On Thursday afternoon at 3:16, the Stearns County Emergency Communications Center received a report of a snowmobile crash near the address of 36726 County Road 12 in Oak Township. Upon arrival, deputies learned that 13-year-old Brayden Hinnenkamp of Albany was traveling southbound on a 1999 Polaris XCF 440 snowmobile following another snowmobile when the left ski hit a rock. Hinnenkamp lost control of the snowmobile causing his left leg to hit a right of way sign. He suffered injuries to his left leg and was transported by Melrose Ambulance to the Melrose Hospital. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Melrose Fire and Rescue and Melrose Ambulance.
The Litchfield School Board approved of 2-year teacher and paraprofessional contracts during the December 22nd meeting. The Board also agreed to develop a scientific survey to help make a decision on possibly going to voters with a question in November.
Superintendent Susan Burris says they have been looking ahead to future budgets which show the fund balance shrinking and reductions are expected in state funding so they want to be proactive. She says they will be working with ICS to gather information that would help in determining if an operating levy or building referendum would be feasible in the November election and a firm will be used to help accomplish a scientific survey.
Burris says the Board authorized spending up to $25,000 for the survey on a 4-to-2 vote with Greg Mathews and Darrin Anderson opposed, and it should get done in the spring. She says they need to make a decision by June in order to meet all of the deadlines necessary prior to the November election.
Burris says students will be heading back to school on Monday as the holiday break ends, and the pool renovation project at Litchfield High School should be done by the end of January. She says they had to use an e-learning day in December due to wintry weather, so they have 4 e-learning days left in the calendar that they can use this winter, and if any more days are needed, they would have to make those up in person.
The Renville Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of an adult male inmate who was being held at the Renville County Jail. On January 1st, at approximately 7:25 A.M., correctional staff discovered the inmate unresponsive and not breathing in his cell. Life-saving measures were immediately initiated, and emergency medical services were requested.
The inmate was transported to Olivia Hospital & Clinics, where he was pronounced deceased.
The inmate’s identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. Consistent with Sheriff’s Office policy, the death is being independently investigated by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the official cause and manner of death.
At this time, there is no indication of foul play. This remains an active investigation, and no further details are available at this time. The Renville County Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere condolences to the inmate’s family and loved ones. Any additional information about this case will come from the BCA as it becomes available and appropriate.
Students in the Litchfield School District will be returning to classes on Monday, January 5th. With some hazardous winter weather earlier this week, there were no concerns about having to close school as the students were on their holiday break.
Supt. Susan Burris says part of her job that can be challenging is trying to determine what the weather will do and how it will impact the roads as they want to make sure students can get to and from school safely. She says they did have to use an e-learning day in December before the break and there are 5 e-learning days built into the calendar, but if they have to use any more than that, those days need to be made up as there has to be a certain number of student-teacher contact days.
Burris says there was a situation in December in which they held students at school and parents had to pick them up and she received more positive than negative feedback about that situation as she wanted to make sure the students were safe. She says she appreciates parents being patient with her and giving her some grace.
In other Litchfield School District news, Burris says the pool project at Litchfield High School should be complete by the end of January. She says the Litchfield School Board approved of 2-year teacher and paraprofessional contracts at the December 22nd meeting, and also agreed to work with ICS in getting a scientific survey conducted as they try to make a decision about going to voters in November with an operating levy or building referendum.