Detectives for the city of Austin are offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the arson fire at 710 Eighth Ave.

Thursday, February 08, 2001

Detectives for the city of Austin are offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the arson fire at 710 Eighth Ave. SE on Jan. 26.

The reporting party may remain anonymous and should call Detective Tom Stiehm at 437-9400.

Man found on road and taken to AMC

Mower County Sheriff officers were called to the vicinity of the Lansing landfill at 3:23 p.m. on Feb. 6. There they found an individual, James Torkelson from St. Anne, Mo., sitting in the middle of the road with a small dog.

After finding a liter of Scotch whiskey in his pocket, the officers tested Torkelson and found his blood alcohol level was 0.403.

He was taken to Austin Medical Center for detoxification.

Truck at construction company totaled in fire

Ashley Johnson was working in the shop at Wagner Construction in Austin when he heard an explosion. After investigating, he found his 1999 4×4 diesel truck engulfed in flames. He reported the fire at 2:02 p.m. Feb. 7.

The truck was parked over a fuel tank and next to a gas pump. Johnson attempted to extinguish the fire, but was unsuccessful. The Austin Fire Department put out the flames.

Damage to the truck is estimated at $30,000 to $35,000. The pump and fuel tank were not damaged.