Crime

Released Killer is Fugitive in Minnesota

He has Been a Fugitive Since Last Week

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota corrections officials say they’re looking for a convicted killer who is on supervised release. The Department of Corrections says 40-year-old Joshua Hendrickson was released from the St. Cloud prison last year after serving about 18 years for fatally stabbing Christopher Nelson and injuring a second man. The stabbings happened at a house party in Halma. The…

Driver Crashes Into Gate at Minnesota Governor’s Residence

The Driver was Arrested Without Incident

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Police say a motorist accused of crashing his SUV through the front gate of the Minnesota governor’s residence in St. Paul has been jailed. State Patrol Lt. Gordon Shank says nobody was injured in the incident around 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Shank says the vehicle, driven by a 59-year-old Clinton Fouquette, of Center City, came to a…

Protesters Block Blatnik Bridge With Teepee

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Blatnik Bridge is open again after protesters blocked off traffic with a giant wooden teepee early Thursday morning. Superior police say the structure was put up in the middle of the Hammond Avenue entrance to the Blatnik. The sign read in a photo posted online said” “Thanksgiving = genocide” and “No pipelines, no borders.” The people…

Missing Wisconsin Girl’s Family Faces Painful Holiday Season

The Case Remains the Number one Priority

MILWAUKEE – Wisconsin investigators looking for a 13-year-old girl missing since her parents’ slayings remain haunted by her disappearance more than a month after the search for her began. Detectives have pursued more than 2,300 tips, watched dozens of surveillance videos and spent countless hours searching for Jayme Closs, but their efforts haven’t yielded any suspects. Investigators believe Jayme was…

Duluth Remembers Transgender Lives Lost

International Transgender Day of Remembrance Program Held

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth joined the nation in honoring lives lost in the transgender community. A crowd gathered downtown at the Minnesota Power Plaza on Tuesday night, as part of the 19th Annual International Transgender Day of Remembrance. They shared poems, words of encouragement, and raised awareness about violence that transgender and non-gender conforming people can face. “The connection that we…

Judge Finds Noah King Guilty in Murder of William Grahek

Judge Munger Reaches Verdict after Four Days

DULUTH, Minn.- Guilty. That’s the verdict for a man involved in the trial for the murder of 22-year-old UMD student William Grahek. 20-year-old Noah King will be sentenced for charges related to that crime, by the judge’s decision. The judge says King is guilty of aiding and abetting first degree intentional murder while trying to commit a burglary, and also…

Superior Police Involved in Shooting Return to Duty

The Investigation Remains An Open Case

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The three Superior police officers involved in the shooting of 19-year-old theft suspect, Joshua Farmer, have returned to work, according to Police Chief Nicholas Alexander. The Wisconsin Department of Justice provided a copy of its investigation to the Superior Police Department and Douglas County Attorney’s Office on Thursday. “I have reviewed the report from the DOJ and…

Former Priest Charged in Sawyer County for Sexual Assault of Child

Ericksen is Awaiting Extradition

SAWYER COUNTY – A  former Wisconsin priest currently residing in Minneapolis was taken into custody Friday on charges of sexual assault of a child in Sawyer County. The Sawyer County District Attorney’s Office charged 71-year-old Thomas E. Ericksen, formerly of Winter, Wisconsin with first degree sexual assault of a child, second degree sexual assault-against child and second degree sexual assault…

Noah King Found Guilty on Murder Charges

No Sentencing has Been set at This Time

DULUTH, Minn. – A St. Louis County Judge has found Noah King, 21, guilty of aiding and abetting first degree intentional murder while trying to commit a burglary and guilty of aiding and abetting second degree murder intentional without premeditation. The verdict was announced on Tuesday morning by Judge Mark Munger five days after hearing closing arguments and aiding and…

Suspect Dead, Four Critically Injured After Hospital Shooting

Authorities Continue to Investigate the Incident

CHICAGO – Police say the suspected gunman is dead and four people are in critical condition following a shooting at a Chicago hospital. Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi says a police officer and at least one hospital employee are among those hospitalized in critical condition following the Monday afternoon shooting at Mercy Hospital. Guglielmi says the gunman was killed, but…

