7/21/2024-8/3/2024

DISTRICT 1

Conservation Officers (COs) Pete Shambaugh, Jenni Hanson, Great Lakes Enforcement Unit Corporal (Cpl.) Tom Peterson, and Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission Lieutenant (Lt.) Steve Amsler taught a boater safety education class at the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.

In the City of Menominee, CO Steve Sajtar observed a head-on crash between two passenger vehicles. CO Sajtar positioned his patrol truck and boat to protect the occupants of the vehicles from any further collision. After notifying Menominee Central Dispatch of the crash, CO Sajtar checked the occupants for any injures and requested emergency medical services (EMS) to respond to the scene. The crash scene was turned over to the Menominee City Police Department for further investigation.

CO Steve Sajtar assisted Menominee City Police Department with a domestic assault in progress. According to the reporting party, two male siblings were punching and choking each other. The reporting party also stated one of the brothers was holding a hammer. CO Sajtar arrived on scene with one other officer to find one male wearing a shirt covered in blood. The other male was walking around the front yard of the residence yelling profanities. CO Sajtar and the other officer identified the aggressor and took him into custody. In addition to domestic violence charges, the aggressor was arrested on two outstanding warrants from Menominee County.

Lt. Ryan Aho, COs Anna Viau and Phil Helminen, and officers from the Crystal Falls Police Department and Iron County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant on a residence in Crystal Falls for three raccoons being kept as pets. The officers located and seized the three raccoons, as well as found evidence of drug activity. A second search warrant was conducted on the same day to search for more evidence of drug activity. Charges are pending with the Iron County Prosecutor's Office.

COs John Kamps and Jackson Kelly were on marine patrol when they approached a boat trolling with multiple lines out. The single person on the boat was trolling with a total of six lines, double the legal limit of three lines. A citation was issued for fishing with more than three lines.

COs John Kamps and Jackson Kelly attended a Kids Day at the Sands Speedway in Marquette County. The COs brought their patrol trucks and a side-by-side for the kids to observe and sit in.

DISTRICT 2

CO Andrea Dani observed a vessel on Nawakwa Lake with an expired registration. Upon checking the anglers onboard, CO Dani discovered the three anglers did not purchase fishing licenses and did not have a type IV throwable personal floatation device (PFD). CO Dani issued citations to each angler for fishing without a license and warned the operator for operating an unregistered vessel and failure to provide PFDs.
CO Brandon Maki was checking anglers on a lake in Alger County when he observed a person in the distance fly fishing from a kayak. CO Maki approached the kayaker and observed there was no PFD on board. CO Maki issued a citation to the individual for the safety violation.

CO Robert Freeborn assisted the Michigan State Police (MSP) with a missing person search in Schoolcraft County over the course of several days. CO Freeborn patrolled Lake Michigan with his patrol boat, utilizing down scan sonar and searched from land with his ORV. Several agencies are involved, and the investigation is still ongoing. The MSP is the lead agency.

CO Cole VanOosten was on patrol when he received a call from central dispatch of a 14-year-old caught in a rip current in Lake Superior. CO VanOosten responded to the area. Upon arrival CO VanOosten observed four-to-five-foot waves in the area where the boy was last seen. CO VanOosten was able to remove his duty gear and put on his PFD before he launched his kayak and began looking for the subject. The weather conditions made searching extremely difficult, capsizing the kayak on several occasions resulting in CO VanOosten having to swim the kayak back to shore. CO VanOosten looked for the victim for approximately an hour and a half before the United States Coast Guard (USCG) arrived to take over the search. After returning from the water, CO VanOosten utilized his department issued ORV to search the beach for any signs of the victim. The search continued into the night. The following day, COs Scott Pankow, VanOosten, Lt. Kevin Postma, and Sgt. Calvin Smith returned to the area to assist the MSP dive team in attempting to recover the victim. The victim was located via sonar and recovered by the divers of the MSP dive team.

CO Cole VanOosten was on patrol when he responded to a radio call of a personal injury accident in a remote area of Mackinac County. Upon arriving on scene, it was determined that both occupants were underaged unlicensed drivers who weren’t wearing their seatbelts. The unlicensed and uninsured vehicle had been traveling at a high rate of speed before losing control and hitting a tree. Both the driver and passenger were transported to the hospital for treatment for their extensive injuries. A report was generated by the Mackinac County Sheriff’s Department requesting charges in the crash.

