Following are excerpts of activities reported by the Greene County sheriff’s office:
Thursday, March 31: At 1:43 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 300 block of H Ave in Highland Township to investigate criminal mischief to a vehicle and trespassing onto private property.
Wednesday, March 30: At 10:23 am a deputy was dispatched to the 500 block of Sand St in Churdan to investigate criminal mischief to several windows. At 1:47 pm a deputy assisted Grand Junction city officials in checking an abandoned building. At 4:19 pm the Jefferson fire department was dispatched to a reported field and ditch fire near 300th St and Highway 4 in Franklin Township.
Tuesday, March 29: At 3:34 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 1600 block of 150th St in Dawson Township to investigate the theft of a hydraulic cylinder for a farm implement. At 4:23 pm a deputy spoke with a Churdan resident about his receiving the IRS phone scam. (Beware –The Internal Revenue Service only corresponds by mail and not by phone. Do not give personal information over the phone or by other social media. Do not provide money, in any form, to anyone without investigating the cause.) At 5:33 pm a deputy was advised of a nuisance concern involving a dog in the 800 block of Hager St East in Grand Junction.
Monday, March 28: At 2:39 am a deputy assisted a JPD officer with the arrest of a male subject for public intoxication in the 100 block of W. Harrison St. At 3:41 am a deputy was dispatched to the Webster-Greene County line to meet a Webster County deputy to take custody of Joshua Jay Blumberg, 20, of Callendar on an outstanding warrant from Greene County. At 5:52 am a deputy was advised of a car-deer accident just north of Grand Junction on Highway 144. A 2008 Chevrolet HHR Van being driven by Teri Ann Hermann of Boone struck a deer, causing an estimated $2,500 in damage to her vehicle. Hermann was not injured. At 8:45 am the Greene County sheriff’s office, Greene County EMS and Jefferson fire units all responded to a single vehicle accident in the 1900 block of Highway 4 south of Jefferson. Mackenzie Sue Dreeszen, 24, of Iowa City was southbound when she lost control of her 2008 Toyota Prius due to a flat tire. Her car entered the west ditch, striking a farm field driveway. This action caused her car to become airborne, coming to rest on its wheels on the south side of the drive. Dreeszen had her seat belt secured and was not injured. She refused medical attention at that time. Her Toyota sustained major damage. At 3:09 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 600 block of Brentwood Ave in Cedar Township to investigate the theft of fuel from a vehicle.
Sunday, March 27: At 5:28 pm, a deputy spoke with a resident in the 1800 block of 283rd Street about a harassment concern. At 5:37 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 2000 block of Highway 4 in Franklin Township Avenue to retrieve drug paraphernalia that was found along the roadway during a ditch clean up.
Saturday, March 26: At 4:02 pm a deputy located and arrested James Leon Cunningham, 40, of Jefferson on outstanding warrants from Boone County. At 11:10 pm a deputy, an Iowa State Patrol officer, Greene County EMS, Alliant Energy and Churdan fire units all responded to a single vehicle accident at the intersection of Harding and Livingston Streets in Churdan. A 2007 Chevrolet Impala that is owned by Joseph Robert Hupp, of rural Scranton, was being driven without the owner’s consent by Wade Ritchey Hoyle, 22, of Glidden. The car struck a power pole and downed the power line. Charges are pending against Hoyle and several other passengers who were reported to have left the scene on foot. Hoyle later admitted to being the driver of the car. The vehicle was towed to the impound lot in Jefferson.
Friday, March 25: Routine activity reported.
Thursday, March 24: At 10:38 am Greene County dispatchers were advised by a DOT enforcement officer of a funeral home hearse that was leaving Boone County and entering Greene County on Highway 30 with its white flashing grill lights activated. The flashing lights were causing oncoming drivers to pull off the roadway. The hearse was located and the driver was informed of the situation. At 2:31 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 800 block of County Road E-63 (290th St) in Franklin Township for the report of a butcher hog walking eastbound on E-63. The hog was located and escorted to the next farm residence. It was reported that the hog was on the lamb from a hog confinement facility. At 3:31 pm a deputy was dispatched to Scranton to locate and arrest Mathew John Goff, 42, of Jefferson on warrants for possession of a controlled substance – third or subsequent offense (two counts), burglary-third degree (two counts) and theft-third degree*. At 8:37 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 500 block of 5th St in Rippey to investigate a reported hit and run to a vehicle parked along the street.
