DULUTH, Minn.  — The mystery delegate at the Republican state convention, who created an unscheduled tribute to a convicted murderer, has posted an explanation of sorts on You Tube. In the 10-minute video, Christopher Rocco meanders through a confusing nonsequitur retinue that killer-cop Derek Chauvin was railroaded through an unfair trial for murdering George Floyd. Rocco claimed that Chauvin deserves a retrial and a federal pardon. At the convention Rocco had taken a microphone during a preliminary open-mic proceeding and asked for a moment of silence for Chauvin: “I apologize because I know you asked me not to do this. I’d like to suspend the rules for a moment of reflection for Derek Chauvin.” There was a roar of approval from the floor, although nobody at the moment seemed to recall the high-profile 2021 Chauvin trial that attracted national news attention — “Chauvin who?” Convention Chair Danny Nadeau bowed his head. In respectful quietude. So did the crowded auditorium with 2,300 delegates. After that the convention moved on to other matters as if nothing untoward had occurred.

Earlier: Who conned GOP leadership into “Chauvin Moment”

Earlier: How Republicans came to their “Chauvin Moment”

Rocco. Flag-draped for his You Tube post. Where’d this guy come from: Nobody much knows.

Softball: Caledonia Warriors 5, Rockford Rockets 1

Softball: Adams Southland Rebels 3, Barnum Bombers 2

MINNESOTA CITY, Minn. — Officers on policing patrols were alerted to watch for a man for an assault reported up Hidden Valley. The assault was called to the sheriff’s office about 11:15 p.m. Deputies said the victim, a woman, showed them red marks on her neck. The assailant had left, she said.

LAKE CITY, Minn. — A Frontenac motorcyclist was injured when he ran into a deer on two-lane U.S. Highway 61 at Maple Springs south of Lake City. David Cadet Kumferman, 74, was taken to the Lake City hospital. His injuries appeared non-life threatening. The accident was about 9:10 a.m. Kumferman was northbound into Lake City on a 2008 Harley Davidson FLHTCUI Touring. He was without helmet, said Wabasha Countv deputies.

LEWISTON, Minn. — A driver escaped injury when he missed a curve, entered the ditch, launched back across the road, took out a couple signs, and continued through the ditch. This was about 5:40 a.m. south of Lewiston on County Road 29 in the Rush Creek dip above Enterprise. The driver told Winona County deputies he fell asleep.

WINONA, Minn. — Police say Aiden Michael Wilson’s first mistake was hopping on a motorcycle outside the Kwik Trip at Huff and Sarnia. A police officer saw Wilson and knew that his driving license was revoked. After the ensuing traffic stop, Wilson, age 19, of Dakota was in jail. The charges:

> Underage drinking and driving.

> Carrying a pistol without a permit.

> Carrying a pistol while under the influence

> Driving after revocation.

The arresting officer gave this account: At the stop , about 12:30 a.m. a few blocks away, the officer immediately detected an overwhelming odor of alcohol. Wilson’s eyes were bloodshot and watery. Wison’s backpack was leaking. Wilson initially denied consuming alcohol but later admitted that he had beer in his backpack and had consumed three to four drinks. Wilson also admitted that he did not have insurance and that he had no driver’s license. It had been revoked after a drunk-diving arrest three weeks earlier. Asked whether he had weapons, Wilson first denied having any but later admitted to handgun in his backpack. Officers searched the backpack and located nine cans of Busch Light Apple, a 4.1% alcohol product.  One was uncorked and leaking. Also in the backpack: Several marijuana-related items, including loose marijuana, rolling papers, and a marijuana pipe. Wilson admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the day. The revolver was a .357 Taurus. A breath test showed his blood was 0.07% alcohol — a legally tolerable level, but at 19 he legally ineligible to imbibe at all. Then there was the bike. It had been stolen. The owner discovered the theft after noticing fraudulent charges on a card that had been inside a wallet on the bike.

Baseball: Winona Cotter Ramblers 11, Rochester Lourdes Eagles 5

Softball: Olyvia Bird Island-Olivia-Lake Lillian Warriors 4, Adams Soutlhand Rebels 1

Softball: Mendota Heights Visitation Blazes 4, Caledonia Warriors 2

Softball: Byron Bears, Inver Grove Heights Simley Spartans 0

Tennis (boys): Winona Cotter Ramblers 4, Pine City Panthers 3

Tennis (boys): Rochester Mayo Spartans 7, Becker Bulldogs 0

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn — The governing board of the Minnesota State High School League approved girls wrestling provisionally as an interscholastic sport. The decision gives organizing schools as many as five years to demonstrate stability prospects and logistics. Meanwhile the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association is continuing on its own with schools that include Chatfield. On the issue of girls flag football, the State High School League delayed action until organizers, which include the Minnesota Vikings, develop rules and a system of scheduling games.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — A Rochester judge set bail at $1000,00 in hope of deterring Phiktor Ajol Makuei of skipping town again, as he did between court hearings on a rape charge in 2023. Makuei, 1ge 37, had been on the loose almost 3-1/2 years.

