Fire destroys Stewartville trailer; five flee
STEWARTVILLE, Minn. —Five people living in a trailer house safely escaped a fire that destroyed their place. They were standing in awe outside when firefighters arrived. This was about 11:20 a.m. Two dogs also got out in time. The fire was in the Southern Hills Mobile Home Park in the 700 block of 23rd Street Northwest
Red Cross. Taking care of displaced occupants and their dogs. Image: Goodview Fire Department
Snowplow backs up and hits, kills woman
ROCHESTER, Min n. – A city snowplow struck and killed a woman pedestrian on a southeast street. The plow was reversing. Killed was Linda Rud, 69, whom police said was walking alone. The accident was about 8:55 a.m. near Pinewood Elementary School. Mayor Kim Norton said the city has asked the State Patrol to investigate as an outside agency. The plow driver, Jordan Dohrmann, 32, has been placed on administrative until the situation can be sorted out, the mayor said. No other vehicle was involved, just the plow.
Pinewood residential street. Mayor Kim Norton said the city has asked the State Patrol to investigate as an outside agency.
Theory: Forklift spark set off Goodview fire
GOODVIEW, Minn. – A fire that threatened a Goodview neighborhood two weeks ago has been blamed tentatively on a mist of flammable propane that was ignited by a spark from a forklift on a loading dock. An employee on the loading dock was emptying a propane canister, per protocol, when the ignition occurred, Scott Myran, president of Mississippi Welders Supply, told the Winona Post. One employee was singed in the explosion as the fire spread to other propane canisters. Firefighters evacuated several neighboring structures for fear of further explosions.
Loading dock. On the backside of Mississippi Welding off West Sixth Street the morning of the explosion, firefighters check propane canister for other leaks. Image: Goodview Fire Department
Three-vehicle smashup ends 120-mph police chase
LEWISTON, Minn. – A 120 mph police chase ended when the pursued vehicle crashed into path of a semi-truck on Interstate 90 and was shoved into a pursing sheriff’s squad car. The driver of the pursued vehicle, a white Jeep Commander, suffered chest injuries and was taken to the Winona hospital. Nobody else was hurt. This was just after midnight. Winona County Sheriff Ron Ganrude gave this account:
> Wisconsin police radioed about 11:40 p.m. that the Jeep had crossed into Minnesota.
> A Winona County deputy stationed himself to intercept 12 miles ahead at the Highway 43 exit to Winona.
> The Jeep accelerated to 100 mph, then 120 mph.
> The deputy radioed ahead for another officer to lay stop-sticks on the pavement to puncture the Jeep’s tires.
> Ten miles farther at the I-90 exit to Lewiston the Jeep hit the stop sticks.
> With one tire deflated, maybe two, the Jeep slowed and turned into median.
> The pursuing deputy drove into the median to make contact the Jeep, which was still rolling.
> An east-bound semi-truck crashed into the Jeep, crunching it to smithereens and also bumping it into the deputy’s car.
> Carl Adam Haugen, 44, of Crystal, Minnesota, was pulled from the Jeep and taken eight miles to the Winona hospital, his injuries non-life threatening.
> A passenger in the Jeep, Katherine Renee Harper, 32, of Fairview Heights, Illinois, was unhurt.
> The semi driver, Figelio Cambanbia De Jesus, 34, of Blooington,was unhurt.
> Also unhurt was Robert Ervin Bethea, 36, of Winona, the deputy who was still in his squad car as the collision unfolded.
Haugen. In Winona jail awaiting transfer on existing warrant. Also facing Minnesota charges from the chase.
Why the chase?
Haugen told officers that he was aware that a warrant had been out for his arrest and wanted to get away. In Winona he was released from the hospital to and booked at the county jail at 6 a.m. for speeding and fleeing police.
I-90 conditions
Only a day earlier Interstate 90 had been ice-covered and snow-covered. The pavement was clear by the time of the 120-mph case.
Police pondering next step in WSU death threat
WINONA, Minn. – The online death threat against Scott Olson, the president of Winona State University, remains an open case without an arrest. The freshman who posted the threat claimed it had been a joke. He was not deemed a continuing threat, police said. But there hasn’t been a final disposition of the case.
Unlocked cars: Frequent target on city streets
WINONA, Minn. — A rash of overnight thefts from unlocked cars on city streets continued, some with niggling losses, others more serious. This time a thief rummaged through a car and made off with sunglasses and a gym bag. In another case overnight a wallet with credit cards was taken. There was an attempt to use one of the cards, but the shopkeeper declined. Police Chief Tom Williams said these cases are difficult to solve for lack of witnesses or surveillance video. Williams said there is reason to suspect a single thief because of the proximity of thefts on the Near East Side. “Same area, same time frame,” he said.
