County Road 21 accident The last of three people injured in a Friday afternoon accident on County Road 21 was being moved into a Staples Ambulance by ambulance attendants and Browerville Fire and Rescue personnel. Two northbound vehicles Staples World photo by Tom Crawford collided when one of them attempted to make a U-turn. All three victims taken to Lakewood Health Center were later released, according to the deputy sheriff's reports. An area contractor was killed last week in a construction accident just north of Browerville.

James Albert Statema, 68, rural Browerville, died when dirt caved in on him when he was working in a ditch in Ward Township,

according to the Todd County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies were called to 33365 235th Avenue in Ward Township about 3:25 Friday afternoon. Statema was pulled from the ditch and transported by Browerville Ambulance to the Long Prairie Memorial Hospital, where he later died.

A former machinist, Statema had been operating a backhoe service with his son for the past 14 years.

Also Friday afternoon, three people were treated for injuries suffered in a two-car traffic accident on County Road 21 south of Staples.

Mary Ross, Steve Ross and Kalsey Ross, all of rural Long Prairie, were all taken via Staples Ambulance to the Lakewood Health System Hospital for treatment following the 2:23 p.m. accident. They were all released later by the hospital.

Deputy Don Asmus reported that Bruce and Shirley Buchanan were northbound on County Road 21 when they attempted to make a U-turn at 294th Avenue in Moran Township. The Ross vehicle was also northbound on the county highway and struck the Buchanan vehicle broadside as it pulled out on the roadway. Bruce Buchanan said he did not see the Ross vehicle behind him on the roadway.

Both vehicles had heavy damage. Assisting at the scene were Staples and Browerville Ambulance services and the Browerville Fire and Rescue Department.

David Lee of Elk River reported Monday, April 20 that his summer cabin at Sylvan Shores had been burglarized. He reported that a shogun and sporting equipment valued at about $350 was stolen from the cabin sometime in early April.

Jerry Wibstad of 300 Linden Avenue, Apartment 5, in Browerville reported on April 17 that someone had entered her apartment between March 29 and April 4 and stolen a fanny pack with a billfold containing over $500 in cash and checks.