Earlier: Man back in Rochester jail on 2023 rape  charge

DULUTH, Minn. — The man who embarrassed Minnesota Republicans by calling for a tribute to killer-cop Derek Chauvin at the GOP state convention has been identified by a news reporter for the Minnesota Reformer. He was Christopher Rocco, who said he preferred to be known merely as “Rocco” or “Mr. Rocco.” He did not identify from where in the state he had been elected as a delegate to the convention. He was among 2,300 delegates. In the hub-bub of the opening session Rocco grabbed a microphone and called for a moment of silence for Chauvin. And it was so ordered, unwittingly, by party leadership on the podium. Heads were bowed reflexively. For several days now the state GOP apparatchik has repeated disavowals of Rocco’s action as not representative of the party’s values.

Earlier: How Republicans came to their “Chauvin Moment”

BYRON, Minn — A Pine Island woman was injured in a two-vehicle collision U.S. Highway 14 in Byron and taken 12 miles to a Rochester hospital. Injuries to Tyra Ann Witt, 61, were described as non-life threatening. The accident was about 8:25 p.m. at the County 5 intersection into Byron. Police said Wutt was northbound in County Road 5 in a 2024 Ford Bronco. The other vehicle, a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado, was headed east toward Rochester on U.S. 14. Uninjured were:

> Lawrence Vincent Witt, 63, of Pine Island, a passenger the Bronco.

> Dale Ardean Waltz, 74, of Rochester, the  driver of the Silverado.

LEWISTON, Minn. — Police were called about a possible homeless encampment south of the Canadian Pacific train crossing off Fremont Street. Officers found a cart but not much else. There has been an occasional encampment before.

DRESBACH, Minn. — A person fishing under the Interstate 90 bridge felt a hard tug: “A super-size bass perhaps?” What he reeled in was.a pump shotgun, severely rusted and mired in mud. Sheriff’s deputies from Winon couldn;’t make out a serial number. The chamber was so rusted they couldn’t determine if it were loaded. They took the gun back to Winona in hope a that  little WD40 and elbow grease might yield a serial number to track the gun’s origins  There was no reason to suspect criminality.

MADISON, Wis.  — There will be no criminal charges against a United Airlines passenger who triggered an emergency landing in Madison out of concern he was a hijacker. The FBI said the 75-year-old man was confused and suffering a mental health crisis. His family, in Minnesota, was advised of the FBI’s decision and was on the way to Madison to take him home.

Earlier: MSP-bound plane diverts after hijack scare

ROCHESTER, Minn. — A man accused of entering a Rochester woman’s home as she slept and raping her has been extradited back to Rochester. Phiktor Ajol Makuei, age 37, was charged with sexual assault in 2023 but skipped town. Recently authorities in Rochester learned that Makuei was in jail in Lincoln, Nebraska, on an unrelated matter and arranged for his return to Minnesota. The Rochester allegation was based on mid-December 2022 incident in southeast Rochester. The criminal complaint states that Makuei acknowledged having sex with the victim but claimed it was consensual. The woman said otherwise.

Makuei. Extradited from Nebraska, where held on unrelated charge.

WINONA, Minn. — Plans have changed for a tract next to the new Chipolte Mexican food shop on the Far West End. The original plan for a quick-lube shop has been scrapped. Instead an Arkansas-based drive through coffee chain, 7Brew, is planning a franchise at the 1537 Gilmore Avenue site. Digging has begun. The site is only few blocks from a new Scooter’s drive-trough on the West End and also a nearby Caribou.

Earlier: Developer eyes Winona site for Chipolte

Blue brew  SevenBrew was founded in 2018 and soon became a franchiser. Five-hundred  franchises so far. Originally seven products, Now more. Many units are teamed with Walmart and Taco Bell locations. The company claims units average $2 million volume annually.

CLAREMONT, Minn. — A Byron man was killed when he left rain-slick U.S. Highway 14 and crashed west of Claremont in Steele County. The victim was Richard Dean Bedney, age83. He died apparently on impact. This was about 5:20 p.m. near the County Road 43 intersection. Bendey was westbound toward Owatonna on a 2018 Harley Davidson.