Be Safe
THIS WEEKEND
The Modoc County
RECORD
Vol. 133, No. 22
Alturas, California
August 21, 2025
Serving Modoc Since 1892 20 Pages
Celebrating Community and Clean Water On Saturday, August 16, 2025, RISE (Resources for Indian Student Education Inc.) hosted a community event named ‘Water Festival’ on the lawn outside the Alturas Municipal Pool. The lively event aimed to unite the community under the theme of clean water and to foster water awareness through a variety of engaging activities. RISE received sponsorship for the Water Festival from the EarthWays Foundation, a non-profit, charitable organization founded in 1985 to encourage personal awareness and social responsibility from a global perspective. EarthWays initiates small-scale projects and educational programs which seek solutions to our planet’s environment, contribute to social justice, and cultivate a deep respect for the interconnectedness of all life.
Everyone was excited to experience the power of water at the BLM fire truck station Although youth were a focus for hydrologic learning and water conservation, the afternoon welcomed all ages from 2:00–5:00 p.m. Around seventy community members explored the diverse stations promoting water protection, conservation, hydrology careers and water recreation set up by local agencies and assisted by RISE-MESA youth. Families eagerly moved through twelve educational activity stations, collecting unique items from each of the partnership
agencies and services. Colorful floatation devices were given out by Modoc County Behavioral Health, led by Health Program Manager, Myriah Busch. A Modoc County Public Health station, hosted by Alturas Community Garden Manager, Jenny Kapp and Skylar Mckeen, provided health materials on commercial tobacco. Vital water safety information was presented at the Pit Continue on page 12
Water Protector leaders posed for a photo (left to right) Dylan Mudron, Brodie Mudron, Zoey Curran, Xia Marrow, Haylistorm Gali, Gabbu Sparks, and Hope Gali
Learning about icebergs at the snow cone stadium was a treat sought by everyone
Fishing for a water fact also resulted in a candycatch at a booth of fun learning
LaMalfa Faces Tough Questions at Alturas Town Hall By Janice Prince Betian At a Town Hall held Wednesday night at Niles Restaurant in Alturas, Representative Doug LaMalfa opened the meeting with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. “Your thoughts are valid, and I want to hear about it,” he told the audience. Nearly 90 people from Alturas and surrounding communities attended the two-hour session. LaMalfa began by discussing budget reconciliation to address the nation’s $37.09 trillion debt. He warned that the Social Security trust fund is “going to go upside down,” citing
fewer people paying into the system while more rely on Medicare and Medicaid. “How is it going to remain sustainable?” he asked. Turning to immigration, LaMalfa said, “Illegal immigrants should not be on any program,” which drew both nods and groans. He added that “all able-bodied people should be helping to pull the wagon,” explaining his support for requiring work from those on public assistance. Cedarville resident Cheryl Tierney raised concerns that an estimated 2.4 million people will lose food assistance due to federal cuts. She noted that one in five Modoc residents use
SNAP and EBT, and that local grocery stores report between 40% and 70% of customers rely on these programs. An aide told Tierney to wait until the end of the meeting for a response, but no answer was given, prompting objections from audience members. LaMalfa highlighted the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (BBB), signed July 4, 2025, which he said benefits middle-income taxpayers. He also discussed trade, noting California’s strong partnership with India for rice exports, while acknowledging Japan has long resisted California rice. On water allocation, he stated that 40% is going to
agriculture and 50% down the Delta. A local veteran, Linda Newman, thanked LaMalfa’s office for helping her family secure disability coverage. “My team works really hard to help people,” LaMalfa responded. LaMalfa said he opposes gerrymandering, calling it a manipulation of boundaries, and explained that if District 1 were reallocated, it would become District 2 and potentially include coastal regions less reflective of Modoc agriculture. Asked about public lands, LaMalfa cited federal control of 640 million acres and mentioned land swaps, but avoided a direct answer.
Photo by Sarah Merrick He has previously argued that federal ownership hinders land management and supports selling a small portion (about 0.5%) to improve stewardship. On health care, local Continue on page 11