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Fire Deaths

Nearly three dozen Minnesotans have already died in fires this year, according to Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Fire officials say most home fire deaths are preventable, and they’re urging families to take simple steps now before another tragedy strikes.

Safety experts recommend:

Testing smoke alarms at least once a month and replacing batteries if needed.

Making a home fire escape plan and practicing it with everyone in the household, including children.

Keeping exits, hallways and stairways clear of clutter so people can get out quickly.

Never leaving cooking, candles, smoking materials or other open flames unattended, even for a short time.

Firefighters say these small actions can make the difference between life and death in an emergency.

They’re asking Minnesotans not to wait until a fire hits close to home before making a plan and checking their alarms.

Gas Prices

There was a bit of a break at the gas pump last week as prices came down across all 50 states. GasBuddy says average gas prices in Minnesota fell 18.5 cents a gallon in the last week, averaging $4.12. A total of 15 states saw the average price of gas drop below $4.00 a gallon. The average price nationwide fell 19.5 cents to an average of $4.26 per gallon. The national price of diesel fell 15.5 cents compared to a week ago, now at $5.43 a gallon. GasBuddy's Patrick De Haan says growing optimism around a potential U.S.-Iran agreement helped ease concerns over global oil supplies. However, uncertainty surrounding a potential deal saw oil prices edge higher Sunday night. De Haan says short-term relief could give way to another upward swing if the negotiations between the two countries break down in the coming days.

Motorcycle Crash

A Waite Park man was hurt when he crashed his motorcycle near St. Cloud on Saturday afternoon. The crash occurred a little before 1:00 p.m. on Highway 23. The Minnesota State Patrol says 41-year-old Christopher Crosno of Waite Park was going south on Highway 23 near the intersection of Highway 95 when he crashed his motorcycle. Crosno was taken to the St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Benton County Sheriff's Office and Mayo Ambulance assisted at the scene.

Sauk Centre Community Helping Business After Fire

The Sauk Centre community is raising money to keep a Mexican restaurant in business after a fire left its fate uncertain.  Earlier this month, the building housing El Mezcal restaurant in downtown Sauk Centre caught fire, damaging multiple businesses and residential units.  The fire happened around 11:50 p.m. on May 11, and was first spotted by a Sauk Centre police officer who was on routine patrol. The officer saw smoke and flames shooting out of the two-story building. Five apartments were evacuated, and three businesses sustained significant damage. No one was injured. The fire came just as El Mezcal owner Pedro Gomez was recovering from surgery after a shoulder injury left him unable to work, forcing the restaurant to close temporarily. El Mezcal reopened in February following a month-long closure. A GoFundMe meant to support El Mezcal during Gomez’s recovery is now again raising money in the aftermath of the fire.  According to the fundraiser, inspections are still needed to determine whether the building needs to be condemned or can be salvaged. El Mezcal’s insurance will cover two months of lost income following the fire, according to the fundraiser.  “The clock is ticking though, and they may need us in the future after those short 8 weeks are up,” the GoFundMe continues. As of Sunday, the fundraiser had reached around $6,400 of its $7,500 goal.

Six Vehicle Crash

A six-vehicle crash in Monticello sent one person to the hospital on Saturday morning. The Minnesota State Patrol says the crash happened near the intersection of Highway 25 and 7th Street West around 11:20 a.m. Authorities say all six vehicles were going south on Highway 25 when they collided. 46-year-old Yamah Thomas of Big Lake was taken to the Monticello Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. None of the other drivers or their passengers were hurt in the crash. The other drivers in the crash were: 27-year-old Timothy Uphoff of Big Lake, 40-year-old Justin Price of Lake Tomahawk, WI, 39-year-old Jacob Heffron of Little Falls, 20-year-old Nicholas Folsom of Clear Lake, and 57-year-old Michael Welle of Monticello. The Wright County Sheriff's Office and CentraCare Ambulance assisted at the scene.