By Tyler Trieglaff

Notes from the Chief

Well, I spoke too soon as was pointed out to me last Friday. I was in the local lumber yard buying more heat tape and insulation for under my new abode as the water line decided to freeze up again. 

Someone had to get smart and tell me that they just read the paper and I had said that I had all the water working and thawed out. A little crow for me to eat, I guess. I didn’t think things would freeze after we had -35 last week and I had the kinks ironed out. 

The main water line coming into the house had froze up, the bathroom sink wouldn’t drain and the shower drain was backed up again. 

After I acquired new parts from the boys at the OK Lumber, I was ready to crawl back under the house to improve on my already sort of proven hack jobs. New heat tape applied and two loose bats of insulation and I was hoping I could relax. After the repairs I went about feeding some hay and when I came in the house, by gum there was water running from the kitchen sink. 

I had left the shower valve open also and that is when I discovered that trap was froze again. Out with the ceramic heater to warm the trap and we will just be patient about the sink drain. 

Another bout with the chores outside and I came back and both drains were open. What a relief!

You would think that the rest of the wells would be used to the cold too, but on Tuesday there was no water in the main barn. What in the wide wide world of sports is a going on here?  It turns out the pump was burned out and not turning. 

There was water in the pipe above the check valve so I tried another pump that was in there before. This pump was replaced because the sand point was plugged. 

After fiddling around and getting the old pump back in, it started making some sort of racket that did not sound like it should. Time to toss that pump as dad had picked up another pump in Detroit Lakes. I got that pump in and still no water. 

Well, what in tarnation is going on now?  It seems that the sand point is plugged again. Beings it was well below zero, we decided that we are not going to pull that sand point now. We then moved the 4 calves from the barn to a different shed that has running water. 

Life on the farm always has something to surprise you with next. Have a nice week!

Friday, Dec. 31

10:13 p.m. 911 hang-up at the Event Center. Number came back to a bridesmaid who was having good time at the wedding. Most likely a butt-dial.

1:01 a.m. Assist with a domestic incident on 165th St.

1:10 a.m. Assist Otter Tail County with a traffic stop on US Hwy 10. 

Sunday, Jan. 2

9:30 p.m. Vehicle parked on the shoulder of Co Hwy 10. Owner contacted and they were going to move the vehicle that night.

Monday, Jan. 3

9:14 a.m. Assist with a medical.

4:10 p.m. Vehicle off the road on S River Drive. Tow was on its way.

7:47 p.m. Report of a wrong way driver on US Hwy 10. UTL.

Tuesday, Jan. 4

7:56 a.m. Vehicle unlock.

8:07 a.m. Warrant arrest of Victoria Blackburde, 31, Detroit Lakes.

5:49 p.m. Assist with a medical.

8:01 p.m. Disturbance reported with a female showing up at her ex’s place. Female left before officer arrived.

Thursday, Jan. 6

9:58 p.m. Disturbance reported with a 58-year old mother upset at her adult son. The son left on his own to avoid mom going to the hoosegow. Mom was being very loud and belligerent.