>>Hastings PD Searches for Missing Endangered Man
(Hastings, MN) — The Hastings Police Department is asking for the public’s help finding a missing endangered man. 62-year-old Eric Stromberg was last seen around 11 a.m. Thursday leaving his vehicle from West Bend, Wisconsin. Stromberg is believed to be heading to Hastings. His vehicle is a 2008 Black Ford F-150 with MN plate BTR-387. Stromberg has a medical condition that requires medication, and it’s unknown if he has the necessary medical supplies. He’s described as white, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 275 pounds, with white-grey hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information is asked to call Hastings PD.
>>Fatal Lowertown Shooting Victim Identified
(St. Paul, MN) — Authorities have identified the woman fatally shot in St. Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood Wednesday. 66-year-old Carrie Kwok of St. Paul was killed while working on an art project in the street. The suspect was tracked to his Belle Plaine home and surveilled overnight by police. Around 6:30 a.m. Thursday, the suspect walked out of the home. Officers tried to arrest him, but the man had a handgun. Two St. Paul police officers fired their weapons and injured the man, who later died at HCMC. The two officers are on administrative leave, and the MN BCA is handling the investigation.
>>MDH Confirms Rare Human Rabies Death
(Undated) – The Minnesota Department of Health confirms a human rabies death in the state. MDH is investigating a human rabies death in a person over 65 years of age, who had exposure to a bat in western Minnesota in July. The diagnosis of rabies was confirmed on Sept. 20th. MDH is working with the patient’s family and healthcare facilities where the patient was treated to evaluate whether any family members or healthcare workers were potentially exposed and needed treatment. MDH says there is no risk to the public from the patient. This is Minnesota’s fourth case of human rabies since 2000.
>>Elko Market Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Fatally Stabbing Neighbor
(Elko New Market, MN) — An Elko Market man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for stabbing his 68-year-old neighbor to death in 2022. Police responded to an Elko New Market residence on January 5th, after the suspect, 27-year-old Cesar Cervantes Montoya, called 911, saying he hit his neighbor with a hammer. Authorities found the victim lying at the bottom of the stairs with severe wounds to the head.
>>32-Year-Old Man Found Guilty of Fatal 2023 Shooting
(Brooklyn Park, MN) –A 32-year-old man who fatally shot a teenager in Brooklyn Park last June has been found guilty. 32-year-old Daniel Walker was charged with the second-degree murder of a 19-year-old and illegal firearm possession. Officials say Walker shot the victim in a garage because he thought the teen was going to collect a bounty on his head. The teen died of a single gunshot to the chest.
>>MN Secretary of State Office Evacuated Due to Suspicious Package
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office was evacuated this afternoon after receiving a suspicious package. The package was addressed to the office with a return address of “United States Traitor Elimination Army.” State officials say several other Secretaries of State and state election officials got similar packages earlier this month. The FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and State Patrol are investigating.
>>Roseau Daycare Provider Faces No Jail Time for Spanking a Child
(Roseau, MN) — The Roseau daycare provider who admitted to spanking a child out of frustration has had a felony assault charge dismissed. In May, authorities were contacted by a social worker after a parent reported the incident. The child’s mother had photos of an adult-sized handprint on the three-year-old’s buttock as well as bruising. 34-year-old Arrial Lovelace received no jail time after being convicted of malicious punishment and has been placed on unsupervised probation for one year. She must also attend an anger management assessment.
>>St. Paul Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery of Cell Phone Store
(St. Paul, MN) — A St. Paul man has pleaded guilty to the armed robbery of a cell phone store. On April 5th, 33-year-old Johnnie Ward Jr. and an accomplice walked into the St. Paul store with a torch lighter. Ward’s partner pointed the weapon at the store clerk while Ward demanded access to the safe in the backroom. Ward and his accomplice fled the store with several cell phones. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for January 28th, 2025.
>>Over 80% of MN Considered Abnormally Dry
(Undated) — The new U.S. Drought Monitor shows over 80% of Minnesota is now considered abnormally dry. That’s up from over 50% last week, after a summer of severe flooding and record rainfall from April through June. About 15.5% of the state is in moderate drought.
