We're waiting on the receipt of some court documents for a story we're working on. Meanwhile, here's a digest of upper Midwest news that has piqued our interest.
We reported on Sunday that Moorhead unites around vandalized mosque. In breaking news, the Fargo Forum reports in Arrest made in Moorhead Fargo Islamic Center vandalism:
Police have arrested a 22-year-old Moorhead man as the suspect who spray-painted hate-filled graffiti on the Moorhead Fargo Islamic Center mosque over the weekend.
Benjamin Enderle was booked into the Clay County Jail after being taken into custody in south Moorhead Tuesday night, April 27.
Investigators are recommending felony charges of harassment and criminal damage to property, according to police spokesman Capt. Deric Swenson.
The recommended charges are enhanced due to "hate-related acts," he said.
Reports have been forwarded to the Clay County Attorney's Office where the final charges will be determined and then filed.
Swenson said they aren't looking for any other suspects.
Butterflies are free. For now
In February, we reported in Fargo monarch massacre has folks talking:
Last August, residents of the Fargo-Moorhead metro area were horrified by a "monarch massacre," that made national news. Now the Fargo Forum reports in Fargo-Moorhead's 'monarch massacre' starts national dialogue that the horrifying event has "the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, American Mosquito Control Association and butterfly advocacy organizations . . . talking for the first time." . . .
Monday evening, Barry Amundson reported for the Fargo Forum in Moorhead City Council opts out of aerial mosquito spraying:
At least for now, Moorhead is opting out of any aerial spraying to control mosquitoes this coming summer.
The City Council voted 6-1 to sign a contract with Cass County Vector Control for other mosquito control measures but opt out of spraying. As part of the vote, the council members asked Public Works Director Steve Iverson to investigate the issues surrounding aerial spraying for mosquitoes.
At a future meeting, the City Council may vote to raise the threshold for spraying in the city or to cease spraying altogether.
The aerial spraying occurs two to four times a year and doesn't usually start until July.
Iverson said 95% of Vector Control's work is putting larvicide into standing water to kill mosquito larvae, so spraying was a small part of the contract that also includes Fargo, Horace and Cass County. Ground spraying by truck is still included in the contract.
The issue of aerial spraying has been a hot topic in the metro since last August when a mass die-off of monarch butterflies, which some called the "monarch massacre," occurred in the Fargo-Moorhead area after aerial spraying.
It's believed the spraying may have coincided with the annual monarch migration that some believe occurs in the area from about Aug. 25 to about Sept. 5.
Three residents spoke against spraying before the council began their discussion.
Brent Miller said the number of adverse reactions to the chemical used in aerial spraying was extremely higher than any number of West Nile cases.
He suggested other options, such as more bird and bat houses, community workshops on mosquito control, dragonfly increases and encouraging people to wear more repellants.
Cheryl Melby said she was concerned about long-term buildup of chemicals in the environment affecting the health of people. Joseph Allen said he thought the threat of West Nile was exaggerated, and there was no evidence spraying had any affect on controlling human diseases. . . .
Read the rest at the Forum.
Republican May Day is different
At the Albert Lea Tribune, Sarah Schultz reports in Warrants remain outstanding for owner of The Interchange:
The owner of The Interchange Wine & Coffee Bistro claims the warrants out for her arrest are unlawful and is alleging corruption in local city officials, law enforcement and judges.
The warrant was put in place at a March 10 hearing, after Lisa Hanson reportedly did not attend the hearing tied to allegations that she violated state executive orders when she opened her restaurant in December and January for in-person dining. Hanson faces nine misdemeanor criminal charges tied to the allegations. . . .
Though she has been out of town in recent weeks, Hanson said she plans to attend an event Saturday at Fountain Lake Park called Stand for Liberty, where various speakers, food trucks and raffles will be set up from 2 to 7 p.m. to raise money for her legal battle. Minnesota governor candidate Scott Jensen and Reps. Erik Mortensen and Peggy Bennett are slated to speak, along with District 32 Sen. Mark Koran. . . .
The event has drawn criticism on Twitter.
If the police come to arrest the WANTED FUGITIVE #LisaHanson at this little event on Saturday, will the @mngop's @drscottjensen @MarkkoranMN or @RepMortensen try to stop them? Will they pull a little mini 1/6? I can think of a million reasons these guys should avoid this event. pic.twitter.com/RBQQMl33LU
— The Matt McNeil Show (@MattMcNeilShow) April 28, 2021
There is so much concern from my colleagues about crime and about inconsistency. And yet…such a notable exception. #mnleg https://t.co/8NVLxly1cZ
— Liz Reyer (she/her) (@lreyer) April 28, 2021
Jeepers.
Adult cannabis: will of South Dakota voters before state supreme court
At the Rapid City Journal, the always-excellent Arielle Zionts reports in Supreme Court to hear marijuana amendment arguments Wednesday; hearing to be live-streamed:
Attorneys will make arguments Wednesday morning before the South Dakota Supreme Court and over a live-stream that will help the justices determine the fate of recreational marijuana in the state.
The constitutionality of the voter-approved Amendment A will be argued at the Supreme Court in Pierre at 9 a.m. Mountain Time/10 a.m. Central Time.
Anyone can listen to the arguments through live-streams at ujs.sd.gov or keloland.com.
The public can also attend the hearing at the Capitol but seating in the small courtroom will be limited. There will be overflow seats in Room 414 where the proceedings will be live-streamed. Masks are required in both rooms.
Amendment A was approved by 54% of South Dakota voters and 59% of Pennington County voters in the November election. It says adults 21 and up may use, transport and sell paraphernalia and possess up to one ounce of marijuana.
