percent and November's 6.7 percent. In January, 2001, the county unemployment rate was 11.2 percent

The number of unemployed people went up from December's 320 to 440 in January, a 37.5 percent increase. Interestingly, the number of people unemployed in January, 2001 was also 440. There were only 270 Modoc'ers unemployed in November

The number of people employed in government is 1,330 out of 4,020 total. Of that, 980 are in local government, with 70 in state and 280 in federal positions

The 10.9 percent unemployment ranks Modoc 39th out of the state's 58 counties for highest unemployment. Lassen County's unemployment stood at 8.9 percent, ranking it 31st and Siskiyou's jobless rate of 14.1 percent ranked it 46th.

MJUSD debates drug testing March 12

The Modoc Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees will take on the issue of random drug testing at its March 12 meeting. The issue is expected to draw more comment, after few people showed up for the first round of discussions.

The March 12 meeting will be held at the Modoc Middle School gym, and will begin at 6:30 p.m. If adopted, which it may be, it will take effective at the beginning of the 2002/2003 school year.

Bolstering the MJUSD Board's assertion that drug and alcohol use is becoming more prevalent is a national survey released this week that shows more than a third of the nation's teenagers go on binge drinking sprees -- consuming five or more drinks in a row-- and that 48 percent of girls and 52 percent of boys use alcohol. Conservative estimates indicate more than 60 percent of students use alcohol at least one a month. The test proposed by the MJUSD wild include alcohol screening.

The one thing the national survey pointed out, that is disturbing to health officials, is that adults consider the use a alcohol, a "rite of passage" for teenagers.

What the school board will be discussing is a random drug and alcohol testing policy for all students. The all inclusive policy is supported in theory by most members of the board, but does not have the blessing of the District's legal counsel. He has stated there is no legal precedent set on the issue, and feels the California courts could decide it goes too far.

According to the proposed policy, the consequences for refusing to participate in the testing program is exclusion from extra-curricular and co-curricular activities. The students may not be excluded from activities required to receive a diploma, only from voluntary activities.

Board Chairman Seab McDonald has argued all along that he felt the only fair and effective policy was to random drug test all students.

If adopted, all students and parents shall sign consent forms for drug/alcohol testing. Students who refuse to be tested will be considered to have tested positive for each instance of refusal.

The district's legal counsel has offered an opinion that case law (although not in California) has held against drug testing all students. If the MJUSD Board adopts the all students policy, it may serve as a legal test case in California. That suits McDonald just fine.

Superintendent Kevin Jolly, said the policy affecting all students would include every 9-12 grade student in the district, including Independent Study or Alternative Education students.

If a student tests positive, the parent will be notified by the site principal as soon as possible. When a student's first test is positive, a second test will be administered as soon as possible to confirm the results.

Modoc is not the only school district in the area which has a drug testing policy. Big Valley, Surprise Valley, Tulelake, Lassen and Fall River each have drug testing policies. All of those include athletes and some add extra-curricular and co-curricular students. None have a policy affecting all students. In a survey, most of those schools praised the testing program as successful.

The legal question will involved ices an individual's privacy rights, covered under the U.S. Constitution's Fourth Amendment, prohibiting unreasonable searches. The District's legal counsel has opinioned that California state and federal courts place a high value on individual privacy rights.

There were a couple of options on the table for the drug testing policy. One of those options would limit the testing to just athletes. The other would include athletes and all students involved in extra or co-curricular activities, such as band and choir. The Board is opting at this point for all students, but is open-minded on the issue, said McDonald.

The Board's may also adopt a closed campus policy to student vehicle use during school hours. Basically, the new policy specifies students' cars can be parked anywhere, but cannot be visited or driven at any time during the school day, including lunch, without special written authorization. The policy is also an effort to cut down on drug use and reduce the chance of accidents. The driving policy will not preclude students from walking to area business establishments for lunch or driving to work.

Spring Music Festival to rock MHS Gym

Everyone is invited to enjoy the music during the free concert in Modoc High's Griswold Gym in Alturas on Thursday, March 7 starting at 7:00 p.m.

The combined concert called the "Spring Music Festival" will feature the musical talents of students throughout Modoc Joint Unified School District from high school seniors to fourth grade students.

Toe-tapping marches to smooth choral arrangements and Jazz will be performed.

Musical Directors Karen Siegel for Alturas Elementary; Mike Halderman for Modoc Middle School and Modoc High School and Eleanor Dorton for Arlington Elementary, Canby, will lead the performances. South Fork students of Likely will bring their fourth and fifth grade students to perform

. Featured will be the fourth and fifth grade chorus, fifth and sixth grade band; seventh and eighth grade band and choir; Modoc High School Concert Band, Choir and Jazz Band.

Obituaries:

Bertha Rose Busch

Long-time Alturas resident Bertha Rose Busch, 88, passed away February 25, 2002 in Klamath Falls, Ore.

She was born Bertha Rose Morgan on December 8, 1913 in Trochu, Alberta, Canada. She was the fifth of seven children born to Mabel (George) James Carl Morgan.

At the age of 16, Bertha moved with her family to Modoc County. She graduated with the class of 1931 from Modoc Union High School, Alturas. On April 19, 1931, at the age of 17, she eloped to Lakeview, Ore. to marry Gilbert William Busch, son of William E. Busch and Elizabeth S. Shields. They had six children.

Mrs. Busch became a naturalized citizen of the United States on March 20, 1945. Her daughter Beverly and her eighth grade class were able to witness the event.

Mrs. Busch won many ribbons at the county fair for her canning, vegetables and Gladiolas. She regularly attended the Federated Community Church in Alturas, and in later years enjoyed going to the Alturas Senior Center for lunch. Almost everyone who met her had only good things to say about her because of her sweetness.

She worked along side her husband Gilbert on the Blue Mountain Forest Service Fire Lookout station, then spent a couple of years at the Happy Camp Ranger Station before moving to Alturas. After several years of living in a home on Fourth Street, Alturas, they purchased a ranch with Gilbert's brother Don Busch, about five miles out of town and lived there for about four years.

In 1954, Bertha and Gilbert bought a house on West Third Street, where Bertha lived until entering Modoc Medical Center's Skilled Nursing Facility in February 2001. During her time in Alturas, she spent many years as a waitress at the Niles Hotel Restaurant. She also was a volunteer at the Federated Church Thrift Store for many years.

Mrs. Busch always took pride in her beautiful garden. A neighbor once commented that Bertha had "a green thumb, clear up to her armpit." She would knit sweaters, and slippers for friends and family. She was also a skilled seamstress and sewed all her own clothes, as well as the clothes for her children. She was also a wonderful cook. She loved to play Pinochle and Scrabble, and did quite well at it , as anyone who ever played against her can attest.

She was also an accomplished violinist, before arthritis in her hands made it impossible for her to play. And like many of her generation, who lived through the Great Depression, she was a very thrifty and frugal person. Mrs. Busch was a great listener, and full of fun and life. She will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her brother Joseph Alfred Morgan; daughters Beverly Hammes of Klamath Falls, Ore. and Billie Moore of Klamath Falls, Ore.; sons John Busch of Gridley, CA and Bill Busch of Alturas, CA. She had 22 grandchildren and approximately 38 great-grandchildren, several great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Gilbert on January 24, 1985, after nearly 54 years of marriage.

Brothers Clifford Morgan, John W. Morgan, Vivin I. Morgan, James C. Morgan and sister Flora F. Baker and two of her six children, Nancy Newman of California and Virginia "Ginger" Nay of Washington, also preceded her in death.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Federated Church in Alturas or to the Modoc Senior Citizens Center in Alturas.

Services are pending with Kerr Mortuary in charge of arrangements.

Chester Edward Babcock

Former Big Valley resident Chester Edward Babcock, 69, passed away February 22, 2002 in Stayton, Ore. where he had been living since 1976. Memorial services will be held at Grace Bible Church in his hometown of Bieber, CA. on Friday, March 1 at 1:00 p.m.

Services were also held on Feb. 26 at Stayton First Baptist Church in Oregon.

Mr. Babcock was born in Bieber, Calif. on February 4, 1933, the tenth of 15 children. After graduating from Bieber High School, he married Colleen Crouch on May 28, 1951. In addition to rearing his family of three children on his Big Valley ranch, he was a member of the Big Valley School District Board for many years, coached Little League, served as a 4-H leader and was v very active with youth and activities in the Bieber Community Church.

Mr. Babcock moved to the Stayton, Ore. area with his wife Colleen in 1976, and began working construction, operating heavy equipment, building and selling houses and pursuing his love of hunting. He remained active and was a competitive sportsman no matter if he was on a softball field or a golf course or pinochle table.

Mr. Babcock is survived by his wife Colleen of Stayton, Ore.; his daughter Martha Wilson and her husband Gordon of Stayton, Ore.; his son Daryl and his wife Della of Salem, Ore., and son Stephen and his wife Betty of Albany, Ore. Additional survivors include three brothers and eight sisters, Russell of Redding, CA; Otie of Emmett, Idaho; Charles of Bieber; Lula Carpenter of Weaverville; Dora Schneider of Burney; Ruth Bouse of Adin; Ona Landers of McCloud; Ruby Finch of New Carlisle, Ohio; Fern White of Belgrade, Montana; Lilly Thompson of Salem, Ore. and Gloria Brewer of Cottonwood, Ariz. Grandchildren include Sarah Richardson of Stayton, Ore.; Jeremy Babcock of Pendleton, Ore.; Brad Babcock of Albany, Ore.; Ben Wilson of Salem, Ore.; Julie Swift of Salem, Ore.; Nick Babcock of Albany, Ore.; Levi Wilson of Salem, Ore.; Jennifer Babcock of Salem, Ore.; Danny Wilson of Stayton, Ore. and Lori Babcock of Salem, Ore.; one great grandchildren.

Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Big Valley, Calif.

Contributions can be made to the college scholarship fund or the summer youth camp program of Stayton First Baptist Church.

Nicholas Jeffrey Chavez

Nicholas Jeffrey Chavez entered this world stillborn at Mayers Memorial Hospital in Fall River Mills, CA. on February 19, 2002 at 7:30 a.m.

Nicholas was in his seventh month of gestation and is the son of Theresa and Rafael Chavez of Alturas.

A private family service will be held at graveside at Alturas, CA. Cemetery. He is survived by his mother and father; brother Jesse Silva, III of Alturas; maternal grandparents Jeff and AnnMarie Phillips of Alturas; paternal grandparents Pablo Chavez and Ramona Chavez Sanchez of Michoacan, Mexico and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

SPORTS

Modoc wrestlers just out of medals

Modoc's wrestling team did well at the CIF All School Championships held in Redding last weekend, although none wound up in the medals.

"We got some really tough draws," said coach Shaun Wood. "In most cases our guys wrestled well."

