Body cam footage released from Fargo shooting

Detroit Lakes , MN (KDLM) – Dramatic body camera video has been released from the July 14th shooting that left Fargo police officer Jake Wallin dead.   

The body cam video of officer Zach Robinson was shown during a news conference at city hall conducted by North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley and Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski.
a warning to listeners, the following audio is graphic in nature and contains gun fire. The audio of the body cam footage will last for the next 50 secs. 

Robinson fired 31 shots, striking Barakat 21 times.   

Barakat was able to get off 44 rounds from his rifle and one shot from a handgun before he was killed. 

Investigators believed that Barakat was on his way to the downtown street fair and that he intended to commit a mass shooting.   

Four rifles, three handguns, 18-hundred rounds of ammunition, a canister full of gasoline and a propane tank filled with an explosive material were found in Barakat’s car.   

Police Chief Dave Zibolski says Robinson was justified in shooting Barakat. 

Story by Paul Jurgens / KFGO

Two Fargo residents injured in motorcycle-car crash south of Wadena

A man and woman from Fargo were injured in a motorcycle crash in Todd County on Wednesday afternoon.

According to a news release, on Aug. 16 at 2:03 p.m., emergency dispatchers received a report of a motorcycle-vehicle crash with possible injuries at the intersection of Highway 71 and Highway 210 in Hewitt, Minnesota, about 10 miles south of Wadena.

Upon arrival, first responders discovered the driver of a 2022 Can-Am Spyder Roadster, 70-year-old Boyd Lee Palmer, and his passenger, 66-year-old Doris Palmer, both of Fargo, suffered non-life-threatening injuries when their 3-wheeled motorcycle collided with a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse, driven by 24-year-old Hannah Marie Larson of Wadena, at the highway intersection.

Both Boyd and Doris Palmer were transported to Centre Care in St. Cloud for treatment.

Larson did not report any injuries at the scene.

The MN State Patrol also states both riders were wearing their helmets at the time of the crash and Larson was wearing her seatbelt during the incident.

Alcohol is not believed to have played a role in the collision.

MN labor force participation rate rises to 68.5% in July

Minnesota’s labor force increased by more than 3,900 people in July, the fifth month in a row of growth, bumping the state’s labor force participation rate up one-tenth of a point to 68.5%, compared to 62.6% nationally.  

According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Minnesota’s labor force grew by more than 26,000 over the last five months, helping the state recover many of the workers it lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Currently, Minnesota’s labor force is only 19,000 people smaller than in February 2020 when the participation rate was at 69.9%.  

Minnesota’s unemployment rate ticked up one-tenth of a point to 3.0% from June to July; nationally, the unemployment rate declined one-tenth of a point to 3.5%. 

DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek said, quote: “Ongoing growth in our state’s labor force is a positive sign as many Minnesota employers continue looking for the workers they need.”

The biggest gains were seen in the trade, transportation and utilities industries, which added 2,900 jobs during July. Education and Health Services also added 1,500 over the previous month.

The biggest job losses were seen in the leisure and hospitality industries, which posted a decrease of 3,800 jobs last month.

In Minnesota, average hourly wages for all private sector workers increased 83 cents to $36.18 from June to July. 

Over the year average hourly earnings increased $1.80, up 5.2%. The Consumer Price Index, a common measure of inflation, rose 3.2% over the year.

Pioneer Fest weekend in Perham; Harold the bulldozer ready for onlookers

The antique tractors and pioneer-life demonstrations will be on full display this weekend as Pioneer Fest in Perham gets underway Saturday morning.

Attendees can enjoy a breakfast on Aug. 19 and 20, hosted by the Legion Auxiliary, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Pioneer Fest grounds, located at: 1251 1st Avenue.

Jeff Janke, an event organizer, said the environment at the festival is unique due to its antique nature and this year’s flea market already has registered dozens of vendors.

“There are 50 vendors for the flea market that are already booked,” said Janke, during a recent Hodgepodge interview. “And it’s unbelievable out there. It’s so beautiful and it’s a laid back-type environment and, if you are looking for something to do, and you want to just go back in time, it’s a great experience.”

He also said one of the largest attractions is sure to be Harold, an old TD-24 army bulldozer that was rescued from an area swamp in 2019.

“It was Harold Wilkinson over by Frazee, and he had a neighbor that had told him about that there was this dozer up there by Island Lake that had sunk,” he said. “It started in 1975 when they were blazing trails for snowmobiles between Height of Land Lake and the Boy Scout Camp.”

The dozer ended up sinking during the trail clearing operation in 1975 and, after one attempt to raise the bulldozer failed, that’s where it sat until 2019, when a group of volunteers made it their mission to rescue the old machine.

“And of course it was a bunch of volunteers,” said Janke. “We are so fortunate that we have it at Perham. It’s something that no one else has and, of course, the story behind it.”

Harold the bulldozer will be on display all weekend and attendees will also be treated to an antique tractor pull on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.

Saturday night also features music by The Pat Fink Band, which will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

On Sunday, kids between 4 to 11 years old can compete in a free pedal pull event beginning at noon, which features specialty trikes with weights attached to a trailer that increases the resistance the further the trike is pedaled from the starting line.

The is no cost to attend Pioneer Fest, but a $5 free will donation is recommended.

Red Lake Nation to roll out mobile cannabis dispensary on reservation land

The Red Lake Nation in northwestern Minnesota plans to roll out a mobile marijuana dispensary that will operate only on tribal lands.

The tribe opened the state’s first recreational marijuana store this month. The dispensary will resemble a food truck, and will allow the tribe to expand its cannabis business. T

ribal Secretary Samuel Strong says that since the tribe’s dispensary opened for recreational sales Aug. 1, they’ve been seeing about 300 customers a day.

The White Earth Nation has also opened a dispensary. But off-reservation dispensaries in Minnesota aren’t expected to open until early 2025.

Fergus Fallen Memorial Ride to benefit Trinkle family; ride kicks-off Aug. 26

Fergus Falls is gearing up for the much-anticipated 3rd annual Fergus Fallen Memorial Ride & Benefit, scheduled for August 26.

This event was established in 2021 to honor the memory of Jimmy Noplos, a beloved figure in the community, and to give back to those who serve.

The ride is dedicated to honoring the service community, including military personnel, veterans, police officers, firefighters, healthcare professionals, and more, while also providing support to families facing difficult times.

In its first two years, the Fergus Fallen Memorial Ride raised over $35,000 for its cause.

This year’s benefit will support a courageous local teenager, Alex Trinkle, who is facing a rare form of bone cancer known as Ewing sarcoma.

Despite experiencing debilitating pain in his leg, Alex’s condition had remained a mystery after numerous medical visits.

Tragically, shortly after receiving his driver’s license, Alex was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma.

His journey has involved months of rigorous treatment, including chemotherapy and surgery.

The Trinkle family has faced the challenges of constant checkups and extensive travel for treatment, highlighting the immense emotional and financial toll of battling a serious illness.

Marie Noplos, the driving force behind the Fergus Fallen Memorial Ride, expressed her determination to support Alex and his family during this difficult time.

She emphasized that 100% of the proceeds from this year’s event will go towards the Trinkle family’s medical expenses, travel costs, and other related needs.

The Fergus Fallen Memorial Ride & Benefit is set to take place on August 26 at the Eagles Ship #2339 in Fergus Falls.

In addition to the ride, attendees can participate in a shirt fundraiser, gun raffle, and silent auction, all aimed at raising funds for the Trinkle family.

For more information and updates on the Fergus Fallen Memorial Ride & Benefit, please visit their Facebook page.

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