The amendment still makes it illegal to drive under the influence of weed and smoke it on school grounds, where tobacco is banned and in public places. It also allows landlords and employees to ban renters and workers from using marijuana.
Highway Patrol Superintendent Rick Miller, on behalf of Gov. Kristi Noem, and Pennington County Sheriff Kevin Thom filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the amendment after it passed.
Miller’s legal fees are being covered by state funds. Thom has not disclosed who is paying his fees but says it’s not coming from the taxpayers. . . .
Read the rest at the Journal. It's embarrassing to have Governor Positive Pants carry with the reefer madness nonsense.
Some in Otter Tail County get grumpy about Governor's walleye opener
We're not sure what the heck to make of this one in the Alexandria Echo Press. Karen Tolkkinen reports in Otter Tail County hearing pushback on governor's fishing opener:
Deputy Otter Tail County Administrator Nick Leonard told Otter Tail County commissioners on Tuesday, April 27, that he's fielded several phone calls asking why Otter Tail County is hosting the Governor's Fishing Opener.
In the 2018 gubernatorial election, Otter Tail County went solidly for the Republican candidate, and Gov. Tim Walz is a Democrat. Walz has taken heat in parts of the county for his pandemic-related mandates.
Leonard said the fishing opener, scheduled for May 13-15, has been taking place since the 1960s and that it's an economic event, not a political one. The Otter Tail Lakes Country Association, which represents more than 200 local businesses, applied to have the event here and will provide great exposure for the county, he said. It was supposed to take place in Otter Tail County in 2020 but was canceled because of the pandemic.
"It's not about the governor," Leonard said. "It's not a free vacation for the governor. It is a tourism and promotion event. It is a way to utilize the media. Whether you like him or her or not, the media follows the governor, so this is a way to shine a light on Otter Tail County."
The association board discussed the event, he said, and decided that turning it down would be inappropriate given the hundreds of thousands of dollars it would provide to hard-hit hotels and restaurants, as well as more than $1 million in media exposure.
He said the locals have encouraged the governor's office to keep things as traditionally done, with invitations extended to House and Senate leadership.
"It's a good opportunity to get folks into a boat to talk about catching walleye instead of what's happening in St. Paul," he said.
Yep.
Chauvin trial public safety costs
At the Star Tribune, Briana Bierschbach reports in Minnesota Legislature passes emergency funding for security costs around Chauvin trial:
Minnesota lawmakers pushed through emergency funding on Tuesday to help cover extra security costs that the state racked up ahead of last week's verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial.
The House and Senate passed a $7.8 million package with broad bipartisan support after Gov. Tim Walz requested additional funds to cover costs for state troopers, Department of Natural Resources conservation officers and out-of-state law enforcement stationed across the Twin Cities. Walz signed the bill late Tuesday.
Ultimately, the jury's guilty verdict on murder and manslaughter counts prompted peaceful marches and rallies. But the state marshaled the Minnesota National Guard and a massive law enforcement presence in preparation for possible unrest if the former Minneapolis police officer wasn't convicted in the killing of George Floyd. More than 1,500 buildings and businesses were burned, looted and destroyed after Floyd's killing last May.
"The clear message of this bill is that we support the fact that we needed the police from other states and from other communities and the National Guard, frankly, to help us keep the streets safe," Republican Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka said.
Minnesota's divided Legislature has struggled to agree on funding to cover costs for law enforcement and security around the trial. The Senate passed a similar $9 million funding package ahead of the verdict last week, but the proposal went nowhere in the DFL-controlled House. . . .
Democrats in both chambers have been reluctant to pass extra law enforcement funding without a clear indication from Senate Republican leaders that they'll consider additional police accountability measures this session.
The House is pushing proposals that include establishing civilian oversight of police, ending qualified immunity for officers and limiting when police can stop drivers for vehicle violations. Members of the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus sent a letter to Walz and legislative leaders on Tuesday asking them to immediately pass police reform as part of the state's public safety and judiciary budget bill.
We'd like to see the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus proposals passed.
First grader dies of COVID in Marshall
Deb Gau reports at the Marshall Independent in Park Side student dies of COVID-19 complications:
An elementary school student in Marshall has died of complications from COVID-19, the Marshall Public School District said Monday.
Superintendent Jeremy Williams said the district learned a girl in the first grade at Park Side Elementary died Sunday.
The student had no underlying health conditions, the Minnesota Department of Health said.
In a letter sent out to families in the Marshall Public School District Monday, Williams said the news came with “great sorrow,” and he said crisis team members would be on hand to help support students.
“I recognize this is scary and concerning for many. We encourage you to continue to watch your students for any signs of COVID,” Williams said in the letter. “If your student begins to show symptoms, please bring them in to be tested right away.”
“It is simply heartbreaking to hear that COVID-19 has taken the life of someone so young,” Gov. Tim Walz said in a statement Monday. “My thoughts are with the Minnesota family grieving the loss of their beloved child. There is no grief more profound than the loss of family.” . . .
Classes at Park Side continue to be held in person, with health protocols set by the Centers for Disease Control and the Minnesota Department of Health, Williams said. Health and safety measures include having students and staff wear face coverings, social distancing, frequent hand washing, and watching for COVID symptoms, he said.
“Our cases are still very low” across the school district, Williams said. However, he said if parents have a question or concern about their child attending Park Side, they are encouraged to call the school.
On Monday, Marshall Public Schools’ online COVID-19 dashboard showed a total of two people had tested positive for COVID-19 in the district — one at Marshall High School, and one at Marshall Middle School. A total of 50 staff and students across the district were quarantining due to close contact with a person who tested positive, including 20 people at Park Side and two in early childhood education. . . .
We are saddened by this news.
And that's all folks, for this evening.
Photo: Insecticides kill monarchs and other living things.
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