Following are excerpts of activities reported by the Greene County sheriff’s office:
Tuesday, June 30: At 12:20 am a deputy responded to a minor car-deer accident on County Road E-53 near O Ave east of Jefferson. Jean Tuhn of Grand Junction was eastbound when a deer ran from the north ditch and struck her pickup truck. Tuhn was not injured but her vehicle sustained an estimated $1,000 in damage. At 8:12 am a deputy was dispatched to the Grand Junction Laundromat to investigate the theft of candy from a vending machine. At 2:27 pm a deputy was dispatched to a reported domestic altercation at a residence at 16th and Main St in Grand Junction. After an investigation, the deputy subsequently arrested Tyler Anthony Kokenge, 33, of Grand Junction for domestic abuse assault – first offense*. At 2:31 pm a deputy while on routine patrol tried to initiate a traffic stop on a white vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The driver fled in the vehicle from the deputy and was pursued into Boone, Dallas and eventually back into Greene County before eluding deputies from Greene and Dallas County.
Monday, June 29: At 8:50 am the Union Pacific railroad dispatcher advised the Law Enforcement Center of a trespassing concern on the railroad right of way at the crossing on 230th St and Kirkwood Ave west of Jefferson. The deputy was not able to locate the described vehicle. At 4:09 pm a deputy was advised of the illegal dumping of yard waste at the Seven Hills Park.
Sunday, June 28: At 4:13 am a deputy investigated a complaint of a tractor being in the ditch at County Road P-29 (N Ave) just north of 110th St in Dawson Township. Mason Taylor of Lohrville was arrested for operating while intoxicated*. Taylor was driving a John Deere 4755 with a sprayer on the back of it. It was later found that the tractor was stolen and Taylor’s vehicle was found in the ditch submerged in water. There are more charges pending. At 5:38 pm chief deputy jack Williams was called by the parents of Janelle Brophy, age 14. Janelle was reported missing and that she had been gone since about 2:30 pm. Jefferson fire, Churdan fire, Grand Junction fire, Scranton fire, and Carroll County sheriff’s office assisted with the search. Janelle was located at or about 10 am Monday morning and transported to Greene County Medical Center.
Saturday, June 27: At 1:20 pm, a deputy investigated cattle out in the area of S Ave and 325th St in Washington Township. The owner was contacted and the cattle were placed back in the fence. At 6:11 pm a deputy investigated a car in the ditch at Oakland Ave and 222nd St east of Jefferson. The driver of the car was issued a citation for failure to maintain control.
Friday, June 26: At 12:29 am two deputies, the chief deputy, the sheriff, a JPD officer, Boone County sheriff’s deputies and a Carroll County deputy investigated a large party of under-age persons at 732 P Ave in Hardin Township after a phone call from a parent. Upon arrival, there were an estimated 200 under-age persons there. Other than the occupants of the residence, all were from Webster County and Humboldt County. About 50 youngsters were detained. There were 21 citations issued for possession of alcohol underage. Some of the youngsters got away by tearing the sides off the Morton building where the party was located. There were two arrests made. Chloe Duckett was arrested for providing false information and possession of alcohol underage*. The second arrest was of a male subject who at the time refused to give his identity. He will be charged with criminal mischief-second degree, assault on a peace officer, possession of alcohol underage, and resisting arrest. Due to the high number of youngsters and the aggression that they were showing towards the officers, K-9 Leo was deployed to protect officers and gain compliance as there was reported firearms. There was also marijuana located at the scene. At 10:19 pm a deputy investigated an assault complaint in the 1100 block of Cedar St in Scranton. The incident is still under investigation. At 10:51 pm a deputy investigated a theft complaint of alcohol from Casey’s Grand Junction. Colton Allen Smith of Melbourne was arrested and booked into the jail for theft-fifth degree*. At 11:09 pm a deputy struck a deer with his patrol vehicle, causing an estimated $1500 damage to the front end of the 2015 Chevy Tahoe.
Thursday, June 25: At 1:01 am a deputy was dispatched to the 700 block of Lincoln St in Scranton for the report of a loud explosion. The deputy determined it may have been a loud clap of thunder during the rain storm. At 4:25 am a deputy was advised of a vehicle in the ditch on County Road E-33 between I Ave and County Road P-33 in Bristol Township. The vehicle had entered the ditch after losing control due to water over the roadway. At 5 am a deputy was dispatched to another vehicle that was in the ditch on Highway 4 between F and G Ave east of Churdan due to water on the roadway. At 3:03 pm a deputy took a theft report of stolen tools in the 500 block of R Ave in Dawson Township.
