Crime

Committee OKs Bills Sending More Kids to Troubled Prison

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Assembly Corrections Committee has approved two Republican bills that could send more kids to Wisconsin’s troubled youth prison for longer stints. Currently judges can sentence children 14 and older to the prison for up to three years for certain serious crimes. One bill would expand the list of crimes to include all felonies. The other…

Minnesota Officer Charged in Castile Shooting Goes on Trial

The shooting happened on July 6, 2016

Courtesy: KMSPMINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The graphic video showing Philando Castile’s final moments after he was shot by a Minnesota police officer made headlines nearly a year ago and led to calls for changes in policing. But squad car video could emerge as key evidence in the case against St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez, who goes on trial for manslaughter…

1 Dead, 4 Injured in Solway Township Crash

DULUTH, Minn. – Early Monday morning, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a one vehicle accident in Solway Township. Officers arrived to the scene at Canosia Road and West Arrowhead Road, and located five occupants of a vehicle that had left the roadway and over turned. A 19-year-old passenger, identified as Axton Whitfield, was ejected…

Hermantown Police Take on Super Shoplifters

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Just before 10 p.m. on Sunday, May 28, a Hermantown officer responded to the report of two individuals shoplifting at a Hermantown business near the 5200 block of Miller Trunk Highway. The officer arrived on scene to find a 22-year-old male wearing a Wonder Woman cape and a 29-year-old female wearing a Bat Girl cape. Authorities indicate…

High-Speed Chase Ends In Arrest In St. Louis County

  Robert Getty (St. Louis Co Jail) CHERRY, Minn. – Deputies from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s office attempted to arrest a 48-year old male in the Cherry Township area around 5 a.m. Sunday, May 28. The male, who authorities have identified as Robert Getty, of McKinley, was wanted on charges stemming from a domestic assault which has occurred in…

Arrest Warrant Issued for Lindgren

Carlton Co. Sheriffs Looking for Suspect in Kidnapping and Assault

CARLTON, Minn. – Police are looking for the suspect in a Carlton County kidnapping and assault earlier this month. Carlton Co. Sheriffs issued an arrest warrant for 21 year old Scott Lindgren Friday. The new charge is for allegedly threatening and tampering with a witness. Lindgren was originally accused of seven felonies, stemming from an incident where a child was…

Former Councilor Garfield Pleads Not Guilty in Domestic Violence Incident

Will be Back in Court July 21

SUPERIOR, Wis.-Former Superior City Councilor Graham Garfield entered a not guilty plea today in connection with four charges, including one felony in relation to an alleged domestic violence incident with his then fiancé in April. The felony carries with it a maximum of 12 years in prison. Garfield is accused of pointing a loaded gun at his former girlfriend and…

Finland Man Pleads Guilty to Felony Murder

Kirk Bigby GRAND MARAIS, Minn. – A Finland, Minnesota man has pleaded guilty to Felony Murder in the shooting of a Bloomington man in December 2015. Sixty-two-year-old, Kirk Lee Bigby, pleaded guilty to the murder of 35-year-old Marcus Roberts Bigby. The shooting happened at the Bluefin Bay Resort in Tofte, Minnesota after an altercation between the two men. Full details…

Last Inmate Apprehended in Minneapolis

  LINO LAKES, Minn. – The last offender has been apprehended following a inmate van theft in Lino Lakes. James Douglass Mitchell was found just before 4:30 p.m. in Minneapolis at the 35W and 8th Street SE bridge. Earlier in the day, an offender transportation van was driving from Minnesota Correction Facility – St. Cloud with stops at several other…

Birch Trees Cut Down Illegally in Cook County

Looking for Suspects That Were Driving a Blue Van

COOK COUNTY, Minn.-The Cook County Sheriff’s Office is searching for three or four men who were seen cutting down birch trees illegally in the Tom Lake area. Witnesses said they were driving a blue van and had about 25 birch trees piled up. Those trees are usually sold to craft manufacturers. “Unfortunately, it seems there is a highly profitable market…

Korean Veterans Memorial Vandalized, Just Months Apart From Vietnam Memorial Vandalism

Red Lines Can Be Seen Drawn On Military Badges

Duluth, Minn. Vandals have struck again. This time defacing the Korean Veterans Memorial marking red lines through the badges of 4 branches of military carved into the granite stone. It’s unknown at this time what was actually used to deface the memorial. This isn’t the first time this year a war memorial along Duluth’s Lake Walk has been struck by vandals….

