>>Lutsen Resort Fire Under Investigation
(Lutsen, MN) — The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office continues to investigate what caused the early morning fire Tuesday that destroyed a long-time North Shore resort. Fire crews from several surrounding districts responded but the Lutsen Resort was a total loss. There were no guests at the time, and all employees made it out safely. The Lutsen Resort claims to be the oldest in Minnesota, dating back to 1885.
>>Man Going Undergoing Competency Exam in Benton County Police Shooting
(Foley, MN) — A Benton County man accused of shooting at police officers during a drug raid last October is undergoing a mental competency examination. A Benton County judge ordered the exam for 64-year-old Karl Holmberg in January. Holmberg is accused of shooting blindly through the door with a .223 caliber rifle. Police returned fire as they retreated out of the house. Six officers were inside the house and five were struck by gunfire. All the officers survived. After hours of negotiating, Holmberg was taken into custody without further incident. He is scheduled for an evidentiary hearing today and a review hearing on the mental competency exam in March.
>>Hit and Crash Leaves Pedestrian Dead in Northeast Minneapolis
(Minneapolis, MN) — Police are investigating a hit-and-run crash in northeast Minneapolis that left a pedestrian dead. Officers say a man was found lying in the street near a gas station on East Hennepin early this morning (Wed) and he died at the scene. Investigators say it appears that he had been run over by a vehicle. Detectives and state troopers are looking for more information and a possible suspect vehicle.
>>Crookston Man Facing 20 Years in Prison for Stabbing Mother
(East Grand Forks, MN) — A Crookston man is expected to be sentenced to 20 years in prison next week for the stabbing of his mother last March. Polk County prosecutors say 37-year-old Kevin Corona pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder. Police found Corona leaning over his mother with both hands around her neck and a bloody knife on the ground. Court documents say Corona admitted to using methamphetamine at the time. His mother has recovered from her injuries. Corona’s sentencing hearing is February 15th.
>>For SJU Football Player/Super Bowl
(Las Vegas, NV) — A former St. John’s University football player will be on the field this Sunday at the Super Bowl. Ben Bartch graduated from St. John’s in 2020. The offensive lineman will be in uniform for the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas. Bartch is the 10th player in St. John’s program history to be selected in the NFL draft when he was picked by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 10th pick in the fourth round in 2020. Earlier this season Bartch was released by the team and then added to the practice squad. That left him available to be signed with another team, which is when he joined the 49ers in late November.
>>Maple Syrup Season Off to an Early Start
(St. Joseph, MN) — Our warm winter means an early start to the maple syrup season in central Minnesota. Shelly Carlson, Owner of Wildwood Ranch Maple Syrup near St. Joseph says the warmth caught her family off guard, but they can handle it, they just hope some snow makes an appearance to help extend the season. The ideal weather for sap collection is 20s for overnight lows and 30s to 40s during the day. Carlson says last year being a drought year that usually means the sugar content in the sap will be higher, so you don’t need as much sap to make a gallon of syrup.
