KDLM wins 2023 Minnesota Twins radio affiliate of the year

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – During a pre-game banquet at Target Field on Saturday, the Minnesota Twins awarded KDLM in Detroit Lakes the recipient of the 2023 John Gordon Award, which showcases one Twins radio affiliate that has gone above-and-beyond to promote baseball in their community over the past year.

Leighton Broadcasting CEO Bob Leighton, KDLM General Manager Jeff Leighton and KDLM Sports Director Zeke Fuhrman accepted the award on behalf of the station from Minnesota Twins President David St. Peter.

During the ceremony Jeff Leighton thanked the Twins for the honor.

“I would like to thank Zeke (Fuhrman), he put our submission together,” said Jeff Leighton. “And if you guys listen to it, I was shocked with all the stuff we did for baseball … and thanks to the Minnesota Twins. We are very honored and very flattered to receive this award, so thank you.”

Following the award ceremony, it was time was Fuhrman to participate in another ceremonial baseball function, and the Target Field public address announcer introduced the stadium to our beloved sports director. 

Fuhrman one-hopped TC, the Minnesota Twins mascot, during the pitch, but the bear was quick track down the loose ball and run it back out to Fuhrman before posing for a photograph on the field.

The Minnesota Twins have nearly 70 radio affiliates on AM and FM dials across the Midwest and have been awarding an affiliate of the year since 2011. 

Two injured in Highway 10 crash in Becker County

Two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 10 in Becker County on Friday afternoon.

On Aug. 25 at 2:06 p.m., a 2007 Ford Edge, driven by 47-year-old Sheilla Marie Anderson of Detroit Lakes, and a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by 59-year-old Alice Lynn Bond of Frazee, collided at the Highway 10 and County Road 10 intersection in Burlington Township.

Airbags deployed in both vehicles during the collision and both drivers were transported to Essentia Health St. Mary’s in Detroit Lakes for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash and law enforcement does not believe alcohol played a role in the incident.

Man killed by bull in rural Parkers Prairie on Saturday

A man was killed by a bull on a farm in Otter Tail County Saturday night.

Details of what exactly happened are still being investigated.

The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office received a call around 6:15 p.m. of a man being attacked by a bull on a farm in rural Parkers Prairie.

When deputies arrived on scene they euthanized the bull and rendered aid to the victim who was later pronounced dead.

The investigation remains ongoing and more details are expected to be released in coming days.

Frazee woman charged with felony following pedestrian hit-and-run

A Frazee woman was charged with felony criminal vehicular operation in Becker County District Court stemming from a Detroit Lakes pedestrian-hit-and-run incident in July.

According to court records, on July 25, 33-year-old Laura Lee Conger of Frazee was driving a silver Chevrolet Impala on the Highway 10 frontage road in Detroit Lakes when she struck a 70-year-old woman driving a three-wheeled motorcycle and fled the scene.

The woman suffered serious injuries during the crash including a broken leg, multiple broken toes and deep cuts on the woman’s head and face. She was transported to Essentia Health St. Mary’s in Detroit Lakes and then airlifted to a hospital in Fargo for treatment of those injuries.

A concerned citizen followed the vehicle immediately after the crash and informed law enforcement to its location.

The Impala was registered to Conger who initially told law enforcement the damage to the vehicle was caused by “hitting a curb hard” near the Detroit Lakes Burger King. She would eventually admit to driving on the frontage road near where the accident took place.

Officers also noticed signs of intoxication and Conger admitted to drinking about a half-bottle of wine prior to the incident. A blood test showed her blood alcohol level at .21, nearly three times the legal limit.

Conger was release on a $15,000 bond and her next court appearance is Oct. 9.

Cass Lake woman charged with murder over death of her child

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call on August 19th regarding a twenty-three-month-old child that was reportedly run over by a vehicle in rural Cass Lake, MN.

Officers responded to the residence and performed lifesaving measures on the child who was later flown to the Sanford Hospital in Fargo.  The subsequent investigation led investigators to believe the injuries sustained were the direct result of blunt force trauma through suspected child abuse and not from an automobile accident as initially reported.

The child’s mother 30-year old Larena Jackson, of Cass Lake, MN, was taken into custody on August 22nd and booked into the Cass County Detention Center on charges of Attempted Second Degree Murder, First Degree Assault, and Malicious Punishment of a Child.

On August 24th the CCSO was notified that the child died as a result of the injuries sustained.   Cass County Attorney Ben Lindstrom has amended the criminal complaint to 2nd Degree Murder, First Degree Assault, Malicious Punishment of a Child, and Fleeing a Peace Officer. 

Story by Doug Barrett / KNOX

Former ND Gov. Schafer has vehicle stolen while on-air in Fargo

Former North Dakota Governor Ed Schafer has heard the phrase “lock it or lose it.”   

He’s now learned the hard way that leaving the key in your car isn’t a good idea.   

While guest hosting a radio program in Fargo he was informed that his SUV had been stolen from the station parking lot. 

“I was on-air and the receptionist came in and said, ‘the police are on the line. Do you own a 2020 Yukon?’ I said, ‘yes,’ and she said, ‘it was stolen and they have it,’” Schafer said. “A criminal, obviously. Someone who needed a ride. they stole the car and took it over to the parole and probation office and turned themselves in.” 
Schafer now has the extra key fob and picked up his SUV at the parole and probation office near the Cass County Jail.   

Schafer, also a former USDA agriculture secretary, says he’s been warned by his wife to lock the car and not leave the fob inside.   

The SUV has a distinctive license plate number, X-1. 

Story by Ryan Janke / KFGO

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