Earlier: Wise advice: Lock your parked car
R.I.P.: Ruth Arnett
ALTURA, Minn. – Ruth Arnett, 92, of Altura, who taught at rural schools in the late 1940s and later worked at the Altura turkey plant, died at home. She was a 1949 graduate of Houston High School and attended Westmar College in Iowa. Her jobs included babysitting, working in a grocery store, and managing Altura Place Apartments. She was proud of ribbons won at the Winona County Fair for embroidery.
Details: Hoff Funeral Home
1930-2023
R.I.P.: Darlene Whetstone
ROLLINGSTONE, Minn. – Darlene “Dolly” Whetstone, 70, of Rollingstone, who worked at TRW and Riverside Electronics, died at St. Mary’s hospital in Rochester She graduated from Lewiston High School and attended tech school for cosmetology. She was a butterfly and bird watcher and loved showing off her flowers
Details: Hoff Funeral Home
1952-2023
Century principal in Rochester moving on
ROCHESTER, Minn. – The principal at Century High School, Nate Walbruch, who has been scouting for a school superintendency, announced he will resign at the end of the year. Walbruch called the decision difficult – “not a reflection of my feelings towards this school nor the staff/students.” Walbruch has been principal at Century since 2021. He has been a finalist for superintendent at both the Dover-Eyota and Plainview-Elgin-Millville school districts.
How they voted: Ex-felon voting / 2
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Senate voted 35-30 for the largest voting rights expansion in the state in half a century. The bill would restore voting rights to convicted felons when they are released from prison. The House earlier passed the bill. Governor Tim Walz has promised his support. Here is how southeast Minnesota senators voted:
For ex-felons voting
Liz Boldon, D-25 (Rochester)
Against
Gene Dornick, R-23 (Hayfield)
Rich Draheim, R-22 (Mankato)
Steve Drazkowski, R-20 (Mazeppa)
Miller, R-26 (Winona)
Carla Nelson, R-24 (Rochester)
College scores
Tennis (men): Saint Mary’s and Loras, cancelled
Tennis (women): Saint Mary’s and Loras, cancelled
Minnesota prep
Wisconsin prep
Basketball (boys): West Salem Panthers 87, Arcadia Raiders 37
Basketball (boys): Cochrane-Fountain City Pirates and Melrose-Mindoro Mustangs, cancelled
Snowmobiler hurt in Pickwick crash
PICKWICK, Minn. – A snowmobiler was injured in a wreck up County Road 7 along Pickwick Creek and taken to a LaCrosse hospital. Injuries to Michael John Belter, 31, who lives near Wilson, were described as non-life threatening. This was about 7:40 p.m. Winona County sheriff’s deputies suspected that Belter was snowmobiling while impaired and asked the hospital to take a blood draw to check his blood-alcohol content. A fellow snowmobiler, Scott Alyn Belter, 38, who lives near Ridgeway, was not involved in the wreck bit was arrested as impaired. His blood alcohol tested at 0.14%, deputies said.
Homeward-bound driver skids into pole off I-90
DAKOTA, Minn. – A car slid on the slippery Interstate 90 exit ramp at River Street and struck a pole. This was about 4:05 p.m. The driver complained of chest injury but was otherwise unhurt.
Storm drops 11.5 inches snow in Winona
WINONA, Minn. – Before moving on, the latest winter storm left 11-1/2 inches of snow in Winona. The area was spared the severe blizzards of southwest Minnesota, where roads were closed as impassable. Other snowfall totals nearer to home:
> Rochester, 13.5 inches
> Minnesota City, 13.2
> Minneapolis, 13.1
> Red Wing, 13.0
> Viola, 12.3
> Elgin, 12.3
> Spring Valley, 11.5
>Lake City, 11.0
>Chatfield, 10.9
> Elba, 9.7
>Wabasha, 9.0
> Lanesboro, 2.8
Earlier: Hours extended at Winona warming centers
Earlier: Earlier: Winona emergency planner: Prepared for worst
Cars slip ‘n’ sliding as storm arrives
WINONA, Minn. – Lots of motorists ran into trouble overnight – off the road and in snow banks. Deputies took seven calls in the county. City police took six calls. No injuries were involved.
Plow nicks car while clearing snow
WINONA, Minn. – A city snow plow hit a parked car at Fourth and Olmstead streets on the West side. No one was in the car. Damage was minimal: A smashed taillight. This was about 4:50 a.m.
Stroke claims former Wisconsin Governor Earl
MADISON, Wis. – Former Governor Tony Earl, who served one term as governor in the 1980s, died. at University Hospital at age 86. He had suffered a stroke four days earlier. Earl, a Democrat, was elected governor in 1982. Earlier he was secretary of the Department of Administration. Before that he was secretary of the state Natural Resources Department. He was elected three times to the State Assembly from Wausau. He was a champion of gay rights and a staunch environmentalist.
