---

Update on extra, road rules enforcement

By now everybody has noticed the LED portable warning signs on the roadsides alerting vehicle drivers they will encounter extra patrol in Chisago County as local agencies participate in the Towards Zero Deaths law enforcement saturation.  

Agencies are pooling resources with special monies from the Dept. of Public Safety (federal dollars) through the month of April; funding a crackdown on unsafe driving behavior, notably, the use of mobile phones. Minnesota  has a hands-free cell phone law.  This also means that access to, or posting on, social media can’t happen while you operate a vehicle. Googling information on a device, looking at videos or other distracted driving activity is outlawed. 

If you hurt someone while violating the hands-free law charges can elevate to a felony.

Lakes Area Chief of Police Bill Schlumbohm commented that citations are the most effective deterrent.  Changing habits can be hard and most people are so accustomed to grabbing their cell phone in the course of their daily lives, it becomes an engrained habit.    

The enforcement saturation is also ticketing for driving under the influence, non-use of seatbelt and child seat.  Local statistics will be reported by May 6 summarizing citations issued.

In other activity— outdoor burning is still not recommended.  Authorities were sent to at least two fire calls over the past week, one near Stacy Ponds, being controlled and one on Reed Avenue about 10 a.m. April 13, a citation was issued.

April 14 a side-by-side crashed off Ivywood Chisago City about 4:12 p.m. Passenger transported to Fairview.

April 12 two vehicle crash on Hwy. 8 near Hamlet, Wyoming. Reported about 4:50 p.m. One victim required extrication services. State Patrol has no report. Wyoming and Lakes Area Police provided assistance.

Raptor Center was dispatched to address in Lindstrom reporting a bald eagle with injuries that couldn’t fly.

April 9 a 77 year old female was cited for being unable to control her car, that crashed into the Picket Fence Gals outdoor display. No injury reported. The incident happened about noon.

BOOKED

APRIL 8

Emily Sue Lozier, 30, St. Paul. Booked by warrant. Released.

Felicia Ann Richardson, 44, Cold Spring. Booked by county, held under sentence.

Robert Jeffrey Kastner, 64, North Branch. Booked by North Branch. Released.

Matthew Robert Friese, 34, Shafer. Booked by county. Held.

Matthew John Higgins, 45, CO. Booked by county. Held.

APRIL 9

Mary Foelke Connor, 65, Rush City. Booked by county. Released.

Scott William Connor, 46, Rush City. Booked by county. Released.

Logan Kyrie Weaver, 22, Otsego. Booked by county. Released.

Christopher William Smythe, 46, Lakeville. Booked by county. Released.

Joseph Turet Givens, 25, Mpls. Booked by county, held to finish sentence. Released.

Marvin Charles Mcquire, 58, Sturgeon Lake. Booked by warrant. Released.

Michael James Leone, 32, McGregor. Booked by North Branch. Held.

APRIL 10

Stephanie Elizabeth Green, 36, Mpls. Booked by county. Released.

Maranda Lynn Sirek, 36, Shafer. Booked by county. Released.

Kasey Jay Ouellette, 31, WI. Booked by North Branch. Released.

Troy Russell Smith, 61, Chisago City. Booked by Lakes Area. Released.

Mambo Azefor, 21, Mpls. Booked by courts. Released.

APRIL 11

Terrence Grady Mcbride, 61, Stacy. Booked by county. Released.

APRIL 12

Derek Allen Schimke, 40, White Bear. Booked by county. Released.

Jenny Kay Morrison, 43, Mora. Booked by county. Released.

APRIL 13

Michael Lawrence Stanislaw, 34, North St. Paul. Booked by North Branch Held.

Steven Adam Wolfsteller, 40, Rush City. Booked by North Branch. Held.

Devin Wade Bennington, 24, Stacy. Booked by warrant. Held.

APRIL 14

Jamie John Wojcik, 48, Isanti. Booked by North Branch. Held.

Anthony William Johnson, 28, Harris. Booked by North Branch. Held.

Thomas Hudson Kleidon, 35, North Branch. Booked by North Branch. Held.

Jeffrey Lee Wilkerson, 48, Lindstrom. Booked by Lakes Area. Held.

Jacob Dean Perry, 39, Harris. Booked by courts. Held.

Blake Andrew Rindahl, 34, North Branch. Booked by county. Held.

 

---