Woodcliff Security | Announcements Page 1

ATTENTION RESIDENTS

09/02/2020

03/30/2020 Sorry for not staying up with posting on the website, I guess I have been "Soical Distancing" from my computer. Just an update, due to the Covid-19 the Boater Safety Courses for May have been postponed until further notice, and we are in a holding pattern on the ATV Safety Day for Memorial Day Weekend. We are encouraging everyone to follow the State's Covid-19 Health Directive and avoid having large gatherings. This would include the driveway social's of 10 people or more, the beer is not going to kill the virus or prevent the spread. It is also impossible to social distance when you have a ski boat or pontoon packed with people. We know we have people "self quarantining" in the area due to exposures. lets not complicate things. Use some common sense and stay healthy.

02/22/2020 Having spent the last several days fighting the Flu, I wasn’t entirely convinced I would be here for the 2020 season. I am beginning to bounce back now just in time to worry about Ice Jam 2020. We will get thru this, we always do. Heading into boating season we need to start thinking about getting the boats ready to go into the water, registered, properly numbered, and with all the required safety equipment. Make sure your watercraft have “YOUR” lot number, in the right place and readable. Check your state registration and ensure its up to date, and ALL of the numbers are present. Check your PFDs and ensure that they are serviceable, zippers working and all buckles still there. The Boater Safety Courses have been scheduled for May 9th, and May 16th, at the Woodcliff Marina, 9am to 3pm. There are only two days this year due to scheduling conflicts. ATV Safety Day will be Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday the 23rd, 10am - 2pm, at the HOA/ Security Parking Lot. As always we will have rewards for those participating, and lunch will be provided. We will inspect and register ATVs and Golf Carts, and make sure everyone is starting the year legal. Make sure you review the rules with your kids and guests, and hopefully we won’t have to stop them and issue a written “reminder”. I am hoping that we can get a couple Basic First Aid and CPR classes put together for the kids at the lake. Talk to your kids and lets see if we can get some interest generated. Everyone at Woodcliff should have this training. When you live in a “recreational community” you are almost guaranteed to have the opportunity to need it. As always, thank you for your support.

11/14/2019 Well I can’t say that I am sorry to see this year end. It has been “one for the books”. From blizzards, to floods, and right into the busy summer activities, and then house fires. I managed to drown my patrol truck, and then witnessed the amazing support of all of you in getting it replaced. I was profoundly touched by your support and cannot express how much I appreciate it. The community spirit I witnessed during that very stressful event renewed my love for this very special place. When I sounded the sirens to get people up and moving during the flood I was amazed that my phone started ringing off the hook, not to find out what was going on, but to see where I wanted the help to go. That started several days of watching this community come together and fighting to save this community. Truly inspiring. We made it through it, and came out even stronger. The summer was not without the usual challenges with ATVs, Golf Carts, and watercraft. It was a very busy summer, but all in all it was a relatively safe summer, with few accidents and injuries. Unfortunately at the end of the summer there was a fire that destroyed a shed, a garage, a house, and damaged a second house. Seventeen years ago I joined the Cedar Bluffs Fire Department, and have been on the Rural Fire Board for about 15 years. It has always been my goal to get fire protection on “our” side of the tracks. I truly believe that if we had this equipment on site at Woodcliff, we would have been able to save not only the most recent property loss, but several lost and damaged houses over the years. I was recently approached by Woodcliff resident Lane Goebel, who informed me that he wished to help in this endeavor, and that he intended to build us a Fire Station at Woodcliff. He told me that he was going to donate a “turn key” facility large enough for the fire trucks and an ambulance. Lane’s generosity will make Woodcliff a much safer place to live, and the facility should save everyone in Woodcliff, as well as the surrounding neighbors, several hundred dollars a year on insurance premiums. Lane’s love for this community is apparent, and we all owe him a huge THANK YOU!!! The Fire Department is thrilled for the support as well and we are working together to get the equipment ready to back into the new Fire Station. I am hoping to get a new Quick Attack truck to be able to respond within minutes to any fires or emergencies, as well as an Ambulance to assist with medical emergencies. Stay tuned for updates on the progress of this project, and thank Lane when you see him. We recently experienced some break ins. A suspect has been identified, and I am confident that we have that situation under control. We have been working on the beaver situation as well, and have eliminated several. On that note the geese are beginning to show up again, so you can anticipate the “bird bombs” going off and the geese voicing their displeasure with me. Keep your eyes and ears open and report anything suspicious. As always, thank you for your support.

10/17/2019 ATTENTION WOODCLIFF RESIDENTS!!! In the last couple of weeks there have been several break ins, and attempted break ins reported at Woodcliff. All appear to have happened since the Woodcliff entrance gate has been damaged and unable to close at night. Proving that the gate works, WHEN THE GATE IS WORKING. Please keep and eye out, especially at night and early morning hours, for anything or anyone out of the ordinary. We are working to get the gate repaired and operational again as soon as we can. The entire region has been experiencing these types of crimes, but until the gate became unable to close they were leaving us alone. If you see any vehicles or people that seem out of place please contact Security immediately. The incidents have been reported lake wide. If you see something, say something. Thank you.

08/24/2019It was a busy summer for Security, even though we had very little “crime”, the crime we did have was quickly solved and prosecuted successfully. I’ve been hearing a lot from people that summer “just flew by”. I’m just not sure I can agree with that. We went from blizzards, to floods, to chasing jet skis and ATVs, and there was no break in between. We are on track to at least match last years case load of 5478 cases, so it has been a busy year for Security. 17 years ago I joined the Cedar Bluffs Fire Department and have been on the Rural Fire Board for just as long. My goal was to try and get Fire and Rescue apparatus on our side of the railroad tracks, and in Woodcliff. The biggest road block has been a location for the building it would require. This last weekend again proved the need for equipment on site at Woodcliff when we lost a house, two garages, and damaged to a second house due to a fire. Although the fire department, (actually three different departments, Cedar Bluffs, Fremont Rural, and Mead), made it on scene fairly quickly it, seemed to take forever. When buildings are burning, and propane tanks are flaring off, time can stand still and minutes seem like hours. However, I am convinced that had we had the apparatus on site at Woodcliff we could have saved the house, and probably one garage. In the near future we will be in discussion with Mike Steffen, Woodcliff Marina, the HOA Board, and the Cedar Bluffs Rural Fire District to try once again to get a Fire Substation established here at Woodcliff. Mike Steffen, being and insurance professional is convinced the Woodcliff and other area homeowners could save around $500 a year on insurance premiums if we can accomplish this endeavor. It would require some volunteer firemen in Woodcliff who would be trained on the use of the trucks. I am confident that with the Omaha and Bellevue career firemen we have with cabins at Woodcliff, we could at least get the fires knocked down quickly while we await the arrival of the other trucks and departments. This is increasing important in the event that a train is blocking the crossing, or in the case that we all dread, a train derails. We will be seeking community input and support in this process. There has also been discussion of re-activating the CERT program. The Community Emergency Response . It would be trained and equipped to act as support for the other Emergency Responders. They could assist with traffic control, door to door notification and search and rescue operations, among other functions as needed. They would have been a great asset to have when we were evacuating and dealing with the flood this last spring. Hopefully we can get both of these programs off the ground and established before the next disaster or emergency. And just a reminder, when we have an event like the fire last weekend, DO NOT FOLLOW THE SIRENS AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES TO THE SCENE!!!! We have enough on our plates without having to worry about “Looky Lou’s”, golf cart and ATV traffic. Stay away!!! You can read all about it on FACEBOOK. As Always, thank you for your support.

08/11/2019 CPR/AED and First Aid course is being offered next weekend at the Community Center! Sunday August 18th: 1-3 pm will be a hands-only CPR course with first aid, no certification provided. Also will be instructing in submersion-injury, also called near-drowning incidents. From 3-5 will be a certification course for those needing or wanting the CPR/AED certifications from the American Heart Association (limited to ten, preregistration with Chris at the lakes office). No cost for the hands-only course, preteens and teens welcome! Cost for the certification course will be $65. Class will be taught by Woodcliff Security Officer Jen Wolsleben, NREMT, EMS-I. Everyone should know the basics of First Aid and CPR, especially when you live in "recreational community" such as Woodcliff. With an abundance of ATVs, Golf Carts, and watercraft comes an abundance of accidents and injuries. The life you save may be someone you care a great deal about. GET TRAINED!!!!

7/2/2019 We are heading into a very busy extended weekend, both on the water and on the roads. I have tried to address Boating Etiquette in the past, in my newsletter articles, and on my website, but lately I have witnessed some very inconsiderate and rude boating practices. Please be mindful as the lake gets very busy in the next few days and consider the other boaters and property owners. In the No Wake areas turn around and look at the wake you are creating. Generally, the rule is no more than 5 MPH, but there are boats that create a destructive wake at 3 MPH, TURN AROUND AND LOOK AT YOUR WAKE!!! Wake boarders when your boarder drops, SLOW DOWN and then turnaround and retrieve them. DO NOT MAKE HIGH SPEED TURNS to go get them. When you do this the wake you create does a lot of damage, and if I catch you doing this, I will cite you for the violation. Stay in the ski channel and away from the docks and lifts, there is no need to buzz the docks, this is Careless Operation. You endanger your boat, its occupants, and your skier. When towing a skier/ wake boarder you MUST HAVE A SPOTTER AT LEAST 12 YEARS OF AGE. DO NOT OVERLOAD YOUR BOAT. Check the occupancy plate on your boat and do not exceed it. We will cite any overloaded boats, as well as issue citations for each person on board that does not have a PFD available. Make sure you review the rules with your guests and ensure that they understand them, because you the lot owners are responsible for them and will get the bill for the citation.

06/17/2019 There have been a number of dog complaints lately, ranging from dog bites, to running at large, to depositing "land mines" on the neighboring lots. If you own a dog please be a responsible pet owner and keep your dogs on leash when off your property, on your lot when they are outside, and clean up after them. Be a responsible pet owner. You are responsible for any damage your dog does.

06/06/2019 ATTENTION!!! ATTENTION!!! ATTENTION!!! I am investigating an incident that is reported to have taken place on Platte Shore Drive near Cottonwood Lane yesterday afternoon. I young juvenile male is reporting that a dark complected male subject, driving a white four door pickup truck, stopped him and offered him a brownie. The driver is reported to have exited his vehicle upon contacting the child, and opened the back door of the vehicle and showed the child the brownie's. The young man did the right thing and left the area immediately and returned home. If anyone has information regarding this matter please contact Security. 402-721-3000

04/20/2019 Security Update-Spring 2019- Normally, I would take this opportunity to address rule enforcement issues and remind everyone to get their watercraft registered and so forth. But instead I would like to speak to recent events. I have always said that I don’t look at my place here at Woodcliff as a job, but simply as a way of life, it is just what I do. But until the recent flood threat and the response of the people of Woodcliff, I was really unable to explain that view to anyone sufficiently. I was able to observe and work closely with many of you during this crisis, and what I saw was not people running for the high ground or just worrying about themselves. What I saw was people coming together to do everything they possibly could to keep their COMMUNITY from being destroyed. Whether it was on the “front line” or in a support role, people came together and gave 110% to saving over 400 homes. Everyone that was physically able, and at the lake, jumped in to help in some capacity. I cannot explain to you how lonely it can get when you are the “Lone Ranger” when the crap hits the fan like it did the night the river was running across the road in Woodcliff. Nor can I explain to you how grateful I was when I hit the sirens and started evacuating people and everyone didn’t just stampede for the high ground, but instead started calling to see what they could do to help. People jumped in and dug in, to fight a 3 day battle to keep the river out. I was blessed to have my daughter, part of the Woodcliff Security Team, Jen, to help me get through it. She was a rock and by my side day and night, over 72 hours without sleep. In 38 years of law enforcement and emergency services, I have been in some pretty tense situations, from gun fights, to mass casualty, and horrendous homicide and accident scenes and investigations. I can tell you right now I would take the stress and pressure from anyone one of those situations to the kind of stress of those 3 days on the river bank. I think it took two solid weeks to get a handle on the PTFD, Post Traumatic Flood Disorder. In most emergency situations you are most often only concerned with one or two, or maybe a handful of people. But when you are on a river bank trying to keep the entire community from going under water, THAT IS STRESS!!! I can’t tell you how proud I am of the people of Woodcliff that joined the team, and I emphasize “THE TEAM“, and helped save this very special community. People checked on their neighbors and got them to safety, assisted in getting our elderly residents to safe areas, and the overwhelming support was greatly appreciated. Once the initial surge of water receded, we were able to get the equipment and material moving. Thanks to Roger Goree and Tom Sawyer the berm was quickly constructed and the water was pushed back. It should be noted that while Roger and Tom (and their team of great employees) were helping to save Woodcliff, their businesses were both flooding across the river. In the process of evacuating on the first night of the flooding I encountered some pretty deep water, and the patrol truck was heavily damaged. Before I could even think about what I was going to do about that, Carla Mahrt and Replant decided to start a fund raiser to fix or replace the patrol truck. I have to admit I was somewhat skeptical that it would go anywhere, but HOLY COW was I wrong. I was very pleasantly surprised by how much and how quickly the fund grew. When it came down to repair or replace, I got the input of some very knowledgeable and trusted mechanics, residents, and it was more prudent to replace the truck. With the assistance of our local Woodhouse residents, C&C Performance Diesel, Midwest Transmission Supply, and all of you that donated to the fund, the new patrol truck is on the road. I have no words that can describe how much I appreciate every one of you. Witnessing the way this community has come together throughout this crisis has been a profoundly inspiring experience. The assistance of the Cedar Bluffs Fire Department, the Saunders County Sheriff’s Office, and dispatch was also very much appreciated. As with any incident such as this, there are always things that could have been done better or differently, and hopefully we will all get together soon to have a debriefing and improve on our emergency plan. But the planning that everyone did the weeks leading up to the flood, with the participation of all the emergency services, NEMA, FEMA, Woodcliff Board and Security, paid off. It was a TEAM EFFORT and we are all very lucky to be a part of such a very special community. Thank you one and all. P.S. Get your boats registered and obey the rules so I don’t have to write you a ticket, that would make me sad. You will still get the ticket, but it WILL make me sad. As always, thank you for your support.

04/07/2019 Well I think I have finally got a handle on my PTFD, Post Tramatic Flood Disorder. Sorry for the delayed update, but things have been pretty hectic for a few weeks. I think everyone is up to speed on the flood event, so I won't re-hash that subject. The fund raising for the replacement of my patrol truck, which was a casualty of the flood, was very much appreciated. I really appreciate everyone's support, and have been working to get the new patrol truck equiped and ready for duty. It would not have happened without all of you, and words cannot describe how I feel about this community, thank you all very much. I am trying to get the entrance gate back up and running. I had it locked open due to the flooding, and then for the BNSF workers, who have been working around the clock to get the tracks repaired. I would urge using caution on the new sand bars out on the river, there was a lot of debris coming down river and there can be voids under the sand to swallow up an ATV if they hit them. The geography of the Platte River has completely changed, and the air boaters will have to re-learn the safe route, as will the ATVs. Be careful out there. We really dodged a bullet on this one folks, and I would like to thank everyone that assisted with the effort to keep the river out of Woodcliff, it was truly a team effort.

03/14/2019 3:00 p.m.- The evacuation has been canceled and you can return home. However, the National Weather Service says that the river conditions can change at a moments notice and this will continue thru the weekend. The latest evacuation was triggered by a warning from the NWS that a 4-8 foot wall of water was approaching the Woodcliff area, and the NRD had stated that there was an ice jam south of us, which put us smack in the middle. They warned anyone near the river to take shelter on high ground, so discretion being the better part of valor is was decided to evacuate. It appears that the danger has passed for now so the evacuation was terminated. Lets hope this is the last time, but be prepared to leave again if you hear the sirens sounding.