Man who Strangled Wife, Killed his two Girls Sentenced to Life

Watts Will Have no Chance at Parole

?????????????????????????????????????????DENVER – Prosecutors say a Colorado man strangled his pregnant wife and smothered their two young daughters. Christopher Watts received three consecutive life sentences without a chance at parole on Monday, nearly two weeks after pleading guilty to avoid the death penalty. Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke’s comments on how Watts killed his family are the first time authorities…

Bake Sale Raises Money for Child Abuse Victims

First Witness Child Advocacy Center Hosts Bake Sale at Holiday Center

DULUTH, Minn.- A Duluth organization sold some sweet treats today, to benefit victims of child abuse. First Witness Child Advocacy Center sold baked goods donated by their board of directors and their friends and family at the Holiday Center. Organizers say, the sale’s impact is far-reaching. “Spreading the word about First Witness, and how important it is to our community…

String of Daytime Burglaries Reported in Superior

Superior Police Asking Public To Help Solve the Crimes

SUPERIOR, Wis.-  Since November 1st a total of five break ins happened in Superior: one in the UWS area, one in South End, and a couple in Central Park. What has Superior Police baffled: these break–ins all happened in the daytime. After launching an investigation, they are also asking people to remain extra vigilant, for anything that seems out of…

Judge Hears Closing Arguments in UMD Student Murder Case

Judge has Seven Days to Reach a Verdict

DULUTH, Minn. – Closing arguments were heard today in the UMD student murder case. Noah King and four other suspects have been charged in the shooting of 21-year-old UMD student William Grahek. King, 21, is charged with second degree murder, first degree attempted aggravated robbery and two counts of first degree murder with intent while committing a felony. King opted…

FBI Examining More Video in Search for Wisconsin Teen

Authorities Have Cleared Over 2,300 Tips

MILWAUKEE – The FBI is examining additional surveillance video taken from an expanded area around the Wisconsin home where a couple was shot and killed and their daughter was apparently abducted. Thirteen-year-old Jayme Closs disappeared early on Oct. 15, when sheriff’s deputies responding to a 911 call found the door to her family’s home near Barron kicked in and her…

Pine County Sheriffs Searching for Armed Robbery Suspect

Contact the Pine County Sheriff's Office With Information

HINCKLEY, Minn. – The Pine County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating an armed robbery suspect. Authorities responded to a report of a hold up alarm at the Hinckley Holiday Store on Fire Monument Road at 11:32 p.m. on Monday. The clerk told authorities the store has been robbed at gunpoint and described the suspect as…

West Duluth Dollar Tree Burglarized

Store Broken Into Sunday Morning

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth police are investigating after a business in West Duluth was burglarized. The crime happened around 8:30 Sunday morning at the Dollar Tree on Central Avenue. According to police, one or more burglars broke windows to gain access to the building. Police say roughly $5,000 worth of items was stolen. No arrests had been made as of late…

Barnes Man Found Guilty in Homicide Case

42-year-old Matthew Phillips convicted in connection with the February death of Marcus Holton

ASHLAND, Wis. – A Barnes man has been found guilty of first degree reckless homicide. 42-year-old Matthew Phillips was convicted Friday in Ashland County Circuit Court in connection with the February death of 52-year-old Marcus Holton of Ashland. Phillips was also found guilty of two counts of felony bail jumping. Another defendant, 39-year-old Jennifer Mustache of Ashland has also been…

Sheriff: 10-Year-old Says she Stomped Head of Baby in Panic

The Girl Appreared in Chippewa County Circuit Court on Monday

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. – A western Wisconsin sheriff says a 10-year-old girl charged with first-degree intentional homicide dropped a 6-month-old baby and, when the infant cried, she panicked and stomped on the child’s head. The girl appeared in restraints in Chippewa County Circuit Court for a bond hearing Monday. She is charged as an adult under Wisconsin law. Prosecutors say…

Court Trial Begins for Suspect in UMD Student Murder Case

DULUTH, Minn. – The scheduled court trial began Tuesday morning for 20-year-old Noah King. King and four other suspects have been charged in the shooting of 21-year-old UMD student William Grahek. King is charged with second degree murder, first degree attempted aggravated robbery and two counts of first degree murder with intent while committing a felony. King’s fate will now…

