Allan Hatfield, 35 of Austin, faces charges of second degree felony assault after a barroom fight early Thursday.

Friday, May 05, 2000

Allan Hatfield, 35 of Austin, faces charges of second degree felony assault after a barroom fight early Thursday.

According to an Austin Police Department report, Hatfield allegedly struck Craig Benson, 30 of Austin, with a pool cue after a dispute in Margaritaville, 119 2nd Ave. NE.

Austin police were called to the scene at 1:10 a.m. Thursday. Hatfield was observed walking away from the scene while another participant, Peter Bartley, 19 of Austin, was seen crawling beneath a vehicle in a parking lot near the downtown bar.

Hatfield allegedly engaged in an argument with Benson inside the bar after an arm-wrestling bout between the two.

Benson was struck from behind by a pool cue wielded by Hatfield. Bartley was struck in the face with debris from the broken cue.

Bartley faces charges of being an underage drinker in the bar.

Neither Benson or Bartley required hospitalization.

Accident ‘unavoidable’

A 5-year-old child who rode a bicycle into heavily-traveled 4th Street NW, was struck by a passing car Thursday.

According to an Austin Police Department report, the mishap occurred at 4:05 p.m. Thursday on 4th Street Northwest near the 13th Avenue intersection.

The injured boy was identified as Christopher Eckkoff, 5, who lived nearby with his family, who were not identified.

The driver of the car was identified as Deanna Culbert, Austin.

According to police, the driver, a passenger in the northbound car and another eyewitnesses told investigators they saw the boy riding his bicycle on sidewalk on the east side of 4th Street Northwest.

The child left the sidewalk and turned west and into the roadway where he was struck by the car.

The witnesses told police there was nothing the driver of the car could have done to stop the vehicle and avoid hitting the boy on a bicycle.

The child was transferred to Austin Medical Center’s hospital emergency room, where he was treated for his injuries. His condition is unknown.

Fire confined to garage

Austin Fire Department officers were called to the scene of a garage fire early Friday.

The fire was extinguished by Austin firefighters and confined to a garage at 203 3rd St. SE.

The extent of the damages and other details were unknown at press-time.

The AFD’s fire inspector Ron Felten was at the scene of the fire, conducting an investigation, at press-time.

Bike-A-Thon Saturday a.m.

The annual Austin Rotary DARE Bike-A-Thon takes place Saturday morning.

Registration begins 8:30 a.m. at Riverside Arena with the bicyclists departing 9 a.m. on either 3k or 6k routes.

Pledge monies must be turned in, according to organizers.

Pizza and soft drink refreshments will be served the participants in the ride at the conclusion of the event Saturday morning.

Proceeds from the Austin Rotary-sponsored event go to the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) programs offered by the Austin Police and Mower County Sheriff’s departments.