Two accidents on Feb. 16

The first one, right, was reported at 6:14 a.m. Jared Knutson, age 23, from Lawler (Saude), hit an Alliant Energy pole on Busti Ave. in front of the Elma Express. Estimated damage to the pickup was $5,000 and $10,000 to the pole. 

The pole snapped off at the base and was held up by the wires. Elma Fire assisted on scene with traffic control.

The second accident, below, was just one-half hour later, at 6:48 a.m. Blaine Keller, age 63, from Chester, was stopped at the stop sign on Minnesota St, at the intersection of Highway 63, when he made a right hand turn. 

Keller turned into the city hall building and drove off. 

Estimated damage to the pickup he was driving was estimated at $3,000, with $2,500 to city hall. 

Keller was charged with driving while revoked, leaving the scene of an accident and failing to maintain control.

The cameras (not the speed cameras) in Chester were able to identify the pickup and driver since he took off before anyone got there. 

Although Chester and Lime Springs are the only Howard County towns to install the cameras with live feed so far, there are two cameras on the new radio tower at Davis Corners that take video, but no live feed. License plates cannot be read, but the cameras are a good resource if there is an accident. Sheriff Tim Beckman and Howard County Emergency Management Coordinator Darrell Knecht hope to get the cameras to stream live.

These cameras have caught a number of incidents, including some childhood pranks, a bank robber, a drunk motorcyclist and a high speed chase, to name a few.

Deputy Shane Thorsten handled both accidents.