Winona Journal – Home
11September 2023

Attorney general issues alert on college loans

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Companies that have dangled settlement services for borrowers with college debts are the subject of a new inquiry, Attorney General Keith Ellison said the inquiry involves 52 companies. Most all are based in California and at least some are niot registered to do business in Minnesota, Ellison said. The crackdown comes after interest on student loans began accruing again this week after a pause for CoVid. Many people with college loans suddenly have looking for relief with a new lender. Ellison believes the companies violated consumer protection laws by misrepresenting fees and services and falsely promised student loan forgiveness. “Only the federal government can offer such forgiveness,” he said. Subject to inquiry:

> ABS (A Better Solution) Student Loans

> Allied Enrollment Centers

> Allied Financial Services

> Alum Financial, a.k.a. Grads Financial

> Alumni Help Center

> Alumni Support Center

> American Doc Pre

American Processing Support

Amerifed Doc Prep

> Certified Enrollment Center

> Client Processing Services

> Cornerstone Doc Pre

> Criner Financial Group

> Debt Relief Assistance Plus

> Documents Done Right

>Docupros, aka United Specialists

> Education Financial

>ENM Consulting Services

> Fed Pro, a..ka. Fed Help

> Federal Document Assistance Center

> Federal Document Preparation Services

> Federal Student Loan Doc Prep

> Financial Student Services

> First Fidelity Services, a.k.a. Mabak Enterprises

> Freedom Financial Aid

> Graduate Doc Center

> Liberty Student Loan Forgiveness

> Loan Forgiveness Enrollment Center

> Marketing Services

> National Budget Planners of South Florida

> National Debt Education Relief

> National Debt Relief

> National Student Loan Relief, a.k.a. My Payment Help Center

> Network 46

> Processing Direct, a.k.a. Student Loan Processing Direct

> Riverwalk Financial Corporation

> Skyway Financial Group

> SL Finance

> Student Advisors

> Student Loan & Savings, a.k.a. CT Financial Services

> Student Loan Doc

> Student Loan Financial Assistance, a.k.a. NextStep Financial Debt Settlement

> Student Prep Center, a.k.a. Common Key

> Student Renew

> Students Service Center

> Unified Document Services

> United Students of America

> US Debt Relief

> U.S. Financial, aka Graduate Resource Network

> US Processing Solutions, a.k.a. TWZII

> USA Student Debt Relief

10September 2023

College scores

Soccer (women):  Winona State 0, Truman State 0 (draw)

Soccer (women): Saint Mary’s and UW-Stevens Point, postponed

Soccer (women): UW-LaCrosse 3, Dominican of Illinois 2

10September 2023

First fear: Anyone trapped inside?

ROCHESTER, Minn. — The occupants of a mobile home escaped without injury when fired broke out and caused significant damage. The fire was at Oak Terrace Estates at 1681 Marion Road South. The situation was touch and go for s while because the neighbor who called 911 hadn’t seen anyone come out. Firefighters determined wasn’t anyone still was inside.

2023 09 10 RST tralr hius fire cA - Winona Journal

Trailer house fire. Repairs in Rochester fire to run $5,000, according to an estimate. Image: Rochester Fire Department

10September 2023

R.I.P.: Joyce Hamernik

WINONA, Minn. – Joyce V. Hamernik, 93, an attendant in the 1949 Queen of Snows pageant for the Winona Winter Carnival, died at Benedictine-Saint Anne. At Winona High School she was active in the  student council and participated in several school plays.

Details: Fawcett-Junker Funeral Home

HAMERNIK joyce 1929 2023 - Winona Journal

1929-2023

10September 2023

Breath test: Driver’s blood at 0.17% alcohol

WINONA Minn. — A Coon Rapids man was arrested as drunk at the wheel near Winona State campus about 3 a.m. Police sad that Janel Phineas Karn, 19, was unsteady on his feet and had bloodshot and watery eyes. He also failed sobriety tests during the stop and tested for 0.17% blood-alcohol content, more than twice the limit. The stop was at Main and Sanborn streets.

10September 2023

R.I.P.: Barbara Hennnessy

WINONA, Minn. – Barbara (Grover) Hennessy, 85, of Winona, whose career was mostly as a dietary director in nursing facilities, died at Watkins Manor. Her dietary work was at St. Anne’s of Winona, Good Shepherd of Rushford, and Chosen Valley of Chatfield. She graduated from Gale-Ettrick High School in 1956. She earned a degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She taught briefly in Whitehall, Wisconsin. She was a foster parent for infants placed in adoption through Catholic Charities. She volunteered with the Winona County Historical Society, Winona Community Warming Center for homelessness, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, and Winona Volunteer Services.

