Fire reported on Sept. 18 near Clitherall

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent 

Sheriff deputies, on Sept. 18, reported that a double-stall garage in Clitherall was destroyed by fire. This was a detached garage.

The nearby house received some siding damage, but the family is still able to live in the dwelling.

Deputies said the owner who was home with his children heard crackling noises at 1:18 p.m., saw flames and called authorities. Battle Lake, Henning and Vining fire departments responded to the scene of the fire.

No injuries were reported and the possible cause of the fire was still being investigated as of Sept. 19.

Driver injured west of Otter Tail Lake

A driver was injured close to 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 18 along Highway 1, near Phelps Mill and west of Otter Tail Lake.

The driver pulled a van to the right and was not able to pull back, causing the vehicle to go off of the roadway. The vehicle then went through a field and struck an approach.

The driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls.

One road injury in Parkers Prairie

Sheriff deputies, on Sept. 16, reported a minor injury in a three-vehicle accident on the south side of Parkers Prairie. The accident took place near South Otter Avenue and Main Street.

One vehicle pulled in front of another vehicle. One of those vehicles, in turn, was pushed into the third vehicle. The accident took place at 1:26 p.m.

From OT County jail back into communities

Leaving county jail, after a person’s incarceration is completed, can be a scary time for an individual. 

A re-entry program in Otter Tail County is designed to have services in place upon discharge from the detention center. County social workers are available to assist individuals to be successful as they transition back into the community.

This program started in 2021 as a joint effort by county human services and the county sheriff department in Otter Tail County. The key to success is limiting the number of repeat offenders.

Those currently in jail who would like assistance can ask to speak to a county social worker. People making referrals on behalf of individuals can contact a Community Re-Entry social worker by calling 218-998-8286.

ATV injury reported near Big Pine Lake

A woman suffered serious injuries in an ATV accident Sept. 19 near Big Pine Lake, northeast of Perham. The accident took place a few minutes prior to 5 p.m.

The victim, in her 30ths, suffered the injuries when the ATV rolled down a hill. She was later identified as 38-year-old Sasha Sazama of Perham. Authorities said she was airlifted to Sanford Hospital in Fargo.

Assisting sheriff deputies at the scene of the accident were Perham police, Perham Ambulance and the Perham Fire Department.