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20-May-2025

Fatal Farm Accident

A southern Minnesota man lost his life in a farming-related incident over the weekend. The Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office says deputies were dispatched to a property in rural Amboy just after 4 PM on Sunday due to a call about a man who was found unresponsive under a large agricultural tire. A news release says the Amboy Fire Department also rushed to the scene. The Sheriff's Office says it appears the man was attempting to move a large sprayer tire inside his machine shed and became pinned between it and a planter. It was estimated that the tire weighs several hundred pounds. The news release says 68-year-old Douglas Harold Sanders was pronounced dead at the scene. The fatal incident remains under investigation by the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office and the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office.

19-May-2025

Gas Prices

Gasoline prices jumped in over three-quarters of U.S. states over the last week, as oil prices surged following President Trump's decision to reduce tariffs and strike new trade deals. The move inspired optimism that a major tariff-induced economic slowdown might be avoided. Average gasoline prices in Minnesota have risen 13.3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.02. The national average price of gasoline has risen 6.1 cents per gallon, averaging $3.14. The national average price of diesel has increased 2.9 cents in the last week and stands at $3.50 per gallon.

19-May-2025

House Fire With Injuries

Two people were taken to the hospital after a house fire near Alexandria. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office says the incident started on Saturday at about 11:30 a.m. on Wharry Heights Road Southwest in Alexandria. While emergency personnel were en route, it was reported that a  woman was still inside the home. Upon arrival, emergency personnel found the home was fully engulfed in flames and a man covered in black soot.It was determined that the man had been outside when the fire started, saw flames inside the home, and re-entered to rescue the woman before emergency crews arrived.The Alexandria Fire Department and Garfield Fire Department were called to put out the fire. The house sustained extensive damage and is considered a total loss. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire. Both individuals were transported by North Ambulance to Alomere Health in Alexandria for initial treatment of burns and smoke inhalation. Shortly after, both parties were transferred by Life Link III to Hennepin County Medical Center for further medical care.

19-May-2025

Minnesota Suicide Rate

The number of deaths by suicide in Minnesota remained steady last year. The Minnesota Department of Health recently released a preliminary report of preventable deaths by suicide in the state in 2024, showing there were 813 suicides among Minnesota residents last year, slightly down on 815 in 2023. Both years mark a decrease from 2022, which saw a state high of 860 total deaths by suicide. Overall, deaths by suicide in Minnesota have trended up for the past 20 years with slight fluctuations year-to-year, mirroring nationwide patterns, according to MDH. The suicide rate in "completely" rural Minnesota counties was twice that of metro area counties, according to MDH. Rural counties made up about 1.6% of the state’s population and 2.8% of all deaths by suicide in 2024. MDH cited higher rates of firearm ownership, less access to health and mental healthcare and higher poverty rates in completely rural counties. Firearm injuries made up 51% of deaths by suicide in 2024. Men also made up a majority of deaths by suicide, representing almost 80% of suicides. MDH pointed to suicide prevention efforts including its 988 line crisis line.

19-May-2025

Two People Injured In Traffic Crash

Two people were hurt when two vehicles collided in Little Falls. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened on Saturday at about 2:30 p.m. A pickup driven by 61-year-old Troy McKinley of Duluth stopped at Highway 27, then pulled out and did not see a vehicle going west and they crashed. McKinley was not hurt. The driver of the other vehicle, 53-year-old Melissa Kaping of Little Falls, was taken to St. Gabriel's Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A 26-year-old passenger, Mylea Kaping of Little Falls, was also taken to St. Gabriel's Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Two other passengers in that vehicle were not hurt.