Just one match away from placing were Bill Moriarity at 112, David Lutz at 145 pounds, Luke Hammerness at 152 pounds and Mike Main at 275.

Moriarity went 2-2, Lutz went 2-2, Hammerness went 2-2, Main went 2-2, Jaafar Mirlohi was 1-2, Jeremy Price was 1-2, J.D. Monroe was 1-2, James Brogan was 0-2, and Ray Abernethy was 0-2.

The Braves were without their highest ranked wrestler, Robert Flournoy, who sustained a concussion at the small schools championships.

Andy Thompkins of Tulelake took a third place at 189 pounds and Victor Garcia took a fifth and 112 pounds.

Modoc boys out in hoop quarterfinals

Modoc lost to Pierce 48-46 Friday night and were eliminated from the CIF North Section Division V Basketball Playoffs. Modoc had beaten Quincy in a strange game last Wednesday to move into the next game.

Modoc was seeded number six in the tournament and Pierce came in with the number three seed. Quincy was ranked number 11.

In the Quincy game, Modoc trailed by two with about a minute left. Their top scorer was called for a foul and argued the call. The referee tagged him with a technical foul. When he got to the bench, he kicked a chair into the stands. For that show of anger, he was hit with another technical and ejected from the game. The technical, plus a regular foul on the player, gave Modoc six free throws. On the night Modoc had 34 free throws, hitting 23. Quincy was tagged with 26 fouls to Modoc's 12.

Quincy opened up early, leading 14-9 after one and 27-23 by half. The Braves trailed 45-41 after three, but outscored Quincy 19-9, thanks to free throws, in the fourth.

Blake Thorn led Modoc with 30, most from the free throw line and Jack Britton added 18.

Sign up for Modoc Ô02 Little League

Parents are encouraged to sign their children up for Modoc County Little League March 4 and 5 at the Alturas Elementary School office 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each night.

Parents must bring a copy of the child's Certificate of Live Birth. The league will keep the copy on file. Parents who have already turned in a copy to the league, do not need to bring another. Little League International does not accept hospital birth certificates.

Little League is open to boys and girls in the following divisions: T-ball, boys and girls ages 5 and 6; farm league, girls age 7 and boys ages 7 and 8; minor league baseball, boys age 9-10; minor league softball, girls ages 8,9,10; major league softball/baseball, boys, girls ages 10, 11, 12; junior league baseball, boys ages 13,14; senior league baseball, boys ages 14,15,16; senior league softball, girls games 13,14 and 15.

A child who turns age five before August 1 and will not be 16 (girls) or (17) boys before August 1, 2002 is eligible to play. All children will be placed on a team and all children will play.

Registration fees are $30 for one child, $50 for two children and $60 maximum for three or more children per family.

Coaches and players are asked to return all uniforms still out from last season so they may be inventoried and replacements ordered. Its costs the league $30 to replace a lost uniform.

Tryouts will be held on March 23, and more information will be published later.

For more information, contact Jay Eppler at 233-3207 after 6 p.m.

DFG looking for more waterfowl hunt input

The California Department of Fish and Game and the California Waterfowl Association have scheduled a public workshop to discuss ways to improve waterfowl hunting in California.

Anyone interested should plan to be at the Sacramento Resources Building Auditorium, 1416 Ninth St., Saturday March 9, 2002, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The workshop will be facilitated by Bob Simms of Sacramento radio station KFBK. Policy makers from the DFG and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be on hand to answer questions. Technical staff from the DFG Wildlife Programs Branch, the Lands and Facilities Branch, and the License and Revenue Branch will also be in attendance.

Topics to be discussed include the annual hunting regulations, the reservation system for public hunting areas, and way to improve waterfowl hunting in California.

"The Department is seeking ideas that can be put in place that improve waterfowl hunting in California," said Dan Yparraguirre, the Department's Waterfowl Coordinator. "Over the last three years, hunters have expressed concerns about declining satisfaction with their hunting experiences, which could lead to reduced support for waterfowl and waterfowl habitat conservation. Early input from the public is critical to making changes, as the development of regulations is already beginning for the next hunting seasons. Those interested in improving waterfowling in California are encouraged to attend and present their ideas."

Wilson heads to college nationals

Former Modoc High School standout wrestler Blake Wilson placed second in the Collegiate Division II Regional Wrestling Championships last weekend.

Wilson will be competing at the Nationals in Wisconsin March 8-9. Wilson, a 2001 graduate of Modoc High School, is a freshman at Western State College in Gunnison, Ca.

March 7, 2002

NEWS

Macsay, Madison, Funk win, runoff in District 5

Dan Macsay, Maxine Madison, and Jordan Funk all won their seats in the March 5 primary election, but there will be a November run-off in District Five between David Bradshaw and David Porter Misso.

While only 31.1 percent of voters in the state went to the polls Tuesday, 66.2 percent of Modoc voters cast ballots.

Macsay, of Eagleville, bested incumbent District One Supervisor Terry Williams and challenger Dave Allan by getting 51.4 percent of the vote. He received 276 votes, Williams received 130 votes (24.21 percent) and Allan received 128 votes (23.84 percent).

Funk received 50.49 percent of the vote for District Attorney, with 1,602, while challenger John Lawson received 1,060 (33.41 percent) and incumbent Tom Buckwalter received 498 (15.69 percent). In order to win in the primary, Funk needed 50 percent plus one vote. His winning margin, unofficially is 16 votes.

Madison received 76.82 percent of the vote to retain her position as Modoc County Clerk with 2,469 votes. Challenger Patricia Malson received 23.02 percent with 740 votes.

The incumbents remain in place through the remainder of this year and new officials take over in January for four-year terms.

In District Five, no candidate received 50 percent of the vote, forcing a run-off election in the November general election between David Bradshaw, of Lookout, who received 48.06 percent of the vote, 285, and David Porter Misso, of Newell, who received 21.59 percent, 128 votes. Barbara Boyd received 16.53 percent of the vote, 98, and Delbert Craig received 79 votes (13.32 percent). The Surprise Valley Hospital District Assessment passed easily, with 87.36 percent voting in favor (470) and 12.64 percent (68) voting against. That measure extends the $150 per year annual assessment for another four years.

In the City of Alturas, John Vass and Jerry Smith were elected to the Alturas City Council. Vass received 471 votes (37.32 percent) and Smith received 420 votes (33.28 percent). John Kerr, who pulled out of the race, still picked up 359 votes (28.45 percent).

City Treasurer Kathie Alves received 766 votes to continue in her position. County officials who ran unopposed included Sheriff Bruce Mix, Treasurer Cheryl Knoch, Auditor Judi Stevens, School Superintendent Carol Harbaugh and Assessor Josie Johnson.

In the race for State Assembly District Two, Republican Doug LaMalfa received the nod with 58.9 percent of the vote and Democrat Doug Kinyon will run against him in November. Modoc Republican voters liked LaMalfa by a wide margin. He received 75.27 percent of his party's votes. while Dan Ryhal got 3.94 percent, Pat Knight, 8.18 percent and John Byrne 12.42 percent.

In the partisan race for U.S. Congress in District Four, Republicans choose career politician John Doolittle by a wide margin, 77.4 percent, over more moderate Bill Kirby with 22.6 percent. Modoc voters liked Doolittle by 80.07 percent over Kirby's 19.74 percent. Doolittle will run against Democrat Mark Norberg.

The race for Governor looks like the two main party candidates will be incumbent Gray Davis against Republican Bill Simon. Simon received 49.4 percent of the statewide Republican vote while Davis received 80.8 percent of the democratic vote. In Modoc, Democratic voters liked Davis by 65.31 percent of the vote. In the Republican primary, Modoc voted for Simon with 39.14 percent, Bill Jones at 37.17 percent, and Richard Riordan at 16.74 percent.

All but one measure passes state muster -- Modoc, not!

All but one Proposition on the ballot Tuesday passed statewide, but Modoc disagreed, as usual, with more than one.

The one issue that failed was Prop. 45, the term limits initiative that would have allowed local petitions to increase incumbent terms. It failed statewide by 57.8 percent to 42.2 percent. In Modoc, voters turned it down by a 68.05 percent to 31.95 percent margin. There were 2,068 votes against and 971 in favor.

Proposition 40, the clean water, air and parks issue passed easily statewide with 56.8 in favor. However, in Modoc, in spite of all the community parks and recreation facilities built by these bond funds, it failed by 76.47 percent. There were 2,347 votes against and 722 in favor.

Proposition 41, the voting modernization issue for improving voting equipment passed in the state by 51.5 percent, but Modoc said no by a 66.82 percent to 33.18 percent margin. There were 2,028 against and 1,007 in favor.

Proposition 42 which would earmark gas tax funds only for roads and transportation, passed statewide by 68.9 percent. Modoc voters liked it as well, voting 59.12 percent in favor and 40.88 percent against. There were 1,792 yes votes and 1,242 against.

Proposition 43, the right to have votes counted passed statewide by 71.3 percent. In Modoc, it passed by a 64.61 percent to 35.29 percent spread. There were 1,968 votes in favor and 1,078 against.

Proposition 44, the chiropractor issue, passed statewide by 79.5 percent and in Modoc it passed by a 75.42 percent margin, 2,265 in favor and 738 against.

New homes perk up county building

A pair of single family homes perked up building in Modoc County for February.

The Building Department issued 12 permits with an estimated value of $261,831.

In addition to the new homes, a new garage, and 1,800 square foot steel building were also among the permits.

The February totals are pretty close to January's county totals where two new manufactured homes made up the bulk of the $258,785 total value in 11 permits.

City building remained stagnant as only five permits were issued, valued at $5,162. A remodel was the major item. In January only four permits were issued by the city, valued at $3,593.

Students, drugs, cars on MJUSD policy tablet

Students, cars, drugs and alcohol will be the theme of the Modoc Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting March 12. Policies up for adoption include random drug testing and a closed campus.

The board will be considering a new policy implementing random drug testing for all ninth to 12th grade students in the district, as well as a policy that prohibits students from driving their cars during school hours. The March 12 meeting will be held at the Modoc Middle School gym, and will begin at 6:30 p.m. If adopted, the policies will take effect at the beginning of the 2002/2003 school year.

The closed campus policy means students would not be able to drive their vehicles at any time during the school day without written permission of their parents or guardians and school authorities. Students who drive their vehicles without permission would be subject to disciplinary action.

According to the policy, once at school, students would not be permitted to return to their vehicles without permission from the principal's office. Students will not be allowed to sit in or loiter near their vehicles.

Students who break the car policy rule would be subject to the following disciplinary actions: first offense, detention for student and notification of parents; second offense, restricting the student to the high school at lunch and parent notification; third offense, in-school suspension with parent notification; fourth offense, loss of driving privileges for the remainder of the school year.