DISTRICT 3

CO Duane Budreau played a crucial role in assisting the Emmett County EMS and the Petoskey Department of Public Safety in a rescue operation on the shoreline of Little Traverse Bay. The incident involved a subject biking on a trail who had ridden off a cliff edge and landed on the rocky shoreline. CO Budreau utilized his patrol boat to shuttle EMS and public safety personnel to the biker’s location. The rescue team provided immediate care, ensuring the victim was hydrated and rested, before safely transporting them back to safety. 

CO Nathan Beelman received a complaint from Charlevoix County Central Dispatch regarding a vehicle that was stuck on a state land two-track. CO Beelman responded and assisted in directing a tow truck to the location and waiting with the subject. It was found that the subject was trying to find a nearby hiking trail and was following their GPS, which led them down a narrow, muddy two-track. The tow truck was able to remove the vehicle and the subject was grateful for the help.

CO Andrea Albert checked two kayakers for personal floatation devices (PFDs) while on marine patrol on Lake Michigan. The husband-and-wife duo said they were lazy that day and did not bring any with them. CO Albert explained the dangers of using kayaks without PFDs and issued a ticket for the violation. CO Albert made sure they made it safely to shore.

COs Chad Baldwin and Nathan Beelman were conducting a marine patrol when they stopped a subject on an unregistered PWC who was not wearing a PFD. The rider immediately knew, upon seeing the COs approach, what he was doing wrong and asked if CO Baldwin could follow him back to his residence so he could retrieve his driver’s license. CO Baldwin agreed and the operated was ticketed.

CO Tom Oberg was on patrol when Otsego County Central Dispatch advised of a complaint regarding a couple male subjects who appeared intoxicated and wandering in the roadway. CO Oberg was not far from the location and responded. CO Oberg located the two subjects and contacted them. CO Oberg noticed both appeared to be under the influence of some sort of substance. Both denied being intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. The subjects consented to a preliminary breath test, which showed neither of them to have a blood alcohol level. MSP troopers arrived on scene shortly after. The subjects were eventually released to walk back home as no criminal charges were seen at the time. A short moment later, a second call came into central dispatch regarding a vehicle that crashed into a mailbox and left the scene, in the same area. MSP troopers located the vehicle and performed a traffic stop. The occupants were the same two subjects from before. The driver was subsequently arrested for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs and was transported to the hospital for a blood draw and then to the county jail.

CO Tom Oberg was on patrol when he responded to a call regarding a subject who was wandering in a roadway and appeared to be having some sort of medical issue. The caller stated he observed a shirtless male coming out of the woods and was now in the roadway and appeared confused. CO Oberg was close by and arrived first on scene. CO Oberg located a juvenile male who had no shoes on and covered in grass and dirt. CO Oberg questioned the subject about what happened. The subject admitted to taking psychedelic mushrooms earlier in the day and fell asleep in the woods. He stated when he woke up, he didn’t know where he was and was panicking. CO Oberg had the subject sit down next to his patrol truck and relax. CO Oberg requested EMS to respond to the location. CO Oberg gave him water as he stated he was homeless and was very thirsty and had not eaten for days. CO Oberg continued to monitor him and talk with him as he was very hysterical and panicking. CO Kyle Cherry and an MSP trooper arrived on scene and attempted to locate the nearest parent/guardian for the juvenile. EMS arrived on scene and evaluated the subject who was then transported to Otsego Memorial Hospital for treatment.

CO Kyle Cherry was enroute to a group ORV patrol in Otsego County when he had a car pass him at 107 mph in a 75-mph zone. CO Cherry caught up with the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. The driver claimed he did not know why he was being pulled over and was not breaking laws. A ticket was issued.

COs Sidney LaLonde, Dan Liestenfeltz, Jon Sheppard, Jack Gorno, Matt Theunick, Sgt. Mike Mshar and the MSP served and executed multiple search warrants on a farm west of Atlanta. The search warrants were regarding several abandoned and starving animals. The animals were seized and turned over to area farms who could care for the animals. The investigation is pending with the Montmorency County Prosecutor’s Office.

