Sheriff’s Blotter

August 21, 2024

Monday, August 12

01:05 - Deputy responded to alarm around Stampede Dam - everything appeared to be kosher.

07:13 - Cattle playing chicken near a Sierraville road.

08:03 - Annual registration time for a sex offender in Downieville.

08:19 - Lodger at Wayne Brown Correctional Facility provided a ride back to Sierra County. Welcome home!

10:48 - Non-injury crash around Goodyears Bar.

11:13 - Report of possible illegal camper near Goodyears Bar.

11:41 - Suspicious person visited a Verdi residence then meandered elsewhere.

13:29 - Family argument in Sierraville results in an exchange of strong words.

14:00 - “Report of a crash that may have been a delayed report of a crash that took place earlier in the day.” Incident transpired around “Camptonville.”

14:29 - Dog bite at Salmon Creek Campground reported.

14:51 - Information received about trespassing incident in Loyalton.

16:34 - Loyalton resident vocalizes safety concerns after spotting a mountain lion. I took a call months back from an old-timer who reported when he was a youngin’ walking to school, a mountain lion sprang out of nowhere in front of him. Suddenly, another creature appeared, giving the big cat cause to chase the critter and sparing the young lad. Subscriber said he raced to school and never looked back.

17:15 - Found property in Sierraville collected by the owner.

18:01 - Ambulance requested in Pike.

Tuesday, August 13

09:16 - Report of threats made over a mining claim in Loganville.

09:34 - Ambulance requested in Sierra City.

13:01 - Possible abandoned vehicle in Loyalton.

14:47 - “Report of possible theft in Downieville.”

17:03 - Spooked horses in Loyalton agitated neighbor’s horses.

17:42 - Words exchanged between Loyalton neighbors over a loose horse in Sierra Brooks. The quote “Live like someone left the gate open” comes to mind.

18:37 - Overdue hiker reported in Plumas County.

18:43 - A bear in Sierra Brooks broke into a shed and ate the dog food. Our surveillance cameras at our Downieville residence captured a bear at my front door the other night at around 1 a.m. It didn’t stay too long. My rescued German Shepherd is rather crazy. Dogs are wonderful bear deterrents! Though I dare say the cat can be meaner than the dog- he’s called “The Admiral” for a reason! Alas, I recall, both of these animals remained fast asleep when a baby skunk came into the house through the cat window last winter!

19:32 - Ambulance requested in Loyalton.

23:05 - Agency assist request canceled for disabled vehicle outside the county.

Wednesday, August 14

07:52 - Multiple agencies conducting “active shooter” training at Downieville School.

10:00 - Report of vandalism at the Sierra Brooks Lodge.

10:13 - Lift assistance needed in Loyalton.

12:12 - One arrested at Wayne Brown Correctional Facility on a Sierra County warrant.

19:24 - Mental health crisis outside the county referred to the appropriate agency.

19:36 - Fender bender in Downieville involving out-of-towners took longer than needed to get resolved as one party was initially reluctant to provide their information.

23:54 - Faulty alarm in Loyalton. Everyone is safe and sound.

Thursday, August 15

01:10 - A sleeping soul in a vehicle parked around Loyalton was provided more appropriate and optimum locations for slumber by deputy.

07:23 - Ambulance requested in Alleghany.

08:10 - Accidental fire alarm sounded in Loyalton.

08:20 - Ambulance requested in Loyalton.

08:25 - One arrested in Graeagle by Sierra County Probation over a violation of probation.

09:01 - “Fish and Wildlife requested the Sheriff’s Office assistance to keep eyes out for two bear traps that were set in two different campgrounds.” (Loganville and Wildplum Campgrounds).

13:38 - Someone lost their wallet behind a Downieville business.

15:43 - Ambulance requested in Loyalton.

16:01 - A black Dodge Ram key was turned into the Sheriff’s Office in Downieville.

17:25 - “Report of an unknown subject who shoplifted from a business. Deputies were unable to locate this subject anywhere.” I confirmed good ole “sticky fingers” was not a local pilfering the Downieville Grocery store.

20:08 - Caller inquiring about bear updates in Sierra City.

20:50 - Alleghany caller demands to speak privately with Sheriff over trespassing issue. Now, if a taxpayer and resident simply insists on refusing a mere deputy’s help, understand that while the Sheriff is accommodating to all of us folk here in Sierra County, you may have to leave him a voice message and bide your time until he calls you back. This isn’t Mayberry! He is often extremely busy dealing with forest fires, bears, mountain lions, search and rescues and a plethora of other types of agency assists! But if it’s so important that he is the ONLY one that can deal with your matter...

