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Kandiyohi County officials make 2 water rescues
Both incidents occurred after officials said their boats filled with water in wind gusts of up to 30 mph.
KANDIYOHI COUNTY, Minn. — Strong winds made for some dangerous conditions on the water Saturday in Kandiyohi County as deputies made two separate water rescues after hunters were stranded.
According to the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office, officials were called to an island on the Middle Fork Crow River in New London Township shortly after 6:30 a.m. Saturday. Two hunters, ages 33 and 13, reported early signs of hypothermia after their boat filled with water in wind gusts of about 30 mph.
According to officials, the two hunters abandoned their boat and swam to a nearby island to call for help. Authorities say both hunters were medically cleared by New London Ambulance.
A second incident occurred just before 1:15 p.m. on Big Kandiyohi Lake in Fahlun Township. Officials say a 32-year-old hunter was stranded on an island after his boat filled with water and sank. Authorities say the hunter refused medical attention.
“The Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office strongly urges hunters and the motoring public on lakes to use caution when entering the water on days with unpredictable and strong winds,” said Cpl. Riley Kampsen with the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office.
The office of Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon called the allegations “extremely serious” and said they must be thoroughly investigated.
PARK RAPIDS, Minn. — A man who served as a head election judge in a Minnesota township has been charged with two felony counts for allegedly letting 11 people vote even though they weren’t registered.
Officials began investigating after Hubbard County Auditor Kay Rave could not find any completed voter registration forms among the ballots and other materials returned by Timothy Michael Scouton, 64, of Nevis, who had been head election judge in the Badoura Township precinct, according to a criminal complaint filed Friday.
Another election judge told an investigator from the county sheriff’s office that Scouton directed them not to use the registration forms, the complaint said, while another said Scouton told them that new voters needed only to sign the back of a book.
The complaint said the investigator then met with Scouton at the sheriff’s office. He was advised of his rights but declined to make a statement, and was then put under arrest, the complaint said. The complaint did not give a potential motive.
Scouton made his initial court appearance Friday and was released pending his next hearing Jan. 6. He did not immediately return a call seeking comment Saturday, and his attorney declined to comment on the case.
The office of Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon called the allegations “extremely serious” and said they must be thoroughly investigated.
“Election judges take an oath to administer elections in accordance with the law, a deliberate failure to do so is unlawful and a betrayal of the public trust,” the office said in a statement.
The charges carry maximum penalties of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
Badoura Township is just east of Park Rapids.
A portion of the proceeds will go toward the nonprofit dedicated to caring and treating raptors.
MINNEAPOLIS — A new beer collaboration between HeadFlyer Brewing and the University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center is raising funds for bird conservation.
The limited-edition brew “Escalating Falcon” is part of the Raptor Center’s 50th anniversary celebration. Two percent of the proceeds from beer sales will support the center’s work.
On Saturday, attendees had the opportunity to sample the new beer and meet some of the center’s ambassador birds at the Northeast brewery.
“I think it works because of the community. This is a place where people normally gather together anyway, so it’s a great opportunity to know more about the Raptor Center,” Lori Arent, interim director of the Raptor Center, said.
The Raptor Center admits approximately 1,000 birds of prey to their specialized hospital each year, aiming to rehabilitate and release them back into the wild.
“The center serves birds from all over Minnesota,” said Arent.
The “Escalating Falcon” will be sold for a limited time at HeadFlyer Brewing.
Arent considers the celebration the beginning of their Give to the Max Day season. If you are interested in donating, visit their website.
ST PAUL, Minn. — Investigators are trying to find out what led up to a 14-year-old boy being shot in St. Paul on Saturday.
Authorities told KARE 11 officers were called to the 1900 block of Wilson Avenue just before 12:30 p.m. There they found the teen with a gunshot wound.
The teen was taken to Regions Hospital with injuries officials described as “non-life-threatening.”
No one has been arrested yet, police said, and the investigation is ongoing.
