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Special Edition

 August 18th, 2021  Volume 2, Issue 7

We've been busy this past month at the Sheriff's Office so we decided to publish a special edition newsletter! The summer is flying by as we prepare for the Steele County Free Fair. Keep your eyes peeled for the next edition as we begin to transition to a new school year!

Bringing Back the Fun in 2021

The Sheriff's Office would like to recognize Scott Seykora and all of his crew for the tremendous job they do preparing for the fair from setting up, tearing down and all the behinds the scenes work that goes on to make this week such a success!

8-year-old Calm Under Pressure

8-year-old Zoey Thorne proved she can remain calm under pressure recently. Zoey was visiting her grandparents when her grandpa had a medical emergency. She quickly called 911 and was able to direct emergency responders to his location.  Sheriff Thiele praised Zoey for her quick actions under stress. Zoey's family unexpectedly lost her grandpa but talked about all the amazing memories they have of him. Pictured are Zoey with Sheriff Thiele, Deputy Buck and his K-9 partner Willow. (Photo courtesy of Steele County Times)

Safety Camp was a hit

The Sheriff's Office recently took part in the annual Safety Camp. The camp is an opportunity for children entering 4th grade to learn about safety in various areas.  The camp was held July 22nd and 23rd with 62 kids attending the first day and 94 kids attending the second day. After being split into groups, the children took part in fishing safety, boating safety, camping/hiking safety, firearms safety, bike safety, fire safety, electrical safety and equipment safety. Events were held at Lake Kohlmier and the Fairgrounds. Each participant received a t-shirt, water bottle, sunglasses and backpack. At the conclusion of the day they also received a certificate and goodie bag. Thank you to everyone who made this event a success!

Operation Extra Eyes

A group of individuals known as Operation Extra Eyes lends a watchful eye during fair time. These individuals are volunteers who watch for suspicious activity and report it to law enforcement. 

We can all be our own version of extra eyes. If you see something concerning report it to law enforcement.

Department of Natural Resources well sampling

Sheriff Thiele recently received a letter from the MN Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that their staff will be sampling wells for groundwater data in Steele County during late summer and fall, beginning in September 2021. The data will help produce the Groundwater Atlas of Steele County. 

Their letter states the following:

1. Prior to sampling, permission will be obtained from property owners through mail, email or telephone.
2. During sampling one or two DNR hydrologists will go onsite for approximately an hour to collect water level measurements and samples. They will be in uniform using a marked state vehicle. Groundwater samples will be collected from an outside faucet. Well owners do not have to be present at the well site for us to complete this work.
3. After sampling, DNR staff will leave a notice of their visit and sample collection. Later in the year the well owner will receive the laboratory results.

The well sampling portion of the project should be completed by the end of October 2021, but may require additional sampling in spring of 2022.

Anyone with questions or concerns should contact Vanessa Baratta, DNR hydrogeologist, at 651-259-5685.

July's speed enforcement numbers

During the month of July speed enforcement was the focus of the Toward Zero Deaths campaign. Steele County deputies cited 67 drivers for speeding. The highest speed citation was to an individual driving 97 miles per hour (MPH) in a 55 MPH zone. That’s 42 miles per hour over the speed limit! I wish we could say that was an anomaly. The unfortunate fact is that speed has become a serious problem, not only locally but across the entire state. Deputies are routinely issuing citations in which the driver was 20 miles per hour over the speed limit.

Drivers should expect to be stopped and cited for any speed over the limit.

I Got Caught Campaign

Deputy Steinberg recently had the privilege of handing out tickets for a free small ice cream cone to children he observed wearing their helmets while riding their scooters and bikes in their driveway in Ellendale. The campaign is sponsored by AAA, Dairy Queen and Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths in an effort to reward young people for wearing their safety helmets. Way to go Deputy Steinberg!Click to edit this placeholder text.

Sheriff's Blotter

A 62-year-old Owatonna man was arrested for violating a restraining order. An 18-year-old Owatonna man was cited for speeding traveling 83 miles per hour (MPH) in a 55 MPH zone. A 61-year-old Owatonna woman was arrested for driving while impaired (DWI) after submitting a blood alcohol content of .16.

Extra DWI Patrols on Minnesota Roads

From August 20th through September 6th, Steele County Sheriff's Deputies will be joining law enforcement from around the State in conducting extra patrols to combat impaired driving. Alcohol is a major contributing factor in traffic related fatalities.

Plan for a sober ride home. If you see someone who is impaired getting ready to drive, speak up. It could save a life.

Year-To-Date Fatal Stats

According to preliminary numbers from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Traffic Safety, 394 people lost their lives in 2020 crashes.

2025 Goal is to reduce traffic-related deaths to 225 or fewer…

 YTD FATAL COUNT UPDATE

2021 YTD compared to 2020   &   2019

 284                                   226        211                  

Pedestrians

29                                       23          25      

Motorcyclists

47                                      40           28                                  

Bicyclists

3                                         5             5

 ATVs

7

*FATAL CRASHES

259                                  208         192

Did You Know?

Opening your car door into traffic is not safe and also not legal. You could be charged with a petty misdemeanor if caught violating the statute. 169.315 OPENING AND CLOSING VEHICLE DOOR. No person shall open any door on a motor vehicle unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic. No person shall allow any door on the side of a vehicle adjacent to moving traffic to remain open for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.

Steele County's Most Wanted

DOB: 04/05/1980

Wanted for: 2nd degree Controlled Substance

Height: 5' 2"

Weight: 152 LBS

Eye Color: Brown

Hair Color: Brown

DOB: 07/08/1996

Wanted for: 5th Degree Drugs

Height: 4' 11"

Weight: 114 LBS

Eye Color: Brown

Hair Color: Black

Submit your questions and concerns

Do you have a question you’ve been wanting answered? Or a concern you want to address? Send them in, they might even become a topic in a future newsletter.