Thursday, July 31, 2025

A 25-year-old Eden Valley man died Tuesday after falling into a tanker trailer he was cleaning at a farm in Eden Lake Township. First responders were called to the farm on County Road 34, about four miles northwest of Eden Valley, around 9:45 a.m. for a medical emergency. According to the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, Elder Josue Salgado Gonzalez was cleaning the 42-foot tanker with a hose when he fell. The trailer had about 1.5 feet of water inside at the time. Gonzalez was pulled from the tanker and given CPR and other life-saving treatment. He was rushed to CentraCare-Paynesville Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Officials on Wednesday released the name of a ten-year-old boy who died after being hit by a vehicle while riding his bicycle in Becker. The Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office said Harrison Kaehler was struck around 8:00 on Monday morning. The accident happened at the intersection of Brenda Boulevard and Edgewood Street, where Kaehler was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was identified as a 22-year-old woman from Becker. She remained at the scene and has been cooperating with investigators.

As heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to blanket the state, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has extended an air quality alert through 5:00 p.m. Saturday, August 2nd. Health officials are advising all Minnesotans to reduce outdoor physical activities and avoid intense outdoor exercise during the alert period. Northerly winds are pushing waves of wildfire smoke from Manitoba and Saskatchewan into the state, continuing what has already been a very smoke-filled summer. The fine particulate matter is expected to move south and linger through Saturday afternoon, with conditions worsened by a high-pressure system creating light winds that limit smoke dispersion. The most severely affected areas, including Little Falls, St. Cloud, Alexandria, Brainerd, Duluth, the Twin Cities metro and numerous other communities, are expected to reach the red Air Quality Index category, a level considered unhealthy for everyone. In areas with poor air quality, people will notice a smoky sky, hazy conditions with reduced visibility, and the distinct smell of smoke. The bad air could lead to irritated eyes, nose, and throat, coughing and chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Those in the red zones should spend as little time outside as possible. Meanwhile, the southern third of the state, including Albert Lea, Marshall, Worthington, Rochester, Winona, and Mankato are expected to experience orange AQI conditions, which are unhealthy for sensitive groups. That means while healthy people may experience fewer effects, sensitive groups could face chest pain, wheezing, coughing, and fatigue. Vulnerable populations include people with asthma or other breathing conditions, those with heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes, pregnant individuals, children, and older adults. Outdoor workers and those without air conditioning face increased exposure risks. Air quality conditions are expected to improve on Saturday afternoon as weather patterns shift.

A woman had to be rescued from a tree after tubing down the Crow River on Tuesday. The Meeker County Sheriff's Office says they received a call at about 4:45 p.m. of a woman clinging to a tree in the river near Litchfield. Once on scene, deputies located 44-year-old Rae Kurtz of Darwin hanging onto part of a tree and being pulled under by the strong current. Deputies were able to crawl out on the tree through the water and get hold of Kurtz, pull her out of the water, and help her crawl towards shore. Litchfield Fire and Rescue arrived with a boat and was able to take Kurtz to a safe location on shore. The Sheriff's Office says Kurtz was tubing with a friend when she got pulled downriver by the strong current. She struck the downed tree that was lying across the river and fell off, but was able to grab onto the tree. Her friend was able to make it to shore. Kurtz was able to call 911, and her phone gave the Sheriff's Office a GPS location so they could find her. Kurtz was treated at the scene, and a deputy was brought to the hospital and treated for exhaustion. Sheriff Brian Cruze says water levels on the Crow River are high and, coupled with strong currents and downed trees, he advises the public to refrain from tubing until the water recedes.