21:21 - Bear left a Loyalton residence before the law arrived.

21:27 - Illegal campfire at Loganville Campground extinguished after deputy arrived on scene.

23:21 - Driver issued citation for no drivers license in Sierra City.

Friday, August 16

00:24 - Illegal campfire at Gold Lake Campground extinguished after deputy arrived on scene.

01:07 - Deputies responded to report of possible physical altercation at Logger Campground. Everyone was sleeping when the law arrived, turned out to be an argument over a family member.

07:36 - Construction crew workers driving recklessly reportedly around Goodyears Bar. CHP notified. I will say that with regards to the construction work on Highway 49 the other morning near St. Charles Place, I, along with the entire mountainside, heard at least three times men loudly yelling at their crew, “What the F--- are you doing?!” Well, I hope at least one of ’em knew what they were doing so the work doesn’t have to be redone! The wait time trying to drive through town was pure hell!

11:18 - “Report of traffic hazard and the need for additional flagmen for the road construction occurring in Downieville.” How about we show up to a job site with the right tools and appropriate staffing to get the job done!

14:05 - Report of threats made to employees at Sierraville Gas Station.

15:22 - Accidental Life Alert activation in Loyalton.

18:14 - Driver cited for driving over 70 mph around Chilcoot. Okay, NASCAR driver!

18:52 - Driver cited for not having a license plate on their vehicle near Chilcoot.

19:41 - Driver cited near Downieville for having expired registration. Sidenote: I made a crack a few weeks back about a Downieville local reporting an expired tag. Found out later that the local noticed this particular vehicle looked like it had been through the wars and believed it was as good as being “dumped off” in our parking lot. The expired tags were noticed after the shock of the disastrous sight of the condition of the car. So, it was not a case of a local being bored, nosey, or anything else but wanting to ensure our parking lot was not used as a dump site. Apologies for getting the “wrong end of the stick,” as I know this individual is normally a big fan of this Blotter! Many have come out of the woodwork to express their love of the Blotter — but I’m aware I’m no Don Russell. But if I should offer remarks that are believed misplaced based on the information I am provided by the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office (much of which is redacted), I will either acknowledge my screw-up if I or my bosses believe I erred or stand by my writing despite the dissent.

19:43 - Another cited for speeding over 70 mph in Chilcoot.

20:33 - Chillcoot caller complaining deputy is “illegally writing traffic citations.” Sergeant called them back but no answer.

20:53 - Overdue party in Sierra County found safe.

22:10 - Multiple illegal fires extinguished after law arrived to campgrounds around Gold Lake.

22:10 - Driver cited in Loyalton for expired registration.

Saturday, August 17

09:47 - Report of a lost blind German Shepherd. Sad.

15:39 - Branch removed from Highway in Sierra City. Ah yes. I’m guessing this was the call that trumped my husband and me going on our Saturday run to the dump. Got home to leave with him for a dump run and he had on his bright Caltrans shirt and was out the door! We didn’t have a great deal of trash - so no biggie!

16:17 - Wallet found at the Yuba Gallery in Downieville was turned into the Sheriff’s Office. Owner retrieved it later.

19:24 - Ambulance requested in Loyalton.

19:56 - One arrested in Camptonville after drunk in public reported. Someone asked me the other day if we get the names of arrested individuals. Yes, I do see many names in the reports I receive. I choose not to print the names of arrested individuals because I would like the same courtesy should I ever be placed in cuffs. I understand this pleases some of y’all, but not everyone. O well.

00:28 - Downieville driver cited for expired tags, needing new address on license and proof of insurance.

06:39 - Near Truckee: “Report of an overdue juvenile that had gone kayaking and had not returned to camp. The juvenile was located safe and unharmed the next day.”

Sunday, August 18

00:28 - Loyaltonian assisted with bear tag information.

11:46 - Medical attention needed in Downieville.

13:54 - Bear getting into beehives in Loyalton.

17:51 - Reported trash dumped in Loyalton was not found by deputy.

20:56 - Accidental 911 call in Loyalton.

Total Reported: 72, Bears: 4, Cows: 1, Horses: 2, Dogs: 2, Mountain Lion: 1