Sheriff will brief voters on levy, laws

April 13, 2012

Josephine County Sheriff Gil Gilbertson says he’s heard from residents who relish the thought of taking the law into their own hands.

“We often hear the comment they can take care of things with a gun and a backhoe,” he said.

• A Dire Warning

One resident said he would protect his property against criminals with his shotgun.

“He said, ‘If you come by my house, you’ll leave in a body bag,’ ” Gilbertson said.

Gilbertson has set a series of seminars explaining a criminal justice levy on the May ballot, the consequences if it doesn’t pass, and how residents can defend themselves under Oregon law.

“It’s just a matter of time before somebody gets shot and killed,” he said.

If someone breaks into your house, you can only shoot if you feel you are being threatened, Gilbertson said. Just because burglars have a TV set under their arms doesn’t mean they are threatening you, he explained.

Those who shoot another person must be able to justify their actions because they could face criminal or civil liability, he said.

“When you take someone’s life, you better be prepared to survive the aftermath,” he said. “It’s a difficult thing to live with.”

Those who may be cleared of criminal liability could still face potential civil liability, he warned.

Gilbertson will give his presentations at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, at the Josephine County Fairgrounds Floral Building, 1451 Fairgrounds Road, Grants Pass, and at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at the Cave Junction County Building, 102 S. Redwood Highway, Cave Junction.

Myron Ebell, Director of Global Warming and International Environmental Policy at the Competetive Enterprise Institute shares some common sense on how radical environmental policy infringes on property rights and harms California’s rural agriculture communities …

3 minute youtube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=X4qo_IncLf4

SISKIYOU COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

4/13/12

          On March 11, 2012 Mr. Carlos Daniel Pena-Gonzalez was reported missing from the Tulelake area of Siskiyou County and authorities are seeking assistance locating him. The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, Tulelake Police Department, Klamath Falls Police Department and Klamath County Sheriff’s Office have been actively searching for Carlos and following up on investigative leads related to his whereabouts. Carlos is a 20 year-old, Hispanic male adult.

He is 5’10” and weighs 150 pounds.  Carlos has short black hair, brown eyes, and he has a scar above his left eye.  Carlos was last seen on March 9, 2012 walking across a field adjacent to Scott Road in the Tulelake area. He was wearing a white t-shirt with the caption “South Pole” written on it, blue jeans and a blue rosary.

            If you have seen Carlos or have any information regarding his whereabouts please contact the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office at (530)841-2900.

April 10, 2012

Published in Siskiyou Daily News

It is a hot topic as SEVEN county sheriffs will discuss the “war on rural America” at the Support Rural America Sheriffs’ Event on April 21^st in Alturas at the Casino Convention Center.

“Sheriffs are the only law enforcement entities, across this country, truly accountable to the people. Period,” said Modoc County Sheriff Mike Poindexter, who will host this Sheriffs’ Event.

County sheriffs are elected by local constituents and realize their first priority is to “their people.” Rural counties are facing hard economic times and sheriffs are working with citizens to find answers. Support Rural America is unique in bringing these sheriffs together in regional meetings.

Sheriff Poindexter said this event will feature a panel of county sheriffs who will discuss the need to stand on the Constitution and the oath they took, when they were elected. Other sheriffs attending are: Jon Lopey from Siskiyou County; Dean Wilson from Del Norte County; Dean Growden from Lassen County; Bruce Haney from Trinity County; Greg Hagwood from Plumas County; and Oregon’s Glenn E. Palmer from Grant County.

In addition to the panel of sheriffs, Wyoming attorney Karen Budd-Falen has been invited to speak on property rights and will kick-off the afternoon event at 2 p.m. It will be held at the Desert Rose Casino Convention Center at 901 County Rd 56. Doors open at noon. Admission is free.

Support Rural America Sheriffs’ Events began in February in Yreka, CA. when five county sheriffs held a panel discussion hosted by Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey. A series of youtube videos of the event are available on-line through Support Rural America.com, Constitutional Sheriffs.com and Pie N Politics.com, click on the “sheriff & sra” category.

Modoc Independent Tea Party is sponsoring this event. Those who believe the Constitution is the law of the land will find hope in this panel of sheriffs.

The next Support Rural America Sheriffs’ Events are slated for Trinity County on May 19^th and Tehama County on June 23^rd.

For more information, contact the above websites or Liz Bowen at 530-467-3515.

Rotary and gardening

Our local Scott Valley Rotary participates in Rotary 1^st Harvest encouraging gardeners to grow an extra row or plants to donate to those in need. Davie Martin, in Etna, told me the project has been quite successful. The veggies go to local lunch programs sponsored by churches and truly aid in cutting cost of food purchase. So let’s support Rotary and grow extra potatoes, carrots, cabbage and tomatoes. Lettuce and green beans always seem to come on at the same time, so the Rotary 1^st Harvest project would be an easy way to share. Drop off points are at Martin’s Experienced Items in downtown Etna and the Family Resource Center in Fort Jones.

Water

Dept. of Water Resources announced last week that the mountain snowpack water content throughout California is only 55 percent of “normal.” A wet March did improve conditions and the reservoirs are not in bad shape. I need to check in with our local Forest Service employees, which hike the mountains in Western Siskiyou taking samples of snow starting Feb. 1^st each year. But it looks like we will need to conserve water this year.

Whistleblower Dr. Houser

Just as expected, federal Whistleblower Paul R. Houser, Ph.D. has been blasted by stakeholders, who signed the KBRA – Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement. The stakeholder group was biased from the beginning with dam destruction the primary goal. Remember, Siskiyou County was not allowed to participate in the KBRA meetings, which is an outrage because three of the four dams are located in Siskiyou.

