Stop arm violations reported near New York Mills

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent 

Sheriff deputies reported a fatality just after midnight on Sunday morning, Feb. 27, southeast of Underwood, near the intersection of State Highway 210 and 315th Avenue.

This was a two-vehicle collision, one heading east and one traveling west along State Highway 210.

The victim who died as a result of the collision was 19-year-old Grace Catherine Olson of Barnesville. She was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu while westbound.

Authorities said the other driver was not injured. He was identified as 43-year-old David Donald Moen of Henning. He was driving a 2011 Ford F650 truck while heading east along Highway 210.

Four passengers in the vehicles received minor injuries.

Assisting sheriff deputies at the scene of the accident were members of the Underwood Fire Department, Battle Lake Fire and Rescue, Ringdahl Ambulance and the Minnesota State Highway Patrol.

Stop arm violations

Sheriff deputies, on Feb. 25, reported two drivers of vehicles who committed school bus stop arm violations. One incident was reported near Underwood and the other near New York Mills.

Fortunately, no children were struck by either of the vehicles.

Authorities found the drivers and verbal warnings were issued. Arrests and/or citations would be likely if second violations take place.

Fish house stolen

A county fish house owner, prior to the March 7 deadline for removing fish houses from area lakes, came to Rush Lake on March 1. While there he mentioned to authorities that his portable fish house was stolen.

Inside the fish house, and also likely stolen, was a propane tank and Sunflower heater.

County resident scammed for $1,075

Sheriff deputies said a county resident who lives close to Highway 59 in western Otter Tail County was scammed out of $1,075. He used a debit card to purchase an engine online.

When the engine arrived, it was defective. The county resident tried to call the seller but phone calls were not returned.

Authorities, on March 1, said this was a civil matter and advised the scam victim to contact an attorney.

Catalytic converter thefts arrest made

Sheriff deputies, on March 7, arrested Darin Dillon of rural Pelican Rapids in connection with the thefts of catalytic converters.

Investigators were able to locate where the stolen converters were being sold. Records show that Dillon sold 155 catalytic converters and 69 vehicle batteries this past year in Wilkin County, which includes the city of Breckenridge.

“Our sheriff investigators are working through dozens of theft reports in hopes to match up thefts to area victims,” said a sheriff deputy. “The majority of these thefts appear to be from vehicles from Pelican Rapids to Fergus Falls, along with several county businesses.”

Dillon also was charged with damaging the city of Pelican Rapids impound lot.

Fire destroys Richville house

The sheriff’s office, on March 8, reported that a house in Richville, northwest of Ottertail and southwest of Perham, was destroyed by fire. Authorities were called to the scene of the fire at 7:09 a.m.

Authorities, on March 9, were still investigating the cause of the fire. One minor injury was reported.

Responding to the scene of the fire, in addition to sheriff deputies, were members of the Perham, Ottertail, Vergas and Dent fire departments along with Perham EMS and Otter Tail Power Company.

The location of fire was Grove Street in Richville.

Snowmobiler injured

Sheriff deputies, on March 5, reported that a snowmobiler suffered a mild concussion during a snowmobile accident late in the evening of March 4.

The accident took place just north of Fergus Falls, near the intersection of Highway 27 and 250th Street.

Sheriff offices across the state of Minnesota encourage snowmobilers to follow these safety tips during nighttime hours:

• Slow down

• Don’t cut to the inside of trail corners

• Don’t override your lights

• Always use the buddy system

• Never ride alone