BLOOMING PRAIRIE -- Eugene Norman Dennis, 62 of 54052 300th St., remains hospitalized today following a farm accident.

Dennis was repairing a hay baler in his farmyard Monday night when the accident occurred, according to a Mower County Sheriff's Office report.

Dennis was using a cutting torch to make repairs to the baler's door when the spring-loaded mechanism failed and Dennis was struck in the head and knocked to the ground.

His wife, Janice, called 9-1-1. Because of the severity of the man's head injuries, the Mayo One helicopter came to the farm and took the victim to Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.

The accident occurred 8:05 p.m. Monday, according to the Sheriff's Office report.

Garage destroyed

Children playing with flammable materials are believed to be responsible for a garage fire Monday afternoon.

According to Austin Police and Fire Departments' reports, a garage owned by Greg Grimley, 50 of 606 Second Ave. SW, was destroyed by the fire at 1:17 p.m. Monday.

Four boys, ages 7 to 10, were spotted at the scene and when questioned confessed to their role in starting the fire.

The boys told police and fire officials, they were making "secret weapons" with a lighter and gasoline. When their actions started a fire inside the open garage, the boys attempted to extinguish it and left the scene.

When police officers received the call for assistance, they arrived on the scene to observe the garage engulfed in flames.

The boys were playing in a public alley behind the garage and seen by Grimley's neighbors.

No estimate of damages was available.

Churches burglarized

Two churches less than two blocks from each other were burglarized overnight Sunday.

According to Austin Police Department reports, the churches were First Baptist and Cornerstone Assembly of God.

The Rev. Allan Flint, senior pastor, discovered the burglary at First Baptist Church at 1700 West Oakland Ave. early Monday morning.

No point of entry was found, but authorities believe the perpetrators hid inside the church, during a wedding anniversary party Saturday night.

Church and police officials believe the burglars were familiar with the church, because specific desks and file cabinets in specific offices were opened.

While the loss was minimal -- $100 or less -- damages in excess of $1,000 were reported, according to police.

The Cornerstone Assembly of God Church was also burglarized in the same time period overnight Sunday.

According to police, the thieves pushed in a window air conditioner to gain entrance.

The church at 1802 Second Ave. SW had office spaces ransacked and a laptop computer taken as well as currency and change.

The thieves left behind two gloves and a trail of coins leading from the window where they exited the church.

Also missing are 300 sermons stored on the laptop computer, according to the police report.