From the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office
Hawkeye woman arrested on child endangerment charge
On May 9, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office conducted a welfare check at a residence in Hawkeye. The Sheriff’s Office received a report from that school that two children had not been attending school for weeks and were concerned. Upon and investigation that day, Jessica Lynn Mikesh, 35, was arrested and charged with two counts of child endangerment, an aggravated misdemeanor. It was learned that Mikesh had abandoned two minor children to fend for themselves, leaving them in an unlivable home.
Brian Charles Brainard, 36, was also found in the home and was wanted for a parole violation warrant with no bond. Both were arrested and transported to the Fayette County Jail. The Department of Human Services were called in and the children were removed to a safe location.
Clermont pair arrested on drug and child endangerment charges
On May 10 at about 10:30 p.m., the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at 69 Mill St., Clermont. During a search of the residence, methamphetamine, scales, baggies and pipes were found and seized. Jeremiah Cannon Young, 43, of Clermont, and Vanessa Rae Young, 36, of Clermont, were arrested and charged with two counts of child endangerment (aggravated misdemeanors), first-offense possession of methamphetamine (serious misdemeanor), and possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor).
The Youngs were taken into custody and transported to Fayette County Jail, where they are currently being held until initial appearance. Fayette County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Iowa State patrol in Postville Police Department Canine Unit.
Man barred from driving drives up to deputy, arrested
On May 12 at about 9:10 p.m., a Fayette County deputy was conducting an investigation at 401 State St. Clermont when a man who resides at that address and who is barred from driving in Iowa drove up to the deputy on a four-wheeler. The male was identified as Mikel Alton Normann, 39, of Clermont. He was then arrested for driving while license barred and held in the Fayette County Jail awaiting an initial appearance.
Clermont woman charged with burglary
On May 12, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding criminal mischief at an address in Clermont. Upon the deputies’ arrival, deputies reported learning that Melissa Ellen Shaw, 38, of Clermont, had allegedly entered a garage without permission and slashed tires. Shaw was later arrested on unrelated charges and transported to the Fayette County Jail awaiting her initial appearance. Shaw is being charged with third-degree burglary.
Clermont woman arrested on drug and child endangerment charges
On May 14 at 1 a.m., the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at 106 Clay St., Clermont. During a search of the residence, deputies reported finding and seizing methamphetamine, marijuana and paraphernalia. Melissa Ellen Shaw, 38, of Clermont, was arrested and charged with child endangerment (aggravated misdemeanor), first offense possession of methamphetamine and of marijuana (serious misdemeanors), and possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor). Shaw was taken into custody and transported to Fayette County Jail, where she was held until her initial appearance. Fayette County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Clayton County Sherriff’s Office, West Union Police Department and Postville Police Department.
Delivery van backs into passing tractor
On May 11, at 11:48 a.m., a Fayette County deputy responded to a vehicle accident with injury in the 3000 block of H Avenue. Upon investigation it was determined Brittney Kane, 30, of Clarksville, pulled out of a residential driveway in a 2017 Chevrolet delivery van and struck a tractor pulling a planter driven by Shawn Stecklein, 33, of Aurora. Kane was treated at the scene for minor injuries and the van she was driving is estimated to be a total loss. The tractor sustained minor damage. Kane was cited for failure to yield right of way. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Mercy One Ambulance of Oelwein.
Road debris rips up undercarriage of van
On May 11, 9:09 p.m. the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle accident near the intersection of K Avenue and 40th Street (Hwy. 3). Megan Sullivan, 48 of Evanston, Ill., was traveling west in a 2015 Toyota van when there was debris in the roadway and caused damage to the under carriage causing the transmission fluid to leak out disabling the vehicle. There was an estimated $6,000 in damage to the vehicle. No one was injured in the accident, which remains under investigation.
Pair of 85-year-old drivers injured in U-turn crash
On May 13 at 12:43 p.m., a Fayette County deputy responded to a two-vehicle collision with injury at the intersection of Union Street and Oak Ridge Drive in Clermont. Deputies determined that Dalene Whitford, 85, of Volga, was attempting to make a U-turn on Union Street in her 2015 Buick Encore and turned in front of a 2013 Ford Taurus driven by Beverly Strong, 85, of Elgin. Both drivers were transported to the hospital for minor injuries and the vehicles are believed to be a total loss. The incident is still being worked and charges are pending.
Deer damages Malibu
On May 14 at 9:10 p.m., the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a vehicle that struck a deer on Hwy 93 west of Fayette. Allison Ann Ameling, 19, of Hawkeye, was operating a 2009 Chevy Malibu eastbound on Hwy 93 when a deer entered the roadway and was struck causing an estimated $2,000 damage. Ameling was not injured.
Deer can’t dodge Journey
On May 13 at 6:09 p.m. the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a car vs. deer accident on Hwy. 3 east of B Avenue. Upon further investigation, the driver of the 2018 Dodge Journey, Todd M. Walter, 40, of Strawberry Point, was traveling east when a deer ran into the roadway striking the front of the vehicle causing the airbag to deploy. The vehicle sustained $8,000.
No injuries when car goes in ditch
On May 10 at 7:10 p.m., the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a vehicle in the ditch at 20th St and E Avenue. An investigation determined that Christine Janet Grundmeyer, 64, of Aurora, was operating a 2019 Buick Enclave eastbound on 20th Street when the vehicle left the roadway and entered the south ditch. Grundmeyer was not injured. There was an estimated $7,500 damage to the vehicle. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by B & L Auto Body. The accident remains under investigation.
Oelwein man arrested in domestic abuse case
On May 3, at about 3:30 p.m., the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call regarding an on-going physical domestic at an address in Westgate. Deputies arrived on scene and conducted an investigation and did multiple interviews. The defendant, Skylar Joseph Buhr, 33, of Oelwein, allegedly fled the scene before they arrived. Buhr was later located by the Oelwein Police Department where he was taken to jail to await his initial appearance and was then released.
Buhr was charged with contempt-violation of a no contact order, second-degree burglary (felony), fifth-degree criminal mischief (simple misdemeanor), stalking violation of protective order (felony), and domestic abuse assault-third or subsequent offense (felony).
Then on May 15 at 9:27 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office received a call of a domestic assault that had occurred at 215 Olive St. Westgate. Upon investigation deputies report that Buhr had fled the scene but was later found at the Fayette County Courthouse and was arrested and transported to the Fayette County Jail. Buhr was charged with domestic abuse assault impeding air/blood flow, violation of no-contact order, and first-degree burglary.
Deer crosses at wrong time
On May 12 at 9:11 p.m., the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a car vs. deer accident at 50th Street and W Avenue. The driver of a 2015 Chevy truck, Tanner W. Bantz, 21, of Waucoma, was traveling north when a deer ran into the roadway and Bantz was unable to get stopped striking the deer causing about $3,500 in damage to the front end of the vehicle. No one was injured in the accident.
Fairbank man barricades self in garage, deputies report
On May 12 at 2:10 a.m., the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office took a 911 call of a domestic assault with injuries at 23000 block of 20th Street in Fairbank. Fayette County and Buchanan County sheriff’s deputies arrived on scene and the suspect was barricaded in the garage. After the deputies forced entry, they arrested Brian Lee Beesecker, 51, of Fairbank, on a charge of domestic assault-impeding air flow and causing injury (Class D felony) Beesecker was taken transported to Fayette County Jail, where he is being held until initial appearance.
NORTH CEDAR REPORTS 