Michigan man Sentenced to Life for Neighbor’s Fatal Shooting

The Neighbor was Shot While Using a Snowblower

CROCKERY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A western Michigan man will spend the rest of his life in prison in the fatal shooting of a neighbor as she cleared snow near her home. WOOD-TV reports that 64-year-old Wendell Popejoy was sentenced Monday. He was found guilty last month of first-degree murder. Sheila Bonge was slain in December 2017 outside her Crockery Township…

10-Year-old Wisconsin Girl Detained in Infant’s Death

The Girls is in Juvenile Custody

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. – Authorities say a 10-year-old girl has been detained in the death of an infant in northwestern Wisconsin. Chippewa County Sheriff Jim Kowalczyk says the girl is in juvenile custody. WQOW-TV reports that Kowalczyk said the sheriff’s department got a call on Tuesday from a caretaker at a day care in the town of Wheaton. The caller…

Cotton Man Arrested For Assault Of An Officer, Arson

COTTON, Minn. – A Cotton, Minn., man is under arrest and accused of arson and assaulting an officer. The crime happened around 1 p.m. Sunday at 4956 Comstock Lake Road in Cotton. The suspect is a 44-year-old male. He’s accused of starting a neighbor’s house on fire after an argument with his parents and before physically assaulting a responding St….

Authorities Scaling Back Ground Search for Missing Wisconsin Teen

Closs' Abduction Entering new Phase

BARRON, Wis. – The Barron County Sheriff’s Department announced on their Facebook page Thursday morning that they are transitioning the Emergency Operations Center from a 24/7 reactive operation to “a more deliberate and methodical effort to progress the investigation.” The Sheriff’s Office says this transition is due to a declining number of tips. To date, authorities have received over 2,100…

Synagogue suspect pleads not guilty as more funerals planned

Bowers was Issued a 44 Count Indictment

PITTSBURGH (AP) — With two more funerals set for Thursday, the anti-Semitic truck driver accused of gunning down 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue pleaded not guilty to federal charges that could put him on death row. Robert Bowers, 46, was arraigned one day after a grand jury issued a 44-count indictment that charges him with murder, hate crimes, obstructing…

Man Charged With Burglarizing Home Where 2 Killed, Girl Gone

He is due in Court on November 7

BARRON, Wis. – Prosecutors have charged a man with burglarizing a Wisconsin home where a couple was killed and their 13-year-old daughter went missing, but authorities say he’s not a suspect in the case. Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald says 32-year-old Kyle Jaenke-Annis was arrested over the weekend at the home of James and Denise Closs. The couple was found…

Chisholm City Councilor Sentenced for Criminal Sexual Conduct

Scaia was Sentenced to 30 Days in Jail or NERCC

HIBBING, Minn. – Chisholm city councilor Kevin Scaia who was found guilty of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct earlier this year received his sentencing Monday morning. Scaia was sentenced to 30 days in jail or NERCC or 60 days sentence to serve. He was also sentenced to two years of supervised probation. In July, jurors concluded that Scaia did in fact…

November Court Trial set for Suspect in UMD Student Murder Case

The Trial is Scheduled for November 6

DULUTH, Minn. – A jury trial that was scheduled to begin today for a suspect in the death of a UMD student has now been moved to a court trial scheduled for next month. Noah King, 19, is charged with second degree murder, first degree attempted aggravated robbery and two counts of first degree murder with intent while committing a…

Harrowing Tales Emerge From Synagogue; Suspect due in Court

Statistics Show Anti-Semitism has Been on the Rise in the U.S.

PITTSBURGH – A rabbi who helped alert authorities to the synagogue shooting that killed 11 people says it was because of recent security training that he had a cellphone on him and was able to make the call. Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of the Tree of Life in Pittsburgh said Monday on ABC’s “Good Morning America” that he hadn’t always carried…

Mayor Larson, DTA Manager Pressed For Answers About Nearly-Fatal Bus Assault

After FOX 21's Questions Were Not Answered, We Asked Them at Public News Conference

DULUTH, Minn – In May, a 71-year-old man ended up in the ICU with bleeding on the brain and a fractured skull following a beating from a younger passenger after the two were allegedly removed from a DTA bus. The victim told police the fight started after he told the man to stop swearing on the bus and that same…

