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Polaris, employee charged in Alaska crash that killed sled dogs
Erik Johnson, of Roseau, and Minnesota-based Polaris Inc. were charged on Feb. 8 with the misdemeanor in the crash near the interior Alaska community of Cantwell.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Both a Minnesota man testing a snowmobile for his employer in the Alaska backcountry and the company have been cited for reckless driving after the machine slammed into a sled dog team on a training run in December, killing three dogs.
The State of Alaska charged Erik Johnson, of Roseau, Minnesota, and Minnesota-based Polaris Inc. on Feb. 8 with the misdemeanor in the crash near the interior Alaska community of Cantwell, located about 210 miles (338 kilometers) north of Anchorage.
Emails sent to Polaris and Johnson were not immediately returned, nor was a message left on a cellphone believed to be Johnson’s.
A spokesperson for the Alaska attorney general’s office said in an email that Polaris was also cited since state law “contemplates legal accountability” when employees act within the scope of their employment on the company’s behalf.
Musher Mike Parker was training dogs on Dec. 11 along the Denali Highway, which is not maintained in the winter.
According to an affidavit from Alaska State Trooper Noah Belt, Parker was traveling westbound on the highway when he saw a group of snowmobiles coming at him. He said he began using his 1,000-lumen headlamp to make himself known.
One snowmobile passed him and flashed his lights at Parker. The second machine slammed into the front of Parker’s team, killing two dogs instantly and critically injuring two others. One of those later died.
The trooper interviewed Johnson, who said it was dark and blowing snow, which limited his visibility.
He said that shortly before the dog team was struck, he saw a faint light while traveling up to 50 mph (80 kph) but didn’t know what it was.
No court date has been set.
Last November, a snowmobile struck a sled dog team on a training run on the same highway. The team belonged to five-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race champion Dallas Seavey, but he was not running the team at the time. Two dogs were killed in the accident, and seven others were injured. The driver was cited for negligent driving.
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Sounds of Blackness will perform in a fun Christmas classic.
MINNEAPOLIS — Sounds of Blackness, a Grammy-winning Minnesota musical group, is bringing a fresh twist to a time-tested holiday musical.
“The Night Before Christmas – A Musical Fantasy” will take place at Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis at 7 p.m. on Dec. 23. The Sounds of Blackness will perform with a 25-member cast and 10-piece orchestra.
Featured characters include Rappin’ Reindeer, Singing Sox, Dancin’ Chitlins, Soulful Santa and Mrs. Claus, according to Hennepin Arts.
Tickets for “The Night Before Christmas – A Musical Fantasy” start at $49 and can be purchased at this link.
If you’re in the mood for fried chicken, cornbread and more, check out this restaurant in Minneapolis.
MINNEAPOLIS — If you’re looking for delicious soul food with a modern twist, go no further than Soul Bowl.
The restaurant offers fried chicken, cornbread, bowls and plant-based options drizzled in your choice of sauce. Soul Bowl recently moved locations and reopened in the V3 Sports center on Plymouth Avenue North.
Gerard Klass, chef and owner of Soul Bowl, visited KARE 11 News at Noon to share more about his menu and the new location.
To order online or see more about Soul Bowl, click here to see its website.
A woman died as a result of the accident near the resort Tuesday.
TOWER, Minn. — A woman died after a hit-and-run accident Tuesday near Fortune Bay Resort Casino, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office.
St. Louis County deputies assisted the Bois Forte Tribal Police at the call on Lake Vermilion Reservation Road. In a press release, the Sheriff’s Office stated that the Bois Forte Tribal Police and FBI will be further investigating the case.
If you know anything about this hit-and-run, submit tips to the Bois Forte Tribal Police at 218-757-3237 or to the FBI at this link.