What the school board will be discussing is a random drug and alcohol testing policy for all students. The all inclusive policy is supported in theory by most members of the board. The District's legal counsel has stated there is no legal precedent set on the issue, and feels the California courts could decide it goes too far.

If adopted, all students and parents shall sign consent forms for drug/alcohol testing. Students who refuse to be tested will be considered to have tested positive for each instance of refusal.

Superintendent Kevin Jolly, has said the policy affecting all students would include every 9-12th grade student in the district, including Independent Study or Alternative Education students.

The policy would involve a random selection by the testing lab of 10 students per month, by a number, not a name. The test would be for drug use, including marijuana, cocaine, barbiturates and others as well as alcohol. Other schools in the area including Big Valley, Surprise Valley, Tulelake, Lassen and Fall River have drug testing policies. All of those include athletes and some add extra-curricular and co-curricular students. None have a policy affecting all students.

The legal question will involved an individual's privacy rights, covered under the U.S. Constitution's Fourth Amendment, prohibiting unreasonable searches.

There are other options on the table for the drug testing policy. One of those options would limit the testing to just athletes. The other would include athletes and all students involved in extra or co-curricular activities, such as band and choir.

The policies are an effort to cut down on drug use and reduce the chance of accidents. The driving policy will not preclude students from walking to area business establishments for lunch or driving to work.

Watercolors open student show

Color will grace the gallery walls at the Art Center's reception to open the new month of March show this Friday evening, March 8 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The public is cordially invited and refreshments will be served at the Art Center, located at 317 So. Main St., Alturas.

Featured will be paintings by CLOAK fourth and fifth grade youths who have been exploring the art of watercolor painting and watercolors by Lassen College Modoc Outreach students enrolled in Art 11, Art 15 and Art 150 will be featured.

The center's new heating system is in operation and the Ruth Westmoreland collection of art books, donated for the use of classes, will be on display.

The Art Center students and volunteers are deeply grateful to Ruth for the valuable books and the generous donation of art supplies, as well.

The Artists:

Youthful artists who will display work at the Art Center March show include: from CLOAK, Millie Widby, Alea Bagwell, Brett Fullerton, Jessica Kresge, Amber Hamilton, Gabby Papineau, Mike West, Lauren Wolf, Gayle Yeier, and independent student Neikka Fareid.

Lassen College exhibitors include: Mary Ann Cossey, Christopher Foster, Doris Harris, Melody Jones, Brandi Miller, Rosemary Nelson, Virginia Nelson, Stephanie Nessling, Marie Roberts, Karen Rose, Georgia Smith and Fae Stanley.

Obituaries:

Jennifer Ferry

Jennifer Ferry, devoted wife and mother, passed away in a tragic car accident on March 2, 2002 in Alturas, CA.

Jennifer was born on December 12, 1955 to Warde and Sally Sligh in Tampa, Florida.

Jennifer had a passion for cooking and loved to try and perfect new recipes. She had just taken over the day-to-day management of the Modoc County Co-op, after working at the long-time establishment for several years. She was a strong supporter of the Modoc Youth 4-H Program, being both a 4-H leader and parent volunteer. She was also a member of the Modoc Horsemen's Association. She and husband Ed were starting to get involved in cutting and reining horses. Jennifer loved life and was always there for her family.

Pastor Destry Campbell officiated a memorial service March 6 at 11:00 a.m. at Kerr Mortuary Chapel in Alturas, followed by a gathering of family and friends at the Alturas Elks Lodge.

Jennifer is survived by her husband Ed Ferry of Alturas, CA; daughter Nikki Allison of Redding; daughter Jessica Allison of Alturas; stepchildren Allison and Beau Ferry of Alturas; mother Sally Saburit of Sacramento; sister Julie Standeford and family of Sacramento. She is also survived by many extended family members and beloved friends. Jennifer brought much happiness to life and will be remembered by many fond memories. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Jennifer Ferry Memorial Fund care of Plumas Bank, 520 North Main St., Alturas, CA 96101.

Jacqueline D. Skaufel

A service for Alturas resident Jacqueline D. Skaufel, 59, will take place Saturday, March 9 at 1:00 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 10 Concordia Lane, Oroville, CA.

Mrs. Skaufel passed away Wednesday, February 27, 2002 of cancer at Oroville Hospital, Oroville, CA.

She was born June 7, 1942 in Biwabik, Minn. to Jacob and Jenny Perala. She had been an Oroville resident 27 years and an Alturas resident for 14 years. Mrs. Skaufel was an in-home caregiver in Oroville, then in Alturas. She had also been a contract janitor for California Highway Patrol in Alturas.

She was a member of the Modoc Classic Cruisers car club in Alturas. She was also known for her Finnish "sisu."

She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Kenneth of Alturas; two daughters, Julie Russell of Oroville and Sheila Rollins of Oroville; a son Eric of Owensboro, Ky.; a sister, Helen Peterson of St. Paul, Minn.; and six grandchildren.

Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Oroville, CA. Services under the direction of Scheer Memorial Chapel.

Delisa Kay Cormier

A memorial service for Canby resident Delisa Kay Cormier will be held on Friday, March 8 at 11:00 a.m. at Alturas Baptist Church on Fourth St., Alturas. Pastor Bud Kirk will conduct the service.

Delisa, a resident of Canby for the past eight years, passed away of pneumonia on February 27, 2002 in Canby, CA.

Born December 17, 1961 in Tampa, Florida, she finished high school at Live Oak in Morgan Hill, Calif. and had lived in San Jose and Sacramento, Calif. before relocating to Canby, Calif. While in Modoc, she worked as a home care provider through Dept. of Social Services. She loved her dogs, church, collecting rocks and working on cars. She loved being outdoors, surrounded by nature.

She is survived by her sister Denise King and husband Michael of Hollister; brother Daniel Cormier of Florida; aunt Fran Costa of Gilroy and niece Kelley King of Hollister.

She was preceded in death by her mother Beverly Summers, father Daniel Cormier and grandmother Barbra Pettigrew.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Humane Society of America. Kerr Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Katherine Celia Rachford

Former Alturas resident Katherine Celia Rachford of Klamath Falls, OR, died February 19, 2002 at the age of 80.

Katherine Celia Rachford was born Katherine Pappas at Big Pines, California on February 28, 1921 to Pete and Ada Pappas. After her father's death, Kay moved to Modoc with her mother and sisters. She lived at the grandmother's ranch on Thom's Creek and also on the south side of the pit River by County Road 75.

While living there, Kay and her sister Virginia attended Lone Star School, at the intersection of Co. Rd. 75 and Hwy 299. They walked to school each day. On winter days, coming through the snow, their feet would be so cold the teacher would soak their feet in cold water to ward off frostbite. Her mother remarried and they moved to Chico for awhile before returning to Alturas.

Kay attended Modoc High School and graduated with the class of 1940. On August 1, 1940 she married her classmate Donald Rachford in Reno, Nevada. After the start of World War II, Don joined the Marines and Kay stayed in Alturas raising the family. They made their home on East A Street until 1967, when the mill that he worked at in Canby burned down and they relocated to Klamath Falls.

Kay was always an ambitious person who was never afraid of hard work. While Kay attended high school, she worked for Dr. Pate and George Fisher families doing housework. She also worked for many years at the Box Factory at the White Pine Lumber Company in Alturas.

Kay's life was filled with flowers which she entered many times in the Modoc County Fair. She was noted for her roses. Her rose garden was featured in the garden section of the Klamath Falls Herald & News.

While in Klamath, she was an active member of the Klamath Falls Garden Club. She was a member of the Klamath County Historical Society, Native Daughters of the Golden West and the Modoc County Historical Society. She was also willing to help others whenever she could. She was a member of the Merle West Medical Center Hospital Guild and performed over 2800 hours of volunteer service at the hospital.

Kay always liked outdoor activities, whether it was working in her yard with flowers, going bird watching, walking with friends, or camping. One of her favorite places was camping at Clear Lake with her grandchildren. Kay is survived by daughter and son-in-law Cheryl and Richard Vermillion of Chico, son and daughter-in-law Dr. Fred and Judith Rachford of Cincinnati, Ohio; grandchildren Thomas Vermillion, Tamera Henriksen, Mark Rachford, Ashley Rachford great-grandchildren Hanne Henriksen and Aline Henriksen; sisters Virginia Fields, Minnie Duffy of Redding, Bonnie Olson of Santa Cruz, CA, brother Bobby Dukes of Alturas. She was preceded in death by her husband Don Rachford in 1977 and a sister, Elsie Valentine of Florida.

A service was held February 26 at Kerr Mortuary in Alturas with interment at Alturas Cemetery.

Arlene R. Griggs

Services for former Alturas resident Arlene Ruth Griggs will be held Saturday, March 9 at 2:00 p.m. at 725 El Camino Ave in Sacramento, CA. Mrs. Griggs, a loving mother to seven children and 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, passed away March 5, 2002 in Sacramento where she had been residing for the past five years. She leaves many friends in Alturas.

SPORTS

It's diamond time in Modoc this weekend

While the Modoc weather may be a bit unsettled, the Modoc High School baseball and softball teams are getting set to open the season with a tournament in Alturas this weekend.

The weather forecast calls for rain and snow and partly cloudy Friday and Saturday. Temperatures are expected to be very cold. But that's nothing new for baseball season in Modoc in March.

The tournament will see Modoc's varsity baseball and softball teams in action, as well as the Braves' junior varsity baseball team. Both the boys and girls teams from each school will be playing at the same time, one on the baseball field, the other at the softball field.

Action starts Friday, with Modoc boys and girls taking on Fall River at 11 a.m. Those games will be followed by Liberty Christian-Portola clashes and Modoc will meet Portola at 3 p.m.

On Friday, Modoc's junior varsity boys will meet Big Valley's varsity at 11 a.m.; Fall River meets Bishop Quincy at 1 p.m. and Modoc will meet Fall River at 3 p.m.

Saturday morning, varsity games start when Fall River verses Liberty Christian at 11 a.m., Portola meets Fall River at 1 p.m. and Modoc finishes with Liberty Christian at 3 p.m

. On the junior varsity side Saturday, Bishop Quinn meets Big Valley varsity at 11 a.m., Modoc meets Bishop Quinn at 1 p.m. and Big Valley meets Fall River at 3 p.m.

Youth wrestlers do well at Mazama

Modoc Youth wrestlers placed third as a team at the major Mazama Tournament last week, with several first place finishers. This weekend Modoc hosts its own tournament. Wrestling begins Saturday at 9 a.m. in the Griswold Gym and will run until about 3 p.m.

Wrestlers taking first place at Mazama were: Travis Wood, Jesse Harer, Brian Weed, Joshua Wood, Tyler Hammerness, Steve Miller, Alex Valenica, Cody Osborne and Justin Valena.

