Busy weekend for New London firefighters
NEW LONDON -- New London firefighters had a busy Easter weekend, responding to two grass fires, a barn fire and a hay trailer blaze. No cause has been determined yet for any of the four fires.
The first fire, a small grass fire along County Road 148 southwest of New London, was reported around 7:45 a.m. Saturday. Two areas were burning in the roadside ditch; firefighters were able to quickly put out the flames.
The Fire Department was called out again at 7 p.m. Saturday when a trailer loaded with hay caught fire as the trailer was being hauled down Minnesota Highway 9 west of New London. Firefighters had to unload the burning hay into the ditch to help extinguish the blaze.
A grass fire -- the second one of the weekend -- that broke out around 3 p.m. Sunday burned about five acres of a wildlife area along 225th Avenue, northeast of New London.
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An unused barn was destroyed by fire Sunday night at a farm site on 129th Avenue Northeast.
Vandalism
WILLMAR -- A handful of businesses on the west side of Willmar sustained broken or damaged windows after someone shot at them over the weekend.
The main door and drive-through window at Taco John's were damaged, apparently with a pellet or BB gun. Similar damage was reported at Bill's Standard on West Litchfield Avenue and at McDonald's on South First Street.
At least five windows were shot out in two buildings owned by Willmar Municipal Utilities.
The damage was reported Saturday morning and Sunday morning. Willmar police are investigating.
Thefts
WILLMAR -- The Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Department is investigating a break-in reported Saturday evening at a trailer on County Road 5, southwest of Willmar. Construction tools and equipment were reported missing.
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WILLMAR -- Sections of scaffolding -- 15 legs and 10 planks -- were reported stolen Saturday from a house in the 400 block of 14th Street Southeast.
Arrests
WILLMAR -- A 17-year-old youth was arrested early Saturday morning after reports that a driver was speeding in the parking lot of Cash Wise Foods. Willmar police also cited the youth for having uncased firearms and a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in his vehicle. He was released to his family.
WILLMAR -- Charges of fifth-degree domestic assault and interfering with a 911 call are pending against a 43-year-old suspect following an altercation Sunday afternoon at an apartment on 30th Street Northwest.
The female victim, age 47, reported that she was flung to the ground and hit in the head with a beer can. A phone was wrenched away from her before she could call for help.
