Kare11
Remembering fallen MN Deputy Josh Owen
Scott Kowski served in the Minnesota National Guard with Owen and said, “he was one of those standup guys that you knew would be there for you.”
GLENWOOD, Minnesota — Deputy Joshua Owen was shot and killed on April 15 while responding to a domestic abuse call in Cyrus. He died on his 44th birthday.
Friends, family, and community members are mourning the loss of Deputy Owen.
He spent nearly 12 years with the Pope County Sheriff’s Office.
“April 15, Pope County law enforcement lost a brother,” said Pope County Sheriff Tim Riley, while getting choked up. “Deputy Owen had a heart as big as his stature… he leaves behind a wife and a son. He loved his family, his brotherhood, and his community.”
Prior to joining the sheriff’s office, Owen served in the military. He met Scott Kowski while serving in the Minnesota Army National Guard.
“When I found out that this had happened… not knowing any details, I texted him and I said, ‘Please tell me you’re not working tonight’ and never got a response,” recalled Kowski to photojournalist David Peterlinz.
Kowski said the pair spent 22 months straight together in 2005-2007, deploying to Iraq.
“You have that bond that a lot of people don’t understand just because it’s… we have each other’s backs and you kind of trust them like brothers and sisters and it’s blood. It’s a different type of family,” Kowski said.
After Kowski heard of Owen’s death, he said he dug out an old hard drive with pictures from their time together in Iraq.
“It actually brought some smiles to my face just seeing the fun pictures,” Kowski said. “Josh was one of those guys that had that humor, attitude. He always had a smile on his face. No matter what we were doing, he always would chuckle.”
As a Sauk Centre firefighter, Kowski would sometimes run into Deputy Owen while both working a scene. They stayed in touch online, as well, and last talked six days ago.
Kowski recalled the conversation, saying, “‘Hey, you know what? We need to get together’… if could say one thing now, I would say, ‘Don’t wait to do it.’ Because you never know what tomorrow brings.”
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota in our YouTube playlist:
Kare11
Enrollment moves upward in Universities of Wisconsin system
MADISON, Wis. — Overall enrollment in the Universities of Wisconsin system’s four-year schools ticked upward this fall compared with last year, data released Tuesday shows.
The system released enrollment numbers as of the 10th day of the 2024 fall semester. They show overall enrollment stood at 164,431 students, up 1.2% from the 10th day of the 2023 fall semester.
UW-Green Bay saw 975 new students for a 10.5% increase in enrollment, the largest percentage jump among the 13 four-year schools. Enrollment at UW-Madison, the system’s flagship university, increased nearly 3%. UW-Superior, the most remote campus, in Douglas County in far northwestern Wisconsin, saw a 3.6% increase.
Five schools saw their enrollment shrink, including Eau Claire, Oshkosh, Parkside, Platteville and Stout.
Overall enrollment at the system’s two-year branch campuses fell 22%. The most dramatic drop-off was at UW-Stevens Point’s Marshfield campus, where enrollment plunged nearly 45% compared with fall 2023.
UW officials have blamed declining numbers of high school graduates and more graduates eschewing college for the workforce for faltering enrollment.
Kare11
Student at Anoka Technical College stabbed with screwdriver
An adult male was arrested after the incident.
ANOKA, Minn. — A student was stabbed in the hand at Anoka Technical College Tuesday, authorities said.
A spokesperson with the Anoka Police Department told KARE 11 that officers were dispatched early in the afternoon. At the school, it was learned a student was stabbed in the hand with a screwdriver.
An adult male was taken into custody, officials said. The student was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Anoka Technical College said in a statement that safety and security is the top priority for everyone on campus:
Just before noon today, an incident occurred between two students at Anoka Technical College, in the automotive lab, resulting in one of the students receiving an injury to the hand. The Anoka Police Department responded and took the suspect into custody. The victim was treated by on-campus security officers before going to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
At Anoka Technical College, our top priority is the safety and security of everyone on campus. This incident is being investigated by the college and local law enforcement. Support services are available for students and employees impacted by this situation.
Kare11
BCA identifies man shot by police in St. Paul
The BCA said the 40-year-old man was still hospitalized at Regions Hospital on Tuesday.
ST PAUL, Minn. — Police have identified the man shot and injured by officers after pointing a gun at police on Monday evening.
According to a press release from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), Earl Bennett, 40, was shot by police near Allianz Field.
Officials said Bennett does not have a permanent address but has been staying in the Twin Cities Metro area.
Bennett is hospitalized in critical but stable condition at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.
The incident started just before 7:45 p.m. Monday when police were called to the 400 block of Pierce Street for reports of shots fired. Officers found a man with a handgun when they responded to the scene.
St. Paul police spokesman Sgt. Mike Ernster told reporters on Monday night that when officers approached the man, he put the gun to his own head. Police began to negotiate with the man for a peaceful surrender, but he reportedly refused to drop the weapon, instead walking south on Snelling Avenue.
Police attempted to use “less lethal” means to subdue Bennett, but when he lifted his handgun and pointed it at police, multiple officers fired their weapons, striking the suspect.
The BCA said it is in the early stages of its investigation.
All the officers who discharged their weapons have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings