UPDATE: VanNess, Luehrs face probation consequences

Michael Van Ness, 21, 1733 Laurel Ave., was scheduled to be released from St. Croix County Jail Tuesday afternoon following his arrest June 24 for a probation violation in Hudson.

According to Mike O’Keefe of the Department of Corrections in Hudson, Van Ness is being released with a home monitoring device and some additional restrictions “in hopes of getting better compliance with the conditions of his probation.”

Just the week before Van Ness suffered a broken wrist and other injuries when he fell 30 feet over the Willow River Falls on June 15. A park official stated that alcohol was a factor in the accident.

Benjamin N. Luehrs, 19, Eau Claire, formerly of Hudson, was arrested with Van Ness and was also charged with driving while intoxicated. Following his arrest, he was transported from the St. Croix County Jail to the Eau Claire County Jail where he is being held pending a review of his case by the probation office there.

Both Luehrs and VanNess are on probation stemming from their convictions for criminal damage to property in connection with vandalism at Hudson High School and New Richmond High School along with 12 others last June. Conditions of that probation include absolute sobriety and no further criminal violations.

According to court records, Luehrs was charged in April with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia in Eau Claire. That case is still pending. He was also cited for underage drinking and disorderly conduct at UW-Eau Claire in January.

Tags: news, hudson, probation, violations, vandalism