Two bodies recovered from Lake Michigan
Kim David/ KROC AM News
July 31, 2010
Two of the four bodies that have been missing since a small airplane on its way to Rochester last Friday crashed into Lake Michigan have been recovered. The plane was found Thursday in 180 feet of water about 3 miles from shore. It had left Alma, Michigan and developed engine problems as it flew over the lake. The pilot was the only survivor. He was flying a cancer patient to the Mayo Clinic. Also on the plane were the patient's wife, his doctor and the co-pilot. The bodies that were recovered yesterday have been identified as the cancer patient and his wife. The search for the others will continue today.
More traffic detours in the Twin Cities
Minnesota News Network
July 31, 2010
If you're headaing into or going through the Twin Cities this weekend, be advised that two major roads are out of commission. In Saint Paul, westbound I-94 between Highway 280 and I-35E is totally closed until 5 a.m. Monday for resurfacing. On the north end of the metro, similar work has closed westbound Highway 10 from 35-W to Highway 65 in Blaine. And one of the big arteries in south Minneapolis -- Highway 62 between I-35W and Cedar Avenue - is also closed both directions this weekend as crews remove a bridge deck on an overpass.
35W memorial plans hit snag
Minnesota News Network
July 31, 2010
Plans for a memorial to victims and survivors of the 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis appear to be on hold. A spokesman for Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak says there are challenges with the proposed site of the 35W Remembrance Garden in Gold Medal Park. Jeremy Hanson says the city is considering nearby locations and no decisions will be made without the input of the survivors. Last summer, Hanson reported only $200,000 had been raised for the $1-million project. The design features a fountain surrounded by 13 beams with names of each of the bridge victims. Tomorrow marks the three-year anniversary of the 35W bridge collapse.
MN serviceman killed in plane wreck
Minnesota News Network
July 31, 2010
A serviceman from the the north-central Minnesota township of Hines was among four airmen killed Wednesday when a cargo plan crashed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. Major Michael Freyholtz was a pilot assigned to the Alaska Air National Guard's 249th Airlift Squadron. Military officials say the cargo plane crashed shortly after taking off on a training mission for this weekend's air show.
Bail set for Stewartville man charged with brutal assault
Kim David KROC-AM NEWS
July 30, 2010
A Stewartville man has been arraigned on charges of breaking his girlfriend's jaw and then leaving her unconscious alongside a road last month. The girlfriend of 44-year old Danny Wheeler says they left a bar on his motorcycle in the early morning hours of June 20th and that when she asked him to slow down, he elbowed her in the face and she ended up in a ditch. She says while on the ground, Wheeler stomped on her face and she was knocked out. The woman says when she came to, Wheeler was gone. She says she then walked to a nearby truck and asked the driver to call 911. Wheeler has been charged with two felony assault counts. Wheeler's conditional bail has been set at $150,000. One of the conditions he faces is a court order to stay away from the victim and stay out of Stewartville.
Rochester man pleads guilty in costly vandalism case
Kim David KROC-AM NEWS
July 30, 2010
A Rochester man who vandalized the Outback restaurant twice within a seven month period pleaded guilty today and will be sentenced in September. 33-year old Matthew Kernler pleaded guilty to two felony counts of criminal damage to property while several other charges were dropped as part of a plea agreement. The first incident occurred last October. The other took place this past May when Kernler broke a natural gas line and caused other damage, estimated at $20,000. After he was identified through a surveillance camera recording, he admitted to both crimes. Kernler told investigators he was angry because he had been ordered to stay away from the business.
Fatal crash occurred while street lights were dark
Andy Brownell KROC-AM NEWS
July 30, 2010
The State Patrol says an elderly Saint Paul woman was killed yesterday in a traffic crash that occurred at a Twin Cities intersection where the traffic lights had been knocked out by a power outage. The 78-year-old woman was driving a car that slammed into the back of a vehicle that had stopped at the uncontrolled intersection in Oakdale.
Busy weekend in Duluth
Minnesota News Network
July 30, 2010
Traffic in Duluth is being described as "extremely congested." Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to converge on the Duluth area this weekend for a couple big attractions. Not only are 9 tall sailing ships docked in the Duluth Harbor, but tomorrow the historic Split Rock lighthouse beacon will be activated at sunset to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first time the beacon was lit to help guide ships on Lake Superior.
Rochester man charged in attack on ex-girlfriend
Kim David, KROC AM News
July 30, 2010
Two counts of attempted murder ( 1st and 2nd ) have been filed against the Rochester man who is accused of attacking his former girlfriend Tuesday night on a rural Olmsted County road. 30-year old Mitchell Good is also facing a felony assault charge and two other counts. During a court appearance this morning, his conditional bail was set at $250,000. Good is accused of driving the woman and her young daughter to the 7000 block of 65th street northwest. Investigators say he then attacked her with two knives, cutting her arms, hands and face before running into some nearby woods. Law enforcement officers spent a few hours looking for Good but could not find him. He was spotted the next night at the Douglas Saloon but fled before officers arrived. He was caught a short while later and taken into custody.
ConAgra cuts MN jobs
Minnesota News Network
July 30, 2010
ConAgra Foods is cutting 120 jobs in Minnesota by moving its snack headquarters from Edina to Naperville, Illinois. A company spokesman says 65 local employees were given offers to move and 30 accepted. Fifty-five workers in Edina were moved to a sales office in Bloomington. ConAgra still has more than 850 employees in Minnesota, including 530 at its Lakeville plant. ConAgra's snack foods include Slim Jim sticks, Orville Redebacher popcorn and Act Two microwave popcorn.