Those taking second places were: Ian Jacques, Tyler Wood, Justin Estes, Bud Groff, Bill Hammerness, Nick Hawes, Christina Price and Wyatt Valena.

Modoc wrestles in third were: Justin Mason, Ross Cockrell, Willy Mohr, Preston Dennis, Shane Pierce, James Budmark, Tyler Stains and Anthony Osborne.

Those wrestlers earning fourths were: Neil Mohr, Liam Iverson, Adam Pence, Alex Moreo and Tre Hawes.

Big Valley football Florida bound

The Big Valley High School football team is having an aluminum can drive to help raise money for its trip to Florida in September, 2002. If you have aluminum cans that you would like to donate, please call Tel at 294-5837, Dieter at 299-3401, or the high school at 294-5231. We will gladly pick up your cans or you can drop them off at Big Valley market in Bieber or Copp's Corner in Adin. Thank you for your support.

Christensen is top hoop player

Former Modoc High School player Kayte Christensen has been named the Big West Conference's Player of the Year for 2001-02.

Now a senior at U.C. Santa Barbara, Christensen led the team in scoring and rebounding.

March 14, 2002

NEWS

MJU drops closed MHS campus, tables random drug testing for students

Modoc High School students will be allowed to drive their cars at lunch, while the issue of random drug testing has been put on the table for a 30-day study period.

Tuesday night, a crowd of about 170 people, including many students, convinced the Modoc Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees to vote down a proposal that would have closed the campus to student driving during lunch.

Basically, the proposed policy stated that students could drive their cars to school but would not be allowed to visit their cars, or drive them during lunch without authorization of a parent, guardian and the administration. Students in the audience complained about having to go home to get homework, being able to leave the school grounds for mental wellness, chores and claimed driving was a right of passage when they turned 16.

The bigger issue, which has gained national and statewide media attention, was a proposal to random drug test students, grades 9-12 in the district. Most school districts in the area have policies in place to drug test athletes and some for other extra-curricular activities. The MJUSD is one of few which has nothing in place.

Following a two-and-a-half hour session of public comment, largely in opposition to drug testing, Board president Seab McDonald asked that the issue be tabled for 30 days and brought back. While two members wanted to vote against the measure Tuesday, Bill Hall and Jeff Bushey, a motion was made to table it and Velda Moore, Ken Fogle and McDonald voted in favor. It is probably going to come back for discussion at the April 9 meeting of the board.

Primary objections raised by the public included a violation of students right to privacy, violating the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protecting against unreasonable searches, and the potential cost of litigation. Some in the audience threatened that if the policy was passed, the board would be hearing from the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU, in short order.

Many people in the audience, including some students denied there was a serious drug or alcohol problem at Modoc High School and saw no reason for the testing.

Modoc Teacher's Association President Karen Siegel, said the teachers group did not want to see funding that could go for education programs and classrooms, go into drug testing costs or litigation expenses. She said the teachers were in favor of more educational approaches.

High School teacher Dee Ferguson said she views the students at Modoc High School as "wonderful young adults" and stressed the benefit of treating the students in a positive manner. She said more training may be needed for staff to recognize students who may be under the influence. Teacher Patti Carpenter said she was proud to teach in the MJUSD and said the district should not go into random drug testing, but rather fully institute the current policies for an educational solution and intervention to the problem.

Local Attorney David Mason told the board they were going into "unexplored territory" and would be inviting litigation that would be "very expensive" and long. He said the board should reconsider passing a policy that included all students, and actually to wait on a current Supreme Court case that may further define the parameters of drug testing for students. Parent Brian Harden said he was against the drug testing policy and said students have enough stress without the board adding drug tests. He said students have a right to privacy and to be left alone. He said the effort should be put into education, not testing.

Barbara Baker, a school employee, said she normally tries to support the Board, but was against drug testing of students. She said there is a drug and alcohol problem in the district, and that more supervision during break times as well as more education for staff and students would be helpful. Parent Brian Weidner claimed the policy would violate the students' Fourth Amendment rights, and kids may make a mistake by drinking or experimenting with drugs. But, he said , that should not ruin their lives or label them.

Some students and adults expressed a concern that since Alturas is a small town, the school would not be able to keep the identities of those students who tested positive confidential. Still others said they moved to Alturas and Modoc County to put their kids in schools that were safe and relatively free of crime and drugs. They didn't believe the drug or alcohol problem in the district warranted drug testing.

Several parents said they would not sign a consent to allow their children to be drug tested, thereby taking their rights away. Under the proposed policy, if a student refused a drug test or did not sign the consent form, they would lose their right to play sports or participate in extracurricular activities.

Parent Nora Russell was concerned that a refusal by her and her children to sign a consent form to be tested would go into the students' record and create problems with college admission. She was adamantly opposed to the drug testing policy.

Board members thanked the audience for participating and expressing its views. In the end, chairman McDonald said he believed there was a drug and alcohol problem in the district and stressed the board's intention was not to punish students, but rather to be a part of a solution to reduce drug and alcohol use.

He said he was open to suggestion and felt the 30-day period would give the board a chance to look at the issues and bring back something that would be beneficial.

What the school board was discussing was a random drug and alcohol testing policy for all students. The District's legal counsel has stated there is no legal precedent set on the issue, and feels the California courts could decide it goes too far.

If adopted, all students and parents would sign consent forms for drug/alcohol testing. Students who refuse to be tested would be considered to have tested positive for each instance of refusal.

Superintendent Kevin Jolly, has said the policy affecting all students would include every 9-12th grade student in the district, including Independent Study or Alternative Education students.

The legal question will involve an individual's privacy rights, covered under the U.S. Constitution's Fourth Amendment, prohibiting unreasonable searches.

What will come back as a policy in April is not yet determined.

Final primary results tighten for November

While the final tally, including all absentee ballots, narrowed the margins of victory in a couple of races, there was no change in the results of the March 5 Primary Election.

In Surprise Valley, Daniel Macsay won four more votes than he needed to secure the Surprise Valley District One Supervisor seat. Macsay needed 284 votes to win the race outright and received 288. Challenger David Allan received 139 and incumbent Terry Williams received 137. Percentage-wise, Macsay picked up 50.79 percent of the vote. In order to win in the primary, he had to pick up 50 percent of the vote, plus one vote.

In the race for District Five Supervisor (Tulelake/Big Valley) a November runoff between Lookout's David Bradshaw and Newell's David Porter Misso could be interesting. Bradshaw was the top vote getter with 285, 48.06 percent. Misso was second with 128 votes, 21.59 percent, Barbara Boyd had 98 votes for 16.53 percent and Delbert Craig had 79 votes, or 12.32 percent. What will make the November race interesting is the three Tulelake area candidates, Misso, Boyd and Craig, collected 51.59 percent of the vote. Only Misso will be running from that area in November and will have to pick up a huge part of that total, plus some vote from the Lookout/Adin area to win. Bradshaw ran very strong in the Adin/Lookout with 236 votes. He picked up 49 in the Day area and Newell. None of the Tulelake are candidates did well in Big Valley.

It's also interesting to note that Big Valley hasn't elected a supervisor in District Five since the boundaries were changed to include the Tulelake/Newell area. That area was represented most recently by Nancy Huffman, John Coulson and Manual Silva, all of the Tulelake area.

Jordan Funk wound up winning the District Attorney race by 12 votes, with 50.39 percent of the vote. He needed 1,623 votes and wound up with 1,635.

Funk carried most areas, but challenger John Lawson won the Surprise Valley vote, 238 to 230 over Funk. Incumbent DA, Tom Buckwalter finished with 506 votes, or 15.159 percent of the total. In raw numbers, Funk had 1,635, Lawson had 1,091 and Buckwalter 506.

Surprise Valley voters passed the Surprise Valley Hospital Assessment by 87.23 percent. Final figures show 492 votes in favor of continuing the $150 per year assessment, while 72 people voted against.

Sheriff uses tear gas to dislodge suspect

A confrontation in New Pine Creek March 6, ended when tear gas was fired into a residence to force a barricaded man out.

According to Modoc Undersheriff Mark Gentry, the Sheriff's Office received a call from Darryl Dragoman, Sr., saying his son was armed and barricaded in his home. The son had allegedly attacked his father with a butcher block or cutting board and then with a knife. The senior Dragoman fled to a neighbor's home and called the Sheriff about 3 p.m.

The son, Darryl Dragoman, Jr., age 29, formerly of Las Vegas refused to come out of the house and when the Sheriff and deputies arrived, they tried to coax him out.

After about three hours, Sheriff Bruce Mix fired a tear gas projectile into the home. He and other deputies went into the home, found the man in his bedroom, armed with a 20-gauge shotgun. They disarmed Dragoman, without incident, and he was taken out of the house and booked into the Modoc County Jail. He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest and spousal abuse. He remains in custody.

Fandango marshal, know someone?

The Alturas Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the 2002 Fandango Parade Grand Marshal as well as a theme for the event this year.

Anyone wishing to nominate someone should send detailed reasons why that person should be selected and include any pertinent information. There is an April 1 deadline for both.

Submit nominations as well as theme ideas to the Alturas Chamber at 522 South Main Street. For more information call 233-4434.

MNF asks for comments on BV Unit timber sale

The Modoc National Forest is requesting comments and addressing the proposed Ash Timber Sale approximately 6 miles east of Adin, CA in T.37-39 N., R. 10

The first objective of the project is to provide sawlog volume to the timber industry under the guidelines of the Sustained Yield Forest Management Act of 1944 and the policy statement for the Sustained Yield Unit of 1994. The second objective is to reduce fuels and increase growth on the remaining trees through thinning and underburning. The third objective is to repair and stabilize several ecosystem values through road closures, watershed repairs and juniper removal. The treatments being proposed are:

¥ Approximately 200 acres of regeneration harvests, using both clear cutting and shelterwood methods. The harvest areas will be tractor piled to remove slash and planted to pine trees

¥ Approximately 7,000 acres of combined thinning and overstory removal harvests. The thinning includes the removal of both small sawlogs and chips for biomass. The sawlogs and biomass may be sold through separate contracts depending on market conditions. Fuel treatments following these harvests will be accomplished by a combination of machine piling, hand piling and underburning. All harvesting will be done by tractor logging. ¥ Some un-needed roads will be closed based on a roads analysis to be completed as part of the project.

¥ Juniper trees will be cut or uprooted from approximately 1,000 acres in Ambrose Valley (T.39 N., R.10 E., sections 28, 29, and 33, T.38 N., R.1 E., sections 3 and 4) to return the dry flat to a grass, bitterbrush and sage community.

¥ The headcut in Hunsinger Draw (T.38N., R.10E., sections 15 and 22 will be repaired and the meadow restored. Fencing of the flat may be needed. The work is planned to start in the Fall of 2002.