Duluth Police Investigating Phone Scam Posing as Police Chief

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Chief’s secretary received a call from a Duluth resident who was being scammed over the phone, according to the Duluth Police Department. The report indicates that the caller was posing as Police Chief Mike Tusken and informed the person they had won $1,000,000 from Publisher’s Clearing House, but that someone had claimed their prize….

$50 Million Bond Set in Forced Abortion Attempt

Manishkumar Petel (Photo: Clinton Co. N.Y. Sheriff’s Dept) APPLETON, Wis. (WLUK) – A judge in Outagamie County has set $50 million bond for a man accused of trying to cause his girlfriend to miscarry her child nearly a decade ago. The former Kaukauna man forfeited a $750,000 bond when he disappeared in January 2008. He was found in January of…

UPDATE: Wrenshall Assault Victim Released, Authorities Still Seeking Other Suspects

WRENSHALL, Minn. – The 17-year-old male victim, from Duluth, who was found brutally beaten and had been held against his will in Wrenshall, has been released from the hospital, according to the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office. His condition and prognosis are not yet known at this time. Authorities believe there was at least one other person involved in the assault….

Vandals Strike Nearly 30 Vehicles In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Dozens of drivers became victims of vandalism overnight Sunday into Monday. That’s because the windows of at least 30 vehicles were blown out by what authorities believe were BBs from a BB gun. The damage was felt in the Lincoln Park neighborhood and West Duluth. No arrests were made as of Monday. If you know anything, call…

Baggies of Pot Found in Donation to Once Upon a Child

Photo: Maplewood Police Dept. MAPLEWOOD, Minn. (KMSP) – Before you donate clothes, it might be a good idea to check the pockets. During a virtual ride-along, Maplewood Police tweeted a photo of a rather unusual donation to Once Upon a Child. Apparently instead of just clothing, someone also donated several dozen baggies of marijuana to the resale store. Police say…

13 Students Suspended after Hazing Allegations at Carleton College

NORTHFIELD, Minn. (KMSP) – 13 students have been suspended from Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., after school officials say they engaged in hazing activities. In a letter to students and staff, the school’s president Steven Poskanzer said the students engaged in “extreme alcohol consumption” as part of initiation into a “secret co-ed social club.” Poskanzer said the school launched an…

Extra Seat Belt Enforcement Hits Minnesota Roads

Click it or Ticket campaign will run through June 4

MINNESOTA – Extra enforcement for more than 300 agencies will hit Minnesota roads today for the Click It or Ticket campaign run by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety. Agencies will conduct extra seat belt violation enforcement, which will run for two weeks throughout the entire state. Minnesota law states that drivers and all passengers must…

Fire Burns Home in Wrenshall that’s Connected to Alleged Kidnapping Last Week

Home Believed to be Unoccupied at the Time

WRENSHALL, Minn.-An early morning fire in Wrenshall has left a two-story house in shambles for the second time in a week. Scott Lindgren, Carlton Co. Jail Last week 21-year-old Scott Lindgren was charged with seven felonies in connection to a May 15 incident at 804 County Road 18 in Wrenshall – the same place where the fire was at about…

Minnesota Lawmaker Robbed at Gunpoint

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A state legislator is OK after being robbed at gunpoint in St. Paul. Police say Rep. Dennis Smith, of Maple Grove, was walking on Grand Avenue in St. Paul Thursday night when he was approached by a gunman. The suspect pointed the gun at Smith and demanded his wallet and phone. Reports say Smith complied…

Trump Yearbook Comment Sparks Investigation at Brainerd High School

BRAINERD, Minn. (KMSP) – Administrators at Brainerd High School are investigating a quote that was published in the yearbook, attributed to a sophomore student whos aid she “would like to behead” President Donald Trump. The quote was published on a page titled, “Trump 2k17-2k20? How do you feel about him?” “I would like to behead him. I do not like…

Prosecutors: Times Square Driver Wanted to Kill

An 18-year-old female from Michigan was killed in the incident

Richard Rojas (AP) NEW YORK (AP) – A man charged with slamming his speeding car into pedestrians on the sidewalks of Time Square, killing a teenage tourist and injuring nearly two dozen people, said he wanted to “kill them all” and police should have shot him to stop him, a prosecutor revealed Friday. Richard Rojas, 26, also told responding officers…

