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Fillmore and Houston County Police Reports

May 8, 2023 by Fillmore County Journal Leave a Comment

Caledonia Police Department

Steven Joseph Zahn, 53, Caledonia, Minn.; 3/20/2023, Operate Vehicle With Expired Registration, Fine $30, Total Fees $105.

Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office

Leopoldo Garza, 44, Lime Springs, Iowa; 2/11/2023, Speeding (73/55), Fine $60, Total Fees $150.  2/11/2023, Driving Without a Valid License for Vehicle Class or Type, Fine $100.

Josie Joe Martin, 43, Spring Valley, Minn.; 2/2/2023, Parking Central Business District, Fine $20, Total Fees $32.

Bernard Joseph Wetli, 64, Decorah, Iowa; 4/6/2023, Engage in Cellular Phone or Video Call (While Driving), Fine $50, Total Fees $140.

Hokah Police Department

Erin Marie McKay, 25, Harmony, Minn.; 4/6/2023, Speeding – Exceed Limit of 30 mph – Urban District (43/30), Fine $50, Total Fees $125. 

Rene Paul Zimmerman, 43, Genoa, Wis.; 2/10/2023, Speeding (67/55), Fine $50, Total Fees $125.  2/10/2023, No Motor Vehicle Insurance – Driver, Fine $200.

Houston County Sheriff’s Office 

Heather Marie Bjorge, 37, Onalaska, Wis.; 2/25/2023, Speeding (65/60), Fine $40, Total Fees $115.

Shawna Lee Bonnett, 44, Brownsville, Minn.; 4/7/2023, Speeding – Exceed Limit of 55 mph Where Appropriate (60/55), Fine $40, Total Fees $115.

Samuel Jerome Boudreau, 26, Dakota, Minn.; 4/13/2023, Speeding (67/55), Fine $50, Total Fees $125.  4/13/2023, No Proof of Insurance – Driver, Fine $200.

Derek James Drew, 33, Decorah, Iowa; 3/23/2023, Drive at Less Than Posted Minimum Speed Level, Fine $50, Total Fees $125.

Alan Curtis Frydenlund, 63, Spring Grove, Minn.; 4/17/2023, Winter Parking, Fine $20, Total Fees $32.

Mikel Marie Herman, 25, Caledonia, Minn.; 12/3/2022, DWI – Fourth Degree Driving While Impaired; Described, Fine $300, Total Fees $400.  Local Confinement – 90 days (stay 90 days).  Unsupervised probation for one year – Conditions (3/29/2023): Complete Chemical Assessment – defendant will complete and follow the recommendations of a chemical use assessment (already received), Report any new offense to the prosecutor within three business days.

Kimberlee Anne Hodyniak, 38, Hokah, Minn.; 2/12/2023, Speeding – Exceed Limit of 55 mph Where Appropriate (77/55), Fine $70, Total Fees $215.

Jacob Cole Lindberg, 33, Holmen, Wis.; 4/3/2023, Speeding (63/45), Fine $60, Total Fees $135.

Nathan Lucas Mathsen, 39, Spring Grove, Minn.; 2/10/2023, Disorderly Conduct – Offensive/Abusive/Boisterous/Noisy/Obscene, Restitution $400, Total Fees $475.  Local Confinement – 90 days (stay 90 days for six months).  Unsupervised probation for six months – Conditions (4/25/2023): Pay restitution – any challenge to the amount of restitution must be made in writing to the court administrator within 30 days – defendant may not challenge restitution after the 30-day time period has passed, Remain law-abiding and be of good behavior, No same or similar offenses while on unsupervised probation.

Jesus Ordonez Morales, 36, Postville, Iowa; 4/15/2023, Driving After Revocation, Fine $200, Total Fees $275.

Zebulon Luke Mumm, 25, La Crosse, Wis.; 4/18/2023, Speeding – Exceed Limit of 55 mph Where Appropriate (77/55), Fine $70, Total Fees $215.

Diane Helen Otterness, 73, Spring Grove, Minn.; 4/13/2023, Speeding – Exceed Limit of 30 mph – Urban District (40/30), Fine $40, Total Fees $115.

