Deer River Man Convicted Of Itasca County Rape; DNR Warning About Low Water Levels; Longtime Lawmaker Dies
>>Deer River Man Convicted Of Rape
(Deer River) Jurors have convicted a former Deer River high school assistant football coach of raping a woman in her apartment.
The Star Tribune reports 27-year-old Ethan R. Hardy of Deer River, was found guilty by an Itasca County District Court jury of first-, third- and fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct in connection with the assault of an acquaintance in September 2022, while Hardy was still a coach for Deer River High School. Hardy left the team mid-season 2022 after the police began investigating the allegations.
Hardy remains jailed without bail ahead of sentencing, which is scheduled for June 17. (Star Tribune)
>MN Lawmakers Considering Bill To Curb Copper Wire Theft
(St. Paul, MN) — Minnesota lawmakers are considering a bill designed to discourage thieves who steal copper wire. The bill would require anyone trying to sell copper wire in Minnesota to get a license. A House committee advanced the bill yesterday and the Senate is scheduled to hear its version today. Mayors from around the state are supporting the bill because the thefts are expensive to repair and create a public safety hazard. Opponents say the plan may lead to less recycling by businesses and individuals who are legally allowed to sell copper wire.
>>MN DNR Warns Boaters About Low Water In Lakes, Rivers
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is warning boaters about the potential for low water in state lakes and rivers. The agency says drought is affecting about 40-percent of the state, making boat launches difficult in some areas. Once in the water, boaters need to be aware of their surroundings and watch for hazards such as shallow rocks and trees. The DNR is currently working to repair boat ramps damaged during the winter and says it will extend those ramps where it is possible to do so.
>>Fire Damages Band Shell In International Falls
(International Falls, MN) — Investigators are looking into a suspicious fire at a historic bandshell in International Falls. The fire at Smokey Bear Park was reported Sunday at around 1 p.m. Officials say the fire quickly engulfed the wood-framed structure, causing heavy damage. Preliminary reports indicate the fire may have been deliberately set. Local investigators will work with the Minnesota Fire Marshal to determine the cause of the fire.
>>Duluth Fire Department Welcomes Minnesota’s First Arson Detection Dog
(Duluth, MN) — The Duluth Fire Department is welcoming Minnesota’s first arson detection dog. A two-year-old Labrador retriever named Jack recently joined the department and has already begun working at fire scenes in the city. The dog is trained to detect accelerants, which are liquids that help a deliberately set fire burn more quickly. His handlers are confident that his presence will help solve more arson cases in the Duluth area.
>>Former State Lawmaker Calvin Larson Dies
(Detroit Lakes, MN) — A man who served 28 years in the Minnesota Legislature has died. Ninety-three-year-old Calvin Larson died last week at an assisted living center in Detroit Lakes. Larson was living in Fergus Falls when he was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1966. He served eight years before taking a break from politics to concentrate on his family and his business. He re-entered politics in 1987, winning a state senate seat that he held until 2006. The state senate honored him last week with a moment of silence, with lawmakers remembering him as a respected colleague and a trusted friend.
>>Fire Damages Band Shell In International Falls
(International Falls, MN) — Investigators are looking into a suspicious fire at a historic bandshell in International Falls. The fire at Smokey Bear Park was reported Sunday at around 1 p.m. Officials say the fire quickly engulfed the wood-framed structure, causing heavy damage. Preliminary reports indicate the fire may have been deliberately set. Local investigators will work with the Minnesota Fire Marshal to determine the cause of the fire.
>>Veteran Completes Mission To Walk From MN To TX To View Eclipse
(Austin, TX) — A Marine veteran has completed his mission to walk from Minnesota to Texas to view the total solar eclipse. Daniel Crawford began his walk on February 3rd in Austin, Minnesota, calling it a one-thousand-mile gratitude walk. Crawford said he turned to alcohol after leaving active duty in 1995 and struggled with drinking until 2022, when he discovered the Duluth-based nonprofit 23rd Veteran. He says his walk through six states spread a message of hope to those he met while also raising money for the organization that helped him become sober.
