Peace Officer Memorial Day May 15 The Modoc County Vol. 133, No. 8
RECORD Alturas, California
May 15, 2025
$1.00
Serving Modoc Since 1892 14 Pages
Veterans Memorial Park Growing Pains Addressed By: Shaelene Tims The Veterans Memorial Park, previously underused and wornout playground near the south entrance to Alturas, now hums daily with laughter, lunch breaks, and family gatherings. The remodeled green space, funded by a $4.5 million Clean California Local Grant and Proposition 68, has dramatically changed the look and feel of the community entrance. What was once an old park featuring outdated plastic equipment covered with graffiti— often misused by older kids—has been revitalized. “Any time I drive by these days, there are kids here using the equipment and people using the space. It used to be empty,” says Lilly Toaetolu, Deputy Road Commissioner. Dated, dilapidated buildings like the old jail and storage areas have been transformed into modern restroom facilities and a welcoming parking lot that gives Alturas a whole new feel. But even as locals enjoy the refreshed gathering spot, opinions on the new
design vary. While some appreciate its natural, rustic look—complete with exposed wood beams and open-frame structures—others aren’t so sure. “It looks like it’s made out of toothpicks,” joked one Alturas resident upon its completion, highlighting local uncertainty about the park’s unconventional appearance. Some have questioned whether the visible lean of certain structures is intentional or a sign of structural problems.
Modoc County officials reassure the community that the lean is part of the intentional design, meant to complement the park’s natural aesthetic. The county hired consultants who designed the space based on surveys that clearly showed locals wanted something different from typical urban parks. They also encourage park users to feel welcome to report any part of the playground that isn’t in working order. The main playground structure is rated for
ages 5 to 12, matching the same age range as the previous equipment, although some residents have voiced concerns that it isn’t little kid friendly. County officials acknowledge this feedback and emphasize that a dedicated playground specifically designed for younger children is still planned for the future. The project, however, faced significant hurdles after construction began. Rising prices for building materials and labor after 2021 meant the county had to scale back original plans, postponing features like the toddler play area and a future dog park. In the meantime, the biggest complaint has been the windblown woodchips, which have made their way into walkways and neighboring yards. The county’s building and grounds department plans to spray the wood chips with BarkLock, an environmentally safe adhesive that helps hold wood chips in place. “This is the first park like this we’ve built,” said Deputy Road Commissioner Bert
Austin. “It’s not perfect yet, but we’re learning.” Deputy Road C o m m i s s i o n e r Lilly Toaetolu said additional features and improvements are expected in June. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to stay engaged, attend
community meetings, and reach out directly with questions or ideas. To share feedback or ask questions, contact the Modoc County Road Department at (530) 233-6412 or email roadadmin@co.modoc. ca.us.
Alturas Rite Aid Still Open as Company Moves to Sell Off Assets and End Operations Nationwide As of May 13, 2025, the Rite Aid store located at 432 North Main Street in Alturas, California, remains operational and has not been listed for closure. However, this status may only be temporary as Rite Aid Corporation undergoes a sweeping corporate restructuring under its second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. A Company-Wide Wind-Down Is Underway In a sobering update from Rite Aid’s Public Information Officer, the company acknowledged that “after considering all alternatives, the only viable path forward is to once again commence Chapter 11 proceedings.” As part of this process, Rite Aid is now actively: • Pursuing a sale of its prescriptions, pharmacy and front-end inventory, and other assets
• Engaging with multiple interested potential buyers • Preparing to close all distribution centers and stores that are not sold to new owners “Any store operations or assets we do not sell through this process will no longer be owned or operated by Rite Aid,” the company confirmed. What This Means for the Alturas Community While Alturas’ Rite Aid is still open today, the company has made it clear that no Rite Aid store will continue under its current ownership if it is not purchased. This means the Alturas location is at risk of: • Closure, or • Transition to a new owner/operator In the meantime, customers can continue to access full pharmacy services, including
prescription fulfillment and immunizations, both in-store and online. Further frustrating customers, Rite Aid has ended its customer rewards program: • All remaining points in accounts have been erased • The program will not be reinstated or replaced • No credit or refunds are being issued for unused points This change happened quietly, catching many customers off guard. To manage this sale and wind-down, Rite Aid has secured $1.94 billion in new financing from its existing lenders. This funding will be used to support ongoing operations during the transition, including: • Paying employees • Fulfilling prescriptions • Maintaining in-store
services during the sale process Next Steps for Customers • Keep filling prescriptions at the Alturas store unless you
Members of the Strong Family Health Center Youth Board were invited to the California State Capitol this month in recognition of their advocacy to preserve the Modoc Braves mascot. The youth board visited the Capitol on May 7 at the invitation of state Sen. Megan Dahle and Assemblymember Heather Hadwick.
During their visit, the students attended an event focused on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP), where they met with tribal leaders and legislators, including Assemblymember James Ramos, the first Native American elected to the California Assembly. The event included discussions on the
MMIP crisis and efforts underway to address it. On May 8, the youth board received a VIP private tour of the Capitol and observed a legislative session from the gallery, where lawmakers debated and voted on a bill to officially recognize MMIP Day in California. Those in attendance included: Betty George;
Acelynn Young, secretary/treasurer; Ta-Tsa Preston; Saige TownsendBrown, chairperson; Assemblymember Hadwick; Sen. Dahle; Hannah Harris, vice chair; Savannah Connors; Justin Holloway; Meredith Richno; Andria Cockrell; and Rosa George.
are notified otherwise • Monitor Rite Aid announcements for any change in store status • Be prepared to transfer your prescriptions if your location is sold or
scheduled to close You can call the Alturas store directly at (530) 233-3113 Visit Rite Aid’s restructuring site for real-time updates
Modoc Youth Board Honored at State Capitol for Advocacy Work