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Action Packed Spring
June 28, 2023 Volume 6, Issue 3
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The Toward Zero Deaths speed enforcement campaign runs July 1st-31st. Steele County deputies will join law enforcement agencies from around the state to crack down on speeders.
Additionally, Minnesota will join NHTSA's region 5 "Great Lakes High Stakes" Speed Awareness Day on July 26th. The goal is to raise awareness and proactively enforce speeding laws to reduce crashes, save lives and prevent injuries.
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Steele County recently welcomed a new face to the Sheriff's Office. Ryan Gehrke was sworn in as a deputy by Sheriff Thiele and started his first day on May 23rd, 2023. Ryan comes to us after serving as a police officer with the New Richland Police Department. Congratulations and welcome to Steele County Ryan!
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Sheriff Thiele recently awarded the Steele County Seatbelt Challenge Traveling Trophy to Medford High School. The winning team consisted of Jackie Cole, Morgan Jones, Adalia List and Genesis McGuire. They won the seatbelt challenge held on Thursday, May 4th with a time of 28.21 seconds. They are now the school record holders, having beat the previous record set in 2019 with a time of 33.37 seconds.
The seatbelt challenge will be held again next May 2023. We hope to get more area schools involved and host a regional challenge for Southeast Minnesota next spring.
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Interstate 35 southbound construction in Steele County begins July 10
OWATONNA, Minn. – Motorists will encounter lane closures on Interstate 35 in Steele County south of Owatonna starting on July 10 when crews are scheduled to begin construction for highway resurfacing, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Approximately 8.8 miles of southbound I-35 from north of Highway 30 (Exit 26, Ellendale) to south of Steele County Road 31 (near Straight River Rest Area) will undergo resurfacing construction. Removing and repaving the surface will extend the life of the highway and provide motorists a smoother ride.
A Weigh-in-Motion System (WIM) and Road Weather Information System (RWIS) will also be installed in one area of I-35 during construction.
Traffic Impacts
- Motorists should expect traffic slowdowns and possible delays in the work zone during key travel times, especially weekends because of the traffic volumes on I-35. Plan ahead by adjusting travel times or seeking an alternate route.
- Southbound I-35 traffic reduced to single lane throughout most of construction period
- Northbound I-35 traffic reduced to single lane for some of construction period
Safety
Motorists may encounter lane closures or lane shifts, uneven road surfaces, equipment and other unexpected obstacles when driving near or through work zones. MnDOT advises motorists to:
- Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
- Go hands-free and minimize other distractions (e.g., don’t eat or drink while driving).
- Follow posted speed limits; the fine for speeding in a work zone is $300.
- Avoid making lane changes within work zones.
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Minnesotans enjoy riding their off-highway vehicles (OHV), but unfortunately, roads and ditches are where more than 85 percent of OHV crashes have happened in recent years. Many of the crashes involved riders over 50 years old who were driving too fast, were thrown from the machine, or struck a fixed object.
The data clearly shows that people who take Recreational Safety Training are less likely to be involved in a crash. Minnesota law requires anyone born after July 1, 1987, and who is 12 years or older, to successfully complete the independent study course component of all-terrain vehicle safety training before operating all-terrain vehicles on public lands or waters, public road rights-of-way, or state or grant-in-aid trails. In addition, children ages 10-15 must also attend a hands-on ATV safety course. Safety officials recommend all riders complete safety training – whether or not they’re required to by law.
The Golden Rules of OHV safety:
- Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed.
- Ride on the right.
- Wear goggles, long sleeves, long pants, over-the-ankle boots, gloves, and DOT-compliant helmets.
- Avoid riding on paved roads except to cross when done safely and permitted by law.
- Ride sober.
- Carry no more than one passenger on an OHV specifically designed for two people, and never carry a passenger on a single-rider OHV.
- Ride an OHV that’s right for your size.
- Actively supervise younger riders. OHVs are not toys.
- If an OHV comes factory-installed with seat belts, wear them.
- Take a hands-on and online safety course.
Slow down, pay attention and get certified to ensure your ride results in memories, not tragedy.