03/13/2019 11:30 p.m.- So far so good, the river is flowing and the ice is moving. However it is not over, there is a lot of rain and run off still to get here, as well as ice. You should be prepared to get to higher ground at a moments notice, as the conditions can change very quickly. There are numerous closed highways and county roads in the area due to flooding. Several housing areas along the Platte River have already evacuated. The plan is to send an email blast, sound the sirens and start door to door notifications if it becomes necessary to leave. Sand bags are being prepared at the Marina, and volunteers are requested for tomorrow at 8:30 a.m., to continue filling the sand bags. They will be on pallets and ready to deploy to areas along the river to try and prevent a breach of the road. I have been in contact with Saunders County Emergency Management, and attended a meeting with them, the NRD, and the area emergency services today to discuss resources and plans of actions in the event of flooding. Keep informed of the situation, and be prepared to evacuate to higher ground should it become necessary.

03/07/2019 Although there has been no official word on whether the ice break up on the Platte will cause flooding this year, they are saying they have not seen conditions on the river like this since 1978, when they did have flooding. I would recommend everyone plan for the worst and hope for the best. Be prepared to move valuables to a higher level in your house if possible, and plan for an evacuation if that should become necessary. It will all depend on how the break comes. If it thaws slowly the ice should clear out of the river fairly quickly, but if we get warm temps and a lot of rain we could be in for some flooding. Now is the time to consider what you will do in the event of ice jams and flooding. We will be watching the river very closely, but things can happen very quickly if it starts breaking up and moving the ice.

02/23/2019 6:30 p.m.- County Road W is nearly impassable, travel is NOT advised. STAY HOME STAY WARM!!!

02/15/2019Ice Rescue Training 2019. We trained with the Cedar Bluffs Fire Department on Wednesday night. This is our annual Ice Rescue Training, something we train to do every year, but hope we never have to apply the training. I was very surprised to find 18" ice in Yacht Basin, and was beginning to wonder whether we would be able to reach the water when I was chain sawing the hole for the training. It was good training, and we were joined by our new Game Warden, Ethan Teeter, who actively participated and suited up and got in the water.

02/08/2019 I have had a lot of inquiries about the safety of the ice on the lakes in the lost couple of months. My answer continues to be, “It depends on where you are standing.” . I can say that there is no doubt in my mind that the condition of the ice is hazardous at best. There is still open water in some areas, and the ice ranges from very thin to reasonably thick, however, even the thick areas are compromised by thawing and re-freezing. This creates air pockets and layering in the ice, or “grey ice”, and it can seem stabile right up to the point your up to your neck in very cold water. If you are going to venture out on the ice you would be well advised to check ice depths as you go, and stay well away from the open water areas. I would absolutely NOT recommend venturing out on the ice on your ATVs. I can also predict that someone is going to ignore all of this advise and that is the reason I carry Ice Rescue Equipment in the patrol truck and we train with the Cedar Bluffs Fire Department. Please use caution on the ice. We recently had the theft of a vehicle from Woodcliff. The perpetrators entered thru a malfunctioning gate on the entrance side, and were only in Woodcliff for a short time. However they managed to find an unsecured vehicle, with the keys still in it, and took it. We recovered the vehicle the following day, however a large amount of construction equipment and property was missing from the vehicle. We were able to quickly able to identify the suspect vehicle and develop suspects, and that same day recovered most of the stolen property and obtain a confession. By solving this case we were also able to solved numerous other cases, both in Saunders County as well as other jurisdictions. The surveillance cameras have once again proven their value and enabled us to quickly solve cases. We are slowly expanding our surveillance camera system, and recently added cameras at the Community Center, and hope to expand on that system to cover some of the commercial areas, boat ramp, and the road intersection in that area. We have had some recent incidents in which having a handheld FLIR camera would have been very beneficial. A FLIR camera, (Forward Looking Infrared), would enable us to see heat signatures, at night. For example, locating someone who has fallen thru the ice, or other search and rescue situation, or even someone who is trying to avoid detection for some unlawful reason. Understand that the “bad guys” don’t always drive into Woodcliff, we have had them walk from the County Roads off of the hill, and any several cases, park across the river and then come across the BNSF Railroad bridge. In cases such as this it is a huge advantage for us to see them before they see us, not only for officer safety reasons, but for quicker apprehension as well. Lets hope 2019 proves to be a safe and accident free year, and as always, thank you for your support.

02/03/2019 WARNING!!! THE ICE IS NOT SAFE!!!!

01/28/2019 Congratulations to Jennifer Wolsleben!!! Cedar Bluffs Fire Department EMT of the Year again!!! We are lucky to have her on our team here at Woodcliff as well as on the Cedar Bluffs Fire/ Rescue team.

01/20/2019 Last weekend we experienced our first major theft in quite some time. A resident left his work vehicle unsecured with the keys left inside, and when he woke up the next morning his vehicle was missing. A review of the entrance cameras the next morning revealed the victims vehicle leaving Woodcliff at around 5:30 a.m., followed by a suspect vehicle. The cameras performed well, and two suspects were developed very quickly, resulting in the vehicle and most of the property being recovered, as well as property from several other area thefts from outside of Woodcliff. The investigation continues and arrests will be forthcoming. Although our gate has been very successful in minumizing crime, in this particular case the entrance side of the gate malfunctioned due to dirty electronic eyes, and it presented the oppurtunity to the perpitrators to get into Woodcliff. The cameras proved their value once again however, and allowed us to quickly solve the crime. The entrance cameras have been instrumental in solving a number of crimes since their installation, but as I have said many times we are not immune completely, and this case should remind us that we need to be vigilant and secure our vehicles and property at all times.

12/25/2018 MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!! Just a reminder, make sure you break down the boxes for your high dollar gifts and get them inside the trash can. If you just stack them by your trash can every bandit in the country will know exactly what you got for Christmas, and may target your house to get them away from you. Have a great Christmas.

12/14/2018 Thanks for all the goodies, gifts, and cards, they are very much appreciated!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

12/14/2018 I have had a few calls regading the ice, and ice fishing. Right now the ice is not adequate for ice fishing or even walking out on, and by the end of this week it will likely be gone completely. Here is a handy guide to ice thickness and activities on the ice.

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THE SPRINGS AND WHERE THEY ARE LOCATED WARNING!!! THIN ICE IN THOSE AREAS!!!

12/02/2018 The roads are going to get worse tonight with the refreezing. DRIVE CAREFULLY, AND ONLY IF NECESSARY!!! I stopped some ATVs pulling sleds on the roads today. Please keep in mind that just because there is snow on the roads does not mean that the rules do not apply. THE KIDS MUST STILL WEAR HELMETS ON THE ATVS!!!! Although there are not any rules specifically dealing with ATVs towing sleds, you cannot speed and swerve back and forth on the road, THIS IS CARELESS OPERATION!!! THE RULES HAVE NOT BEEN SUSPENDED FOR THE SNOW, THEY STILL APPLY. OBEY THEM OR BE CITED!!!

12/01/2018 11:25 am. The roads are very quickly turning to ice and snow, so far they are passable, but travel is not recommended. If you don't truly need to get out, DON'T!!!!

11/25/2018 The roads are passable, the plows have been out and although the highways are slick in spots, for the most part they are pretty good. Just a reminder, tis the season for "porch pirates" to be out and about. So far we haven't had any reports of package thefts, but keep in mind the bandits are out shopping for Christmas too. If you see any suspicious vehicles or people around call Security immediately. If you have to get out on the roads today, drive carefully and be safe.

11/09/2018 The roads were pretty nasty this morning, with blowing snow and icy roads. I spent most of the morning assisting with accidents on Highway 77 and the sorrounding area. The plows have been out and in most areas the road conditions have really improved. Most of the roads are just wet now, but be prepared for them to re-freeze later tonight. Drive carefully.

10/27/2018 Technology is just great, until it doesn't work. I have finally gained access into the website again. So I guess I should back up to Labor Day Weekend. The weekend went fairly well, slowed down considerably by the weather. We issued a few citations, and logged a couple hundred case numbers, but all in all it was pretty uneventful. For the first time in quite some time we made it through Labor Day Weekend without having to "life flight' anyone out of Woodcliff due to accident and injury. The month of October has been fairly quiet as well, so far, knock on wood. I have had a lot of questions about the big green machine in my driveway. It is a Snow Cat, and belongs to the Cedar Bluffs Fire Department, obtained at very little cost from Nebraska State Forestry. It is intended for assistig in fire calls in hard to reach areas, and even though it is a "Snow Cat", it is also an allterrain vehicle. As all of you know, we occassianally get snow in the winter and County Road W drifts in. This will enable us to get emergencies in and out of Woodcliff, as well as go after those that choose to go exploring in the snow storms and get lost or disabled in the deep snow. It is one of those peices of equipment that you want around, but hope you never have to use. Like the Fire Trailer parked at Security, it will be parked here, but can respond pretty much anywhere on short notice. Halloween is upon us and those little spooks and goblins will be out going house to house trick or treating. PLEASE, DRIVE CAREFULLY AND WATCH OUT FOR THEM!!!! A much better alternative to going house to house is to atttend the Lion's Club Trunk or Treat. Enjoy Fall at Woodcliff, and be safe.

08/16/2018 I probably should have covered this subject in the Spring Newsletter, but as the summer progressed it became more and more apparent that we have an extreme “Boating Etiquette” issue here at Woodcliff. We have a lot of new boater’s, and some old boater’s that apparently need a reminder. Boating at Woodcliff is a lot different than boating at Table Rock, or Okoboji, or any larger lake. Woodcliff has a very narrow lake and can become very crowded at times, so being a courteous boat operator becomes very important. Some of the issues are safety concerns, and others are just simply all about not being rude. NO WAKE- We have had numerous complaints about no wake violations. After sunset, the entire lake becomes NO WAKE. After sunset, or 9 p.m., which ever is earlier, there is no skiing or wake boarding. After sunset turn your navigation lights on and SLOW DOWN!!! Jet skis are off the lake after sunset. The bay’s are all NO WAKE at all times. Take the time to look at your wake and adjust your speed accordingly. 5 MPH is the maximum speed in the bay’s, however some watercraft can create a large wake at 5 MPH, SO TURN AROUND AND LOOK AT YOUR WAKE!!! Another issue has been the wake cause by some Wake Board Boats. I stopped several boats this summer that were CREATING UNDUE WAKE, a violation of our rules. I stopped boats that were creating wake that completely washed over docks and sea walls. You are responsible for any damages or injuries caused by your boats wake. CARELESS OPERATION- This is a very wide ranging issue, and basically means any action you take in which your watercraft creates a danger to people or property, including your and your own watercraft. Some of the issues that come to mind is following to close to a boat towing a skier or wake boarder. We have had numerous close calls, and even some incidents of skier’s being struck by following watercraft. Keep a safe distance and DO NOT follow directly behind towing boats. It is unlawful for any motorized watercraft, usually jet skis, to jump wake within 50 yards of another watercraft. An it is unlawful to jump wake of any towing watercraft at any distance. There are occasions when there are numerous boats towing skiers at the some time and in close proximity to each other. When you encounter boats with skiers down slow down and keep your distance. I have observed many situations where there are several boats with skiers in the water and other boats just weave thru them without slowing, and with a total disregard for how difficult and dangerous it becomes for those boats trying to recover their skiers. Slow moving watercraft should stay out of the “ski channel”. If your going to slow cruise be courteous and stay out of the way of the skiers and jet skis. Wake board boats, and fast moving watercraft should stay away from the docks and boat lifts, this is often the area where kids are swimming off of their beaches and you can wash them into docks and other structures. PFD’s (Life Jackets) You are required to have a PFD on board for every person onboard. They must be serviceable, no tears, missing buckles, or broken zippers. Anyone one on board under the age of 13, MUST HAVE THEM ON WHEN UNDER WAY!!!! They must be age appropriate, and Coast Guard Approved. Water wings are NOT PFD’s. Strapping your toddler into an adult PFD is not going to work. With small children make sure you use the “crotch strap”, otherwise they can slip right out of the PFD. Keep in mind that Kayak’s and Stand Up Boards are watercraft, and the PFD rules apply to them as well. Adults must have one on board, and those under 13 years of age must wear them. Boating can be a fun and enjoyable activity, but obeying the rules, and being a courteous boater can make the experience so much better for everyone. You must understand your responsibilities as a boat operator. You are responsible for everyone on your vessel, or being towed by your vessel, and for any damage caused by your vessel or it’s wake, both civilly and criminally. READ THE RULES!!! Take operating your watercraft very seriously, and I would encourage everyone to take a Boater Safety Course.

08/16/2018 ATTENTION!!!! The Security house was struck by lightening, and the 721-3000 number is out of action until repaired, use my cell, 402-720-5726, until further notice. We lost a good part of all the electronics as well. Gotta love Mother Nature.

08/07/2018 ATTENTION!!!! The SID has installed Bollards and Cable along Platte Shore Drive (along the river) to protect the bank stabilization project completed earlier this year. There is controlled access to the river, USE IT!!!! Anyone caught pulling or damaging the posts and cable WILL be charged criminally for Distruction of Property, and cited under State Statute in to County Court.

07/09/2018 The 4th of July week is over and although we had a few rescue calls, none of them were due to any ATV or Golf Cart accidents. I would like to take this oppurtunity to emind everyone to keep a close eye on those "littles" enjoying the water. We had a very close call on the 4th with the "near drowning" of a two year old. It does not take long for a good time to turn into a tragedy around water. WATCH THOSE KIDS!!! Most month's of the year we average between 300 and 400 case's logged through Security a month, last week we logged 310 case's just for the week. With your assistance, and cooperation we can get through the remainder of the summer without any major issue's or injury. As always, THANK YOU for your support. Be Safe.

06/11/2018-ATTENTION!!! I had dispatch set the warning siren's off due to the storm coming in and rotation being reported south and west of Fremont. There have been several tornado warnings in the area. Right now we have wind and heavy rain. It is that time of year folk's.

05/30/2018- Memorial Day Weekend was an extremely busy weekend for Security. We issued a number of citations for violations such as Boat Registration violations, glass on the water, kids without PFDs, and the usual traffic violations. However we are very happy to announce that there were no serious accidents, and most importantly no rescue calls. It is not often that we get through an entire holiday weekend without and ambulance or helicopter being required. The ATV Safety Day went well, but we only had 19 participants, which was a little disappointing, considering the number of kids on ATVs over the weekend. A big thank you to the HOA, Lion's Club, and Replant for their support and donations, and a big thank you to Ed Sekera who donated all the drinks. Hyvee donated the dogs, buns, and chips, and WalMart helped with donations for the other supplies. Thanks to Bob Mumm, Don Feidler, Scott Berner, and Charlie May, and the Security Team, Wes, Matt, and Jen, for their assistance as well. A huge thank you to Brent Starr for a generous donation, it is appreciated. As always, THANK YOU for your cooperation and support.

05/17/2018- The roads have been bladed and the dust treatment has been applied. This does not mean you can drive faster now. SLOW DOWN!!! It is that time of year when the kids are out of school and the ATVs and golf carts will be out in force. SO SLOW DOWN!!! Everyone that has been ignoring the stop signs be forwarned, I know who you are and I will be making a point of watching these areas and will have no mercy on you when I catch you running them. Summer is here and the fun begins, lets be mindful of the rules and have a safe summer.

