Crash injures driver entering Zumbro Falls
ZUMBRO FALLS, Minn. – A Zumbrota driver, alone in her car, was injured when the vehicle crashed at the northwest outskirts of Zumbro Falls. Nancy Louise Tri, 63, suffered sustainable injuries and was taken 24 miles to a Rochester hospital. The accident was about 12:30 p.m at State Highway 60 and at County Road 68. She was driving a 2011 Ford Fiesta. Airbags did not deploy.
Gow’s termination at UW-La Crosse upheld
KENOSHA, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin voted unanimously to strip former UW-LaCrosse Chancellor Joe Gow of his faculty status. The decision, by the UW system’s regents, was Gow’s last resort within the UW system to appeal his termination. He had promised to move the case into the courts if the regentswent against him. His termination was over his role in producing explicit sex videos as healthful for seniors. The termination has been seen in academic circles as a major blow to academic freedom and faculty free speech. Said Gow:
“Because this is a First Amendment case, and it’s a contemporary case, it could be a very long case. I don’t want to sound too grandiose, but it would have the implication going to the U.S. Supreme Court.”
The 17-member Board of Regents met at UW-Parkside on a rotating schedule that takes the Board to campuses statewide. Gow his wife Carnen Wilson, a fellow academic and co-producer of the videos, sat in the front row. The Board met about half an hour in closed session, which is common for personnel issues, then reconvened in open meeting for the vote.
Two bikers killed in collision near Nelson
NELSON, Wis. – Two Minnesota motorcyclists were killed in a head-on collision with a pickup truck on State Highway 35 a mile south of Nelson. Killed were:
> Mark Holzer, 59, of Rochester.
> Brian Shank, 59, of Chatfield.
Without explanation Buffalo County Sheriff Michael Osmond withheld the other victims’ names. Injured and taken to a hospital was a third Minnesota biker, a 69-year-old man from Rushford. The pickup driver, a 34-year-old man from Alma, was unhurt. The collision was about 10:40 a.m. on Highway 35 near Deer Creek Road. Deputies said it appeared that the pickup, northbound, crossed the centerline and hit the oncoming bikers. The two-lane highway was closed both directions five hours for investigation and clean-up.
Arrest follows violent threats on West Side
WINONA, Minn. – Police arrested a 27-year-old man who reportedly wielded a knife in a domestic incident on the West Side. Details were not available immediately , but police were preparing charges of reckless threats of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, and burglary. Police had been called about 8 a.m. to the 550 block of Hamilton Street.
Quiz for Winona newshounds /9
> Why did former President Donald Trump add the small town of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, to his campaign schedule? Clue
> What went wrong at the Minnesota-based Schwan’s home-delivery meal service? Clue
> How far from anywhere is Eagle Peak in Yellowstone National Park? And why are Winona people talking about it? Clue
> How much time can you spend in a Minnesota prison for vandalizing a political yard sjgn? Clue
> Who decides whether people at the Adam Fravel murder trial can wear emotion-evoking shirts or carry signs? Clue
Earlier: Quiz for Winona news hounds /8
Federal broadband expansion funds to Minnesota
WASHINGTON – A $651 million federal grant has been approved to expand high-speed internet to rural Minnesota areas with limited access. Alan Davidson, the head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, announced the grant. It was among grants to four states, including also Iowa, Georgia and South Carolina.
WSU executive lauded for energy savings
WINONA, Minn. – The assistant facilities vice president at Winona State has been recognized for sustainability progress at the unoversity. The Upper Midwest Association for Campus Sustainability cited Jim Goblirsch for:
> Reducing annual building operating costs by 50%.
> Avoiding 1.8 million pounds of carbon emissions.
> Reducing the annual campus energy use by 3.7%.
This was through using with new materials and more environment-friendly building design
Jim Goblirsch. His solar energy systems have improved energy and water efficiency and are projected to save $26 million over their lifetime.
White powder in mail: State offices evacuated
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota State office building that houses state election administrators was evacuated after a suspicious package came in the morning mail. The package had a label from the United States Traitor Elimination Army. There here being no such agency, the sender was in effect anonymous. Inside was a whiter powder. Such packages have been received in recent days by secretaries of state in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New York and Rhode Island. These packages coincide with the start of early voting in several states, including Minnesota. There have been no reports of injuries or ill effects or that the packages contained hazardous material. The primary concern about white powder dates to 2001 when terrorists sent anthrax anonymously to government offices. Anthrax is deadly if breathed or even touched. It is a preferred bioweapon of Russian spies.