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Steele County deputies recently trained in quarterly firearms training. This training consists of approximately eight hours of shooting drills and qualification with both our handgun and rifle. While Minnesota POST Board requires annual training, the Sheriff's Office trains quarterly to stay proficient with our firearms. |
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Sheriff Thiele recently swore in Corrections Officer Katie Monson at the Detention Center. Welcome to Steele County Katie!
The Detention Center also presented Steve Gjerald with the 2023 Correctional Officer of the Year Award. Congratulations Steve!
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April Highlights
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Busiest day of week: Saturday
Busiest hour of day: 10:00 pm
Total # of events: 1,533
Average events/day: 51
Average events/hour: 2
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Average traffic stops/hour: .24
DWIs for the month: 2
Permit to carry: 65
Permit to purchase: 15
Civil papers served: 106
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May Highlights
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Busiest day of week: Monday
Busiest hour of day: 9:00 PM
Total # of events: 1,595
Average events/day: 51
Average events/hour: 2.1
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Average traffic stops/hour: .28
DWIs for the month: 4
Permit to carry: 41
Permit to purchase: 11
Civil papers served: 99
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- A 38-year-old Grandbury, Texas man was arrested for fourth degree driving while impaired (DWI), open bottle and operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content over .08. He provided a blood alcohol content of .14.
- A 24-year-old Austin man was arrested fir 1st Degree Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Refusal to Test and Driving After Cancellation-Inimical to Public Safety. He is also being charged with speed (101 miles per hour (MPH) in a 60 MPH zone), expired registration and no proof of insurance.
- A 34-year-old Medford woman was arrested for malicious punishment of a child (a gross misdemeanor), domestic assault and assault in the fifth degree.
- A 19-year-old Waseca woman was arrested and charged with fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, underage drinking and driving and reckless driving. An 18-year-old Owatonna male and 18-year-old New Richland male were both cited for underage consumption from the same incident.
- A 20-year-old Owatonna man was arrested and charged with third degree driving while impaired (DWI), underage drinking and driving, open bottle, underage possession of alcohol and underage consumption of alcohol. He provided a blood alcohol content of .0148.
- A 27-year-old Albert Lea woman was arrested and charged with possession of drugs- fifth degree, third degree DWI, second degree DWI-refusal to submit a test, open bottle and driving after revocation (DAR).
- A 31-year-old Webster man was arrested for DWI and open bottle. His blood alcohol content was .12.
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Minnesota Statute 169.19, subdivision 1 was previously amended to allow for proper use of J turns, also known as Reduced Conflict Intersections (RCIs), that are becoming common at highly traveled intersections in Minnesota. The use of Reduced Conflict Intersections has seen an increase as studies show a 70% reduction in fatalities and a 42% reduction in injury crashes where RCIs are used. Another reason they are becoming popular is due to it being a less expensive option compared to an intersection with a stop light.
How do they work? In an Reduced Conflict Intersection (RCI), drivers always make a right turn, followed by a U-turn. Motorists approaching divided highways from a side street are not allowed to make left turns or cross traffic; instead, they are required to turn right onto the highway and then make a U-turn at a designated median opening. This reduces potential conflict points and increases safety. Generally, the delay caused by a signal is greater than the delay caused by the RCI.
Why do they work? With an RCI, drivers from the side street only have to be concerned with one direction of traffic on the highway at a time. You don’t need to wait for a gap in both directions to cross a major road. Traditional four-lane divided highway intersections have an elevated risk of severe right-angle crashes (commonly called “T-bone” crashes), especially for drivers attempting to cross all four lanes of traffic or turn left. At a traditional intersection, motorists from the side street need to look in both directions to cross a four-lane divided highway. Left turns require the same level of attention.
MNDOT has this and so much more information on Reduced Conflict Intersections at their website here.
MS 169.19 subdivision 1 (a) states "Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. When necessary to accommodate vehicle configuration, a driver is permitted to make a right turn into the farthest lane of a roadway with two or more lanes in the same direction in order to make a U-turn at a reduced conflict intersection, if it is safe to do so."
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Wanted for: Escape from Custody
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 203 LBS
Eye Color: Hazel
Hair Color: Brown
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Wanted for: 1st Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct
Height: 5' 9"
Weight: 210 LBS
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Black
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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.
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