DL man charged with felony stalking, domestic assault from incident outside Essentia Health

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – A Detroit Lakes man has been charged with multiple felonies including stalking and domestic assault stemming from an August incident outside Essentia Health St. Mary’s in Detroit Lakes.

On Aug. 9, officers responded to a report of a man walking down the sidewalk in Detroit Lakes with a gun in his waist band and wearing a ski mask.

Officers located a man matching the caller’s description near Essentia Health.

Officers then approached 19-year-old Treyton Jorge Edwards of Detroit Lakes who admitted to wearing the ski mask and having a BB gun in his backpack.

Following the interview with Edwards, officers spoke to the head of security at Essentia Health who told the investigators that Edwards had been harassing his ex-girlfriend who works at Essentia Health in Detroit Lakes.

The couple had broken up in July and Edwards had reportedly been harassing her ever since with constant phone calls and showing up at her workplace.

Edwards was arrested just before his ex-girlfriend usually shows up for work. The woman told investigators she was worried Edwards was there that morning to assault her with the BB gun.

According to court records, in May, Edwards had slapped and kicked the woman. Additionally, three days before his arrest, Edwards repeatedly called the woman and when she finally answered, he told her, quote, “I’m going to kill you.”

Edwards posted a $10,000 bond, which included conditions that he must not have contact with the victim; he must not possess firearms; and he must not violate the court’s order for protection.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 16.

Woman killed in Norman County crash with semi-tractor trailer Wednesday

A woman was killed in two-vehicle crash involving a semi-tractor trailer in Norman County on Wednesday afternoon.

On Sept. 27 at 1:44 p.m., emergency dispatchers received a report of a vehicle-semi crash at mile marker 58 on Highway 32 in Sundal Township, south of Fertile, Minn.

A preliminary crash report indicates a 2023 Hyundai Sante Fe, driven by a 61-year-old woman from Grand Rapids, Mich., was westbound on 330th Avenue when it crashed into a 2009 Volvo Semi, driven by 75-year-old Samuel Martin Olson of Crookston.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Olson suffered no injuries during the collision.

The incident remains under an active investigation and law enforcement believes alcohol did not factor into the incident.

Perham sets 6% preliminary tax levy for 2024

The Perham City Council approved a 6% preliminary tax levy for 2024 during their meeting on Wednesday.

Jonathan Smith, city manager for Perham, said the city anticipates the tax capacity for Perham will increase 5.4%, which will result in higher property taxes than last year.

The preliminary maximum tax levy is required by state statute to be passed by local government entities so the information can be printed onto property tax notices that will be sent out to residents in coming weeks. The tax levy can be lowered from the preliminary amount, but it cannot be increased

Smith said the city hopes to lower the levy percentage over the next couple months. Adding, a 5%, or even 4%, tax levy is not out of the question, which would result in a slight decrease in property taxes.

The final tax levy and budget must be passed by the end of the December.

Man pinned under crane in Breckenridge; air lifted to Fargo hospital

A man was rescued after being pinned under a crane in Breckenridge on Thursday.

On Sept. 27 at about 10:45 a.m., emergency dispatchers received a report of an equipment injury involving a crane.

Upon arrival, first responders found 58-year-old James Jawaski in the cab of a tipped over crane near Woodcrest Drive and River Bend Trail.

Both of Jawaski’s legs were pinned under the construction equipment.

Rescuers used a front-end loader and were able to lift the crane from Jawaski’s legs.

He was then airlifted to Sanford Hospital in Fargo for treatment.

Jawaski reportedly suffered serious, but non-life threatening injuries to both legs.

Story by Alison Voorhees / KVRR

ND Supreme Court strikes down funding bill; special session may be needed before Oct. 28 court deadline

A ruling by the North Dakota Supreme Court Thursday morning has invalidated and voided a key funding bill passed by the state legislature at the end of the last session.

The court’s finding will require the legislature to go into special session, likely within the next 30 days, to again pass the massive Office and Management and Budget bill.

The Public Employees Retirement System Board challenged the legislature in court after an amendment was added to Senate Bill 2015 allowing legislators to serve on the board.

In the unanimous ruling, the state Supreme Court says, quote: “under North Dakota Constitution Article IV, § 13, ‘[n]o bill may embrace more than one subject, which must be expressed in its title.’ When a bill embraces multiple subjects, all of which are expressed in its title, the whole bill is void due to the manifest impossibility of choosing which parts of the bill are valid and which are void. A court’s attempt to choose between the provisions would improperly inject it into the Legislature’s domain.”

Attorney General Drew Wrigley called the ruling and its implications “seismic.” He says his office is seeking clarification from the court about when its judgment will be officially entered. He says it appears the court instituted a stay of 30 days on its judgment, which would give the legislature until October 28 to go into special session and address the issues in the bill that violate the state constitution before the funding as appropriated by the bill would be voided.

Wrigley added a number of legislators are farmers who are still in the fields for harvest and other legislators have identified travel and family conflicts that could be problematic in getting a special session scheduled quickly. He says he’s working with legislative leaders to determine whether a special session could be convened in the 30-day timeframe or if his office needs to request an additional stay from the court.

In a statement, Gov. Doug Burgum said he’s arranging meetings with legislative leaders to determine the best course of action for lawmakers to address the issue in the most efficient and effective manner as possible.

Story by Tasha Carvell / KFGO

MN BCA investigating officer involved shooting in Granite Falls

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating after a man was shot by police in western Minnesota on Wednesday afternoon.

The Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office says a drug task force attempted to arrest the man during a traffic stop in Granite Falls at about 4:00 p.m. when he darted into a nearby cemetery to escape. 

He was reportedly armed and refused to comply with officer commands. 

During the arrest, the BCA says a task force member shot the suspect, who was taken to a hospital in stable condition.

The man is expected to survive.

Story by Jennifer Lewerenz / KNSI

2 Otter Tail County students named Minnesota 4-H ambassadors

Two Otter Tail County 4-H high schoolers will be joining the statewide organization as Minnesota 4-H ambassadors for the next year.

Nathan Blashack, a junior at Bertha-Hewitt High School, and Madison Pesek, a junior at Kennedy Secondary in Fergus Falls, will be two of 29 youths that were selected to take part in state program.

In order to be selected, the two students needed to submit a written application, participate in an interview and give a presentation.

In a news release, Blashack said, quote: “For me, being a 4-H state ambassador means I am the youth face of 4-H, I get to build leadership in the youth of Minnesota, and my favorite part is meeting all the new people.”

The state ambassadors become the leaders and spokespeople for 4-H over the next year, the news release stated. Adding, the role is one of the highest honors a 4-H member can achieve within the organization.

Alley behind new Ace Hardware building to close Friday during remodel project

The alley behind the new Ace Hardware, formerly the JC Penneys building, will be closed on Friday, Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The closure is necessary for a remodel project that is currently underway.

The Detroit Lakes Public Works Department stresses the closure will only affect traffic behind 925 and 931 Washington Avenue, which is the location of the building and adjacent parking lot.

Traffic will not be able to enter the alleyway from Frazee Street.

Construction is expected to be completed by 4 p.m. on Friday.

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