03/4/2018- The Boater Safety Courses have been scheduled for May 5th, 12th, and 19th, all Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Woodcliff Marina. As always there is a $10 fee, and just in case the Marina isn't ready to open for business, you should think about bringing a snack or sack lunch and drink. Remember that anyone born after December 31, 1985 must have this course before operating any watercraft. If you have family or friends that visit at the lake and need this course let them know about the schedule. Remember if they are operating your watercraft and do not have the course, they will be cited and you will be responsible for the penalty. The ATV Safety Day is scheduled for Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday, May 26th, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., at the Woodcliff Lakes Office. Bring your ATVs and Golf Carts for inspection, and registration. We will go over and rule changes, and ensure that the machines have the required Lot Number and Woodcliff Decal. Hotdogs, chips, and drinks will be provided, and raffle prizes awarded to the participants. Again, I would encourage you to have friends and family that visit you attend this event, you will be paying the fines if they do not follow the rules. I would encourage all of you to review the Rule for 2018, and take note of any changes. Have your friends and family that visit review the rules as well. Even though Security set a record for cases last year, 5331 cases, we had very little crime, if any, and only a few major incidents or accidents. Speaking of accidents most of you probably heard about the very serious ATV accident that occurred Labor Day Weekend, in which a severe injury was flown by helicopter to the Trauma Center in Omaha. We will be recognizing several people and organizations that were involved in the incident, and it's positive outcome, at the March Quarterly Meeting, March 11th, at 1:30 p.m., at the Woodcliff Community Center. Please mark your calendars and attend the meeting and help thank the recipients. I am looking forward to another great summer at Woodcliff, and with your cooperation and continued support I have no doubt it will be a safe and enjoyable summer. As always, thank you for your support

02/15/2018- I had a few calls tonight wondering about the fire trucks and ambulance and activity on the ice between the Marina and the Restaurant. We were training with the Cedar Bluffs Fire Department on Ice Rescue. We tried to cut a hole in the ice to get in the water, but the ice was 24" thick, and we opted to simulate and train on top of the ice.

02/05/2018- Some of you may remember the serious ATV accident that took place on Labor Day Weekend last fall. On March 11, 2018 , at 1:30 pm, at the HOA Quarterly Meeting, we will be recognizing the people and agencies involved in the response and investigation of that accident. Please mark your calendars and come out and help us recognize these heroes. Your participation would be greatly appreciated.

02/05/2018- 11:20 am- The roads are getting pretty slick and snow covered, be careful in your travels.

01/23/2018-The power has all been restored, and the roads are now clear, and Highways open. Its was a long and busy night for Security. I tried to return all the calls we got but if I missed you I appologize, we received several hundred calls and were pretty busy with the storm and rescuing those that chose to try and drive in it.

01/21/2018- After several hours of searching, rigging, and winching, we were able to locate the ATV at the bottom of the lake, and get it on the island and out of the water. Between the operation on the water, and the drizzle coming down we were extremely wet, and more than slightly Hypothermic. Thanks Jen Wolsleben, and Andrew Nelson, could not have done it without your help.

01/07/2018- We now have a very expensive side x side ATV at the bottom of the lake on the north end. Fortunately someone was watching and was able to rescue the driver, otherwise we would not only have the ATV at the bottom of the lake we would be dragging the lake for a body. With this weeks warming weather the lake ice will become unsafe, SO STAY OFF THE ICE!!! I would also like to bring it to your attention that according to Rule #16 of the ATV RULES, ATVs are forbidden on the island. STAY OFF THE ISLAND!!!

12/24/2017- MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

12/21/2017- 3:00 p.m.- Highway 77 and County Road W are icing up and getting extremely slick, as are all the paved roads in the area. DRIVE CAREFULLY!!!

12/19/2017- ATTENTION!!! The gate has been replaced and repaired.

12/18/2017- Raptor Recovery returned the Great Horned Owl that Ray Dengel and I rescued a few weeks ago, and released him back into Woodcliff air space. Although it was apparent that the owl was not at all convinced we were there to help, he made a full recovery. Thanks for your assistance Ray, and a special THANK YOU to Chad Witt, and Raptor Recovery.

12/09/2017- As some of you probably noticed we have been on the lake taking care of some problem beaver, and so far the score is a total of twelve. I took my boat off the water last week due to the weather change, but I will be working on the beaver all winter. Everyone has probably heard that the gate was hit recently, and there has been a lot of speculation as to what happened. So to put the rumors to rest, it was simply and accident. A non-resident neglected to stop for the closed gate and blew through it wrecking his vehicle and throwing the gate about 30 feet. I put my "Deputy hat" on for this case, and cannot release any further details as it is an active investigation. It was not an attempt to enter the community for any nefarious reason, and it had no terrorist connection. Simply and accident. That being said, we still need to remain vigilant, as the bad guys are out Christmas shopping, so secure your vehicles and residences. Report any suspicious activity you observe immediately to Security. I would like to thank everyone for the Christmas gifts, cards, and goodies, its very much appreciated. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, and hoping for a quiet New Year.

10/25/2017- I found two white Stand Up Boards floating against the island at the north end of Lake Ski Di today. If you are missing them contact Security. Also I will be out on the lake after dark in the next couple of weeks taking care of some problem beaver, so if you hear shooting its just me.

10/16/2017- The County has started the resurfacing of County Road W so expect delays and plan accordingly.

9/29/2017- I am very happy to report that our accident victim from Labor Day Weekend is home and recovering very well, and a full recovery is expected. This is GREAT NEWS!!! Not to mention a great way to end the summer season. I took some days off in September and spent a couple weeks in a camper with my wife and our 4 year old grandaughter. It has been a lot of years since I spent that much time around a four year old and I think I may have overdosed!!! Just kidding, it was a lot of fun and we got to show her the west coast and intruduced her to the ocean, the forest, and wild blackberries. We dodged several large forest fires but while we were there they got some nice rains that knocked down the fires and cleared the smoke out of the air. There has been steady stream of boats leaving the lake for the winter. Don't forget to get those covers off of the shore stations so they don't blow over. I will be making an effort to get out and take care of some problem beaver this fall in both lakes. If you see beaver around your area please call security so I can get them pin pointed.

9/5/2017- Labor Day Weekend was fairly tame compared to years past. Only a hand full of citations and warnings issued for the usual issues like Glass on the Water, and the like. I thought we might get lucky and not have a rescue call and set a new record, but no such luck. On September 3rd, late, we had a very serious UTV accident, in which an adult male struck the rear of a parked car and resulted in his being ejected out the passenger side of the UTV and suffering severe head trauma. A big THANK YOU to Maureen Begley who came on to the accident victim in the middle of the road and called 911 and rendered aid. Security arrived on scene a short time later and Security Officers Jen and Mike were able to get an airway cleared and a helicopter was requested immediately. The remainder of the Security team, Matt and Wes, assisted the Cedar Bluffs Fire Department with establishing the landing zone at the Woodcliff entrance. The victim was stabilized and then flown to a trauma center in Omaha for treatment. The area around Platte Shore Drive & Shady Lane was closed until the early morning hours of September 4th, while the accident investigation was conducted. During this time, a vehicle ran over three trees in the Cottowood Drive Pump Station area. Anyone with any knowledge of this incident should contact Security.

8/21/2017- It has been a very busy summer for Security, but we have escaped the thefts and burglaries that have plagued the surrounding area. I believe we can attribute this to several factors. First of all the gate. The bandits do not like an area that has one way in and out, and especially if there is a gate that can close behind them at any time and trap them inside. Then there are the cameras. It is well known that the entrance has several cameras covering many different angles and a camera dedicated to capturing license plate numbers. Having 24/7 Security makes a big difference, and proactively making contact with strange vehicles and persons on a regular basis keeps the bad guys on their toes and wishing they were somewhere else. But probably the biggest part of the Security program is the residents of Woodcliff and the fact that you are very vigilant and report the unfamiliar vehicles and people you encounter. Whether you know it or not, Woodcliff has a stellar Neighborhood Watch program. People at Woodcliff care about their community and neighbors and keep a close eye on things. Please keep up the good work, it is appreciated. One of the issues that came up earlier in the summer were the solicitors, especially those in unmarked vehicles. Some of them were rude and engaged in high pressure sales. We really had no rules in place to deal with this and after chasing off the rude ones and inviting them to NEVER return, we took and emergency action and passed a rule requiring all solicitors to register at the HOA office prior to engaging in door to door sales and posted a sign to this effect at the entrance. This would help eliminate the majority off the nefarious individuals, however we still had a few slightly annoying door to door solicitors. Some residents didn't mind, other's did mind. The issue has been placed on the agenda for the Rules Committee to discuss and try to address. I think my recommendation would be to eliminate all "door to door" soliciting, but allow the "route sales" such as the Schwan's man to continue. Maybe with the stipulation that school and scouting type sales be allowed. If you have an opinion on the issue contact the HOA or Rules Committee member and let them know what you think. As always, thank you for your support.

07/21/2017- I have been trying to catch up with a sick raccoon in the Twin Lakes area around the Common Ground vicinity. If you see the raccoon avoid contact with it and call Security immediately. I suspect it has Distemper, it appears weak and could be unpredictable. Monitor your kids in the playground area. DO NOT APPROACH IT!!! CALL SECURITY!!!

07/10/2017- ATTENTION!!! Please keep an eye out for strange vehicles and people around the Woodcliff area. Pay particular attention to young people you do not know walking around the area with back packs. The surrounding area has been experiencing an increase in thefts from unsecured vehicles and buildings. The same type of incidents we experienced in Woodcliff several years ago. The other subdivisions and towns in our area have had numerous reports of thefts especially from unsecured vehicles. So far they have left us alone but it is very important that we stay vigilant, and lock up our vehicles and properties. In the past the bandits would come into the area in one vehicle, unload several individuals with backpacks and they would walk the area and get into vehicles taking anything of value, and then meet up with the vehicle again and leave the area. KEEP AN EYE OUT!!! Report anything unusual that you see to Security immediately.

06/28/2017- We are heading into the busiest weekend of the year and I would like to remind everyone to review the rules and make sure you explain the rules to your guests. Keep in mind the population of the lake will increase by thousands and there will be people, ATVs, golf carts, and watercraft going in a hundred different directions. SLOW DOWN and watch for all of the above. Security will be out en force both on the roads and on the water. With all the guests showing up pay particular attention to where they park their vehicles. Do not let them park on corners, or on the roads. We have to be able to get emergency vehicles through, DO NOT PARK ON THE BOAT RAMPS!!! I would recommend everyone review the Fireworks Rule, new for this year, it will be strictly enforced. Be safe and have a great weekend.

05/30/2017- It was an extremely busy holiday weekend for Security, but we made it through it without a single rescue call. and that rarely happens. We had one minor jet ski accident, but there were no other reported accidents. We did issue a number of citations to include several DUI and MIP citations, and a number of speeding, stop sign, and Careless Operation citations, however, no one went to jail or the emergency room, so we consider the weekend a great success. Hopefully this is an indication of how the summer will go and we will enjoy a safe and happy summer. Thank you for your support.

05/23/2017- The Boater Safety Course's all went very well, with a total of 87 passing the course. The ATV Safety Course is this weekend, May 27th, 10am - 2pm, at the Security Office. I hope everyone has their watercraft registered and legal, there will be zero tolerance for those that are not. It promises to be a very busy weekend for Security, and we will be out in force both on the water and on the roads. We will be doing everything we can to ensure a safe and accident free holiday weekend, and with your cooperation I am confident we can get that done. Have a great weekend, and call Security if we can be of assistance.

05/15/2017- The last Boater Safety Course is this coming weekend, May 20th. We had 25 students in the first BSC, and 28 last Saturday, a great turn out. On thing to note is that there was only one Woodcliff person in the first class, and only a handlful in the last class, which means there are probably a lot more needing the course from Woodcliff, or related to Woodcliff. Im sure we will find a few of those boating this summer and citations will be issued. You need to make sure you have your watercraft legal before "recreating" on the water. The state registration has to be current, your lot numbers on, and this years Woodcliff Decal needs to be on the boat. If you have registered your watercraft but the Woodcliff decals are on your desk, or hanging on the frige, or are in your cars console, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION!!!! The decals MUST be on the watercraft. Also, all the lettering and numbering MUST be in contrasting colors, if you have a light colored boat you need dark letters, if you have a dark boat they must be light colored decals. If we can't see the numbers at a distance you are in violation. For those boating on the "Fishing Lake" remember it is a NO WAKE lake, and traffic should be counter clockwise around the island. Also, I am getting tired of finding the boat ramp gates left open, THE GATE SWINGS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS!!! Lock it up when you done. If I catch you leaving the ramp and the gate is left open I WILL issue a citation. I am not a gate monitor, be responsible and CLOSE THE GATE!!! The roads are in pretty good shape right now, and the dust control is applied, however this does not mean you should drive faster. SLOW DOWN. If you have a contractor working at your residence you should remind them of the speed limits as well. We have a real problem with contractors speeding, keep in the mind if they are working for you, they are here by your invitation, and are YOUR guest. Therefore your responsibility and it is your lot that will be cited. That should just about cover it, have a great summer.

03/04/2017- It was a pretty decent winter and hopefully it will be a quiet spring and summer as well. We have been spared any major thefts and no vandalisms were reported. We have had no shortage of suspicious folks wandering through, but have been very proactive in encouraging them to move on, and out of Woodcliff. The gate has had a few issues, but repairs have been made quickly and I am convinced it has done its job in deterring the bandits. The spring Boater Safety Courses have been scheduled for the first three Saturday's in May. May 6th, 13th, and 20th. They will be held at the Woodcliff Marina, from 9am to 3pm. There is a $10 fee, and bring a sack lunch or snack and drink. Everyone needs to make sure there boats are registered, both with the State of Nebraska, and the HOA. Make sure your boat numbers are on the boats and in the right location. If you have questions about number placement you can contact Security and we will assist you. The ATV Safety Course is scheduled for Saturday May 27th, Memorial Day Weekend, at the Security Office, 10am to 2pm. We hope to have more gifts available for those participating. Lunch will be served, hotdogs, chips and drinks will be provided. The ATVs and golf carts will be inspected at that time, and registered if needed. I would encourage everyone to review the rules, especially with you kids and guests. Even though there were very few changes to the rules, now is the time to get familiar with them again, rather than being reminded of them by Security when they are broken. As always, thank you for your support. 02/16/2017- We conducted Ice Rescue Training last night in the bay adjacent the Woodcliff Restaurant. The ice was pretty thin and made for very realistic training. I can tell you the water was very cold, but with the rescue suits we were able to spen about 90 minutes in the water and on the ice. It was great training, and it was a good thing we got it done because the next day it was 70 degrees, and the ice was gone.

01/15/2017- The paved roads that have been salted are not too bad, but the dirt roads are extremely slick even though they appear to be just wet. The streets in town are reported to be very slick as well. If you don't have to travel DON'T!!!

01/06/2017- I have been getting a lot of calls asking if the ice on the lake is safe to walk on, so I am attaching a helpfull graphic giving the general safe thicknesses for ice safety. My best advice is to take depth samples as you move out onto the ice. An make sure you have your safety equipment with you. Stay away from open water, and the areas where springs are know to be, however, keep in mind the springs can move from year to year. Be Safe.

01/01/2017- I hope everyone had a great Christmas, and Happy New Year!!! 2016 was a very busy year for Security, but we had very little "real" crime, and for once in a long while we didn't have to Life Flight anyone out due to injuries from falling off a golf cart or ATV. That being said, its not the time to let our guard down. The surrounding area is getting hit pretty hard with thefts and burglaries and we need to stay on our toes. Report any suspicious vehicles or people you encounter, and if you know your neighbors are gone, keep an eye on their places. I know I have said it before, but your eyes are one of the best security resources we have. Once again, thanks for all the Christmas cards and goodies, they are very much appreciated.

12/16/2016-CAUTION!!! FREEZING DRIZZLE!!!!! SLICK ROADS!!!!! DRIVE CAREFULLY!!!

12/9/2016- I want to thank everyone for the Christmas goodies, cards, and gifts, they are much appreciated, Thanks, and Merry Christmas!!!

12/9/2016- Tis the Season, and that time of year when the bandits will be out Christmas shopping as well. The surrounding area is getting hit pretty hard with thefts and burglaries, and we need to be extra vigilant. Watch for suspicious vehicles and people that appear out of place. On of our Cedar Bluffs firemen had his shop burglarized in the middle of the day yesterday, and he lost several thousand dollars worth of tools and other property. He lives near Cedar Bluffs. Remember to break down the boxes for your expensive Christmas gifts, do not leave the boxes stacked next to your trash can, your just telling the bad guys what is in your house when you do this. Make sure your vehicles are locked, and your property secured.

