Two people were charged with felony drug counts after an incident that took place at Eighth and Liberty Streets early Thursday.

Deputy Police Chief Tom Williams said 24-year-old Shane Merchlewitz and 25-year-old Ashley Thelen were both cited with fifth degree possession of a controlled substance. Thelen was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Williams said an officer responding to a loud party complaint spotted a vehicle parked on the street with four people inside and its headlights off and no front license plate.

Knowing there had been reports of previous drug activity in the area, the officer searched the vehicle and discovered Thelen had drug paraphernalia in her purse with trace amounts of cocaine. Williams said Merchlewitz possessed a pen, also with trace amounts of cocaine on it.

Merchlewitz was held in custody but Thelen was released while the county attorney's office reviews her case.....