Cloquet man Sentenced to 68 Months in Prison on Drug Charges

He was Sentenced on Friday for Selling Drugs in Cloquet

CLOQUET, Minn. – A Cloquet man has been sentenced to 68 months in prison for first-degree sales of methamphetamine and second-degree sales of heroin. The Cloquet Police Department began a drug sales investigation in March on a male identified as 33-year-old Johnathon Maio. Officials say they believed Maio to be selling large amounts of meth and heroin in the Cloquet…

Sessions Says Bomb Suspect Appears ‘Partisan’

FBI Director Says too Early to Discuss a Motive

WASHINGTON -Attorney General Jeff Sessions says he doesn’t know why pipe bombs were sent to prominent Democrats and CNN but says a Florida man charged in the case “appears to be a partisan.” Sessions and other law enforcement officials are declining to speculate on whether the current divided political climate in America and President Donald Trump’s rhetoric emboldened the man….

Duluth Police Chief Clarifies Release Of Autopsy Report In Infant’s Homicide

DULUTH, Minn. – FOX 21 learned Thursday why an infant’s homicide investigation in Duluth was not made public until a request for an autopsy report was done by our station Wednesday. Police Chief Mike Tusken said there was no lack of transparency, but more of a breakdown in communication between his investigators and when the autopsy was finally completed by…

Street Light Stolen in Proctor

Light was stacked on ground in a construction site

PROCTOR, Minn. – A street light has been stolen in Proctor. The light went missing sometime between September 27th and 28th. It was stacked on the ground with other lights at a construction site before it was set to be installed along sixth street in Proctor. Police tell us they aren’t sure why someone would take the light but that…

Police: Multiple People Shot in Kentucky Grocery Store

Authorities Have not Released Extent of Victims' Injuries

JEFFERSONTOWN, Ky. (AP) — Multiple people were shot at a Kroger grocery store Wednesday on the outskirts of Louisville, Kentucky, and one suspect was detained, police said. A dispatcher with the Jeffersontown Police Department who spoke to The Associated Press did not give details on the extent of the victims’ injuries and would not give his name. He also did…

Hibbing man Sentenced for the Death of 11 Month old Nephew

The Hibbing man found guilty of two counts of second-degree manslaughter for the death of his 11-month-old nephew was sentenced to 98 months in jail, but will get credit for 448 days for time served.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Hibbing man found guilty of two counts of second-degree manslaughter for the death of his 11-month-old nephew was sentenced to 98 months in jail, but will get credit for 448 days for time served. Jesse Lee Bonacci-Koski, 26, left the infant boy home alone to buy controlled substances when a fire started in the house while he…

Mother Of Victim In East H.S. Assault Calls For Louder Voices Against Bullies

DULUTH, Minn. – The mother of a victim in a recent violent assault recorded on video outside Duluth East High School is speaking out and calling on people to stand up more against what she calls a growing problem of violence and bullies in schools. The assault happened Oct. 15, and now school officials and police are responding publicly after…

Search for Missing Teen Continues

Volunteers have been walking through swamps, corn fields and woods in the search for clues that could lead authorities to a missing 13-year-old Wisconsin girl whose parents were killed.

BARRON, Wis.-Volunteers have been walking through swamps, corn fields and woods in the search for clues that could lead authorities to a missing 13-year-old Wisconsin girl whose parents were killed. Hundreds of people took part in Tuesday’s expanded search for Jayme Closs, who has been missing since deputies responding to an Oct. 15 911 call found her parents dead in…

Duluth man Pleads Guilty to First-Degree Assault

Nicholson Stabbed a man in his Apartment More Than a Dozen Times

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth man accused of breaking into another man’s apartment and stabbing him more than a dozen times in January has plead guilty to first-degree assault. According to the criminal complaint, 23-year-old Willie Nicholson broke into the apartment of 20-year-old Benjamin VanDell to find a place to sleep before the attack unfolded. Nicholson began stabbing VanDell when…

Investigators Seek two Cars in Wisconsin Abduction

Sheriff Fitzgerald Says They are Looking for two Vehicles of Interest

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Investigators searching for a Wisconsin girl whose parents were gunned down in their home are asking for help tracking down two vehicles. Authorities believe 13-year-old Jayme Closs was taken from her home near Barron on Oct. 15. Deputies found the home’s door kicked in and her parents shot to death. Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said…

City Council Approves Riot Gear As Protesters Take Over Chambers

Disruptions Don't Stop Approval of Riot Gear Purchase

DULUTH, Minn.- After two tabled votes, and three community meetings involving the topic, the Duluth City Council voted 6 to 2 in favor of purchasing roughly $83,000 of riot gear for Police Officers. Counselors Gary Anderson and Joel Sipress voted against the purchase. Em Westerlund was out of town for work. Westerlund missed a city council meeting like no other….