Minnesota Bill Against Genital Mutilation Raises Concern

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Some members of Minnesota’s immigrant and refugee communities are opposing legislation that would impose stiff penalties for parents involved in female genital mutilation, slowing the bill’s momentum in the Legislature. The Star Tribune reports that nonprofit group Isuroon, the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage and other groups say the legislation carries overly harsh punishment…

New Superior Police Officers Sworn In

Family and Friends on Hand to See Four New Officers' Special Moment

SUPERIOR, Wis. – It was a big day at the Superior Police Department. Four new officers were sworn in to serve and protect. Police Chief Nicholas Alexander was there to set the tone of what’s ahead for these new officers. Family and friends were on hand to take in and remember this special moment before the officers hit the streets…

Standoff as Officers Attempt to Execute Search Warrant

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Around 10:30 a.m Thursday, May 18, the Superior Police Department began executing a search warrant for evidence and a felony arrest warrant in the 1200 block of Harrison Street. The Superior Police Department’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) was used to serve the warrant. Attempts were made by the Crisis Response Team to negotiate with the man to…

Two Arrested in Heroin, Crack Cocaine Bust

DULUTH, Minn. – Two suspects were detained in the 100 block of West 4th Street in Duluth, and a search warrant executed in a motor vehicle they were traveling in, according to the Duluth Police Department and Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. These individuals were suspected of selling heroin and crack cocaine. During the execution of the…

Wisconsin Democrats Push for Statewide Use-of-Force Policies

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Democratic lawmakers from Madison and Milwaukee want to set statewide standards for when and how law enforcement officers should use deadly force. Representatives Chris Taylor, Evan Goyke, and David Bowen and Senator LaTonya Johnson held a news conference Tuesday to introduce a package of bills. The proposals would require law enforcement agencies across the state to…

Superior Police Honored By UWS Black Student Union

Chief Alexander Presented with a Traditional African Sash

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior Police Chief Nicholas Alexander has gotten a first-of-its-kind award from the Black Student Union at UWS. Over the last few years under Chief Alexander’s leadership, the Superior Police Department has worked to build relationships between the department and diverse groups in the community. Today, students in the UW-Superior Black Student Union honored the chief by presenting…

47-Year-Old Male Charged in Ironwood Standoff

IRONWOOD, Mich. – Gogebic County Prosecutor Nick Jacobs authorized a five count felony warrant for 47-year-old Leonard Hellier of Ironwood Township. The warrant contains two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and one count of carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent. These charges stem…

Convicted Soldier Chelsea Manning Will Stay on Active Duty

WASHINGTON (AP) – Pvt. Chelsea Manning, the soldier convicted in 2013 of illegally disclosing classified government information, will remain on active duty in a special status after her scheduled release from prison Wednesday, the Army said Tuesday. Any Army spokeswoman, Lt. Col. Jennifer Johnson, said Manning will be on “excess leave” while her court-martial conviction is under appellate review. In…

Armed Robbery Incident at CVS Pharmacy in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department reports that on Monday, May 15, officers responded to a call to the CVS Pharmacy at the intersection of 12th Avenue East and Superior Street to the report of an armed robbery. Authorities indicate a knife was displayed during the incident. Duluth Police Violent Crimes Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance in…

Officer Overdoses from Powder on Shirt after Drug Arrest

A total of four doses of Narcan were needed to revive him

Ohio police released this image from inside the suspect’s vehicle (East Liverpool Police Dept.) EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio (AP) – Police say an Ohio officer suffered an accidental overdose after a drug arrest when he touched power on his shirt without realizing it was the powerful opioid, fentanyl. He was treated with four doses of Narcan, an overdose reversal drug, after…

Appeals Court Upholds Conviction in Superior Killing

Chance Andrews (Wisconsin Department of Corrections) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A state appeals court has upheld the conviction of a man serving a 40-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to fatally shooting a Superior man in 2014. The 3rd District Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld the felony murder conviction of 20-year-old Chance Andrews. He pleaded guilty to felony murder…

Body Found in Lake Bemidji near Paul Bunyan Park Dock

BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Department reports that around 2 p.m. Monday, May 15, officers responded to the report of a deceased male. An adult male was discovered face down in the water, near the Paul Bunyan Park dock on Lake Bemidji. Authorities report the male appeared to be approximately 50-years-old. The case remains under investigation at this…

