A vacant home was destroyed by fire Saturday morning. Rice County Deputies and Morristown Fire & Rescue responded to the fire at 24085 Fosston Avenue, in Warsaw Township, at around 9:45am. Upon arrival they found a home fully engulfed by flames. Deputies found no occupants inside the home which had been vacant for about a year. Xcel Energy was also contacted to repair a downed power line at the residence damaged by the fire. The State Fire Marshall’s Office is assisting with the investigation.
2-car crash sends 1 to HCMC
A two car crash early Saturday afternoon in Erin Township sent one to the hospital via aircare. Rice County Deputies responded to the intersection of 100th Street West and Jasper Trail. A Chevrolet Silverado pickup travelling westbound on 100th Street West had been struck in the intersection by a Dodge Ram pickup traveling northbound on Jasper Trail. The driver of the Chevrolet Silverado, 56 year old Steven Oestreich, of Montgomery was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center via North Memorial Air Care. There is no word yet on the extent of his injuries. The driver of the Dodge Ram, 42 year old Corey Kotek, of Montgomery, was uninjured and cited for a traffic violation on scene by deputies. Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts. The Rice County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by Lonsdale Fire & Rescue and Montgomery Ambulance.
County votes on funding – PEHS pleas
Tomorrow morning the Rice County Board of Commissioners will set their budget and levy for 2019. At their last meeting, they discussed where to put funding dollars. County Administrator, Sara Folsted, felt they should hold steady and fund all those various agencies (that ask for dollars earlier in the year) at the same amount as last year. However, some agencies requested more funding, including the Rice County soil and water conservation District. Two of the Commissioners suggested defunding Prairies Edge Humane Society and give their $5,000 to SWCD. PEHS Executive Director Kathy Jasnoch said, “I don’t have anything against the Soil and Water Conservation District. They asked for an increase which is everybody’s right but to take it the money from us to give to someone else based on incorrect information is the issue that we have”. Commissioner Bauer said they were “not essential”. That caused an outcry from Jasnoch and Sandy Vesledahl, who has written emails to the Commissioners and took to social media enlisting the public’s help to contact them and help explain how “essential” they are. The shelter takes in 450-500 animals each year. Prairies Edge Humane Society is a huge resource for those with questions regarding strays, what to do if they want to give up a pet, adopt a pet and much more! The meeting will begin at 8:30 tomorrow morning at the Rice County Government Services Building at 320 3rd street in Faribault. The meetings are open to the public.
Arrangements are pending with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home. www.northfieldfuneral.com
