MCGREGOR — Three adults are in stable condition after a plane crash near the McGregor Airport Sunday, Oct. 5.
The Aitkin County Sheriff's Office stated first responders arrived around 4:30 p.m. at the crash scene, about a half-mile southeast of the McGregor Airport.
The initial investigation reveals the plane, a Piper PA-28 140, lost power shortly after takeoff. The pilot attempted to return to the airport when the plane went down in a swampy area short of the runway.
The Piper PA-28 Cherokee is a small aircraft that typically can seat two to four occupants.
One passenger was life-flighted for treatment, and two others were transported by ground to Riverwood Hospital in Aitkin. All three are being treated for injuries and are reportedly in stable condition.
The three occupants of the plane have been identified as Kaden Brazinsky, 23, of Ham Lake; Wyatt Sherry, 22, of New Richmond, Wisconsin; and Jocelyn Erlandson, 23, of Ham Lake.
The sheriff’s office was assisted at the scene by McGregor First Responders, McGregor Fire Department, North Memorial Health Ambulance, Cromwell-Wright Ambulance and the Minnesota State Patrol.
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Plus: the candidate filing period for non-primary elections opened July 14, 2026; and the Grand Rapids Area Library recently made a $30,000 fundraising goal.
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Extreme fire conditions caused some of the 17 wildfires burning in the Superior National Forest to rapidly spread July 13-14, 2026.
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The library matched the anonymous matching donation for $30,000 it received in June 2026. A larger fundraising goal is aimed at increasing public hours in 2027.
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Due to smoke from Boundary Waters wildfires, the MPCA issued air quality alerts for large parts of Minnesota. The alert lasts until at least Friday, July 16, 2026.
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And: An Aitkin peat processor fined for air pollution control violations.
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While it is expected to cool off slightly on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, temperatures will stay high enough that additional heat advisories may be put in place.
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Nearly 9,000 acres are estimated to be burning in the BWCA as of July 13, 2026, and the closure is for public safety. The Boundary Waters is not expected to fully reopen this summer.
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Severe drought is present in at least 11% of Minnesota and another 18% is in moderate drought. The drought conditions are mostly seen in Northern Minnesota.
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Prairie Pines Childcare Center, the Northland Foundation and the Northwest Minnesota Foundation were awarded grants from the state Department of Employment and Economic Development.
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Even with green plants and recent rainfall, large portions of the Northland are classified as in moderate or severe drought.