PILEUP ON THE MOTORWAY
Multi-vehicle pile-up reported on I-94 in western Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Minnesota State Patrol reported a pile-up of about 50 vehicles on Saturday afternoon along Interstate-94 between Alexandria and Fergus Falls, northwest of the Twin Cities. No fatalities or life-threatening injuries resulted in the crash of multiple vehicles, according to the patrol sergeant. Jesse Grabow. But the eastbound I-94 at Exit 77 near Ashby was temporarily closed starting at 1 p.m. About 50 vehicles were initially reported in the pile-up in snowy conditions, including several semi-trailers.
CARJACKING-TIR
Man shot dead in clash with car thieves in Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Authorities say a man was hospitalized after he was shot in an apparent attempted hijacking attempt in southern Minneapolis. Officers responded to reports of gunfire on Thursday evening. When police arrived, two men at the scene said they had just exited a vehicle when two “young-appearing suspects” approached and demanded the vehicle at gunpoint. A clash ensues and one of the suspects shoots the two men, hitting one of them. The suspects fled the scene and were not apprehended. Emergency teams took the injured man to hospital for treatment, where he is expected to survive.
SHOOTING POLICE
Police shoot man walking in traffic with machete
AUSTIN, Minnesota (AP) – Police in Austin said an officer shot dead a man walking in traffic with a machete. WCCO-TV reported on Friday that the incident began on Wednesday afternoon. When the police arrived, he was threatening to hurt people and hid in an apartment. Police said officers tried to use stun guns on him, but they were ineffective. An impasse ensued which lasted more than 24 hours. Officers attempted to subdue him using pepper spray and foam bullets. The man finally left the apartment on Thursday evening and went to a nearby gas station. The officers followed him and he confronted them in the parking lot with a knife. An officer shot and killed the man. He has not been identified.
LOTTERY FRAUD
Gas clerk accused of cashing woman’s lottery ticket
NEW ULM, Minnesota (AP) – Prosecutors charged a New Ulm man with lottery fraud after allegedly telling a woman she won $ 25 and pocketed her actual prize of $ 1,000. The Mankato Free Press reports that Dwayne Smith, 56, was indicted in Brown County District Court on Friday. According to court documents, Smith was working as a gas station clerk on Saturday when the woman showed him her lottery ticket after a self-service lottery machine told him to “see the state lottery office “. Smith told her she won $ 25 and gave her the money. He then allegedly pocketed the ticket and bought it back from a regional lottery office for the real price of $ 1,000.
VIRUS EPIDEMIC – INAUGURATION OF THE MAYOR OF MINNESOTA
Mayor of St. Paul plans open-air grand opening events
ST. PAUL, Minnesota (AP) – St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter is planning a series of outdoor events to celebrate his inauguration as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that Carter will ring his second term with a luge game on Monday; ice skating on Wednesdays; do snow sculptures and a virtual “happy hour” gathering on Thursday; and a beach house treasure hunt in the park and a New Year’s Eve bike ride. He will be sworn in at noon on January 3 in a virtual ceremony.
MINNESOTA-RESIDENCE VIRUS OUTBREAK
Minnesota Library Director Cannot Manage Los Angeles Facilities
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Hennepin County officials have passed a new policy prohibiting the director of Minneapolis libraries from managing facilities from Los Angeles. Chad Helton was hired in 2020 but moved to Los Angeles this summer, saying he could manage libraries by video conference. His position angered library staff, their unions and taxpayers. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Thursday that county officials adopted a new policy on Dec. 17 that requires supervisors whose workers interact with the public must live in Minnesota. Workers who live in Wisconsin are exempt. The mandate takes effect on January 31. Helton did not respond to requests for comment from the Star Tribune.
RECOVERED BODIES
Firefighters recover 2 bodies from a burning house
BEMIDJI, Minnesota (AP) – Firefighters recovered two bodies from a burning house near Bemidji. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that the fire started early Thursday morning in Liberty Township, about 13 miles northwest of Bemidji. Firefighters arrived to find the two-story house completely ravaged by flames. Initial reports indicated that two children who lived in the house were missing and possibly trapped in an upstairs bedroom. Firefighters attempted a rescue but were unsuccessful. Two bodies were removed from the home Thursday afternoon. Their identities have not been disclosed. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
BC-US-DAUNTE-WRIGHT-OFFICER-TRIAL-EXPLAINER-SENTENCEMENT
EXPLANATION: What will the judge weigh in the conviction of Kim Potter?
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The former Minneapolis suburban policeman who said he mistook his handgun for her Taser when she shot Daunte Wright will be sentenced in February after a jury convicted her Thursday on two counts manslaughter. The most serious charge against Kim Potter – first degree manslaughter – carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. But the sentencing guidelines call for about seven. Prosecutors will seek a higher sentence than the guidelines, saying there are aggravating factors in the case, while the defense said Thursday it would not seek no jail time. Potter was taken into custody pending conviction.
Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
