Posted: 11/21/06
Anhydrous thefts hit Spring Grove plant
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Three incidents of anhydrous ammonia theft in recent weeks indicate that there is an active meth lab in the area.
Thatís the opinion of Houston County Sheriffís Department chief deputy Ken Frank.
Anhydrous ammonia, a chemical found in fertilizer, is one of ingredients needed to make methamphetamine.
Farmerís Elevator in Spring Grove reported thefts of anhydrous ammonia to the sheriffís department on November 16, November 12, and November 2. The chemical is stored in tanks at the business.
Frank said on November 16 that the people stealing the anhydrous may be coming out of Iowa. ìIowa has tougher laws regarding storage of anhydrous than Minnesota has,î he said.
There is an ongoing investigation into all three of the thefts, which Frank feels are definitely related. There is a meth lab out there some place, Frank said.
ìAny kind of activity around any tanks should be reported immediately,î he said.
Frank also cautioned people not confront individuals if they see them stealing it.
No anhydrous thefts had been reported before these since last spring, Frank added.
Parking tickets galore
In police news, 106 alternate side parking citations were issued in Caledonia between November 9 and November 15
Caledonia Police Chief Randy Shefelbine said a lot of people have been calling him with concerns about the tickets. He said he has told people to contact the mayor and city council members about it.
Shefelbine also plans to bring the subject up with the council to try to find some alternatives. The goal is to get people into the habit of following the parking ordinance.
The law, which is in effect from November 1 through March 31, states that between the hours of midnight to 6:00 a.m., vehicles must be parked on the even numbered side of the street on even numbered days, and on the odd numbered side of the street on odd numbered days. (Alternate side parking does not apply to streets which allow parking on only one side of the street.)
ìEvery day we get calls and people complaining and thinking the law is unfair and such,î Shefelbine said.
The citations are often going to visitors and out-of-town people, he added.
The fine for the citations is $10. It changes to $20 if not paid within 14 days. After that, a warrant can be issued, which has a $50-$100 fee, plus a prosecutorís fee of $100, Shefelbine said. He said he tries to work with people to get the fines paid before that takes place.
Other news
ï Plea hearing set: A plea hearing date for Jamie Lee Acker, 17, Caledonia has been set for January 24, 2007 at 1:45 p.m. Acker was charged with making terroristic threats, a felony, on October 18 after allegedly threatening to beat up a teacher at Caledonia High School the previous day.
ï Car-deer collisions: Five incidents of car-deer crashes were reported to the sheriffís department between November 9-15, plus two others reported deer being hit by other vehicles.
Caledonia Argus
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