>>White Bear Lake VFW Adds Memorial for Master Sergeant Amor
(White Bear Lake, MN) — The White Bear Lake V-F-W Post 1782 now has a memorial for Master Sergeant Nicole Amor. Officials say several members of her family stopped at the V-F-W before they went to the dignified transfer of Amor’s remains at Dover Air Force Base. Amor was posthumously promoted from sergeant first class to master sergeant after being killed in a drone attack in Kuwait. The memorial has a journal provided by the auxiliary for comrades, friends, and community members to express their thoughts and sympathy—no word yet on a public memorial service for Amor.
>>Two Rochester Men Charged in 22-Pound Meth Trafficking Case
(Rochester, MN) — Two Rochester men face first-degree aggravated controlled substance charges after allegedly trafficking more than 22 pounds of methamphetamine. Court documents say 36-year-old Francisco Rangel and 26-year-old Victor Garzon Machuca were arrested Thursday following multiple controlled buys monitored by Rochester police. Investigators say Rangel sold 16.5 pounds of meth to undercover officers between January and early March. A search of his home turned up 488 grams of meth, and a search of Machuca’s home uncovered 3,800 dollars in cash, including bills used in the controlled buys, and a large-capacity scale. Both men made their initial court appearances on Friday, and conditional bail was set at $ 250,000 each. They are due back in court later this month.
>>MN Historical Society Begins Restoration Work at Split Rock Lighthouse
(Duluth, MN) — The Minnesota Historical Society has launched a months-long restoration project at Split Rock Lighthouse. Crews will replace damaged masonry and install new sensors designed to track moisture levels inside the historic landmark. The restoration work is expected to wrap up in late June, and scaffolding will be placed around the lighthouse later this month.
>>Gas Prices Continue to Rise
(Undated) — Consumers are seeing gasoline prices jump at one of the fastest rates in years after oil markets surged following U.S. strikes on Iran and the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz. GasBuddy reports that additional attacks across the Middle East over the weekend have pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel for the first time in years, raising fears of a prolonged disruption to global supply. In Minnesota, average gasoline prices have increased by 46.5 cents in the past week, now sitting at $3.27 a gallon. Nationally, prices have climbed even higher, up 51.1 cents to an average of $3.45 a gallon. Diesel prices have also spiked. The national average is now $4.59 per gallon, an increase of 85.9 cents from just a week ago.
>>Gopher Women’s Hockey Hosting NCAA Tournament Opener, UMD Plays Yale
(Minneapolis, MN) — The fourth-ranked University of Minnesota women’s hockey team is hosting an N-C-A-A Tournament quarterfinal on Saturday against Northeastern. The Golden Gophers are 26-11-and-1 on the season, but 2-6 in their last eight games. The Huskies are 28-8- 1 on the year. Number ten Minnesota-Duluth will play Yale in an opening round game Thursday night in Columbus, Ohio. The winner of that contest will face number one Ohio State in the quarterfinals on Saturday evening.
