WINTER 2025 IN MINERAL
COMMUNITY EVENTS, SERVICES & WEATHER UPDATE FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 9th
SOCIAL EVENTS: Last night, five shuffleboard players enjoyed a quiet evening of entertaining and friendly competition in the bar. Brandi was kind enough to inform the group that it was that time again, when we all 'spring forward.' This morning, five locals--four of whom arrived on time--attended the Mineral Breakfast Club. A lively discussion of the continuing observance of daylight savings time--even though California voters demanded that it end years ago--provoked lively responses.
MCWD: The next Board of Directors monthly meeting will be this Tuesday, March 11, at 4 p.m. The second Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. is the new date and time slot for the monthly meeting. Please make a note of it.
PG&E: There are no service issues and no planned outages.
FRONTIER: Landlines are working today. See below for more details about intermittent landline outages.
GREENWASTE: Trash and yard waste bins will be picked up Tuesday morning.
WEATHER: Spring-like weather is forecast until Tuesday night, when winter will return. Snow is predicted for the rest of the week. This could be the beginning of a 'Miracle March' for our snow pack, but don't hold your breath!
Just a few hundred feet above Mineral, the snowpack remains while much of it has melted throughout town.
Whether you call them a 'rafter,' a 'gaggle' or a 'flock,' the turkeys of Mineral seem to be here to stay. They no longer migrate to lower elevations in the winter, it seems.
A Little Mountain Humor
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Hello? Hello?! For $75 a month/residential landline, I think we deserve better service than Frontier is providing!
Because Mineral's population density is very low, Frontier 's system does not "see" that all landline service to the exchange has been disrupted when 5 or 6 people call on their cell phones to report it, nor does Frontier catalog or respond to emails informing them of the problem.
The only option is to report the problem by calling 1-800-921-8105 using a cell phone (if cell service is working) or chat with a bot on their website (if the internet is working). Unfortunately, this bot does not understand words.
Frontier claims that it applies a (tiny) credit to bills two or three months after each outage.
Landline Phone Outages
MARCH 4, 2025 UPDATE: Landlines were once again out--the same loud and continuous tone that signifies Frontier is not living up to its contract with customers of the 595 exchange. Service was restored around 2 p.m. As usual, the internet was working just fine.
FEBRUARY 18, 2025 UPDATE: Landline service was out until 3:30 p.m. The technician said that Mineral's landline phones rely on an ancient (1970s) radio in the Frontier building on Mineral Avenue. This radio communicates with towers on Inskip Mountain, which then communicates with a tower in Palo Cedro. Frontier plans to replace the radio this summer.
FEBRUARY 5, 2025 UPDATE: Landline service was restored at 8 a.m.
FEBRUARY 4, 2025 UPDATE: Now it's chronic. This morning, 595 landline phones were out again, but service was restored shortly after noon. Internet access was uninterrupted until late afternoon, but was restored around 10:30 p.m.
FEBRUARY 3, 2025 UPDATE: Landline service was restored around 9 a.m. According to a Frontier technician, back-up generators to the tower on Morgan failed to start when the Saturday night power outage occurred, resulting in a repeat of what happened in mid-January. Whenever this occurs, 911 is only available by cell service, which has been dropping more calls than usual lately.
FEBRUARY 2, 2025 UPDATE: This morning, 595 landline phones are out again. Internet service is uninterrupted. Let's hope landline-dependent folks will be able to somehow call 911 if something untoward occurs during the ongoing winter storm that began last night.
THE PROBLEM BEGAN IN MID-JANUARY
Beginning on Monday, January 14, 2025, folks in the 595 exchange began having trouble with their wired telephone (land line) service. A loud and continuous tone was emitted from the handset, and the user could not enter any number, including 911.
Although service was restored on the 15th, it was once again out on the 16th and the morning of the 17th. After it returned on the afternoon of the 17th, it was out again on the 21st and 22nd.
The Frontier Communications technician who finally repaired the service shortly before noon on the 22nd stated that the problem originated in Chester. She explained why internet was (thankfully) still available during these outages: their microwave drums have 3 antennas--two for data and one for land lines.