Barron Co. Sheriff’s Department Requesting 2,000 Volunteers for Tuesday Search

The Tip Line is 1-855-744-3879

(T’xer Zhon Kha/Herald-Times Reporter via AP)BARRON COUNTY, Wisc. – The Barron County Sheriff’s Department is once again requesting volunteers to assist in an expanded routine ground search for articles that may be related to the case of missing teenager Jayme Closs. According to the Sheriff’s Department Facebook page they are looking for 2,000 volunteers for a search on October 23….

Vigil Planned for Missing Wisconsin Teen, Unseen for a Week

Closs has not Been Seen Since October 15

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A small, rural community in western Wisconsin is planning a vigil for a missing 13-year-old girl whose parents were found shot to death in their home. A “Gathering of Hope” will take place Monday evening at Riverview Middle School in Barron for Jayme Closs, who hasn’t been seen since Oct. 15 . Deputies responding to a…

The Latest: Multiple Shots Were Fired in Missing Girl’s Home

Dispatch logs show multiple shots were fired in the home of a northwestern Wisconsin girl who vanished after her parents were found dead inside the house.

MADISON, Wis.-Dispatch logs show multiple shots were fired in the home of a northwestern Wisconsin girl who vanished after her parents were found dead inside the house. The Barron County Sheriff’s Department released dispatch logs Friday that indicate responding deputies found multiple rounds in the home and the door kicked in. The logs also indicate the initial 911 call that…

Cloquet Arena Burglary Suspect Arrested in Duluth

A man wanted by Cloquet police for allegedly breaking into an ATM Wednesday at the Northwoods Credit Union Arena was arrested in the early morning hours Thursday after turning himself in to Duluth police in a bizarre fashion.

CLOQUET, Minn.-A man wanted by Cloquet police for allegedly breaking into an ATM Wednesday at the Northwoods Credit Union Arena was arrested in the early morning hours Thursday after turning himself in to Duluth police in a bizarre fashion. At 3:30 a.m. Thursday authorities say the suspect walked into a Duluth gas station, plopped some cash on the counter and…

Teen Arrested After Multiple Fires at Gilbert Recycling Center

The Gilbert Police Department has arrested a 17-year-old boy, accusing him of starting three fires at the Gilbert Recycling Center over the last few days.

GILBERT, Minn.-The Gilbert Police Department has arrested a 17-year-old boy, accusing him of starting three fires at the Gilbert Recycling Center over the last few days. After an investigation by authorities, the cause of the fire was determined to be arson. Damages are expected to exceed $10,000, according to a release from police. The city of Gilbert has temporarily closed…

Community Voices Heard One Last Time for Riot Gear

Issue with Comments from Meetings Now Goes to City Council

DULUTH, Minn.- “…we stop being oppositional and look for ways to make our community safe.” The tired plea from one concerned citizen at a third community meeting discussing whether the Duluth Police Department should purchase new riot gear. The Citizens Review Board held its final community meeting about the proposed purchase of riot gear. The feedback along the way will…

Sheriff: Missing Wisconsin Girl’s Parents Were Shot to Death

The Autopsies Were Completed Wednesday

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Authorities say a missing Wisconsin girl’s parents were shot to death and they believe she was in the home at the time. Police have been searching for 13-year-old Jayme Closs since early Monday, when deputies responding to a 911 call from her home in Barron found her parents, James and Denise Closs, dead in the house….

Suspect in Custody After Three Hour Standoff With Sawyer County Deputy

This Incident Remains Under Investigation

SAWYER COUNTY, Wisc. – A high speed chase in Sawyer County resulted in a crash and a three hour standoff between a Sawyer County Deputy and a male suspect from Menomonie. The incident happened just before 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the Town of Round Lake. The Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office says a Deputy tried to stop a vehicle on…