Pilot unhurt in emergency

landing in central Minnesota

WATKINS, Minn. (AP) — A crop-dusting pilot is OK after a mechanical problem forced him to make an emergency landing in a cornfield in central Minnesota.

Stearns County authorities say 911 callers reported seeing the tail of the plane sticking out of the standing corn near Watkins on Thursday morning. When officers arrived they found the 21-year-old pilot from Buffalo, Minnesota, who said he didn’t need medical treatment.

The pilot said the engine stalled as he was preparing to make a crop-dusting pass on the field. He said he was forced to make an emergency landing.

The plane remained upright until coming to rest on its nose. Damage to the plane was slight.

The sheriff’s office and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.

Watkins man fatally pinned under semi

LUXEMBURG TOWNSHIP, Minn. (AP) — A Watkins man has died after he was pinned underneath a semitrailer truck.

The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office says 54-year-old Joseph Pauly was working under the semi about 5 p.m. Wednesday when it fell off a hydraulic jack and pinned him. Family members discovered Pauly and called 911.

Emergency crews arrived to find Pauly had died at the scene.

Wet weather overwhelming

Minnesota stormwater systems

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota cities are seeing an increase in emergency sewage discharges as they struggle with rainfalls that can overwhelm systems that collect and treat wastewater.

Minnesota Public Radio News reports that cities like North Mankato are dealing with rising waters. The city has released more than 4 million gallons of untreated sewage into the stormwater system since a June flood.

Experts say these emergency discharges are happening more often, as cities grapple with a rise in extreme rainfalls.