CO Alex Bourgeois closed out an illegal deer case from the previous hunting season. CO Bourgeois requested charges on a case involving a hunter shooting a 10-point buck and an 8-point buck without licenses. The hunter did not tag the 10-point buck and used a friend’s tag to tag the 8-point buck. The hunter pleaded guilty to the charges and paid over $6,500 in reimbursement for the deer.

COs Jon Sklba and Sgt. Paul Fox spoke with a group at a youth 4-H natural resources camp in Presque Isle County. The camp was geared towards youth interested in natural resources careers. Approximately 70 teenagers attended the camp and multiple presenters from various outdoor related fields spoke with the kids.

CO Dan Liestenfeltz was requested by the Oscoda County Sheriff’s Department to assist with a possible armed subject hiding in the woods from law enforcement. The subject previously committed a home invasion and assault before running into the woods. Due to information received during the 911 call, it was believed the subject was also armed. CO Liestenfeltz and members from the MSP Emergency Response Team entered the woods in search of the subject. An MSP K9 tracked the subject down and law enforcement was able to place the subject into custody without issue.

DISTRICT 4

CO William Kinney has been dealing with an ongoing issue in Grand Traverse County with individuals dispersed camping illegally for long periods of time on state land. COs Kinney and Logan Turner have received numerous complaints of a campsite that had been abandoned with a large volume of trash scattered all over the ground. The COs have made multiple attempts to locate the responsible individual and were always unsuccessful. CO Kinney was able to locate a phone number after exhausting multiple avenues to find the individual. The camper was contacted and met in Traverse City for an additional interview. The individual was ticketed for the violations that occurred over the last several months.

Acting Sgt. Mike Haas was patrolling through Mecosta County when he observed a side-by-side operating at a high rate of speed on M 20. Sgt. Haas stopped the vehicle and identified numerous issues. The driver and a small child were both lacking seat belts, the machine had an expired license, and was being operated down the middle of the roadway on a road closed to ORVs. The driver was also driving over the legal ORV speed limit of 25 mph, as well as over the posted speed limit of 55 mph. A citation was issued to address the multiple violations.

DISTRICT 5

CO Jeff Goss assisted at a hunter safety class at the Eastern Arenac Sportsman’s Club. The class teaches firearm handling and hunter safety as well as the importance of wildlife management and ethical hunting. 35 students were in attendance. CO Goss answered numerous questions throughout the presentation.

While patrolling a lake in Gladwin County, CO Ryan Weakman observed an unregistered boat towing a subject on a tube who was not wearing a PFD. CO Weakman contacted the operator and discovered the vessel was also missing the required type IV throwable PFD. CO Weakman issued a citation for the PDF violation and issued warnings for the others.

COs Ryan Weakman and Cheyanna Rizor were patrolling on a lake in Roscommon County. During their patrol, the COs observed an angler fishing in a boat that was missing its registration. Upon contact with the operator, they also discovered that there were no PFDs onboard the vessel. A ticket was issued for failing to provide PFDs and a warning was given for the missing boat registration.

CO Craig Neal was checking boating access sites along the Saginaw Bay when a group of kayakers made their way back to the launch. CO Neal asked the kayakers how conditions were on the water. They stated it was a little rough at the mouth of the river. CO Neal then asked to see their PFDs. Nobody in the group had any PFDs onboard their kayak. A citation was issued for the violations.

CO Craig Neal was patrolling Saginaw Bay on his patrol vessel recently. During his patrol, CO Neal was observing numerous anglers fishing when he noticed a pontoon with only one angler on board and what appeared to be six lines in the water. As CO Neal approached the boat, the angler reeled in two of the six lines. CO Neal asked how the angler was doing, to which the angler replied, “I have too many lines.”  A citation was issued.

COs John Huspen and Jacob Hamilton were patrolling the Crawford and Kalkaska County line when they observed a pickup truck stuck on a berm on the Goose Creek Pipeline. The COs contacted the driver, who stated he was just trying to get over the berm and got stuck. CO Hamilton asked the operator if he thought maybe the berm was there to keep people out and he agreed it probably was. A citation was issued for operating in a closed area.

DISTRICT 6

CO Adam Beuthin received a complaint of an individual who was keeping a spotted fawn in their residence. When the CO arrived at the residence, he observed a spotted fawn with a rope around its neck tied to a tree out by the front porch. The CO contacted the owner of the property and asked why there happened to be a fawn tied up like a dog near the front porch. The individual advised the CO it was because the fawn needed their help. Enforcement action was taken, and the individual was issued a citation for possessing live game. The fawn was released back into the wild.

