>>Belgrade Man Dies in Fall from Roof Near Little Falls
(Little Falls, MN) — The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deadly fall from a roof on New Year’s Eve near Little Falls. Deputies say 65-year-old Dale Schlangen of Belgrade was helping family members work on a pole shed in Swan River Township when he slipped on the rafters and fell to the ground. First responders tried to save him, but Schlangen died at the scene.
>>Maplewood Man Pleads Guilty to Killing 2 Missing Women
(Maplewood, MN) — A Maplewood man pleaded guilty today (THURS) to murdering two missing women. Last year, 41-year-old Joseph Jorgenson was charged with murdering 34-year-old Manijeh Starren in 2023. Today, Jorgenson also pleaded guilty to the new charge of second-degree murder in connection with the 2021 death of 33-year-old Fanta Xayavong. He’s expected to be sentenced to 40 years for both murders, which will be served at the same time. Jorgenson was romantically involved with both women. He’ll be sentenced on February 28th (11 a.m.).
>>Home Burglary, Thieves Steal 100,00 in Cash
(Elk River, MN) — Three individuals have been arrested, and authorities are searching for a fourth suspect in connection with a burglary in Sherburne County that resulted in the theft of thousands of dollars. According to the sheriff’s office, two men entered an occupied home and stole a safe containing over $100,000 in cash. The break-in occurred on December 18 while a woman was asleep inside the house. Home security cameras captured the suspects leaving the residence with the safe. The homeowner identified one of the suspects from the surveillance video. Several law enforcement agencies in the Twin Cities collaborated with the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office, conducting hundreds of hours of surveillance and executing search warrants at multiple locations across various counties and cities. So far, investigators have recovered $36,000 of the stolen money.
>>MN DLI Finds Sanford Willfully Violated the Women’s Economic Security Act
(Undated) — Sanford must repay wages, compensatory and liquidated damages, and civil penalties after violating an employee’s rights. The Minnesota Department of Labor (DLI) found that between February 2023 and April 2024, Sanford cut the employee’s hours due to pregnancy and fired her after she requested 12 weeks of parental leave, violating the Women’s Economic Security Act (WESA). Sanford also must require all staff members to attend an annual WESA training and provide additional info about leave of absence policies for patients following OB-related appointments.
>>Man Who Fatally Shot a Man at a Child’s Birthday Party Sentenced to 25.5 Years
(Brooklyn Park, MN) — A man who fatally shot another man at a children’s birthday party in Brooklyn Park was sentenced to 25.5 years in prison. 32-year-old Lue Chang pleaded guilty in November to the second-degree murder of 34-year-old Nichanon Kittikroekphon. Chang shot Nichanon multiple times in the abdomen and back. Police found family members holding Chang down on arrival. There was a toddler just a foot away when the shooting took place, and several children nearby.
>>Duluth Teacher Charged with Sexually Messaging Former Student
(Duluth, MN) — A North Sat Academy teacher is charged with sexually harassing a former student. On March 13th, 2024, Hermantown police learned Duluth teacher 32-year-old Scott Johanik had sent a sexually explicit message to a high school student. The victim says the messages started in early 2023 when she was 15 and Johanik was 30. Johanik was her former 5th-grade PE teacher. He resigned from his position at Duluth Edison Charter School on March 18th. There’s evidence he paid the victim $1,000 not to tell police. Johanik’s due in court on Monday.
>>Ice Castles MN Opens on State Fairgrounds
(Falcon Heights, MN) — Despite fluctuating temperatures, Ice Castles Minnesota opens this weekend at the state fairgrounds! Gates open tomorrow (FRI) at 6 p.m., with ticket prices ranging from $12 to $24.
