Castillo-Alvarez back in Clay County Jail
(02/26/10)
"He's back." Those words, spoken by Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow, referenced the return of Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez to the Clay County Jail. Clay County Sheriff' deputies transported Castillo-Alvarez from Newton's state prison back to the Clay County holding facility on a felony charge for furnishing an intoxicating beverage to inmates at a detention facility during his previous year-and-a-half stay. ...
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Legal
High Court: Castillo-Alvarez case won't be reviewed
(01/22/10) Clay County Attorney Michael Houchins on Friday confirmed a decision from the Iowa Supreme Court to deny further review of the 1997 gang-related murder of Estherville teenager Gregory Sky Erickson. Judge Don Courtney found former Estherville restaurant owner Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez responsible for orchestrating Erickson's death, based on a January 2008 ruling at the Palo Alto County Courthouse in Emmetsburg...
Heilstedt pleads guilty to 2008 arson charge
(01/21/10) On Tuesday, during a scheduled hearing, Brenda Lee Heilstedt of Spencer, withdrew her not guilty plea with regards to arson charges stemming from a fire that broke out at a home she owned on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008; and pled guilty to arson in the second degree, a Class C felony...
Milford man detained on drug, murder charges
(01/12/10) Samuel Blue Lint was still being held in Spirit Lake's Dickinson County Jail on $10,000 bond Tuesday as attorneys in northwest Iowa decide if, and when, the 18-year-old Milford man will be transported to Sioux Falls, S.D., to face charges of armed robbery and murder...
Justice: At what cost?
(12/10/09) Need a sign of the times? Look for one taped on the locked clerk of court's door, below a holiday wreath, at the Clay County Courthouse. "Iowa Court Offices Closed," it said, on the first of 10 days targeted by the judicial branch for a cost-saving shutdown...
Juvenile law a passion for county's new attorney
(11/27/09) Clay County's newest assistant county attorney is no stranger to the city of Spencer, but she's seeing a different part of the law these days. Kristi Busse is a month into her newest role as an assistant Clay County Attorney and associate at the Zenor and Houchins law firm in north Spencer...
Fourteen sentenced in lakes region meth ring
(11/06/09) "Drug dealers out there, we're coming to a town near you." This message provided courtesy of Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow in the aftermath of sentencing that will result in over 2,000 months of combined jail time for 14 individuals associated with a drug trafficking ring in northwest Iowa...
Plea agreement reached in Spencer arson case
(11/06/09) Judge Patrick Carr has scheduled a Jan. 19 hearing to consider a guilty plea from a Spencer woman accused of arson 11 months ago. Brenda Lee Heilstedt is expected to plead guilty to a charge of second-degree arson, a Class C felony, as part of the agreement struck by attorneys...
Sex abuse suspect recaptured after 11 years
(11/05/09) Sometimes the wheels of justice are slow, but they never stop turning. Just ask Alejandro Montano, a current resident of the Buena Vista County Jail. After more than 11 years on the run from charges including sexual abuse, false imprisonment and drugs in Storm Lake, a false identity, and an alleged lifetime web of lies, Mantano has been found in Chicago and returned to face the charges for a February 1998 incident...
Spencer attorney sworn in as judge
(10/03/09) It's Judge Borth now. Assistant Clay County Attorney Charles K. Borth officially filled the vacancy created by retiring Judge Donavon Schaefer during a ceremony Friday afternoon at the Clay County Courthouse. Fellow Spencer Judge Patrick Carr administered the oath at the investiture. Borth's wife, Liz assisted her husband with the donning of the robe...
Borth named District Associate Judge
(09/01/09) The five district judges of the 3A judicial sub-district have selected Assistant Clay County Attorney Charles K. Borth to fill the vacancy created by retiring Judge Donavon Schaefer. Borth and fellow finalists Dave Patton, an attorney in the Storm Lake area, and Ida County Attorney Kristal Phillips were interviewed Thursday. Borth was told Friday night that he was the successful candidate...
Jury sides with Royal in wedding chapel dispute
(08/01/09) The dispute between Royal Wedding Chapel, Inc. owner Gerald "Lee" Youde and the city of Royal began with a business permit application. It ended with a 8.5-pound court file and a July 22 jury verdict at the Clay County Courthouse. Yes, Youde can still conduct wedding ceremonies out of the decommissioned Lutheran church he bought back in 2003. ...
Appeals Court hears Castillo-Alvarez case
(05/30/09) The Iowa Court of Appeals will determine if a former Estherville man's right to a speedy trial was violated through the timing of court filings near the end of a decade-long extradition process. The appeals court on Friday heard oral arguments involving Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez as part of the 86th Annual Lawyer's Chautauqua in Okoboji...
Arson cases: One delayed, one resolved
(05/07/09) A Pocahontas man who started a fire in the mental heath wing of Spencer Hospital avoided prison time as part of a plea agreement finalized Tuesday at the Clay County Courthouse in Spencer. Jared Lee Reinholdt entered a plea of guilty to third-degree arson and Judge Nancy Whittenburg suspended a two-year sentence as part of an agreement reached with prosecutors...