The project is within the Big Valley Federal Sustained Yield Unit and is being managed based on the 1991 Modoc National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. The Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment (2001) does not apply to the Sustained Yield Unit in regards to this project. The public is encouraged to provide comments for this proposal to Sue Wheatley, Big Valley Ranger District, Post Office Box 159, Adin, CA 96006 or phone (530) 299-3215 by April 5.

'Nunsense' opens live for one weekend at the Niles

Modoc Performing Arts Theater opens the hit musical comedy "Nunsense", by Dan Goggin, on March 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the A.C.T. Niles Theater. The show will also be performed on March 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, March 18 at 3:00 p.m.

"Nunsense" has sparked a dedicated following of theater goers everywhere it has played, prompting three sequels. Numerous productions play concurrently around the United States and Europe.

MPAT director Sandy Boldon brings the delightful story of faith and devotion to the Niles Theater stage after having seen the production in Chicago. "I wanted to bring this wonderful play to our local audience, I remember how wonderful it was to see a play that celebrated faith while poking a little fun. We laugh at the little sisters' attempts to break out of their shells for an evening, but are moved by their deep spiritual devotion," said Boldon. MPAT says don't miss this joyous ride with "the little sisters of Hoboken" as they sing and dance their way through a fun-filled talent show. The "Little Sisters", originally founded as a missionary order, started out running a leper colony on an island south of France. They were forced to leave the island after losing control to a group of Protestant competitors. Once home, they were unnoticed until the day their cook, Sister Julia Child of God, unwittingly served tainted soup and 52 sisters died of botulism. When the Mother Superior realizes there is only enough money to bury 48, she decides to stage a talent show to raise the money to bury the last four sisters (who were put on ice in the convent deep freeze). With musical numbers ranging from "Nunsense is Habit Forming" to "Holier than Thou" this is an evening of theater not to be missed.

The talented local cast features Sally Clark as Sister Robert Anne, Eleanor Dorton as Sister Mary Hubert, Heather Gregory as Sister Amnesia, Karen Hays as Sister Mary Lou, and Nancy North-Gates as Sister Mary Regina, Mother Superior. Carol Richert accompanies on piano and Jennifer Welty is assisting the director.

Tickets for all performances are available online at www.ticketweb.com, or at Antonio's Cucina Italiana and at the door. Ticket prices are $8.50 for adults; $6.00 for senior citizens and students.

For information, call Antonio's Cucina Italiana at 233-5600 or A.C.T. Niles Theater at 233-5454.

Obituaries:

Arlene Ruth Griggs

Former Alturas resident Arlene Ruth Griggs, 69, passed away March 5, 2002 in Sacramento, CA where she had been living the past three years. A memorial service was held Saturday, March 9 in a Sacramento church. Mrs. Griggs, a loving mother to seven children and 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, also leaves many friends in Alturas. She enjoyed playing Bingo and visiting with friends at the Modoc Senior Citizens Center in Alturas, where center friends helped her celebrate her 65th birthday.

"She was a joy of a person, who will be missed by all who knew her," said her adopted daughter Teresa A. Canterberry of Alturas. Mrs. Griggs enjoyed having her family all together. She was retired and enjoyed gardening, playing Bingo and Nintendo games. She had lived in Alturas for eight years.

She was born Arlene Ruth DeWolfe in Portlyden, New York on May 29, 1932. She was married to James Griggs June 10, 1976 in Lake Tahoe. She is survived by daughters Marlene Carter of Sacramento; Mary Kilinski of Connecticut; Cheryl Waters of Sacramento; Elizabeth Neid, Sacramento; Marcella Pittman, Sacramento and adopted daughter Teresa A. Canterberry of Alturas; son Faron Ray Eychner of Fort Bragg. Son Harley Eychner preceded his mother in death.

Donations in Arlene's memory may be directed to the Modoc Senior Citizens Center, Fourth Street, Alturas, CA 96101.

SPORTS

Huge wrestling turnout in Modoc

Modoc wrestling coach Shaun Wood was at home having a cup of coffee about 7:00 a.m. Saturday when his phone rang. He was getting set to head to the Griswold Gym to open up for the Modoc Youth Wrestling Tournament about an hour later

However, on the phone were coaches from Quincy and Portola wondering when the gym was going to open up. Wood hurried off to open the facility, expecting about 200 young wrestlers from throughout the region to show up. When it was all said and done, more than 300 wrestlers participated in one of the biggest tournies of the year, crowning the final wrestler about 6 p.m. Saturday

"We were astounded with the turnout," said Wood. "It was the biggest event we'd had here and everyone enjoyed it."

The Modoc Youth Wrestling team heads to Tulelake this weekend for another tournament

Wood said former Modoc High Wrestler Blake Wilson, wound up getting tough seeds at the National College finals and lost his first two matches. Both wrestlers Wilson, a true freshman at Western State College in Gunnison, Co., faced placed in the nationals

Wood also said a former Modoc youth wrestler, Ryan Jones took a seventh place in the nationals in Division three. He wrestles for Pacific College in Oregon

The local wrestlers who placed at Saturday's youth tournament here were as follows:

1ST PLACE: Travis Northrop, Alexander Conner, Patrick Bell, Tyler Ewing, Cody Osborne, Justin Valena, Alex Valencia, Troy Culp, Garret Larsen, Jake Cruise, Josh Wood, Justin Healy, Justin Estes, Josh Wood, Steve Miller, Justin Mason, Travis Wood, Ian Jacques, Tim Cruse, Anthony Osborne.

2ND PLACE: Drew Culp, Wyatt Valena, Alex Moreo, Tyler Wood, Tyler Wood, Miguel Torres, Jesse Marer, Tyler Hammernes, Brian Weed, Nick Hawes, Nick Hawes, Ross Cockrell, Ian Jacques.

3RD PLACE: Jake Cruise, Drew Culp, Riley Larranaga, Brian Northrup, Cody Treat, Zack Goulden, Trent Wishart, Jack Callaghan, Tyler Stains, Hank Roabe, Shane Pierce, Sheridan Crutcher, Willie Mohr, Jesse Harer, Preston Dennis.

4TH PLACE: Jeffrey Larsen, Riley Larranaga, Tre Hawes, Kyle Fletcher, Gabe Fletcher, James Budmark, Bill Hammerness, Gabe Fletcher, Sheridan Crutcher, Liam Iverson.

5TH PLACE: Christine Price

Modoc ballplayers go to Liberty tournament

Modoc's baseball and softball teams are heading to the Liberty Christian tournament in Redding this weekend, weather permitting. On March 19, the baseball team plays Lakeview, there.

The first tournament, at home last weekend, was canceled after a major blizzard Thursday dropped seven inches in snow in Alturas in a two-hour period.

The baseball team includes Adam Fitzpatrick, Robert Flournoy, Christian Hagge, Curt Kiesel, Matt Krauel, Tim Lauppe, Jared McGarva, Eric Miller, Jered Pierce, Justin Ratliff, Chris Ridgway, Blake Thorn, Rick Wildtraut, and Logan Wilson.

Soggy tracksters head to Lakeview

A Modoc High School track team will head to Lakeview March 19 to open the 2002 season, probably without ever setting foot on a track. The weather has been very wet and cold at the start of this season.

New coach Craig Flournoy said the thinclads are getting in some good workouts, however, and he feels he has good leadership from his seniors. On March 23, the team will compete at the annual Eagle Classic Relays in West Valley.

On the team this year are: Tyler Belarde, Clayton Broman, Caitlin Cook, Maria Duran, Jessica Gray, Dominique Hall, Kayla Harness, Sadie Harrison, Jacob Hughes, Luke Hughes, Amy Gentry, Scott Joyce, Aliess Kingsley, Jamie Kuhn, Colleen McElwain, Scott McMaster, Jaafar Mirlohi, Christina Nardoni, Danielle Reyes, Jon Richert, Ada Sanchez, Ann Marie Sanchez, Andrew Simmons, Clint Tate, Vanessa Thomason, Justin Williams and Max Wise.

Little League tryouts March 23

Tryout for Minor and Major Modoc Little League for boys and girls will be held March 23, 10 a.m. at the Little League field on West C Street in Alturas

All players who were not on a team last year are required to tryout and will be placed on a team

A Little League coaches meeting will be held Tuesday, March 19, 7 p.m. at the Modoc County Office of Education office, 139 Henderson Street.

SV Little League signups

Surprise Valley Little League signups will be held March 18, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Surprise Valley Elementary School's 4th Grade Classroom

Little League is open to boys and girls in the following divisions: T-ball, boys and girls ages five and six; farm league, girls age seven, and boys ages seven and eight; minor league baseball, boys ages nine-10; minor league softball, girls ages eight, nine and 10; major softball/baseball, girls/boys ages 10, 11 and 12; junior league baseball, boys ages 13-14; senior league baseball, boys ages 14,15 and 16; senior league softball, girls ages 13, 14 and 15

Registration fees are: $30 for one child; $50 for two children; $60 for three or more children. Parents must bring a copy of the child's Certificate of Live Birth. Parents who have already turned in that copy to the league do not need to bring another. For more information, call Marty Yamagiwa at 279-6221.

March 21, 2002

NEWS

U.S. Supreme Court hearing pivotal case in drug testing

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently hearing an Oklahoma case that could define the future of student drug testing programs in the country. The decision could greatly affect a proposal to randomly drug test all students at Modoc High School.

The MJUSD has held public hearing on the drug testing policy, and about 170 people showed up to one of the hearings, most opposing the policy, many on Fourth Amendment constitutional grounds involving unreasonable search and seizure. That's exactly the question the court will now answer. According to an article in the Sacramento Bee Wednedsay, the court is not leaning against expanding drug testing.

The court case they are deciding was brought by an Oklahoma high school student who objected to drug testing for extra-curricular activities, at that time as a member of the school choir. The court has ruled previously that testing student athletes does not violate the Constitution.

The American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU, is representing the student arguing that officials must have "individualized suspicion" before they can search someone. Their theory is the government can't search everyone in hops of catching someone.

According to the Bee story, Justice Stephen Breyer countered that schools use metal detectors and if here is a serious drug problem among youth in the nation, drug testing may help.

Additionally, Justice Anthony Kennedy compared drug testing to mandatory school uniforms, He also said it is no secret the Government is concerned about drug use among the nation's youth.

Justice Antonin Scalia said the disagreed that students as minors have the same right to privacy enjoyed by adults. He also said the issue could be decided by local school boards, and if they feel drug testing would be helpful, then it would be up to them and the voters.

