CRIME & SAFETY

ROCK VALLEY—A 41-year-old Rock Valley man was arrested about 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, on charges of possession of a controlled substance — marijuana — third or subsequent offense, first-offense possession of a controlled substance — cannabidiol, possession of drug paraphernalia, interference with official acts and two counts of child endangerment.

On Monday, October 2, 2023, at 8:54 a.m., the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office investigated a report of illegal dumping that occurred along Highway 18, one mile east of Hull, IA. Upon further investigation, the deputy located a pile of dried cement that someone dumped along the ditch on Ironwood Avenue. If you have any information about this incident, you are asked to contact the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office.Visit here for more details.

ROCK RAPIDS—A 37-year-old Rock Rapids woman was arrested about 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, on a charge of public intoxication. The arrest of Alyssa Jean Slade stemmed from an investigation of a domestic dispute at 405 S. Randall St. in Rock Rapids, according to the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office.

Inwood, Iowa — If you have a house that has a light switch that seems to control nothing — it might be best to investigate, or just leave it turned off. That was the situation a few days ago in an Inwood home, according to Inwood Fire Chief Troy Van Beek. He says no one in the house knew what the switch was for, and so they turned it on a few days ago. Then Sunday night, a little before 11 p.m., there was smoke coming from their attic, so they called the fire department.

On Tuesday, September 26, at 7:43 p.m., the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office investigated a motor vehicle accident that occurred on Highway 18, one mile west of Rock Valley, IA. Nicklaus McDonald, age 50, of Rock Valley, was driving a 2014 Ram 3500 eastbound on Highway 18 when he struck a deer on the roadway. No injuries were reported. The Ram sustained approximately $3,500 in damage.Visit here for more details.

ROCK RAPIDS—A 51-year-old Rock Rapids man was cited about 6:25 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, on charges of first-offense possession of a controlled substance — marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. The citing of Robert Charles Smith stemmed from a report of marijuana smoke at his residence at 105...

SIBLEY—A 21-year-old Boyden man was arrested about 2:40 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, near Sibley on a charge of first-offense operating while under the influence. The arrest of Hengel Josue Espinoza Pena stemmed from a report of an intoxicated motorist driving a 2004 Honda Accord south on the Highway 60 expressway north of Sibley, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.

ROCK VALLEY—A 30-year-old man arrested about 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, on a charge of public intoxication. The arrest of Jose Luis Acuna Briones stemmed from him being involved in a disturbance at Koldy’s Bar & Grill in Rock Valley and refusing to leave, according to the Rock Valley Police Department.

Inwood, Iowa — A small barn was destroyed in a fire on Sunday, September 24, 2023, near Inwood. According to Inwood Fire Chief Troy Van Beek, at about 8:40 a.m., the Inwood Fire Department was called to the report of a barn fire at 2084 250th Street, two miles east, a mile south, and almost another mile east of Inwood.

Sioux City, Iowa — A Larchwood man will spend the next two years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to fraud charges. According to the US Attorney’s Office, 44-year-old Nathan Christie was a seed salesman who cut out the seed distributor and sold corn and soybean seeds directly to farmers for his own benefit. He was sentenced this week to more than 2 years in federal prison.

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - A single-vehicle accident on I-335 in a construction zone in Osage Co. leaves three Iowa residents with minor injuries. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol Crash Logs, the accident happened at mile marker 155 at around 4:55 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 24. The vehicle, a 2014 Toyota Tundra, was driving northbound through a construction zone, which turned the interstate into a two-lane roadway.

This week in Rock Valley, Iowa, there were three incidents that required police intervention. These incidents involved domestic abuse assault, burglary, and a car accident resulting in injuries.

GEORGE—A 32-year-old George man was arrested Sunday evening, Sept. 17, on a charge of first-offense domestic abuse assault. The arrest of Mitchell Allen Kiers stemmed from an argument with his wife about 9:10 p.m. that day at their residence at 902 E. Dakota Ave. in George, according to the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office.

A northwest Iowa man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after pleading guilty to murdering his mother. Forty-two-year-old Nathaniel Kassel of Rock Rapids was charged with first-degree murder in the death of his mother, Jody Duskin. Kassel had earlier pleaded not guilty and was set to go on trial on October 17th. Instead, he changed his plea and was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Monday.

ROCK VALLEY—A 38-year-old Hudson, SD, woman was arrested Friday, Sept. 22, in Rock Valley on a charge of fifth-degree theft. The arrest of Amanda Rose Franks stemmed from an incident on Friday, Sept. 15, at Nearly New Town, a consignment shop in Rock Valley, according to the Rock Valley Police Department.

A Rock Valley man has been arrested in connection with a collision early Sunday in Sioux county that injured an Armstrong teen. The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office says it happened on Highway 10 three miles northeast of Ireton. They say 39-year-old Alex Sevilla of Rock Valley was driving a 2015 GMC Terrain and a 17-year-old female from Armstrong was driving a 1998 Dodge Ram. Authorities say both were eastbound and that the teen collided with the rear of the vehicle Sevilla was driving as he was slowing.

IRETON—A 39-year-old Rock Valley man was arrested about 12:25 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, near Ireton on charges of first-offense operating while under the influence and no valid driver’s license. The arrest of Alex Adrian Rodriguez Sevilla stemmed from an accident involving two vehicles on Highway 10 near Elmwood...

Keeping the Rock County Sheriff’s Office at full staff remains a struggle, according to Sheriff Evan Verbrugge. He shared his quarterly report with Luverne City Council members at their Tuesday, Sept. 12, meeting when he also reported difficulty keeping his department at full capacity. “We just hired a new...

ROCK RAPIDS—A 43-year-old Rock Rapids woman has pleaded and been sentenced for assaulting a deputy. The case against of Shiloh Bo Clarice Drake stemmed from a call to check on her welfare about 8:10 p.m. Saturday, June 3, according to the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office. Drake was found...

ROCK VALLEY—A 34-year-old Rock Valley man was arrested about 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, on charges of second-offense operating while under the influence, first-offense domestic abuse assault, false imprisonment, obstruction of emergency communications and child endangerment. The arrest of Aaron James Kragt stemmed from the stop of a 2002...