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The Modoc County Vol. 133, No. 42 29
Alturas, California
January 2026 October 9, 8, 2025
Serving Modoc Since 1892 16 24 Pages
Northern California Students Rep. Doug LaMalfa Alturas Elementary Boost Fire Dies After Medical Emergency Safety Skills with CAL FIRE Rep. Doug LaMalfa, County Sheriff’s Office R-Oroville, died at age 65, expresses its deepest early Tuesday morning at condolences to the LaMalfa Enloe Hospital after a medical family during this difficult emergency, according to the time,” the press release Butte County Sheriff’s Office. stated. An emergency 9-1-1 call LaMalfa, a fourthwas made from LaMalfa’s generation California residence Monday night. rice farmer, served seven The call was transferred terms in the U.S. House to medical personnel, who of Representatives and immediately responded, the was a “reliable vote on sheriff’s office stated in a President Donald Trump’s press release. agenda,” according to the Upon arrival at Enloe Associated Press. His death, Hospital, LaMalfa was taken AP reported, trims the into emergency surgery. He Republicans’ narrow margin passed during the surgery, Unit-Facebook of control of the House to 218 Cal Fire Lassen-Modoc the sheriff’s department seats to Democrats’ 213. The CAL FIRE Lassen Fire Prevention Trailer. stated. In a meeting with the House gained essential Modoc Unit, in collaboration They “In accordance with Republicans on Tuesday, with the Modoc Fire Safe knowledge on battery safety, standard protocols,Alturas the evacuation Trump lamented the loss and of a strategies, Council and Coroner’s Unit of the Butte lawmaker he championed in Elementary School, recently overall fire preparedness, as County Sheriff’s Office is addition an ally forto hislearning agenda. Trump about led a vital Fire Prevention conducting an investigation said indangers the late congressman of playing Week program for local the to determine the cause of “wasn’t a 3equipment o’clock in and the students. Focusing on this with fire death. A forensic pathologist morning person” like other firefighter year’s theme, “Charge into understanding is scheduled to conduct fitness lawmakers he would call in and gear. Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion an autopsy as part of this the wee hours to lobby for This community-focused Batteries in Your Home,” investigation … The Butte their votes, AP reported. students received hands- initiative, shared by the on training inside the CAL FIRE Lassen Modoc
“He voted with me 100% of the time,” Trump said. “With Doug, I never had to call.” L A M A L F A ’ S LEADERSHIP A fourth-generation rice farmer, LaMalfa was elected to Congress in 2012 after serving in the state Legislature, AP reported. He represented California’s 1st congressional district, a vast portion of the rural North, from the Oregon border to north of the capital. LaMalfa served on the House Agriculture Committee and as the chairman of a subcommittee Unit, shows the strong with jurisdiction over forestry commitment to public safety issues, AP reported. He also education, ensuring younger served on committees for residents understand transportation and natural critical fire prevention resource issues. measures. By teaching these GOING FORWARD crucial lessons at an early Despite his district age, the program helps being build redrawn under a through ballot safer communities measure passed by California increased awareness and voters in November, LaMalfa preparedness. Residents had encouraged planned to run the for are to follow CAL FIRE Lassen Modoc
reelection, AP reported. The measure reportedly was designed to make it harder for LaMalfa and four other Republicans to win reelection. Under state law, Newsom must now call a special election in the next two weeks, the Sacramento Bee reported. After he issues that proclamation, a special election must take place no later than 140 days after to determine a successor who will serve the remainder of LaMalfa’s term, which ends in January 2027, the Bee reported. Newsom issued a statement regarding LaMalfa’s passing: “Congressman Doug LaMalfa was a devoted public servant who deeply loved his his state, Unit on country, social media for and the safety communities he ongoing tips and represented.updates. While we often community approached issues annual from Now a beloved different perspectives, he event, the Fire Prevention fought every day for the Week program is something that firefighters, staff,
Wolves injured a horse and Veterans Day is a time killed at least two calves for reflection, gratitude and in separate attacks near community. This November, Susanville lastis week, and Modoc Record preparing the Lassen County sheriff a special guide dedicated is state to to urging honoring the officials men and intervene, growing women whociting have aserved in number of livestock the nation’s armed forces. depredations he attributes to The guide will feature the Harvey Pack. profiles of local veterans, The Lassenevents, County Sheriff’s community support Office said and it received a resources ways for report of wolf depredations residents to get involved. on Willow Creek It Jan. will1 atbetheprinted and Ranch on Horse throughout Lake Road distributed north Susanville. A federal Modocofand Lassen counties. trapper USDA-APHIS Storieswith will highlight Wildlife Services was already resilience, sacrifice and
six inches long and four Submissions can be emailed inches wide. The horse was to info@modocmedia.com. bleeding and still alive when Veterans Day is not later only examined, but deputies about honoring the past were told it would likely need — about recognizing to beit’s euthanized. In a Facebook post, rancher the ongoing contributions Wyatt Hanson said the of veterans in our attack resulted in the loss neighborhoods, workplaces of his horse, Smoke, and a and families. 600-pound weaned calf. The guide aims to “The year 2026 began provide both inspiration with heartbreak for our and practical resources, family,” Hanson wrote. “On ensuring local stories of New Year’s Day, we lost our courage and commitment beloved horse Smoke to a wolf attack … Wildlife Services are remembered and Continue on page 8 celebrated.
Photos by Wyatt Hanson
Rep Doug LaMalfa-Facebook
people of California with conviction and care. He will be deeply missed. “Jennifer and I are holding Doug’s family, loved ones, and colleagues in our thoughts and students alike look as California mourns his forward to each year— passing.” an opportunity to learn, In honor of celebrate Congressman connect, and the LaMalfa, flags at the State shared responsibility of on page 6 keepingContinue their community safe.
Lassen Sheriff seeks state help after wolf Veterans Day guide to attacks injure horse, kill calves in Lassen honor local service County members investigating when sheriff’s leadership, while event personnel arrived and met listings will provide with ranch owners, according information on parades, to Sheriff John ceremonies andMcGarva, other who detailed the incidents in gatherings. Readers will also a letter dated Jan. 5 to state find details on organizations Natural Resources Secretary offering assistance with Wade Crowfoot. health care, education and Deputies saidasthey found employment, well as blood and wolf tracks volunteer opportunities and throughout pasture donation drives.a adjacent to themembers ranch’s main Community are residence, including invited to help shape near the a children’s play The guide. If you or area. someone sheriff’s office said horse you know has the served, suffered Media a serious injury Modoc encourages to itsto right you submithindquarter, a photo, including about name anda torn yearswound of service.