Honors For Fallen First Responders; Chronic Wasting Disease Concerns; Possible Help From State for Rural E-M-S
>>Suspect Accused Of Killing First Responders Identified
(Burnsville, MN) — The suspect accused of killing three first responders before turning the gun on himself is being identified. Sources say that Shannon Cortez Gooden is the man who opened fired on Burnsville police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge along with paramedic Adam Finseth Sunday. Gooden was reportedly prohibited from possessing firearms following a 2008 conviction. (24/7 News Source)
>>Burnsville Cop Injured In Shooting Released From Hospital
(Burnsville, MN) — The Burnsville police officer who was injured in Sunday’s deadly shooting is out of the hospital. Sergeant Adam Medlicott was taken to the Hennepin County Medical Center to be treated for his wounds, but is now recovering at home. He currently serves as a Patrol Sergeant. Medlicott was named Officer of the year in Burnsville in 2020. The exact nature of his injuries hasn’t been released. 2(4/7 News Source)
>>Procession Held For Fallen Burnsville Paramedic
(Jordan, MN) — Hundreds of Minnesotans are paying tribute to a paramedic who was shot and killed in the line of duty over the weekend. The body of Burnsville firefighter and paramedic Adam Finseth was escorted from the medical examiner’s office in Minnetonka to a funeral home in Jordan yesterday afternoon. The public was invited to pay their respects along the 27-mile route, with some offering salutes to the fallen paramedic as the procession passed by. Finseth was killed Sunday along with police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Rugo during a domestic disturbance call in Burnsville.(24/7 News Source)
>>>Scientists sharpen focus on CWD
(St. Paul) Animal disease scientists are alarmed about the rapid spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in deer. Not only because of the effect on the deer population, but because research suggests the prions causing the disease may be evolving to become more able to infect humans.
Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota is a leading authority on CWD. He says 68 leading global experts have been assembled to examine research and assess the potential risk to humans.
Because of the importance of deer to Indigenous people, several tribal nations in Minnesota, including White Earth, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwa, and the Red Lake Band of Chippewa, are working with experts at the University of Minnesota to come up with ways to monitor and manage the disease. According to an article in the StarTribune, with efforts to assess and control the disease ramping up, there is optimism that a solution to the threat can be found. (Star Tribune)
>>Bill To Increase Funding For Rural EMS Introduced In Legislature
(St. Paul, MN) — A bill that would put 120-million dollars toward funding rural emergency medical services is being considered in the Minnesota Legislature. The bill introduced yesterday would help rural EMS providers who are struggling because of partial reimbursements from Medicaid and Medicare. State lawmakers say additional funding will be needed in the future to help hire more staff and narrow reimbursement gaps. The bill has been assigned to the Senate Taxes Committee for further discussion.(24/7 News Source)
>>Slight Increase In ND Oil Production Predicted For 2024
(Bismarck, ND) — Top oil producers are projecting a slight increase in North Dakota oil production this year. The director of the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources met with a dozen producers during a trip to Houston, Texas, this month where he learned they all expect an increase of more than ten-thousand barrels for 2024. They hope to produce one-point-three-million barrels a day. The latest figures from December showed the state produced one-point-twenty-seven million barrels a day.(24/7 News Source)
>>Firefighters Rescue Dog That Fell Through Ice In Baldwin
(Baldwin, MN) — Firefighters in Baldwin rescue a dog that fell through the ice on Little Elk Lake. The canine named Hades was pulled from the frozen lake by first responders yesterday, after he was spotted struggling in the water. He was brought back to the fire house, where he was given oxygen and warm blankets. Mille Lacs County Animal Care and Protection officials took the dog to the vet to be checked out, and Hades has since been reunited with his owners.(24/7 News Source)
>>Bill To Adjust MN Tax Deductions Passes In House
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota lawmakers are a step closer to increasing deductions for some state taxpayers. The House passed a bill yesterday that would correct a portion of last year’s tax act, adjusting deductions to account for inflation. For those who are married and filing jointly, the standard deduction would increase by more than 32-hundred dollars. Those filing as head of household will see their deductions increase by more than 24-hundred dollars. The bill was moved to the Senate for further consideration.(24/7 News Source)
>>Man Calls 911 In Grant County To Say He Killed Brother
(Elbow Lake, MN) — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a man called 911 to report he had shot and killed his brother. The sheriff’s office says the call came in around 11:20 on Sunday night. A 33-year-old man was found dead after deputies arrived in Elbow Lake. The 30-year-old man who called was detained by deputies as part of their investigation.(24/7 News Source)
>>>Steam Engine To Run In Duluth Four Times This Year
(Duluth, MN) — The Lake Superior Railroad Museum is planning to offer rides on a restored steam engine several times this year. The Duluth, Misable and Iron Range steam engine made successful test runs in November. That has led the museum to schedule another test run on May 11th. Round trips to Palmers are scheduled for June 8th and 9th, while a fall color run on the North Shore Scenic Railroad is set for September 26th and 27th. Another round trip to Palmers is set for October 26th and 27th. Tickets for the June, September and October trips are available online at duluth-trains-dot-com.(24/7 News Source)
