By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent 

A dwelling at Brandborg Creek Road, near East Battle Lake, received significant smoke damage following a fire that was called in at 2:57 p.m. on Jan. 12.

Smoke was coming from the kitchen where a wood stove was located. A renter was in the home watching TV when he noticed the smoke and then called authorities.

Wood stove owners are reminded to have their stoves tested periodically by qualified testers. Keep the door of your wood stove closed unless loading or stoking the live fire. 

Fireplace users are reminded to keep a glass or metal screen in front of fireplaces to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out.

Minor injury in traffic accident near Perham

Sheriff deputies, on Jan. 14, reported an accident with a minor injury near the north side of Marion Lake, southwest of Perham. The accident took place at 9:24 a.m.

Deputies said a vehicle was southbound on 410th Avenue, near North Marion Drive, when the driver slid through the intersection on icy roads and struck a tree. The driver received a minor injury and, fortunately, five young children were not injured.

“Air bags were deployed, everyone was using seatbelts and a car seat was used properly,” said a sheriff deputy.

A small aluminum sign post was damage in the yard of a property owner.