Liz Writes Life
March 17, 2021
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Hope you remembered to wear green,
whether you are Irish or not.
Etna Rodeo is May 2
The Scott Valley Pleasure Park will hold its annual rodeo
this year on May 2, 2021. Yep, it was canceled last year, because of the
pandemic. But the group is moving ahead with the festivities this year and will
hold the 73rd rodeo since its beginnings back in 1947.
This is an open rodeo and contestant registration is
underway. To enter, go to www.etnarodeo.com to fill
out the entry form and pay your fees online. Entries will close on Friday,
April 16, 2021 at midnight. Boy, technology has certainly changed some things!
Events include: Mutton Bustin’ for young kids and Calf Riding
for ages 8 to 12. Both are buckle-winner events only. Junior Steer Riding is
also only a buckle-winner event for teens. Events with added money, payout and
buckles for first place are: Ranch Bronc Riding, Open Team Roping, Tie-down
Roping, Girls Breakaway Roping, Girls Barrel Racing, Bull Riding and the local
crowd-pleaser Wild Saddle Cow Riding.
The May 2, 2021 Rodeo begins with the youth events at 1 p.m.
and the Grand Entry of Cowboys at 2 p.m. General admission is $10 for everyone,
except kids 10 and under at free.
Writing contest
I also want to remind folks to get their stories finished and
submitted to the Fort Jones or Etna Libraries in honor of National Library Week
April 4-10. This year there two themes from which to choose.
One is Silver linings -- is there a surprisingly good or
special affect resulting from Covid-19, the pandemic, wildfire, or another
tragic event.
Two – is there an aspect of isolation, “social distancing” or
quarantine that you want to explore?
Your true-life, which is non-fiction or imagined (fiction)
work may take any form you choose from essay, story, poem or play.
All authors are expected to read or present their work at
either an in-person or virtual Fort Jones Library Open House tentatively
scheduled for Wednesday, April 21, 2021. Details will be determined by the
Siskiyou Co. Public Health Advisories. For more information, contact Celeste
McFall at 530-468-2383.
It’s almost here
Yep, spring will officially start this Saturday, March 20, 2021.
Luckily, we can say that our weather has been typical of a rainy, sunny and
snowy March. I had five inches of soppy snow one morning last week, three
inches on Thursday morning and at least another four on Monday.
On Saturday, I decided to get those chives and two Echinacea
transplanted, while the soil was moist and the air temperature was a nice 62 T-shirt
degrees. Also scuffed-up a little foot-and-a-half spot and scattered some
butter crunch lettuce seeds. Then, found a small area with volunteer lettuce
growing and cleaned it up a bit. Wow, I am out of shape!
For those that look forward to fresh peas, now is a good time
to plant them.
New sheriff in town
Siskiyou Co. Sheriff Jeremy LaRue spoke at the Siskiyou
Conservative Republicans meeting last week and, boy howdy, was I impressed.
Yep, he is fairly young at age 36, but he has been a law officer since age 19,
when he went to work for the Yreka Police Dept. Yes, that was after he
completed the police academy. Then, at age 21, Sheriff Rick Riggins hired him
into the sheriff’s dept. Oh, LaRue is a local having grown-up in Dunsmuir and
graduated Dunsmuir High School.
Because, Sheriff Jon Lopey announced an early retirement
during his third term, LaRue decided it was time to take the plunge and apply
for the position as sheriff. His goal had been to eventually run for sheriff,
but was a bit surprised the opportunity came at this time. Because an election
was not in the near future, it fell on the Siskiyou Co. Board of Supervisors to
appoint a sheriff. After interviewing a handful of candidates, all five voted
to appoint the young guy.
LaRue believes in the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and said
he indeed values the people he is serving.
“My burden is to make things better for my community and the
department,” said LaRue, who was quite fun to interact with as he spoke. “As a
Christian, we put value on life,” he added.
LaRue has been working at a good clip. He appointed a new
undersheriff, has promoted three individuals to the office of lieutenant and
hired five new deputies. He still has five more openings to fill. As an aside,
LaRue said other county departments have had retirements and new hires, so it
feels like the county is in a positive growing phase.
The sheriff’s office is quite busy with around 1,300 calls
for service each month along with an average 5,000 telephone calls to the
office and 1,000 calls made to 911. The officers also issue 130 subpoenas each
month. The sheriff’s dept. contracts for law enforcement with the cities of
Montague, Dorris and Dunsmuir.
He will continue the DARE program with reserve officer Jim
Jacobson. LaRue brought back good memories, when he recalled the DARE officer
of his youth was die-hard Dennis Melum. And, increasing the department’s social
media presence is also a focus. He has already put up a “facebook live” video.
Now, for the nitty-gritty. The question was asked: What is
the biggest problem for his department? LaRue’s answer is “organized crime”
associated with marijuana and illegal drugs. He said county officials discuss
the issue quite often and are alarmed at increased crime, problems on private
property and increasing number of deaths from meth and heroin and fentanyl.
“A massive amount of illegal drugs go through I-5 and 97,”
LaRue said, adding he is forming a target enforcement team specifically to
address the drug traffic.
Several in the audience told stories of intimidation from
marijuana growers. LaRue said it is important to report any concerns and visual
oddities to dispatch. Reports of activity helps to build cases and emphasized
“the more reports we get the better.”
Apparently, his first five months have been good, because
LaRue announced he will run for sheriff in 2022. The audience seemed quite
pleased with enthusiastic applause voicing agreement.
May we all feel peace and calm in our hearts. Smile!
Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in
newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near
Callahan. Columns from the past can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com.
Call her at 530-467-3515.
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