Houston, we have a problem... This pickup owner was plowing snow from a trail on the frozen surface of Pine Island Lake on Monday when he found himself on thin ice. Todd County Sheriff Pete MIkkelson advised people to use caution on area lakes. (Todd County Sheriff The Todd County Sheriff’s Office is telling ice fishermen and snowmobilers to be very careful when venturing out onto area lakes this winter.

Despite the extreme cold, ice conditions can vary, Sheriff Pete Mikkelson says. Check the ice before driving out with a heavier vehicle,” Mikkelson said.

Sheriff’s deputies point to the large amounts of snow on lakes as a possible cause of some of the problems, insulating the ice from the cold.

Mikkelson pointed out his department had a fish house that went partially through the ice on Long Lake in southern Todd County in mid-December, The large fish house was apparently too heavy for the early ice and left the owner with a house frozen partially submerged.

On Saturday, Jan. 2, the sheriff’s department was alerted to open water on a portion of Dower Lake near Staples, Mark Wisch, a Staples police officer who lives near the lake, reported apparently a crack or ice heave near the Dower Lake swimming beach caused a stretch of open water.

On Monday, Jan. 4, deputies responded to Pine Island Lake east of Browerville where a pickup was reported partially through the ice.

Todd County Sheriff’s deputies were informed of an apparent burglary at the apartments at 104 Main Street in Clarissa. Dustin Elberling reported Dec. 20 that the burglary happened between Dec. 11 and 20. Taken were several tool sets and screwdriver sets.

A vehicle struck a horse and buggy near Bertha on Dec. 21, with three people in the buggy reportedly injured. The husband, wife, and three-month old infant all complained of injuries and were taken via ambulance to Tri-County Hospital in Wadena.

James Miller, rural Deer Creek, was westbound on County Road 24 just east of the Ottertail County line when his Jeep Cherokee struck the rear end of the horse-drawn buggy. The buggy was a total loss and his Jeep had moderate damage.

Deputies reported that alcohol was believed to be a contributing factor in the accident, which remains under investigation.

Susan White of Stowe Prairie Township reported Dec. 23 that earlier that morning someone had shot orange colored paint balls at her house, ATV and swing set. Her neighbor also reported similar damage done with paintball at his residence.

Jeff Brown of Browerville was northbound on County Road 11 in Clarissa on Dec. 23 when he reported a deer jumped out of a ditch and hit the rear end of his pickup truck. The deer broke off the support arm that holds up a ladder rack that runs the length of the truck’s box area. There were no injuries and the truck had minor damage.

There were no injuries among five passengers in two vehicles involved in a Jan. 1 accident west of Long Prairie. Icy roadways were a contributing factor to the collision at the intersection of County Road 36 and 165th Avenue.

A Christmas day accident on Highway 71 south of Bertha resulted in minor injuries, with no one taken to a hospital. Dillon Lundin was the driver of a minivan that rolled over.

Samantha Schettler of Browerville received minor injuries Jan. 3 in a one vehicle rollover on County Road 38 west of Long Prairie. Wearing her seat belt was credited with keeping her from having more serious injuries. A passerby stopped at the scene and assisted the driver until emergency response people arrived in the sub zero weather.