Knife charge may be forthcoming against teen

Published 12:00 am Friday, October 15, 1999

The Mower County Attorney will review police reports of an incident, in which an Ellis Middle School student allegedly brandished a knife at another student.

Friday, October 15, 1999

The Mower County Attorney will review police reports of an incident, in which an Ellis Middle School student allegedly brandished a knife at another student.

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According to the Austin Police Department, the incident took place Oct. 8, during halftime of the Austin High Packers homecoming football game.

Youths, mainly EMS students, gathered on Banfield Elementary School property, where a fight between students was to take place.

At the location, a 14-year-old female produced a "butterfly" knife and allegedly threatened a male student, who was involved in a verbal argument with a friend of the female’s.

The crowd of youths dispersed and the female reportedly gave the knife to her brother who gave it to another student for safe-keeping.

School authorities learned about the incident when students discussed it this week. The Austin Public Schools liaison officer was notified and he informed police.

No injuries occurred in the incident at Banfield Elementary School, according to the report.

Make tobacco bust

A 15-year-old Austin High School male student faces charges of possession and sale of tobacco products.

The student was attempting to sell chewing tobacco to other students on AHS property, during school hours, according to the Austin Police Department report.

In his confession to investigators, the youth admitted to receiving 10-15 canisters of chewing tobacco from another student and attempting to sell them for $3 each.

AHS school officials learned of the youth’s activities and contacted Austin police, who conducted the investigation.

Still under investigation

The Austin Police Department continues to pursue leads in the investigation of attempts to open a methamphetamine lab in a garage in the city.

A man and a woman were arrested in connection with the incident a week ago at a garage along 10th Drive SE.

Chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine drugs apparently spilled and created a fire.

Individuals loaded a burning couch and pales of chemicals onto the back of a pickup truck and drove away from the scene. Authorities are still looking for the couch and chemicals that may have been dumped in the out-county area.

Police continue to advise merchants to watch for large or repeated purchases of items commonly used in the manufacture of methamphetamine drugs.

They include common cold pills containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, acetone, isopropyl or rubbing alcohol, toluene, ether or engine starter, drain cleaner (sulfuric acid), rubber hoses or tubing, coffee filters, methanol (Heet), table salt, lithium batteries, modified 2-pound propane tank, lye (Red Devil), mason jars and Pyrex dishes.

Jessica George, 21 of Austin, who Austin police say attempted to prevent them from entering the garage at 605 10th Drive SE when the raid was conducted Oct. 6, and Harry L. Meader, 26 of Austin, who was identified as the driver of a van leaving the garage and also arrested in connection with the drug lab, made their first appearances in court this week.

Police continue to search for Matt Horsman, formerly of Wykoff, but most recently living in Austin, and a male subject known only by his street name "Outlaw" and described, in part, has having a tattoo on his face.

Both are wanted in connection with the raid by police.

Anyone having information about the individuals or for more information about the items, call the Austin-Mower County law enforcement center at 437-9400.