News

On Tuesday at 12:01 p.m., the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office received a medical call at a business in the 64100 block of U.S. Highway 12 in Darwin Township. The initial information received was that a victim received a gunshot wound. 

When deputies arrived, they located a man, identified as 48-year-old Joseph Bogatzki of rural Litchfield, with a gunshot wound in his arm. He was transported to Meeker Memorial Hospital by Mayo Ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries. 

The incident is under investigation; however, the initial investigation revealed this was an accidental discharge.  The victim and his co-workers were dismantling a vehicle when they found a firearm inside the vehicle.  While removing and handling the firearm, it discharged and hit the victim.  Sheriff Brian Cruze reminds the public that all firearms should be treated as if they are loaded and due care needs to be a priority when handling firearms.   

On Wednesday night at 9:30 p.m., a Meeker County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was patrolling on MN Highway 4 when he saw a structure fire in the 55000 block of 395th Street in Union Grove Township.  Meeker County Deputies, Paynesville Fire Department, Eden Valley Fire Department, and Allina Ambulance responded to the scene.  Upon arrival, the deputy saw a barn on the property that was fully engulfed in flames.  The property is owned by Sheri and Kent Peterson.  The barn was unoccupied at the time of the fire and is a complete loss.  It’s believed that an electric heat lamp in the barn may have been the cause of the fire.  No one was injured as a result of the fire.

On Wednesday afternoon at 2:47 p.m., the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a house fire in the 800 block of 5th Street North in Dassel.  Meeker County Deputies, Dassel Fire Department, Cokato Fire Department, and Mayo Ambulance all responded to the scene.  Upon arriving, deputies saw heavy smoke and flames coming out of the house.  Deputies learned that Kathrine Christianson was outside in the backyard with three dogs when she noticed the fire.  Kathrine tried to go back inside to rescue her three cats, but the smoke was too much and she did not find the cats.  There were no injuries to any persons reported and the house received extensive damage.  The Red Cross was contacted to assist the occupants.  The cause of the fire is unknown and the investigation into the cause remains open.  The home is owned by Dylan Walker of Dassel.

The Litchfield Area Mentorship Program has partnered with the members of the Litchfield Middle School FCCLA on a game night. The Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America work on service projects that will improve family life and their community.

FCCLA volunteer advisor Julie Rick says they held a couple of family game nights at Litchfield Middle School that were well-attended. She says the 8th graders invited the 7th graders and their families with 40 attending the first night and 50 the second night, so they thought it would be a great event to offer to people involved in LAMP.

Rick says they will have the game night during spring break when the LAMP 4-H group meets.

FCCLA student Mila Bjorkmand says the game night is a great way for family members to spend time together.

Bjorkmand says the skills you can learn from playing games are endless like learning to be a good winner and loser. She says when you have game night, you should turn off other distractions such as the TV and cell phones. FCCLA student Brenna Block says game night helps children feel supported.

Block says games help you learn how to cooperate, and follow rules. She says if you are playing with young children, game time should be about one hour, but it can be a couple hours long if older children are involved. FCCLA student Olive Caron says games can help with math and reading skills.

Caron says game nights should be scheduled on your calendar so that every family member makes it a priority. LAMP coordinator Judy Hulterstrum says those involved in the LAMP 4H club are looking forward to game night at their next meeting. She says they did seed art at their February meeting. Hulterstrum says LAMP is always looking for more mentors, and they revamped the screening process.

Hulterstrum says you can get more information about LAMP by calling her at 320-699-1616. She says they will have Ham Bingo on April 11th at the Litchfield Eagles Club.