Archive for General

Cokato man injured in Hwy. 15 crash

Paul Charles Volness, 64, of Cokato, sustained life-threatening injuries in a vehicle crash that took place at the intersection of Hwy. 15 and Meeker Cty. 18 in Collinwood  Township Tuesday at approximately 5:15 p.m., according to the Minnesota State Patrol (MSP).

MSP reported Volness was driving a 2007 Saturn Vue traveling westbound on Meeker Cty. 18 when he collided with a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Shane Donald Pitzl, 44, of Annandale who was driving northbound on Hwy 15.

Volness was not wearing a seatbelt, and was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center. The Meeker County Sheriff’s Office, Dassel Fire and Rescue, and Allina Ambulance responded to the scene.

 

Online edition available early Thursday, Feb. 23, print edition delayed by one day

Due to the impending weather, Herald Journal Publishing has decided to release the online versions of our weekly newspapers early Thursday, Feb. 23.

So if you subscribe to the Herald Journal, Delano Herald Journal, or the Enterprise Dispatch, you will soon be able to spend your time curled up at home with a warm blanket, reading all of the great stories we have for you.

Unfortunately, due to the weather, the print copy of the newspaper will be delayed by one day. We apologize for this inconvenience.

Our offices will be closed Thursday, Feb. 23, and reopen Friday, Feb. 24.

Here are a few ideas for preparing your vehicle for safer winter travel

With the impending winter storm predicted to bring some of the heaviest snowfall and blizzard conditions in more than 12 years, travel will likely become difficult – if not impossible – in some areas.
Nearly 25% of yearly weather-related crashes occur on snowy, slushy or icy pavement, State Farm reported. Road conditions are expected to deteriorate starting today. Preparing vehicles for travel (if you can’t just stay home) is a solid idea.
Drivers should do these three things, according to State Farm:
  • Prepare trunks with a winter survival car kit.
  • Fill up fuel tank and make sure tires are fully inflated.
  • Consider Emergency Roadside Assistance coverage if you don’t currently have it.
Here’s what should be in your winter survival car kit:
Stay warm
•           Hats, gloves, scarves, and wool socks
•           Hand and foot warmers
•           Blankets
Stay visible and connected
•           Flashlight and extra batteries
•           Bright cloth to tie on your car, or flares
•           Phone charger
Stay storm-ready
•           Jumper cables or external battery charger
•           Small snow shovel and ice scraper
•           Fire extinguisher and wiper fluid
Stay safe out there, everyone!  Better yet, stay home!

Darwin Township fire destroys house

The Meeker County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a house fire Jan. 10, at 1:48 a.m., in the 65200 block of 225th Street in Darwin Township. Meeker County deputies, Litchfield Fire, Dassel Fire, and Mayo Ambulance responded to the scene. The home sustained severe damage and may be a total loss. It was believed the fire started outside in a garbage can, and then spread to the house. No injuries were reported. The home is owned by Cooper Barrick, 35, of Litchfield.

Wright County Highway Department preparing for four-day storm event

The Wright County Highway Department is warning those who will be traveling in the next few days that the pending storm is going to be a nasty four-day event at the height of the holiday travel season.

Highway Department Maintenance Supervisor Nate Helgeson said that the forecast models are all over the board, predicting between four and 12 inches of snow today into tomorrow. He said the biggest danger will be wind chills Friday into Saturday, with sustained winds of 20-30 miles per hour gusting as high as 50 mph.

Helgeson said the cold will make it virtually impossible to treat roads because the standard chemicals don’t work at temperatures below zero. He said because there is so little moisture in the snow, for the most part, it will blow off roadways on its own if there isn’t drifting.

He added that crews will be out laying premium chemicals at turns in the road and intersections where black ice can form from dripping exhaust. The Highway Department will provide an update to the conditions later today or tomorrow morning as needed.

Suspects jump from second-story window during drug bust in Litchfield

Four people were arrested Tuesday during a search of a home in Litchfield where authorities allegedly found fentanyl-laced pills and other controlled substances, according to Bring Me the News.

Authorities in Meeker County say two of the suspects jumped out of a second-story window at the home in the 700 block of Gorman Avenue South while agents entered the home. Both suspects were arrested a short time later as they attempted to flee.

The search warrant was executed by the CEE-VI Drug and Gang Task Force and at least one individual arrested is a known gang member, according to a press release from the task force Commander Sgt. Ross Ardoff.

All four suspects are currently being held in the Meeker County Jail and pending charges.

Authorities allegedly seized methamphetamine, marijuana, butane hash oil, and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl from inside the home.

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