09-Dec-2024

Gas Prices

The national average price for gasoline has finally fallen below $3 per gallon. Gas Buddy says Americans are putting in just 5.44 of work to buy a gallon, the fewest minutes of work needed, minus the pandemic, since 2015. They say we'll likely continue to see additional downward pressure on gas, with the national average falling another 10 to 15 cents by Christmas.The national average price for gasoline is at $2.97.  The average price in Minnesota has fallen another 3.3 cents per gallon and is averaging $2.81. The national average price of diesel has declined 2.3 cents in the last week and stands at $3.49 per gallon.

09-Dec-2024

Whopping Cough Cases On The Rise

Over 2,000 cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, have been reported in Minnesota this year, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. The agency says it hasn't seen a rise in cases of this magnitude since 2012, but says it's not unexpected since the illness cycles every three to five years. During that year, 4,144 cases of whooping cough were reported.  The agency says 2,324 cases have been reported statewide this year so far, but the majority have been in the seven-county metro area. The median age of the cases is 14 years old, ranging from one month to 92 years old. Seventy-seven cases have been infants less than 1 year old.  Thirty-four people with pertussis in Minnesota have been hospitalized, and 57 have reported pneumonia.  Notification letters from the agency will be sent to schools, colleges and day cares where cases happen. The letters will inform students and staff to get tested if symptoms develop Health officials say people with whooping cough are contagious for 21 days, or until five days of antibiotic treatment have been completed.

09-Dec-2024

Woman Identified That Died in Crash On Friday

The Minnesota State Patrol has identified the woman who died in an Otter Tail County crash Friday afternoon. She is 27-year-old McKayla Schicker of Fergus Falls. A Boom Truck driven by 23-year-old Henry Gibbs of Battle Lake was traveling north on Highway 78 when it collided with Schicker’s 2004 GMC Envoy, which was traveling south. The crash happened in Otter Tail County at 1:34 p.m. The Minnesota State Patrol says Gibbs has non-life threatening injuries and was not taken to a health care facility. Otter Tail County Deputies, Fire and Rescue, and Perham Ambulance all responded to the crash.