House, shed destroyed, two firefighters injured in fire

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent 

Sheriff deputies reported that one person was injured in a traffic accident at the intersection of Highway 46 and 595th Avenue, east of Parkers Prairie.

The accident took place at 2:27 p.m. on Aug. 3, just east of Parkers Prairie.

A driver was test driving a mini-bike after installing a new engine. The bike had a mechanical failure not related to the new engine, causing the crash.

The injured party was taken to Alomere Health facility in Alexandria.

On Aug. 5, at 6:10 a.m., injuries took place during a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Highways 8 and 53, near Big Pine Lake and northeast of Perham.

The crash involved a car and a pickup and four injuries were reported. No further details were available.

Theft reported

Air hoses and extension cords were taken from a construction site on 490th Avenue in eastern Otter Tail County. The thefts were reported on Aug. 3.

Sheriff deputies said a suspect vehicle, after looking at security cameras, was a dark-colored 4-door Pontiac Grand Prix.

House, shed destroyed,

two firefighters injured

Sheriff deputies reported a fire destroyed a house and shed and that two firefighters were injured at the scene of the fire near Highway 144, near Bluffton in eastern Otter Tail County.

The fire was called in at 3:41 p.m. on Sunday, August 1. Cause of the fire was believed to have been a malfunction with a battery charger attached to an ATV inside the shop.

The fire spread from the shop to a nearby house. Both were total losses. Two firefighters were treated at the scene for injuries and exhaustion.

Responding to the fire, in addition to sheriff deputies, were firemen from Bluffton, New York Mills, Wadena, Deer Creek, Sebeka and Menahga. Also responding was Tri-County Ambulance personnel.

Jet ski complaints

Sheriff deputies said, on July 31, that they received complaints about use of jet skis in the early morning hours at Eagle Lake, south of Battle Lake.

Deputies arrived at the lake and gave verbal warnings to users of the jet skis.

Personal watercraft in Minnesota may only be operated between 9:30 a.m. and one hour before sunset. 

Deputies respond after

terroristic threats made

Sheriff deputies, just before 6 p.m. on July 31, responded to a call following terroristic threats at an undisclosed location in northeastern Otter Tail County.

One person, under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, was taken to the hospital in Perham for an evaluation.

State statute says that anyone convicted of making terroristic threats, depending on the severity of the threats, can face prison time for up to three years or face a penalty of up to $3,000, or both.