Public Protectors

Ask A Small Town Cop

by Detective Will Knight



Welcome to a new monthly column where small town, local cop and detective Will Knight answers some of your questions about how things really work in a small town police department. He is writing this under a pseudonym to protect his identity as he often works undercover, but he has worked as a police officer in small California towns for the past ten years. If you’d like to submit a question, simply email Will at life@kingsriverlife.com with the subject line “Cop Question”.

FIRE! Part I: The Birth of a Volunteer Fire Department

by Jim Bulls



In 1849, news of the California gold rush reaches the Portuguese Azores, original homeland of Manuel and Mary Enos. It isn’t long before the couple is on board a clipper ship, rounding the “Horn” and heading to San Francisco. The Enos’ will settle in the gold fields of Trinity County, where they raise a family of nine.

Police Making Use of Social Networks

by Lorie Lewis Ham



Just like the rest of the world, police departments have started taking advantage of social networks to communicate with the public. Big cities across the country like Philadelphia, New York and Chicago have been on Facebook for awhile now. Fresno has had a Facebook page since 2009, and now many of our own smaller towns are jumping on board as well, with Reedley being one of the first of the smaller towns in this area.

C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors)

by James Garcia Jr.




When a family loses a loved one, there is typically some support: friends and family visit or often stay for extended periods of time; a local priest, pastor or other church official might pay a visit; or the church family might bring meals to the home for that terrible first week. If the individual who died was in law enforcement and was killed in the line of duty however, then there is an organization that steps in to help: C.O.P.S.

‘Tis the Season, Holiday Safety Tips

by Steven Wright



The season of joy, forgiveness, thankfulness and hope is upon us. In a perfect world, we should celebrate the birth of our Lord every day, be ever mindful of his sacrifice and be generous with our giving.

Unfortunately, this is not a perfect world and very often we find ourselves in situations that cause just the opposite to happen. Sometimes no matter what we try to do things just do not go how we hope.

Restore or Discard

by Steven Wright



Restore or discard— In today’s world we find that people are on two ends of this perspective. Goods and services, and the ability to obtain them, are at the tip of your fingers. We can shop on-line for food, clothes, furniture, cars, houses, and even a date or a life partner. Most of the things we obtain today are made to last as long as our desire to keep them, or until something else catches our eye. Use it once and throw away.

My Top 10 Driving Don’ts

by Steven Wright



There are many Top 10 lists out there, for almost everything. Mine may not be as entertaining but it could save your life, especially if you drive in California. I did something this past Memorial Day weekend I don’t normally do: travel.

TMI: Too Much Information

by Steven Wright



Not a day goes by that I don’t say “TMI” to myself several times. In this information age, it actually applies in many different areas of our society, impacting us from the time we get up until the time we turn the lights out.

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