The more liberal judges, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and David Souter said there could be no stopping point if the drug testing policy wins the Court's favor. The MJUSD tabled a decision on the policy at its last meeting and is scheduled to take up the discussion again at it's April 9 meeting. They have options on the issue, including dropping the entire idea, testing just athletes, athletes and others, fully implementing existing policy, which includes no testing, or opting for random testing of all students.

While all those options are on the table, the board is looking carefully at the U.S. Supreme Court and has said it might be prudent to wait for a decision until after the court defines the parameters.

Sober living housing project seeking a place in Alturas

A proposal by the Modoc County Alcohol and Drug program to establish a Sober Living Housing project in Alturas started off a little rocky when neighbors of the first proposal aired concerns.

Modoc County Director of Health Services Phil Smith came to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday saying that first project which would have established the facility near Brook's Park has been scrapped.

He told the Board the department will now be requesting proposals from the community as to where to place the facility. Neighborhood complaints were the primary reason for dropping the initial proposal.

During Tuesday's meeting, those same neighbors were in attendance and seemed calmer after Smith explained there would be no treatment going on at the sober living facility. But the facility will not be placed near that area. He said the facility is simply a place where recovering alcoholics and addicts could live in an alcohol and drug free environment. That's an essential part of rehabilitation, Smith said. The treatment would still be at the health department and other established counseling centers.

In many cases, said Smith, those people are surrounded by alcohol and drugs in their homes and it keeps them from fully recovering. At the present time, Modoc County sends some of those clients to other counties where they will have sober living facilities.

Smith said when that happens some people lose their jobs, and often their families. If a facility were located in Alturas, the clients would have to live in the sober housing, but would be able to go to work and maintain a life. According to the proposal, three clients would live in each house, with a hired person to monitor them. They must be in a treatment program and have no history of violent or sex crimes. The must also pay rent if they are working and if they don't have a job, will be counseled and helped to find employment. They will also have to follow the rules of the house, make sure the household chores are done and noise levels kept to acceptable levels. They will have to submit to searches of themselves, their rooms and drug testing.

They, of course, must abstain from the use of alcohol and drugs. Their prescription medicine will be locked in a cabinet.

Smith and others testified that the sober living facilities are a successful and necessary treatment for recovering alcoholics and drug addicts, especially those who find themselves inundated by those substances at home.

A Request for Proposals, RFP, will be published and community involvement will be requested.

Fewer jobless people now in Modoc

There were fewer jobless people in Modoc County in February as the unemployment rate dropped to 9.7 percent from January's 11.1 percent.

The biggest increase for February came in the state and local government areas when 1,110 people were employed in February, up from January's 1,050 and in the service producing area where the number of employed from up from 2,390 to 2,460.

In total there were 450 people unemployed in Modoc for January and 400 in February.

Modoc's jobless rate is still much higher than the state's which is 6.4 percent and the national which is 6.1 percent. Modoc ranks 38th of California's counties for the highest unemployment with Lassen ranked 35th with 8.9 percent and Siskiyou ranked 44th with 13.0 percent. San Luis Obispo County has the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 3.1 percent and Colusa the highest at 26.1 percent.

These statistics are reported monthly by the state Employment Development Department.

Modoc RAC approves four new projects

On Saturday, the Modoc County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) approved four projects for funding to enhance and improve land health and water quality from Title II funds set-aside by Modoc County

Projects submitted to the RAC from the public are key to the success of targeting projects of value to the Modoc County community. Under the Secure and Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act of 2000, 50 percent of all project funds used for Title II projects must be dedicated either to road maintenance, decommissioning, and obliteration, or the restoration of streams and watersheds. The remaining monies (50 percent) could potentially be used to finance projects described in the legislation. The RAC is actively looking for projects than enhance and improve land health and water quality on Forest Service land

The RAC is a federally sanctioned group by the Secretary of Agriculture and represents a cross section of county communities, industries, schools, environmentalists, and local government. Members of the public are invited to attend the sixth Modoc County RAC meeting, scheduled for Saturday, April 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Modoc National Forest Office, 800 West 12th Street, Alturas. The RAC openly encourages public participation and has dedicated time for public comment. The projects affirmed for funding at Saturday's meeting were:

¥ A project on Roney Flat Road in the amount of $3,000 to improve public access to federal forest and private land along Johnson Creek.

¥ A project to repair and replace water guzzlers in Devil's Garden in partnership with Modoc National Forest and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation in the amount of $6,825.

¥ A project to perform maintenance in the Devil's Garden wetlands that will restore water control structures at Boles Meadow and South Mountain wetland developments in the amount of $16, 275.

¥ The committee affirmed the hiring of a temporary administrative assistant to maintain the notes and documentation for the committee in the amount of $7,500.

¥ A project to replace water guzzlers in the Doublehead Ranger District that no longer functions to increase water supply for wildlife use, wildlife viewing and population stability in the amount of $20,000.

Projects presented to the RAC for consideration were:

¥ A request to perform Archaeological site assessments within the Modoc National Forest.

¥ Funding for the Modoc High School Agriculture and Natural Resources Partnership Academy that would couple classroom education with field experience while working with the Forest Service.

¥ A request to assist with a Noxious Weed Working Group.

¥ A request for repair work to be conducted on the Weed Valley Dam and fencing for key areas above the dam.

¥ A request to enhance the Sugar Hill Lookout Road and create a restroom and new launching site for hang gliders.

¥ The construction of a drift fence in the North Parker and Granger area.

¥ A request for assistance in providing supplemental range personnel to assist the Forest Service in completing 26 Range Allotment Management Plans on the Warner Mountain Ranger District by December 31, 2002. A request from the Bureau of Land Management and the Modoc National Forest to assist in completing a strategic document, which would prioritize juniper treatment areas and guide juniper management in the region for the next 20 to 25 years.

¥ A request to improve boating access to four reservoirs on the Devil's Garden by building four boat ramps and two single unit vault toilets.

¥ A request to fund the rebuilding of fence burned during the Blue Fire in August of 2001.

Projects presented to the RAC during the March 16 meeting will be reviewed prior to a decision at the next meeting.

For more information on how to submit your ideas, please contact Carol Harbaugh at 233-7101 or Allen Hurlburt at 667-5181.

Vacancy on BV school board

The Big Valley Joint Unified School District has a vacancy on the Board of Trustees created by the resignation of Bob Nelson at the regularly scheduled board meeting on March 14, 2002.

Any interested person, residing in Trustee Area 2, may apply for a provisional appointment by the Board of Trustees. Applicants may come by the School District Office, 390 Bridge Street, Bieber, California to receive an information packet. The Board will conduct interviews for this position during the next regularly scheduled Board meeting on Thursday, April 18, 2002.

A provisional appointment by the Board will be valid until the next regular school board election, which is in November, 2002. At that time, the appointee, if they choose to remain in the trustee position, is required by California Education Code to file for election to fill the new term, which begins in December, 2002.

Any community member who is interested in pursuing a provisional appointment must submit a letter of interest to: Board of Trustees, Big Valley Joint Unified School District, Box 157, Bieber, CA 96009.

Letters must be received in the Big Valley Joint Unified School District Office no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 12, 2002. 299-3215 by April 5.

MHS Ô52 classmates sought

A 50th class reunion for Modoc Union High's Class of 1952 is set for August 3 at California Pines Lodge.

The whereabouts are unknown for the following classmates: John Arnold, Gordon Ball, Norman Bernard, Louis Combs, Helen Davey, Barbara Embry, Bonnie Fields, Hank Fowler, Jack Hardee, Marjorie Lorentzen, Mary Mackie, Vernon Meredith, FloAnn Middlebrooks, Lucille Miller, Richard Morris, Alice McManus, Delores Paulin, Zelda Pike, Twyla Pollack, Shirley Price, Anna Faye Robirds, Beverly Ross, Charlene Ross, Peggy Ruburg, Geanne Singletary, John Smith, Penny Wilcox, Robert Wilcox, Don Wills, Jim Wolfe.

Anyone with information may call Joe Dees at (530) 233-2638, P.O. Box 1328, Alturas, CA 96101 or Ronnie Harden, 233-3610, P.O. Box 2055, Alturas.

Obituaries:

Carol Higgins Williams

Long-time former Alturas resident Carol Higgins Williams, 68, passed away March 13, 2002 in Redding, CA., after a lengthy illness.

She was born to Louise and Harold Higgins on Dec. 27, 1933 in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Her family moved to Modoc when she was a young girl. After graduating from Modoc High, she married Red Williams and reared her two daughters in Modoc.

Carol was truly a wonderful, dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She was also a friend to many with her deep integrity and honesty. Her delightful sense of humor endeared her to all who met her. Young and old remember how around Christmas time, she transformed her home inside and out into a Christmas fairyland. In the summer she transformed her yard into a Japanese Tea Garden.

In the early 80s, the Williamses moved to be closer to their daughters' families in Redding.

Carol is survived by her two daughters, Cindy Hanich and Kathy Munroe of Redding; sister Jolene Pace of Yreka, CA; three grandchildren, Melanie Long of Stevens Ranch, Ca., Mashauna Cole, Red Bluff; Michael Hanich, Redding; and two great-grandchildren, Jennifer and Jasper Cole.

She was preceded in death by her husband Red Williams in 1986, brother William (Billy) Higgins in 1989 and brother Harold (Juge) Higgins in 1989. A Private memorial service will be held.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Alturas Youth Park, in care of Alturas Rotary Club, 135 North Main St., Alturas, CA 96101.

Wilma ÔBillie' Patters

Alturas resident "Billie" Patters passed away of natural causes on March 17, 2002 in Alturas, CA. She was 79.

Born to Constantine and Sophia Pitakis on May 15, 1922 in Salt Lake City, Utah, she moved to California after her marriage to Jim Patters on February 24, 1938. Mrs. Patters retired after 30 years as a cashier for California State University, San Jose. Her husband preceded her in death in 1968. For the past four years, Mrs. Patters had lived with her daughter Julie and son-in-law Karl in Alturas, CA.

She is survived by her daughter Julie Hyzer and husband Karl of Alturas; granddaughter Whitney and husband Bill Bender of Scottsdale, Ariz. and grandchildren and friends who live out of the area.

Her cremains will be placed next her to mother in Murray, Utah.

Carol Crabill

Long-time resident and Adin Primary School teacher, Carol Crabill passed away March 16, 2002 in McArthur, CA. A memorial service will be held Friday, March 29 at 1:00 p.m. in George Ingram Hall on the Intermountain Fairgrounds in McArthur. A Potluck gathering will follow.

She was born Carol Hanson in Oakland, CA. on July 1, 1931.

SPORTS

Modoc wins Liberty tourney

Modoc's varsity softball teeam won the Liberty Christian tournament in Redding over the weekend, giving up just three runs in three games and scoring 45.

