1st Day of Spring March 20th MODOC FOOTBALL FACES THE WEED COUGARS AT HOMECOMING
The Modoc County
RECORD
Vol. 133, No. 52 29
Alturas, California
March 9, 19,2025 2026 October
Serving Modoc Since 1892 16 24 Pages
Morgan Takes Oath asStudents Alturas Police Alturas Elementary BoostChief Fire Safety Skills with CAL FIRE Jonathan Morgan was sworn in as Alturas Police Chief during a ceremony held March 11 at Alturas City Hall. Morgan took the oath of office at 9:30 a.m. in front of community members, law enforcement partners, colleagues, family and friends, formally assuming leadership of the Alturas Police Department. A family friend, Corey Wolter, delivered a closing prayer for the protection and unity Images from Dorothy Long of the department and other law enforcement agencies the golf team. In 2015, Morgan enlisted serving Modoc County. Following the ceremony, in the U.S. Air Force, serving attendees offered four years on active duty at Cal Fire Lassen-Modoc Unit-Facebook congratulations and support Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana and Travis Air Prevention Trailer. CAL began FIRE his Lassen asThe Morgan new Fire Force Base in California, gained essential Modoc Unit, in collaboration They role followed byon two years safety, in the battery with the Modoc Fire Safe knowledge Morgan, a Modoc County Air Force Reserve. strategies, and Council andfamilyAlturas native whose roots evacuation He joined the Santa Rosa fire preparedness, in Elementary School, recently date to when Alturas was overall Police Department in about 2020, to learning led a vital Prevention known as Fire Dorris Bridge, addition wheredangers he served five of for playing Week for about local the said he program is passionate equipment students. Focusing on this with years fire before returning and to serving the community year’s Alturas in 2025. Hefirefighter was then where theme, he was“Charge raised. into He understanding and gear. Fire Safety: hired by the Alturas Police graduated from Lithium-Ion Modoc High fitness This community-focused Batteries in Your Home,” Department. School in 2013 and attended by the students hands- initiative, Morgan shared said he is Santa Rosareceived Junior College, FIRE Lassen Modoc on wheretraining he spent inside one year the on CAL enthusiastic about leading
the department and serving his hometown. His goals include strengthening community relationships through trust and transparency Unit, shows and the ensuring strong the department is a resource commitment to public safety residents can rely on with education, ensuring younger confidence. residents understand He also fire emphasized the critical prevention importanceByofteaching maintaining measures. these strong lessons partnerships with crucial at an early age, program helps build local theagencies, including safer communities through the Modoc County Sheriff’s increased awareness and Office, California Highway preparedness. Residents Patrol, District Attorney’s are encouraged to follow the Office and Modoc County CAL FIRE Lassen Modoc Probation Department.
Unit on social media for ongoing safety tips and community updates. Now a beloved annual event, the Fire Prevention Week program is something that firefighters, staff,
and students alike look forward to each year— an opportunity to learn, connect, and celebrate the shared responsibility of keeping their community safe.
Community Raises Concerns Over Proposed Veterans Day guide to honor local Exploration service Geothermal Near Lake City
members Residents packed the Cedarville Community Center Tuesday evening for Veterans Day is a time a town hall meeting about for reflection, gratitude and a proposed geothermal community. This November, exploration project north of Modoc Record is preparing Lake City. guide dedicated a special The meeting, hosted to honoring the men and by thewhoSurprise Valley women have served in Chamber of Commerce, gave the nation’s armed forces. community an The guide members will feature opportunity to ask questions profiles of local veterans, and raise concerns a community events, about support project proposed by Ormat resources and ways for Technologies of the residents to Inc., get one involved. world’s largest geothermal It will be printed and energy companies.throughout distributed Ormatand Lassen has obtained Modoc counties. geothermal several Stories leases will on highlight ranches in thesacrifice area and is in resilience, and
the early stages of exploring whether a geothermal resource exists. leadership, while event Company officials said the listings will provide current proposal involves information on parades, only exploration and does ceremonies and other not include plans for will a power gatherings. Readers also plant. find details on organizations Ormat has proposed up to offering assistance with nine well pads and 11 wells health care, education and as part of theasexploration employment, well as program but expects to begin volunteer opportunities and by drilling three wells and donation drives. possibly one or two more Community members are depending results. invited to onhelp shape the Chris IfJim, guide. you aorpermitting someone manager for has Ormat, said you know served, the wellsMedia would be drilled to Modoc encourages depthstoof about 2,000 5,000 you submit a tophoto, feet. and years of service. name
“These wells are really about collecting information,” Jim said. “We need to know Submissions can be emailed if there’s actually a resource to info@modocmedia.com. there before anything else Veterans Day is not only could happen.” about honoring past Jim said the the company — it’s about recognizing recently submitted its exploration to the ongoing application contributions Modoc County and hopes to of veterans in our begin drilling later this year neighborhoods, workplaces if permits are approved. and families. Scott Nichols, who works The guide aims to with Ormat on community provide both inspiration outreach, said Surprise and resources, Valley practical has been the subject ensuring local exploration stories of of geothermal courage and He commitment for decades. said the are and companyremembered acquired the project and related lease interests celebrated.
Ormat Technology-Facebook
in 2024 after Enel exited the U.S. geothermal market. Nichols said geothermal energy can provide continuous electricity, often described as “baseload” power, and typically requires a relatively small land footprint compared with some other energy sources.
Ormat currently holds about 2,000 acres of geothermal leases north of Lake City, company representatives said. Residents asked a wide range of questions about potential impacts on groundwater, air quality, Continue on page 2