Image boosters. Post includes photos of  a smiling, affable Lazzaro.

Messsage: Tony as gentle, generous man victimized by Democrats

MINNEAPOLIS – A group identifying itself as “friends of Tony” posted detailed arguments online attesting to Tiny Lazzaro’s innocence to sex crime that the federal government has alleged. The post came on the eve of Lazzaro’s rial, which could send him to prison for 10 years to life. He now is 32. The lengthy post includes:

“Tony Lazzaro is NOT a Sex Trafficker. Nor should he have ever been indicted for Federal Sex Trafficking. But due to an overzealous politically-motivated prosecutor, he has been locked up for over 18 Months. And the Feds are trying to send him to Federal Prison for 10-Years-to-Life. We are friends of Tony who have developed this website to share the TRUE FACTS of this incredibly unusual and corrupt indictment.”

The post appears at antonlazzaro.com. Among his attorneys is oublicrelations spesialist Stacy Bettison. Among points in the post:

> Federal sex-trafficking case generally have  these components: Force, fraud, threats or coercion. “Lazzaro’s case has none of these, and cannot be compared to any other sex-trafficking case in U.S. history.”

> The Feds put a target on Lazzaro’s’s back. The lead prosecutor, Laura Provinzino, has donated more money to Democrat political causes the kast 10 years than all other Minnesota federal prosecutors combined. Procinzio leaked the story of the  arrest to the Daily Beast “left-wing political blog” before any local media had even reported on the story.

> Lazzro has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities, GoFundMe, those in need, and political causes. “He does so because that’s who he is. He has never sought any favors from any politicians or anyone. Tony’s generosity has touched the lives of literally hundreds of people (and pets!).”

Earlier: Lazzaro: Am victim of political revenge, jealousy

Baseball: Winona State 7, UM-Duluth 3

Baseball: Winona State 5, UM-Duluth 3

Baseball: Aurora 13, Saint Mary’s 9

Baseball: Wheaton 9, Saint Mary’s 8

Softball: UW-LaCrosse 4, Hope 2

MINNEAPOLIS – A big-time financier of Minnesota Republicans, Anton Lazzaro, has denied sex-trafficking allegations against him and claims the government has targeted him for political reasons. Also, he says, people are jealous of his wealth. Lazzaro’s defenses are in legal documents filed ahead of his trial in federal court in Minneapolis. The trial  begins Tuesday. Lazzaro’s attorney, Stacy Bettison, called the government’s application of a federal sex trafficking statute to Lazzaro’s case as “unusual.” In a statement to the Associated Press, Bettison said: “Mr. Lazzaro believes he is being targeted by the U.S. Department of Justice for his political activities.” This is a defense also being floated by former President Donald Trump in a hush-money case with porn actress Stormy Daniels.  Lazzaro, Bettison said, “is not alone” in his view that the U.S. Department of Justice is politicizing prosecution: “Many other individuals, including many members of Congress and most recently the Senate Judiciary Committee, have recently raised legitimate and credible concerns that Attorney General Merrick Garland is politicizing the Department by aggressively investigating Republicans and conservative activists like Mr. Lazzaro.” Prosecutors say they have limited their case strictly sex-trafficking. Their court documents have not signaled any intent to call political figures as witnesses. Nor has Bettison. Judge Patrick Schiltz has sided with prosecutors and rejected Lazzaro’s claims that he’s been singled out..

Bettison. A University of Minnesota law graduate. She holds an undergrad degree in communications, political science and law from Emerson College.

Bettison profile

Partners in the Kelley Wolter law firm in Minneapolis describe Battison as representing “clients of all of types in high-stakes litigation.” These include individuals accused of a sex crime, the partners noted. Besides her law practice, Bettison owns a public relations firm specializing in crisis communications.

