>>Anoka County Sheriff’s Office Launches Cold Case Website

(Anoka County, MN) — The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office has launched a new webpage highlighting unsolved cold case homicides being reevaluated by the office. Grant-funded by the U.D. DOJ (Department of Justice), the site encourages anyone with information about these crimes to come forward with what they know. Today marks the anniversary of one of the cold cases being investigated. 20-year-old Mort Siwe was found dead on October 17th, 2020, in the Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area with severe head trauma. Several leads were developed, but no charges were filed.

 

>>Man Carried Out of St. Paul House Fire in Critical Condition

(St. Paul, MN) — A man was pulled out of a St. Paul home on fire in critical condition this morning. Crews responded to the residence around 2:55 a.m., seeing fire and smoke coming from an attached garage. Everyone inside the home got out except one unconscious man who was found in the basement. The victim was brought to a local hospital, where his current condition is unknown. The cause of the fire is being investigated.

 

>>Canton Man Admits to Prior Felonies, Burglary in MN, IA

(Cedar Rapids, IA) — A Canton man has pleaded guilty to multiple crimes in Minnesota and Iowa. 58-year-old Steven Current admitted to 15 prior felonies in a plea deal Tuesday and a September 2022 burglary of eight firearms from a Winneshiek County, Iowa, home. Current also admitted to stealing a motorcycle from a Rochester home in June 2022. His sentencing date will be scheduled later.

 

>>Man Sentenced to 5.5 Years in Prison for Motor Theft, Aggravated Robbery 

(Minneapolis, MN) — A man has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison for car theft. 22-year-old Romell Lewis pleaded guilty on October 17th to three counts of motor vehicle theft and one count of first-degree aggravated robbery. The charges stem from various incidents between July and August 2023.

 

>>Extra Dry Conditions: Red Flag Warnings Make for Dangerous Fire Conditions

(Undated) – Gusty winds and dry conditions have prompted the National Weather Service to issue a red flag warning in 85 Minnesota counties. This means fires can spread quickly in these conditions. Leanne Langeberg with the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center says even if we see rain, “it’s not likely to be enough to be a season-ending event. So we get these weather systems that move through, and our weather conditions adapt and fluctuate.” The red flag warning is in effect until 7 o’clock tonight. No word yet if it will be extended through the weekend.

 

>>Sofidel Receives State Support for $200 Million Expansion in Duluth

(Duluth, MN) — State officials say an Italian paper company is planning a $200 million expansion of its facility in Duluth, which will create 160 new jobs. Governor Tim Walz’s office says Sofidel received $5 million in business expansion funding through the Department of Employment and Economic Development. Sofidel is expanding its Duluth plant by 60,000 square feet to make, process, and package paper towels, bath tissues, and napkins.

 

>>$4K ASPCA Grant Allows MACC to Waive Adoption Fees for Clear the Shelter Event

(Minneapolis, MN) – Minneapolis Animal Care and Control (MACC) is waiving all adoption fees to help clear out a full shelter of four-legged friends during National Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month. MACC Director Tony Schendel says on October 25th and 26th, community members from across the state can take home a furry companion that’s been spayed, neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped for free. Schendel says this is possible thanks to a $4,000 grant from the American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) through the Subura Loves Pet initiative. Additionally, the Best Friend Society awarded MACC $10,000 to waive first-time impound fees for cats and dogs to reunite them with their owners throughout the rest of 2024.

 

>>MnDOT Taking Business Applications for EV Charging Stations

(Undated) – MnDOT is asking Minnesota businesses interested in owning and operating electric vehicles to apply for grant funding. Principal sustainability planner Beth Kallestad says businesses need to meet certain requirements, such as being farther than 50 miles apart along the length of the roadway, within a mile from the exit, and each EV station has to have a minimum of four charging ports that give 150 kilowatts of power. Kallestad says $47 million in funding is available, and more info is available on MnDOT’s website.

 

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