CO Dan Robinson came upon a crash involving an Amish buggy. The victims were in the ditch and stated another vehicle passed them and spooked the horse, which caused the buggy to overturn. The male complained of shoulder pain and the female had an apparent broken nose and minor bleeding. An EMS supervisor was on scene shortly after CO Robinson’s arrival. The CO supplied an ice pack for the female who was transported by private vehicle to the hospital.

DISTRICT 7

CO Carter Woodwyk was patrolling Allegan County when he observed an ORV operating on the public roadway. The ORV was occupied by two people when there was only seating for one person, neither person was wearing a helmet, and the ORV was not licensed. A stop was conducted, and enforcement action was taken.

CO James Nason came upon a common fishing spot in the City of Kalamazoo while on patrol. When contacting a group of anglers, one male provided a false name to CO Nason. Upon further interviewing the individual, the subject stated that he did not want to go to jail. The man’s real identity was discovered, and he was found to be wanted on warrants out of Calhoun, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren Counties. CO Nason arrested the individual who was subsequently lodged in the Van Buren County Jail.

CO James Nason received a call from dispatch in Kalamazoo County in reference to a vehicle that had had a window smashed out and a female’s bag was stolen from the car in the Fort Custer Recreation Area. CO Nason responded to the scene and found that a cash card had already been used at a Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) in Battle Creek. CO Nason contacted the KFC’s General Manager and was able to get video footage of the suspect in the drive-thru window attempting to use the card. The investigation is ongoing and multiple requested charges will be submitted to the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office.

CO Tyler Cole observed a vessel with two subjects onboard actively fishing while patrolling inland lakes in Van Buren County. Contact was made and it was found that one of the subjects did not have a fishing license, the vessel was unregistered, and there were no PFDs onboard. Tickets were issued for the fishing without a license and for not having PFDs. A warning was issued for operating an unregistered vessel.

CO Tyler Cole was patrolling Reynolds Lake in Van Buren County and checked an angler with a live-well full of fish. While checking the fish, CO Cole discovered a 10-inch largemouth bass. After questioning the subject on why he was in possession of a short bass, the subject stated, “That’s a Reynolds Lake jumbo perch.”  CO Cole educated the subject on how to correctly identify the difference between a largemouth bass and a “Reynolds Lake jumbo perch” and issued a ticket for possessing a largemouth bass less than 14 inches.

DISTRICT 8

CO Jeremy Woods received a call from Eaton County dispatch about a “rattlesnake” in the bathroom at a county park. Upon arrival, CO Woods observed a large snake, possibly a northern water snake or a fox snake, in the bathroom. The snake was removed and released.

CO Jeremy Woods was requested to assist a local police department on a traffic stop, as the driver had a felony warrant. The primary officer on scene had the driver step out of the vehicle to discuss the warrant. The driver stepped out and was standing in between the door of the car and the car itself and began speaking to the officer. As the driver was speaking to the primary officer, CO Woods observed a holstered handgun in the door of the car. CO Woods alerted the primary officer to the gun, and the driver was asked if they had a valid concealed pistol license. The driver said they did not. The weapon was recovered, and the driver was lodged on the felony warrant and concealed weapon charge by the Potterville Police Department.

Acting Sgt. Ed Rice observed an ORV being ridden double and with no ORV license attached. Sgt. Rice conducted a stop and learned the 14-year-old operator did not have eye protection, did not have an ORV safety certificate, and a 6-year-old passenger was not wearing a helmet. Sgt. Rice followed the youths to a residence and contacted the passenger’s mother. Sgt. Rice explained the two were more than a half mile away from the residence without supervision and addressed several other violations. A citation was issued for allow under 16 to operate ORV without supervision. Verbal warnings were given for fail to license ORV, no helmet, no eye protection, and transport passengers ORV not designed.

CO Thomas Jaakkola was pulling into a boat launch when he observed a subject fishing from shore. CO Jaakkola contacted the angler and asked to see his fishing license. The subject stated he left it back at his hotel. CO Jaakkola asked the subject for his driver’s license to verify his fishing license purchase. The angler stated that his friend gifted him his license so it wouldn’t be in his name. CO Jaakkola determined the subject didn’t have a current license and his last fishing license was bought in 2022. CO Jaakkola issued the subject a citation for failing to exhibit fishing license.