11/19/2016- Finally, I was afraid that I had completely lost the website. Sorry for the lack of posts, but the site suffered a complete crash, and I just now got it back. It has been a busy year and we will finish the year with around 4500 cases total for the year. The good news is that we had very little real crime, such as thefts and vandalism. I am looking forward to another year, my 20th year at Woodcliff as your Chief of Security. Time flies when your having fun. I have retired the Can Am Commander, and have purchased a new secondary patrol vehicle. One better suited for the patrol function. I have been working on the beaver issue around the lake, but if you see any of the pesky critters working on the trees around the lake let me know. I have eliminated four so far this fall, but from the beaver damage still floating in the lake, there are still some to be dealt with. On one of my last trips around the lake I saw a few aluminum boat lifts with the covers still on. I would recommend that you check your lifts before the wind picks them up and carries them away. The entrance gate has been working pretty well, with a few glitches here and there, but I truly believe it has been a great deterrent and the case statistics tend to prove it. However it can never be 100% effective, so we must remain vigilant and watch for suspicious activity. Secure your property and keep an eye out for suspicious people and activities around the lake as you come and go. Report anything out of the norm, our most effective security tool are your eyes. As always, thank you for your support, and I am looking forward to marking my 20 years (so far) serving you .

08/18/2016- Boy dies after falling from boat, being hit by propeller Published August 18, 2016 Associated Press OCEAN CITY, Md. – Authorities in Maryland identified a 9-year-old New Jersey boy killed when he was hit by a boat's propeller on Wednesday. Natural Resources Police spokeswoman Candy Thomson, speaking by telephone Thursday, identified the boy killed as Kaden Frederick of Howell. Thomson said 17 people were on the rented pontoon boat in Sinepuxent Bay near Ocean City on Wednesday afternoon. She said Frederick was one of four people sitting with their legs dangling from the front of the boat as it moved, which is illegal in Maryland. Frederick fell, the operator couldn't stop and the propeller hit the boy, Thomson said. Emergency crews couldn't resuscitate him. Frederick was the 11th person killed while boating this year in Maryland, and one of three this week, Thomson said.

I cannot tell you how many boats I have stopped for this exact thing. KEEP THE KIDS OFF THE FRONT OF YOUR PONTOON!!!

08/08/2016- The summer continues to be pretty busy, however we have not had to deal with much actual crime, which is a good thing. The gate is operational and working well, but if you haven't registered your gate pin numbers please do so with Chris in the office. School will be starting for most in the next couple of weeks, and Labor Day weekend is coming to signal the end of the summer season. As always, please keep an eye on your neighbors houses, and be vigilant, we are still not immune from the "bad guys" paying us a visit, so report anything you see that seems out of the ordinary.

07/12/2016- The following is the new bow fishing rule past at this months HOA Board Meeting - ** Bow Fishing- Bow Fishing for CARP and GAR will be allowed on weekdays only, and after dark with the use of spot lights. Arrows must be tethered with the appropriate fishing line for retrieving the arrows and fish. Anyone under the age of 16 must have adult supervision, (19 Years of age or older). RESIDENT BOATS ONLY, and any guests must be accompanied by an adult resident. The resident lot owner is responsible for their guests and their guests actions. Fishing licenses are required and must be in possession. Fishermen will be responsible for any damages to persons or property, and all fish taken must be removed from the lake and disposed of properly. Violations of any of the above provisions will result in a citation, and revocation of these privileges for the offender.

07/02/2016- ATTENTION!!!! The fireworks have been re-scheduled for next Friday, July 8th, due to the rain and nasty weather. The childrens events have been moved to the Community Center, but all other activities are still on.

06/23/2016- It was very sad to hear that the 3 year old boy pulled from the water at West Shores passed away last night. I hope everyone at Woodcliff Lakes followed this story and understands how quickly things like this can happen, and realizes that we are not immune to this type of tragedy. As the summer ramps up and we head into the 4th of July weekend, please keep this in mind and WATCH THOSE KIDS!!! Please keep the Seemann family in your thoughts and prayers.

06/15/2016- 2:15 a.m. and I just came off the patrol boat. I made contact with three young men in a trespassing jon boat that were bow fishing for carp. They parked on the spillway and launched their boat there. In questioning them they said that a resident gave them permission to do this. There are several problems with this scenario, #1 we do not allow bow fishing, #2 we cartainly don't allow trespassing boats, not to mention they did not have fishing licenses with them, their boat was not properly equiped, or registered with the state, and I could go on and on. We have too many carp and I don't think anyone will argue that, however we cannot have an uncontrolled "free for all" of boats splashing in the lake every night from who knows where, and bringing in zebra muscles or a number of other invasive species. So spread the word if you have friends or aquaintences doing this, tell them no more. Citations for trespassing will be issued in the future, and residents allowing them in will be cited as well. I have been getting a lot of calls regarding dead, stinking carp washing up on beaches, and I guess now we know why. Goodnight.

06/14/2016- Well the vote is over and hopefully things will get back to normal. I truly hope the relationships that were damaged by the roads issue can be mended, and the bridges rebuilt. It has been a very busy summer so far and we are around 500 cases ahead of where we were this time last year, at nearly 2100 cases so far. We have been spared any major thefts and I truly beleive the entrance gate has been part of the reason for that. Be Safe.

06/08/2016- Sorry for the delay in posting, the website was not cooperating. Memorial Day Weekend went fairly well, with no major injuries and only a few accidents. We wrote an abundance of citations for the usual offenses, registration violations, glass on the water, No PFDs on juveniles, stop sign and speeding violations. We had some minor medical assists for cuts and bruises and burns, but nothing too serious. We had a total of 30 participants in the ATV Safety Day. Although there were no major incidents, we did manage to log nearly 200 cases for the weekend. All in all it was a succesful holiday weekend. Be Safe and enjoy your summer.

05/25/2016- We had a pretty strong storm roll through the area last night and it blew over several trees and dropped some pretty large limbs. At least on lift was overturned, with the pontoon still on it, and its floating around in Cedar Bay awaiting a crew to get it uprighted. Several lift covers were destroyed or blown off, some still missing. I have notified lot owners with signifcant damage, but you may want to make the trip out to check your cabins anyway. We are supposed to get more of the same later this week so it might be an interesting Memorial Day Weekend.

05/21/2016- All three Boater Safety Course's have been completed for a total of 75 participants. The boats are being launched and the activity around the lake is on the increase. Everyone needs to make sure their boats are registered, and numbered correctly, especially LOT NUMBERS, and that stunning bright pink Woodcliff decal. Just a reminder, NO GLASS ON THE WATER, and make sure PFDs ARE ON THE KIDS. With the river running high the ATV's and golf carts will be out in force on the roads, PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY!!! As I have mentioned in the past the SID ground along the river is off limits to ATV/ Golf cart traffic. Crossing to the river and sandbars is tolerated, but DO NOT run up and down the river bank, it is destroying the levee that keeps the river from flooding your homes. Be safe and enjoy your summer.

04/27/2016- Things are picking up around the lake, and it promises to be a busy summer. Please take note of the increased ATV and golf cart traffic and drive accordingly. While we are on the subject of ATVs, there have been numerous complaints about ATVs racing back forth on the levee protecting Woodcliff from the Platte River, especially in the area across from S-1018. This is not only private property, but the SID also has an easement for the area and is currently involved in a "bank stabilization" project. The ATVs are extremely destructive to the bank and there are several areas where the levee is all but gone. I don't think anyone wants to bar access to the sandbars in the river, but riding ATVs back and forth along the bank needs to be stopped. Vehicles have also been using this area, and can no longer be tolerated. I would encourage you to share this information with your children and guests, because if it continues citations will be issued. Not Woodcliff citations, but State of Nebraska citations into County/ State Court . Another problem spot is directly across from the Timber Lane area, where one of the hard points is being turned into a jump for the ATVs. This is extremely dangerous as well as destructive, and this area is also off limits to ATVs and vehicles as well. Security has also had several calls relating to sick raccoons. Although distemper is normally associated with hot weather, we have been seeing an unusual amount of it already this year. Not only are raccoons susceptible to this disease, so are opossums, skunks, and domestic pets like cats and dogs. So far we have been able to locate the sick animals and destroy and dispose of them. Remember if you see these wild critters out during the daylight hours, chances are there is a problem with them, and you should call Security immediately. Do not approach them and keep your kids and pets away from them. As always, thank you for your support.

04/02/2016- ATTENTION!!! It is becoming increasingly apparent that the paving of the roads is becoming an extremely polarizing issue. I have no vote so will not voice my opinion on this issue. I have seen signs up around the lake declaring suppport for both sides of this issue, and there has been both theft and damage to the signs. I would encourage everyone to keep it civil and not let this escilate into a criminal situation. Let me make it perfectly clear to everyone, if I catch anyone removing, or damaging the signs, of either side, I will cite them under State Satute, criminally, into County Court for Criminal Mischief.

03/15/2016- The Entrance Gate will soon be operational. The security cameras have been moved to the entrance and are working very well. We are catching every vehicle and plate number coming and going, and I am convinced that the deterrent effect of having the gate that can close at anytime has had a positive affect on the "bandit" traffic. Several cameras have been added to the 24 hour surveillance system, both at the entrance and in other locations. It has been a quiet winter, with very few problems. However it is not the time to let our guard down, so please continued to keep your eyes open for any suspicious activity, vehicles, or persons, and report them to Security immediately. The spring Boater Safety Courses have been scheduled for the first three Saturdays of May. May 7th, 14th, and 21st, the will be held at the Woodcliff Marina/ Backporch Lounge, 9am until 3pm. We will register at the door, $10 per person, and bring a lunch or snack. Remember, anyone born after December 31, 1987 MUST HAVE THIS COURSE! However, the Boater Safety Course is recommended for anyone planning to operate a watercraft, and having it can lower your insurance premiums. The ATV Safety Course is scheduled for Saturday, May 28th, Memorial Day Weekend. This course is required for anyone under the age of 14 that will be operating an ATV, UTV, or Golf Cart. We will be providing lunch, and there will be some more great raffle prizes for those participating. Don't forget to get your watercraft registered with the HOA office. This years Woodcliff Decals are very distinctive, and will be visible from great distances, no chance of flying under the radar with these decals. Just a reminder, only the current year Woodcliff decal should be on your boat, so peel off those old ones. Make sure your Lot Numbers are on the watercraft, are of CONTRASTING COLOR so they can be seen. Make sure your State of Nebraska registration is current an is properly displayed on the both sides at the front of the watercraft. There should be 2" spaces between numbers and letters in the registration as well. If you have questions about the placement of your registration or Lot Numbers contact Security and we can assist you. Check your watercraft for all the required equipment, and PFD's. We have a number of new residents, so make sure you review the Rules, and if you have any questions contact Security and we can explain them to you, better now than on the water. Have a great summer and contact Security if you have any questions, and as always your support is very much appreciated.

02/02/2016- Excuse me while I vent.... If you are going to plow your driveway into the road, or pay someone to plow your driveway into the road, MAKE SURE THEY GET THE ROAD CLEANED OFF!!! I am getting tired of bouncing off the roof of my patrol truck because someone leaves a huge lump of snow in the road for everyone to hit. Tell your contractors to CLEAN UP THEIR MESS!!! To make it perfectly clear, its is not the Goree plows that plow our roads doing this, it is snow being pushed out of the driveways causing the problem.

02/02/2016- ATTENTION!!! So far the roads have been passable, but truly trecherous. If you don't have to be out STAY HOME!!! The County plows have been out, but the usual spots keep drifting in on County Road W. The snow is supposed to slack off, but then this afternoon late the fine powdery snow that likes to drift will be coming in. They are predicting 40 mph wind with gusts at 50+. If you have to go out please BE CAREFUL!!!

01/28/2016- CAUTION!!! Please use extreme caution ice fishing, skating, and especially on ATVs out on the ice. The last several days of warming is creating some very dangerous conditions on the ice. The thawing and refreezing creates unstable ice and it becomes very hazardous to venture out on it.

01/14/2016- There have been lots of inquiries as to the Fire Department activity at the Security Office last night. Not to worry, we were conducting Ice Rescue Training, and training with the WIRT (Water Ice Rescue Tool) that the Woodcliff Lion's Club purchased for Security and the Cedar Bluffs Fire Department. The training went very well, and the WIRT performed as expected. Please remember, when venturing out on the ice be very careful and check your ice depth as you go. The ice over the springs can be very thin and is extemely dangerous. Be Safe!!!

01/07/2016- 7:35 p.m. - The County plows have been out and County Road W has been plowed, but is still slick in spots. Drive Carefully!!!

01/07/2016- ATTENTION!!! The snow is piling up and the roads are getting nasty. I haven't seen any County plows out yet, and the slush under the snow is now ice. The hill into Woodcliff is pretty slick so SLOW DOWN!!! Be Careful driving, and if you don't need to go out, DON'T!! Be Safe!!

12/25/2015- MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! Please remember to break down the boxes for those expensive gifts and get them in the trash can. Don't leave them next to the trash can to show the bandits what you got for Christmas, that is how they build their shopping list. Be safe in your travels, and enjoy your day!

12/24/2015- We may have a white Christmas after all. The plows are out, and the roads are passable, so far. Be careful in your travels and have a Merry Christmas.

12/14/2015- I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and thank everyone for the cards, goodies, and gifts. Your support is really appreciated, and I am looking forward to starting my 19th year at Woodcliff. THANKS!

12/13/2015- I have received a number of phone calls,and inquiries as to what the helicopter was doing after dark on the south end of the lake last week, so I thought I would post it to help reduce the rumors flowing around the lake. I was dispatched to a Burglary in progress south of Woodcliff at a hunting cabin. The suspect, when confronted, fled on a dirt bike which was dumped somewhere in the hunting ground bordering Woodcliff on the south. We requested the NSP Helicopter to assist in the search. Even though the suspect managed to give us the slip, a "person of interest" was developed, and the investigation continues. No one at Woodcliff was in any danger, and it did not involve Woodcliff other than the proximity to the lake. However we did have an atempted break in at Woodcliff recently, so I would encourage everyone to stay vigilant. Report any suspicious vehicles or people you see to Security immediately.

11/28/2015- Patrolling around the lake lately I have noticed that there are a few aluminum lifts with the covers still on them. We have already had a couple lifts flipped in the high winds, so I would recommend that if you have an aluminum lift you make sure your cover gets pulled. It is that time of year when we try to address the beaver issue, and although I haven't seen a whole lot of beaver activity around the lake I have caught a couple of them crossing from the river to the lake in the early morning hours. If you notice the beaver working please contact Security so we can nip the problems in the bud. This is also the season when the bandits are doing their Christmas shopping. Please be vigilant and report any suspicious vehicles or people you see. Please remember that after Christmas do not leave boxes for expensive gifts next to your trash cans. This only serves to let all the bandits know what they can find inside your homes. Break up the boxes and get them in the trash cans.

11/26/2015- The rain has started and will be turning to ice soon, be careful in your travels, and have a great Thanksgiving.