Be sure to attend one of the meetings where Dr. Houser will be speaking in Yreka next month. On Monday, May 7, the Bi-State Alliance is hosting Dr. Houser at the Siskiyou Golden Fairgrounds Flower Building at 6:30 p.m. He will speak to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, May 8. I don’t know the time yet. Then the Yreka Tea Party will host him Tuesday night, May 8 at 6:30 p.m.

Dr. Houser was hired as the “integrity science” advisor to the federal Klamath dam removal project. When he submitted his report citing a variety of misdeeds, he was criticized by federal officials. Then, when he wouldn’t back down, the feds fired him.

Next POW meeting

Thursday, April 26^th will be the next Scott Valley Protect Our Water meeting at the Fort Jones Community Center at 7 p.m. Pie N Politics is first, so bring a dessert to share.

The Scott Valley Ground Water Advisory Committee is holding its monthly meeting on Monday, April 23. The group has continued the ground water study begun by the Scott River Watershed Council with Thomas Harter, Ph.D. leading the work that began seven years ago. The meetings are open to the public.

Liz Bowen writes biographies and freelances. She grew up in Scott Valley riding horses and working cattle in a time when government over-regulation did not threaten the livelihoods of small businesses and families. Contact her at 530-467-3515 and check out website Pie N Politics.com.

SISKIYOU COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

      **4/13/2012**

           On Saturday March 31, 2012 Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) deputies responded to a report of animal neglect.  Three horses were reportedly in distress and not being properly cared for after being observed in a small field on Obsidian Road in the Big Springs area.  The report also indicated that the animals were not being properly fed and one horse was possibly dead.  The responding (SCSO) deputy arrived at the scene and found two horses in a very emaciated condition, indicating that the animals were subjected to long-term neglect and possible abuse.

Another horse was already dead at the scene.  A volunteer from “The Run for Home Haven Horse Rescue Ranch” responded and arranged for temporary feeding and care of the animals while the SCSO conducted a preliminary investigation and contacted Siskiyou County Animal Control officials.  Despite the efforts of the rescue volunteer and county responders, one horse perished at the scene.

Prior to the horse’s death, Siskiyou County Animal Control attempted to save the animal by contacting one of the best veterinarians in the area.  The veterinarian administered injections in an effort to save the animal.  Despite the extraordinary effort by county staff and the veterinarian the animal did not respond to the treatment and officials were forced to euthanize the horse that evening.  Siskiyou County Animal Control conducted a comprehensive investigation and filed an animal cruelty and neglect-related case against the owners of the horses with the Siskiyou County District Attorney, on Friday, April 13, 2012.

            Sheriff Jon Lopey stated, “On behalf of the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, I am saddened by the senseless loss of these defenseless animals.  Evidence indicates that these horses were likely subjected to a long-term period of inexplicable abuse, neglect and cruelty.  The Siskiyou County Animal Control Office has done an excellent job aggressively investigating this case.  Siskiyou County District Attorney Kirk Andrus has been advised and plans to review the case at the earliest opportunity.

Special thanks are due to the volunteer from The Run for Home Haven Horse Rescue Ranch, which supported the county response effort by caring for the two surviving horses and ultimately, saving one of the animals, with assistance from our local veterinarian.  Tragically, this apparent long-term neglect was not reported to authorities in time to save all of the animals.

This is a good opportunity to remind all citizens to report any suspected case of animal abuse, neglect or cruelty to county authorities as soon as possible.  Citizens may call our Sheriff’s Office Dispatch 24 hours a day at 841-2900, or, Siskiyou County Animal Control, at 841-4028.”

Woke to six inches of snow here by Callahan in Siskiyou County — today. Other parts of Scott Valley only reported an inch or so. But it is melting fast, as it was a very wet snow.

And we are very grateful for the snow, even if it is after Easter, which was April 8, 2012 this year. It was a very dry winter through February, but a Miracle March and Awesome April have improved the snow pack in our mountains. — Editor Liz Bowen

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — A powerful spring storm that zapped an airliner with lighting in San Francisco moved across California on Friday, threatening the state with thundershowers, fierce winds and blinding snow flurries in the mountains.

Drivers making practice runs zipped around a wet track as the three-day Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach began.

That didn’t bother IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe.

“I love driving in the rain,” he said. “Growing up karting in Canada, the beginning and end of every one of my seasons was a lot of rain. … It’s a completely different challenge. The limits are so much lower, but the penalties of going beyond those limits are so much higher.”

Driving a race car full-out on a slick track requires being much gentler with the brakes and throttle.

“It’s like driving on egg shells the entire time,” Hinchcliffe said.

The Pasadena Symphony postponed an outdoor concert by two of its musicians because of weather.

In Riverside County, blustery weather could chill Saturday’s opening of the outdoor Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, but only a trace of rain threatened the annual desert event that draws thousands of fans.

Bands of thunderstorms rolled through the northern and central areas of the state Friday morning, but the weather was expected to clear in the afternoon as the front headed south and east, the National Weather Service said.

The storm began drenching the San Francisco Bay area Thursday night, knocking out power and producing 750 lightning strikes through early Friday morning. A bolt hit the tower of the new Bay Bridge, the San Francisco Chronicle reported, and struck a United Airlines flight that had left San Francisco for London. The plane, which was carrying about 200 passengers, returned safely.

New rainfall records were set in several northern and central cities.

Southward, the storm could bring an inch or two of rain in most areas, but also winds gusting to 55 mph, gale-force winds over southern coastal waters and up to 14 inches of snow in southern mountains. The snow could fall at elevations as low as 3,500 feet and bring dangerous road conditions to several mountain highways, the weather service warned.

Read more here:

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/13/4411773/chilly-storm-moves-through-california.html#storylink=cpy