Matlock, Iowa — Sheldon’s police K9 has provided an assist in Lyon County.

Sheldon Police officers tell us that on Tuesday, August 29th, they received a mutual aid request for K9 Balin just north of Matlock near the “Hershey Bridge”. The bridge is just into Lyon County, only a half mile north of the Sioux County line, and four miles west of the Osceola County line.

Multiple area law enforcement agencies were already on the scene where an Iowa State Patrol Trooper had located a stolen vehicle. They tell us the vehicle had just been involved in a pursuit with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect was believed to be in possession of stolen firearms as well.

The O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office used their drone to find the suspect in the field. The suspect refused all commands and continued to flee. Officers and Deputies from the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sheldon Police Department then entered the field to arrest the suspect. The suspect was still non-compliant and after several warnings, so K9 Balin was deployed to apprehend the suspect.

The suspect was taken into custody with no injuries to deputies or officers. The suspect was treated by George first responders and transported to the Sibley Hospital by the Lyon County Ambulance. The suspect was released from the hospital and transported to the Osceola County Jail.

They tell us investigation is still ongoing.

The Sheldon Police Department says they would like to express their pride for K9 Balin and all of the agencies involved in bringing this intense situation to a safe outcome.

Sioux Center, Iowa — A Sibley man was arrested on a felony drug possession charge after a traffic accident east of Sioux Center early on Friday, August 25th.

The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office reports that they arrested 50-year-old Marvin Lopau of Sibley early on Friday.

The arrest stemmed from a motor vehicle accident that occurred on Thursday, August 24, at 10:05 p.m., on 410th Street, one mile east of Sioux Center.

The Sheriff’s Office reports that Lopau was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer eastbound on 410th Street. They say 19-year-old Conner Oolman of Orange City was driving a 1973 International 1066 Tractor westbound on 410th Street. Lopau is accused of crossing the center of the roadway and sideswiping Oolman.

No injuries were reported.

The Chevrolet sustained approximately $4,500 in damage. The tractor sustained approximately $10,000 in damages.

Upon further investigation, the sheriff’s office says meth was found in Lopau’s possession.

Lopau was transported to the Sioux County Jail where he was charged with third offense possession of methamphetamine, a class D felony. If convicted, he could face five years in prison. He was also cited for failure to yield half of the roadway and failure to provide proof financial liability-accident related. No court dates have yet been set in the case.

At last report, he remained in the Sioux County Jail in Orange City in lieu of a $5000 cash or surety bond.

Sibley, Iowa — A Sibley couple have been charged with felony child endangerment.

According to a criminal complaint filed with the Osceola County Clerk of Court’s Office by the county sheriff’s office, 32-year-old Hector Ramos Diaz and 35-year-old Fatima Mendoza Arias of Sibley are accused of striking two children with a belt. They were charged on Wednesday.

In his statement, the deputy states that both are accused of using the belt on the children, but when she was asked last time, Mendoza Arias said she was the only one who used the belt. The children said both Mendoza Arias and Ramos Diaz had used the belt on them.

Both were charged with child endangerment causing bodily injury, a class D felony. If convicted, they could face up to five years in prison.

They face an initial appearance in court on September 26th.

Lake Park, Iowa — The Harris-Lake Park School Board Monday evening adopted an official resolution, formally setting Tuesday, November 7th as the date for an election on an 18.6 million dollar bond referendum.

A September date had originally been set for the vote but action taken by the Iowa Legislature this past session changed that. Superintendent Gary Richardson says it was a formality the board needed to adopt to reflect that change

The board also fine tuned details of the project being included in informational presentations for district patrons. Richardson says it doesn’t reflect any changes in the key part of the facilities part of the proposed project

Richardson says that information is also being made available through a website

Committees have also been formed to meet with residents in the Harris-Lake Park School District to explain the proposal and answer questions.

Courtesy Community First Broadcasting Station KUOO in Spirit Lake

Northwest Iowa — The Iowa Barn Foundation will hold its annual All-State Barn Tour September 16^th and 17^th.

72 historic barns throughout the state will be featured on the self-guided tour, including some in northwest Iowa. They include the Johnson Barn north of Sutherland; the Lorch Mennonite Barn at the intersection of Osceola County Roads A-34 and M-18 just west of the Dickinson/Osceola county line; Ferguson Barn north of Laurens; the Hansen Crib near Ruthven; the Harvey Barn southeast of Gruver; and the Wigdahl Barn southeast of Ruthven.

You can find more information and see a complete list and photos of barns throughout the state that will be included on the tour by clicking here: https://iowabarnfoundation.org/barn-tour/2023-fall

(Image by lumix2004 from Pixabay)

(Story courtesy of Community First Broadcasting station KUOO in Spirit Lake)

Lake Park, Iowa — Committees to inform residents of the Harris-Lake Park Community School District of an $18.6 million dollar bond referendum met for the first time Tuesday evening.

Travis Squires, Managing Director for Piper Sandler, presented the financial information and what it would mean for farmers and homeowners if the measure passes.

Squires added that depending upon interest rates, property valuations and state funding, the district could opt to pay off the debt earlier, reducing future interest costs. Should the measure fail, Squires says bringing it back for another vote would present additional challenges.

Squires notes Harris-Lake Park is joining a lot of other districts around the state that will have bond measures on the ballot in November.

The measure, if approved by 60 percent of those who vote in the November election, would allow for the construction of a new elementary school adjacent to the middle school/high school building in Lake Park.

Courtesy Community First Broadcasting Station KUOO in Spirit Lake

Sanborn, Iowa — A Melvin man has been arrested on felony OWI charges after an incident near Sanborn.

According to a criminal complaint filed with the O’Brien County Clerk of Court’s Office by the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office, 41-year-old David Charles Nachtigal of Melvin is accused of operating while intoxicated.

In his statement, the deputy states that the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office received a call from someone who said he saw a white Ford Escape drive onto his farm driveway and then park. The reporting party attempted to make contact with the driver, but said the driver was passed out behind the wheel. The deputy says when he got there, Nachtigal was still passed out behind the steering wheel, the vehicle was running, and Nachtigal had his foot on the brake pedal. The officer noticed that Nachtigal appeared to be intoxicated, but he refused standardized field sobriety testing and a preliminary breath test. Instead, a search warrant was obtained for a sample of Nachtigal’s blood, which will be tested at the DCI Crime Lab in Ankeny.

Nachtigal was charged with operating while intoxicated, third or subsequent offense, a class D felony. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison. He also faces misdemeanor charges of driving while barred and driving while denied or revoked.

Nachtigal has waived his initial appearance and preliminary hearing. No other court dates have yet been set.

At last report, he remained in the O’Brien County Jail in Primghar.