Wednesday, March 23: At 7:48 pm a deputy was advised of a vehicle that had gone off the roadway in the 1900 block of Highway 4 south of Jefferson. The car reportedly drove through a fenced cattle lot and then back onto the highway, proceeding northbound. The vehicle was later stopped in Jefferson by a JPD officer and the driver was evaluated. At 8:57 pm a deputy was dispatched to investigate a reported suspicious vehicle trespassing in the 600 block of Highway 30 west of Scranton. The deputy checked several building sites and did not locate the vehicle.
Tuesday, March 22: At 6:59 am three members of the sheriff’s office responded to a reported suspicious vehicle at a residence in the 1400 block of 160th St. The vehicle was not located and the buildings were found to be secure. At 1:05 pm two deputies and an Iowa State Patrol officer were dispatched to the 400 block of S. Main St in Paton to investigate a reported domestic assault. Charges are pending further investigation by the sheriff’s office.
Monday, March 21: At 10:47 am a deputy was dispatched to the 800 block of 230th St in Jackson Township to investigate the fraudulent use of a bank check. At 3:53 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 400 block of 195th St in Kendrick Township to investigate a burglary and the theft of personal property. At 4:57 pm a deputy was dispatched to a two vehicle accident that occurred on the curve on County Road E-53 east of Jefferson at the saw mill. Nathan James Flinn, 23, of Rippey was westbound driving a 1999 Ford Escort when he crossed over the center line and struck a 2002 Dodge Caravan being driven by Bryan Keith Langfitt, 57, of Grand Junction. Neither driver was injured but both vehicles were reported to be total losses. After further investigation by the deputy, he arrested Flinn for driving while revoked, illegal possession of prescription medications, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia*. Flinn was also cited for failure to have insurance. At 9:42 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 400 block of South 11th St in Grand Junction to investigate the ongoing criminal mischief to the door of the residence.
Sunday, March 20: At 2:04 am a deputy was advised of an assault that occurred earlier in the evening at the 209 Main Restaurant in Paton. Charges are pending upon further investigation by the deputy. At 11:08 am a deputy was advised by Union Pacific railroad dispatchers of a vehicle that was illegally parked and trespassing on the railroad right of way at the Jordan Ave crossing in Jackson Township. The vehicle’s owner was determined.
Saturday, March 19: At 6:46 am a deputy was dispatched to Grand Junction to help determine the identity of a 3-year-old that was found wandering along Highway 144. It was determined that the child walked away from a residence in the 1100 block of South 8th St. The child was in the care of a grandparent. At 8:28 am a deputy spoke with a resident in the 1800 block of 283rd St in Washington Township about his mailbox being knocked over. The description of several vehicles was determined. At 7 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 800 block of Madison St in Scranton to investigate the report of several youth breaking out windows in a house. The two juveniles were located and identified by the deputy. Criminal mischief charges are pending notification of the parents.
Friday, March 18: At 2:28 pm fire units from both Rippey and Grand Junction were dispatched to a vehicle fire at 307 3rd St in Rippey. The pickup was pulled from the garage area so the fire could be extinguished. The truck belonging to Melissa Wallace was estimated to be a total loss. There was only minor damage to the garage. At 7:31 pm a deputy was dispatched to investigate a reported garage on fire on 18th Street North in Grand Junction. The deputy determined that a wood burning stove in the garage was creating the excessive smoke. The Grand Junction fire department was advised that they could disregard.