Ruling closes 2008 murder case
(05/06/09) A Dickinson County judge has dismissed charges against the third defendant in the April 2008 murder case which resulted in the death of Matthew Begtrup. John Allen Swan, 31, of Crossett, Ark., Scott Thomas Adair, 30, of Crossett, Ark. and Michael James Friedrichs, 30, of Forest City were accused of first-degree murder in a Milford incident in April 2008...
County to move on well head protection
(04/09/09) A meeting with Spencer Municipal Utilities reps, Leon Rodas, Steve Pick and Don Baxter during Monday's Clay County Board of Supervisors meeting prompted the county's governing officials to address well head protection for common water sources currently outside the city's protection guidelines...
Patient charged with setting hospital fire
(03/31/09) The Pocahontas man accused of starting a fire at Spencer Hospital March 19 will face a charge of first-degree arson. Jared Lee Reinholdt has been given an April 3 preliminary hearing date in Clay County District Court, but a trial information document typically cancels the need for an appearance...
Judge negates jury verdict
(03/12/09) A Dickinson County judge has acquitted Kenneth George Neilson, Jr., negating a jury verdict pronounced late last year. In December 2008, a Lakes area jury convicted Neilson, 56, of Spirit Lake of involuntary manslaughter by reckless act. Neilson was charged in connection with a shooting on July 29, 2007 that took the life of Marlan Lutterman, 53, of Worthington, Minn. Neilson told officials on that day that he was cleaning his gun in his apartment when he fumbled and the weapon fired...
County, former employee settle federal lawsuit
(03/05/09) A former Clay County employee will receive a $105,000 settlement from the county's insurance provider to settle a dispute over her 2007 dismissal. Sally L. Becker, a former employee in the Clay County Treasurer's and Recorder's offices, filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the county on Dec. 27, 2007, at the U.S. District Courthouse in Sioux City...
Prather case pt. 1 - Defendant's appearance delayed
(03/04/09) The court appearance for the Spencer man suspected in a fatal drunk driving case has been postponed until 10 a.m. Thursday after a self-inflicted medical emergency delayed the court process Tuesday morning. Attorneys handling the James Prather vehicular homicide case scrambled to coordinate a change of circumstances in the 15 minutes before the 57-year-old was scheduled to enter a guilty plea. ...
Prather case pt. 2 - Sharing their pain
(03/04/09) Tabitha Wilson sent out a heartfelt request via Facebook to all who might read it: "Help Brian." Tuesday morning, Wilson saw her plea answered as about 30 family and friends of the late, Brian Beck packed one side of the Clay County Courthouse, awaiting the opportunity to share with Judge Nancy Whittenburg and the rest of the courtroom, the impact that the loss of Beck had on those in the community who knew him...
Swan sentenced to three years probation
(02/26/09) After several continuances, the sentencing hearing for John Swan, 31, of Crossett, Ark. was held this Monday morning, Feb. 23 at the Dickinson County Courthouse. Swan is sentenced to three years probation for his role in a bar fight last April. Initially, Swan was one of three men accused of murder in the April 4, 2008 altercation outside of Zippers in Milford that took the life of Matthew Thomas Begtrup, 25, of Sioux Falls...
Eggs and Issues No. 2: Labor issues and taxes
(02/17/09) Labor issues and taxes, which are taking center stage this week as the Iowa Legislature enters its sixth week, also were at the center of several heated comments made during Saturday morning's Eggs and Issues session as the political ideologies of Sen. Jack Kibbie (D-Emmetsburg) and Rep. Marcie Frevert (D-Emmetsburg) differed with those of Sen. David Johnson (R-Ocheyedan) and Rep. Mike May (R-Spirit Lake)...
Council moves ahead with sewer surcharge
(07/09/08) Calling it, "the fairest way to do this," City Manager Bob Fagen, watched as Spencer's seven city councilman approved the second filing of an amendment which will create a proposed $5 Combined Sewer Initiative Surcharge to the city of Spencer wastewater customers...
Supervisors race features six candidates
(05/31/08) By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff Republicans have a choice on the ballot as the party tries to find two nominees for a pair of available seats on the Clay County Board of Supervisors. Incumbent Del Brockshus of Spencer is near the end of his fourth term. He has filed to run again...
Appeals court to hear cases in Okoboji
(05/29/08) A workman's compensation claim and a possible open meetings violation are on the docket as the Iowa Court of Appeals brings its process to the Iowa Great Lakes. Cases typically are heard in Des Moines, but will be moved to Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center as part of the 85th annual Lawyers' Chautauqua in Okoboji...
Judge denies bond reduction in Milford murder case
(05/28/08) Judge Patrick Carr has decided to keep the bail set at $750,000 each for three men accused of a Milford murder earlier this spring. John Allen Swan, 30, of Crossett, Ark.; Scott Thomas Adair, 29, of Crossett, Ark.; and Michael James Friedrichs, 29, of Forest City, appeared in court for a bail review hearing last Monday. Judge Carr's decision reached the Clerk of Court's office this week...
