Kim David, KROC AM News
January 27, 2012
Olmsted County will be targeted for DUI drivers between now and September in an effort to get impaired drivers off the road. Olmsted is one of 13 counties on the list. The Minnesota Public Safety Department is targeting the counties because they have the highest number of DUI-related traffic wrecks that result in serious injuries or death. Olmsted County is ranked 7th highest in the state, based on numbers from 2008 - 2010. Agencies involved in the enhanced crackdown plan to use high-visibility tactics to alert motorists of increased enforcement - including electronic message boards and heavy patrols along specific corridors. The other counties on the list are: Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, St. Louis, Dakota, Wright, Rice, Washington, Stearns, Sherburne, Scott and Carver. During a statewide DUI crackdown in December, officers made nearly 2600 arrests.
Big Brainerd fishing contest gets green light
Minnesota News Network
January 27, 2012
The Brainerd Jaycees have been given the green light to hold their annual Ice Fishing Extravaganza. The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Department checked the ice on Gull Lake yesterday and found it was thicker than the minimum requirement of 16 inches to issue the permit for the February 11th event, the largest ice fishing tournament in the state. No vehicles will be allowed on the lake for travel to and from the tournament area. The tournament's initial January 21st date was postponed because the ice was not thick enough.
Twinsfest opens today
Minnesota News Network
January 27, 2012
Twins Fest 2012 begins this afternoon at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. The annual three-day celebration of baseball features player autographs, a baseball card show, photo opportunities, a baseball skills area for children, silent auctions, and even national anthem auditions for next season. Also, beginning at 4 p.m. today fans can register to participate in a random drawing for the opportunity to purchase up to four tickets to the 2012 Home Opener. Registration will remain open at the Twins website through February 6th.
Rochester-based military unit returning home tomorrow
Kim David, KROC AM News
January 27, 2012
The latest assignment for the Minnesota Patriot Guard is the Rochester National Guard Armory - tomorrow. Local Guard member Terry Throndson has notified the group to be at the armory at 6:15 tomorrow morning to help with a Welcome Home event for the 79th Military Police Company. It's not known how many of the members are returning tomorrow. The unit deployed to the Afghan region last February. Throndson expects the arrival time will be around 6:30.
Woman charged in death of baby - in 2001
Minnesota News Network
January 27, 2012
A former Minnesota woman has been charged with the death of her newborn daughter - in 2001. Twenty-nine-year-old Amy Romero was living in Henderson when she gave birth. Police say she left the newborn to die in some nearby woods. She later moved to Missouri, where she was arrested last week after being indicted on murder and other charges. Police haven't said what new information led to the charges. Romero is now in custody in Minnesota.
No change in mild flu season
Kim David, KROC AM News
January 27, 2012
The 2011/2012 flu season remains extremely mild in Minnesota. In its latest weekly report, the state Health Department says there were three more hospitalizations, raising the seasonal total to 45. Still no new deaths since the three that were reported early in the season. The report also shows there were no outbreaks at nursing homes or schools.
Ethics allegations against city officials are dismissed
Andy Brownell KROC-AM NEWS
January 26, 2012
Members of the Rochester Ethical Practices Board have dismissed two complaints brought against a top city official last year. The Board met today to review a preliminary investigative report put together by an outside investigator after a Rochester man filed ethics complaints against Public Works Director Richard Freese. Reports indicate Brad Erickson's allegations involved an undisclosed financial relationship. City Attorney Terry Adkins says the ethics board dismissed one of the complaints on a 4-1 vote, while the vote to throw out the other allegation was unanimous. The Ethical Practices Board was formed three years ago and this was the first time the panel has ordered an investigation before making a determination.
Republican lawmakers announce push for voter ID constitutional amendment
Minnesota News Network
January 26, 2011
A group of Republicans will try to bypass Governor Mark Dayton and put a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot this fall which would require that voters present photo IDs at election polls. The measure was included in another bill last year and the governor vetoed it. Hutchinson Republican Scott Newman says the measure boils down to voter integrity and he sees no problem with requiring people to show that they are who they say they are. Lawmakers who oppose the voter photo-ID requirement are not immediately available to comment.