In addition to several individuals, important area services and businesses (who are paying commercial rates), such as the National Park Service, the Post Office, the Mineral County Water District, the Mineral Lodge, the Mill Creek Resort, and the Highlands Ranch Resort experienced long interruptions to their service throughout the week.
Busy Year for the Volunteers
The 5-member Mineral Hose Company No. 1 has compiled its summary of activity for 2024. The volunteers responded to 50 calls, which was three more than 2023. The calls included:
21 traffic collisions, 12 medical aids, 1 structure fire, 4 wild fires, 4 smoke checks, and 3 vehicle fires. In addition, they hard-covered the Mineral station 3 times (the longest stint being 8 days during the Park Fire) and were on stand-by (could not leave town) twice.
In 2021 the company responded to 75 calls, setting the record for annual number of calls in its 75-year history. Runners up: 71 calls in 2018 and 67 calls in 2020. Engine 120 is pictured to the left.
Mineral Postcard Project
In support of our local post office, we are hosting the Mineral Postcard Project.
When you come into the Mineral Post Office, you'll be able to pick up a commemorative postcard! Buy some stamps while you're at it and support our local post office.
Several members of the community have rallied together for this project in support of our local Postmaster and Post Office. Starting with the idea to do one postcard, the project has expanded to support the post office throughout the year. First, Winter postcards will be available. Then, a promotion will be mailed to the neighbors in support of this program in the late Spring, as most people are coming back to their cabins for the Summer.
Residents and visitors visiting during the Winter will be able to pick up Winter-themed postcards, changing each month, while each month's last. There will be only a limited number available, so be on the look out. When available if you mail a check to the Mineral Post Office to order stamps, the commemorative postcard will be included.
Check www.mineralcalifornia.com for the latest information about the Mineral Postcard Project, as the postcards are unveiled this Winter!
Tehama County Arts Council and California Arts Council have supported the Mineral California Postcard project with a grant. Thank you to the Councils and we look forward to working on this project in support of our community and local post office.
IN MEMORY OF FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS
Please join us for a Celebration of Life
in loving memory of Ellen Cernusak
September 21, 1947-October 6, 2024
FRIDAY, JULY 18TH
Four o’clock to Seven o’clock
Food and drink will be served
MILL CREEK RESORT
40271 CA-172, Mill Creek, CA 96061
RSVP by June 18th to Jessica at 208-340-6866 or idahojoejesse@msn.com.
Ellen Cernusak
Born September 21, 1947, in Westwood, she passed away on October 6, 2024, at the age of 77 while under the attentive care of Lassen House Senior Living in Red Bluff.
Ellen was the eldest child of Gabriele S. “Minki” Brown and Richard A. “Dick” Brown. She spent her childhood in Mineral, where her parents settled after her father’s service in World War II. Ellen’s upbringing in the woods and meadows of Lassen fostered her adventurous spirit, affinity for nature, persistent curiosity, and lifelong love of books and reading. She shared these traits generously with her family and friends.
Ellen was Valedictorian at Mercy High School in Red Bluff and earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from UC Davis, as well as a Lifelong Teaching Credential from Chico State University and a Master’s Degree in Library Science from Boise State University.
After meeting him at UC Davis, Ellen married Darryl Cernusak in December 1969. They raised four children, while living in Davis, Palo Alto, and Santa Rosa, before settling in Boise, Idaho, in 1978. Ellen lived in Boise for 40 years before returning to Mineral later in life.
Ellen cherished simple pleasures--exploring historical landmarks, visiting rose gardens, hiking, and reading the newspaper as well as books on every subject. Her travels took her across the U.S. and abroad to Europe and Australia, where her son Lucas resides.
Throughout her life, she remained deeply devoted to her family, a source of strength and wisdom to all who knew her. Ellen is remembered for her kind heart, sharp intellect, and courage in standing against injustice. Even as Alzheimer’s dementia marked her later years, her dignity and warmth endured, leaving a lasting impression on those around her.
