News

Accident

July 1, 2025, at approximately 5:25 AM, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office responded to a one vehicle accident at the intersection of 140th Street and Birch Avenue. Jacob D. Albaugh (34) of Rock Rapids, Iowa was operating a 2014 Jeep east bound on 140 th Street when the vehicle left the roadway to the right, entering the ditch striking an approach at Birch Ave, causing the vehicle to go air bourn where it came to rest on its top. Albaugh suffered non life threatening injuries and was transported to Avera Sioux Falls. The vehicle was considered a total loss. Assisting was Larchwood Fire/LEMS, Lyon County Ambulance, and Trackside Towing.

Accident

May 15th, 2025, at approximately 5:11 PM, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two vehicle accident at the intersection of Coolidge Avenue and 240th Street. It was determined that Julie Vande Vegte(61) of Inwood was operating a 2008 Chrysler 300 and was attempting to make a left turn onto Coolidge Avenue from 240th Street and was waiting for a vehicle go by and was struck from behind by Mason Vande Hoef (21) of Hull, IA, who was operating a 2013 Chevy Malibu. No injuries were reported by the drivers, Vande Hoef’s passenger complained of some discomfort and was transported privately. Both vehicle’s sustained extensive damages. Inwood fire and rescue assisted with this incident.

Arrest

On 5/2/2025, The Lyon County Sheriff's Office arrested Dale Garlic of George for OWI 1st.  Garlic was transported and housed in the Lyon County Jail.

ARREST

On 5/4/2025, the Lyon County Sheriff's Office arrested Jack Moser of Beaver Creek for OWI 1st and Minor in Possession of Alcohol. Moser was transported and housed in the Lyon County Jail.

ARREST

On 5/3/25, around 4:30pm, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible domestic situation that had happened earlier in Little Rock. Upon Investigation, a Lyon County Deputy arrested Lacey Rose Nachtigal, age 37, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, for Domestic Assault 1st Offense and Criminal Mischief 5th. Nachtigal was transported to the Lyon County Jail and held on $1,300 Bond.

Arrest

On 4/21/2025, The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Poe Loe for OWI 1st and Driving A Motor Vehicle With No Valid Driver’s License. Poe was transported and housed in the Lyon County Jail.

Arrest

On 4/18/25, around 22:50pm, a Lyon County Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling 84mph in a 55mph zone in 3100 block of 170th, just south of Rock Rapids on a White 2011 Chevy Malibu. Upon investigation, Brady Lee Riemersma, age 40, of George IA, was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol 1st Offense. Riemersma failed standard field sobriety tests before refusing to take the Preliminary Breath Test and Implied Consent Advisory Breath Test. Riemersma was booked into the Lyon County Jail and held on $1,000 bond. Riemersma was also cited for speeding.

ACCIDENT

On 04/06/2025, The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two-vehicle accident in the 2600 block of IA 9. It was discovered that Kody Denhoed was east bound on IA 9 in a 2002 Ford Mustang. Denhoed was attempting to make a left-hand turn into a confinement driveway to turn around before colliding with Blake Henrichs in a 2001 Dodge Stratus. Henrichs was attempting to pass Denhoed when the two vehicles collided in the west bound lane. There were no injuries.  Lyon County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on the scene by The Rock Rapids Fire Department and Trackside.

ARREST

On 3/29/2025, while arriving onscene to a property damage crash, a Lyon County Deputy observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed in the 1400 Block of 180th St. The vehicle continued to travel at high speeds and once the Deputy initiated the traffic stop the vehicle failed to pull over. The vehicle eventually pulled over in the 1600 Block of IA 182. Upon further onscene investigation, the driver, Derek Lee Ernst [38] of Sioux Falls was subsequently arrested for OWI-1st Offense, Possession of Controlled Substance-Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Open Container, Speeding, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicle. Ernst was taken into custody and transported to the Lyon County Jail.

ARREST

On March 26, 2025, at approximately 12:02 a.m., near 1415 Grand Falls Blvd, a Lyon County Deputy observed narcotics in a vehicle and detected the odor of narcotics. During a subsequent probable cause search of the vehicle, a controlled substance and paraphernalia were seized. Eric William Nelson, 29, of Luverne, MN, was cited into court for Possession of a Controlled Substance - Marijuana.