Detail: Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home

HENNESSY barbara 1938 2023 - Winona Journal

1938-2023

10September 2023

Police chase ends badly for teen-age Blair driver

PIGEON FALLS, Wis., — A 125 mph police chase ended when a teen-ager fleeing south from Osseo hit a guardrail on the gentle curve at Torpen Road and crashed down an embankment. Zachary Nitek,18, of Blair, suffered minor injuries. He was taken into custody at the guardrail. The chase began in Osseo about 12:40 a.m. when Nitek almost hit an officer’s patrol car. Several police agencies joined the pursuit, which ended about six miles of Osseo. Nitek apparently was heading 25 miles home to Blair.

NUTEK zachary BLIR dwi 2023 - Winona Journal

Nitek Pending charges: Fleeing an officer, reckless driving and intoxicated driving.

10September 2023

A gun in road rage confrontation? Who knows

WINONA, Minn. — A motorist told police he was threatened with a gun in a post-midnight road rage incident. Police found the suspect vehicle and indeed the driver had a gun, but he had a permit and denied pulling the gun. Without evidence to corroborate the accusation, police chose not to make a charge. The incident started abut 1:30 a.m. in the 1600 block of West Fifth street. The driver who called police said a gray vehicle passed him dangerously on the right and somebody yelled an insult at him. A few blocks away at Fifth and Orin, the man spotted the gray vehicle parked. A man got out, pointed a gun, and drove off, the man told police. Officers found and stopped the gray vehicle. The driver denied pointing his gun. Case closed.

9September 2023

Week’s summary: Ending September 9, 2023

9September 2023

Driver wobbly on his feet, tested as drunk

WINONA, Minn. — A Wisconsin driver was charged with driving drunk at Riverview Drive and Theurer Boulevard on the far West End.  David Lee Neuchwander, 36, of Hayward, tested for blood-alcohol at 0.14%, close to double the state definition of impairment. The test confirmed the wobbliness that the arresting deputy said he observed as well as bloodshot, watery eyes. The stop was about 11:55 p.m.

9September 2023

Time for end-of-summer Latsch Island cleanup

Association asked for volunteers to help Sunday with the annual Latsch Island cleanup. The target:  Debris on beaches, trails, woods and Aghaming Park. Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with assembly at the Old Wagon Bridge. Please bring your own gloves and insect repellent. The association is providing trash bags.

download 85 - Winona Journal

A.K.A.  This is 1,100 acres that early trappers called Wolf Spider Island,

Home to Aghaming Park. The view from upriver with Dick’s Marina in the foregriond. On the island across the main Mississippi River navigation channel from downtown Winona is Aghaming  Park and a nature preserve with a pristine bottomland forest stand.

9September 2023

College scores

Football: Winona State 33, Concordia of St. Paul 8

Football: Hardin-Simmons 28, UW-LaCrosse 21

(more…)

9September 2023

Minnesota prep

Volleyball (girls): Winona Cotter Ramblers 2, Little Falls Flyers 0

Volleyball (girls): Winona Cotter Ramblers 2, Dodge Center Triton Cobras 0

Volleyball (girls): LaCrescent-Hokah Lancers 2, Winona Cotter Ramblers 0

Volleyball (girls): Plainview-Elgin-Millville Bulldogs 2, Winona Cotter Ramblers 1

Volleyball (girls): Winona Cotter Ramblers 2, Houston Hurricanes 0

Volleyball (girls): LaCrescent-Hokah Lancers 2, Lewiston-Altura Cardinals 0

Volleyball (girls): Lewiston-Altura Cardinals 2, Plainview-Elgin-Millville Bulldogs 1

Volleyball (girls): LaCrescent-Hokah Lancers 2, Lewiston-Altura Cardinals 1

Volleyball (girls): Lewiston-Altura Cardinals 2, Rochester Schaeffer Lions 0

Volleyball (girls): Lewiston-Altura Cardinals 2, Rochester Lourdes Eagles 0

(more…)

9September 2023

Wisconsin prep

Football: Eau Claire Regis Raiders 37, Durand-Arkansaw Panthers 0

9September 2023

Boozed-up biker survives crash, gets up, drives on

ST. CHARLES, Minn. — A motorist saw a biker whiz by on Interstate 90 and go into the borrow pit, then right the bike and drive on. The motorist called 911 with the motorcycle license plate. Winona County deputies went to the  register owner’s address and found him staggering drunk. His blood-alcohol tested at 0.19%, roughly 2-1/2 times the allowable max. Donald Dean Littlefield, 66, was cited for driving while intoxicated. This was about 5:55 p.m.

LITTLEFIELD donald dean DWI - Winona Journal

Littlefield. After spill and just when he thought he was home safe.

9September 2023

Police thwart teen’s suicide threat at Levee

WINONA Minn. — A 15-year-old boy jumped out of a boat into the Mississippi River, apparently during a domestic dispute, and swam to the downtown Levee. At the Levee, as the sheriff’s drive and rescue team and a second sheriff’s water crew watched, the teen-ager threatened suicide by jumping off a ledge. A city police officer at the Levee distracted the man for a moment, and another officer grabbed him. The boy was taken to the hospital for evaluation.

