Structural fire reported in Newton Township near New York Mills

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent 

On Nov. 29 sheriff deputies were called from family members of a rural Dent man who was found to be stuck in the air duct work of his house. 

First responders found that the man, who had not been heard from for several days, was deceased. He was identified as 40-year-old Shane Herk.

The death appeared tobe accidental but has remained under investigation by the county sheriff’s office.

County resident scammed out of $200

Sheriff deputies, on Dec. 8, said a resident of Ottertail was scammed out of $200.

“This was a computer scam, with the resident buying $200 Google play cards,” said a sheriff deputy. “We advised the county resident to get in touch with a computer service advisor and assist with resetting and securing the home computer.”

Sheriff deputies warn county residents to never use Google play cards to pay for taxes, bail money or anything else outside of Google play. Never share the code on the back of the gift card.

Structural fires reported

Two structural fires were reported Dec. 7 and Dec. 8 in Otter Tail County. Total losses took place.

The location of the fire on Dec. 7 was 383rd Street in Newton Township near the city of New York Mills.

Several items inside the structure were a total loss, including two pickups and two ATVs. The direct cause of the fire was not known.

The New York Mills Fire Department was assisted by area fire departments as well as the New York Mills Police Department.

Authorities said the location of the fire on Dec. 8 was Grove Street in the city of Richville.

The shed on the property was a total loss and the cause was believed to be an electric heat source. The east side of the house sustained siding damage.

Firefighters arrived at the scene from Perham, Ottertail and Dent. The incident remained under investigation.