By DUANE SCHRAG

Salina Journal

Dozens of teenagers, most apparently from Salina, were at a pre-graduation pasture party in rural Ottawa County on Friday night and scattered when law enforcement showed up around 11 p.m.

"None of the juveniles were local," said Ottawa County Undersheriff Russell Thornton. "All that we made contact with were from Salina and Saline County."

Thornton said at least four juveniles were cited for being minors consuming alcohol. Salina's graduations are today. Rumors had surfaced earlier in the day Friday that a party was planned for that night.

"We were notified at 5 p.m. from Saline County that there was possibly going to be a big party," Thornton said.

Around 11 p.m. the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office received an anonymous tip about a fight in the vicinity of Granite Rd. and 220th, which is four miles east and two miles north of Bennington.

The deputy who responded to the call found about 30 juveniles.

"Several of them took off running," Thornton said. Officers called for more help.

"We notified the Kansas Highway Patrol. They brought their helicopter in," Thornton said. "As they were running out of fuel we located three more juveniles but were unable to apprehend them. The ones we did find were laying flat in the grass."

Authorities were at the scene until 4 a.m., he said.

n Reporter Duane Schrag can be reached at 822-1422 or by e-mail at dschrag@salina.com.

Join the Discussion:

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TO: Salina's STUPID GRADS! says....
WOW... How Pathetic! Salina's graduates are pretty stupid! Underage drinking in a local pasture! What do you expect! Hope they are charged with every charge that applies!!
5/19/2008

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notmovingbacktosalina says....
Wow, that's pathetic. Helicopter for a high school party, tax money well spent.
5/18/2008

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