9September 2023

Motorcyclist critically hurt near Zumbro Bottoms

DUMFRIES, Minn. — A Rochester biker was injured critically when he crashed west of Dnmfries on State Highway 60 heading toward Rochester from Wabasha. Andrew Clayton Knudson, 30, of Rochester, was taken 28 miles to a Rochester hospital. His condition was described as life-threatening. The accident was about 2:35 p.m. at the County Road 13 turn-off to the Zumbro Bottoms wildlife area and campground. Knudson was riding a 2021 Kawasaki motorcycle.

9September 2023

Dirt-biker dies in motocross track wreck

MILLVILLE, Minn. — A dirt bike enthusiast suffered fatal injuries when he crashed at Meadow Valley Motocross Track in Millville. Austin Kristiansen, 23, of LeCenter, was airlifted 25miles to a Rochester hospttal, but it was too late. The crash was called to Wabasha County authorities about 1:10 p.m. The fatality was the second a a Wabasha County dirt bike track this year.

Earlier: QAnon cult leader fatally hurt at motocross track

KRISTIANSEN austin dirt bike ACDT - Winona Journal

Kristiansen. From LeCenter 80 miles away.

9September 2023

Driver survives as car overturns on I-90

LEWISTON Minn. — A Rochester driver lost control of his car and overturned on Interstate 90 two miles east of the Lewiston exit. George Earl Olive, 32, was taken 38 miles to a Rochester hospital. Winona County deputies said his injuries appeared survivable. He was wearing a seat belt. The airbag didn’t deploy. The accident was about 1:30 p.m. on dry pavement. Oliver was heading toward Wisconsin in a 1999 Chevrolet Lumina.

9September 2023

Dog trapped in power chair recliner

WINONA, Minn. — A homeowner called for emergency help to free a pet dog trapped in the mechanism of a power reclining chair. Firefighters found the dog under the chair, its hair caught in the lead screw that raises and lowers the footrest. They tried to manipulate the screw but couldn’t, so they dismantled the chair around the dog.  The dog was OK save for small skin tears around the back of its neck. This was about 10:45 a.m. in the 500 block of East King Street.

9September 2023

R.I.P.: Jerome Patzner

LEWISTON, Minn. – Jerome Anton Patzner, of Lewiston, vice president of his unit of the American Federation of Government Employees, died at age 90.  He was a civil servant for the  Government Services Administration. He was in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft engineer and mechanic. After retiring he worked as a self-employed mechanic. He umpired and coached Little League baseball ad s coordinated girls swim team.

Details: Hoff Funeral Home

1932-2023

9September 2023

Cops: Cocaine-tainted bag tossed from car

WINONA, Minn. — As a driver was being pulled over, the officer saw him throw a plastic bag out the passenger window. “Me? Not me.  Not mine” Luis Angel Gasca, 22, told the officer.  This was about 1:05 a.m. at Huff and King streets. The officer retrieved the bag, which tested for cocaine albeit only 0.19 grams. Gasca was charged with possession of a controlled substance.

GASCA luius angel possn 2023 - Winona Journal

Gasca. First denied the bag was his.

9September 2023

Minor ticketed after passing out on sidewalk

WINONA Minn. — A Wisconsin man admitted to drinking, police said, after they found him passed out on the street in the downtown bar district. Nicholas Willem David Lips, 20, of Sun Prairie, was cited for underage drinking and given a ride to his Winona address near campus. His blood-alcohol tested at 0.21%, about 2-1/2 ties the legal limit. This was about 12:40 a.m. at Second and Market streets.

9September 2023

Habitat for Humanity moves ahead in St. Charles

ST. CHARLES, Minn. — The Habitat for Humanity project, which builds affordable housing for families willing to pitch in, has begun a project in St. Charles. Eleven houses are planned over six years, said spokesperson Adam Muschler: “If homeownership has felt out of reach, Habitat may be able to help.” Application deadline: November 20. Since 1994, Habitat has built more than 50 homes in the Winona area since 1994,and repaired almost 250.

ST CHS quitanna family habtat house scaled - Winona Journal

Shovels in hand. The Quintana family, father Miguel and mother Fredesvinda, have made it a family affair to to build their Habitat home. In fact, the whole extended family is lending a hand. Volunteers, including construction experts, do most of the work. Families put in at least 200 hours of “sweat equity.”

8September 2023

College scores

Volleyball (women): Winona State 3, UW-Parkside 0

Volleyball (women): Winona State 3, Westminster of Utah 0

Volleyball (women): UW-Superior 3, Saint Mary’s 0

Volleyball (women): Lakeland 3, UW-LaCrosse 2

Volleyball (women): Gustavus Adolphus 3, UW-LaCrosse 2

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