Accused murderers request bond reduction
(05/20/08) Three men accused of a Milford murder this spring await a judges' decision on bond reduction after appearing before Dickinson County Court Monday morning. John Allen Swan, 30, of Crossett, Ark.; Scott Thomas Adair, 29, of Crossett, Ark.; and Michael James Friedrichs, 29, of Forest City are being held in the Dickinson County Jail on $750,000 bond...
Ruthven-Ayrshire mints 26 graduates
(05/20/08) Family members and friends joined Ruthven-Ayrshire High School faculty and administration Sunday afternoon to celebrate commencement exercises for the senior class of 2008. Twenty-six students were handed diplomas and shifted tassels -- marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives...
Annual Health Fair set for Thursday
(05/17/08) The Annual Health Fair, sponsored by the Spencer Area Activity Center and the RSVP Volunteer Program, will be Thursday, May 22, starting at 9 a.m. at Gateway North Center. People of all ages are invited to participate. A new addition to this year's Health Fair is the opportunity for participants to attend several workshops, including the following:...
Raid in Postville: Authorities confirm largest work site enforcement ever
(05/17/08) By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff A total of 306 people who were detained at Agriprocessors Inc of Postville have now been arrested on criminal charges, federal prosecutors confirmed in a statement released Thursday. The 281 men and 25 women are part of a group of 389 people who were administratively arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday...
Castillo-Alvarez files appeal
(05/16/08) Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez wants the Iowa Supreme Court to take a fresh look at convictions stemming from his involvement in the death of an Estherville teenager 11 years ago. Judge Don Courtney found the former Estherville restaurant owner guilty of second-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony Jan. 25 at the Palo Alto County Courthouse in Emmetsburg. The guilty verdict came after a trial that spanned parts of three days in September...
Eichhorn launches GOP bid for United States Senate
(05/08/08) Former Republican Representative George Eich-horn is officially kicking off his bid for the United States Senate today by releasing a list of top Repub-lican leaders from across Iowa who have endorsed his candidacy. Eichhorn, an attorney and accomplished legislator who grew up in Davenport, owned a law firm in Des Moines and now lives in rural Hamilton County, said he was ready to take on the failings of Tom Harkin...
Jury selection begins for Parks vs. Okoboji trial
(05/07/08) Jury selection began Tuesday at the Dickinson County Courthouse in a civil trial involving Leo "Butch" Parks, Jr. and the City of Okoboji. Parks filed a petition in November 2005 alleging that he has been discriminated against. The basis of the discrimination case lies in a series of licensing, zoning and parking issues dealing with Park's businesses, Okoboji Boats and O'Farrell Sisters...
September trial set for accused murderers
(05/07/08) A September trial date has been set for three men accused of killing a Sioux Falls man outside of a local gentlemen's club. John Allen Swan, 30, of Crossett, Ark.; Scott Thomas Adair, 29, of Crossett, Ark.; and Michael James Friedrichs, 29, of Forest City are accused of first-degree murder, a Class "A" Felony. A trial is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23. at the Dickinson County Courthouse...
Deputies press King for federal grant support
(05/03/08) By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff Funding for the Iowa Great Lakes Task Force was a central point of conversation Friday as U.S. Rep. Steve King met with Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow in Spencer. Krukow is concerned about cuts to the Byrne-JAG (Justice Assistance Grant) program. The grants were established in 2005 to allow states and local governments to support improvements to the criminal justice system...
Accused murderers enter 'not guilty' pleas
(05/01/08) By Anitra Wolf Special to the Daily Reporter Three men accused of killing a man outside of a local gentlemen's club have entered "not guilty" pleas to their charges. John Allen Swan, 30, of Crossett, Ark.; Scott Thomas Adair, 29, of Crossett, Ark.; and Michael James Friedrichs, 29, of Forest City, are accused of first-degree murder, a Class "A" Felony. Each of the men entered a written plea of "not guilty" this week...
Castillo-Alvarez receives 50-year sentence
(04/26/08) By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff A quiet and, at times, seemingly disinterested Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez received a 50-year prison sentence Friday for his role in the disappearance and death of a Estherville teenager almost 11 years ago. Castillo-Alvarez was the last of 10 people charged in the June 1997 plot to end 15-year-old Gregory Sky Erickson's life over an unpaid drug debt and his possible role as a police informant...
Hearing date set in Castillo-Alvarez case
(04/03/08) District Court Judge Don Courtney has set the hearing date for a former Estherville restaurant owner who was convicted for his role in the disappearance and death of an area teenager. Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez's attorney, Mike Williams, filed a motion on March 7 asking Courtney to vacate guilty verdicts on charges of second-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony. Castillo-Alvarez wants a new trial...
Mailbox case returned to Clay County
(03/25/08)
Federal authorities are going to loosen their grip on a local "MacGyver bomb" case, according to Clay County Attorney Michael Houchins. Seventeen federal felony charges of destruction of letter boxes were originally filed on Saturday, March 8, after a group of teenagers were suspected of planting explosive devices in the mailboxes in and around Spencer. Seven state felony counts of destruction of letter boxes with an explosive device also were filed... |