Wednesday, June 24: At 2:30 am, a deputy assisted with traffic control while a semi-tractor trailer was towed from 320th St near V Ave in Washington Township. At 10:52 am a deputy investigated criminal mischief at the Raccoon River access south of the Adkins Bridge on County Road E-57 at S Ave in Washington Township. At 1:18 pm the chief deputy investigated a harassment concern in the 700 block of E Division St in Grand Junction. At 6:04 pm a deputy assisted the Calhoun County sheriff’s office and a Farnhamville police officer with a two vehicle accident that occurred on Highway 4 in Calhoun County.
Tuesday, June 23: At 8:29 pm, a deputy was advised of three head of cattle on the roadway at S Ave and 325th St in Washington Township. The owner of the cattle was located and advised of the situation.
Monday, June 22: At 2:13 pm, a deputy was dispatched for the report of a camper that had come unhitched from a vehicle and entered the ditch on County Road P-33 (S Ave) near Lakeside Golf Course. Charles Thomas Hinote, 62, of Jefferson was southbound driving a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck towing a 1996 Gulf Stream travel camper. The camper came unhitched and entered the east ditch. Hinote was cited for expired registrations on the camper and the truck and failure to secure a load. The camper sustained an estimated $2,000 in damages. At 2:28 pm the Greene County sheriff’s office, Jefferson police department, Jefferson fire department and Greene County EMS were dispatched to an excavation site west of Doreen Wilber Drive for a worker that was partially buried with dirt at the construction site. The worker was immediately removed by his co-workers and was not seriously injured. Jefferson fire and EMS were advised that they could disregard the call. At 9:01 pm a deputy was dispatched to the Greene County Intermediate School in Grand Junction to investigate the report of several youth trespassing around the school.
Sunday, June 21: At 12:26 am, a deputy assisted an Iowa State Patrol officer with removing a vehicle from the roadway on County Road E-53 and Kirkwood Ave west of Jefferson after it had struck a raccoon and lost all of its radiator fluid and damaged the front bumper. The vehicle will be removed later in the daylight. At 12:44 am a deputy was dispatched to remove a deer carcass from the roadway at the Highway 30 overpass east of Grand Junction. At 6:22 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 300 block of South 9th St in Grand Junction for the report of trespassing on private property. At 10:30 pm a deputy responded to a reported suspicious vehicle and a possible burglary to a residence in the 900 block of County Road P-46 (W Ave) in Junction Township.
Saturday, June 20: At 3:30 am, a deputy was advised of a work truck hauling a large generator with its rear spotlights on while traveling westbound on Highway 30. The deputy located the truck and initiated a traffic stop just inside Carroll County. At 3:58 am a deputy while on routine patrol discovered the Union Pacific railroad crossing arms at the Main St crossing in Scranton were malfunctioning. The UP railroad was advised of the malfunction. At 4:54 am a deputy assisted a Jefferson police officer with an E-911 call in the 600 block of W. Reed St in Jefferson. At 7:53 am a deputy was dispatched to the 2400 block of County Road P-46 (V Ave) in Washington Township to investigate a reported burglary and theft of an air compressor, a Lincoln welder and gas from a vehicle. The theft is under investigation at this time. At 11:14 am a deputy is investigated the theft of personal property from a residence in the 1800 block of D Ave in Scranton Township. At 1:46 pm a deputy while on routine patrol in Grand Junction initiated a traffic stop and subsequently arrested Larry Lee Varnell, 22, of Grand Junction for driving while barred, driving while license suspended, canceled or revoked and no financial liability coverage*.
Friday, June 19: At 11:20 am a deputy was dispatched to the Greene County Medical Center emergency room for a reported accidental gunshot wound. Joshua Harold Gingery, 31, of Churdan advised the deputy that he was shooting several rabbits from a garden spot when the 22 caliber rifle accidentally discharged, shooting himself in the little toe of his right foot. At 9:52 pm a deputy was dispatched to a single vehicle accident that occurred on 230th St and V Ave east of Grand Junction. A 2003 Ford Ranger pickup that was being driven by Dustin Darren Tromblay, 16, of Ogden, failed to negotiate the curve at V Ave and rolled his 2003 Ford Ranger pickup truck into the ditch. The truck was determined to be a total loss. Tromblay was cited for failure to maintain control.
Wednesday, June 17: Routine activity reported.
Tuesday, June 16: At 1:44 pm the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson fire department, Greene County Emergency Medical Services and DOT personnel all assisted the Iowa State Patrol with a four vehicle accident that closed Highway 30 east of Jefferson for nearly five hours. At 9:12 pm the animal control officer was not able to locate a reported small horse or donkey along the roadway on Highway 4 near 185th St in Hardin Township.