Joshua John Prochaska, 38, Houston, Minn.; 2/9/2023, Driving After Suspension, Fine $200, Total Fees $275.  2/9/2023, No Insurance – Driver Violation, Fine $200.  2/9/2023, Operate Vehicle With Expired Registration, Fine $30.

Chad William Stutzka, 50, Houston, Minn.; 2/11/2023, Operate Motor Vehicle After License Suspension/Revocation/Cancellation, Fine $200, Total Fees $275.

Camron John Sylling, 22, Eitzen, Minn.; 4/4/2023, Compose, Read, or Send Electronic Message in Motion or Traffic, Fine $50, Total Fees $125.

Cullen Seamus Cams-Hilliker, 45, Houston, Minn.; 4/19/2023, Speeding (40/30), Fine $40, Total Fees $115.

La Crescent Police Department

Charles Lewis Johnson, 49, Hokah, Minn.; 3/24/2023, Speeding (69/50), Fine $60, Total Fees $135.

Elias James McCool, 18, La Crescent, Minn.; 4/18/2023, Seat Belt Required – Driver and Passenger Must Use, Fine $25, Total Fees $100.

Mark Francis Melde, 33, La Crescent, Minn.; 4/18/2023, Seat Belt Required – Driver and Passenger Must Use, Fine $25, Total Fees $100.

Carter Evin Todd, 18, La Crescent, Minn.; 4/9/2023, Consumption by Persons Under 21, Fine $100, Total Fees $175.

MN State Patrol – Rochester

Gasim Andreabdalla Dimbiti, 31, Rochester, Minn.; 2/10/2023, Driving After Revocation, Fine $200, Total Fees $290.

Karrie Lynn Heydt, 54, Stewartville, Minn.; 2/13/2023, Driving After Revocation, Fine $200, Total Fees $275.

Jennifer Lynn Morgan, 68, Houston, Minn.; 2/11/2023, No Minnesota Driver’s License, Fine $100, Total Fees $175.

Raymond Edward Poulin, 51, Winona, Minn.; 2/11/2023, Speeding (72/55), Fine $60, Total Fees $135.

Lee Travis Zenke, 28, Robbinsdale, Minn.; 2/12/2023, Fail to Change Address/Name (on Driver’s License) Within 30 Days, Fine $20, Total Fees $95.

Filed Under: Police Reports

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FILLMORE COUNTY WEATHER

Fillmore County Journal - Your number one source for news and community information in Fillmore County Minnesota
Fillmore County Journal - Your number one source for news and community information in Fillmore County Minnesota
Fillmore County Journal - Your number one source for news and community information in Fillmore County Minnesota

Ask A Trooper

Sgt. Troy Christianson

Ask a Trooper

May 19, 2025 By Troy Christianson Leave a Comment

Question: I read your last article about road construction and work zones. Can you talk about the zipper merge? It seems like a lot of people don’t know what it is or can’t figure it out. Thank you.

Answer: The “Late Merge – Zipper Merge” is a driving strategy that requires drivers to change their mindset about merging. Traditionally, drivers have been taught to merge early when a lane is ending. Early merging leads to longer backups, more crashes and road rage incidents.

Zipper Merge Procedure

• When you see the “lane closed ahead” sign and traffic is backing up, stay in your current lane until the point of merge.

• Take turns with other drivers to safely and smoothly merge into the remaining lane.

• When traffic is heavy and slow, it is safer to remain in your current lane until the point where traffic can take turns merging orderly.

Benefits of the Zipper Merge

• Reduces the difference in speeds between two lanes, making lane changes easier and safer.

• Reduces the overall length of traffic backups by up to 40%.

• Reduces congestion at freeway interchanges, especially in metropolitan areas.

• Creates a sense of fairness when all lanes are moving at the same speed.

• Reduces incidents of road rage.

You can avoid a ticket – and a crash – if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always drive sober. Help us drive Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths.

If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson – Minnesota State Patrol at 2900 48th Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901-5848. Or reach him at Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us.

Zipper merging creates a sense of fairness when all lanes are moving at the same speed. Image submitted
Zipper merging creates a sense of fairness when all lanes are moving at the same speed.
Image submitted

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