DISTRICT 9

COs David Schaumburger and Ariel Young assisted a group of swimmers who swam from the Ambassador Bridge to the Gordie Howe Bridge. The swimmers were swimming to raise awareness for veteran suicide and to generate publicity for their much bigger event in the fall when they swim from Grosse Ile Yacht Club to the Detroit Light, a six-mile swim that is swam in teams or solo.

CO Ariel Young was observing marine traffic at Belleville Lake when she observed a PWC operating close to sunset. As CO Young waited at the boat launch and nearly half an hour after legal operating hours, the operator of the PWC finally made their way back to the launch. After talking to the operator, CO Young discovered that they were also operating without having taken boater’s safety. CO Young issued the operator a citation for operating the PWC after sunset and gave a warning for operating the PWC without taking boater’s safety. CO Young provided the individual information on how to take a marine safety course.

COs Griffin Korican and Joseph Closser conducted a marine patrol on Kent Lake. The COs contacted a vessel after observing that the individuals on the vessel were fishing. The COs noticed three northern pike on board that looked to be under sized. The COs measured the three fish all of which were under the possession size limit of 24 inches. After obtaining the identification of the individual who stated he caught two of the fish, the COs also found that the vessel lacked enough PFDs for the occupants. The operator of the vessel was cited for failing to provide enough PFDs and the passenger was cited for the undersized northern pike.

CO Joseph Closser participated in the annual Big Rig Gig event in Orion Township. CO Closser set up a stand with his patrol truck and side-by-side. Over 300 contacts were made. This event allowed kids to look at the equipment that COs use and ask questions.

CO Joshua Salas was on patrol for ORV activity when he observed an ORV operating on a public road in Oakland County with the operator not wearing a helmet. The CO initiated his emergency lights and siren to stop the ORV. The operator of the ORV attempted to flee the CO and lead the CO in a short pursuit. The individual attempted to cut across a grass field, lost control of the ORV, and crashed it. The individual then attempted to run from the CO on foot. The CO was able to apprehend the individual before he got far. The individual was arrested by the CO and lodged at the Oakland County Jail for fleeing and eluding, resisting and obstructing, as well as several ORV violations.

CO Justin Muehlhauser responded to a PWC crash on Squaw Lake in Fenton Township. A passenger on one of the PWCs suffered minor injuries and was transported to the hospital for evaluations. It was determined that the PWCs were operating together with one following the other. The first PWC made an abrupt turn to the right. The PWC in the rear failed to react in time and struck the other on the starboard side. A boating accident report was filled out and sent to Recreational Safety.

CO Joseph Deppen received a complaint about ORV trespass in Macomb County. CO Deppen made the location and found an individual brush hogging an area that was not his property and was properly posted with no trespassing signs. This subject was given verbal warnings in the past to stay off the property. The subject was issued a citation for ORV trespass without written permission.

CO Joseph Deppen was on ORV patrol in Macomb County when he saw a side-by-side operating on the roadway without any ORV stickers. A traffic stop was conducted. CO Deppen asked the driver about operating on the roadway and the driver admitted he knew Macomb County was closed to ORVs on the roadway. He was also questioned about not having ORV stickers and the operator said it was his first time out this year. CO Deppen asked about any Department of Natural Resources (DNR) prior violations, and the driver said, “Nope, never had a ticket.”  A check revealed the driver had three DNR priors, two involving ORV violations. The driver was cited for operating an unregistered ORV. He was given warnings for operating on a roadway when prohibited.

CO Bob Watson was patrolling along a busy main road and encountered an ORV. The operator of the ORV was driving the machine well into the lane of travel at a very slow rate of speed, was holding a child under the age of five on her lap, and neither the child nor the woman was wearing a helmet. The ORV also did not have the required ORV license. A citation was issued for failing to wear an ORV helmet and warnings were given for the other violations.

CO Andrew Monnich and Sgt. Shane Webster assisted the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Department and Adrian City in attempting to locate a suicidal subject who fled Hickman Hospital. A large perimeter was formed and along with a citizen tip the subject was located and had a short standoff and a TASER deployment with the county deputies. Ultimately, the subject submitted and was taken back to the hospital for evaluation and care.

