The Sleepy Eye Fire Department announced their two newest members: Alicia Zuhlsdorf and Drew Reinarts. Alicia is the first ever female member.
One person was killed and another severely injured following a collision between two semi-trucks Wednesday morning in Adrian Township.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol (MSP), a 1995 Freightliner tractor was traveling eastbound on Minnesota Highway 30, and, at the same time, a 1998 Kenworth tractor was heading southbound on County Road 5. For undetermined reasons, the vehicles collided in the intersection around 8:23 a.m.
The Freightliner driver, Dylan Robert Maas, 31, of Sleepy Eye, was killed in the crash, while the person who drove Kenworth was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, the patrol said.
Additional details on the cause of the crash were not immediately known as authorities continued to investigate the incident.
Arrest Homicide Suspect
Date of Incident: September 13, 2023
Time of Incident: 2349 hours
Location of Incident: 29000 210th Street, Sleepy Eye, Brown County, MN
Persons Involved: Kyle Lou Ricke (43)
On September 13, 2023, the Brown County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the Minnesota State Patrol and the Iowa Department of Public Safety with information on a person who was identified as being involved in the shooting of an Algona Iowa police officer at 2000 hours. Further information was developed placing the suspect at an address in Leavenworth Township, rural Sleepy Eye MN.
With the assistance of the Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota State Patrol Air Unit, Sleepy Eye Police Department, Brown County Sheriff’s Office Deputies took the suspect into custody without incident.
The suspect is currently in the Brown County Jail, MN. Brown County Sheriff’s Office extends gratitude to multijurisdictional partners including the Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Department of Public Safety, FBI, for their assistance.
This case is being investigated by the Iowa Department of Public Safety. Future media inquiries should be directed to Alex Dinkla at the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
Jeremy Reed, Chief Deputy, Brown County Sheriff’s Offic
Brown County Sheriff’s Office News Release
Type of Incident: Industrial Accident Fatality
Date of Incident: August 29, 2023
Time of Incident: 0843 hours
Location of Incident: 22024 State HWY 4, Home Township, Sleepy Eye, Brown County MN
Victim: Austin Brett Trebesch (27-year-old male) of Sleepy Eye MN.
At approximately 0843 hours on Tuesday August 29, 2023, the Brown County Sheriff’s Office
Dispatch received multiple 911 calls from 22024 State HWY 4 of a 27-year-old male who was
involved in a work-related farm implement accident.
First Responder treated at the scene and transported the individual to the Sleepy Eye Medical
Center, where he later was pronounced deceased. This accident remains under investigation
with the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.
The Brown County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Sleepy Eye Police Department, Sleepy Eye
Ambulance Service, and North Memorial Air Care.
Jeremy Reed, Chief Deputy
Brown County Sheriff’s Office
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On May 3rd, 2022, the Sleepy Eye Police Department received a report from Olmsted County Human Services. A mandated reporter provided information regarding former Trinity Lutheran Pastor Nathan Luong having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a juvenile female member of Trinity Lutheran Church (Sleepy Eye, MN). The Sleepy Eye Police Department conducted a 7 month investigation with cooperation from Trinity Lutheran Church and the Southeastern/Southwestern Minnesota Synod ELCA. Throughout this investigation the Sleepy Eye Police Department submitted evidence to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension DNA Lab for testing. Based on DNA evidence and interviews conducted by the Sleepy Eye Police Department, Nathan Van Alfred Luong (DOB: 3/24/1986) has been charged with 3rd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct and is currently being held in Brown County Jail.
The Sleepy Eye Police Department believes there has only been one victim in this case. If anyone else has been victimized by Nathan Luong, they are encouraged to contact Investigator Shawn Bohnen at Sleepy Eye Police Department or their local police department.
Luong served as pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church from September 2018 to February of 2021.
The Sleepy Eye Fire Department (front row, from left): Logan Zuhlsdorf, Al Windschitl, Ron Zinniel, Jeff Zinniel, Shawn Heiderscheidt, Shane Martinka, Josh Wersal, Kyle Borth, Colton Borth and Aaron Schauman. Middle Row: Leon Steffl, Todd Riess, Alex Bruggeman, Tyler Heiderscheidt, Scott Krzmarzick, Brad Hoffmann, Jesse Como, Scott Maurer, Kevin Hoffman and Scott Braun. Back row: Keaton Borth, Jason Helget, Jeff Mathiowetz, Ross Fischer, Dan Schottenbauer, Dylan Wersal, Mike Suess, Nick Martinka, Jesse Fischer, Mike Tauer and Brandon Hanson. Missing Tom Braulick and Aaron Bruggeman.
Since 1922, the NFPA has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country. During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.
Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land
Home fire escape planning and practicing
It is important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape. Everyone needs to be prepared in advance, so that they know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Given that every home is different, every home fire escape plan will also be different.
Have a plan for everyone in the home. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out. Make sure that someone will help them!
Smoke alarms
Smoke alarms sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger. Smoke alarms need to be in every bedroom, outside of the sleeping areas (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of your home. Do not put smoke alarms in your kitchen or bathrooms.
Choose an alarm that is listed with a testing laboratory, meaning it has met certain standards for protection.
For the best protection, use combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that are interconnected throughout the home. These can be installed by a qualified electrician, so that when one sounds, they all sound. This ensures you can hear the alarm no matter where in your home the alarm originates.
The Sleepy Eye Sportsman’s Club donated $1000 to both the Sleepy Eye Ambulance and Sleepy Eye Fire Departments. From left: Gary Lambrecht, EMT, Dave Hertling and Lynn Krenz Sportsmen’s Club members and Ron Zinniel Fire Chief.
The Sleepy Eye Fire Dept. added three new firemen. Dylan Wersal, Kyle Borth and Nick Martinka recently completed their fire fighting training and became official members of the local fire department.
