>>Blue Cross Of Minnesota Snagged In Multimillion-Dollar Nigerian Fraud Scheme
(Eagan, MN) — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota have been targeted in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme. Authorities have reported that the Eagan-based healthcare company was deceived into incorrectly wiring nearly eight million dollars to bank accounts that were claimed to belong to Minneapolis-based Fairview Health Services. Additionally, two unidentified health insurers in the Twin Cities also wired about three million and one-point-five million dollars. Two Nigerian nationals have been indicted in the case and are currently fugitives.
>>Man Falls 50 Feet Down Rock Wall At Renaissance Festival
(Shakopee, MN) — A man is currently hospitalized with severe injuries after falling 50 feet down a rock wall at the Renaissance Festival in Scott County. The incident took place on Saturday night. According to authorities, the 24-year-old from Grand Marais bypassed a fence to climb a wall in the King’s Gate area, falling and landing on a bus pick-up area below. He was then airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center for a head injury, as well as leg and wrist fractures. The Scott County Sheriff’s Office suspects that alcohol played a role in the incident.
>>Minnesota Lawmaker Wants Mandatory Gun Tracing For Law Enforcement
(St. Paul, MN) — A lawmaker from St. Louis Park is proposing a bill requiring all Minnesota law enforcement agencies to use a federal database and share the information. Democrat Ron Latz states that currently, 40 percent of law enforcement agencies in the state do not use this federal database, which is designed to track the history of guns used in violent crimes. Latz intends to introduce the legislation when state lawmakers meet early next year.
>>Wadena Man Dies in Crash Near Park Rapids
(Straight River, MN) — A Wadena man is dead after a two-vehicle crash just south of Park Rapids. State Patrol responded to Straight River Township, where a pickup heading north on Highway 71 was hit by a truck coming off Highway 87. The truck driver, 72-year-old Thomas Kolden, was pronounced dead at the scene. The pickup driver and his passenger, 64-year-old Steven and 75-year-old Mickie Rodke of Hawley, suffered minor injuries.
>>Morrison County Searches for Missing Teen
(Morrison County, MN) — The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office asks for the public’s help finding a missing teen. 14-year-old Sophya Cherne was last seen leaving her Morrill Township home off Patridge Road around 11 p.m. Saturday. Cherne is described as white, 5 feet 4 inches tall, 140 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is asked to call local deputies at 320-632-9233.
>>Netherlands Man Dies in Otter Tail County UTV Crash
(Leaf Mountian, MN) — A man from the Netherlands is dead after the UTV he was in crashed Sunday in Otter Tail County. Deputies responded to the crash in Leaf Mountain Township near Lake George around 9:17 a.m. on a report of a UTV crash. The passenger, 21-year-old Jim Jan, was thrown from the vehicle, which then came to rest on top of him. Jan was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, a 43-year-old man from Brandon, was airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries. His condition is unknown.
>>Man Receives Extra Charges After Shooting 5, Killing Two, in Minneapolis in One Day
(Minneapolis, MN) — The 36-year-old man who shot four people and attempted to shoot a fifth, all within a single day in south Minneapolis, has gained some extra charges. Joshua Jones now faces two counts of second-degree murder, three counts of attempted second-degree murder, and three counts of illegal firearm possession. He carried out the three attacks on September 18th near homeless encampments in the Phillips neighborhood. Roland Littleowl and Robert Brown were both killed and pronounced at their respective crime scenes. Three others were shot and survived. Jones also faces a count of second-degree assault for a shooting on March 18th near a light rail station in south Minneapolis. His next hearing date is on October 24th.
>>Mega Millions Lottery Ticket Sold in Minnesota Wins $ 2 Million
(Roseville, MN) — The Minnesota Lottery says a Mega Millions ticket worth two million dollars was won by a player in the state in Friday’s drawing. Officials say a ticket that matched the first five numbers and the Megaplier option was sold at a Holiday Stationstore in Edina. Matching the Megaplier option doubled the one-million-dollar prize. The winning numbers in the September 27th drawing were 29-46-53-69-70, and the Mega Ball was 23.