10/01/2015- I am back from vacation and finally getting caught up on paperwork from Labor Day Weekend. Although Labor Day Weekend was fairly quiet for a holiday weekend, we still managed to stay busy. We issued several citations for the usual violations, such as Stop Sign, and Speed violations, as well as Boating violations. There were some minor disturbances, but nothing too serious. We did have a couple of very serious accidents, the first was a UTV accident that resulted in three parties being transported by ambulance for minor injuries. The second accident involved a fall from a golf cart in which one party was transported by helicopter to the UNMC trauma center for extremely serious head trauma. The driver of the golf cart was arrested for DWUI and transported to the Saunders County Corrections Center. Every year we end up life flighting someone out of Woodcliff with serious injuries, and usually involving golf carts and always involving alcohol consumption. Every year we issue numerous citations for people standing, and often dancing, on the back of golf carts, and these accidents are the reason we do this. It is important for everyone to understand that although Golf Carts, ATVs, and UTVs are allowed at Woodcliff, they are all considered motor vehicles and you are held to the same standard as far as alcohol consumption goes. You can be be charged with DWUI when operating them when over the legal limit, and I can pretty much gaurantee you WILL be arrested and charged with DWUI if you are involved in an accident and found to be over the legal limit. That being said, another "summer season" has gone by, and people are starting to removed boats from the lake. Remember, the lake level will be dropped October 15th, and it will only take a day or two to drop the lake. As you start to winterize your properties make sure you secure your cabins and get all your "toys" put away. The bad guys like this time of year and will be glad to take anything you leave out for them. Hopefully the gate will be in operation soon and that should deter some of them from venturing in. Keep an eye out as you come and go, and report anything you see that seems suspicious.

08/20/2015- FINALLY!!! I can finally get into my website. Sorry for the lack of posts folks, we have had "technical difficulties". It has started to quiet down a little, and the kids are back in school. The new entrance gate is well underway, and has already been hit a car. The hit & run has been investigated, solved, and the suspect will be making restitution for the damages. The driver admitted to going WAY TOO FAST, which has been a huge problem for the people installing the gate and the landscapers. The gate is plenty wide folks if you slow down. Large trucks and equipment have been coming and going without any problem. The gate is well lighted, and we hope to have the lines repainted which should help as well. The new cameras will soon be installed, and the gate will be ready for use, probably at the end of September. If traffic continues to fly down the hill and blast through the gate we may need to think about speed bumps. I have been hauling a lot of transients out of the area from the railroad. Please remind your kids not to go into the Railroad Trails alone, and report any transients you see in the area. We have never had a problem with the transients, but there is always a first time for everything. I would just as soon "encourage" them to keep moving. Enjoy the rest of your summer, and as always, thank you for your support.

07/09/2015- The 4th of July weekend was extremely busy and was marred by two very serious injury accidents, both involving alcohol consumption. 300+ calls resulted in 125+ cases being generated. There were an abundance of citations issued for the usual violations, DUI, stop sign violations, speeding, careless operation, glass on the water, and registration violations, among others. Ultimately everyone made it home alive so I guess we can call it a success. Just a reminder for future reference, if you are driving your golf cart, ATV. UTV, boat or any other motorized vehicle and are drinking and are over the legal limit, you can be arrest or cited for Driving Under the Influence. If you are operating your watercraft and the State Registration is expired, or you do not have the current Woodcliff Decal, or lack a Lot Number, you WILL be cited for the registration violation. Whether you were issued the current registration, both State and Woodcliff, makes no difference, unless they are ON THE BOAT you will be cited. We don't "give" tickets folks, your have to earn them.

06/15/2015- I had the great pleasure of presenting Anthony Siemer an award at the Annual HOA Meeting for his actions involving a serious injury from a golf cart accident. He demonstrated quick thinking and great courage in treating the injured person and immediately dialing 911 to get assistance. GREAT JOB ANTHONY!!!

06/14/2015- The Lake is open for regular boat traffic, but watch for debris.

06/08/2015- ***NO WAKE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!!!***

06/08/2015- Woodcliff Residents, *Lake and river levels are extremely high due to recent rains and an increase in ground water levels. The marker near the spillway indicates Woodcliff lakes are in the red zone. Board members are also assessing tree limb debris in the lake. Therefore, both Woodcliff lakes are NO WAKE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. *The HOA and Lake Health committee have contracted with a company to remove the majority of the carp, shad and gar from Woodcliff lakes. They will begin today, Monday June 8th, and will finish on or before Friday, June 12th. We have a high density of these fish. Removing as many as possible is another factor in improving the water quality. Boating will be allowed while they are working, although we want residents to be cautious and aware that there will be nets present in the lake. The nets will be clearly marked and require that watercraft operate at NO WAKE IN THE AREA they are working while on the main lake. We have been told it will take 2-3 hours per net deployment for them to do their work, in an attempt to reduce the boating/lake use impact. The HOA and Lake Health Committee will be presenting the results at the next HOA meeting. If you have any questions, feel free to email John Menning, Sean Kenney or Keith Smith. Thank you for your patience and cooperation! *Ballots are due Wednesday June 10th at the CPA's office if you want your vote included for election of two Board Members. The Ballot and candidate information is attached. Results will be announced at this (June 14th) Sunday's quarterly resident meeting at 1:30pm at the John G. Poehling Community Center. Thanks, Chris

06/04/2015- Memorial Day Weekend was quieter than usual, but Security still managed to stay very busy. Lake activity was pretty quiet due to the weather. The ATV Safety Day went pretty well with 26 participants. Thanks to Ed Sekera for the donation of al the pop and water, and the fixins' for the hot dogs, it was very much appreciated, thanks Ed. The HOA, Lions, and RePlant donated for the purchase of prizes for the kids, and everyone seemed to be satisfied with the Cabelas cards, thanks. With the river high the ATVs are spending a lot of time on the roads, so WATCH FOR THOSE KIDS!!! Review the rules with your kids, and guests, and lets try to make this a safe and enjoyable summer. The transients are on the move down the tracks, so keep and eye out and let Security know if you see anyone on or near the tracks.

05/12/2015- This coming Saturday, May 16th, is the last Boater Safety Course that I will be teaching at Woodcliff this year. It will be at the Woodcliff Marina at 9am, $10 at the door and bring a snack and drink. Also, the road treatment is down, so if you want it to last slow down, and take care of it, you paid for it. If you haven't seen Chris to get your boat stickers you need to do so, Memorial Day Weekend is almost here and we WILL be enforcing the registration rules.

04/25/2015- The first Boater Safety Course is next Saturday, May 2nd. Remember if you were born after December 31, 1985, you are required to take this course and carry the card with you while operating a watercraft. If you or someone you know needs this course I will be teaching them the next three Saturday's at the Woodcliff Marina.

03/27/2015- I have been getting calls in reference to resident's getting called by a company offering to buy their properties. I even got the call yesterday wanting to buy the Security House. I am not sure how they are getting everyone's phones numbers, or whether they are legit or not, but I suspect that it is a scam of some sort. Do not give them any personal information, and I would not suggest making any appointments to meet them.

03/26/2015- There will be a controlled burn in the ground to the south of Woodcliff this afternoon. It is a professional company conducting the burn and have the equipment to maintain control.

03/26/2015- Hey folks, We got another nice write up. This time in the Wahoo Newspaper. Wahoo.

03/18/2015- We got a pretty nice write up in the Tribune, thought I would share it with you. Fremont Tribune.

03/11/2015- At last Sunday's Quarterly Meeting Herb Angel of the Nebraska Game & Parks, and Saunders County Sheriff Kevin Stukenholtz presented an award that I was actually given last April. The award was the Nebraska Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for 2014. I would like to thank all involved in the award, it is truly an honor, and very much appreciated.

02/25/2015- There was a report of a vehicle being entered early this morning, around 3:30 a.m. on North Lake Shore Drive. I think it is safe to assume that part of the "crew" from last year may be active in our area again. Other communities in our area have been targeted all winter, so it may be our turn again. Be especially vigilant, and make sure your vehicles and property is locked up. Report anything you hear or see that seems out of the ordinary.

02/22/2015- It has been a long winter, and I think everyone is ready for some warmer weather, even me. As much as I like my winters, I am ready to get the next summer season underway. Remember, the boat registration process has changed and you MUST go through the Woodcliff Lakes office. The only way I participate in the registration program is to write you the citations when I find you on the water without the proper registration. I can still do the Safety Inspections, let me know if you would like me to do this. I would encourage everyone to review the rules with the entire family, and friends that visit the lake. There are a few changes, mostly in wording, but reviewing the rules now might avoid an issue later this summer. I am nearly through with all the court cases generated from last summers theft cases, and we have successfully prosecuted and convicted six out of the eight suspects so far. We still have two suspects to get through the court process, but I am confident we will be successful with these as well. I am hoping we can get the security gate approved and installed before the summer months hit, to try and avoid a repeat of last year. I would like to thank the State of Nebraska, Boating Law Administrator Herb Angel, Sheriff Kevin Stukenholtz, Ron Vlach, and everyone else that nominated me for Nebraska's Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. It is a huge honor, and very much appreciated. I have scheduled the spring Boater Safety Courses for May 2nd, 9th, and 16th. They are all on Saturdays, and will be conducted at the Woodcliff Marina, Back Porch Lounge, 9am - 3pm., bring a lunch or snack, and there will be a $10 fee when you register at the door. Call Security if you need the course, 402-721-3000. The ATV Safety Day will be Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday, 10am - 2pm, at the Security Office. No pre-registration is needed, and safety inspections will be conducted on all machines then. Young kids must have a parent present to supervise them, we are conducting a safety program not a daycare program. There is no cost, and we will provide lunch, and have prizes as always.

02/14/2015- There has been a charcoal grey cat wearing a white collar hanging around S-1113 and the Cottonwood Lane area. If your missing such a cat you can find it wandering around that area.

02/09/2015- Saunders County Sheriff's Office- Rudy joined the Saunders County Sheriff's Office in July of 2006 and was assigned to Deputy Cody Mason who transferred to the Sheriff's Office from the Ashland Police Department. Rudy was later assigned to Deputy Jeff Hermanson in July of 2007 and has been a faithful partner for the Saunders County Sheriff's Office for over eight years. We are sad to report that Rudy passed away on February 7, 2015. Deputy Hermanson is also a member of the Cedar Bluffs Fire Department and they have volunteered to donate funds for Rudy's cremation. The Sheriff's Office appreciates their kind and generous offer. The approximate cost for a replacement K9 is $9,500.00 and we have already received a donation amounting to $5,000.00.

02/04/2015- 12:40 p.m.- Roads are still passable, plows are still out. Drive Carefully!!!

02/04/2015- 8:00 a.m.- Snowing and blowing, but so far roads are passable, but you all know County Road W, that could change at anytime with blowing snow.

02/02/2015- The plows have been out and the roads are considerably better today. We should be okey as long as the wind doesn't start blowing again. Drive Carefully, and stay warm.

02/01/2015- Sorry folks, I have been trying to get to the computer all day to give a weather update, but have been stuck in a snow drift several miles south of Woodcliff for a couple hours. Along with every agency in the area, we have been out rescuing stranded motorists and working accidents, several of which were extremely serious. PLEASE STAY OFF THE ROADS!!! NO UN-NECESSARY TRAVEL IS ADVISED!!! It may seem calm at Woodcliff, but once you hit the top of the hill the snow is blowing and drifting. When I returned from the last incident, County Road W was down to one lane in the usual spots. Be careful and stay warm.

01/27/2015- I have been fielding a ton of calls this morning asking about the river and flooding. Woodcliff is safe, and there has been no problems here what so ever. The icre began lifting and breaking up late yesterday evening, and continued to break up all night long. There was some flooding south of Woodcliff, in the Two Rivers and Louisville area, but the water and ice never threatened Woodcliff at all. There is still some ice stacked up on the river, both adjacent to Woodcliff, and upstream, but at this point we should be fine. If things change I will post an alert.

01/18/2015- The "January Thaw", although welcome by most, has created some hazards on the ice. Please use caution venturing out on the ice, especially on ATVs. Ice fishermen, check your ice depths as you go, and stay away from the spring areas.

12/30/2014- CAUTION!!! The water level in the main lake is being dropped and with the ice on, it will no doubt create a void under the ice resulting in "Bad Ice". It is recommended that no one venture onto the ice at this time, on foot, and especially by ATV. PLEASE USE EXTREME CAUTION!!!

12/21/2014- Dick and Pam Jepson of T-10, are missing their cat Cooper. He is a male black cat, with a white flea collar and a black regular collar with tags. If anyone has seen him please call Dick or Pam Jepson @ 402-451-2930, or call Security. Thank you.

12/15/2014- I hope everyone has a great Christmas and thanks for all the cards and "goodies", they are very much appreciated. I would also like to remind everyone that after Christmas, and after all the great gifts are opened, do not leave the boxes for all the gifts stacked next to the garbage cans. Cut them up and put them inside the trash cans. The bandits will be out cruising and doing their "post holiday shopping", and you don't want to advertise what you have in your house. Boxes for big screen TVs, and XBoxes, and that sort of thing will encourage them to visit your house. Merry Christmas, and be safe.

12/09/2014- I would like to take this opportunity to explain why I believe a security gate at the entrance is critical to our community. As some of you have probably heard, we began experiencing an increase in thefts this spring. Initially the thefts involved unlocked vehicles being entered and valuables being taken. Even though the vehicles were not being damaged, there was considerable monetary loss consisting of computers, tablets, cash, and assorted other valuables to include a couple firearms. As the summer progressed I encountered several suspicious people, and in one encounter in particular ended up with three parties at gun point and narrowly averted a real tragedy. The thefts continued into May and we began losing ATVs with keys left in them. By June, when keys were not in the ATVs the bad guys started taking pickups with keys left in them, and loading up the ATVs and taking them. By July the thefts and methods continued to escalate and the bad guys began "breaking" into vehicles, and then garages, while the residents slept inside. A break in the case came when we obtained quality video from a residential camera system, and we recognized one of the bandits from a previous arrest in 2012. In mid-July I encountered several subjects after an attempted vehicle burglary report was received. After taking one person into custody almost immediately, three more parties were arrested after being located hiding in a boat. We later learned that there had been a fifth person involved, but not before he stole a vehicle from a garage and made his getaway. What gives me the greatest concern is that the methods of committing these thefts are escalating, and the next step could very well be home invasion type crimes. I think it is important to also mention that nearly all the players in these crimes are blood relations, and are known offenders from the North Omaha area. This brings us to the security gate at the entrance. Although the gate will never provide us with 100% protection, I truly believe it will stop 90% of the thefts. The operation of the gate will be handled in such a manner as to NOT hurt our businesses, in fact it will not impact 95% of residents coming and going. The cameras will be moved to the gate and this was greatly enhance their effectiveness as well. Every resident will have their own code to open the gate, and these can be changed at anytime. Special codes can be issued for after hour events, and then they will automatically be deleted from the system after a certain amount of time. Another benefit to the gate is we will have the ability to "slam it shut" in the event of an incident such as child abduction. The inconvenience will be minimal, and the benefits far outweigh the cons. It is essential that residents not give their gate codes out to friends and family, because they can easily end up in the wrong hands. All the Emergency Services Agencies will have their own codes, and the system will have several "failsafe" features to prevent them malfunctioning in power outages and other weather conditions. In closing folks, I truly feel a gate at the entrance in essential. I can tell you that I have had my weapon out more this year than in the last 17 years as Chief of Security at Woodcliff. WE NEED THE GATE!!! As always, your support is very much appreciated.

11/30/2014- I was asked to post this, it sounds like a good time.

11/11/2014- Happy Veterans Day!!! (and YES, that is really me.)

To those that served before me, to those that served with me, to those that served after me, and especially to those that serve now, THANK YOU!!!

11/07/2014- It has been quiet so far this fall other than a lot of court time lately. We had another Mountain Lion sighting, from a reliable source, crossing the road from the North Lake Shore Drive common ground and crossing the R/R tracks and up the bluff. It was actually on Halloween night, but I was assured it was NOT a kid in a costume. We have also seen a marked increase in sick critters, both opposums and raccoons. So far it has been mange and distemper, but if you encounter one keep your distance because rabies can always be a possibility as well. If you see a critter that seems to be acting out of character, notify Security immediately so we can get them taken care of. As far as thefts we have been spared lately (knock on wood), but the area around us is still being hit on a regular basis. Hopefully we are moving ahead on the entrance gate and we can stem the flow of our property going out the gate. Sorry again for the lack of updates lately, hopefully the website will cooperate, and my computer doesn't crash again for a while. As always, your support is appreciated.

