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.
On this day in music, January 2, 1969, The Beatles convened in the studio to record their 12th and final album, Let It Be. While the sessions – documented for a film of the same name (with the footage later used for the 2021 docuseries, The Beatles: Get Back) – were marred by tensions in the group, they resulted in such classic tracks as “Get Back,” “Across the Universe,” and “Let It Be.” The album, meanwhile, topped charts around the globe, including in the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia.
In 2016, Adele began the year atop the Billboard 200 with her third studio album, 25. Two weeks earlier, the LP debuted at No.1 in more than 25 countries and broke first-week sales records in the US, the UK, and beyond.
In 1969, a shipment of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s album, Two Virgins, was seized by authorities in New Jersey due to the full-frontal nude photograph of the couple on the cover.
In 1979, Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious went on trial in New York, where he was accused of killing his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, in one of the most sensational moments of the original punk era. Vicious, who was released on bail, died exactly one month later from a drug-related overdose.
In 1971, George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass started a seven-week run at No.1 on the Billboard 200, making Harrison the first former Beatle to score a chart-topping solo album in America. The classic title featured the hits “My Sweet Lord” and “What Is Life.”
BORN ON JANUARY 2
1936: Roger Miller
1942: Chick Churchill (Ten Years After)
1954: Glenn Goins (Parliament-Funkadelic)
1957: Ricky Van Shelton
1993: Bryson Tiller
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.
56-year-old MICHAEL DENNIS HENDRICKSON of Dassel passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025, surrounded by his family at Regency Hospital in Golden Valley.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 2 PM. Visitation is from 12-to-2 P.M.
Michael is survived by his wife – Kerri of Grove City
Children – Christian (& Keyaria) of Sartell and Alexandra (& Zachary) of Anoka
Grandchild – Kinsley
Parents – Dennis and Cynthia Hendrickson
Siblings – Aaron Hendrickson, Scott (& Ann) Hendrickson and Mary (& Andrew) Vorwerk