ARREST

On March 20, 2025, at approximately 11:54 p.m., near 1415 Grand Falls Blvd, a Lyon County Deputy observed narcotics in a vehicle and detected the odor of narcotics. During a subsequent probable cause search of the vehicle, a controlled substance and paraphernalia were seized. Thomas Edward Lane, 23, of Sioux Falls, SD, was cited into court for Possession of a Controlled Substance - Marijuana.

Accident

On 3/10/2025 the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Responded to a Report of an overturned box truck at the intersection of 230th St. and Larch Ave. Upon investigation it was found that De Andre Tubbs, of Sioux Falls, was operating a 2017 Freightliner, owned by Lakes Logistics, eastbound on 230th St. when he entered the south Ditch. The vehicle continued through the ditch until it met the intersection with Larch Ave. where the vehicle struck the roadway and overturned. The vehicle sustained severe damage. Tubbs was medically evaluated and released on scene.

Following investigation Tubbs was arrested for OWI 1st and failure to maintain control. Tubbs was transported to the Lyon County Jail.

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol, George Fire and EMS, and Trackside towing.

Arrest for Child Endangerment

On 3/08/2025, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Elizabeth Kainrath of Inwood for an incident which had been reported to have occurred at Kingdom Kids Daycare in Inwood.

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to the situation on 3/07/2025, and an investigation into reports of abusive behavior by Ms. Kainrath was opened. Working closely and cooperatively with Kingdom Kids Daycare staff and the Dept. of Health and Human Services investigators, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office was able to identify fourteen (14) different incidents in approximately one hour and fifteen minutes in which Ms. Kainrath acted in an aggressive, inappropriate, and charge worthy manner with approximately five (5) different children.

Ms. Kainrath was arrested without incident on thirteen (13) aggravated misdemeanor counts of child endangerment and one (1) class D felony count of child endangerment. Ms. Kainrath was transported to the Lyon County Jail where she is being held with a bond of $31,000 cash or surety. Ms. Kainrath is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Kingdom Kids Daycare acted in an exemplary manner and reaffirmed its commitment to child safety through prompt and decisive action. The team at Kingdom Kids Daycare demonstrated this through their prompt reporting, communication, and cooperation with parents and officials throughout the investigation. Kingdom Kids Daycare truly showed their unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of the children in their care by their actions.

Arrest

On 3/5/2025, The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Dana Jensen for OWI 2nd, Driving Without A Valid Driver’s License, Failure to Provide Insurance, and Failure to Maintain Control. Jensen was transported and housed in the Lyon County Jail.

Information

On February 21, 2025, at approximately 5:47 PM, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a male that was not able to be located at a rural hog confinement in the 3500 block of 210th St.  The reporting party stated there appeared to have been a fire in the building.

The sheriff, multiple deputies, George Fire Department, and George EMS responded to the scene.

Shortly after arriving on scene, a deputy located a deceased male outside the building.  The male appeared to have extensive burns.

George Fire Department ensured the fire in the building was extinguished.

Foul play is not suspected but the incident is under investigation and no further details will be released at this time

ARREST

On 2/12/2025, The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Ronnie Shaw for a Lyon County Warrant for Failure to Appear. Shaw was transported and housed in the Lyon County Jail.

ARREST

On 2/5/2025 at 16:41, a Lyon County Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle after suspecting the driver of providing false identification to our jail and trying to avoid law enforcement interaction. During the stop, the driver Timothy Hansen, 40, of Mankato, MN was arrested for driving while license suspended, failure to provide proof of financial liability, and no valid drivers license. The passenger, Amanda Nolette, 36, of New Ulm, MN was also arrested for an outstanding Dickinson County warrant. Both were transported to the Lyon County Jail and were later released on a cash-only bond.

