The streets of Blair and Washington County saw significant law enforcement activity in the last week of February, with both the Blair Police Department and Washington County Sheriff’s Office reporting numerous traffic stops, driving violations, and drug-related incidents. Here’s a day-by-day account of what kept our local officers busy.
Monday, February 24
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office started the week with routine business checks in Arlington and Fort Calhoun during the early morning hours. Deputies conducted school patrols in both communities without incident.
Tragedy struck when deputies responded to an unattended death at a residence on County Road 31. Later that morning, they investigated a suspicious package report and mediated a disturbance in Fort Calhoun.
In the afternoon, deputies followed up on a concerning speeding incident on County Road 36 near Fort Calhoun, where they clocked a vehicle at 103 mph. They located the juvenile driver at home and spoke with the parents.
The evening brought reports of suspicious activity, including door-to-door solar panel salespeople in Arlington and trespassers at Boyer Chute.
Meanwhile, the Blair Police Department was active with traffic enforcement, citing a 16-year-old driver for a stop sign violation at Highway 75 and Hollow Road.
Tuesday, February 25
Early Tuesday morning, Sheriff’s deputies responded to a serious four-vehicle crash with injuries on Highway 75 near Mary Nelson Lane.
The day continued with school patrols and motorist assists, including helping a semi hauling pigs that broke down on County Road 4.
In Blair, police officers conducted a warrant service at a residence on Kellie Drive where they discovered controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.
An unusual call came in Tuesday evening when a resident contacted the Sheriff’s Office with questions about venomous turtles in Nebraska.
Wednesday, February 26
The Sheriff’s Office responded to an intrusion alarm just after midnight, finding an open door that had secured itself with an audible alarm.
Shortly before 1 a.m., deputies initiated a traffic stop in Fort Calhoun for speeding (40 mph in a 25 mph zone), which escalated into a pursuit that was terminated at I-680 near the state line. Omaha Police later located the vehicle and took the occupants into custody.
Morning brought routine school patrols in Arlington and Fort Calhoun. In the afternoon, deputies served a warrant in the county.
Evening patrols found trespassers at Boyer Chute after hours. Deputies issued warnings to six individuals.
Thursday, February 27
Morning traffic enforcement on Highway 75 near 10th Street responded to a report from an off-duty Omaha Police officer about a vehicle traveling over 100 mph. Deputies observed multiple vehicles exceeding 90 mph and managed to stop one driver, who received a citation.
Afternoon activities included school patrols and warrant attempts in Blair. Deputies also conducted a traffic stop on County Road P25 that resulted in a warrant arrest.
Deputies also responded to a cat bite report on County Road 31.
In Blair, police cited a 17-year-old female from Omaha for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia on the 1200 block of South 10th Street.
Friday, February 28
The Sheriff’s Office began Friday with business checks in Arlington and Fort Calhoun. Throughout the day, deputies responded to various calls, including removing a traffic hazard on Highway 30 and assisting with a traffic stop in Blair.
Deputies also fought a field fire on County Road 29 and Japp Lane that required multiple fire agencies to extinguish.
Several traffic stops throughout the day resulted in various citations and arrests for driving violations.
Meanwhile, Blair Police officers were busy with traffic enforcement. Ricky Beaty, 46, of Blair, received citations on Washington Street for no valid registration, no motorcycle operator’s license, and no proof of insurance.
Saturday, March 1
Deputies responded to a physical disturbance in Fort Calhoun during the early morning hours.
Later that day, deputies assisted with fire rekindling issues from the previous day’s fire, with Fort Calhoun and Kennard Volunteer Fire Departments handling the situation.
Sunday, March 2
The morning brought a tense situation in Herman, where the tactical team responded to a disturbance and possible protection order violation with a potentially barricaded suspect. After clearing the residence without finding anyone, deputies were flagged down and directed to a suspect in front of a local bar.
In the evening, deputies recovered a stolen 2002 Lincoln Continental at the Blair airport. The vehicle was secured at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office impound lot.
Monday, March 3
The week concluded with routine business checks in Arlington and Fort Calhoun during the early morning hours.
ARRESTS
During the period of February 24 through March 3, law enforcement in Washington County made the following arrests:
- Ashley Davis, 37, for driving under revocation in Blair (Feb. 25)
- Keith Urbanek, 29, and Summer Butler, 41, both of Omaha, at 2028 Kellie Drive in Blair for outstanding warrants and drug charges (Feb. 25)
- Blake Tomasso, 30, and Jacob Spencer, 30, following a pursuit from Fort Calhoun to I-680 (Feb. 26)
- Dalton Nielsen on a Stanton County warrant (Feb. 26)
- Booker, 35, for DUI in Blair (Feb. 27)
- Cade Cosler on Washington and Douglas County warrants (Feb. 27)
- Hernandez Calderon, 27, for driving under suspension on Highway 30 (Feb. 28)
- Matina Corbett, 34, for driving under revocation near the Blair YMCA (Feb. 28)
- Kyle Reding, 39, on a Washington County warrant (Feb. 28)
- Alfred Hinton, 53, for DUI on Highway 75 (Feb. 28)
- Tashauna Arellano, 38, for DUI on Highway 133 (Feb. 28)
- Larry Davis, 30, for 3rd-degree domestic assault in Fort Calhoun (Mar. 1)
- Joseph Policky for aggravated DUI 2nd offense and carrying a concealed weapon (Mar. 2)
- Jeremy Jensen for felony protection order violation and disturbing the peace in Herman (Mar. 2)
NOTABLE INCIDENTS
- Four-vehicle injury crash on Highway 75 near Mary Nelson Lane (Feb. 25)
- Pursuit initiated in Fort Calhoun, terminated at I-680 state line (Feb. 26)
- Vehicle clocked at 103 mph on County Road 36 near Fort Calhoun, juvenile driver (Feb. 24)
- Multiple vehicles observed traveling over 90 mph on Highway 75 near 10th Street (Feb. 27)
- Field fire on County Road 29 and Japp Lane requiring multiple agencies to extinguish (Feb. 28)
- Tactical team response to possible barricaded suspect in Herman (Mar. 2)
- Recovery of stolen 2002 Lincoln Continental at Blair airport (Mar. 2)
- 17-year-old female from Omaha cited for marijuana possession in Blair (Feb. 27)
- Unusual inquiry about venomous turtles in Nebraska (Feb. 25)