Walz drilling for televised Vance showdown
MINNEAPOLIS – Governor Tim Walz has holed up in a Minneapolis hotel to prep for the vice-presidential debate against Republican JD Vance on Tuesday in New York. An insider sclled the preparation intense. Pretending to be Vance in the practice sparring with Walz is U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who is known for his quick mind and clear articulation. Meanwhile, Vance is ensconced at an undisclosed location with U.S. Congressman Tom Emmer, a Minnesota Republican, playing Walz. The live-televised debate is Tuesday at 8 p.m. Central time
Buttigieg. In Minneapolis for Walz debate practice.
Still in full blossom to partake of fall’s sun
Morning glory. Fall may be here officially, but morning glories still abound in these shorter days. This is along the gravel shoulder of East Burns Valley Road out of Winona. Image: Andy Frank
Poll: Harris widens Minnesota lead over Trump
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The latest Minnesota poll shows Kamala Haris with a six-point lead over Donald Trump for the presidency – 50% to 44%. The poll was conducted the survey firm SurveyUSA for television station KSTP. The poll was conducted September 23 to September 26 with statistically meaningful 800 Minnesotans. The margin of error was 4.3 percentage points. A poll KSTP in August had Harris 48% to 43%. Other findings in the September poll:
> Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz , had stronger home state support than Republican JD Vance. Walz was rated “excellent” by 13%, “good” by 37% and “poor” by 37%. Vance was rated “excellent” by 16% and poor by 41%.
>With women, Harris led 59% to Trump’s 35%.
> A breakout of men in a recent poll commissioned by the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesota Public Radio and television station KARE found Harris leading 48% 43%.
Nationally, Harris leads 49.9% to 45.8% in an aggregation of polls by The Hill newsletter in Washington.
For Winona climber’s family: A desperate wait
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. – The family of a Winona climber missing on a solo adventure up Eagle Peak has spent the week at Lake Hotel in Yellowstone Park, checking regularly with a search headquarters 10 minutes away. Brian King-Henke said his son may have overreached his athleticism in tackling Eagle Peak, a treacherous 11,300-foot crag in the remote southeast corner of the park. “He took on something he was not prepared for,” King-Henke said. A massive air and ground search for the 22-year-old adventurer has been underway a week. His father had encouraged Austin to take a summer tourist job at Yellowstone. “I’m the one who told him to come out here,” King-Henke told an interviewer: “You know, I was like, ‘You’re 22. Go see the United States.'” The climb up Eagle Peak was to be his final Yellowstone adventure before the end of the Yellowstone tourist seas0n – a solo climb. Austin’s mother Pandy King was the last to hear from Austin. He called from the summit about 7 p.m., September 17. “This was the pinnacle of his summer because he had to go home in two weeks,” she said. “So, this was it. This was the grand adventure for him.” Said his father: “I’m glad he was doing what he loved.” Meanwhile, the parents and Austin’s brother at the hotel can hear search helicopters heading out all day every day toward Eagle Peak, which is across Yellowstone Lake and then about 14 miles into the wilderness.
Earlier: Weather eases: Search for Winona climber intensifies
Lake shuttle. Austin King-Henke took a boat shuttle to a drop-off point on the south arm of Yellowstone Lake to begin a five-day trek to Eagle Peak. He didn’t return for a scheduled pickup seven days later.
Lay of the land. Eagle Peak is deep in the Absarokee Mountains southeast of Yellowstone Lake and about 50 miles from Cody, Wyoming.
Lad found after missing seven hours in woods
PICKWICK, Minn. – Searchers located a boy missing seven hours in the woods above Pickwick. The boy, 13 years old, had injuries and was carried out and taken to a hospital. He had been reported missing about 4 p.m. The Winona County sheriff’s search and rescue team was mobilized and a State Patrol helicopter called in. The search was centered between Pickwick and Ridgeway off County Road 7 up Cedar Ridge Drive.
College scores
Volleyball (women): Rochester Community 3, Western Technical of Wisconsin 2
Minnesota prep
Soccer (boys): Winona Cotter Ramblers 7, Plainview-Elgin-Melville Bulldogs 0
Volleyball (girls): Rochester Mayo Spartans 3, Winona Winhawks 0
Volleyball (girls): Pine Island Panthers 3, St. Charles Saints 0
Volleyball (girls): St. Charles/Lewiston-Altura 2, Dover-Eyota Eagles 2
Roadside sobriety test goes badly for Winona driver
WINONA, Minn. – A Winona driver who couldn’t walk straight in a roadside sobriety test was charged with drunken driving. This was about 9:15 p.m. at Broadway and Johnson streets. Police said Rory Evelyn Scott, 21, had been driving after dark without lights. Once stopped, the officer said, her eyes were noticeably blood-shot and she smelled of alcohol and had balance issues. Her blood-alcohol concentration was high at 0.12% — about 50% more than impairment under state law.
