THE FIFTH SENSE -- CARMICHAEL SHERIFF'S DEPUTY HAS A NOSE FOR METH

Under arrest: The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department has a special
weapon in the fight against drugs.

He is Deputy Kevin Givens. He patrols Carmichael and is becoming famous
among cops for his ability to sniff out methamphetamine, or crank. "I have
a nose for it, and I love my work," Givens said. Cruising in his squad car,
he looks for broken taillights and outdated license tags. He stops the
offending vehicle, checks the driver's record, asks if he can look in the
car (they almost always agree) and hunts for dope.

"It's amazing how many tweaks don't keep their registrations current,"
Givens said. He carries a testing kit and drug encyclopedia. When Givens
makes an arrest, the suspect gets a lecture about crank ("Do you know
what's in that stuff?") and a speedy ride to jail. "I hustle them in so I
can get back out," Givens said. "He's aggressive,"sheriff's Capt. Robert
Simmons said. On a recent eight-hour shift, Givens made a dozen stops.

He found no dope but caught a parolee driving with a suspended license and
impounded the guy's van. Tomorrow is another day. ...

Feast or famine: The saga of Jimmy Lewis is bringing out the best in
Sacramentans. Lewis is the homeless guy who found a Caltrans check for $1.4
million.

He returned the check and asked for a reward, specifically a meal. A
Caltrans worker gave him $1 and sent him away. Caltrans bosses refuse to
discuss the matter, but Bee readers are flocking in with offers. "The level
of contempt I feel right now is volcanic," Anne Torres said. "Let me know
where I can contact Jimmy and send some money." Roy Brewster said: "I'm
retired from Caltrans and will gladly buy him a meal." Same with Jeff
Parkin, Ann Cooper, Jim Brewer and six others who didn't leave their names.

Suddenly, Jimmy is getting more lunch offers than Mayor Heather Fargo. ...

All shook up: Stan Devereux, a former Sacramento TV news producer, reporter
and flack, has hit the rocks, in a manner of speaking.

Stan has been named director of legislative and public affairs for the
California Earthquake Authority. "As a fourth-generation Californian,
earthquakes are a subject I understand," Stan said. Presumably, his
knowledge includes the rule about standing in a doorway when the Big One
hits. ...

Hack the knife: The Shadow's spies at the Sacramento District Attorney's
Office present the following: "A guy went to Sears at Arden Fair mall to
steal a knife.

He tried to pry off the knife's packaging, and in the process almost sliced
off a finger.

He went to the men's room to bandage the finger.

Security personnel followed the trail of blood and apprehended him. That's
your dumb crook report for the week." Lucky thing the guy didn't want a
table saw. ...

Room for view: When Rusty Areias isn't busy running the California parks
system or digesting the latest gossip about his pal Gary Condit, he is
immersed in a local historical mystery.

Rusty is determined to find the plans for his home, a spectacular Walnut
Grove manor designed in 1927 by Arthur Reginald Widdowson. "He was a
society architect who designed some of the most beautiful homes in
Sacramento," Areias said. "But there is no inventory of his papers or drawings.

They have to be somewhere." Widdowson worked closely with Frank "Squeaky"
Williams and produced beautiful residences around Land Park and east
Sacramento. Areias figures this column's vast readership includes sincere
folks who know about Widdowson and will phone right away. Rusty is thinking
wishfully, but given our ability to inspire volcanic contempt (no less)
toward Caltrans, he might get lucky.