Local dance studio J and J Performing Arts took thirty dancers to the Encore Performing Arts National Dance and Talent Competition in Reno last week, competing in jazz, hip hop, contemporary, acro dance, and lyrical.

The J and J dancers, who ranged in age from 7 to 17, were up against other award winning, top studios from all over Nevada and California.

“Many people compete in these dance competitions,” said studio owner Jessica Wade. “Some are already dancing for big shows and Broadway and we compete with the best in our section.”

The local dancers took home seven of the highest adjudicated awards, Platinum. They also brought home 7 Ultra High Gold Awards, and two Golds.

Kaylee Micone, a 13-year-old contemporary soloist, took home a Platinum Award and 5th Place Overall out of nineteen division 2 soloists. She also was given a scholarship to the NDAA Summer Program.

The J and J Performing Arts competitive teams started their competition season with high awards against some very talented dancers, studios and companies. They will be headed to Spotlight Dance Cup in March and plan to compete for national spots.

Firefighter II, Andrew Jarrett has been promoted to Fire Apparatus Engineer. Jarrett has been with the department just over four years and manages fleet repairs and public education programs.

Firefighter II, Dale Johnson has been promoted to Fire Apparatus Engineer. Johnson has also been with the department for just over four years and manages the SCBA and safety equipment maintenance and repair program.

Fire Apparatus Engineer, Leon Myers has been promoted to Fire Captain. Myers has been with the department just shy of ten years and manages radio maintenance and repair along with the fire department’s social media sites.

“The members of the Susanville Fire Department continue to show commitment and strive for excellence in the service to our community. Congratulations Gentleman!”

Continuing a traditional that is more than three decades old, the Lassen County Cattlemen and Cattlewomen will host one of Susanville’s premiere events tomorrow night, February 12th, the annual ‘Taste of Beef, Sip of Wine’ fundraiser, with proceeds helping to support the good works done by the two groups throughout the year.

The band Timeless will play at the Elks Lodge from 5:30 to 8:30p.m.

You must be 21 to attend and tickets are available at the Lassen County Fairgrounds or at KSUE/KJDX Radio. Tickets are $35 per person presale or $40 per person at the door. The Cattlewomen only sell a limited number of tickets so get yours early.

Proceeds raised from this annual event support local youth activities, scholarships, beef promotion and ag in the classroom.

It will not be many months before the Western Pacific’s iron horses will be speeding through the southern end of Honey Lake Valley. Already the advance crews of that company are grading around the point below Lake Greeno, about thirty miles from Susanville.

Many settlers are either homesteading or filing desert claims on all available land in that section and expect with water pumped from Honey Lake to develop farms of great productiveness.

While the Western Pacific will not traverse many miles of Lassen County, it will be very convenient in the way of earlier mails and more satisfactory transportation.

Mail should arrive here at least twenty-four hours earlier and one will not be compelled to pass through the State of Nevada in traveling to and from the southern part of this State.