>>20-year prison sentence for Minnesota man in Apple River stabbings
(Hudson, WI) — The Minnesota man convicted of fatally stabbing a Stillwater teen and wounding four others on the Apple River will spend 20 years in a Wisconsin prison. Judge R. Michael Waterman sentenced 54-year-old Nicolae Miu of Prior Lake today (Wed) to a total of more than 41 years for reckless homicide and four other charges, with prison terms on all six counts running concurrently. At today’s sentencing hearing, Miu told the family of 17-year-old Isaac Schumann’s family he was very sorry, adding, “I was directly involved in his very tragic and unimaginable death at such an early age. I never meant for this tragedy to occur.” St. Croix County prosecutors were seeking a 70-year prison sentence for the July 2022 stabbings.
>>State officials urging animal vaccinations due to uptick in rabies cases in far southwest, parts of central MN
(Various) — An uptick of animal rabies cases in far southwest Minnesota and in central Minnesota’s Stearns County is prompting state officials to urge Minnesotans to be sure their pets, horses and cattle are vaccinated against the disease which is nearly 100-percent fatal in humans if not caught early and treated. Rabid skunks have been reported in Pipestone, Nobles and Murray counties, and rabid cattle in Rock and Pipestone counties. Plus three beef steers tested positive in Stearns County after apparent skunk bites. At last report, 17 people have had to get rabies shots because they were either bitten by a rabid animal or exposed to the animal’s saliva.
State Health Department officials say there have been an unusually high number of rabid animals so far this year in Minnesota, including 14 bats, 12 skunks, six cattle and a cat. They say it could be due to a mild winter which allowed the survival of more skunks, one of the main reservoirs of the fatal disease.
>>Suicides down in Minnesota in 2023
(St. Paul, MN) — Suicides across Minnesota were down in 2023, according to new data released today (WED) by the Minnesota Department of Health. After a record-high 860 deaths by suicide in 2022, that total dipped to 815 last year. Dr. Stefan Gingerich says the decline is a result of a comprehensive approach, from the launch of the 9-8-8 hotline to suicide prevention grants awarded to communities. Gingerich says, “The general concept has been that not one single thing has been the cause of this increased suicide rate over the last 20 years, and so not one single thing is going to fix it. It’s gonna take a lot of different strategies.” Additionally, Minnesota’s suicide rate per 100,000 people dropped to its lowest mark since 2019. Doctor Gingerich says, at 47%, suicide by firearm makes up the largest percentage in the state.
>>Valvoline Instant Oil Change canceling employee non-compete agreements under settlement with MN A-G Ellison, other states
(St. Paul, MN) — Valvoline Instant Oil Change will stop requiring its employees to sign non-compete agreements and notify current and former workers that those agreements are no longer in force — under a settlement Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and a six-state coalition announced today (Wed). The non-compete agreements had prohibited Valvoline employees from working at any oil-change business within 100 miles for one year after leaving the company and also prohibited soliciting either customers or current Valvoline employees. Ellison says most new non-compete agreements have been banned in Minnesota since July 1st of last year, but “far too many employers use overbroad non-compete agreements to stifle competition, keep wages low, and treat workers unfairly.” Ellison is encouraging any Minnesota workers with complaints about non-compete agreements to contact his office.
>>Family of 3-Year-Old Boy Fatally Attacked by Dogs in Brooklyn Park Decide to Donate His Heart
(Brooklyn Park, MN) — The family of the three-year-old boy who died in the hospital after being attacked by two pit bills in Brooklyn Park earlier this month has decided to donate his heart to a one-year-old girl. Covil Allen was attacked on July 19th while his family was at a home where animals were being sold. One of the dogs was shot by police, the other brought to a veterinary hospital to be euthanized. A GoFundMe page for the family says the donation is “the most beautiful thing to come from this tragedy, and we couldn’t be happier that his heart is able to save someone.” Allen’s mother was bitten in the attack and required surgery for her injuries.
>>Teen Charged as Adult in Rochester Apartment Complex Shooting
(Rochester, MN) — A boy then 17-years-old, detained after a shooting at a Rochester apartment complex earlier this year is now being charged as an adult. Now 18-year-old Izayah Frazier and co-defendant 28-year-old Christopher Smith both face charges after prosecutors say Smith fired a handgun three times at an apartment complex, after Frazier produced the gun from a bag. No one was injured.
>>Austin Girl in Critical Condition After Near Iowa Drowning
(Austin, MN) — A girl from Austin in southeast Minnesota is in critical condition after nearly drowning in a pool in northern Iowa just across the border from Albert Lea. It happened at the Northwood, Iowa Community Pool Monday. A GoFundMe page for 10-year-old Lyla Rafnson reveals she is in a coma, but her lungs are doing well and she was scheduled for a CT scan today (WED) to check on brain swelling.
>>4 People Injured in 4-Car Crash in Maple Lake
(Maple Lake, MN) — Four people were injured in a four-vehicle crash this morning (WED) near Maple Lake just northwest of the Twin Cities. State Patrol responded to the scene around 8 a.m. on Highway 55. Investigation shows 49-year-old Anthony Wuollet of Buffalo was heading east when he rear-ended a transit van, driven by 24-year-old Anthony Wilson of St. Cloud. An SUV behind Wuollet, driven by 68-year-old Douglas Paquay of Annandale, sideswiped Wuollet as his pickup spun out. Wilson’s van hit another transit van driven by 63-year-old Keith Halonen of Buffalo. Wuollet was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries; the rest were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
>>Loons set MLS record 16 saves in win over Club Necaxa
(St. Paul, MN) — Thanks to a Major League Soccer-record 16 saves from keeper Dayne (DANE) St. Clair, Minnesota United F-C earned a 1-0 Leagues Cup win over LigaMX side Club Necaxa Tuesday, despite playing down a man for 70 minutes. First year manager Eric Ramsay said St. Clair’s efforts “were certainly up there” as the best performance he’s ever seen. The win keeps M-N-U-F-C in contention for a spot in the knockout round. The Loons’ find out its fate following Sunday’s match between Necaxa and Seattle, who beat Minnesota 2-0 last week.