ACCIDENT/ARREST

On February 6, 2025, at 18:10, the Lyon County Sheriff's Office received a report of a two-vehicle hit-and-run accident near the intersection of IA-9 and Grand Falls Blvd. Upon investigation, it was determined that Elizabeth Tatum of Hartford, SD, was operating a 2017 Jeep Cherokee and was stopped at the intersection, preparing to make a right-hand turn. She was struck by a 2006 Ford Mustang making a left-hand turn from IA-9 onto Grand Falls Blvd. The Mustang then left the scene. Further investigation identified the Mustang’s driver as Cornelius Milk of Sioux Falls, SD. It was determined that Milk was operating the vehicle while intoxicated. He was charged with Operating While Intoxicated, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Failure to Yield Upon Left Turn, and Driving While License Suspended. Milk was transported to the Lyon County Jail.

ARREST

On 2/4/2025, The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Shawn Sanford for two Lyon County Warrants for Failure to Appear. Shawn was transported and housed in the Lyon County Jail.

ACCIDENT

On 1/26/2025, a Lyon County Deputy was requested for assistance with an erratic driver out at the Grand Falls Casino. Upon arrival the deputy located tire drag marks from the erratic driver on 100th street near the campground and followed them to a rural residence a mile into Sioux Dakota near the 3-state marker corner. The driver, Thomas Nolte, age 33, of Ellsworth MN was located and detained until Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office could arrive and secure him. Upon investigation of the original complaint, it was determined that Nolte had struck three vehicles in the Grand Falls Casino South Parking Lot and a Tour Bus in the loading area before leaving. All Units are as follows:

Unit #1 2005 Maroon Dodge Ram 1500, MN Plate PU1344, Driven by Thomas Nolte

Unit #2 2008 Black GMC Sierra PU, SD Plate 1JX332, Legally Parked, which sustained an estimated $1,000 worth of damage

Unit #3 2015 White Ford Explorer SUV, SD Plate 8F0060, Legally Parked, which sustained an estimated $800 worth of damage

Unit #4 2021 Black Lexus NX300, SD Plate 1NL747, Legally Parked, which sustained an estimated $3,000 worth of damage 

Unit #5 2011 Preast Tour Bus, TN Plate A046BA, Legally Parked, which sustained an estimated $1,200 worth of damage

Nolte was arrested on a charge of Operation while Intoxicated 2nd offense by Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office (SD) and is be issued citations for Reckless Driving and Leaving the scene of accident in Lyon County.

ARREST

On January 17, 2025, at approximately 22:57 p.m., a Lyon County Deputy conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Carroll St, Rock Rapids. Following an onscene investigation, the driver, Derek Allen Harr , 33, of Rock Rapids, was found to be operating under the influence. Harr was taken into custody and transported to the Lyon County Jail.

ARREST

On 1/8/2025, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Yoseph Badi of Sioux Falls for OWI 1st Offense, Open Container, and Operating a Motor Vehicle Without a Valid Driver’s License. Badi was transported and housed in the Lyon County Jail.

Accident

January 8,2025 at 3:46 PM, the Lyon County Sheriff's Office responded to a one vehicle accident at 210th Street and Jefferson Ave. Riley J. Grevengoed (20) of Hull Iowa was operating a 2005 Volvo semi loaded with bales and was attempting to make a right turn onto 210th Street, but turned the corner too short and the trailer axels went into the ditch causing the units to roll onto its side. No injuries were reported and the tractor trailer owned by Grevengoed sustained approximately $15,000 dollars damage. Grevengoed was cited for failure to use seatbelt. Assisting were George Fire, GEMS, and Trackside Towing.

ARREST

On January 4, 2025, at approximately 12:43 a.m., a Lyon County Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed at the intersection of 180th St and Goldfinch Ave, Rock Rapids. Following an onscene investigation, the driver, Matthew James Clauson Jr., 30, of Rock Rapids, was found to be operating under the influence. Clauson was taken into custody and transported to the Lyon County Jail.

ARREST

On January 4, 2025, at approximately 10:50 p.m., near 1415 Grand Falls Blvd, a Lyon County Deputy observed narcotics in a vehicle and detected the odor of narcotics. During a subsequent probable cause search of the vehicle, a controlled substance was seized. Kaleb Andrew Tringale, 23, of Huron, SD, was cited into court for Possession of a Controlled Substance - Marijuana.