02-Dec-2025

Catholic Priest Facing Chareges

A Catholic priest has been charged with stalking, criminal sexual conduct and violence against a woman that he was spiritually advising. This is the second St. Cloud area priest accused of inappropriate conduct in the past two months. The Stearns County Attorney's Office filed charges last Wednesday, Nov. 26, against 61 year old Joseph  Herzing, of Milaca, for one count each of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and stalking, and three counts of threats of violence in connection with the abuse and intimidation. The abuse occurred between May 2018 and October 2022, according to the criminal complaint. During the time of the incidents, Herzing served as a priest in Little Falls and St. Cloud, according to law enforcement. He was ordained at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud in 1999, and later was appointed as pastor of Christ the King in Browerville, St. Joseph in Clarissa, St. Joseph in Grey Eagle, St. Mary of Mount Carmel in Long Prairie, and St. John the Baptist in Swanville in June 2024, according to the Diocese of St. Cloud. Herzing was immediately put on leave following the charges being filed in Stearns County court, St. Cloud Bishop Patrick Neary said in a statement dated Thursday, Nov. 27. Herzing is scheduled to make his first appearance in Stearns County court on Dec. 29.

 

02-Dec-2025

Farm Accident

A Paynesville man was seriously hurt after a farm tractor ran him over on Sunday. The Stearns County Sheriff's office was dispatched to a property in the 29800 block of Dolphin Drive just before 6:00 p.m. The location is just northwest of the town of Paynesville. The sheriff's office says 30-year-old Jerrod Quade of Paynesville had brought the tractor to that location and was showing a neighbor how to start the machine. Authorities say Quade was standing in front of the rear right tire when the tractor was started. The tractor was still in gear, and when it started, the tire dragged Quade to the ground and drove over him. Quade was taken to Paynesville Hospital and later airlifted to the Hennepin County Medical Center with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

02-Dec-2025

Shed Fire

A heat lamp is believed to have caused a shed fire that threatened a home Sunday evening in rural Douglas County. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at 5:06 p.m. on Nov. 30, about a shed fire on County Road 24 NW in Melby. Authorities say the caller reported the structure was fully engulfed and near a house. Residents had evacuated safely before crews arrived. Evansville and Ashby Fire Departments put out the fire. The shed was a total loss, and the home sustained only minor damage. The owner of the house told authorities the heat lamp inside the shed was on and believed it caused the fire.

01-Dec-2025

Four Vehicle Crash With Injuries

Three people were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries following a four-vehicle crash on Interstate 94 in Otter Tail County on Sunday, November 30. The crash occurred at 4:15 p.m. at Mile Marker 59 on westbound I-94 in Buse Township, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. A 2013 Ford Escape driven by a 20-year-old from St. Michael was stopped on westbound I-94 due to traffic congestion. A 2025 Chevrolet Equinox driven by a 61-year-old from Everett, Washington, was also stopped. A 2015 Chevrolet Cruze driven by a 22-year-old from Rogers collided with the Equinox. The Equinox spun out and collided with a 2016 Dodge Durango driven by a 54-year-old from West Fargo and the Ford Escape. The 61-year-old driver and two passengers in the Equinox were transported to Lake Region Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The passengers were a 58-year-old and a 21-year-old, both from Everett, Washington. The drivers of the Ford Escape, Dodge Durango, and Chevrolet Cruze were not injured. All drivers and passengers were wearing seat belts, and alcohol was not involved in the crash, according to the State Patrol. Road conditions were dry at the time of the incident, officials say. The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office and Ringdahl Ambulance assisted at the scene.

01-Dec-2025

Gas Prices

With refinery maintenance largely complete and OPEC increasing oil production for December, oil prices are struggling. A few dozen gas stations are already offering gas under $2 per gallon, and Gas Buddy says we could see that number grow as we move further into the holiday season. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 8.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.95.  Average gasoline prices in Minnesota have fallen 5.1 cents per gallon, averaging $2.87.  The national average price of diesel has decreased 5.5 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $3.72.

01-Dec-2025

Single Vehicle Crash

Two men from Foley were involved in a single-vehicle rollover crash Saturday morning on westbound Interstate 94 near mile marker 69 in Otter Tail County. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the crash occurred around 10:25 a.m. when a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, driven by a 20-year-old Foley man, lost control on the roadway where road conditions were snowy and icy and rolled into the center median ditch. The 20-year-old was wearing his seat belt and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. He was transported to Lake Region Hospital for treatment. A passenger in the vehicle, a 26-year-old, also of Foley, was uninjured. He was also wearing his seat belt. The vehicle’s airbags deployed during the incident. The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office, Dalton Fire and Rescue, and Ashby Ambulance assisted at the scene.

24-Nov-2025

Three Homes Destroyed By Fire

Three unoccupied homes were destroyed in a fire early Saturday morning on November 22nd in Otter Tail County. The Otter Tail County Dispatch received reports of multiple residences on fire in the 28000 block of Augustana Trail in Amor Township at 2:53 a.m., according to a report from Deputy Colton Odash. All three homes involved in the fire appear to be a complete loss. No injuries were reported from the incident. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Fire departments from Battle Lake, Ottertail, Underwood, Fergus Falls and Perham responded to assist with the fire. The State Fire Marshal’s Office also responded to the scene. The Sheriff’s Office assisted with the response.