Farm equipment shortcut leads to hospital

ENDICOTT — A disagreement about a shortcut across private property ended with a man being transported to the Whitman Hospital on Aug. 24.

Ronald D. Schaal, 78, of Endicott, was taken to the hospital and faces a possible charge of criminal trespassing, according to the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office.

Schaal and his neighbors reportedly have a long-standing argument about easements on their farms outside of Endicott on Kackman Road. Schaal is accused of driving farm equipment across the neighbor’s property as a shortcut to his land.

A deputy was dispatched to handle a trespassing complaint. When Schaal was taken to the patrol car he complained of having heart issues and slumped to the ground, according to the sheriff’s office. An ambulance was called to care for Schaal.