Newton Police Department
• Melody S. Ryther, 58, of Newton, was charged with third-degree harassment at 4 p.m. May 17 in the 100 block of East Seventh Street North. According to the Newton Police Department, Ryther wandered onto a residence asking for cigarettes, and the owner of the property wouldn't give her any. Ryther got upset when she was repeatedly asked to leave. Ryther became aggravated and began making threats and threw a fountain soda on the victim, soaking the bottom half of his pants and shoes. Officers arrived on the scene and spoke with Ryther. Ryther told officers the reporting party was "going to die" and "die a slow death." Ryther was cited and released to appear in court.