Thursday, March 17: At 12:08 am a deputy assisted the JPD with locating a wanted male subject near the Rippey area that was wanted on an outstanding police warrant. The male was followed to a residence in Jefferson where he was taken into custody by the deputy and JPD officers. Branden Garrick Smith, 39, of Jefferson was booked into the Greene County jail. At 10:30 am the sheriff’s office was advised of a forced entry into several outbuildings at a vacant farmstead.
Wednesday, March 16: At 6:27 am a deputy assisted a JPD officer with trying to locate a vehicle in Grand Junction regarding a Jefferson case. At 6:59 am the chief deputy sheriff responded to a car-deer accident on County Road E-53 (237th St) just east of Kirkwood Ave. The vehicle sustained very little damage and no report was needed. The deer was removed from the roadway. At 3:15 pm a deputy was dispatched to the Grand Junction library to talk with a male transient that had been loitering around town for several days. His identity was determined and transported to the county line. At 4 pm a deputy located the described car and driver that had passed a stopped Paton-Churdan School bus with its amber lights activated and the stop sign arm extended. The bus was letting students off at a stop in Churdan. The driver was issued a citation for the unlawful passing of a school bus – first offense. At 5:30 pm a deputy spoke with a female at the Greene County law enforcement center about the possible violation of a no contact order. At 8:46 pm two deputies located a reported runaway juvenile female that had walked away from a residence in Grand Junction. She was later found to be safe.
Tuesday, March 15: At 9:30 am deputies and K-9s from the Greene and Carroll County sheriff’s offices along with the JPD conducted a search of the Greene County High School and Middle School in Jefferson. The dogs indicated on several vehicles and a locker during the search. At 1:06 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 1400 block of Kirkwood Ave in Jackson Township to investigate the report of illegal dumping.
Monday, March 14: At 8:30 am a deputy investigated criminal mischief to a county traffic sign in the 1100 block of 237th St in Jackson Township. At 4:15 pm a deputy was advised of a harassment concern in Scranton. At 5:43 pm a deputy was advised by a Paton-Churdan school bus driver of a vehicle that drove past the bus, at the school in Churdan, while the stop sign arm was extended. A citation will be issued to the driver. At 6:36 pm a deputy assisted a JPD officer with trying to locate the driver of a described vehicle that was involved in a domestic altercation in Jefferson. At 6:55 pm two deputies were dispatched to 1400 block of Jordan Ave in Bristol Township to locate two off road motorcycles that were riding on private property. The two were located and warned to not ride on the railroad right of way.
Sunday, March 13: At 2:41 pm a deputy was advised of an injured bald eagle east of Jefferson in the 1100 block of Highway 30, east of Scranton. Several agencies were contacted and were on their way to the location when the eagle, after resting for a time, took flight before their arrival. At 5:06 pm a deputy was advised of several youth operating 4-wheel ATVs in the city limits of Paton. At 7:55 pm a deputy responded to a car-deer accident on County Road E-26 (170th St) near P Ave in Hardin Township. Rick Dean Smith, 37, of rural Grand Junction was eastbound on County Road E-26 driving a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro when a deer ran onto the roadway. Smith struck the deer. Smith was not injured but his car sustained an estimated $10,500 in damages.
Saturday, March 12: At 11:47 am a deputy checked the report of vandalism at the Scranton city park next to city hall. Graffiti was found written on the roof of the slide. At 12:56 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 300 block of 150th St in Cedar Township to talk with the resident about a harassment concern. At 2:15 pm Union Pacific railroad dispatchers asked a deputy to check for a described vehicle that had had driven around the activated crossing gates in Scranton and was nearly struck by the advancing train. The vehicle was not located at that time. At 4:05 pm a deputy was dispatched for a vehicle that was being driven erratically and carelessly on Highway 30 near Jefferson. The deputy located the vehicle as it entered the Wild Rose Casino parking lot. The driver, Atem Akuei Malual, 33, of Denison was evaluated and subsequently arrested for operating while intoxicated (OWI)-first offense*.
