>>Awards ceremony in Fargo for first-responders’ heroism during July 14th ambush of officers, firefighters
An awards ceremony this morning (Wed) at Fargo City Hall honoring heroic actions by first responders on July 14 and in days after the ambush that took the life of Officer Jake Wallin and critically wounded two other officers and a civilian. Police Chief Dave Zibolski honored officers Tyler Hawes and Andrew Dotas with purple hearts, an award for sworn members seriously injured in the line of duty. Officer Zach Robinson received the Medal of Honor, the department’s highest distinction. Six firefighters received letters of commendation. Several other officers were honored with distinguished service medals for their work in the aftermath of the shooting, including those serving as liaisons with the families of the impacted officers and those who guarded the injured officers in the hospital.
>Woman, Man, Officer Identified in Fatal Marshall Incident
(Marshall, MN) — Authorities have identified those involved in a domestic violence incident Sunday in Marshall in southwest Minnesota that resulted in an officer fatally shooting a suspect. State investigators say 41-year-old Jamel Moore continued stabbing 35-year-old Meredith Martell despite orders from Marshall Police Officer Eric Klenken to drop the knife. They say a Taser had no effect, and after again ordering him to drop the knife with no response, Officer Klenken shot Moore twice. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension continues its investigation, including a review of the officer’s body camera footage. The victim died Sunday night at a Sioux Falls hospital.
>>Man Accused of Stabbing Chauvin Indicted
(Tucson, Arizona) — The man accused of stabbing former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in prison has been indicted. Prosecutors say 52-year-old John Turscak stabbed Chauvin 22 times with an improved knife. He’s scheduled to be arraigned January 5th on charges of attempted murder, assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Chauvin is currently serving a 22-year sentence for the May 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
>>Lakeville Man Arrested In U.S. Capitol Riot Probe
(Lakeville, MN) — A Minnesota man has been arrested in Lakeville on charges connected to the ongoing investigation into the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot. Investigators have charged 43-year-old Martin James Cudo with illegally entering the Capitol building as well as disorderly conduct. He’s the 14th Minnesotan to be charged as part of the investigation into the January 6th riot.
>>Federal government fines U-S Bank over problems with “ReliaCard” unemployment benefit accounts
(Minneapolis, MN) — The federal government has ordered Minneapolis-based U-S Bank to pay 5.7 million dollars to affected customers plus a 15-million-dollar penalty for freezing “ReliaCard” unemployment benefit accounts at the height of the pandemic. The Star Tribune reports federal investigators allege U-S Bank froze accounts asking for I-D verification, then delayed in reviewing those materials and gave customers incomplete or incorrect feedback on how to correct errors in the information they submitted. U-S Bank in a statement says, “While a small portion of cardholders were affected due to extended holds, we prevented fraud of over $375 million and returned to the states hundreds of millions in additional funds sent to questionable accounts. U-S Bank says it’s enhanced the ReliaCard program since the onset of the pandemic.
>>Anonymous “Saint Grand” puts another $1K donation in Salvation Army red kettle
(Coon Rapids, MN) — “Saint Grand” has made another anonymous appearance at a Salvation Army red kettle in the Minneapolis suburb of Coon Rapids. Spokesman Dan Furry at Northern Division headquarters says, “He or she — we don’t know who — started dropping in thousand-dollar donations in the kettles back in 2011, and they were always the same: They were ten hundred-dollar bills, bundled together in kettles generally in the northern suburbs.” Furry says Saint Grand’s donations over the years have totaled between 160 and 170 thousand dollars. Salvation Army officials say they’ll never know for sure if it’s the same generous person, but regardless they’re always grateful.
