News

A race official died after an incident Wednesday evening at the WISSOTA 100 races in Fergus Falls. WISSOTA Board Member and I-94 EMR Speedway staff member – 68-year-old Scott Engfer of Litchfield – was killed in the accident.

Fergus Falls Police say that at around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Engfer entered the I-94 EMR Speedway racetrack on an ATV while a race was actively occurring and was struck by a race car. Life saving measures were administered on site and Engfer was transported to the Lake Region Healthcare emergency room. Police say he succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

An investigation is ongoing, and the Minnesota OSHA compliance office has been notified of the incident. The Fergus Falls Police Department was assisted by Ringdahl Ambulance and the Fergus Falls Fire Department.

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Two people were arrested after a high speed chase in Renville County early Tuesday morning. The sheriff’s department says at approximately 2 A.M. Tuesday, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2013 Buick sedan traveling southbound on Highway 23, just north of Highway 212, for a speed violation. As the deputy approached the vehicle, the driver suddenly accelerated, initiating a high-speed pursuit.

The suspect vehicle reached speeds exceeding 100 MPH and displayed reckless driving behavior throughout the 16-mile pursuit. The chase ended when law enforcement successfully deployed a tire deflation device on Highway 212, just outside the city of Renville. Following the deployment, the vehicle came to a stop, and both occupants fled on foot.

A police K9 unit was deployed, and both individuals—a 39-year-old male and a 38-year-old female, neither of whom are from the area—were located and taken into custody a short time later. Controlled substances were recovered at the scene, and the driver showed signs of impairment. As a precaution, both individuals were transported to HealthPartners Olivia for medical evaluation. After being medically cleared, they were booked into the Renville County Jail on several charges including: Fleeing in a Motor Vehicle, Fleeing a Peace Officer by Means, Other Than a Motor Vehicle, Driving While Impaired, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Obstruction of Legal Process.

The Renville County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Renville Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol, Granite Falls Police Department, Sheriff’s Offices from Yellow Medicine, Chippewa, and Redwood Counties, as well as the Renville Medical Response Unit and Olivia Ambulance.

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Complaints against a Kandiyohi County judge will be dropped after she announced she will retire from the bench.  The complaints against Kandiyohi County Judge Jennifer Fischer were filed by the Minnesota Board on Judicial Standards in late July.

The complaint alleged Fischer violated a 2023 disciplinary agreement by retaliating against colleagues and attorneys who had cooperated in a prior investigation.  She was accused of filing baseless complaints, making inappropriate statements about other judges’ mental health and addiction, and displaying erratic courtroom behavior.   Fischer was removed from all hearing duties and reassigned to administrative work.

In her response, Judge Fischer denied wrongdoing and claimed the case is retaliation for whistleblowing and her past medical leave.  A special panel was appointed to review the case and recommend possible sanctions, and last week it was learned Fischer would retire and the complaints would be dismissed.  Fischer was a private attorney in Willmar and then served as Kandiyohi County Attorney before being appointed to the bench about 12 years ago.  Her current term had been set to expire in 2027.

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