Man, Girl Killed In Iron Range Crash

Authorities Believe Alcohol Was a Factor In Accident

IRON RANGE – The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating a fatal alcohol-related crash that’s claimed the life of a 7-year-old Hibbing girl and a 26-year-old man from Superior. That accident happened just before midnight Saturday on U.S. Highway 169 near Buhl. Authorities say Jason Gates of superior was driving under the influence of alcohol when his vehicle collided with the…

Minnesota BCA Issues Amber Alert

Authorities are Looking for 7 Month Old Carter Sims

UPDATE: Twenty-five minutes after the alert was issued, the Bloomington Police Department cancel the alert. Sims was located safe and Miles was taken into custody. BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension issued an Amber Alert for a 7 month old black male, Carter Dijhion Sims.  Sims  was abducted by 19 year old Sharline Briana Miles. Miles can…

Cooking Oil Dumped at Head of Superior Hiking Trail

Parks Department Looking for Volunteers to Clean-up Area

DULUTH, Minn.-The Duluth Parks Department was left with a mess yesterday, after finding 14 jugs of cooking oil that were dumped at the head of the Superior Hiking Trail. The parks department is reminding the public that these types of situations create major challenges for them. You can help by volunteering. To find out more, call 218-730-4334. Categories: Crime, Environment,…

Superior Woman Pleads Not Guilty in Fatal Crash on London Road

Theresa Katzmark (St. Louis County Jail) DULUTH, Minn. – A Superior woman accused of killing a woman on London Road in Duluth, pleaded not guilty at a hearing on Friday, May 12. Forty-nine-year-old Theresa Katzmark is charged with criminal vehicular homicide in the death of 62-year-old Donna Estrem. The incident happened on April 4, when Katzmark allegedly struck and killed…

Drug Epidemic Increases Hepatitis C Cases in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Acute Hepatitis C cases have skyrocketed in Wisconsin, increasing 450 percent from 2011 to 2015. State health officials tell Wisconsin Public Radio that most infections resulted form injection drug use. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages needle exchanges as a way to thwart drug addicts from spreading disease. The agency released its Morbidity and…

Guns Taken by Man Who Wrote Manifesto May Not Be Found

Joseph Jakubowski JANESVILLE, Wis. (AP) – Rock County Sheriff’s investigators aren’t sure an automatic weapon and 12 handguns ditched by the man who wrote a threatening manifesto will ever be found. Authorities say they found five of the 18 weapons stolen from a Janesville area gun shop with Joseph Jakubowski after a manhunt which ended about 125 miles away in…

Duluth Fire Engine Struck At Crash Scene Helped Protect Responding Crews

Firefighters say they specifically park trucks in front of accidents to protect responding rescue crews

DULUTH, Minn. – We’re getting a closer look at the damage a Duluth fire truck sustained while responding to an accident earlier this week. Late Tuesday night, a man lost control of his motorcycle while riding down Central Entrance Road. Shortly after, in the same location, another man lost control of his vehicle and struck a police car and fire…

Human Remains Discovered in Pine County During Search for Sandstone Man

May be those of a man missing for 2 years

PINE COUNTY, Minn. – Human remains have been discovered after a search for a missing man, according to the Pine County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities indicate that on May 6, members of the search group United Legacy were conducting a search in the region for a man that has been missing since March 3, 2015. Kenneth “Scott” Kleppen, who went missing just…

Shooting Occurs this Morning at Hillside Super America Parking Lot

Victim Left with Non-Life Threatening Injuries

DULUTH, Minn.-A man was shot earlier this morning in the Super America parking lot at 602 E. Fourth St. He was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. One firearm was found at the scene and it was determined that it belonged to the victim. No one else was hurt during the shooting. Probable cause does exist to…

Arson Ruled as Cause of Lincoln Park Fire

$5.000 Reward Being Offered

DULUTH, Minn.-A Monday fire at 2008 W. Fourth Street has been ruled an arson by the Duluth Fire Department. According to the department, the blaze began at the rear of the structure, which caused additional damage to the house next to it. The fire continues to be investigated by the Duluth police and fire departments. If you have any information…

Graffiti-Filled Lighthouse Gets Painted Over

DULUTH, Minn. – There was new information Tuesday involving the disturbing graffiti spray-painted all over one of the historic lighthouses in Canal Park. The Army Corps of Engineers put a fresh coat of white paint on top of the graffiti. A top official with the Duluth Army Corps of Engineers says the U.S. discussions are now underway to form a…