Nov. 3, 2021
Liz Writes Life
More on the “State of the County”
Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue reported on the
activities of his department, during the past year, at the Oct. 14, 2021
Siskiyou Conservative Republican meeting. As I mentioned several weeks ago, he
said, “We all know things are very rough,” but he still wants people to be “encouraged”
and not get distracted by the challenges.
He said his office is dedicated to stopping the illegal
activities in the county. LaRue is concerned about toxic chemicals that are
damaging the environment from illegal cannabis grows along with other increasing
criminal activities that seem to be decreasing the quality of life.
“We are not letting up,” he said, adding that officers are
out every day doing eradication of illegal cannabis. “It just takes time. We
appreciate the citizens’ patience.”
Last year was a huge success for the sheriff’s department. So
far, 336,165 illegal marijuana plants have been eradicated in 2021. This is
certainly an increase from 2020, when 113,986 plants were eradicated.
Unfortunately, he added that number is “just a drop in the bucket” to the
amount of illegal plants throughout the county.
The seizure of processed marijuana this year was 46,654
pounds compared to 11,051 pounds seized in 2020. The numbers of individuals
that were arrested or cited were also up to 172 compared to 80 in 2020. The
number of firearms seized in 2021 is 54 compared to 25 guns in 2020.
There was also a huge jump in the confiscation of U.S.
currency seized during busts and activities of alleged crime to $788,263. That
is up from the 2020 level of $286,343.
On another positive note, Sheriff LaRue said his department
has had “good discussions” with the FBI and the DEA with expectations of
receiving more assistance from those federal agencies.
“Our goal is to root out the human trafficking and organized
crime and have successful prosecution through the federal government agencies,”
he said. “Public safety is our number one concern.”
Regarding vaccines and the rallies and protests that have
been held, LaRue said vaccination should be a “personal choice. We need to
protect our freedoms and we need to care for each other.”
I thought it was interesting when he told us that the Mexican
cartels growing illegal marijuana in the Klamath National Forest is again on
the rise. Twenty years ago, foreign cartels were considered the biggest
growers, but those numbers decreased for a few years. Then, the expectation of
legal commercial grows saw the purchase of hundreds of properties in Siskiyou
County. But, that didn’t pan out so well, when the Siskiyou Co. Board of
Supervisors approved an ordinance that did not permit commercial grows within
county-governed lands. Hum, so this is not so surprising that the Hispanic
grows are on the upswing.
Etna Veterans’ Parade
Be sure to call me or Heather Ford at 530-467-3193 to get
entered in the Etna Veterans’ Parade that will be held Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.
Time is 11 a.m. Check-in at the Etna High School with Rotary members starting
at 9:30 a.m. A port-a-potty donated by Duane’s Drain will be available, while
waiting for the parade to start.
Sure do hope for a sun-shiny day and a great crowd of
supporters on Main Street. See you there!
Nov. 11th services
The American Legion Perry Harris Post #260 will hold services
at four cemeteries in Scott Valley on Veterans’ Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021.
The American Legion honors all soldiers that served or are presently serving in
the U.S. military.
Color guard services will be held at Callahan Cemetery at 9
a.m. Then, the group will meet at the Burcell Cemetery on Star Access near Etna
Creek at 10 a.m. Services will be at 11 a.m. at the Etna Cemetery with noon
services at the Fort Jones Cemetery. The American Legion invites all community
members to attend any of the services on Nov. 11th.
May peace and calm be with you this week. Smile – just cuz it
makes you feel better!
Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in
newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County. Columns from the past
can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.
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