I think the weather has started following people to Holiday Island.  My Mom moved to the area from extreme southeast Arkansas in the fall of 2009.  She wanted to know about the weather....how much snow will there be?  I told her not that much really.  Maybe a couple of decent snows every winter...not much ice.  Of course we know it snowed before Thanksgiving and stayed til February...she thinks I lied. "I thought you said....."  "Yeah Mom...this is very unusual."
 
Then in the spring of 2010 she asked...what about summer?  Does it get as hot and humid as it does in the McGehee, Arkansas area (about 30 miles from the Arkansas/Louisiana line and right on the Mississippi River)?  No Mom, I said....not that bad...certainly not 100 degrees with 85% humidity for weeks at a time.  Well, after the Sauna Summer of 2010....she thinks I lied. "I thought you said...."  "Yeah Mom...this is very unusual."
 
Now in the winter of 2011...I'm lucky if she answers the phone...even though I've told her "Yeah Mom...this is very unusual."  She thinks I lied.
 
I've talked to a couple of folks from Iowa who say they moved here to get away from all the snow....
 
How's that working out for ya?
 
"Not too good."
 
But once again, the residents of Holiday Island did a great job of keeping traffic problems to a minimum.  Even though this last snow storm caught a lot of us by surprise with the amount of snow...the only traffic trouble we had in this area were big rigs on the highway. 
 
I also wanted to remind you of a few things.  First, if you haven't met him yet, I'd like to encourage you to get acquainted with our new Deputy.  His name is Charles Dale.  Dep. Dale comes to us from the Branson, Missouri Police Department.  He is an 8-year veteran of Law Enforcement.  He is a very capable officer and a very approachable guy. Dep. Dale lives here on the Island with the rest of us and is looking forward to meeting you in person.  I'm sure you will like him.  He will do a fine job for you.
 
Let's not forget that we do have school busses on the Island each day school is in session.  Please be sure to watch for the busses and more importantly, the children. The kids are more than likely more excited about being home and not really watching for cars.  Please help watch out for the kids...it only takes a few extra seconds.
 
We are starting to get a lot of speeders again.  Please know that we will be providing extra speed patrols in the areas where we get the most complaints.  One area that I have noticed is the portion of Stateline between Holiday Island Drive and Woodsdale.  Keep in mind that this is a 25 MPH zone.  This is one of the areas we will be watching.  Other areas where complaints about speeders are coming in are Holiday Island Drive, Country Club, Wild Turkey, Table Rock Circle, Woodsdale, Stateline, and Indian Wells.  Please remember that Deputies will be enforcing speed limits in all areas, not just these.
 
We have many homes on our extra patrol list.  Please don't forget to let us know if you are going to be out of town for an extended period of time.  We will be glad to keep an extra eye on your place. This goes for a business as well.  You can email me directly at depwalkerc17@hotmail.com.  Please include your name, address, a contact number, and the dates you will be gone.  You can also use this email for any correspondence or information you may have or need.
 
We have moved into our new offices in the “downtown” area of Holiday Island.  You can find us now at 1 Parkcliff, Suite B...right next to the H and R Block office.  We hope that this will make us easier to find.  If you see a patrol car parked in front of the office...chances are one of us are here.  We would be happy for you to stop by and visit.  I haven't had time to put everything away yet...so "Please excuse our mess!!!!!"
  
Other than that, I'd have to say things are going pretty good.  Hope you are well.  We are here if you need us.

As always I want you to know what a pleasure it is to be your Deputy Sheriff.  In my 14 years of Law Enforcement, I've never enjoyed a community as much as I do Holiday IslandHoliday Island enjoys the quality of life it does in great part due to you....good, law abiding citizens.  To me, you aren't just people to "Serve and Protect", you're my friends. Thank you for that.
 
Sgt. Troy Walker,
Carroll County Sheriff's Dept.

 
"Evil will come....but NOT through me"