Colfax police shelter schools after armed‑person call; CHP introduces new commander and warns of major storm

Sergeant Toby Williams of the Placer County Sheriff's Office told the Colfax City Council on Feb. 11 that deputies responded to a caller who reported someone walking near a campus with a firearm and that the department "sheltered in place both schools" while officers and partner agencies searched the campuses. "Despite the fact that we believe the call was kinda fake, we just, out of abundance of caution, did the full workup," Williams said, and investigators are working to identify the caller and consider prosecution if the report is determined to be a hoax.

The sheriff gave an overview of January activity in Colfax, reporting "about 130 total incidents," 18 reports taken, 32 traffic stops and six arrests. Williams noted deputies assisted other agencies on seven occasions and characterized the month as having nothing of "significant note" beyond the school response.

At the same meeting, California Highway Patrol public information officer Jason Lyman introduced Lieutenant Gil Kinney as the new commander for the Gold Run CHP area. Kinney said his priorities include reducing fatal and serious‑injury crashes on Interstate 80 and working with the community to reduce crime. Lyman reported local CHP statistics for January — 604 citations, 410 warnings and 17 arrests (14 related to DUI) — and warned officials that a large storm was forecast for the coming week that could produce heavy snow in the Blue Canyon area and substantial freeway delays.

Council members did not take further action on either the school incident or the CHP forecast; the reports were received as information. The council encouraged residents to follow CHP guidance, and Sheriff's Office investigators said they will update the council if the probe into the caller yields prosecutable evidence.