Hearing set Wednesday in sword fight

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Bail was raised to $25,000 Wednesday for a 41-year-old Johnson Lane man accused of hitting a man in the head with a sword and striking a second victim with his vehicle.

Stephen Jon Hipple is charged with two counts of battery with a dangerous weapon and assault with a deadly weapon.

East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl appointed Tod Young to represent Hipple and set his next court appearance for Sept. 2.

Hipple and his son reportedly were arguing with several other people over disputed property at the victim's home in the Johnson Lane area on July 3.

During the argument, Hipple allegedly hit one man with a sword causing a serious cut on the man's neck, and intentionally struck another man with his vehicle as he (Hipple) left the scene.

Hipple was arrested without incident Monday by Douglas County investigators and booked into Douglas County Jail on $10,000 bail.

Hipple is on federal probation for stealing quad-motorcycles from the U.S. Forest Service.