Posted: 7/11/06
Colt found dead
No foul play suspected
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
A colt that was thought to have been stolen was found dead last week.
The Houston County Sheriffís Department was notified on July 2 by its owners that they had found the Belgian stud colt dead in a pasture.
No foul play is suspected in the death of this animal as it appears it may have fell into a hole.
The sheriffís department had originally thought the four-month-old animal was taken from a corral located near the home of its owner, Greg Guillien on June 4. A search had been done at the time but the animal was not found.
Also during that same week, gates were opened at a rural Caledonia farm that would have allowed access to a herd of Simmental heifers. None were reported missing.
At about this same time a two-year-old black Angus bull weighing about 1,800 pounds was taken from a corral. The investigation into its disappearance continues, and it is still considered a theft, chief deputy Ken Frank said on July 2.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call a tip line at 507-725-5122. Callers can remain anonymous. Owner Joe Hammell is offering a reward for its return.
Holter death ruled a suicide
The March 16 death by hanging of Nathan Holter in the Houston County Jail has been ruled a suicide by the Houston County Coroner and an independent investigator.
The Houston County Sheriffís Department announced in a July 5 press release that the county attorney completed a review of the independent investigations. They were conducted by investigator Rob Averbeck of the Winona County Sheriffís Office and Dr. Lindsey Thomas, the Houston County Coroner.
ìThe Houston County Coroner has ruled Mr. Holterís death a suicide by hanging. The independent investigation by the Winona County Sheriffís Office fully supports the determination that Mr. Holterís death was an unassisted suicide,î the press release stated.
Holter, age 39 was jailed on February 10 for violating conditions of release on three separate felony complaints. On the morning of March 16 during a routine cell check, Holter was found hanging in the shower of a cellblock in the Houston County Jail.
Holter was unresponsive when found and could not be resuscitated.
ìThe Houston County Sheriff and his staff wish to offer their deepest condolences to the family of Nathan Holter on the loss of their son, brother, husband and father,î the press release stated.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections also helped with the investigation.
Buckland sentenced
Renee Larayne Buckland, 40, Spring Grove, was sentenced to a year in jail on July 5 for an incident that occurred on February 14.
Buckland stole a car and led authorities on a four-minute car chase that reached 96 miles an hour. It started at the Alco parking lot and ended up 3.3 miles later on Highway 44 west of the airport.
On April 26 she pled guilty to two counts of first degree damage to property, both felonies; motor vehicle use without consent, a felony; and gross misdemeanor DWI. Nine other charges were dropped in the plea agreement
Bucklandís sentence also includes five years probation for the felonies and three years probation for the DWI. Three years of prison time were stayed.
She must also pay restitution of $500 to the city of Caledonia; $1,000 to the Houston County Sheriffís Office; and $673 to Allied Adjusters. A restitution hearing for the owner of the vehicle she stole will be held at a later date. That amount is $3,093.25.
Buckland also cannot use alcohol or other mood altering chemicals, and must write letters of apology to Houston County Sheriffís Deputy Luke Sass and Caledonia Police Officer James Stemper, who were pursued her during the high speed chase.
14-year-old pleads guilty
A 14-year-old male juvenile connected to a robbery case entered pleas of guilty to aggravated robbery, terroristic threats and fifth degree assault on July 5.
The disposition for the former Caledonia youth is August 21 in juvenile court in Caledonia. He and Mark Anthony Anderson, 16, La Crescent, allegedly beat and robbed a 43-year-old woman in her La Crescent home on April 7.
Anderson is in the Goodhue County Adult Detention Center in Redwing. The 14 year old has been released to mother pending disposition.
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