Modoc beat Dunsmuir 21-0, Tulelake 20-0 and Loyalton 4-3. Shay Farmer was named the Most Valuable Player in the tourney while Brianna Berchtold and Andrea Harris were each named to the All-Tourney team. Modoc didn't face much competition in the first two games. Against Dunsmuir, Berchtold got the win, only having to go three innings before the 20-run rule was enforced. She faced nine batters, struck out seven and allowed two hits and no runs.

Meanwhile, Modoc's batters picked up 22 hits. Farmer was two-for-four with a double and a home run, Berchtold helped her cause, going four-for-four with two doubles. Harris was three-for-four with three doubles, Jilene Mastagni went two-for-three. Kristen Clough and Kristen Taylor were each two-for-four and Amy Ridgway and Stephanie Parnow each were two-for-two.

In the second game, Harris got the win, going four innings where she struck out four, allowed three hits and walked a pair. The Braves held Tulelake scoreless while hammering out 28 hits.

Mastagni went four-for-four with a double, Taylor, Berchtold and Harris were each three-for-four with Harris getting a home run and double, Berchtold two doubles and Taylor one double. Charlene Stevens (one double) and Clough were two-for-four and Kayla Cruse went two-for-two with a double.

The final game against Loyalton was tougher and the Braves wound up winning 4-3 in overtime after tying the game at one in the sixth. Berchtold pitched the entire game, going seven innings, fanning three, allowing 10 hits and didn't walk a batter. Modoc collected nine hits in the game and seven walks.

Clough was two-for-four with a double, Berchtold was one-for-four with a double and Farmer was one-for-five with a double.

The Braves open Shasta Cascade League play Friday against Etna. Team members this year are: Berchtold, Clough, Cruse, Roseann Ginochio, Rachel Gover, Harris, Mastagni, Parnow, Ridgway, Stevens, Taylor and Yana Vass. They are coached by Dennis Banister.

On Tuesday, Modoc lost to Lakeview 10-4, giving up six runs inthe second inning, two in the fourth one in the fifth and one in the sixth.

Berchtold got the loss for the Braves. The Honkers picked up 20 hits in the game, while Modoc batters had 11 hits.

Stevens went three-for-four, Clough and Berchtold were each two-for-four, Harris was two-for-three.

Modoc track results at Lakeview

Colleen McElwain won four events to lead the Modoc High School track team in its opening meeting of the year Tuesday at Lakeview. She won the 100 meters, 200 meters, long jump and was on the winning 4x400 meter relay team.

Other first places were won by Jamie Kuhn in the high jump and Amy Gentry in the 110 high hurdles.

In the boys division, Scott Joyce won the 3,000 meters, Clint Tate won the shot put, Jon Richert won the discus, and Modoc won the 4x400 meter relay. The results for the Modoc girls are as follows: 110 high hurdles, Gentry, 1st, 20.54; 100 meters, McElwain, first 13.87, Danielle Reyes 6th, 16.44, Maria Duran 7th; 3,000 meters, Vanessa Thomason, 3rd, 14:36.72; 4x400 relay, Modoc first, 5:12.15, Kayla Harness, Kuhn, Duran, McElwain; high jump, Kuhn, 1st, 3-10; 300 hurdles Gentry 2nd 1:03.99; shot put, Kuhn, 3rd, 26-2.75, Caitlin Cook, 4th, 25-1.75, Aliess Kingsley 8th, 21-10.5; 200 meters, McElwain, 1st, 29.12, Duran 5th, 33.7, Reyes, 6th, 35.99, Christina Nardoni 7th, 36.09; discus, Kingsley, 3rd, 76-5; 800 meters, Harness, 4th, 3:04.27, Jessica Gray, 6th, 3:17.99; long jump, McElwain, 1st, 14-5.25, Nardoni 5th, 11-2, Gentry 6th 10-11.5, Harness 7th 9-10, Duran 8th, 9-2.25....... The results of the boys division for Modoc were as follows: 3,000 meters, Joyce, 1st, 10:40.2; shot put, Tate, 1st, 40-5, Scott McMaster, 2nd, 38-10. Jared McGarva, 4th, 36-1.75, Richert, 5th, 36-0, Andrew Simmons, 8th, 33-6.75; discus, Richert, 1st, 113-10.5, Tate, 3rd, 102-7; 800 meters, Tyler Belarde, 4th, 2:29.61, Luke Hughes, 7th, 2:34.82; 200 meters, McGarva, 3rd, 24.93, Justin Williams, 7th, 27.71, Max Wise, 8th, 27.76; 100 meters, McGarva, 3rd, 12.25, Williams, 8th, 13.75; 1,500 meters, Joyce, 2nd, 4:47.64; 400 meters, Hughes, 2nd 58.43, Belarde, 3rd, 59.71, Clayton Broman, 4th, 61.07, Jaafar Mirlohi, 5th, 64.56, Jacob Hughes, 6th, 64.61, Wise, 7th, 65.45; high jump, Williams, 4th, 5-2, Clayton, 5th, 5-1, Wise, 6th, 5-0, Joyce, Hughes, tie 7th, 4-10, 8th, Mirlohi, 4-8; 4x400 relay, 1st, Hughes, Belarde, Broman, McGarva, 4:03.16.

Modoc hits the links

Modoc High School's golf team will begin Shasta Cascade League play at lake Shastina, March 21 at noon. The league consists of Bishop Quinn, Burney, Etna, Fall River, McCloud, Modoc, Mt. Shasta, and Trinity.

Modoc comes in as the defending league champs and coach Harold Montague looks for them to repeat. He expects his team to play well and better as the season progresses.

The Braves had their first preseason match of the year March 11 at Lake Shastina, beating Weed by 21 strokes on a very cold and windy day. Jack Britton had the low score of the day when he fired a very respectable 81. The entire team got to play in this event and their scores were as follows: Blake Thorn 87, Jake Aaron 89, Michael Bates 92, DJ Northrup 100, Charles Knox 117, Ross Montague 125 and Clint Nardoni 141.

A rule change this year that favors all teams, said Montague, is that instead of counting the best five scores of six players, teams play six players and count only the top four scores.

"I expect us to shoot better scores as the team gets used to playing on different courses and with different players," said Montague. "I'm excited to see how we develop this year and I am confident that we will continue to improve as we progress throughout the year."

Modoc third at Liberty

Modoc's baseball team travels to Etna for a Shasta Cascade League opener March 22, and should face better competition than it did in last weekend's Liberty Christian tournament where they placed third.

Coach Brad Server said the team played well considering it had little real practice and no games prior to the tournament. Eric Miller and Robert Flournoy were named to the All-tournament team.

Modoc opened with a 9-2 win over Dunsmuir. Blake Thorn got the win, fanning seven. He also had a home run.

Modoc beat Tulelake, 17-0, in the second game in three innings. Jered Pierce got the win with four strike outs and allowed one hit. Flournoy hit a home run in that.

Loyalton beat the Braves 3-2 in their final game. Flournoy and Thorn combined in the losing effort. Flournoy gave up one run in four innings, Thorn gave up two runs in one inning. Modoc's runs came on solo homers by Jared McGarva and Rick Wildtraut.

Modoc wrestlers to Burney

The Modoc Youth Wrestling team will head to Burney this week and will complete their season at Susanville the following week. Last weekend they did very well at the Tulelake Invitational, where 180 wrestlers from around the region came to compete

The Modoc results are as follows:

1st Place: Tyler Wood, Steve Miller, Hank Roabe, Justin Healy, Shane Pierce, Josh Wood, Jesse Harer, Justin Mason, Travis Wood, Ian Jacques, Tim Cruse, Alex Valencia, Tyler Ewing, Travis Northrup, Justin Valena, Patrick Bell, Conner Alexander

2nd Place: Riley Larranaga, Brian Northrup, Wayatt Valena, Christian Price, Willie Mohr, Preston Dennis, Ian Jacques

3rd Place: Jesse Harer, Gabe Fletcher

4th Place: Neil Mohr, Brian Weed, Liam Iverson, Justin Mason, Kyle Fletcher.

Christensen ends career in NCAA

Former Modoc High School star Kayte Christensen ended her very successful college basketball career Sunday night in a University of California, Santa Barbara loss to Texas, 76-60, in the second round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.

The game was televised over ESPN2 and local fans got the chance to see Christensen play her final game for the Gauchos. UCSB had upset favored Louisiana Tech, 57-56, in the first round of the NCAA on a last second shot by Jess Hansen.

Against Texas, UCSB started slow, getting down 10-2, but came back to take a three-point lead at halftime. Christensen was held in check the first nine minutes, but wound up with 11 points by the time the halftime buzzer sounded.

But Texas would control her in the second half, allowing her just two points. She and teammate Lindsay Taylor (6-8) combined to pull down 41 rebounds to Texas' 31, but the UCSB squad shot just 34 percent from the floor, which would be their undoing.

Texas worked to a 10-point lead with about seven minutes left to play and wound up going on a 13-4 run, most from the free-throw line as UCSB was forced to foul in the later stages of the game.

Christensen was honored earlier as the Big West Conference Player of the Year and is in the running for the Kodak All-America team.

March 28, 2002

NEWS

County opts to move forward on power plant study

The Modoc County Board of Supervisors agreed to move forward on a power plant feasibility study Tuesday, following a three-hour public comment session.

The board also approved expenditures out of Title III funds from the Secure Rural and Community Self-Determination Act, which takes the place of the former Forest Service timber receipts. Two other projects approved were $100,000 per year to local volunteer fire departments for purchase of equipment and another $51,000 for search and rescue at the Sheriff's Department.

The power plant issue involves a $150,000 allocation from remaining Title III funds that would pay for a feasibility study of an electrical generating plant in Modoc, probably in the Alturas or Canby areas

There were only nine written comments received on the issue, mostly objecting to a clean coal-fired or any other power plant project. Most people who spoke Tuesday were against funding a feasibility study on the power plant, suggesting other avenues for economic growth and worried about air quality.

Modoc County Planner Scott Kessler, presented a short video on a coal fire plant in Florida and stressed a similar project still seemed feasible, but a lot of study and questions need to be addressed and answered.

The key part of the project concerning the county, said Kessler, is the projected revenue it would generate for the county and the city. One model predicts the county and city could realize about $44 million annually in revenue, more than the county's $37 million annual budget. It could also create jobs and spawn other industries or off shoot industry. He stressed all industries would have to meet California Air Quality standards.

The Board had given Kessler direction last year to proceed with a study on locating a power plant in Alturas, and on Tuesday reaffirmed a commitment to get that study done. The feasibility study will address the issues brought up Tuesday and give the Board a good sense of the risk levels, said Kessler.

His initial study will be designed to bring back answers to some questions, as well as show a project that can more better defined. He said industry experts will have to be hired later on to complete the feasibility study if the board continues.