Earl. 1936-2023.
R.I.P.: David Denzer
ALTURA, Minn. – David Arlo Denzer, 77, of Altura, who had his own auto body shop and later became a partner in the Boss Hoss motorcycle shop, died peacefully at the Elysian Senior Homes in Lake City. He was raised in Bethany and graduated from Lewiston High School. he was in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war.He worked early at Crenlo Engineered Cabs, Badger Foundry, and Timm’s Auto Salvage,
Details: Hoff Funeral Home
1946-2023
How they voted: Easier driver licensing / 2
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Senate voted 34-31 to allow access to driving privileges to unauthorized and temporarily authorized immigrants. The bill now goes back to the House to consider Senate amendments. How they voted:
To expand driver licensing
Liz Boldon, D-25 (Rochester)
Against
Gene Dornick, R-23 (Hayfield)
Rich Draheim, R-22 (Mankato)
Steve Drazkowski, R-20 (Mazeppa)
Jeremy Miller, R-26 (Winona)
Carla Nelson, R-24 (Rochester
“Glass Menagerie” opens Friday at WSU
WINONA Minn. — A campus production of Tennessee Williams’ break-out 1944 drama “The Glass Menagerie” runs Tuesday through Friday at Winona State University. “The Glass Menagerie” is directed by Prof Jim Williams directs. . Performers:
> Tyler Jensen, a Winona State grad, as Tom Wingfield.
> Heather Williams-Williams, a theater proof, as Amanda Wingfield.
> Kylie Nelson, a student, as Laura Wingfield,
> Nicholas Kendall, a student, as Jim O’Connor.
The setting is a faded remnant of Southern gentility set in a dingy St. Louis apartment.
Tickets: $6 to $15. At at the DuFresne theater nightly at 7:30.
Hours extended at Winona warming centers
WINONA, Minn. – The two homeless warming centers in downtown Winona expanded to a joint 22 hours a day operation for the duration of the storm moving across southern Minnesota. Patrick Michener. manager, said check-in remains from 9 to 10 p.m. at the night center on Third Street behind the Edge Church. The day center is with Catholic Charities on Market Street. As always, he told a KTTC interviewer, the centers, remains in need of hygiene products, hats, coats and gloves.
Verbatim
Michener: “Our only requirement is 18 years or older and following our out guidelines, which is mainly just being respectful of other people. Once checked in, you can come and go. Other than that were pretty low barrier.”
Senate votes to expand driver license eligibility
ST. PAUL, Minn. – After lengthy debate the Minnesota Senate approved the so-called “Drivers License for All” bill 34-31. The bill would eliminates a requirement that driver’s license applicants provide proof of citizenship or permanent residency. To the point, undocumented residents would be able to driver legally and buy accident insurance. The bill earlier passed the House, but now gives back to the House to consider slight Senate changes. The Senate’s Democratic majority contended the bill would improve public safety. Republican feared fear the bill hypothetically could increase voter fraud.
Verbatim
Senator Zaynab Mohamed, D- Minneapolis, who authored the bill: “This victory belongs to Minnesota’s immigrants and the dedicated advocates who have bravely fought for this legislation for over 20 years. Today we sent a message to Minnesota’s undocumented community: we hear you, we see you, and you are a part of our beloved community.”
History
In 2003 Governor Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, changed state policy to bar undocumented people from getting a Minnesota license. Also barred were immigrants with a temporary status . Critics called Pawlenty’s change immigrant-unwelcoming.
Death threat to WSU president “a joke”
WINONA, Minn. – A Winona State freshman was so irritated that classes weren’t cancelled that he posted a death threat online to university President Scott Olson. The message, on the social media site Yik Yak, was explicit: “I’m going to end President Olson (this is a death threat, run).” When police confronted the student at his dorm, he said that “everybody” was angry that other schools had cancelled classes because of weather but not Winona State. The student, who is 18, said he was acting out those frustrations. “A joke,” he told officers. The message went out from the student’s university-issued laptop at 6:02 p.m. President Olson was unaware of the message until after 8 p.m. when he was alerted by campus security, which had been notified by city police. Police were on campus and interrogating the student within roughly two hours of the Yik Yak post. Police Chief Tom Williams said Olson was satisfied with how fast the issue was handled. The student was not taken into custody.
Olson. It’s a tough job but someone has to do it.
Quick tracking
The death threat was on Yik Yak, a social media app that allows discussion threads within a five-mile radius. The messages are called “yaks.” This yak was at 6:02 p.m. Yik Yak filters identified the message and deleted it. Then these things happened:
> Yik Yak alerted the National Threat Assessment Center with information on the device of origin.
> The Center alerted the FBI.
> The FBI alerted the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
> The BCA alerted Winona police. All this by 8 p.m.
> Police alerted campus security.
> Police were at the student’s dorm room within minutes
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