We would like to remind residents to be cautious of scams involving gift cards. Scammers may contact you by phone, text message, email or social media and claim you owe money, have a problem with an account or need to make an immediate payment. The scammer will often instruct you to purchase gift cards from a store and then provide them with the card numbers and PINs. Once you give them this information, the money can quickly be taken and is often very difficult to recover.

No legitimate government agency, law enforcement agency, utility company or reputable business will demand that you purchase gift cards and provide the card numbers or PINs as payment. We also encourage everyone to educate your family members, friends and especially older relatives about these scams. Talk to them about common scams and remind them that they should never feel pressured to make an immediate payment or provide gift card information to someone who contacts them unexpectedly.

I also want to remind everyone that harvest season has begun for many farmers throughout Montgomery County. There will be an increase in large farm equipment traveling our highways and entering and exiting fields throughout the county. Drivers should use extra caution when cresting hills, rounding curves, approaching field entrances and attempting to pass farm machinery. Many pieces of farm equipment are wider than a single lane and may need additional room to safely travel the roadway. Also remember: if a farmer moves toward the right side of the road, do not automatically assume they are signaling for you to pass. They may be making room for an oncoming vehicle that you cannot yet see or preparing to make a wide turn. Please slow down, be patient and make sure the roadway ahead is completely clear before attempting to pass. A few extra minutes is worth everyone getting home safely.

On September 5, deputies stopped a vehicle in the Montgomery City area. During the traffic stop deputies discovered the driver’s driving privileges were suspended for failure to appear. The driver was arrested, transported to the MC Jail and charged with driving while suspended.

Also on September 5, deputies responded to the intersection of Highway 19 and Highway 94 for a report of a motor vehicle accident in which the driver was believed to be intoxicated. Deputies located the vehicle in the tree line with the driver still inside. During the course of the investigation deputies observed the driver displaying signs of intoxication. Standard field sobriety testing was conducted, which the driver performed poorly on. The driver later provided a breath sample with a BAC of .192%. The driver was arrested, transported to the MC Jail and charged with driving while intoxicated.

On September 6, deputies responded to New Florence for a reported peace disturbance. The complainant advised their neighbors were outside playing loud music. Through the course of the investigation deputies spoke with the subjects, who advised they had been outside playing music but moved it inside after their neighbor complained. Deputies explained to the subjects that it was almost midnight and they needed to keep the music turned down to a minimum or they could receive a citation for peace disturbance.

On September 7, deputies responded to New Florence for a domestic disturbance. During the course of the investigation deputies discovered the couple was fighting over the dishes. Deputies were able to speak to the couple, calm the situation and prevent the disturbance from escalating.

On September 9, deputies responded to New Florence for a report of a domestic disturbance. During the course of the investigation deputies learned the couple had been arguing over perceived infidelities. Deputies were able to calm the situation and prevent the disturbance from escalating. The male subject was given a ride to another location for the evening.

It continues to amaze me just how many people are out there driving without a valid driver’s license. So far this year, deputies have arrested 80 individuals for operating a motor vehicle while their license was suspended or revoked or for driving without a valid license at all. Just this past week deputies arrested four drivers who were operating vehicles while their licenses were suspended or revoked. These are not isolated incidents, and the numbers show just how often our deputies are encountering drivers who should not legally be behind the wheel. If your license is suspended or revoked, please do not take the chance of getting behind the wheel. Take the necessary steps to get your driving privileges restored before you drive. Doing so can save you from additional charges, additional expenses and another trip to jail.