Despite warnings of high waves and dangerous riptides, a man and his 10-year old daughter died after being rescued from the waters of Lake Superior in Duluth on Thursday. Both were taken from Park Point Beach to the hospital after being pounded by the surf. Their identities have not been released. A local fireman was also injured during the rescue.
The adoptive parents of a Minnesota teenager fear that skeletal remains found in Missouri could that those of their missing child. 16-year old Savannah Leckie, who moved to the Ozarks last year to live with her biological mother, has not been seen now for three weeks. Dental records from the charred remains are being examined. The girl’s parents, who are divorced, live in Park Rapids and Minneapolis.
The color blue will be in focus tonight (6pm) in Minneapolis as the public is invited to attend a memorial service for the woman shot and killed by a police officer last month. The service is for Justine Damond, who was fatally shot outside her home nearly a month ago. The BCA is investigating the incident where police officer Mohamed Noor shot the woman after her 9-1-1 call to report a possible sexual assault. Attendees at the Lake Harriet Bandshell are being asked to wear blue. Family members including Damond’s former fiancee are scheduled to speak at the event.
After a review, a Hennepin County judge has awarded all of a legal settlement to the mother of Philando Castile. Castile was shot to death by an officer during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights last July. The decision means two-million dollars from the village of St. Anthony will be given to Valerie Castile. A third of the total settlement goes to attorneys’ fees. Philando Castile’s father, who is serving a life sentence in jail, had argued he should receive half-a-million dollars of the money.
A grand celebration of the Minnesota State Capitol begins today and runs through the weekend. The building opened in 1905 and recently went through a three-year, 300-million dollar restoration. Brian Pease, is the capitol site manger for the Minnesota Historical Society and says there will be public tours including stops at the Legislative and Supreme Court chambers off-limits to the public. And of course, a visit to the Quadria — the golden statue outside the Capitol Dome.
It wasn’t severe weather but rather a dump truck which knocked down power lines in Forest Lake, injuring two women on Thursday. Police say one of the women had to be extricated from a live wire. Both were listed in stable condition at the hospital. The truck’s driver was cited for a height violation.
The Department of Natural Resources has closed the Thompson Ferry Public Water Access on the Minnesota River in Jordan. Recent river bank slumping caused extensive damage to the boat ramp, creating unsafe conditions. Boaters needing river access can use the public accesses in the cities of Belle Plaine and Carver. No word yet on how long the Thompson Ferry access will be closed.
Add a major Minnesota waterway to the list where zebra mussels have been found. The DNR says the invasive species turned up in several western locations in the Minnesota River. Zebra mussel larvae was also found as far east as New Ulm. Asian carp were discovered in the Minnesota River during the past year.