Mounds View couple victims of apparent murder-suicide
Minnesota News Network
January 26, 2012
A relative has identified the suburban Twin Cities couple found dead in their home Wednesday. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, 39-year-old Christine Schnor and her 47-year-old husband, Mark, had not been heard from for a couple days and a niece asked police to go to the couple's Mounds View house and check on their welfare. Christine Schnor's mother says the couple both had health and money problems and had been under "a lot of strain." Reports indicate the evidence at the scene suggest the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide.
Minnesota woman accused of killing her newborn daughter
Minnesota News Network
January 26, 2012
A Minnesota woman is being held in Missouri after being indicted in connection with the death of her newborn daughter. Twenty-nine-year-old Amy Romero of Jessenland Township in south-central Minnesota's Sibley County faces seven felony counts including murder, manslaughter, child neglect and child endangerment. Authorities allege that Romero abandoned the infant in a wooded area near her home, causing the baby's death. Romero has waived extradition to Minnesota and is being held on 250-thousand-dollars bond.
Sales of homes in foreclosure increased in the third quarter
Andy Brownell KROC-AM NEWS
January 26, 2012
A new report indicates about 14-percent of the homes sold in Minnesota during July, August and September of last year were in either in foreclosure or bank owned at the time. The firm RealtyTrac says the number of foreclosed homes sold during the third quarter was up 4 percent from the second quarter and 8-percent when compared to the third quarter of 2010.
Goodhue County authorities order vehicles off the Mississippi River ice
Andy Brownell KROC-AM NEWS
January 26, 2011
The Goodhue County Sheriff's Department says unsafe ice conditions have prompted a ban on driving cars and trucks onto Lake Pepin from just north of Lake City to just past Frontenac State Park. The Sheriff's Department is also banning all motorized vehicles from the ice at Bay Point in Red Wing until further notice. Officials say violators will be ticketed.
Rochester area homeless event tomorrow
KROC AM News
January 26, 2012
A local organization is inviting area homeless and low income residents to an event tomorrow that includes various services - all at no cost. The event has been organized by the Homeless Community Network of Olmsted County and will be held at Mayo High School from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. The organization says legal, some medical and veterans' services will be offered. Information on housing, employment and photo ID will also be provided, as will free haircuts and lunch. Those without transportation can ride the #5 Rochester City Lines bus at no cost.
MN teen advances in American Idol contest
Minnesota News Network
January 26, 2012
A Minnesota teenager wowed the judges on "American Idol" last night. Seventeen-year-old Shelby Tweten of North Mankato sang Carrie Underwood's "Temporary Home" and advanced to the Hollywood round. Tweten also revealed that she was recently diagnosed as bipolar and has been receiving treatment for depression since fourth grade. She says American Idol is keeping her focused and giving her a reason to stay on her medications.
Twin Cities area police officer improving
Minnesota News Network
January 26, 2012
The Savage police officer seriously injured in a January 2nd squad car crash continues to show signs of improvement. The wife of 39-year-old Frank Mackall says he is now walking the down the hall at North Memorial Hospital with some assistance. Officer Mackall is in intensive therapy for three hours each day. Lisabeth Mackall says police officers from across the state have stopped by to support her husband's recovery. His Caring Bridge website has more than 51,000 visits and a benefit fund has been set up at Klein Savage Bank.
Proposed wolf hunt rules released
Andy Brownell KROC-AM NEWS
January 25, 2012
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is outlining the plans for the state's first wolf hunt this fall. The proposal calls for 6,000 licenses to be issued through a lottery system and a harvest quota of 400 gray wolves. The DNR says hunting would be allowed using firearms, archery equipment and muzzleloaders. The plans still need to be reviewed by the State Legislature and public comments will also be considered before for the hunting regulations are finalized. Management of the state's gray wolf population was recently transferred to Minnesota after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the animal from its list of protected species in the western Great Lakes States.