News: Wednesday, January 29th, 2025

News: Wednesday, January 29th, 2025

--Two Brooklyn Park men have pleaded guilty in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed methamphetamine throughout central and northern Minnesota, Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick announced Monday. According to court documents, on June 22, 2024, a Minnesota State Patrol trooper initiated the traffic stop of a white Ford Expedition on Highway 10 in Royalton. As the trooper approached the vehicle, he noticed several indications of drug trafficking activity including a single screwdriver, flashlight, black electric tape, loose panels and molding around the radio and center console, and a marijuana pipe, as well as a marijuana blunt roach and flakes all over the center console. The driver, Dillon Peter-Cody Clemens, 38, and his passenger, Jacob Seth Cobb, 30, both had revoked driver’s licenses. Clemens and Cobb claimed to be on their way to Motley to purchase a motorcycle but could not provide the name or street address of the seller. The trooper deployed his K-9 to search the vehicle, and the K-9 alerted to the driver’s side door seam. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed what appeared to be a one-pound package of methamphetamine. Clemens and Cobb were subsequently arrested.
Clemens and Cobb were each indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Clemens pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court before Judge Katherine M. Menendez to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Cobb also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine before Judge Menendez on Jan. 21. Their sentencing hearings will be scheduled at a later date. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota State Patrol and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Assistant U.S. Attorney Syngen Kanassatega is prosecuting the case.

--A 61-year-old Breezy Point man died Wednesday, January 22nd, after he collapsed while working on the 15000 block of Shellista Lane in Crow Wing County. The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office responded to the medical call at 11:32 a.m. in Unorganized Territory, north of Baxter. According to the sheriff’s office, the man was working at a home on Shellista Lane when he had medical complications. First responders and North Memorial Health Ambulance service were on scene attempting lifesaving measures. However, those measures were unsuccessful and he was transported to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's office. The sheriff’s office said the preliminary report from the Ramsey County Medical Examiner states the man died due to complications of the heart.

--An employee at a downtown Sauk Rapids business was assaulted just before 10pm Saturday, and no arrest has been made. The Sauk Rapids Police Department says the worker was attacked by three unknown men in the parking lot of Black and Blue Tattoo as he was walking out to his car. The parlor is located at 37 Benton Drive North. The assailants struck the man in the head and then ran off. He was treated at the scene by Mayo Ambulance and is expected to be okay. Police were unable to track down any of the men, even after an exhaustive search of the area. A release from the SRPD states that the incident was not random and the general community is not in danger. The department is looking for help in tracking down the assailants. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at 320-251-9451. They can leave a tip anonymously through Tri-County Crime Stoppers. When calling within St. Cloud, the group can be reached at 320-255-1301. When dialing outside of St. Cloud, use 1-800-255-1301.

--Little Falls School Superintendent Greg Johnson spoke on KLTF yesterday, saying the first half of the school year has gone very well. They are getting ready for the opening of the child care facility on March 10th and that will be open yearly for those to use, they already have about 40 signed up and can take a few more if you wish to apply contact Johnson at the District Office. He also mentioned that the school will changing a bit of their summer programs and items as they join with the Boys and Girls Club on the west side of Little Falls to work with school aged children. Johnson wanted to congratulate Knowledge Bowl, One Act Play and all athletics and activities going strong in the school and many teams now preparing for the upcoming playoffs in February.

--DFLer Doron Clark won the Senate District 60 race in a landslide Tuesday, giving the party a one-seat majority in the Minnesota State Senate. The special election was called following the death of Democratic Sen. Kari Dziedzic in December. The Minnesota GOP and DFL have been tied since in the Senate, at 33 each. Clark won Tuesday's contest with 90.91% of the vote for District 60, which covers northeast and southeast Minneapolis, Cedar-Riverside and areas near the University of Minnesota. His Republican opponent, Abigail Wolters, garnered 8.71% of the vote.

--The St. Cloud VA Medical Center will allow veterans who served the nation in uniform to give their two cents on the care they receive. The Veterans Town Hall is set for February 11th at 2:00 p.m. at the St. Cloud VA in Building Four, Room 180. It’s a chance to have their healthcare concerns directly addressed by VA officials. Veterans can attend in person or virtually by joining the meeting on a computer or mobile device at https://tinyurl.com/yc3e5tj3. They may also call in to listen to the meeting at 1-872-701-0185, using the phone conference ID 948 690 515#.

NATIONAL NEWS- A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked a push from President Donald Trump to pause federal funding while his administration conducts an across-the-board ideological review to uproot progressive initiatives. The order from U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan came minutes before the funding freeze was scheduled to go into effect. The administrative stay, prompted by a lawsuit brought by nonprofit groups, lasts until Monday afternoon and applies only to existing programs. Administration officials said the decision to halt loans and grants — a financial lifeline for local governments, schools and nonprofits — was necessary to ensure that spending complies with Trump’s recent blitz of executive orders. The Republican president wants to increase fossil fuel production, remove protections for transgender people and end diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. AliKhan, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, said in halting the freeze, “It seems like the federal government currently doesn’t actually know the full extent of the programs that are going to be subject to the pause." Just minutes after AliKhan ruled, Democratic attorneys general from 22 states including Minnesota and the District of Columbia filed their own lawsuit seeking to block and permanently prevent the administration from cutting off federal funding.

DEATH NOTICES- Ruth Heisick, age 83 of Upsala and Elmdale Township. Dan "Pudgy" Gohl, age 61 of St. Cloud formerly of Little Falls.

WEATHER- Today- partly sunny skies, less windy, high 34. Tonight clearing skies low around 22. Thursday sunny and very mild, high 43, low around 18. Friday- increasing clouds, high near 30 falling temps with snow overnight, low 18.

SPORTS- Minnesota Hockey announced Saturday that Hockey Day Minnesota 2027, presented by UnitedHealthcare, will take place at Brainerd International Raceway. “We are excited to partner with Brainerd International Raceway and the Brainerd community for Hockey Day Minnesota 2027,” Minnesota Wild Chief Executive Officer Matt Majka said. “Hockey Day Minnesota continues to be a fantastic celebration of our great sport and we look forward to bringing the fun and excitement to Brainerd in 2027.” Brad Pieper, chair of the Brainerd Local Organizing Committee said: “The Brainerd Lakes Area, Minnesota’s premier vacation destination, is thrilled to host Hockey Day Minnesota 2027 at the legendary Brainerd International Raceway. This landmark event will shine a spotlight on our vibrant lakes community, honor our rich hockey heritage and bring fans together to celebrate the game we love. We can't wait to welcome players, fans, and visitors for an amazing and unforgettable experience. Shakopee just hosted Hockey Day Minnesota at Valleyfair, next year in 2026 it was announced that Hastings will host the event, and then Brainerd now has the event in 2027 at the raceway.