10/28/2014- Sorry for the long silence and lack of updates, my website crashed and my IT expert, (little brother, in Portland, OR.), had to be called in to fix it. Technology is a wonderful thing, until it breaks down anyway. It is late and I have been in court all day so I will try to get an update posted tomorrow.

08/20/2014-It has been a long and busy summer for Security, with a rash of thefts beginning with thefts from unlocked vehicles, progressing to stolen vehicles, which were used to haul away stolen ATVs. The most recent cases involved the burglary of vehicles and garages, resulting in a foot pursuit, which resulted in four apprehensions. With that bad news out of the way, the good news is that we have made 6 arrests so far, and several more are pending. Our investigation has assisted several agencies in Nebraska and Iowa solve their cases as well. After several hundred hours of investigation, we have now entered the prosecution phase of these cases, with many more hours of court time anticipated. It should be understood that Woodcliff is not alone in these crimes. These crimes are occurring in every community and residential area in the region, and statistically we still have a very low crime rate here at Woodcliff. I can tell you that what precipitated this little crime spree was the "target rich environment" that Woodcliff offers. They bad guys discovered that ATVs were parked everywhere, usually with the keys left in them, and that there were unlocked vehicles throughout Woodcliff, and many of them had keys left in them as well. One of the suspects arrested was a previous Woodcliff "guest", a person I arrested in 2012 for attempting to steal a pickup, injuring the owner, and resulting in a pursuit that lasted several hours. Obviously he thought the unsecured booty was worth the risk of a second arrest. That being said, I have been harping for months about eliminating the food source, locking everything up, to try and stem the thefts. Apparently that is not going to happen, so the next step is to try and secure the entrance to Woodcliff. I have been meeting with contractors, and security gate companies. I have contacted the BNSF Railroad, and the Saunders County Roads Department, and started the process of getting clearance to install a security gate on the west side of the tracks at the entrance. A committee has been formed to look at all the options concerning the gate operation and features. I have encouraged the HOA Board to expedite the installation of the gate, due to the apparent escalation of the types of crimes we are being exposed to. Believe me we do not want the next crime to be a home invasion where someone gets hurt. The gate would be a high quality ornamental type gate so that it does not look like you are entering a prison facility. It would be very well lit, and would be consistent with the landscaping and beautification of the community. I have confidence that the gate and entry into the Woodcliff can be handled in such a way as to not adversely affect our businesses. It is my opinion that if the HOA, SID, Lions Club, and Replant Woodcliff, and maybe some private donors work together in this endeavor it can happen immediately, and we can all sleep better at night. And frankly folks, I have enough to do just seeing everyone gets home alive around here, without having to put on my "deputy hat", and run all over hells creation trying to run down suspects and put them in jail. Your support in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

07/17/2014- As I mentioned in my posting on June 24th, this is not the time to let our guard down. Yesterday morning at around 2:30 a.m., I received a call that someone was attempting to break into a car on Willow Lane. In responding to the area I encountered a vehicle wihtout lights and two individuals walking towards a house. I activated my lights and the driver bailed out and ran, as did the other two people in the driveway. I pursued them and one was taken into custody immediately. After backup arrived we searched and located and arrested three more people, We found that several unlocked cars in the area had been entered, and a garage was broken into. After taking the suspects to jail I conducted interrogations of them and learned that there had been a fifth suspect. About the same time I learned this, I received a call that an unlocked garage had been entered, and a vehicle inside the garage, with keys in it, had been taken. The vehicle theft took place in the same area that we had pursued and arrested the other four suspects. The fifth suspect has been identified and warrants will be issued for his arrest. Like the last incident in which the pickup and ATV were stolen, we have video of the suspects stopping and checking a house prior to being arrested. They checked vehicle and garage doors and finding nothing unlocked they moved on. This proves my point folks, if you lock your property up the bad guys WILL move on. I have said this before, the only way to stop this activity is to take away the "food source". Take away what they are coming after, and they will stop coming. Lock up and secure your ATVs and lock your doors on both homes and vehicles. This is not just a Woodcliff problem. Every community in the region is having the same poblem with thefts. Report any suspicious activity that you see immediately.

07/11/2014- The 4th of July weekend was a very busy time for Security, however, we managed to get through the entire weekend without anyone going for a ride in the ambulance, or being carted off to jail. That is what we call a "successful weekend". We had a few fender bender accidents, and plenty of fireworks complaints, We also wrote several citations for glass on the water, and kids without PFDs, not to mention some citations for registration violations. We are continuing to follow up on our theft investigations and the resulting arrests, and are confident we have solved nearly every theft case since the first of the year, and possibly several from last fall. But once again I will remind you that we cannot let our guard down. Lock up your property, and secure your vehicles, the folks we have arrested have a lot of "associates" that would be more than willing to pick up the slack. Be Safe, and we appreciate your support.

06/30/2014- The question has been raised as to when the "tornado" sirens are sounded. The sirens are actually classified as "Outdoor Warning Sirens", not necessarily just for tornado situations. We sound the sirens whenever there is dangerous weather in the area that is heading for Woodcliff. With boats on the water and ATVs running around on the trails it is prudent to let them know what is coming. The sirens sounded the last time for a warning issued from the National Weather Service through the Saunders County Sheriff's Office indicating that large damaging hail, dangerous lightning, high winds, and heavy rain was heading towards Woodcliff. Wether it is a tornado warning, or severe weather warning we want to warn people, especially on boats, that there is trouble coming. Everyone should have either a weather radio or television to check and see why the warning is being issued.

06/29/2014- ******CAUTION****CAUTION****CAUTION****CAUTION****** STAY AWAY FROM THE OUTLET TUBES (SPILLWAY)!!!! THE WATER IS EXTREMELY HIGH AND THE SUCTION FROM WATER SPILLING THROUGH THE TUBES IS VERY DANGEROUS!!!! LAST NIGHT A LARGE BLACK LAB DOG WAS SUCKED INTO THE LARGE DUMP TUBE. FORTUNATEY IT SPIT HIM OUT INTO THE PLATTE RIVER AND HE SURVIVED THE EXPERIENCE, BUT A PERSON MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. STAY AWAY FROM THE SPILLWAY TUBES!!!!

06/27/2014- Last Tuesday, June 24th, we had another theft in which another ATV and pickup were stolen from a driveway. The ATV was unsecured, and the pickup unlocked with a key left in the console. Now there is some good news and some bad news. Bad for the pickup owner, his vehicle was recovered in Omaha, unfortunately it was on fire and a total loss. The good news is that we developed leads from that case using surveillance video, and the suspects are in jail. After weeks of working with several agencies in two states, we beleive we can close almost all of our theft cases from the last several months with these arrests. However, now is not the time to let our guard down. This investigation took us to North Omaha on more than one occassion and the search warrant we assisted with yesterday would indicate that more than the two suspects we arrested are involved. It is very important that we continue to be vigilant and lock everything up. Remember, the only way to keep the bad guys out, is to eliminate what they are after. Take away the food source and they will go elsewhere.

06/20/2014- ATTENTION!!! While launching the security boat today I discovered a ridge of large rocks about 30 feet from the bottom of the boat ramp. Apparently the guys moving the lifts have found them too because they deposited to boat lift legs on the rock ridge. My very expensive stainless steel prop found the lift legs and was wiped out by the contact. It has been an expensive week, $6000 damage to my pickup truck from the hail, and now a $600 prop. Use caution in this area until it can be fixed. I would suggest keeping your outdrive trimmed up until your past this bad area.

06/16/2014- The rumor is true, we did get "golf ball" size hail today. It didn't last long, but long enough to put some dents in my pickup. If your insurance companies need proof I have some saved in my freezer. Those of you with sky lights probably should check them.

05/30/2014- The first holiday weekend of the 2014 season was a very busy one, despite some rain. There were many citations written for the usual issues, Glass on the Water, No PFD's on the kids, and several registration citations. I have been harping on the theft issue for weeks, trying to get everyone to lock their vehicles, take the keys out of both vehicles and ATVs, and secure your "toys". Once again we lost not only an unsecured ATV, but a 2013 Ford F-150, with keys in the ignition, to haul it away in. We are not the only ones affected by this crime spree, dozens of communities in the area are having the same thefts occurr. I'm not sure how many more ways I can say this folks, LOCK UP YOUR PROPERTY!!! The only way to stop these thefts is to eliminate the "target rich enviroment". If you take away what the bad guys are looking for, they will go elsewhere. These last thefts took place as the sun was coming up. We have great video of the stolen truck, with the stolen ATV in the bed, driving right out the gate at 6:02 a.m., Memorial Day morning. We even have great video of the white mini van coming in the gate an hour earlier, and leaving right behind the stolen truck. The mini van had paper dearler plates, which means it was probably stolen off of a car lot to commit this crime. Two weeks ago I arrested one person, and escorted two others away from the lake, who were no doubt "shopping" for some thing to steal. But all the patrolling and cameras in the world are not going to deter the bad guys when they all know people are leaving ATVs setting all around the lake, and people are not locking their vehicles. Help stop the thefts by taking away the the reason they are coming here.

05/28/2014- The Boater Safety Classes were well attended, and we graduated 62 more safe boaters. The ATV Safety Course also went well with 32 participating. I would like to thank every one who assisted with the ATV Safety Course, and especially thank Ed Sekera for his generous donation of soda, water, and the condiments for the hot dogs. We can always count on Ed's support, and it is much appreciated.

05/19/2014- With the holiday weekend approaching I would like to remind everyone to lock their vehicles, and keep your garages closed. An alert resident calling Security to report a suspicious vehicle a couple weeks ago resulted in an arrest for mutliple felony charges. Last weekend it was Pawnee Meadows' turn and they had several thefts from unlocked vehicles. We have to remain vigilant, and report anything suspicious you see. I would also like to remind everyone to get their watercraft registered. There will be zero tolerance of unregistered watercraft, lack of lot numbers, and expired State registrations. Remember, NO GLASS ON THE WATER!!! LIFE JACKETS ON KIDS!!!

05/12/2014- MISSING!!! There is a missing Jack Russell Terrier, black and white, somewhere in Woodcliff. If you see one please call Security.

04/18/2014- ATTENTION!!! Tomorrow, Friday, May, 2nd, The lake will be NO WAKE due to the fish shocking operation. This will take place from 9am until around 4pm. Please refrain from swimming and other "in water" activities until the shocking is completed.

04/18/2014- ATTENTION!!! There were several unlocked vehicles entered last night and property taken from them. LOCK YOUR VEHICLES AND SECURE YOUR PROPERTY!!!

04/13/2014- If you were at the lake today you probably heard the thunder at around 8:45 a.m.. The cottonwood tree at S-40 was hit by lightning and it blew the bark off the tree and then went to ground in the landscaping, setting it on fire. Paul Sendgraff, S-30, was able to get the fire knocked down with a bucket, and Security finished it off with the fire trailer that we built a few years ago. The Cedar Bluffs fire department responded, including our own resident firemen, Bob Mumm, Scott Weekley, Scott Berner, Jennifer Wolsleben, and Don Fiedler, and the situation was quickly under control. Thanks guys your dedication is appreciated, and Paul, Jennifer apologizes for squirting you with the fire hose

04/09/2014- Over the winter Security received reports of a brown and white domestic rabbit running at large, and in the last couple of days additional reports have been made. If anyone is missing their pet rabbit he was last reported to be in the area of the Community Center. If it is the same rabbit he must be one tough bunny to survive the winter and all the coyotes and foxes in the area, not to mention the owls and eagles. If anyone sees him and can catch him he can be transported into the Humane Society and adopted out.

03/31/2014- There are a few boats being delivered, and there was even some brave soul's wake boarding yesterday. They confirmed that the water is still COLD. Make sure that you get your watercraft registered prior to operating on the lake. Ensure that all your safety equipment is on board and servicable, and that your State registration is current. Check your lot numbers and make sure they are on the watercraft, and are located where they are supposed to be. There were several boats last year displaying Woodcliff Decals from previous years. The only Woodcliff decal visible should be the current valid color, so peel off the old ones. There are three Boater Safety Courses scheduled for May 3rd, 10th, and the 17th. They will be at the Marina 9am-3pm, $10 registration fee at the door. Bring a drink and a snack or sack lunch.

03/25/2014- There were recently a couple thefts from unlocked vehicles at Woodcliff. I would encourage everyone to lock their vehicles and secure any valuables. The vehicles are not being broken into, these are crimes of oppurtunity, and items are being taken from unsecured vehicles. LOCK YOUR VEHICLES!!!

03/05/2014- With the warming weather this week and into the weekend, the ice on the lake has thawed and has become unsafe to walk on. I would encourage eveyone to keep their kids and pets off the ice, and by all means, KEEP YOUR ATVs OFF THE ICE!!! Some of you may have seen the article in the Lincoln newspaper, in which the lady and her dog went through the ice and had to be rescued. While we are discussing ice, there is a good chance the river will break up this weekend as well, so keep an eye on the river as well.

02/17/2014-ATTENTION!!! Today I set some traps for the beaver destroying the trees on the river bank across from S-1133 Platte Shore Drive. KEEP OUT of this area, and keep your pets and kids out of this area.

01/27/2014- CONGRATULATIONS JEN!!! January 25, 2014 was the Cedar Bluffs Fire Department Banquet. Jennifer Wolsleben was awarded the EMT of the Year. Many of you know Jen as one of our Security Officers, and our Security EMT on the holiday weekends, (as well as being my daughter).

01/08/2014- I would like to say thank you to the Woodcliff Lion's Club for the purchase of a new and better DVR for the security camera system. It gives us alot better resolution, and the ability to expand up to 8 cameras. The Lion's Club also purchased two mobile radios for security vehicles. These are the 800mhz radios that we use to communicate with Sheriff's Office, and Fire & Rescue. Thank you to the Woodcliff Lion's Club, your continued support is very much appreciated and really helps us to keep Woodcliff a safe place to live and play. THANK YOU!!!

01/01/2014-HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! With the colder weather there has been a lot of activity out on the lake ice. Whether your fishing or skating, PLEASE USE CAUTION. With the way the ice has frozen and thawed and re-frozen several times it has created some very dangerous ice in spots. Stay away from the open water and I would not recommend ATVs out on the ice unless you have drilled the ice in several spots to check its thickness. Also remember that ATVs are not allowed on the islands, and running up and down the banks of the island with ATVs will create errosion issues in the spring when the rains come. Be Safe.

12/24/2013-MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

12/23/2013- Some of you may have heard some gun shots today. After consulting with the Nebraska Game & Parks, I have begun hazing the geese off the lake. I have ordered some "bird bombs", which are launched from a small pistol, fly some distance, and explode or make a screaming noise. I will also be obtaining some louder "cracker rounds" which are exploding charges launched out of a 12 gauge shot gun. Several years ago we consulted a biologist that told us that one goose will drop 2-4 pounds of feces a day. When you consider there are between 4000 and 6000 geese at the lake right now, that equates to around 16000 pounds of goose crap in the lake a day. So I guess if you feel sorry for the geese, keep in mind that next summer when your wading in the water, that is not sand squeezing between your toes. Everyone can assist by not feeding the geese, and occasionally walking down to the lake where the geese are and trying to get them to fly. Hopefully they will get the hint and fly south for the winter.

12/13/2013- Thanks to everyone for the cards and Christmas goodies, it is very much appreciated. Everyone have a great Christmas and be safe in your travels.

12/10/2013- We have been getting lots of "critter" calls lately. Everything from injured deer and geese, to peskey raccoons and opossums getting into garages and sheds. The deer problem should go away with the closing of the hunting season. Wounded geese always seem to come back to the lake this time of year as well. There isnt much we can do about the geese that are wounded, but the coyotes have to eat too, so leave them alone and they will disappear soon enough. As far as the critters getting in the garages and sheds, close the doors, and do not leave them open for extended periods of time. They are just looking for somewhere warm to wait out the winter. As for the coyotes, they are roaming the area at night and we have plenty of them. Do not leave dog and cat food out, and keep an eye on your small pets, especially at night. If you see critters out in the daylight, avoid them, they are normally nocturnal, and may be sick. If you suspect a sick one call Security and we will try to "take care" of it.

