County resident scammed for $1,075

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent 

A county fish house owner, prior to the March 7 deadline for removing fish houses from area lakes, came to Rush Lake on March 1. While there he mentioned to authorities that his portable fish house was stolen.

Inside the fish house, and also likely stolen, was a propane tank and Sunflower heater.

County resident scammed for $1,075

Sheriff deputies said a county resident who lives close to Highway 59 in western Otter Tail County was scammed out of $1,075. He used a debit card to purchase an engine online.

When the engine arrived, it was defective. The county resident tried to call the seller but phone calls were not returned.

Authorities, on March 1, said this was a civil matter and advised the scam victim to contact an attorney.

Roadway fatality near Underwood

Sheriff deputies reported a fatality just after midnight on Sunday morning, Feb. 27, southeast of Underwood, near the intersection of State Highway 210 and 315th Avenue.

This was a two-vehicle collision, one heading east and one traveling west along State Highway 210.

The victim who died as a result of the collision was 19-year-old Grace Catherine Olson of Barnesville. She was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu while westbound.

Authorities said the other driver was not injured. He was identified as 43-year-old David Donald Moen of Henning. He was driving a 2011 Ford F650 truck while heading east along Highway 210.

Four passengers in the vehicles received minor injuries.

Assisting sheriff deputies at the scene of the accident were members of the Underwood Fire Department, Battle Lake Fire and Rescue, Ringdahl Ambulance and the Minnesota State Highway Patrol.

Authorities said that alcohol was a factor in the accident.

Stop arm violations

Sheriff deputies, on Feb. 25, reported two drivers of vehicles who committed school bus stop arm violations. One incident was reported near Underwood and the other near New York Mills.

Fortunately, no children were struck by either of the vehicles.

Authorities found the drivers and verbal warnings were issued. Arrests and/or citations would be likely if second violations take place.