Burnett County Sentinel 08 30 17

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BURNETT COUNTY

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2017 VOL. 55 NO. 50 www.burnettcountysentinel.com $1.00

FALL SPORTS: Special keepsake Time Out for Sports edition. INSIDE

Explosions startle Grantsburg residents STEVE BRIGGS SENTINEL

GOOB COY | SENTINEL

Fun at the Fair! Although the weather didn’t cooperate for most of the weekend for the Burnett County Agricultural Society Fair in Grantsburg, fair-goers still got a chance to get out and enjoy the sights and sounds of the fair. More photos on pages 13, 16 and 32.

Multiple high-speed chases in county

Probation violation leads to jail time

SEAN DEVLIN EDITOR@BURNETTCOUNTYSENTINEL.COM

SEAN DEVLIN EDITOR@BURNETTCOUNTYSENTINEL.COM

BURNETT/POLK—Two vehicles driving at high speeds on two separate days sent Burnett, Polk, and Pine County officials in hot pursuit last week. The first occurred mid-afternoon on Aug. 22. Burnett and Pine County Deputies and Mille Lacs Tribal police were in pursuit of a suspect in a stolen vehicle fleeing law enforcement heading eastbound on Highway 77 into the Danbury area. The suspect, later identified as Blake R. Vosburg, 26, Hopkins, abandoned the vehicle on Glendenning Road at the Yellow River bridge. The suspect then jumped into the river in an attempt to avoid arrest. Burnett County deputies were able to incline Vosburg to exit the water at the landing near East Yellow River Road. He was arrested without further incident and escorted to the Burnett County Jail and later transferred to the Pine County Jail.

GOVERNMENT CENTER—A Grantsburg man is behind bars for nine months after violating probation stipulations and now faces additional felony charges. Aaron L. Simmons, 56, was found guilty on July 20 of battery and placed on two years probation with a nine-month stayed jail sentence after a physical encounter with a family member at the family’s residence on Gile Road in West Marshland on Dec. Simmons 6, 2016. As part of probation, the court ruled Simmons have no contact with the victim unless agreed to by the victim and the probation agent. In addition, no contact with his children or presence at the Gile Road residence.

SEE CHASES, PAGE 7

SEE SIMMONS, PAGE 7

GRANTSBURG—“Our whole house shook – the walls, the floors, the windows,” the man said. “The blast sounded big and serious. I called 9-1-1 and reported the explosion. I told them it sounded like it came from south and east of our house. We had no idea what exploded, but it was loud and scary.” The man, who asked to remain anonymous, called Burnett County 9-1-1 Dispatch Center about 3:30 p.m. Saturday. It was one of several calls the center received. A county sheriff deputy also reported hearing a boom at his home north of Falun, perhaps 10 miles away. Shortly after the first, some reports said another explosion was set from the same location. Law enforcement later found the blast(s) came from a house a couple miles south of Grantsburg. The deputy was told it was part of a wedding celebration. According to informal reports from county law enforcement, a person exploded container(s) of Tannerite® or similar explosive of unknown size and quantity. Tannerite® is the brand name of a powdered product that is legally sold in the United States. Another person said the Saturday explosion(s) were set off when a bucket containing explosive was hit by a high-powered rifle to trigger it. According to Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, “Tannerite® detonations occur when hit at a very high velocity, producing a large explosion and cloud.” Tannerite is sold in pre-sized quantities for target practice, avalanche control and police use. Tannerite® consists of two components: a fuel mixed with a catalyst or sensitizer, and a bulk material or oxidizer. It is not volatile until the chemicals are mixed and detonated. Low-speed or low-force impacts will not cause it to explode. Tannerite® is marketed as a target designator that is useful for long-range target practice: the shooter does not need to walk down-range to see if the target has been hit, as the Tannerite will detonate and serve as a highly-visible indicator. Tannerite is also used for dramatic effect to provide explosions in weaponry demonstrations or other events, apparently including weddings. No citations were issued Saturday because the product is legal and it was detonated with permission on private party, although a good case could be made for a charge of disturbing the peace. The law officer sent to the scene told the party to notify the sheriff’s office ahead of time before setting off more explosions. The internet has reports of persons injured or killed by flying debris following a Tannerite explosion.

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