Earlier: Lurid details against Lazzaro in court docs

Earlier:  Minnesota GOP promises post-scandal clean slate

Earlier: GOP agrees to fines for campaign finance lapses

Earlier: Another plea in GOP-linked sex trafficking case

Earlier: Lazarro: Not guilty to sex-ring indictment

Earlier: Guilty plea in state GOP sex scandal

Earlier: GOP bids adieu to Carnahan; $37,000 severance

Earlier: GOP leader tells her side of Lazarro relationship

Earlier: Lazarro attorney: He’s innocent

Earlier: Details unsealed in GOP sex-dealing case

Earlier: St. Thomas suspends indicted GOP student leader

Earlier: GOP leaders huddle on sex ring issues

Earlier:  Minnesota GOP: High drama in high places

Earlier: Sex-ring scandal touches high GOP office-holders

Earlier: Congressmen disavow Lazarro, return donations

Earlier: Sex scandal prompts pressure on GOP chair to resign

Earlier: GOP leaders huddle on sex ring issues

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota House voted 68-62 to pass a bill that further protects anyone seeking and providing abortions. The bill forbids extradition to states that have anti-abortion laws. The bill also prohibits the release of medical records for any legal action from anti-abortion states. The bill was a Democratic follow-up to their bill that passed in February to clarify Minnesota’s pro-choice policy. Republican opponents in the Senate expressed worry that the new bill, if it becomes law, would be a magnet for lawsuits from other states. Next the bill goes to the Senate.

Earlier: More than ever, abortion access now Minnesota law

Earlier: Earlier: How they voted: Abortion / 2

Earlier: How they voted: Abortion / 1

WINONA, Minn. – A handgun was reported stolen from the locked trunk of a car on the West End. Police said there was no sign that the trunk had been pried open or the lock jimmied. The owner discovered the theft about 4:30 p.m. but believes it occurred overnight. Missing was a 9mm Glock 45 valued at $600. The car had been parked on the Kraemer Drive frontage road off Highway 61. The gun was in a case with three magazines, one loaded, the owner said. One theory was that the car was unlocked and thief used a dashboard trunk release to get the gun.

Glock 45. Police hoping to find surveillance video showing entry to car.

GALESVILLE, Wis. – The driver who died after a two-vehicle collision Friday was Jeannie J. Furlin, 64, of Trempealeau, the Trempealeau County sheriff’s office reported belatedly. Her 1-year-old sn was unhurt. The driver of the truck, Gavin D. Becker, 25, of Independence, suffered from severe injuries.

Earlier Head-on Highway 35 crash near Galesville fatal

Chris Rogers (Winona Post, March 15, 2023): Manure Digester Proposed in Wilson Township”

Jacob Shafer (Winona Daily News, March 15, 2023): “Despite New Hires, Winona Police Department Says It Remains Short-Handed Due to Departures”

Kisten Swanson (KSTP, March 8, 2023): “Federal Prosecutrs Detail Upcoming Sex Traffickingg Case Against Tony Lazzaro”

WINONA, Minn. – Another anonymous note with references to chemical and nuclear weapons was found outside the Winona hospital, this one on the ground. Earlier messages were tucked under windshield wipers. The message this time was like a laundry list:

argon gas

napalm

radiation from atomic bomb

Police have received similar messages in the mail at headquarters, all on typing paper and unsigned but some listing names. At this point the police perceive the messages as harmless gibberish and see no threat to the public. Even so, they are keeping an eye on a suspect to be sure she isn’t a danger to herself.

Earlier: More apparently police-hostile sheets on cars

Earlier: Mystery messages slipped under car wipers

FARIBAULT, Minn. – A man found submerged in the Straight River three days ago died in a Minneapolis hospital. Jesse Albert Decoux, 53, had been missing 30 minutes from his home when reseuers located him face down in the water. An autopsy was ordered.

Earlier: Faribault man critically hurt in river fall

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Government agencies that failed to notify the public about a 400,000-gallon leak at the Monticello nuclear plant have escaped any review through oversight processes in Congress or the State Legislature. The agencies learned of the leak in November. Not until mid-March did the agencies acknowledge that the leak hadoccurred – and even then 300,000 gallons remained uncorralled. Excel Energy, owner of the 50-year-old plant, also kept the leak under wraps. In positions to have kept public apprised:

Nuclear portrait

Minnesota has two nuclear power stations, both upstream from Winona on the Mississippi River, both operated by Xcel:

>Monticello:  Produces 647 megawatts, One unit. License expires 2030.

