By Barbara Falconer Newhall
During a weekend trip to Grass Valley and California’s Gold Country for a wedding last month, Jon and I had to manage without our morning San Francisco Chronicle and New York Times. So we made do with the local paper, the Western Nevada County Union, “founded in 1864 to preserve the Union . . . One and Inseparable.”
Not much national news in The Union that weekend, but the paper’s Police Blotter gave us a nice glimpse into the small town human condition in Nevada county. A knife or two, some kids acting up, an overweight dog, and some stolen trees . . .
Grass Valley Police Department
Friday
1:41 p.m. A caller from East McKnight Way reported a crazy man in a van trying to coax women into the van. He could not be located.
3:55 p.m. A caller from North Auburn and Richardson streets reported two boys in the parking lot doing whip-its and harassing people. They could not be located.
4:15 p.m. A caller from the 100 block of East McKnight Way reported a juvenile stole a Mike’s Hard Lemonade and a peach iced tea.
5:25 p.m. A man from the 100 block of Sutton Way reported someone in a truck brandished a foot-long blade at him.
6:13 p.m. A woman in a care center reported she was not sure about the food there. She was advised to speak to the staff and said they weren’t sure about the food either.
Saturday
9:12 p.m. A woman reported her 16-year-old chubby dog with arthritis was being stubborn and would not come inside. Assistance was provided.
Sunday
12:42 a.m. A caller from the 300 block of Kidder Avenue reported a woman barking outside.
Nevada County Sheriff’s Office
Friday
1:23 p.m. A caller from Crosswhite Court reported the theft of an autographed photo of Willie Mays.
4:43 p.m. A caller from Mooney Flat and Deer Creek roads requested a call regarding shooting a mountain lion that is attacking sheep.
Saturday
7:44 a.m. A caller from Chalk Bluff Road reported a house was broken into with items missing, and also trees were stolen.
4:19 p.m. A caller from Hacienda Drive reported a dog that was being neglected attacked a chicken.
9:42 p.m. A caller from Auburn Road reported a party going on at the Biblical Gardens.
More small town stories at “Inside Pentwater’s Antler Bar — A Beer Too Many.” Also, “Pentwater, Michigan — A Small Town on a Big Lake.”
Loved this piece, Barb! With all the bad news lately, I found it a relief to read about the funnier side of police work. Thanks for cheering me up.
My pleasure! We are definitely due for some good news . . .
Now, that was worth the absence of the regular newspapers…I may even subscribe. Funny piece, Barb. Hope all is well.
Is that Nevada county Police Blotter written tongue in cheek maybe? Jon tells me that when he worked on a small town paper down south, he was assigned to scan the police blotters and write them up in a droll way.