Two people are hospitalized and police officers suffered smoke inhalation in a fire that is believed to have been intentionally set in Sauk Centre. Police say they were called to the house on Ash Street at 7:39 a.m. Thursday on the report of a disturbance. When officers got there they saw smoke coming from the home and learned it was still occupied. They were told the fire was intentionally set by a woman who was still inside, and she may have a weapon. Police entered the burning house and found the woman, incapacitated, in the basement, suffering from burns from the nearby fire. She was removed from the house and later airlifted to a burn unit. Police also learned a man had been in the house but was taken to the hospital by private party, and he had a serious head injury from an assault. The Sauk Centre Fire Department put out the fire, and some police officers were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. Search warrants were executed at the house, and the case is still under investigation.
On April 12, more than 570 youth in 114 teams from across Minnesota participated in the 4-H State Project Bowl, the second largest 4-H event of the year. The 4-H State Project Bowl challenges teams of three to six youth to test their knowledge on a variety of animal science and agriculture topics including dairy, dog, general livestock, horse, llama, plant science, poultry, and rabbit.
Each competition includes junior and senior divisions. Teams are quizzed in one-on-one and open rounds. The first participant with the correct answer earns points for their team. 4-H State Project Bowl winners in dairy, general livestock, horse and poultry go on to national project bowl competitions.
“Through the 4-H Project Bowl program, youth have the opportunity to partner together with other youth and learn about different animal science areas. Participants also work on improving their communication skills and building meaningful relationships with their peers, which can contribute to their future success,” said Sharon Davis, 4-H Animal Science Director.
Four teams competed from Meeker County 4-H:
Meeker County horse senior team – placed 3rd
Members include: Audrey Frenchick, Koronis Eager Beavers, Raya Scott, Kimball Kruisers, Frances Geurts, Kimball Kruisers, Maisy Geurts, Kimball Kruisers, Asher Lund, Danielson Hustlers
Meeker County horse junior team – placed 4th
Members include: Aliza VanDuinen, Independent, Willa VanDuinen, Independent, Leland Kershner, Danielson Hustlers, Bridger Kershner, Danielson Hustlers
Meeker County intermediate dairy team – placed 8th
Members include: Jacob Ahlgren, Litchfield Satellites, Olivia Ahlgren, Litchfield Satellites, Grace Schafer, Litchfield Satellites
Meeker County junior dairy team – placed 5th
Members include: Henry Ahlgren, Litchfield Satellites, Tanner Rusch, Litchfield Satellites, Norah Ahlgren, Litchfield Satellites, Adeline Stenger, Valley Victors
The Litchfield Kiwanis Club is coordinating a program for Litchfield 8th grade students called “Who Gets the Job.” It will help the students with interview skills as they seek future employment.
Kiwanis Club member Judy Hulterstrum says the program started back in 2019, but then got interrupted during the pandemic years and the idea started when she was at the Chamber office and her daughter needed an idea for her FACS class on career exploration. She says 8th graders are actually not too far away from seeking their first jobs so the program is helpful for them.
Hulterstrum says they focus more on interview skills, but also address wardrobe to some degree as you want to appear neat, but you also want to wear clothing that fits the job you’re seeking. She says Central Minnesota Jobs & Training had an online assessment that they had the 8th graders fill out last fall and Kiwanis members have spoken to the students in their classrooms.
Hulterstrum says group interviews will be conducted on April 23rd, with two students in each group getting “call backs” and then one ultimately being chosen for a job-shadowing experience at a business of their choice. She says she and Leland Fredman applied for a grant and received $2,300 from Kiwanis International for the “Who Gets the Job” program and they received additional funding from Anderson Chemical and Custom Products. The Kiwanis Club meets on Wednesdays at noon at the Captain’s Club in downtown Litchfield and new members are welcome to join.
On this day in music, April 17, 1960, American singer-songwriter Eddie Cochran died at the age of 21 in a car crash while on tour in England. Born Ray Edward Cochran in Minnesota, the teen heartthrob began his music career in 1954 as part of a duo called the Cochran Brothers before launching his solo career. He co-wrote most of his biggest hits, including “Summertime Blues” (a Top 10 US smash in 1958) and “Three Steps To Heaven” (a 1960 UK chart-topper).
In 1991, Nirvana performed “Smells Like Teen Spirit” live for the first time at a Seattle club called the OK Hotel. The iconic song, which became an era-defining international hit, appeared on the grunge band’s second album Nevermind.
In 1982, the Greek composer Vangelis (born Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou) scored his first and only No.1 on the US album chart with Chariots Of Fire, the soundtrack to director Hugh Hudson’s film about two British athletes competing in the 1924 Olympic Games. The album later won the Academy Award for Best Original Score.
In 1965, Bob Dylan‘s second studio album, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, rose to No.1 in the UK. It was the first of six chart-topping LPs the Minnesota-born singer/songwriter scored in Britain between 1964 and 1970.
In 1998, Linda McCartney died at the age of 56 following a battle with breast cancer. Born Linda Eastman, she was a noted rock photographer before marrying Beatle Paul McCartney in 1969 and joining her husband’s new band, Wings, in 1971 on vocals and keyboards. She was also renowned for her work as an animal rights activist and was a passionate advocate for vegetarianism.
In 1971, all four ex-Beatles were in the UK singles chart at the same time. George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” went to No.1 while Paul McCartney’s “Another Day,” Ringo Starr’s “It Don’t Come Easy” and John Lennon’s “Power To The People” all made the Top 10.
In 1995, Texas governor George W. Bush declared April 16 “Selena Day” to commemorate the birthday and life of singer Selena Quintanilla Pérez, dubbed the “Madonna of Tejano music.” The announcement came two weeks after Selena’s tragic murder at the age of 23 by her fan club president.
In 1973, country-rock pioneers Eagles released Desperado, their second studio album. Containing the iconic title song as well as the hit singles “Tequila Sunrise” and “Outlaw Man,” the LP stalled at No. 41 in the US album charts but was eventually certified double platinum.
BORN ON APRIL 17
1930: Chris Barber
1934: Don Kirshner (Songwriter, Manager, Music Publisher)
1940: Billy Fury
1948: Jan Hammer (Mahavishnu Orchestra)
1955: Pete Shelley (Buzzcocks)
1964: James Keenan (Tool)
1967: Liz Phair
1970: Redman
1974: Victoria Beckham (The Spice Girls)
1989: Avi Kaplan (Pentatonix)