She is survived by her children, Emily Cernusak, Lucas Cernusak, Jessica Jensen and husband Joe Jensen, and Andrea Cernusak; her grandchildren, Amara, Grace, Ivan, Adeline, Haven, and Willow; her former husband, Darryl Cernusak; and her sister, Stephanie Dennis. She was preceded in death by her father (1972) and mother (2009); her sister, Talena Brown (1972); and her brother, Joseph ‘Seppi’ Brown (2004).
Ellen’s ashes will be interred in the family plot at Westwood Cemetery in Plumas County.
Mineral Calendars
You can add the Mineral Google Calendar to your own Google Calendar or your iCal Calendar.
POWER OUTAGES
Need to know more about PSPS? Click on this link to "Your Guide to Public Safety Power Shutoffs."
PG&E PSPS/PLANNED OUTAGE ALERTS
There are no PSPS Alerts. The last one was for maintenance on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. It occurred between 9:30 and 10:00 p.m.
We Love Our Local Venues
Lassen Mineral Lodge Restaurant
Restaurant, Campground and Motel
Starting Memorial Day Weekend
Open 8 - 8 on Weekends; plus Saturday Night
Open 8 - 2:30, 5 - 8 During Week
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Community Breakfast Gathering Sundays 10 am+
Have you been to Frank's across from the HIghlands Resort?
See friends, grab a delicious bite and eat there or take it to go.
Open 8-8 Except M & Tu
Welcome to Mineral, California, USA
The community of Mineral is nestled in the pines surrounding Highway 36 at 4,918 feet elevation. The Mineral Post Office and Mineral Lodge stand on the Highway, inviting visitors to Lassen National Park to stop for a bit and to come back and stay in the motel or campground. Community members, whether year-round, seasonal or visiting for a few days, enjoy nature, community, privacy, independence, conservation and preservation. We hope you feel at home here in the forests of Mineral, California.
Mineral Community Calendar
Add the Google Calendar to your calendar or visit by viewing below, or clicking on the upper right hand corner icon to pop out the calendar.
Live Newsletter on Website
To get Mineral community members information as quickly as possible, the www.mineralcalifornia.com website is now functioning as a live newsletter. Visit the News Page. Send news to mineralcalifornia@gmail.com and let's work together to share information.
Subscribe to the Mineral California Community Emails
Receive emails about the latest news and events in Mineral.
Subscribe here to the Mineral California Community Emails
Frequently Used Links
Power Outages
Check for PG&E planned power shut-offs for Mineral
Receive compensation from PG&E for long outages
Glamping Tents at Mill Creek Resort
Looking for a nearby "luxury" getaway? Visit Mill Creek Resort's new glamping tents. See more on their website (and while you're there, check out their latest merchandise.)
At the Post Office
Order stamps here, and you'll be supporting Mineral's post office.
Did you know that the local Mineral Post Office is supported by revenue? That's why residents and visitors alike often order their postage stamps from Mineral's Post Office throughout the year for their personal and business postage needs. Thank you for helping to keep the Post Office open in Mineral!
Need a Good Book?
Stop in and visit the community book exchange. You might also find magazines and games, too! Share books taking room on your shelf, too.
U.S. Post Office at Mineral, CA
Zip Codes: 96061, 96063
Address: 38450 State Highway 36 E, Mineral, CA 96063
Hours: Weekdays 7:30AM–12PM, 12:30–2PM
Phone: (530) 595-3372 or (800) 275-8777
THANK YOU!
CAL FIRE, FIRE DEPARTMENTS, WATER DISTRICTS, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENTS, FIRE VOLUNTEERS, WATER VOLUNTEERS, COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS , MINERAL LODGE , CAL FIRE PUBLIC INFO. OFFICERS AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO HELPED FIGHT THE FIRE AND SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORS DURING THE JUNE 2018 LANE, STOLL & NEIGHBORING FIRES.
OUR NEIGHBORS
CHESTER
MILL CREEK
MANTON
PAYNES CREEK
RED BLUFF
STRING TOWN