Head on crash injures three

Most people would agree that smoking is unhealthy but who would know that it can cause car crashes as well.  James R. Ball of South Bend, IN was southbound on S. West Bay Shore Drive near Shady Lane at 7:47 pm Sunday.  He had just gotten back from several days on Manitou Island and was in need of cigarettes.  Ball, 30, said he noticed a gas station and looked to the left to see if the store was open.  As he did, his car drifted into the northbound lane and stuck a vehicle operated by Andrea C. Diaz of Traverse City.  Diaz, 31, was not injured.

Ball was transported to Munson Medical Center by Suttons Bay EMS.  He was restrained but was ticketed for driving left of center.  Diaz was belted in but only one of her 4 passengers were.  She was cited for a seat belt violation involving unrestrained minor children.

Esther R. Diaz, 55, of Oklahoma, and Jacob R. Harter, 12, were also taken to Munson for treatment.  Two other passengers were not injured.

Minor cited for MIP in presence of parent

The Leelanau County Sheriff's deputy assigned to Empire Village for the summer season was on foot patrol on the Empire beach early Sunday morning.  He found an illegal bonfire with three adults and three minors there.  As he approached, he observed what turned out to be a 15 year-old boy take a drink from a whiskey bottle.

The deputy determined that the youth was not 21 and that his father was one of the adults around the fire.  The man would not let his son submit to a preliminary breath test.  The Wyandotte boy was cited for being a minor in possession and/or consuming intoxicants.  The report will be reviewed by the Leelanau County Prosecutor for possible furnishing alcohol to minor charges against his father.

Lake Ann man arrested on misdemeanor warrant

A 44 year-old man was stopped for driving without a seat belt on Shady Lane and S. West Bay Shore Drive Saturday at 1:25 pm.  Leelanau deputies determined that there was a District Court warrant from Benzie County for Charles D. Kesner.  He was arrested on the warrant and also cited for possessing open intoxicants in the motor vehicle.  He posted bond on both cases later in the day pending court appearances in both counties.

Woman sentenced on check case

A 39 year-old Elmwood Township woman was sentenced to a year of probation on a 2012 stolen check case.  Amber D. Oien was one of three women charged involving the theft of a checkbook from a Suttons Bay Township home.  Oien and two others forged and passed two checks totalling $800 in Traverse City.  She pleaded guilty to passing a Non-sufficient funds Check over $100 and less than $500, a 1 year misdemeanor.  Oien was originally charged with Uttering and Publishing, a 14 year felony.

She was given credit for time already served in jail and was ordered to pay $800 restitution and $1,025 fines and costs. 

Recent bookings at the Leelanau County jail

Paul T. Petoskey, 33, of Lake Leelanau served 4 days on a Department of Corrections detainer for violating terms of his parole.  Petoskey is on parole after being convicted of drug delivery charges.

Joshua J. Humphrey, 38, of Elmwood Township was arrested on a Circuit Court bench warrant for unpaid child support.  He will serve 30 days if $700 bond is not posted on the $1,457 arrearages.

James Ol Voeks, 76, of Cedar, was found guilty by jury of Operating While Intoxicated Friday.  He was remanded to jail until sentencing on September 3rd for bond violations.

Christopher F. Machir, 53, of Northport was arrested on a Circuit Court bench warrant for violating probation.  He is accused of having contact with prior victims of an Aggravated Stalking case he was convicted of.  He remains jailed pending a Circuit Court appearance.

Juan C. Bermudez, 34, of Suttons Bay was jailed on a bond violation.  He failed to appear for court ordered daily preliminary breath tests on three occasions.  He was released pending sentencing on September 10 for Operating While Intoxicated with a High Blood Alcohol >.17.