On Saturday morning at 9:02, a Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Deputy was conducting a traffic enforcement project in the road construction detour of MN Highway 23 and 105th Street SW. A truck driven by a 40-year-old man from Boyd had entered the construction zone illegally and as the deputy attempted to stop the truck, the driver fled westbound on Highway 23.
The driver took the ditch around the detour signs and the deputy observed children in the vehicle. The driver called 911 and told the dispatcher that he had two boys in the truck – ages 6 and 10. The dispatcher kept the man on the phone while speeds during the pursuit were between 25 to 45 mph, but got as high as 60 mph with light traffic in the area.
The driver finally decided to pull over on 150th Avenue SW near Kandiyohi County Road 7 and he was taken into custody without further incident. The mother was able to take her children from the scene. No injuries or property damage occurred as a result of the pursuit. The man is being held in the Kandiyohi County Jail pending charges of fleeing, child endangerment and driving around a barricade.
The Litchfield Visitors Bureau is busy coordinating the next Parade of Bands. It’s coming up on Tuesday, June 17th at 6 p.m.
Shane Zeppelin says this will be the 6th one – it began in 2019, but skipped a year due to COVID. He says the parade route begins at 10th Street and Armstrong Avenue, then travels south to 5th Street, east on 5th to Gilman Avenue and then north on Gilman – back to 10th and there will be 11 visiting marching bands – KMS, Milaca, Sartell, Albany, Benson, Cotter, Champlin Park, Foley, Owatonna, St. Michael-Albertville, Dassel-Cokato – and, of course, Litchfield.
Zeppelin says the parade will be live-streamed and you can view it on Facebook and You Tube. Heather Winkelman says there will be several food vendors set up on 6th Street between Armstrong and Gilman Avenues on June 17th
Winkelman says some of the food vendors will set up early so you could get lunch there, but you can definitely get your supper there – or a snack – during the Parade of Bands. Janaye Prieve says her fellow committee members include Brian & Kathy Cruze, Terry Anderson, Pam Radunz, Keith Johnson, Shane Zeppelin and Heather Winkelman; and LHS Band Director Bailey Benoit gets the invitations to all of the visiting bands. She says if anyone would like to make a donation towards the Parade of Bands, checks and cash may be dropped off at the Chamber office at 219 North Sibley Avenue in Litchfield.
Prieve says you can find more information at LitchfieldMN.com or call 693-8184.
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