Monday, June 15: At 12:03 am a deputy and the Churdan fire and rescue squad were dispatched to a vehicle fire on 110th St, just west of Highway 4 (I Ave) in Highland Township. After the deputy’s investigation, it appears that the car was intentionally set on fire after most of the interior was stripped from the vehicle. The fire is under investigation by the sheriff’s office at this time. At 8:04 pm a deputy while on routine patrol discovered criminal mischief to a road sign in Scranton. At 8:24 pm a deputy was advised of five youth loitering in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Grand Junction. The deputy determined the identity of the youth for future reference.
Sunday, June 14: At 11:47 am a deputy was advised of several juvenile males that are harassing a juvenile female. All juvenile males will be contacted by the deputy. At 8:01 pm a deputy was dispatched to vicinity of the Casey’s General Store in Scranton for the report of a suspicious person spray painting graffiti on the pavement and wooden pallets. The identity of the male was determined but was not located at that time. At 8:04 pm a deputy was dispatched to Paton for the report of a male subject riding an ATV 4-wheeler with a child as a passenger. The male driver was reported to be carrying some type of pellet gun or rifle. The identity of the male was determined and was spoken to by the deputy.
Saturday, June 13: Routine activity reported.
Friday, June 12: At 12:54 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 600 block of South 15th St in Grand Junction to investigate the report of a juvenile that had reportedly assaulted his stepmother. The juvenile was transported to the Law Enforcement Center and then later released back to the custody of his father. At 4:04 pm a deputy investigated a possible assault that occurred at a rural residence in Greene County. At 4:35 pm a deputy was advised by a resident in the 800 block of North St in Churdan that his female companion had left with their child for an unknown destination. A vehicle that was taken without permission was later entered into the state system as stolen.
Thursday, June 11: At 6:50 pm a deputy conducted tobacco compliance checks throughout the county.
Wednesday, June 10: At 6:24 am, the Greene County sheriff’s office assisted the Boone County sheriff’s office with transporting a Jefferson resident back to his residence after he experienced an auto accident in Boone County and was without a vehicle or ride home. At 10:07 pm a deputy was dispatched to a car-deer accident on Highway 30 near County Road P-33 (S Ave) west of Grand Junction. Krystina Lea Milakovic, 21, of Belle Isle, FL, was eastbound when a deer ran onto the roadway and she struck it. Milakovic was not injured but her vehicle sustained an estimated $5,000 in damages.
Tuesday, June 9: At 7:31 am, a deputy, Carroll and Greene County EMS units, Scranton fire and the Iowa State Patrol all responded to a motorcycle-deer accident on Highway 30 between A and B Ave west of Scranton. Gale Gene Zellweger, 63, of Scranton was westbound when a deer ran in front of his motorcycle, causing Zellweger to go into the ditch after striking the buck deer. Zellweger was transported to the Greene County Medical Center by Greene County EMS for possible back and shoulder injuries. He was later transported by Life Flight to the Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. Damage to the Zellweger’s 2010 Victory Cross Country motorcycle was estimated to be $9,500. At 1:04 pm, a deputy, the Scranton fire department, Greene County Emergency Medical Services and the JeffersonfFire department all responded to a house in the 800 block of Lincoln St in Scranton after personnel from Black Hills Energy advised that there may be explosive levels of natural gas within the home. The natural gas levels were found to be safe after further inspection of the home.
Monday, June 8: At 6:41 am a deputy was advised of a hit and run accident that occurred on Highway 25 north of Bayard. The caller stated that a black Dodge Ram pickup side swiped his vehicle and turned west on County Road E-63 towards Coon Rapids. The driver reporting the accident came to the Law Enforcement Center to obtain an accident report. At 11:38 am three members of the Greene County sheriff’s office, Greene County Emergency Medical Services, the Iowa State Patrol and the Jefferson fire department all responded to a single vehicle accident on County Road E-26 (170th St) just east of Highway 4 in Hardin Township. Katie Leora Halligan, 21, of rural Jefferson was west bound on E-26 when she lost control of her 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Halligan entered the south ditch and ended up in a bean field. She was transported to the Greene County Medical Center for back pain injuries. The car sustained only minor damage and was driven from the field. At 12:12 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 300 block of Howard St in Rippey to investigate a burglary and the reported theft of personal property from the residence. At 4:23 pm the chief deputy sheriff and K-9 Leo assisted the JPD with a vehicle search in the 600 block of W. Adams St in Jefferson. At 9:01 pm a deputy assisted in locating two juvenile youth that had run away from home in Jefferson. The two youth were found in Scranton and transported back to the Law Enforcement Center to be picked up by relatives.