Friday, March 11: At 8:24 am a deputy was dispatched to Scranton to investigate a reported assault. At 9:41 am a deputy assisted an Iowa State Patrol Officer with an accident two miles west of Churdan on County Road E-19 (240th St). A trailer hauling a backhoe became unhitched from a truck and entered the ditch. At 3:41 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 300 block of Main Street East in Grand Junction to investigate a reported burglary to a building. At this time it is unknown if anything was taken. At 7:58 pm the Paton fire department was dispatched for a farm field fire in the 1700 block of County Road E-18 (130th St) in Dawson Township. It was later reported by the Paton fire units to be a controlled burn.
Thursday, March 10: At 3:51 am a deputy assisted a JPD officer with a traffic stop in Jefferson. Arrested by the officer at the scene was Tesa Renee Binns, 21, of Greensboro, NC. Binns is being charged with criminal mischief – second degree (Class D felony) by the sheriff’s office for damage to a booking room at the jail*. The JPD will have other charges. At 11:52 pm a deputy assisted a JPD officer with a call on W. Wall St in Jefferson.
Wednesday, March 9: At 1:41 pm a deputy was dispatched to the 2400 block of 337th St in Franklin Township for the report of a dog that was injured due to what was believed to be a gun shot. The dog was reported to be running at large before returning home. At 4:33 pm a deputy was dispatched to the Churdan library to investigate criminal mischief to the building. Two juveniles admitted to writing on the bricks with a rock. At 10:03 pm a deputy, while on routine patrol in Grand Junction, located a reported suspicious vehicle at the Casey’s General Store and subsequently arrested Joseph Donald Andrews, 32, of Gowrie for possession of marijuana – second offense and carrying weapons without a current carry permit*.
Tuesday, March 8: At 7:33 am the chief deputy sheriff was dispatched to the 200 block of E. Hager St in Grand Junction to help with an unruly juvenile male. After an investigation, the juvenile was transported to the Greene County Law Enforcement Center and was charged with criminal mischief – fifth degree. At 8:19 pm a deputy was advised of an abandoned e-911 call that mapped to the 1200 block of 230th St in Jackson Township. The deputy checked the area and was unable to locate the origin of the call.
Monday, March 7: At 3:41 am a deputy was dispatched to the 100 block of Main St in Rippey to check a residence after dispatchers received an abandoned E-911 call that mapped to that location. The deputy nd the home owner determined the phone was not working properly.
Sunday, March 6: Routine activity reported.
Saturday, March 5: At 12:58 am, a deputy assisted a JPD officer with a traffic stop on Highway 30 near Grimmell Rd. The deputy stayed with the vehicle until it was towed from the scene after the driver was arrested by the police officer.
Friday, March 4: At 10 am the chief deputy sheriff charged Jeffery Paul Olberding, 49, of rural Scranton, for having a loaded gun in his vehicle* At 10:18 am a deputy was dispatched to the 900 block of Grant St in Scranton to investigate criminal mischief to a car window. At 7:38 pm a deputy was asked to assist jail personnel with an unruly inmate.
Thursday, March 3: At 8:30 am the Greene County sheriff’s office, with the assistance of the Iowa State Patrol, conducted a search warrant at a rural Greene County residence. At 5:10 pm two Greene County deputies assisted with the mental committal of an adult male subject from rural Greene County.
Wednesday, March 2: At 7:11 pm, a deputy was dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of E. Hager St in Grand Junction to investigate the theft of money from a family member. A juvenile male will be charged with the theft.
Tuesday, March 1: At 9:53 am two deputies responded to a reported two vehicle accident at the intersection of Highway 30 and County Road P-46 (W Ave). Douglas Lynn Holmes, 66, of Latimer was westbound on Highway 30 driving a 2013 Chevrolet Express G3500 when a northbound 1999 Buick LeSabre driven by Janice Lee Crawley, 50, of Dawson ran the stop sign at P-46 and struck his van. Crawley was issued a citation for failure to stop at a stop sign. Her vehicle was reported to be a total loss. Neither driver reported any injuries, with minimal damage to the Holmes van.
*In all cases when a defendant has been charged, this is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
