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21-Apr-2026

House Fire

A family escaped a fast-moving house fire Sunday morning northwest of Battle Lake. Otter Tail County dispatchers received a report of a structure fire on County Highway 83 at approximately 11:49 a.m. on April 19. Authorities say the deck of the home caught fire first, and flames quickly spread to the main structure. By the time first responders arrived, the home was heavily engulfed in flames. All occupants, two adults and six children, evacuated on their own before crews arrived. However, most of the family’s belongings were destroyed in the fire. The Battle Lake and Underwood fire departments, along with deputies from the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the scene. The cause of the fire has not been released.

21-Apr-2026

Missing Man Found Deceased

A person reported missing Wednesday was later found dead in Lake Agnes, according to the Alexandria Police Department. Police said they received a report of a missing person on April 15 and began an investigation. During the initial search, officers found items belonging to the individual along the shoreline of Lake Agnes, near Big Ole Park. The department requested assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office dive team. While the dive team was being deployed, a drone located the individual in the water, police said. The dive team then responded and recovered the body. Following further investigation, the cause of death was determined to be drowning, according to authorities. Police had asked community members to avoid the area around Lake Agnes during the search and recovery operation to ensure public safety and allow investigators to work. The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact the Alexandria Police Department.

21-Apr-2026

Skidloader Fire

No one was hurt when a piece of farm equipment caught fire last week. The Stearns County Sheriff's office got a call on Thursday just before 11:00 a.m. Sheriff's deputies and Melrose Fire crews were dispatched to the 35000 block of 375th Avenue in Getty Township. Authorities arrived to find a skid loader on fire. The sheriff's office says 75-year-old Robert Pflipsen of Albany had been using the machine when it began to smoke and the engine caught fire. Fire crews were able to extinguish the flames without them spreading.

 

 

 

 

 

20-Apr-2026

Burning Restrictions

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has expanded the area under burning restrictions. Several counties in northern Minnesota are now under burning restrictions, including Becker, Clearwater, Lake of the Woods, and Itasca.  Restrictions remain in place for several other counties, including Stearns, Benton, Morrison, Douglas and Todd Counties. The DNR will not issue permits for the open burning of brush or yard waste in these counties until the restrictions are lifted. The DNR says people cause more than 90 percent of wildfires in Minnesota.   If a fire rekindles or escapes, the person who set it is liable for any damage it causes. Much of Minnesota is under a Red Flag Warning from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00  p.m. on Monday due to the high risk of potential wildfires.

20-Apr-2026

Gas Prices

Average gasoline prices declined in 48 states over the last week, while diesel prices fell in 46 states.  However, Gas Buddy says that relief may be short-lived.  Oil prices surged in Sunday night trading after Iran re-closed the Strait of Hormuz and President Trump signaled further escalation if Tehran does not come to an agreement.  As a result, gas prices are likely to rise again in the coming days. Average gasoline prices in Minnesota have fallen 8.0 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.66.  The national average price of gasoline has fallen 9.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.97.  The national average price of diesel has decreased 11.7 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $5.50.

20-Apr-2026

Highway Rollover

Two people were seriously injured Saturday evening when a homemade off-highway vehicle rolled over on private property, according to the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office. The vehicle rolled over around 6:57 p.m., ejecting the driver and passenger. Neither was wearing a seatbelt, the sheriff’s office said. The driver was pinned under the roll bars of the vehicle. Witnesses lifted the vehicle enough to free the driver. 38 year old Jeffrey Rutten, and 29 year old Jennifer Anderson, were transported to Lake Region Health in Fergus Falls with serious injuries. Elizabeth Fire and Ringdahl Ambulance assisted at the scene.

20-Apr-2026

Two People Injured After Hitting Bear

Two people are hospitalized after the car they were in struck a bear. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened just before 10:00 p.m. on Highway 10 near Staples in Todd County.  A Toyota Corolla was traveling Westbound on Highway 10 when the vehicle collided with a bear in the roadway. The driver, 36-year-old Mary Jo Roggenkamp of Deer Creek, and her passenger, 34-year-old Corey Roggenkamp of Deer Creek, were both taken to Staples Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.