Sunday, June 7: At 12:00 pm a deputy spoke with a Grand Junction resident in the 500 of S. 11th Street in Grand Junction regarding personal items taken from the residence during the city wide cleanup. At 12:34 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 300 block of South Main Street in Paton investigate the reported theft of personal property. The theft is under investigation at this time. At 6:13 pm a deputy was assisted by a JPD officer with investigating a minor traffic accident on Highway 30, just west of Grimmell Road. Amelia Krienert, 25, of Sioux City was eastbound on Highway 30 when Brad Lee Byerly, 46, of Jefferson struck the rear of it. No injuries were reported. After the initial investigation the deputy did arrest Brad Byerly for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated- first offense, and cited him for following too closely and failure to stop in a safe assured distance*. Damage to Krienert’s 2003 Honda was estimated at $1,000. Damage to Byerly’s 2007 Chrysler Town and Country minivan was estimated at $2,000.
Saturday, June 6: At 10:04 am a deputy assisted with locating the driver and vehicle that had driven away from the Paton Pit Stop gas station without paying. At 9:11 pm a deputy, Greene County Emergency Medical Services personnel and fire units from Scranton and Jefferson all responded to a house fire in the 600 block of 280th St in Scranton Township. The fire was contained to the basement area. No damage estimate was determined at that time.
Friday, June 5: At 12:17 pm, a deputy was dispatched to a semi-tractor trailer rollover at the intersection of Y Ave and 337th St in Washington Township. A 1997 Kenworth semi-tractor pulling a side dump trailer that was hauling asbestos to the landfill was parked along the gravel roadway waiting for another truck to exit the landfill. The driver, Daniel Allen Vanrees, 27, of Knoxville stated that the trailer then began to slide into the ditch, causing the semi-tractor to also roll onto its side. Hazardous Waste Management Inc. from Grimes was dispatched to the location to assist with the cleanup. A DOT Enforcement Officer was also on location to assist and issued several citations. The semi and trailer are owned by JPI Leasing of Des Moines with damage estimated to be $10,000. At 12:44 pm a deputy spoke with a resident in the 900 block of 190th St in Hardin Township about receiving harassing phone calls. The deputy called the phone number provide and spoke with a male subject. The deputy then advised the male that legal action would ensue if the phone calls continue. At 9:41 pm a deputy was dispatched to a car-deer accident that occurred at the “S” curves on County Road E-53 (235th St) east of Jefferson. Christina Mitchels of Ames was eastbound when a deer ran onto the roadway and was struck by Mitchels. Damage to the car was estimated to be $3,000.
Thursday, June 4: At 7:11 pm a deputy was advised of the theft of a log splitter from a business in the 100 block of Main St in Grand Junction.
Wednesday, June 3: At 2:32 pm a deputy was advised by a Greene County conservation officer of a white pickup truck that was being driven recklessly and damaging Henderson Park. The truck owner will be spoken to by the deputy with charges pending.
Tuesday, June 2: At 3:43 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 1200 block of S. Main St in Scranton for the report of trespassing on the Union Pacific railroad right of way. At 9:15 pm a deputy was not able to locate two juvenile that were reported to be walking along the roadway on Highway 30 near Pioneer Ave east of Jefferson. At 10:06 pm a deputy was advised that a resident in the 2200 block of 230th St in Junction Township had received several harassing cell phone calls.
Monday, June 1: At 8:30 am a deputy assisted with transporting a female prisoner from Polk County to the Greene County Law Enforcement Center for an outstanding arrest warrant initiated by the Jefferson police department. At 2:28 pm two deputies investigated the report of several youth entering a building in the 200 block of E. Main St in Grand Junction. No one was found in the vacant building upon the deputies’ arrival. At 5:15 pm two deputies responded to a two vehicle accident involving a farm tractor and a semi-tractor trailer at the intersection of Highway 30 and L Ave west of Jefferson. Chester Sargent of rural Jefferson was eastbound on Highway 30 driving a John Deere tractor pulling a field cultivator. Dee Jay Byerly of Scranton was following Sargent driving a semi-tractor pulling an empty grain trailer. The rig is leased to West Central Coop. As Sargent attempted to turn left onto L Ave, Byerly attempted to pass him on the left and struck the field cultivator. There were no injuries. Damage to the tractor and cultivator, which are owned by Youngblood Farms of rural Jefferson, was estimated at several thousand dollars. The semi-tractor was estimated to be a total loss. Charges are pending further investigation. At 5:59 pm a deputy investigated criminal mischief to several vehicles in the 100 block of Lovejoy St in Rippey.
*In all cases when a defendant has been charged, this is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