> Red Wing: Produces 1,114 megawatts, Two units.  License expires 2033.

Wisconsin has one:

> Two Rivers. North of Manitowoc. Owned by NextEra Energy. Produces 1,800 megawatts. Two units

Dairyland Power decommissioned a nuclear station downriver from LaCrosese at Genoa in 1991. It produced 50 megawatts.

Dominion Resources of Virginia decommission a nuclear power station at Kewaunee, southeast of Green Bay, in, 2013. It produced 560 megawatts.

The Chernobyl plant in Ukraine was decommissioned in 1995 after a meltdown. It produced 3,500 megawatts.

G;obally the largest huclear station is in South Korea at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa. Produces 7,800 megawatts. Seven units.

Earlier: Xcel on nuclear leak: Still working on it

Earlier: Monticello nuclear plant leaks tritium-tainted water

LACROSSE, Wis. – The Lower Hixon Forest trail in th LaCrosse bluffs has been closed for the seasonal freeze and thaw cycle. The Outdoor Recreation Alliance urged hikers and bikers to use only use trails with dry dirt and firmly packed snow.

LACROSSE, Wis. – A three-vehicle smashup that ended a police chase on Interstate 90 in Minnesota near Lewiston on February 23 began in LaCrosse. Police in LaCrosse gave this account: A caller noted a vehicle still parked at s business on Green Bay Street 20 minutes after closing. The vehicle was gone when police arrived. But with a description and plate number from a witness, the officer spotted the vehicle southbound on West Avenue and initiated a pursuit. After the officer activated the squad car’s emergency lights, the driver accelerated to 60 mph in a 25 mph zone and ran a red light at West Avenue and Green Bay. The driver ran another red light at West and South avenues.  The officer broke off the chase for safety reason. Believing the driver was headed to Interstate 90 and Minnesota, police contacted Winona County authorities, who picked up the  chase. The chase ended 40 miles later with a spike strip that sent the vehicle into the median, where it was struck by an oncoming semi-truck and slammed back into a pursuing sheriff’s car. The driver, Carl A. Hauge, 43, was taken to the Winona hospital with injures. Also to the hospital was a companion, Katherine Harper. Nobody else was injured. Haugen was charged in Winona County with two counts of fleeing. Haugen also faces charge of fleeing in La Crosse County.

Earlier: Three-vehicle I-90 smashup ends 120-mph police chase

ST. PAUL, Minn. – State revenue collections lagged behind projections in February, particularly corporate taxes, according to the Budget and Management Office. Even so, the state budget surplus was hardly dented. It grew to $18.6 billion. The latest latest monthly report:

Baseball: UM-Duluth 6, Winona State 2

Baseball: UW-LaCrosse 1, Bethel 0

Softball: Winona State 6, Missouri Southern 4

Softball: Missouri Southern 3, Winona State 1

Tennis (men): Saint John’s 9, Saint Mary’s 0

Tennis (women): Winona State 4, Southwest Minnesota State 3

WINONA, Minn. – A Winona man, Eugene Ray Landsman, 40, was charged with disorderly conduct for a rock-throwing, expletive-hurling incident in an alley behind the 150 block of West Howard Street. Neighbors called police.  but the target of the attack, in a pickup truck, had driven away. Witnesses said Landsman was the attacker and pointed to his house. He came out, but, police said, he refused to answer their questions and was in general belligerent. So what triggered the incident? That will need to be another chapter another day.

ONALASKA, Wis. – The main connection between LaCrosse and suburban Onalaska was closed almost six hours to clean away debris from a traffic accident. The accident was about 2 p.m. Closed were all four lanes of Highway 52 and 157 from the Main Street in Onalaska to Interstate 90. Traffic was restored just after 8 p.m. Accident details were not available immediately.

LACROSSE, Wis. — The last skiers of the season plumped down into chairlift seats at Mount LaCrosse at 5 p.m. It was the end of the season. — the latest the slopes have been open since the first season in 1959. Darcie Breidel, general manager, described conditions as perfect  with sunny skies despite recent rains that required snow-making  machines to do a few days of extra duty.

Trail map. Eighteen trails on 240 acres. Three double chairlifts. A bunny hill rope tow.