Local News

On Sunday afternoon at 4:11, the Stearns County Emergency Communications Center received a report of a building fire at 18975 66th Avenue in Maine Prairie Township. The caller, 88-year-old Dennis Carlson, who lives on the property, reported that a 12-by-20-foot detached shed on the property was smoking and flames could be seen coming from the building.

The building was fully engulfed in flames when a Stearns County Deputy and Kimball Fire Dept. arrived on the scene. The fire was suppressed by the Kimball Fire Department, and no injuries were caused by the fire. The fire is believed to have started by a wood burning stove located in the shed. The Kimball Fire Department, Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, and Mayo Ambulance responded to the scene.

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The Meeker County Board of Commissioners received a project update on the Xcel Energy transmission line from Randy Fordice and Matthew Langan. The new line will be constructed from Lyon County to the Sherco Plant at Becker and will travel through western and northern portions of Meeker County – following roadways, field lines and section lines.

Langan says they looked for a route for the approximately 175-foot line that would have the least impact, and a final decision on approval of the route will come from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in April. He says Xcel will then negotiate easements with each individual landowner, and then construction is expected to take place from 2026 to 2028.

The Meeker County Commissioners approved of an interim use permit for the mining, washing and processing of gravel in Section 4 of Dassel Township on 278th Street for Warren Lindberg of Cokato. County Administrator Andrew Letson presented a letter that the County will send to the Governor regarding concerns with his budget for the next biennium which will create cost shifts in state-mandated programs. The cost shifts would result in an $860,000 increase in costs for the county and require a 5% increase in the tax levy, along with a $113,000 reduction in funding for aquatic invasive species prevention.

The Meeker County Board also received annual reports from Feedlot Officer Ann Steinhaus, Public Health Supervisor Chukuma Ijioma, and Human Resources Director Mikkell Johnson – and a year-end report on taxes collected/uncollected from Property Records, Taxation and Elections Manager Barb Loch.

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Multi-Care and Community Homes is continuing its mission of caring for adults with intellectual and physical disabilities in the community. The non-profit group operates 4 homes in Litchfield with 4 residents in each.

Executive Director Dawn Rajewski says they appreciate the support of the community and the staff that keep the homes operating. She says the organization began in 1979.

Rajewski says they originally had a 15-bed home at 504 South Marshall Avenue in Litchfield, but purchased two homes in 2003 – one housing 4 men and the other housing 4 women, and then purchased a home in 2006 with 4 residents, and turning the original home into a 4-bed facility. She says they also provide in-home care for individuals who still live at home, and respite care for families.

Program Director Abbey Desens says care-giving is a natural talent for her and she enjoys receiving smiles from her clients. She says she’s been doing this work for 15 years and one of the things she enjoys the most is getting their residents out into the community.

Julie Pennertz says her oldest daughter, Tina, was still living at home, and the time came when they felt it would be good for her to live independently. She says the staff at MCCH teach the residents about basic living skills.

Pennertz says the staff gets to know the residents and helps them develop, learn how to make decisions and be more productive. For more information, go to mcch-mn.com.

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On Saturday morning at 9:34, Stearns County Deputies were dispatched to a domestic at the address of 25327 County Road 34 in Paynesville Township.  Deputies were able to contact the victim and determined there was probable cause to arrest 58-year-old Nicholas Kaufenberg.

Phone contact was made with Kaufenberg, who refused to come out and meet with deputies and made threatening comments towards the deputies if they attempted to come inside his residence.  Kaufenberg made comments of having several firearms and that he was willing to use them.  The Stearns-Benton SWAT team was activated at 1:50 p.m. and responded to the scene.  Negotiators with the Swat team contacted Kaufenberg and attempted to negotiate his surrender. 

After several hours of unsuccessful negotiation, SWAT members breached a bedroom window of the residence at 7:35 p.m.  After the window was breached Kaufenberg fired multiple rounds from a shotgun at officers.  One deputy was struck in his safety glasses by suspected birdshot from the shotgun.  The SWAT team had deployed multiple armored vehicles to the location for the protection of its members.  From the initial investigation, it is believed that additional officers were protected using the armored vehicles. 

Kaufenberg was taken into custody without further incident.  No injuries were reported to Kaufenberg or officers involved.  Kaufenberg was transported to the Stearns County Jail where he was booked.  He will be held pending formal charges from the Stearns County Attorney’s Office. Investigators completed a search warrant at the address.  Investigators located multiple firearms along with spent shell casings inside the residence. Armored vehicles are provided through the 10-33 Law Enforcement Support Program.  The program allows local law enforcement to purchase excess military equipment to support local efforts.

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