Sirens 6-5-09

James Patrick Griffin, 45, St. Laurens, was charged with no insurance and improper registration on Thursday, May 28, in the 3900 block of N18 during a routine traffic stop by Clay County deputies. He was transported to the Clay County Jail and held to appear before a magistrate.

Todd Griffin, Sioux Rapids, and Tim Griffin, Spencer, were both charged with trespassing at 12:26 a.m. Friday, May 29, in the 4000 block of 340th Avenue, after Clay County deputies conducted surveillance of a suspicious vehicle, and upon investigation, found the individuals to be on property without the owner's permission. It was also found that Todd Griffin had a warrant for his arrest out of Buena Vista County on a probation violation for possession of anhydrous ammonia and OWI. They were both transported to the Clay County Jail. Tim Griffin was later released upon seeing a magistrate and Todd Griffin was held for Buena Vista County on a $5,000 bond.

Terry Henderson, 43, Everly, was charged with driving while suspended at 11:21 p.m. Saturday, May 23, in the 700 block of First Avenue West during a traffic stop by a Clay County deputy. He was transported to the Clay County Jail where he was later processed and released on bond.

Jose Dejesus Hidalgo-Garcia, 18, Mason City, was charged with failure to have a valid driver's license and no proof of insurance at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, in the 2300 block of Highway 18 after a complaint from an anonymous citizen to the Clay County Sheriff's Office that they were following a small white car that was weaving all over the road. He was transported to the Clay County Jail and held to appear before a magistrate.

Accident

Dale Swanson, 81, Ayrshire, was driving east on B63 in a 2008 homemade grain trailer at approximately 4:45 p.m. Friday, May 29, when he drove into a cloud of smoke from a ditch fire in the southside road ditch. He stopped his semi because he could not see the road. At that time Larry Buettner, 64, Webb, driving a 2004 Chevrolet Truck and trailer drove into the smoke and rain into the back of Swanson's trailer. A third vehicle, a 2001 Ford F150 Truck, driven by Steven Sitzman, 23, Linn Grove, then drove into the back of Buettner, who was pulling a trailer full of ducks. All drivers advised they did not see each other due to the smoke. No charges were filed in the accident. Swanson's vehicle sustained approximately $1,000 in damage, Buttner's damage was estimated at $13,500 for both of his vehicles and Sitzman's damage was estimated at $3,000. The Clay County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Webb Fire Department.

Thomas Rutt, 48, Spencer, driving a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country van, was parked at the intersection of West Fourth Street and Grand Avenue when John Langteau, 23, Chaseburg, Wis., driving a 2007 International semi tractor, was making a right turn onto West Fourth Street from Grand Avenue. Rutt began exiting his parking stall and struck the rear right tires of the semi trailer, leaving scuff marks on the tires. Damage to the van was estimated at $2,500 and no damage was estimated to the semi. No injuries were reported.

Tess Easton, 18, Everly, driving a 2001 Ford Taurus, turned left at 18th and Grand into the path of Charles Bredemeier, 67, Arnolds Park, driving a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe. Easton stated that the light had just turned yellow when she entered the intersection. Bredemeier stated that the stop light for northbound traffic was green when he proceeded into the intersection. Damage to the Ford was estimated at $1,500 and the same for the Chevrolet. No injuries were reported. Easton was citied for failure to yield upon a left turn.

Valorie Van Ampting, 54, Spencer, driving a 1993 Buick Park Avenue was traveling northbound on 10th Avenue East and attempted to turn left onto 12th Street. Jennifer Schuster, 29, Spencer, driving a 2006 Ford 500, was traveling southbound on 10th Avenue East and struck Van Ampting's vehicle, who failed to yield. Vehicle damage was estimated at $5,000 to the Buick and $4,000 to the Ford. Schuster was transported by ambulance to the Spencer Hospital for possible injuries. Van Ampting was cited for failure to yield on left turn. Grass/turf damage was estimated at $50 to Jarold Krogman's property.

Incidents

Silver Pork, a sow/farrowing production fram building located in the 2500 block of 390th Street, Spencer, was burglarized over the Memorial Day weekend. Several items were taken. Anyone with information concerning this burglary is encouraged to contact the Clay County Sheriff's Office.