Lost backpack with lD inside leads to arrest
WINONA, Minn. – A backpack dropped in the parking lot outside Days Inn on the West End led to two apprehensions at the hotel. An officer inspecting backpack found identification of the owner inside – a woman who was wanted on Olmsted County and Winona County arrest warrants. The officer asked a hotel desk clerk if Cassandra Ann Carter, 39, of Millville, was checked in. She was, along with Spencer Adam Edwards, 34, of North Mankato. When confronted, both gave false names, the officer said, but they didn’t resist otherwise. Carter was jailed on a variety of old traffic offenses and pending cases of possession and sale of drugs. She also was charged with giving a false name. Edwards was ticketed, also for a false name.
Carter. Office tracks her to hotel where staying.
Mystery drone reported over Ridgeway farm
RIDGEWAY, Minn. – A rural homeowner told deputies that a drone apparently had been surveilling his property from the air after dark the night before. The owner delayed until 10 a.m. to make a report to the sheriff’s dispatcher. The sighting had been in the 2900 block of County Road 125 south of Interstate 90 between Nodine and Ridgeway.
Police: Slight uptick in yard sign vandalism
WINONA, Minn. – With only seven weeks until the general election, police have received only a handful of complaints about political yard signs being torn down or vandalized. Deputy Police Chief Jay Rasmussen noted that yard signs are protected by law. He encouraged people to report offenses. So far, he said, police haven’t seen any pattern to particular candidates or political parties being targeted.
Earlier: Mega-size Trump banner yanked down
Preston vandal steals Harris-Walz yard signs
PRESTON, Minn. – Somebody stole Democratic yard signs around Preston overnight, the Fillmore County DFL chair reported. Targeted were Harris-Walz signs, said Christine Devries. Police were investigating. Said Devries: “We feel violated by it, and I am sure all the other people feel the same.” Minnesota Statute 609.595 specifies punishment as five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Earlier: Police: Slight uptick in yard sign vandalism
Earlier: Brazen daytime attack on Trump shop
Earlier: Mega-size Trump banner yanked down
Through the lock and speeding downriver
Wind and spray. For a liberating and sensual sensation in a speedboat full-bore at 30 knots on a warm September afternoon. This was at an open house at the Army Corps’ Lock and Dam 7 off Interstate 90 at Dresbach. Those are visitors on the gangway between the concrete dam towers. They have climbed up from the lock for a different look-see. Image: Andy Frank
Summer finale: A stroll amid the green
Windom Park. For a few more weeks before winter’s chill, the water still rises in gentle arcs at the feet of Princess Winona. A lovely afternoon to visit the statue and relax at her pool. Image: Andy Frank
Notable journalism
Charlie Klepps (KTVQ, September 25, 2024): “‘Not Giving Up’: Family of Lost Camper in Yellowstone National Park Still Hopeful”
Clair McFarland (Cowboy State News, September 24,2024): “Best Friend of Missing Yellowstone Hiker Missing a Week Waits at Camp, Desperate for News”
Caden Perry (LaCrosse Tribune, September 23, 2024): “New Tuition Program Bolsters Minnesota College Enrollments as Some Wisconsin Schools See Fewer Students”
Winona Health course: Learn CPR in an hour
WINONA, Minn. – The public is invited to a free one-hour class to learn what to do in a choking emergency to manage the first few minutes until medical care arrives. Helen Bagshaw, a critical care nurse, will lead the session. Time: 6 p.m., Wednesday, in the third floor aditorium at the Winona hospital. Said Bagshaw: “It happens so unexpectedly and quickly. If someone is choking or needs CPR, out in the community or at home, we should all feel prepared to help.” Registration.
Bagshaw. Critical care nurse at Winona Health..
Weather eases: Search for Winona climber intensifies
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. – Weather lightened up on trails around remote Eagle Peak and on the 11,300-foot peak itself, permitting a more intensive search for a Winona climber missing 10 days. The search for Austin King-Henke began a week ago Saturday with 85 personnel, two helicopters, a search dog team, and drones, concentrating mostly on higher elevation area where climbing is the most treacherous. The first days of searching were hampered the bad weather that King described to family in a telephone call from the summit. Despite deteriorating weather he was triumphant about his accomplishment, family said. The call was about 7 p.m. A concern has been that King started his descent in the dark as weather worsened. Two days later, when it was realized that King ws missing, winds were piling snow six feet deep and putting a glaze on the craggy mountain.
Dropping a ground team. Into the wilderness during a break in the weather. Eagle Peak is 14 miles from the nearest road. Images: National Park Service
Tracking the search. The National Park Service created this map of ground search patys in red and aerial sorties in blue the first day of the search.
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