DELANO- Delano Fire Chief Bob Van Lith confirmed Monday morning that a lawn mower was the cause behind his department being called out to a shed on Darrow Avenue Friday.
Van Lith said the mower, which had just been used, had cables attached to the battery at the time of the incident. He reported the cables melted and burned off the mower by the time the department arrived on the scene.
“Nothing got going,” Van Lith said, noting nothing else caught fire during the incident. The Delano Fire Department was on scene for approximately an hour and a half. Van Lith said there was considerable smoke and heat damage inside the shed. He indicated the shed wall by the mower was charred, and that five vehicles in the shed were “smoked up.”
The Watertown Fire Department provided mutual aid.

MARYSVILLE TOWNSHIP, MN – Four cats and one dog perished in a fire at 486 42nd St. SW Thursday afternoon. The pets were believed to have suffered from smoke inhalation. A fifth cat survived.

No individuals were injured as a result of the fire.

The fire was contained to the kitchen of the residence.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Firefighters from Montrose and Delano responded to the fire shortly before 5 p.m. and were on scene for about two hours. The Wright County Sheriff’s Office and Allina ambulance also responded.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, MN – A Delano man, reported missing Wednesday afternoon , has been found.

Aaron Luebke

According to the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, Aaron Luebke, 31, was reported missing at about 2:02 p.m. Wednesday. Family members told deputies that Luebke had not been seen since about 11 p.m. the previous evening after leaving a business in Buffalo.

Just before 8 p.m. Wednesday, searchers located Luebke’s Honda Civic near the intersection of 65th Street and Farmington Ave in a swampy area just outside Delano.  Luebke was found deceased about 15 feet from the vehicle.

The incident remains under investigation by the Wright County Sheriff’s Office.

WRIGHT COUNTY, MN – A 31-year-old Delano man has been reported missing.

Aaron Luebke

Aaron  Luebke was reportedly last seen around 11:30 p.m. leaving the Thirsty Buffalo Saloon in Buffalo.

He is described as 6’2″, 205 pounds, with blonde hair and hazel eyes.

He was last seen wearing a black shirt with a red design on it, red athletic shorts, and red shoes.

His car, a blue 2009 Honda Civic with Minnesota license plates 689 WUV, is also missing.

Anyone with information regarding Luebke’s whereabouts is asked to call the Wright County Sheriff’s Office at (763) 682-1162.

Paul Thomas “PT” Hohag is pictured with #LIVIN Foundation co-founders Brooke Nault and Stacy Ramacher. Hohag will serve as grand marshal of the Delano 4th of July parade.

DELANO, MN – Organizers have announced Paul Thomas “PT” Hohag will serve as grand marshal of the 4th of July Parade.

Hohag is known for his work on the BOB FM country radio station.

He is a DJ, a reverend, voice over talent, emcee and co-founder of the #LIVIN Foundation.

Hohag’s father died by suicide in 2013. When that happened, there were many unanswered questions and he struggled with many different emotions. But then he came to a realization.

“There’s nothing you can do that will change the past,” he said. “But you can affect the future in a positive way.”

The #LIVIN Foundation is a positive movement to be appreciative of what you have and a voice to encourage others that it is always a great day to be alive.

“We are honored to have Paul Thomas as our 2017 Delano 4th of July Parade Grand Marshal for his dedication to this noble cause,” Parade Committee Chair Rick Schaffer said.

For more information about the #LIVIN Foundation, visit www.livinfoundation.org.