2 people, 1 dog killed in Princeton Township house explosion

VIDEO/PHOTO: Two people were killed in a home explosion in central Minnesota Tuesday morning, authorities said. The call for the explosion came in just before 4 a.m. for the area of 8200 block of 52nd Street in Princeton Township, according to the Mille Lacs County Sheriff's Office. When deputies arrived, they located a large debris field from an apparent explosion that was still on fire. Multiple fire departments responded and extinguished the fire. A man and woman who were renting the home were found dead, along with their dog, according to the sheriff's office. Officials identified the two dead as Royce and Katherine Kreger — ages 60 and 61, respectively. "This is mass destruction," Chief Deputy Aaron Evenson said. WCCO spoke with a nearby resident who said they heard a loud explosion. Multiple emergency vehicles responded to the scene.
WCCO-TV CBS 4 Minneapolis

Paddlefish Brewing partners with nonprofit, Helping Minnesota Heroes, to support area first responders

VIDEO: A partnership between two relatively new pillars of the St. Peter Community, Paddlefish Brewing and Helping Minnesota Heroes teamed up to create a new brew in honor of local emergency workers. Hops’ N Heroes saw it’s official launch Saturday, May 4, which was also International Firefighters Day. A portion of every beer sold during the launch contributed to HMH’s First Responder Fund, and members of the St. Peter community met with local first responders to help support the cause. “I think I counted at least eight different fire departments that were in there, sheriff’s office, police officers, so it’s been a really great turnout as well as the community coming to support their first responders and their local heroes,” said Helping Minnesota Heroes’ Heather Tollefson.
KEYC-TV CBS/FOX 12 Mankato

Mankato home damaged by fire, cats rescued

A Mankato home was significantly damaged by fire Sunday afternoon as firefighters were able to rescue 8 cats. According to a release from the Mankato Fire Department, just after 1 PM Sunday, the Department of Public Safety was called to a fire at 120 Wickfield Drive. When they arrived, crews found the garage and the front of the house fully engulfed. The fire on the exterior was quickly knocked down, allowing firefighters to enter the house to extinguish the fire from the inside. Authorities say no one was home at the time of the fire but firefighters found and rescued seven cats. The animals were taken to a vet for evaluation. Authorities estimate damages at $450,000 and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
KEYC-TV CBS/FOX 12 Mankato

‘Guns & Hoses’ softball game raises money in Hibbing

VIDEO: A group of unlikely competitors in Hibbing played a game of softball Sunday, raising money for a cause close to home. The Boys and Girls Club of Hibbing hosted their first-ever Guns & Hoses fundraiser. The event pitted the Hibbing Fire Department against the Hibbing Police Department in a game of softball. All entry tickets sold helped raise money for the club’s programming as well as their youth development professional staff. Those with the Boys and Girls Club said the program is beneficial for both students and parents. “At the end of the day, when their parents pick them up, their homework is done, they’ve learned something and they’re fed, and they’re ready to go to bed and start the next day fresh and ready to go,” said Brittany Lindstrom, the Development Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Hibbing.
KBJR-TV NBC 6 Duluth