By Tyler Trieglaff

Notes from the Chief

About the time I was typing this report last week I reckon the first calf was born on the farm.  

No babies at 6 p.m., but there she was at midnight when I went home. That is the only calf so far and again there is questionable weather coming. Let’s hope it stays decent to avoid any issues and sickness.

There is almost a backwards way of thinking when it comes to spring calving. Cold weather most often makes for healthier calves. If the temps warm up a bit, that is when respiratory issues can develop, especially with some wet weather. I’d rather have a cold snow on the calves than a warm rain/sleet/snow.

Now if the weather turns completely to crap, cold and wet and windy, that is the worst. We do have some shelters for the new babies, but some always decide to try and weather the storm and take their chances. One trick I have used over the last few years is I feel the calf’s nose. If a calf is healthy and well nourished the nose will be toasty warm. Any sign of sickness or oncoming stress and the nose is like an icicle.

We try to take quick action when that happens. Maybe the calf needs a bottle of colostrum milk replacer, maybe an antibiotic shot, or maybe will bring the calf inside and use the calf warmer for a few hours. The calf warmer can do wonders. It is like a big doghouse with a heater and the calf lays on a grate, so the heat envelops the calf. We will also check the temperature of the calf which should be around 101.4 F. The calves will start dropping soon and we will be ready!

Monday, March 27

1:42 p.m. Assist with getting a patron to pay for/sign fuel slip. Employee of a local business did not sign the receipt on Saturday.

Tuesday, March 28

7:58 a.m. Complaint that a resident removed snow and ice pack from driveway and deposited it on the street. Large ice and snow chunks were in the roadway that could possibly cause damage. Homeowner cited for depositing snow and ice in the roadway and billed for city expenses needed to remove the ice chunks.

8:35 a.m. 911 hang-up with a small child playing with the phone.

2:11 p.m. Background check for local landlord.  

4:18 p.m. Vehicle unlock requested. Male got the vehicle unlocked on his own.

4:24 p.m. Assist county with speeding motorist who fled from deputy. Suspect was apprehended in DL and taken into custody on felony fleeing and other warrants.

8:08 p.m. Attempt to locate adult female who made suicidal comments.

9:13 p.m. Welfare check on kids due to family issues. Mom had tipped a few back but seemed in control of her faculties.  

Wednesday, March 29

11:09 a.m. Assist with a two-vehicle crash on private property.

2:12 p.m. Assist with court ordered standby while male retrieved property from his former residence.

Thursday, March 30

7:25 a.m. Vehicle unlock at the gas station.

12:53 p.m. Adult female reported as missing, needing to locate. Female took off with boyfriend and young child. Concern for child’s safety. Alert sent out to surrounding agencies and states.

2:06 p.m. Assist with a medical.

4:13 p.m. Disturbance on W. Maple Ave. Intoxicated male decided today was the day to get “his” bed from the ex-girlfriend’s house. Officer mediated the situation and sent the male on his way, suggesting another time would be better to get the bed.  

6:05 p.m. Male reporting damage to his storage locker latch hasp. Building was not entered.

9:32 p.m. Background check for same landlord as above.