>>Walz Visits Dilworth Fire Station in Push for New Bonding Bill
(Dilworth, MN) — Governor Tim Walz is hoping the success of the Dilworth fire station project in northwest Minnesota will help convince state lawmakers to approve a bonding bill this session. Dilworth received 4.4 million dollars in state funding in 2023. Walz said, “We stood here in December of 2021 and said the safety of the people of Dilworth is of state importance. And when we start viewing things that way, we start to get these projects done that enhance the quality of life.” The 2023 bonding bill appropriated 2.6 billion dollars for public works projects, but Minnesota lawmakers did not pass one last year.
>>Congresswoman Craig Joining ‘Hands Off the VA’ Rally in Eagan
(Eagan, MN) — Congresswoman Angie Craig joins Minnesota veterans today at the ‘Hands Off the V-A’ rally in Eagan. The 2nd District Democrat says they are standing up against the Trump administration’s illegal workforce cuts at the V-A and fighting to protect veterans’ access to care. Retired U.S. Navy Commander Michael Brenner and other veterans are scheduled to speak about their experiences with the V-A.
>>St. Thomas Surpasses $131 Million Goal for D-1 Basketball & Hockey Arena
(St. Paul, MN) — Officials at the University of St. Thomas say they have surpassed the 131-million-dollar fundraising goal for the new Division I basketball and hockey arena. The campaign began in January 2023 when Lee and Penny Anderson made a 75-million-dollar donation. St. Thomas has raised 56 million dollars through 35 gifts. Lee & Penny Anderson Arena is set to open this October for the Tommies basketball and hockey seasons. Tickets go on sale Monday.
>>MnDOT Urging Drivers to Use Caution Around Farm Equipment
(Roseville, MN) — Minnesota drivers are urged to use caution when handling large farm equipment as spring planting begins. MnDOT’s Anne Meyer says motorists should watch for falling debris, slow down, and only pass that farm vehicle when it’s safe to do so. Meyer says most farm equipment crashes and fatalities are related to distraction.
>>Authorities ID 2 People in Waite Park Murder-Suicide
(Waite Park, MN) — The autopsy confirms that the deaths of two people Saturday in Waite Park was a murder-suicide. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office determined that 29-year-old Demico Elyea-Goss shot 36-year-old Janet Vercruysse multiple times before shooting himself. Police were across the street on a separate call when the shots were fired. They say two kids running from the house told them there had been a shooting. The bodies of Elyea-Goos and Vercruysse were found inside.
>>Man Arrested for Making Threats near St. Cloud High School
(St. Cloud, MN) — A St. Cloud man is jailed for making alleged threats of violence Wednesday morning outside Cathedral High School. Students told police the man had made comments about shooting them and then fled on foot. The school went into a shelter-in-place for a short time. Officers were able to locate the 58-year-old man and take him into custody. They say he was not carrying a gun.
>>Rochester Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Sexually Assaulting a Child
(Rochester, MN) — A Rochester man is sentenced to 12 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child. Prosecutors say 19-year-old Austin Russ was charged with first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct last April. Police were informed that Russ had assaulted a five-year-old girl on two occasions. Russ first denied the accusations before admitting to them. He took a plea deal in December to only the first-degree charge. Russ got credit for 375 days already served.
>>Missing, Endangered Brooklyn Park Woman
(Brooklyn Park, MN) — Police say an endangered missing woman’s last location was Rochester, and she’s attempting to go to Iowa. Sixty-five-year-old Jean Baynham was last seen waiting at a Brooklyn Park bus stop on January 15th. The Minnesota B-C-A says she has mental health issues that could affect her decision-making, and it’s unlikely she has her prescribed medication with her. Baynham is described as white, 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs around 114 pounds, and has gray hair and blue eyes.
>>8-Year-Old Gorilla at Como Park Zoo Euthanized
(St. Paul, MN) — Como Park Zoo is mourning the loss of Nyati, a western lowland gorilla. Zoo officials say Nyati was euthanized on Tuesday due to poor quality of life. This comes after years of suffering brain lesions, beginning in 2020 when she was diagnosed with a parasitic infection. The zoo says Nyati was “deeply loved by everyone who came to know her” and that the decision was “extremely difficult but the most humane option.” Nyati was born in the zoo in 2017.