Sgt. Shane Webster and CO Brandon Vacek conducted a marine patrol on Lake Erie for the “Island Fest” event near Woodtick Peninsula. The event attracted many vessels anchoring inline to enjoy music and other traditional party activities. The COs contacted several vessels for various watercraft registration related issues and citations were issued to those with violations.

CO Brandon Vacek was one of the first law enforcement units on the scene of a truck versus motorcycle collision. The condition of the motorcycle riders required immediate medical attention beyond which law enforcement could provide. Fire and EMS arrived shortly thereafter to transport the subjects to the hospital. CO Vacek assisted the MSP with scene security and blocking traffic for the accident investigation.

BELLE ISLE

CO David Schaumburger stopped a vehicle traveling 52 mph in a 25-mph zone on Belle Isle. The operator stated that she was in a hurry to get home because her baby had a wet diaper. She was given a citation for the excessive speed.

CO Joseph Deppen was patrolling Belle Isle and noticed an individual moving in and out of the cattail marsh on the island. As the subject was coming out and walking to their vehicle, they were carrying a large pile of freshly cut cattails. CO Deppen exited his vehicle and asked her what she was planning on doing. She explained she cuts and dries them and then sells them in flower bouquets. CO Deppen told her she cannot remove cattails from state land. When questioned about anymore, she pointed to her vehicle and said, “Yeah, I have more in there.”  CO Deppen recovered approximately 42 freshly cut native cattails. The person was cited for removing flowers/vegetation on state land.

CO Jaime Salisbury was working a Belle Isle shift when he encountered an individual fishing who he had recognized from a previous contact during a prior shift where CO Salisbury had issued a citation for possessing a short bass and an over-limit of panfish. During the contact, CO Salisbury noticed a very short bass in the angler’s bucket. CO Salisbury checked the subject in the Law Enforcement Information Network and noticed four outstanding warrants all for possessing too many and or short fish. CO Salisbury arrested the woman for her outstanding warrants and lodged her at the Detroit Detention Center. Charges for the short bass and being a habitual offender are being sought through the 36th District Court.

CO Elliot Worel stopped two motorists riding minibikes on a sidewalk on Belle Isle. The riders were not cooperating with providing information to identify who they were. CO Worel was able to obtain one rider’s Michigan Identification Card and verbal confirmation of the name of the other rider. A file check revealed that both riders had suspended driver’s licenses and the man who provided his identification card had multiple warrants for his arrest. CO Worel requested additional units to assist with the traffic stop and upon the arrival of two MSP troopers, the man with the warrants fled on his minibike. CO Kyle Romzek spotted the fleeing man and attempted to stop him. Due to a high volume of pedestrians and traffic, CO Romzek was unable to apprehend the man before he drove out of the park. CO Worel issued the other rider a citation for operating a motorized vehicle in an unauthorized area within a state park and impounded her minibike. Charges will be sought for the fleeing suspect.

GREAT LAKES ENFORCEMENT UNIT (GLEU)

Corporals (Cpls.) Craig Milkowski, Todd Sumbera, and Nick Atkin, along with CO Jon Sklba, conducted a group NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary patrol. Multiple shipwrecks and dive locations were monitored, and no violations were noted.

Cpl. Pat Hartsig worked with federal agencies at a mail operation at Detroit Metro Airport to check for any aquatic invasive species (AIS) coming into the country via air. Nothing AIS-related was found during the detail.

Cpl. Troy Van Gelderen contacted a charter fisherman out of Whitehall who is delinquent on his charter boat records once again. A ticket was issued.

Cpl. Troy Van Gelderen and CO Micah Hintze conducted a Lake Michigan patrol between Whitehall and Silver Lake, looking for nets and checking salmon fishermen. A few fishing with too many lines tickets were issued.

Cpl. Craig Milkowski checked a father and 7-year-old son launching their kayak on the Pigeon River. The young boy, when asked if he had a life jacket, proudly pulled it out from the bed of the truck. It was going to be his first trip, and he was excited to get underway.

Cpl. Craig Milkowski assisted an elderly couple at the boat launch who were having a hard time getting their boat back on the trailer correctly after a day of fishing. When the boat was secured and on dry land, a mass of weeds was removed from the trailer, and a check of fish revealed a nice steelhead and two lake trout.