12/02/2013- Over the weekend I chased some young kids off the ice. After seeing the news that Iowa lost two young children after they fell through the ice and drowned I thought I had better remind everyone to watch your kids and don't let them out on the ice. At this point it is way too thin to safely support much weight. With the warming this week it will be even more dangerous. Keep in mind it takes several days of subfreezing tempratures to get the ice thick enough to walk on. Also remember that continued freezing, thawing, and then re-freezing creates "bad ice" that can seem thick enough but due to air pockets in the ice, is very dangerous. Also remember that the Woodcliff's lakes have several active springs, that have a tendancy to move around, and can create thin ice that is not detectable. Please use caution and be safe.

11/28/2013- Happy Thanksgiving!!!! Be safe in your travels.

10/28/2013- A large "floating island" type inflatable has washed up on the beach at S-1021, if you are missing one or no someone that is, please take a look at it and see if you can identify it.

10/22/2013- Some of you might recognize my daughter Jennifer from her working with me around the lake. This is her finishing her second 5K race in as many weeks, in full "turnout" gear to raise money for the National Firefighters Endowment. She is a firefighter/EMT with the Cedar Bluffs Fire Department and a Woodcliff Security Officer. In this race she finished first in her age class with 70 pounds of fire gear on, including air pack. GO JEN!!!

10/22/2013- In the past week I have escorted two transients out of the area that were walking the railroad tracks. Both were heading south for warmer areas of the country. Remind your kids to not frequent the "railroad trails", especially alone, and be aware of their surroundings. 99% of these charactors riding the rails are harmless, but we don't want an encounter with the other 1%. Occasionally they will leave the tracks and explore Woodcliff, so just be aware of this and report any suspicious people you see walking around Woodcliff. The two I recently encountered were "return customers" that I have had contact with several times in the last 4-5 years. They go north in the spring, and south again in the fall, and are pretty harmless. I have had to dispose of several sick critters in the last few weeks, mostly due to mange or distemper, but this problem should subside with the colder weather. If you see the local wildlife out during the day, and they appear to be weak or lethargic, maybe missing some hair, avoid them and call Security. Be safe, and as always, we appreciate your support.

10/03/2013- Sorry for the delay in updating the page, I was out of town for a while taking some days off. I hope to get out on the water this weekend and thin out the beaver so if you hear any loud bangs it will be me and the "posse" taking care of the critters before they drop anymore trees. It looks like the weather is going to change and we are looking at freezing temps next week. With harvest underway the wildlife is being chased out of the fields and are looking for winter quarters. If you don't want them taking up residency in your garages and sheds you need to keep the doors shut. It seems to be a fall ritual for me removing raccoons and oppossums, and even snakes, from buildings this time of year. Make sure the tarps on your boats are tight or they will be inside them, and they can make a huge mess of seats and cushions. Like always, with cabins being closed for the winter, the bandits will be out seeing what has been left out for them to take. Report any suspicious vehicles or people you see, and watch your neighbors place as well.

08/28/2013- As we head into the last "big" weekend of the summer season I would like to encourage everyone to consider the unusually hot conditions, and make sure you keep hydrated, and not with alcohol but with lots of water. Keep tabs on your kids and see that they stay hydrated as well. I have been listening to EMS services all over the area this week on the radio, and they have been going from one heat related injury call to another. I would also encourage everyone to review the rules with your guests and family members. I would like nothing better than to get through the weekend without having to write any citations, or make any arrests. With your assistance we hope to get through the entire weekend without any rescue calls or accidents. Thank your for your support, and have a great weekend.

08/23/2013- In preparation for the upcoming Labor Day weekend and associated traffic, the outer roads and Cedar Lane will be prepared on Monday for the application of dust control on Tuesday, August 27th. Please see that all vehicles are parked off the road way on Monday and Tuesday - thank you!

08/02/2013- Well, it is our turn again. Two motorcycles were stolen from the Cedar Lane area early Wednesday morning, and a vehicle was broken into in the same area. It is time to make sure your ATVs, vehicles, and cabins are secured at all times. They can't steal them if they can't get to them. We recovered some video from the surveillance cameras, and are working on some leads in the case, but the best way to solve a theft is to prevent a theft, so secure your property.

07/21/2013- ATTENTION!!! Until further notice all residents (Ski Lake and Fishing Lake) should keep pets out of the water and refrain from swimming and extended exposure to the water. You can use the water for boating and skiing/wakeboarding with limited exposure to the water. We have had a dog die after playing in the Ski Lake T-Cove earlier today. The dog showed symptoms consistent with the blue green algae poisoning - lethargic, bloating, throwing up, convulsions and then death. We are having the water tested this Monday, until we can determine what type of algae is present, we recommend you keep pets out of the water and refrain from swimming and extended exposure to the water.

07/13/2013- There is a Boater Safety Course scheduled in Fremont at the City Auditorium on August 4, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.. The cost is $10, and the class is limited to 25 students. This is the same course that I teach in the spring, so if you need the course here is an opportunity. The contact number is 402-727-2630.

07/11/2013- Now that I am finally getting caught up from the holiday weekend I can give you an update. We logged 265 cases for the weekend, 57 citations, one MIP, and one DWUI arrest. Neither the MIP, nor the DWUI were residents, and had no connection to Woodcliff. The citations were for No PFDs on kids, No Boater Safety, Expired Registrations, Glass on the Water, Speeding, Failing to Stop at Stop Signs, and several Careless Operations for standing on the backs of Golf Carts and UTVs. We had several people question the citations for standing on the back of Golf Carts, and all I can say is that every year we either take people out by ambulance or medical helicopter after they have fallen off the backs of golf carts. People allowing their passengers to stand on the back of golf carts put them in real and immediate danger, and open the Lakes up to civil liability if we allow this to happen, thus the citations for Careless Operation. If you question this I suggest you read the definition of Careless Operation in the rules, its is covered there adiquately. As far as the registration violations I can only say, we do not register refrigerators, kitchen counters, office desks, or where ever you chose to leave your Woodcliff Decals. If they are not on your boat you are in violation. If your State of Nebraska registration is expired, it is not the state's fault, or your storage facilities fault, or my fault, its YOUR fault. The glass bottle issue was once again answered the week before the holiday weekend with another child with a laceration on their foot, it is a "no brainer" folks, glass has no place on the water, in the water, or under the water. Keep your glass bottles at home, by cans for the boats. We have written several tickets for Dogs at Large recently, two of these involving dog bites. If your dogs are off your lot they should be on a leash. Dogs running around the lake unattended or out of the sight of the owners, will not be tolerated. In closing it was a very long weekend for Security personel, we got very little sleep, and worked very long hours, but the result was no ambulance calls, accidents, or serious injuries, and no residents spent the weekend in jail, which is always a good thing. We will give this last weekend a check in the SUCCESS column. Thank you for your support.

07/03/2013- As we head into the busiest holiday weekend of the year, I would like to remind everyone to be very careful driving around the lake. There will be numerous activities going on, and as always, numerous ATVs and Golf Carts wandering around. Slow down and watch for the kids, especially with all the parked cars that will be here Saturday night for the fireworks. Even though towables are no longer allowed on the lake, there witl be plenty of other hazards out there with the increased boat traffic. Use extreme caution whether you are boating or ATVing. Please monitor your kids closely in the use of fireworks. We will be closing the road at the spillway in the early afternoon, to allow for fireworks set up, so plan ahead for this. Have a great weekend, and PLEASE BE SAFE!!!

06/26/2013- Sorry, I have been neglecting the website lately. It has been pretty busy the last several weeks, and we continue to write citations for boats that are either operating without the new Woodcliff Decals, or with expired State registration. Last weekend we had another child with a laceration on the foot from another broken bottle in the water. We continue to get calls on dogs running at large, and yesterday there was a child bitten by a dog while playing. The child went to the ER for treatment, and the owner was cited for Dog at Large. Even though the dog was not vicious in the least, and it was probably unintended, it still occurred. We are heading into a very busy holiday weekend, PLEASE keep you pets either on a leash or in a fenced yard. DO NOT LET THEM RUN!!! Make sure your guests coming for the weekend also keep their pets contained. If your dog is found running you will be cited. We have been getting noise complaints on fireworks already as well. Please remember that some people have to get up and go to work in the morning, and should not have to listen to huge fireworks going off until 1 a.m.. Have some consideration for your neighbors. Use caution with your fireworks as well. We would like to get through the 4th without having to transport any fireworks injuries, and not spend time having to search for missing digits. Be Safe and have a great 4th of July weekend.

05/31/2013- Well I think I am finally getting caught up from last weekend. We got through the holiday weekend with only one minor golf cart accident involving a parked car. No rescue calls or fire calls over the weekend either. Even though the weekend got off to a slow start it turned out to be a very busy one for Security. We cited a few people for Glass on the Water, and several for running the Stop Signs at Cedar Lane, and South Lake Shore Drive. The lack of towables on the lake made for a very quiet weekend on the water. We made a few boat contacts for registration issues. If you do not have your 2013 "Orange" Woodcliff Decals on your watercraft by now, or have expired State of Nebraska registration, you can expect no mercy from Security, you WILL be cited if caught on the water. I would encourage everyone to start paying attention to the Stop Signs as well. There is far too much traffic, especially on the holiday weekends, to ignore the Stop and Yeild signs. My Radar has been in for repairs, but should be back soon, so please slow down and respect the speed limits. We have had two Tornado Warnings with sirens activated in the last week. I have had many calls about where people are supposed to go to take shelter. My best advise is to get to know your neighbors with basements. There are a lot of houses in Woodcliff without basements or shelters, and I guess no one really considers this issue until the sirens are screaming. The Security House has no basement either, but I would hope the neighbor would let my family in if they were pounding on the door. I am usually on the top of the hill watching for the tornados, and take my chances in my patrol truck. So I guess use your best judgement on how you want to deal with this issue. There are companies that build pre-fabricated shelters for either your garage, or to bury in your yard, that might be something to look into if you are concerned about tornados.

05/24/2013- REMINDER!!! Don't forget the ATV Safety Course tomorrow morning, 10am at the Security Office. There will be raffle prizes, hot dogs and chips and drinks.

05/20/2013- We are scrambling to get ready for the first big weekend at the lake for 2013. I would like to remind everyone that this weekend will be very busy around the lake, with a lot of kids out on various forms of transportation, as well as walking. Please slow down and use caution driving around the lake. Obey the stop signs and speed zones. Security will be out in force and paying particular attention to speeds and sign violations. If you do not have the new orange Woodcliff sticker on your watercraft you need to do so. Registration violations will also be on the top of our list, so make sure your watercraft have valid state registration, lot numbers, and the Woodcliff decal in place. Remember there is no glass allowed on the water, and children under 13 years of age must have life jackets on. Be Safe!!!

05/18/2013- 13 more safe boaters were graduated through the Boater Safety Course today. This is the last BSC for the year at Woodcliff.

05/11/2013- The Boater Safety Course held today graduated 9 more safe boaters. I was hoping for a better turn out, I guess we will see what next weekend brings. Saturday the 18th is the last Boater Safety Course held at Woodcliff this year. If you or a family member needs this course you need to register on this website on the Online Forms page, or call Security. With small turn outs like today I would anticipate a lot of citations for No Boater Safety card this summer. Keep in mind that the State is moving towards everyone having to have this course, and the HOA Board is also discussing making this mandatory as well. You just as well be ahead of the curve, and get the course taken care of now, it may also lower your boat insurance premiums.

05/05/2013- We graduated 23 more safe boaters yesterday in the Boater Safety Course. There are two more Boater Safety Courses available at Woodcliff, next Saturday the 11th, and the following Saturday the 18th. If you or someone you know needs this course you can contact Security, or go to the Online Forms page on this site and register. Hopefully some day soon the weather will change and we can get on the water.

04/16/2013- ROAD CLOSED NOTIFICATION: Road work will begin Tuesday, April 30th, on Platte Shore Drive between Twin Lakes Drive and the river air boat ramp - near the spillway. This is part of the SID 8 flood control and bank stabilization project. Original plans for ten business working days, however, the contractor thinks he should be done at the end of the week (May 3rd-4th). Of course, it all depends on Nebraska weather! Thanks,Chris

04/16/2013- The spillway is closed and the water should be coming up to level soon. Just a reminder, you must have your watercraft registered prior to recreational use on the lake. If a storage service delivers your watercraft to your lot, you must get it registered prior to using it. Also, there is still plenty of room remaining in the Boater Safety Courses. Contact Security to register, or register online on this site. If the weather ever decides what it is going to do, we can get on the water and get the season started. Together we can make this a safe summer at the lake.

03/27/2013- Just a reminder, if you or someone you know needs the Boater Safety Course, you need to call Security and get on the list. The classes are scheduled for May 4th, May 11th, and May 18th. Also the ATV Safety Course is scheduled for May 25th.

03/10/2013- The roads are open for now, but you all know how County Road W gets with a little snow and wind. Drive Carefully!!!

03/03/2013- It is about that time when everyone is getting stir crazy, and wanting to get back on the water again. It is also that time when you need to review the Woodcliff Lakes Rules for the changes that have been made, and there are some very important changes this year. Probably the biggest changes are to the rules governing towables (tubes). Towables are no longer allowed at Woodcliff, no exceptions. This rule change was not taken lightly, and there was considerable discussion, but in the end it was decided that for the safety of the residents and their guests that the use of towables should be discontinued. There will no longer be a boat ramp attendant. A combination lock will be placed on the gates, and the combination will be changed often, so call before trying to launch to get the combination. DO NOT SHARE THIS COMBINATION WITH ANYONE!!! This does not mean that the risk of Zebra Mussels has gone away. In discussing the issue it was decided that everyone had been abiding by the rules and taking the precautions necessary. We must continue to take the necessary precautions, cleaning and drying of the boats, and especially the quarantine procedures. If you take your boat to another body of water you must clean and dry the boat, empty live wells and bilges, and the boat must sit and air dry for 5 days. The alternative is taking the boat to one of the service providers for decontamination prior to launching back into our lakes. Remember all boats must have the new Woodcliff Decal prior to using them on the lakes. If your boat is delivered to your cabin by your storage facility, it must have the Woodcliff Decal on before you use it on the lake. The other big rules change deals with parking around the exterior of the lake. Parking will no longer be allowed on the outside or the main exterior road. Again this is a safety issue, and in the past we have had times, especially on the holiday weekends, when getting an ambulance or fire truck through would have been difficult at best and on occasion impossible. This rule will include North Lake Shore Drive, Platte Shore Drive, and South Lake Shore Drive. All vehicles must be parked on the cabin side of the road. The Boater Safety Courses have been scheduled for the first three Saturdays in May. May 4th, 11th, and 18th. They will be held at the Marina, 9am to 3pm, $10 at the door, bring a snack or lunch and drink. You can call Security, 402-721-3000, to register. Remember, anyone under the age of 27 must have this course before operating any watercraft. The ATV Safety Course is scheduled for Saturday, May 25th, 10am to 2pm, at the Security Office parking lot. We will have some great raffle prizes for those participating, and hotdogs, chips, and drinks will be provided. This is a required course for those under the age of 14, but all are encouraged to attend, whether they have had it or not. I am looking forward to another summer, and with your help and cooperation it will be a safe and enjoyable summer. Thank You.

02/08/2013- It has been a while since I updated, sorry, but I guess no news is good news (knock on wood). Just a reminder, please stay away from the work being done on the river bank. The SID asks that there be no ATV, vehicle, or foot traffic in the work areas.

