Lights and Sirens

Sioux Center Man Hits Mailbox

Sioux Center, Iowa — A Sioux Center man hit a mailbox in Sioux Center on Tuesday, July 21st.

The Sioux Center Police Department reports that at about 10:00 pm, 41-year-old Gustavo Ramirez-Hernandez of Sioux Center was driving a 1999 GMC Sierra eastbound on 20th Street Southeast. According to the report, he lost control and struck a mailbox, then left the scene of the accident. A witness observed Ramirez-Hernandez leaving the scene, and called police. Police located Ramirez-Hernandez at 14th Street South Main Avenue. He initially denied hitting the mailbox, but later admitted to it when police advised there was a witness. Ramirez-Hernandez stated he wasn’t sure how he hit the mailbox.

The GMC received $1500 damage; the mailbox received $200 damage.

No injuries were reported.

kiwaJuly 24, 2015July 27, 2015

Four Taken To Hospital After Accident

Rock Rapids, Iowa — Four people were taken to the hospital, two of them via ambulance after an accident in Rock Rapids.

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Tuesday July 21, 2015 at about 1:00 PM, 43-year-old Anita Soodsma, from rural Doon was driving a 2002 Ford Expedition westbound on South Fifth Avenue. They report that 33-year-old Amy Hildring of Larchwood was driving a 2013 Ford Fusion southbound on South Greene Street. The Hildring Fusion struck the rear passenger side of the Soodsma Expedition within the intersection. The Expedition then spun and tipped onto its driver’s side.

The Lyon County Ambulance crew transported Soodsma and a passenger in her vehicle, Jack Soodsma to Sanford Rock Rapids Hospital.

Two passengers of the Fusion were transported to Sanford Rock Rapids via personal vehicle.

The 2002 Ford Expedition received about $5,000 in damages and the 2013 Ford Fusion received about $7,000 in damages.

Soodsma was cited on a charge of failure to yield to vehicle on the right at an uncontrolled intersection, a simple misdemeanor.

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Department says the Rock Rapids Fire Department and the Lyon County Ambulance crew assisted them on the scene.

Scott Van AartsenJuly 23, 2015July 23, 2015

Signs Being Stolen; Sheriff Asks For Help

Orange City, Iowa — Someone is stealing road signs, and the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to try to catch those responsible.

Recently, the sheriff’s office says they have investigated multiple reports of vandalism and theft of road signs. They say the crimes occurred mainly along gravel roads in areas south of Orange City.

Upon further investigation, deputies believe the perpetrator or perpetrators are using a reciprocating saw or similar sawing mechanism to cut down the poles to which the signs are mounted. The signs are then stolen from their locations.

The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office urges rural farm residents to report suspicious activity or vehicles in this area.

If you wish to remain anonymous you may use the Text‐a‐Tip program. Directions can be found at siouxcountysheriff.com.

Scott Van AartsenJuly 21, 2015July 21, 2015

Paullina Woman Damages Vehicle

Paullina, Iowa — A Paullina woman’s vehicle was damaged in an accident on Sunday, July 19th.

The O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office reports that at about 5:45 am, 17-year-old Zoey Russell was driving a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am westbound on 400th Street. According to the report, two deer were on the roadway. Russell stated that she did not apply the brakes at all but swerved to the left and went into the ditch. The Pontiac then drove up a farm driveway and launched, then came down hard on the other side of the driveway causing heavy damage.

The Pontiac received $3000 damage.

No injuries were reported.

kiwaJuly 21, 2015July 21, 2015

Two Taken To Hospital After Striking Cow

Rock Valley, Iowa — Two people from Rock Valley were taken to the hospital after an accident early on Sunday.

The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office reports that about 1:25 AM, 53-year-old Wanda Van Otterloo of Rock Valley was driving a 2000 GMC Envoy northbound on Elmwood Avenue, three miles south of Rock Valley, when she struck two cows on the roadway. After striking the cattle the vehicle entered the east ditch and came to rest in a corn field.

The Rock Valley Ambulance took Van Otterloo and a passenger, 57-year-old Steven Van Otterloo of Rock Valley to Hegg Memorial Hospital in Rock Valley.

The GMC sustained approximately $7,000 in damages. The cattle were lost as a result of the accident and were valued at about $3,000.

The Sheriff’s Office reports that the Rock Valley Police Department, Rock Valley Fire Department and Rock Valley Ambulance crew assisted them on the scene.

Scott Van AartsenJuly 21, 2015July 21, 2015

Persistent 911 Caller Charged

Sioux Center, Iowa — A Minneapolis man faces a charge connected to repeated calls to 911.

According to Sioux Center Police Chief Paul Adkins, 25-year-old Joshua James Bradley Clifford of Minneapolis, Minnesota was charged last week.

The chief says a friend of Clifford’s was arrested on a charge of Public Intoxication. According to the chief, Clifford made several calls to 911 asking about his friend and wanting to talk to the friend. Adkins says Clifford was told several times that he should not call 911 for this type of call. After several more calls to 911, the Sioux Center Police Department charged Clifford with a misdemeanor count of False Communication With a Public Safety Entity.

Scott Van AartsenJuly 20, 2015July 20, 2015