>>Yvette Hoffman Missed on First Day at Maple Grove Elementary School
(Maple Grove, MN) — One key staff member was missing on the first day of class at Fernbrook Elementary School in Maple Grove. Educational support professional Yvette Hoffman is still recovering from the June 14th shooting in her Champlin home. Her husband, Senator John Hoffman, has made a couple of public appearances since the shooting. Principal Jeff Zastrow said they’ve had some other people step up in Yvette’s absence. The Fernbrook P-T-O launched a GoFundMe page for the Hoffmans that has raised more than 260 thousand dollars.
>>Body of Missing Pelican Rapids Man Recovered from Slough near Rollag
(Rollog, MN) — Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting says the body of a Pelican Rapids man was recovered from a slough southeast of Rollag after a search by law enforcement and family. Richard Evenson, 66, left his home Monday night. He was headed to the grounds of the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion. Clay and Otter Tail County deputies led the search. They discovered a vehicle submerged in about 25-feet of water. Valley Water Rescue assisted with the removal of the vehicle. A dog that was with Evenson also died. Empting says Evenson’s body was sent to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner in the Twin Cities. The death is not believed to be suspicious.
>>Staying School Bus Aware
(St. Paul, MN) — The new school year is underway, and that means more school buses on the roads. Mike Hanson with the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety is urging drivers to stay alert. “We really need to be conscious of and aware of school buses; they’re going to be all over the place again, and drivers need to really pay attention to what they’re doing around those buses.” State law requires drivers to stop at least 20 feet from a school bus when its red lights are flashing or the stop arm is extended. Violators could face a fine of up to $500. And attempting to pass a stopped school bus could lead to a gross misdemeanor charge — with even steeper penalties.
>>Itasca County Mayor Faces Theft Charges for Stealing City Water
(Keewatin, MN) — An Itasca County mayor faces two felony theft charges and a misdemeanor for allegedly stealing water from his city. Keewatin Mayor Michael LaBine was charged on August 19th after an investigation this past year. Court documents say LaBine turned a water valve on his property on and off with a special key so he wouldn’t pay the city’s associated fees. City and utility workers claim LaBine has been doing this since 2012 or 2013. His first court appearance is on October 8th.
>>State Fair Poll Results
(St. Paul, MN) — The results are in from the Minnesota House of Representatives’ State Fair poll. The survey finds 79 percent of fairgoers support banning guns inside the State Capitol, while 17 percent oppose it. Sixty-six percent of people think undocumented residents should have access to state programs, but 27 percent support prohibition. Voters are divided on starting school before Labor Day. Nearly 40 percent want the class to begin before the first Monday in September, 36 percent oppose an early start, and 24 percent are undecided. The 12-question poll was taken by 9,945 fairgoers this year.
