Bright Days Ahead The Modoc County Vol. 132, No. 44
RECORD Alturas, California
January 23, 2025
Serving Modoc Since 1892
$1.00
16 Pages
Beware of Sweepstakes Scam Targeting Residents Authorities are warning residents about a sophisticated scam involving fraudulent letters claiming to be from Publishers Clearing House (PCH), after an Alturas citizen, Clifford Starke, fell victim and brought the matter to the attention of the Modoc County Sheriff’s Office. Starke received a letter informing him that he had won $750,000 in a sweepstakes. The letter, which appeared professional, included instructions to contact a “claims agent” and deposit an enclosed check to cover “processing fees.” According to the Sheriff’s Office, while the check appeared real, it was part of a larger scheme that allowed scammers to access the victim’s bank account after the check was deposited.
How the Scam Works The fraudulent letters use several deceptive tactics: • Official-Looking Details: The letter uses logos, titles, and legal language to appear legitimate. • A ‘Claims Agent’ Contact: Recipients are instructed to call a representative, who further pressures them into compliance. • Confidentiality Clauses: Victims are told to keep the prize confidential to prevent “double claims” and other fictitious issues. • Realistic Checks: The enclosed checks often pass initial bank verification, further convincing victims of the scam’s authenticity. According to investigators, once victims deposit the
check, the scammers gain access to their banking information. They can withdraw the check amount and empty the victim’s account before the fraudulent nature of the check is discovered. To avoid falling victim to this scam or similar schemes, authorities recommend: • Do Not Deposit
Unsolicited Checks: If you receive a check tied to a contest you don’t remember entering, don’t deposit it. • Verify Directly: Contact Publishers Clearing House or any named organization directly to confirm any prize notifications. • Report the Scam: File a report with
the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.ftc.gov, and alert local law enforcement or the Modoc County Sheriff’s Office. • Spread Awareness: Share information with friends and family to prevent others from becoming victims. Anyone who has received similar letters or
phone calls is encouraged to report the incident immediately. Scams like this not only result in financial losses but also cause emotional distress to victims. For more information on how to protect yourself from scams, visit the FTC’s website or contact local authorities.
Man Arraigned in Modoc County’s First Fentanyl Murder Case A Modoc County resident has been charged with murder in connection with the fentanyl overdose death of a Surprise Valley woman, marking the first fentanyl-related murder case in Modoc County. Dirk Aalpoel, 33, of Fort Bidwell, was arraigned Tuesday in the October 2024 death of Fawn Goodwin, 34, prosecutors said. Aalpoel is accused of providing Goodwin with a lethal dose of fentanyl. Fentanyl, now the leading cause of death for Californians aged 25 to 52, has prompted counties across the state to pursue murder charges in overdose
cases. Modoc County adopted the “One Pill Can Kill” campaign in 2024, following the lead of Placer County. The campaign aims to combat the distribution of fentanyl by holding dealers accountable for overdose deaths. Proposition 36, enacted in California in 2024, added further weight to these efforts. The law mandates that individuals charged with drug-related offenses be explicitly warned of the possibility of facing murder charges if their actions lead to a fatal overdose. This legal notice has become a pivotal tool in prosecuting cases like Aalpoel’s.
In addition to the murder charge, Aalpoel faces several other charges, including felony child abuse, possession of a controlled substance with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a narcotics addict, possession of ammunition, transportation of a controlled substance, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Several special enhancements have also been added to the charges. Aalpoel has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His next court appearance, a pre-preliminary hearing, is set for Feb. 25. According to the Modoc County
District Attorneys Office Facebook,“he is currently being held in the Modoc County Jail without bail.” Modoc County District Attorney Nina Salarno and the Modoc County Sheriff’s Office are committed to addressing and preventing any drug crisis that may impact Modoc County. The Sheriff’s Office has implemented and will continue to introduce new technology and devices, utilizing funding from the Homeland Grant, to combat substance abuse and proactively address future challenges.
MCSO
MESA Encourages Healthcare Careers
STEM-career exploration was the topic at the MESA booth during the Job Fair, led by MESA Director Austin, center.
MESA Director Billie Austin, far right, led student discussions regarding personal healthcare career options and future income On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, the College Center in Alturas featured a Careers of Care Job Fair. The afternoon event, hosted by Advancing Modoc with Tanja Ramming and TEACH, signed in over eighty attendees with half being middle to high school students. Key objectives to the Job Fair were to meet potential employers, apply for positions and to
register for employment training programs. Modoc High School (MHS) was one of the many Job Fair sponsors, and MHS Frosh Guidance teacher Wyatt Valena recruited MESA College Preparation (MCP) Director, Billie Austin to include a STEMcareers booth. MESA is a collaborative partner with Modoc and Surprise Valley school districts in
a K12 Strong Workforce Program. MESA is a work-based experience for students in both districts. Austin created a learning station to increase MESA awareness and expand experiences towards healthcare pathways. Over forty students were offered a short assessment to determine their career interests, then asked if those results aligned with their vision of future
work. Discussions led to different healthcare pathways aligned with student’s interests. Mind-body skills for stress management were explored using biofeedback, mental imagery, mindfulness, breathwork, and meditation. Groups simulated a dance party to accelerate increased heart rates, followed by practice of meditation and breathwork to bring down heart rates and create a mind-body connection in real time. “It was inspiring to work with so many young people
from Modoc and Surprise Valley schools regarding healthcare futures,” shared Austin. “Adults, parents, were there to learn about and even apply for many jobs in Modoc County, but mainly students participated at the MESA booth.” At the MESA station, students discovered STEM-field connections to careers in mental and heart health. Career cards were provided, depicting healthcare titles showing higher education requirements at 0-2 years, 2-4 years, and 4-plus years. Each
job title contained a short description, education/ training/certification requirements, and median salary. Students were encouraged to further research a career of interest and set school goals to be prepared for their chosen field of study. Austin and MHS Upward Bound Advisor Chantz Witt will expand secondary student STEM awareness in January and February. They will lead computer programming lessons for students to build robots they may showcase at MESA Preliminaries on February 28, 2025. Alturas Elementary School STEM teacher Eleanor Dorton will also team with Austin to instruct 5th graders in construction of complex machines to compete for medals at the MESA Preliminaries. A d d i t i o n a l information regarding MESA enrollment or volunteering for upcoming activities may be received by contacting Billie Austin, MESA Director/ RISE Assistant Director, at (831) 345-3904.