FULTON COUNTY — What was supposed to be a fun night on Lake Manitou turned into criminal misdemeanor charges for one Rochester Middle School principal.

On June 28, a DNR conservation officer stopped Oscar Haughs. In the report, the officer said he was searching for the owners of a stray beach ball when he saw two anchored boats, and another boat circling around them.

Haughs, who was behind the wheel, veered to avoid hitting the patrol boat. The officer stopped Haughs, said he smelled a strong scent of alcohol and saw a beer can under the helm wheel.

Haughs admitted to drinking beer earlier that day and apologized. Two women and six girls were also on the boat. He said they were heading to pick up another adult. One of the women claimed the beach ball.

The women and a second man – who was on a different boat – said they’d been drinking and could not drive Haughs’ boat to shore.

Haughs registered at .164 on a breathalyzer test and was arrested.
He goes for a pre-trial conference in September.

The Rochester Community School Corporation said it has not made any final decision on Haughs’ future employment. However, a public board meeting will happen at 6:30 p.m. on July 19 at the Rochester Learning Center.

Source: WNDU