“What’s New in County 22?”

          I recently came across an article that explains where the word Sheriff came from.  I have never thought about it before now, but thought I would share.  To understand the origin, we must travel back to what is known today as England where the term Reeve referred to a chief or leader, and the term Shire described groups of hundreds of people banded together, which is what we would today call a county.  Therefore, it makes sense that the leader of a shire was called the Shire-Reeve, who was appointed by the nobleman and kings to maintain peace and tranquility.  This term eventually evolved into the modern word Sheriff.

          With spring in the air, we will be working on some traffic enforcement.  I know once the fields dry the farmers will be going hard planting and as I always say, please give them a “brake”.  We have plans on putting out the speed trailer.  We have not had it out due to weather but plan on using it all summer.  I also plan on doing some side by side and ATV enforcement projects.  It appears to us that some riders are pushing the limits on the laws and we will be enforcing these laws closer. 

            The embargos on the county roads have been lifted although they are still susceptive to heavy loads on them so please use caution and stay off them if you think you are causing damage.  The county gravel roads have had a rough spring with the frost trying to get out of the ground but I would hope they would be in good shape soon.  I have talked to many constituents who have told me that this is one of the worst years they have seen, not just Clayton County, but all over.  

          We recently applied for and received grant monies from the Iowa Department of Public Health for more Naloxone (NARCAN) for use with opioid overdoses.  Nasal Narcan blocks or reverses the effects of opioid medication, including extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing and loss of consciousness.  Narcan is sprayed into the nose while the patient is lying on the ground.  All of our officers carry it to assist with patients who have possibly overdosed.  We have not seen a lot of this in our area but it sounds like it is at our back door and could possibly pose a future problem.  Northeast Iowa Mental Health Center (dba Northeast Iowa Behavior Health) in Decorah will be offering a medication assisted treatment (MAT) clinic at the NEIBH Decorah office opening in June.  The MAT clinic will prescribe medications to assist individuals with opioid addiction and other substances.  NEIBH assists a five county area including Clayton.  Please call 1-800-400-8923 for more information on this.

And if you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me anytime, e-mail me at mtschirgi@claytoncountyia.gov, or stop by to see me.

Thanks and be safe,

Sheriff Mike Tschirgi