Meeker County recorded just one traffic death during 2007 and there were no homicides, according to Dr. Janis C. Amatuzio, who serves as coroner for Meeker and eight other counties in central Minnesota.

Amatuzio presented her annual report on June 3 to the County Board. Among her statistics:

• In 2007, the coroner’s office investigated 81 deaths, the same number as in 2006.
• The average age at death was 77 for 2007, up from 74 years in 2006, reflecting, Amatuzio noted, the fact that Meeker County residents seem to have a longer life span than most citizens in the eight other counties where her office provides coroner service.
• Suicides took a substantial drop in the county in 2007, with just two recorded, compared to seven in 2006.

Amatuzio paid tribute to her staff of deputy coroners in the county and the Meeker County Sheriff’s Department for its support of investigations by the coroner’s office.

Gary Alberts, who will manage a state-of-the-art Midwest medical examiner’s facility under construction in Anoka, Minn., gave a brief progress report. It is expected the facility will be ready by fall.

Meeker County, along with other counties to be served by the facility, will be assessed based on the amount of use.