01/19/2013- You may have noticed the clearing work being done along the river bank. This is the SID's project, and they are asking everyone, especially ATVs, to stay out of the cleared areas. The trees and undergrowth will be cleared and then grass will be seeded in the area to prevent errosion. The grass needs a chance to get established and ATVs and golf carts will hinder this process. PLEASE STAY OUT OF THE CONSTRUCTION AREA!!! Also with the food source for the beaver being removed, I would anticipate the beaver looking else where for a meal. If you see them migrating back and forth across the road let Security know where your seeing them cross so they can be dealt with accordingly. I have eliminated a few of them this winter, but there are still plenty out there to do some real damage to our trees.

01/09/2013- I have been seeing a few coyotes while making early morning rounds, thanks in part to the large goose population on the lake. But in the last couple of days I have been seeing, and getting several reports of packs of coyotes, anywhere from 4-6 at a time, in the area. Although I don't think they are a particular threat to our human population, they have been know to take small dogs and cats. If you are feeding your pets outdoors, keep in mind coyotes and foxes enjoy Kibbles and Bits too. Just be aware of their presence, and do not approach them. I will be doing some things in the next several weeks to "encourage' them to stay out of the vicinity.

01/01/2013-HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

12/23/2012-Four Eagles, and two fish, the fight is on.

12/23/2012-Eagle and the moon.

12/22/2012- For you eagle watchers, I sat in one place and counted eight Bald Eagles today. Five of them on one sandbar eating a couple dead fish. If you want great photos, now is the time to be along the river, they don't seem to be very bashful right now. I will try to post some photos later. Be Safe.

12/20/2012-9:45 a.m.- I have had several calls inquiring about the power. So for those away from the lake, we experienced several power bumps overnight, but the power stayed on, and so far remains on.

12/20/2012-9:15 a.m.- County Road W is now open but there are no guarantees it will remain that way for long. The highway to Fremont is open, but I have no idea what they are like any further away than that. All roads are ice and snow packed. Please drive carefully.

12/20/2012-5:15 a.m.- County Road W is blown shut and several vehicles are stuck, we are trying to clear the road. Stay tuned.

12/19/2012-7:15 p.m.-ATTENTION!!! The road conditions continue the deteriorate, and no unecessary travel is recommended. There have been numerous accidents in the area, so if you don't have to travel, STAY HOME!!!

12/19/2012-3:45 p.m.-ATTENTION!!! WE ARE IN A BLIZZARD WARNING!!! The snow has started in earnest now, and is sticking. There have been numerous reports of icy roads all across the region. It promises to get far worse before it is over so travel with care. Chances are County Road W will be blown shut in the morning until the county plows get to us so plan for this. PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY!!!!

12/17/2012 I just wanted to take a moment to remind everyone that the bandits are out Christmas shopping too, so secure your cabins and property, watch for unfamiliar people and vehicles wandering around and report them if you see them. Remember not to leave boxes for new items, such as big screen TVs, next to your garbage cans. Cut them up and put them inside the cans, if not you are advertising the fact that you have something nice inside your house for the bandits to take. I would also like to thank everyone for the Christmas cards and "goodies", they are very much appreciated, THANK YOU. MERRY CHRISTMAS, and please be safe in your travels.

12/11/2012- The rules committee has met and presented the suggested changes to the Lakes Board for approval. There are several changes, but the most significant change is to the Towable rules. In 2013 no towables will be allowed on either lake, no exception. This change was not taken lightly and considerable discussion between board members, and the lakes attorney took place prior to its passing. Towables include all inflatables not controllable by the occupant. This rule does not include skis, wakeboards, knee boards, or similar devices. Please inform your entire family, and guests of this rule change.

11/17/2012- So far it has been a pretty mild winter, let's hope it remains that way. Now is a good time to be thinking about the spring. The Boater Safety Courses will be the first three Saturday's in May as usual, May 4th, 11th, and 18th. Remember, anyone under the age of 27, must have this course to legally boat. I really recommend this course for everyone that operates water craft, everyone can take something away from the class, and it can also lower your boat insurance premium. The ATV Safety Course will be on Saturday May 24th, Memorial Day Weekend. Whether you have been through this course or not you should plan on coming as we discuss the rules changes and we will have great raffle prizes again, along with hotdogs, chips, and drinks. As previously mention, there will be rule changes again this year, so make sure you read the new rules when they come out, and make sure your families and guests are aware of the changes as well. Don't forget the House Watch program, whether your leaving for the weekend or the winter let Security know. You can call Security, or go to www.woodcliffsecurity.com and the Online Forms page and fill out the House Watch form. Last year we placed some new signs and flashing lights at the entrance intersection. This was done to try and prevent accidents in that intersection after some very close calls. While typing this article at my desk and watching the cameras at the entrance I have witnessed two very near collisions in the last 15 minutes, and numerous vehicles ignoring the stop sign. I will give you fair warning, I plan to set at this intersection on occasion and I WILL cite anyone violating the stop sign. This includes golf carts, ATVs, cars and trucks. I will also cite anyone not yielding to vehicles entering from County Road W. There are also new signs and flashing lights lowering the speed limit to 15 miles per hour in the commercial area of North Lake Shore Drive. This was done to slow traffic on the blind corner and the boat ramp area. These signs and flashing lights have been there long enough for everyone to be aware of the changes so no excuse will be sufficient to get violators out of the citation. I don't think there is a person that has spent a summer at Woodcliff who can argue that these areas are hazardous and need to be addressed, so OBEY THE SIGNS!!!! Happy Holidays, and have a great winter.

11/11/2012- Happy Veterans Day!!!
To those that served before me, to those that served with me, to those that served after me, and especially to those that serve now, THANK YOU!!!

10/30/2012- Things have been relatively quiet, but the critters continue to be an issue. We have received numerous reports of raccoons creating problems with garbage cans and getting into garages and sheds. We have been trapping them all over the lake, and have destroyed numerous sick animals. If you see a raccoon out during daylight hours and appearing lethargic, report them immediately, they probably have distemper. Do not approach these animals as they can be aggressive and dangerous, call Security and we will deal with it accordingly.

10/18/2012- ATTENTION!!! On Sunday night, October 14th, someone took several of Kori Krause's NP Dodge signs from around the lake. A $500 reward is being offered for anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the theft. If you have information please contact Security, 402-721-3000.

10/14/2012- Just a reminder, the headgates will be opened tomorrow and the lake will very quickly lower to the winter levels. If you have not removed your boat yet, you may have dificulty doing so by the middle of the week. I have received numerous complaints about raccoons getting into garbage and being a nuisance in general. I have trapped several this week, and 9 or 10 have been trapped on Willow Lane in the last two weeks. Several sick raccoons and opossums have been destroyed in the last several weeks as well. Hopefully with the cold weather coming on, the mange and distemper will subside for the winter. If you have problem critters, let me know and I will try to free up a trap for you to use. Report any sick animals immediately.

09/22/2012- Sorry for the delay in posting, I have been out of town for several days elking in Idaho with my son. The Labor Day Weekend started out somewhat quiet, but ended with a serious UTV accident on a sand bar in the river. The UTV rolled and severely injuring a young man, but we are told he will recover in time. It should remind us that ATVs and UTVs are not toys and should be operated very carefully. As you begin to button up for the winter make sure you secure your property. Do not leave anything out, especially ATVs, and secure the keys in a safe place. If you are going to be gone for an extended period contact Security and get on the "House Watch" list. Let your neighbors know as well. I know I have said this before but I will say it again, even though we have a very low crime rate at Woodcliff, we are not immune from crime, as was proven in July. Lets be proactive and prevent the crime. Keep your eyes open, and report anything out of the ordinary that you see.

08/25/2012- I had a short high speed chase with two ATVs leaving the lake in a hurry the other day. The were definately driving them like they were stolen, but after catching them and detaining them it turned out to simply be two ATVs trespassing through Woodcliff from the river. I am still following some leads on last months stolen ATVs, and it appears they are being stolen for the purpose of "joy riding" them in the river, and not to be sold for dope or cash. Don't let your guard down, lock up your machines and pull the keys. Report any suspicious vehicles or activity you see immediately.

08/06/2012- Welcome home son, thanks.

08/05/2012- Finally, some good news to share. After a year in Afghanistan my son will be home tomorrow, I wish we could be there to greet you, WELCOME HOME SON, and THANK YOU!!!

07/30/2012- Guess what.... another ATV, left in a driveway, keys in the ignition, was stolen this morning. It went out the gate and up the hill at 5:38 a.m. this morning. I am not going to waste my time saying again what I have said on the last FOUR ATV thefts. The word is out folks. Every bad guy in the area has been told that they can get an ATV from Woodcliff because no one secures them, and everyone leaves the keys in them. I am not going to waste my breath, no one seems to be listening anyway.

07/27/2012- So, here I am again, 1:30 a.m., and writing a report on three stolen ATVs, yes THREE!!! I am not sure how many more ways I can say it, LOCK UP YOUR PROPERTY!!! SECURE YOUR TOYS AND DON'T LEAVE THE KEYS IN THEM!!! All three were taken from the same garage, standing wide open, with the lights on, and the keys left in the ATVs. Nothing like leaving a smorgasbord for the meth heads, and tweekers. I am not sure what more you could do to get them stolen, other than maybe listing them on Craigslist as property to steal. If I am sounding frustrated people, I AM!!! I can harp on it and harp on it, and spend the other 4 hours of the day that I have left patrolling, but if you are not going to secured your property the bad guys are going to continue to steal your property. As if I have not spent enough time back and forth to the Sheriff's Office this month, on Boating Accidents, Thefts, and Assaults, I will be back there bright and early in the morning to enter three more stolen ATVs into the computer. I NEED YOUR HELP FOLK'S!!! If you are not going to secure your property we just as well put a sign out on the highway saying "FREE STUFF" and an arrow pointing to Woodcliff. Goodnight, sleep tight, and don't let the meth heads bite.

07/26/2012- With everything going on I forgot to mention it, but last weekend there was another serious laceration to a foot thanks to a broken beer bottle. This time it happened in Sandy Bottom, a freshly dredged cove, so it cannot be attributed to an old bottle. This is the reason glass is not allowed on the water, and this is the reason we write citations for this violation. Keep the glass off the water!!!

07/24/2012- ATTENTION!!! A BURNING BAN HAS BEEN DECLARED!!! NO FIRES WILL BE ALLOWED UNTIL THE BAN IS LIFTED!!! THIS INCLUDES RECREATIONAL FIRES!!!

07/23/2012- Now that I am almost caught up on the paperwork for the major cases this month I wanted to voice some concerns about the situation that occurred after the attempted car theft the other day. First of all I am very grateful for the assistance of the residents that assisted us in the search, however I would be remiss not to point out the hazardous situation you placed yourselves in. First of all, people who commit these types of crime, in most cases, are not going to hesitate hurting you if you confront them. People like this are the reason law enforcement carries weapons, they are very dangerous and unpredictable. Again your efforts are appreciated, but the stampeded of ATVs and golf carts, not to mention the foot traffic made it impossible to deploy the K-9 effectively. In these situations we need to balance the search efforts with the need to perserve a scent trail for the K-9 to follow. We were deluged with misidentifications and eroneous reports of the suspect all over the community, and most were searchers being mistaken for the suspect. Please understand that not only do we need to apprehend the suspect as quickly and safely as possible, but we have evidence to preserve and collect, and the crime scene to secure. I am doing my best not to seem ungrateful folk's, we really do appreciate your intentions, but not only do we have to find the bad guy, we have to ensure your safety. The ATVs and golf carts speeding all over the lake trying to help, created a serious problem for us. The incident ended without further injuries, but it had the potential of getting far worse. Make no mistake folk's, this suspect was very dangerous. He did not hesitate to endanger and attempt to injure the vehicle owner, and would not have hesitated to injure anyone else that got in his way. In the future please stay in your homes, watch and report what you observe from there. It is safer for you, and for us, as we search and complete our investigation. Thanks again for the water and gatorade, it was much needed and greatly appreciated.

07/20/2012- Once again Woodcliff makes the news, and it is proven that although we have a very low crime rate we are not immune from crime. Yesterday was a fairly quiet day until around 3:30 p.m. when I was dispatched to an injury accident on Cedar Lane. Once there it turned out to be an attempted Robbery, and Assault. A contractor was returning to his vehicle to get a tool when his truck started up and began to leave. He jumped into the back of his truck, and in his words, got the ride of his life. He was able to break out the back window of his truck and began "encouraging" the suspect to pull over, with the assistance of a DeWalt cordless drill. The suspect jumped from the moving vehicle and fled as the truck continued until it struck a large cottonwood tree, injuring the victim. Back up was summoned from the Saunders County Sheriff's Office, the Nebraska State Patrol, and the Cedar Bluffs Fire Department. A K-9 unit from the Sheriff's Office was used to assist in the search, and the NSP helicopter was requested. A three hour search ensued, and the suspect was located under a dock and taken into custody. It was later determined that this incident was also related to the theft of an ATV. The case remains under investigation. I would like to thank the Woodcliff residents that assisted with water and gatorade for the emergency personel involved in the search. Once again, we are NOT immune from crime. Secure your property, and do not leave your keys in your ATVs or vehicles. Lock your doors, and report any suspicious persons or activity that you observe.

07/18/2012- There will be a wedding taking place on the beach in Sandy Bottom cove this Saturday. It has been requested that those not attending the wedding please respect the ceremony and allow the wedding party to have the cove to themselves for the wedding. It should not take long and then you can once again have the cove. The attendees will begin arriving in the cove around 3:00 - 3:30 p.m.. A set of steps has been built to assist the less agile in getting off of the transporting pontoons and onto the island. Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated by the weeding party and its guests. Thank you.

07/12/2012- As I have been working on finishing up the fatal boating accident investigation from Monday night I have been struggling with how I might better get the point across as to how dangerous pulling a towable around a narrow lake really is. I have come to the conclusion that I can continue to teach the dangers of doing so in my Boater Safety Classes, I can continue to preach the dangers of doing so to the those I stop for violating the rules, but ultimately it is completely up to those driving the boats and pulling the tubes to make the right decision, or not. However, I will continue to do my job, and I can promise you that I will have absolutely no mercy on anyone I find operating in a careless manner. Whether it is throwing a tube outside the wake or operating in some other careless manner, I will stop you, cite you under lake rules, or if I feel I am not getting the point across I will cite you under State Statute into County Court. I am going to do everything I can to never have to go through again what we have been through this week. Our prayers and thoughts are with the Linn family. PLEASE, learn from this tragedy, slow down and think before you act.

07/10/2012- I'm at a loss for words folk's.... I'm sorry. Please pray for Mickayla Linn and her family.

07/06/2012- Sorry for the delay in an update but it has been a very busy week. We had a few minor accidents, one rescue call for an adult male that fell off a golf cart and injured his head, and a couple relatively minor fire calls, one for burning tires in the river, and one for a grill fire that damaged a house. The activity on the lake was very heavy at times, and generated quite a few citations for the usual violations, Registration violations, Glass Bottles on the Water, No PFDs on children, and Careless Operation for throwing tubes outside the wake. Anyone that was out on the lake on the 4th experienced how busy the lake can get on a holiday, and the last thing you should be doing is putting your kids on a tube and flying full speed around the lake, zig zagging from shore to shore and throwing the tube outside the wake. Take it from someone who has had to deal with the aftermath of a tube, and kids, hitting a dock, THE DOCK IS GOING TO WIN!!! The rule is in place for a reason folks. DON'T SWING YOUR TUBES OUTSIDE THE WAKE!!! PUT PFDs ON YOUR KIDS UNDER 13 YEARS OF AGE!!! DON'T TAKE GLASS ON THE WATER!!! Another issue that reared its ugly head again this week was Dogs Running at Large. We had several complaints of dogs running and chasing people, and two dog bite cases, with citations being issued. Keep in mind, you are not only in violation of Lakes Rules, you are civilly liable for injury or damage caused by your dog.