Surprise Valley's Sophie Sheppard led a group of opponents, primarily from Surprise Valley, in comments opposing the feasibility study. She questioned whether the issue had been advertised properly and legally since there was no actual project to comment upon. County officials told her they were certain they were within the law. She said Forest Service officials had told her they were stretching the issue.

County Counsel Vickie Cochran said the county is within the legal parameters on the project and said the board was able to move forward if it chose.

One of Sheppard's concerns was that there was no description of the electrical generation plant for anyone to comment on and it should have been in place for comment.

Sheppard, in a letter opposing the feasibility study, said a feasibility study should contain data including emissions, fiscal risk, effects on property values, transportation costs, bio-mass fuel analysis if included, impacts to surface and ground water and the potential for further industrial development.

Other speakers, including Alan Baxter, of Cedarville, said the county should not be in the electrical generation business and should pay attention to what he called a downturn in the demand for electricity. He also said the revelation that a Klamath Falls Power Plant would not generate its projected income for the City of Klamath Falls should serve as a warning. Other speakers addressed the issue for alternative power sources, including wind and solar, that could be studied . They said those power generating ideas are sound for the environment and should not be ignored. Kessler said there have been studies in those issues, and the results indicate a lack of financial feasibility.

Kessler said the feasibility study in question would address all the concerns brought up by the public and would provide answers to the variety of questions. He also said a previous study done by Foster-Wheeler on a clean-coal fired plant contained some errors that would be fixed and addressed. He said the public will have a clear picture of what the proposed power plant will be and nothing will be kept from the public.v While most speakers opposed the power plant, many highlighted areas they felt would be better suited for Modoc economic growth, including tourism, local added value products, local artists markets and so on.v Supervisor Pat Cantrall said she felt the county should go forward with the study. "We can't sit here and do nothing," she said.

Supervisor Nancy Huffman agreed, saying the area has lost in timber and railroad base and ranching and farming is under attack. She said the economic development potential of the plant should be studied.

Supervisor Mike Dunn said the county needs to move forward and cited the Alturas hospital's financial woes. He said if the hospital fails, other jobs would be lost. The power plant could create some new jobs and revenue. None of the supervisors are committed to a power plant, but most want to see the feasibility study done before they make a decision.

MJUSD's drug testing proposal still hot item

A proposal to randomly drug test the entire 9-12 grade student body in the Modoc Joint Unified School District has generated local interest as well as interest from national and regional media.

Last week a reporter from the Los Angeles Times spent a couple of days in Alturas on the story, and other inquiries have been from the Klamath Herald and News, National Public Radio, in San Francisco, Chico and Portland, Television news from Redding and Reno and KQMS Radio in Redding. The issue has also been addressed in the New York Times and the Sacramento Bee.

The MJUSD Board of Trustees will be taking up the issue again at its April 9 meeting. It tabled the issue at its March meeting, allowing for more study.

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently hearing a student drug test case, and the MJUSD is vitally interested in whatever decision comes out of the court. That decision may come by this summer. The court may either restrict expanding student drug testing or choose to expand drug testing to more students.

It's a sensitive issue involving a student's Fourth Amendment rights prohibiting unreasonable search and seizure.

The MJUSD does have a current drug policy in place, passed in 1995, that does not include drug testing of any sort. Most of the area high schools do drug test for athletics now.v The Modoc policy in place relies heavily on education and deterrence and is designed to deal with the situation if a student is suspected of being under the influence.

Medical chopper pilot dies

A Mountain Lifeflight helicopter crashed into Honey Lake March 21, killing the pilot, from Janesville, and injuring two medical personnel on board. According to reports, killed was Raymond Watson, 50, a retired master Army Aviator who had more than 10,000 hours of flight time. He was returning from delivering a patient to a Reno hospital.

Also on board were flight nurse Gary Zahniser, and paramedic Chuck Jerpe. Zahniser sustained a fractured pelvis and was flown to Washoe Medical Center. Jerpe suffered back injuries, fractures and facial injuries and was transported to Washoe Medical Center by ground ambulance.

Andreasen takes city council gavel

Alturas has a new mayor, George Andreasen, who takes the reins from Dick Steyer who chose not to seek re-election to the council. Mayor pro-tem is Joe Coffin, who replaces John Kerr, who also chose not to seek another term.

The council also seated new members John Vass and Jerry Smith, who ran unopposed for the seats in March. Both will serve four year terms. The fifth councilman is Jack Ochs.

Bids were opened on the long-awaited and much need Carlos and Warner Street repaving project. Four good bids were received in this round and two local contractors were within $2,000 of each other, according to the city. All bids are being reviewed and a contract award is expected by mid-April. The project should start the end of April. The project includes repaving Carlos Street from Main west to Warner and Warner north about to Second Street. It also includes a section of West Street south of Carlos past Henderson. The remainder of Warner to the highway is projected to be done in 2003.

Lions set for Saturday Egg Hunt at Vets' Park

A lot goes on behind the scenes in preparation for the Alturas Lions successful Easter Egg Hunt for masses of children in Alturas.

Each year, the Alturas Lions Club carries out this tradition and will again bring the return of this special event for 2002.

This year, the Lions are grateful to the contributions from Alturas Casino for making a generous monetary donation to help provide the prize baskets and 500 candy-filled eggs, and to Holiday Market for donating the 144 dozen eggs.

On Saturday, March 30, Alturas Lions Club will host their annual Easter Egg Hunt for children, starting at 1:00 p.m. sharp, in Veterans' Memorial Park, South Main Street in Alturas.v No matter what the weather, the "hunt" is always held.

Children from one to 10-years-old are welcome to bring their baskets to join in the hunt.

Scattered across the lawn will be specially marked eggs among the 144 dozen eggs, along with 500 candy-filled, plastic eggs.

Lawn signs will help adults and children locate the five designated age category areas for the hunt. The designated areas start on the lawn in front of Veterans' Hall and encompass the lawn areas next to the new playground area.

Lions Club members start their Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m., preparing the eggs for the event with help from the Leos Youth Club members. They boil 144 dozen eggs in the natural hot waters at Kelly Hot Springs near Canby, then color them in large tubs. The eggs cool on the return to Alturas by noon.

Leos members assist and help set the eggs out on the park lawns, says Lions' Egg Hunt Chairperson Pat Schluter.

"Specially marked eggs found will deliver three Easter baskets per five different age groups in addition to the plastic eggs filled with candy as prizes too," describes Schluter.

It doesn't take little ones long to scoop up the eggs. Four years ago, the Lions clocked the event as taking one minute and 10 seconds. Moving the Egg Hunt project from Sunday to Saturday a few years ago, allows the Lions to celebrate Easter with their own families and also does not conflict with local family celebrations and church services.

Senator Oller selects Pat Cantrall as his District 'Woman of the Year'

Patricia Demick Cantrall, Modoc County Supervisor and current acting Postmaster for Likely, has been named by Senator Rico Oller as Senate District One's "Woman of the Year."

Cantrall attended the formal ceremony at the State Capitol, reception and lunch with Senator Oller on March 18 in Sacramento. She was first among the 110 honored "Women of the Year" to receive her certificate of Commendation from Lieutenant Governor Cruz M. Bustamante and plaque from Senator Oller

Oller personally selected Cantrall for the honor this year. Cantrall was Oller's top choice from the 13 counties he represents in his District, according to Oller's Press Secretary Patrick Bergin.

Eighty members of the Assembly and 40 members in the Senate have the opportunity to make their selections, often based upon their field representatives recommendations for those being nominated for achievements. Oller has personally worked with Cantrall. "She has been a great contact for Senator Oller and was helpful in assisting him with good campaign contacts, keeping him up to date about what the people of the area have thought about issues including the Tulelake Basin water issue." Cantrall has met informally on several occasions to discuss issues with Oller and his field representative Dan Dellinger at the Likely Cafe, where she works, and at the Brass Rail in Alturas. v "Senator Oller wanted to show his appreciation, and knew Pat was most deserving," said Bergin. During the reception, Cantrall met with the women from throughout the state who were honored that day for being active or influential in their districts. This was the 16th year the event was conducted.

Art Center to host pottery show

The newest works of potters Debbie Anderson of Susanville, and Jeff Hulett of Chester, CA, will be featured in the main gallery exhibit, opening April 5, with a reception from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Art Center, 317 S. Main Street, Alturas, CA. The public is invited to attend and refreshments will be served.

Anderson is well known for her decorative and utilitarian pottery dishware, casseroles, platters and mugs.v Of this exhibit, Anderson said, "It's really 'off the wall!' I've been trying different glazes. Some aren't supposed to work together but I've achieved some fantastic effects working them together. I'll also be showing some oval wheel thrown pitchers that have been twisted and carved. That's one reason I say it's 'off the wall!' And, wait until you see the platters .

I've been throwing 10 to 20 pounds of clay, creating really large platters."

"Everything I do is dishwasher safe and microwavable, but, I don't think any of these will fit into a microwave oven. I'm not even sure some will fit into a regular oven but I've had a terrific time experimenting with them. Maybe they could be hung on the wall?"

Hulett was a special Art Center guest artist last July. Patrons were especially intrigued with his one-of-a-kind museum-caliber pottery-art works. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Chico, Hulett taught art, ceramics, jewelry and woodshop for several years. "Twenty years later, I began doing ceramics at Lassen College with Deb Anderson and it was as though I'd never stopped. To be honest, I get bored doing mass produced type pieces. So, you'll find most of my work is one of a kind. I'm always trying to expand my horizons," describes Hulett.

Hulett lives in Chester, CA with his wife Susan and his dog, Woof.

Anderson grew up in the San Fernando Valley, graduating from Verdugo High School in Sunland, CA. "After that I went to any and every art center and community college in the entire region that offered me the use of a kiln," she says.

Having spent much time as an apprentice and learning new techniques from master potters all over the country, including Tom Coleman, Las Vegas, NV; Malcolm Davis, Washington, D.C.; Stephen Hill, Kansas City, MO; and, Patric Hoarsely, Portland, OR, Anderson settled in Susanville. She has earned two degrees from Lassen Community College and is currently teaching pottery there. This summer she will take time off from teaching to attend master potter Paul Soldner's "Anderson Ranch" Art School in Colorado.

"I'm very excited about this opportunity. It will be a three week course of intensive study and I can hardly wait to get there." she adds.

With 25 years of dedication to her work, Anderson continues to elevate to new levels, constantly evolving to greater heights. Anderson regularly networks with local potters, sharing her glazes and glazing techniques. Anderson's success as a potter and as an instructor is attributed to the passion and desire she gives to her work and it's process.

Area patrons will have the opportunity to meet both artists at the opening night reception, Friday, April 5, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Art Center, 317 S. Main Street, Alturas, CA.

The Art Center, a non-profit organization, is staffed by volunteers. The hours of operation are Tuesday - Friday, 1