Monday, June 16, 2025

Reports started around 9pm last night that the man accused of killing a lawmaker and her husband and wounding another lawmaker and his wife has been arrested. 57-year-old Vance Boelter has been arrested alive in a field near his home in Sibley County, where the search concentrated Sunday. Officials said no "use of force" was used in the arrest. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley called it the "largest manhunt in state history."  Around 2 a.m. Saturday, officials said DFL Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot multiple times in their Champlin home. They are both now awake after surgery. Family says Yvette saved their daughter Hope by jumping on top of her. Officials say the shooter also went to the home of DFL Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, where she and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed.  The Hennepin County Attorney's Office has charged Boelter with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder.  According to the criminal complaint, officers "located at least three AK-47 assault rifles, a 9mm handgun, as well as a list of names and addresses of other public officials. Officers canvassed the surrounding area and located a ballistic vest, a disassembled 9mm firearm, a mask, and a gold police-style badge." it was reported that law enforcement was led to the area after a neighbor spotted Boelter on a trail camera. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said in a press conference Sunday night that troopers with the Minnesota State Patrol put the handcuffs on Boelter Sunday night, and thanked the countless law enforcement officers who worked through Father's Day on this case. Walz added this "cannot be the norm" in how Americans deal with political differences.  Minnesota BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said in the same conference that Boelter was arrested on the 36000 block of 200 Street in Green Isle. He added that if anyone helped Boelter, they will be held accountable. Earlier on Sunday, Boelter's vehicle had been located on Highway 25 in Sibley County between Green Isle and Belle Plaine and the highway will be shut down due to law enforcement in the area all day. An emergency alert was also sent to people in the area, telling them to lock their doors and secure their vehicles after Boelter’s vehicle was found. It was also reported back on Saturday that the Mille Lacs County Sheriff, Kyle Burton, confirmed that Boelter's wife Jenny Lynne Boelter was in the vehicle with people detained in the Onamia area. Sheriff Burton only elaborated that it was partners from Hennepin County who stopped the car in connection with the investigation.  Boelter’s wife was in that car along with some other relatives". Burton added that he was not informed about what was inside the vehicle and he doesn't know if they remain in custody only that those in the vehicle cooperated with authorities and no other information was released on that part of the case. Again the manhunt ended with the picture below showing the arrest of the suspect in the murder case. 

Credit: Ramsey County Sheriff's Office
Vance Boelter being arrested in a field, Sunday June 15, 2025.

Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen in a statement Saturday said "Early this morning we received the heartbreaking news that two Minnesota legislators and their spouses were shot in their homes. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and everyone affected by this senseless act of violence. Violence is never the answer—regardless of political beliefs or personal disagreements. We must come together as a community, as a state, and as a nation and choose a path of respect, dialogue, and peace."

In other news: The final parts of the state budget have been approved. Governor Tim Walz signed into law the remaining components of the state budget on Saturday. Some of those final items include modifying MinnesotaCare for Undocumented Adults, funding for the Department of Commerce and Office of Cannabis Management, $10.5 million in investments in public safety, public housing, and economic development, and the $700 million bonding bill. The bonding bill includes $215 million for state asset preservation, $211 million for water programs, $80 million for roads and bridges, and $29 million for housing. It also includes $67 million for the new Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's Regional Office and Laboratory, $55 million for new Direct Care and Treatment Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center, and $7.4 million for programming and support at the Department of Corrections, Lino Lakes. Governor Walz signed 14 bills into law and one funding modification, which make up the final part of the state's two-year budget.

The Little Falls Police Department in their recent report asked again if you accidently called 911 on your phone, please don't hang up recently between June 4th to 10th report the police department stated they got 911 hang ups and had to investigate them which means tracing the number and if no answer when called back they have to go to the residence or find the owner of the phone even if there was no emergency. So please if you call 911 by accident stay on the line and let the dispatcher know it was an accident, they will understand and this will help the police department to save their time in case of a real emergency. 

A Foley father and daughter were injured around 5:30pm Sunday when the motorcycle they were on struck a deer near Gilman in Benton County on Highway 25. 51-year-old Kevin Reishus struck the deer causing both to come off the cycle. Reishus and his 16-year-old daughter were both taken to the St. Cloud Hospital and treated for what the State Patrol called non life threatening injuries. 

The Storm Prediction Center has forecast a slight risk of severe weather of central Minnesota of severe weather this afternoon and evening with an enhanced chance of severe thunderstorms over the southern third of Minnesota between 1pm and 10pm. The potential for storms to produce damaging winds, large hail and isolated tornadoes could form Monday from a cold front from the northwest meeting the warmer, humid air across Minnesota. Again severe storms are possible today and tonight listen to Little Falls Radio for the latest weather related conditions today. 

The Little Falls City Council meets Monday night at 7:30pm at City Hall Council Chambers.

Death Notices- Ardis E. Davidson, age 67 of Little Falls. William R. Johnson Sr., age 84 of Randall.

Weather showers and morning thunderstorms, fog and haze then partial sun with afternoon thunderstorms possible, some PM storms could be severe, high 81. Tonight evening storms then partly cloudy skies, low 56. Tuesday mostly sunny skies, high 78, isolated PM showers possible into the evening, low around 60. Wednesday hazy sunshine with high near 80, more storms possible by late day Wednesday into the night and early Thursday, with a low around 53, and cooler Thursday with high near 70. 

Sports- Houston beat Twins 10-3 on Friday then won on a walk-off hit 3-2 on Saturday in the bottom of the 9th to beat Twins again. Then Sunday the Astros tie in the 9th and win in the 10th on the second walk-off in two days 2-1 over Twins to sweep the 3 game series. The Twins (36-35) have Monday off and are at Cincinnati on Tuesday. The Lynx beat Los Angeles Saturday 101-78 to win their 10th of the season and host Las Vegas Tuesday. Game 5 of NBA playoffs is tonight Oklahoma City and Indiana are tied at 2-2  while there will be a game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals in NHL Tuesday with Florida leading 3-2 on Edmonton. Sobieski beat Foley 11-2 Sunday in the Victory League Game of Week yesterday on KLTF.