THANK FOR YOUR MODOCYOU FOOTBALL FACES THESERVICE WEED COUGARS AT HOMECOMING VETERANS The Modoc County
RECORD
Vol. 133, No. 33 29
Alturas, California
October 9, 2025 November 6, 2025
Serving Modoc Since 1892 20 24 Pages
Federal Shutdown Impacts CalFresh Alturas Elementary Students BoostBenefits: Fire Modoc County Rallies to FIRE Support Families Safety Skills with CAL “We are very concerned nutrition at home affects a about the halt or significant child’s health, wellness, and delay of CalFresh benefits ability to learn.” due to the ongoing “Our children deserve federal shutdown,” said consistency and security, Superintendent Mike and together, our small but Martin. “This critical federal mighty county will ensure food program is a lifeline for their basic needs are met,” many families in our county, Martin said. “We urge our and its disruption, especially federal leaders to resolve the as we head into the holiday shutdown swiftly to restore season, will place a severe this essential funding.” and immediate strain on “Until then, the Modoc their ability to put food on County Office of Education the table.” and local school districts “While our schools are stand in solidarity with our doing their part to ensure families and are working Cal Fire Lassen-Modoc no child goes hungry during Unit-Facebook with community partners to school hours, our concern bridge this gap.” Prevention Trailer. The CAL FIRE Lassen Fire remains for our students “Modoc County coming gained isessential Modoc Unit, in collaboration They outside of school,” Martin together to ensure that every with the Modoc Fire Safe knowledge on battery safety, emphasized. “The loss of resident has access to food and Council and Alturas evacuation strategies, and CalFresh benefits a overall essential during fireresources preparedness, in Elementary School,means recently significant a family’s addition the federal government to learning about led a vital gap FireinPrevention budget, program and thatforlacklocal of the shutdown,” stated. dangersMartin of playing Week students. Focusing on this with fire equipment and firefighter year’s theme, “Charge into understanding Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion fitness and gear. This community-focused Batteries in Your Home,” students received hands- initiative, shared by the on training inside the CAL FIRE Lassen Modoc
“Modoc County residents will be affected by the delay in CalFresh/SNAP benefits, and our community is responding quickly.” “County departments, schools, tribes, nonprofits, and community partners are working side by side to ensure food reaches everyone—including those in remote and homebound areas.” “We face unprecedented challenges in food access and collection efforts, and Modoc County stands ready to help wherever possible,” Martin continued. “Our the community Unit, shows strong is strong, resilient, and commitment to public safety caring.” education, ensuring younger “Together, we understand can ensure residents that everyfireModoc County critical prevention resident has access the measures. By teachingtothese food and support they need.” crucial lessons at an early age, the program helps build safer communities through increased awareness and preparedness. Residents are encouraged to follow the CAL FIRE Lassen Modoc
Community Partners and Supporting Organizations TEACH Modoc County Social Services Survivors of Hope Modoc County Health Services Modoc County TAY Center Modoc County Office of Education Nourish Food Hub School Districts in Modoc, Tulelake, and Surprise Valley Newell Migrant Center Faith-Based Communities and Churches Local Tribal Partners Farm Advisor’s Office First 5 Modoc Elected Officials from the Modoc County Board of Supervisors and Assemblymember Heather 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,
Hadwick For residents seeking food resources, visit the Center for Healthy Communities at https://chefodacassistance. org/local-food-resources. and students alike look forward to each year— an opportunity to learn, connect, and celebrate the shared responsibility of keeping their community safe.
encouraging residents to participate in those hearings and stay engaged as the process moves forward. The Bottom Line Proposition 50’s passage marks a major shift in how California draws its political boundaries. For communities
like Modoc County, the longterm effects remain uncertain — but the message from rural leaders is clear: the state’s most remote regions must stay engaged to ensure their voices are not lost in Sacramento or Washington.
Proposition 50’s Passage Raises Concerns for Rural Representation
Veterans Day guide to honor local service members California voters on Tuesday approved Proposition 50, a constitutional amendment that temporarily shifts control of congressional redistricting from the state’s independent citizens commission to the Legislature. Supporters say the change will help California Veterans Day is respond a time to reflection, redistricting moves and in for gratitude other states and fair community. Thispreserve November, representation Congress. Modoc Record in is preparing But many rural leaders across a special guide dedicated Northern California warn that to honoring the men and the measure dilute the women who could have served in political influence smaller, the nation’s armedofforces. sparsely populated The guide will counties feature like Modocofand Lassen. profiles local veterans, What Proposition Does community events,50support Under Proposition resources and ways 50, for California’sto get congressional residents involved. district be redrawn It willmaps be will printed and under legislativethroughout oversight distributed until after 2030counties. census. Modoc and the Lassen The independent Stories will California highlight Citizens Redistricting resilience, sacrifice and
Commission — which has managed redistricting since 2010 — will regain its authority once the next census cycle begins. According to the California Secretary of State’s office, Proposition 50 passed statewide with about 56 percent approval. In contrast, leadership, while event Modoc County voters strongly listings will provide opposed the measure, with information on parades, 77.5 percent voting and ceremonies and “No”other only 22.5 percent voting “Yes.” gatherings. Readers will also Neighboring counties find details onrural organizations including Lassen and Siskiyou offering assistance with recordedcare, similar margins health education and against the proposition. employment, as well as Impact onopportunities Rural Areas and volunteer Local officials donation drives.say the new process could members lead to rural Community are counties to being combined invited help shape the with distant or guide. If you suburban or someone coastalknow regions, you haspotentially served, weakening their encourages ability to Modoc Media advocate for agriculture, you to submit a photo, forestry, land use,ofand rural name and years service.
infrastructure priorities. “Our biggest concern is that Modoc and counties like ours will get swallowed up in larger districts that don’t share our needs,” one county official said following the vote. Analysts at the Public Policy Institute of California noted that while racial and Submissions can be emailed population balances may stay to info@modocmedia.com. relatively Veterans consistent Day is notunder only the new maps, geographic about honoring the past representation could shift — it’s aboutleaving recognizing significantly, rural the ongoing contributions regions with fewer distinct of in our voices veterans in Washington. What Happens Next neighborhoods, workplaces New district lines will be and families. drafted 2026 andaims take effect The inguide to for the 2028 congressional provide both inspiration elections. Public hearings and practical resources, are expected to begin in ensuring stories of early 2026, local offering residents courage and commitment opportunities to comment on are and proposedremembered boundaries. Rural leaders are celebrated.