Congratulations MODOC FOOTBALL FACES Class of 2026
THE WEED COUGARS AT HOMECOMING The Modoc County
RECORD
Vol. 134, 133, No. 11 29
Alturas, California
June 9, 4, 2025 2026 October
Serving Modoc Since 1892 16 24 Pages
Investigation Clears Susanville Officers Alturas Elementary Students Police Boost Fire in FatalSkills Derekwith Sikong Shooting Safety CAL FIRE The Lassen County District Attorney’s Office has cleared two Susanville police officers of criminal liability in the May 6 shooting death of a man who authorities say threatened a child with a machete and later wounded an officer. Following an extensive review by the Lassen County Law Enforcement Interagency Investigation Team, District Attorney Melyssah Rios concluded that Officers David Lee and KC Capron acted justifiably under Cal Lassen-Modoc stateFire law during the chaotic Unit-Facebook Images courtesy of the Lassen County Districtshows Attorney’s officestrong encounter a Richmond Unit, the Prevention Trailer. The CALat FIRE Lassen Fire Road townhouse. commitment to public safety gained essential Modoc Unit, in collaboration They situation escalated rapidly having weapons, he became The the incident education, ensuring younger on battery safety, with Modocbegan Fire early Safe knowledge when a witness received a agitated when the reporting that Wednesday morning strategies, and residents Council and Alturas evacuation phone call from an angry parties arrived. understand According when Lee School, and recently Capron overall critical fire prevention fire preparedness, in Elementary Sikong, prompting her to to the investigation, Sikong responded reports of a addition to learning about measures. By teaching these led a vital to Fire Prevention tell officers they needed to grabbed a 2-year-old boy and welfare program concern for involving Week local the dangers of playing crucial lessons at an early intervene immediately to briefly held him out of the children at the home of with fire equipment and age, the program helps build students. Focusing on this protect the children. open window before through pulling communities firefighter safer year’s theme, “Charge into understanding Ngirasiau “Derek” Sikong. Upon arriving at the duplex him back inside. He increased awareness then and Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Witnesses at the Diamond fitness and gear. at 304 Richmond Road, Lee retrieved a machete and Residents This community-focused preparedness. Batteries Your informed Home,” Mountain in Casino attempted to speak with began striking the walls the students officers thatreceived Sikong washandsacting initiative, shared by the are encouraged to follow and Sikong, whoLassen was Modoc visible CAL window sill. Lassen The situation FIRE Modoc FIRE on training inside erratically, was believedthe to CAL be under the influence of in a second-story window. turned critical when Sikong Sikong initially appeared to place the child methamphetamine, and was While armed with a machete. The appeared calm and denied on the floor and made a
Still frame BWC showing Sikong holding child out the window
Areas of entry for the first two rounds
Unit on social media for Still frame BWC showing Sikong ongoing tips and holding the safety weapon while community updates. striking downwards Now a beloved downward striking annual motion event, the Fire Prevention with the machete toward the Week program is something boy. Lee,firefighters, positioned outside, that staff, fired two rounds through the window glass in an attempt to stop the perceived attack.
and students alike look forward to each year— The instrument in the possession an opportunity to learn, of Sikong during the incident connect, and celebrate the As Lee and Capron breached shared responsibility of the front door, rushed keeping theirSikong community down the stairs while safe. swinging the machete. He struck Lee under the left Continue on page 2
Veterans Day guide to honor local service Nevada-California-Oregon Railway Buys 34 members Acres in Alturas for History Park Project Veterans Day is a time The Nevada-Californiafor reflection, gratitude and Oregon Railway has community. This November, completed the is purchase of Modoc Record preparing approximately 34 dedicated acres of a special guide historic railroad property to honoring the men and in Alturas future women who for havethe served in development of aforces. public the nation’s armed railway history will park. feature The guide The acquisition made profiles of local was veterans, possible through U.S. community events, a support Department andof ways Housing resources for and Urban Development residents to get involved. Economic Development It will be printed and distributed throughout Initiative Community Modoc Lassen counties. Project andFunding grant, Stories will acquisition highlight which supports resilience, and of the formersacrifice railway lands,
leadership, while event environmental review, listings will provide planning and design. information on parades, The property ceremonies and includes other portions of the former N-C-O gatherings. Readers will also Ry. grounds inorganizations Alturas, once find details on the railroad’s headquarters offering assistance with and a key location on the and line health care, education between Reno, as Nevada, employment, well and as Lakeview, opportunities Oregon. volunteer and “This is an important donation drives. milestone for our organization Community members are and forto the invited helpcommunity,” shape the said Shane Starr, guide. If you or president someone you has served, of theknow Nevada-CaliforniaModoc Oregon Media Railway.encourages “Securing you to submit a photo, this property allows us to name anda years of service. preserve meaningful part
Submissions can be emailed to info@modocmedia.com. Veterans Day is not only about honoring the past — it’s about recognizing the ongoing contributions of veterans in our neighborhoods, workplaces Image from Nevada-Californiaand families. Oregon Railway Facebook The guide aims to provide inspiration of Alturas’both railroad history and begin practical turningresources, it into a ensuring local stories of lasting public asset.” The future park is courage and commitment envisioned as a place for are remembered and Continue on page 3 celebrated.
Image from Nevada-California-Oregon Railway- Outlined in red, the approximately 34-acre former Nevada-California-Oregon Railway property in Alturas will become the future site of a public railway history park, preserving part of the city’s historic railroad grounds while supporting education, heritage tourism, and community revitalization.