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Andover man charged with 36 counts of fraud for paper broker scheme

howard.lestrud@ecm-inc.com (Howard Lestrud) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:34:38 +0000

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office Nov. 5 charged a 44-year-old Andover man with 36 counts of fraud for an alleged paper broker Ponzi scheme.

Gerard Frank Cellette Jr., who allegedly owes investors approximately $53 million, was already being sued in civil court when the criminal complaint was filed. See more in Eric Hagen's ABC Newspapers story.

Woman veteran remains proud to have served in World War II

howard.lestrud@ecm-inc.com (Howard Lestrud) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:33:28 +0000

Norma Steele, Little Falls, is a World War II veteran having proudly served in the Coast Guard. A native of Kansas, Steele attended a country school and learned to work hard.

She was determined to see more than the wheat fields that surrounded her family's farm. Her father died when she was just 13, and her mother always stressed that Steele needed to be self sufficient. See more in Lynn Jensen's Morrison County Record feature story.

Norma Steele, nee Spealman, proudly served her country during World War II as a member of the Coast Guard. This picture was taken at her graduation from officer’s training. Her first step into a world away from the farm was to attend Kansas State University where she received a degree in general science.

Steele went to work at a government finance office in Denver after college. When some of her coworkers went into Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services (WAVES), a World War II division of the Navy, Steele thought that she could do something to help the country.

Wounded Otsego soldier resumes training; deployment set Dec. 7

howard.lestrud@ecm-inc.com (Howard Lestrud) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:13:58 +0000

Otsego’s own Army Pfc. Keara Bono has resumed training before she deploys to Iraq Dec. 7.

Sgt. Moes at Ft. Hood in Texas says Bono is back in classes as well, but her division leaders have called for a pause in entertaining media requests. Bono was one of 19 people wounded Nov. 6 when an Army psychiatrist opened fire on the Ft. Hood Army base. See more in Bob Grawey's Star News story.

Republican Brian Sullivan definitely staying out of governor’s race

howard.lestrud@ecm-inc.com (Howard Lestrud) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:52:27 +0000

by T.W. Budig,
ECM Capitol Reporter

Republican businessman Brian Sullivan, who challenged then state representative Tim Pawlenty for the Republican party gubernatorial endorsement in 2001, has been reported to be considering another run for governor next year.

But today (Monday, Nov. 9) Sullivan issued a statement squashing speculation about a 2010 run.

Anoka Technical College to provide certification training

howard.lestrud@ecm-inc.com (Howard Lestrud) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:41:11 +0000

Nearly 300 employees at Fairview Health Services in the Twin Cities will receive certification training for sterile processing of medical equipment and supplies under a $178,530 grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

The funding was awarded through the agency’s Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP). Anoka Technical College will provide training in the three-year program.

Otsego veteran, Marshall Harris, reflects on Iwo Jima image

howard.lestrud@ecm-inc.com (Howard Lestrud) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:20:40 +0000

One of the most celebrated and reproduced photographs of World War II was snapped atop Mount Suribachi, as an American flag was pierced into the burnt volcanic sands of the island of Iwo Jima. Photographers said the image captured the soul of America.

See more in Editor Jim Boyle's special Veterans Day story.

That may be true. But for the Marines like Marshall Harris of Otsego who miraculously managed to leave the blood-thirsty battle alive, their souls could only ache as they left the island and looked back one final time as the stars and stripes flapped violently from the winds out of the southwest. (Photo by Jim Gehrz)

Eagan man acquitted of second-degree murder in Burnsville stabbing

howard.lestrud@ecm-inc.com (Howard Lestrud) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:08:31 +0000

A 19-year-old Eagan man was acquitted on Nov. 5 of two second-degree murder charges in the April 7 stabbing death of a Burnsville woman at her home.

A Dakota County jury deliberated for 14 hours before acquitting Taylor James Pass of murder in the death of 35-year-old Tina Nicole SanRoman. But the jury deadlocked on charges that Pass attacked another person with a knife that night at SanRoman’s townhouse on the 1600 block of Riverwoods Drive. See more in John Gessner's ThisweekLive story.

Central Lutheran Church, Elk River, votes to leave ELCA

howard.lestrud@ecm-inc.com (Howard Lestrud) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:06:00 +0000

The congregants of Central Lutheran Church in Elk River voted Sunday, Nov. 8 to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA).

The vote, 574-171, indicated 77 percent of those voting felt it was time to sever ties with the ELCA after the denomination voted in August to allow gay clergy to preside in services as long as the same-sex relationship was monogamous. See more in Bob Grawey's Star News story.

More security procedures to be implemented in Sherburne County

howard.lestrud@ecm-inc.com (Howard Lestrud) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:17:33 +0000

In about two months, visitors going to the second floor of the Sherburne County Government Center in Elk River will first have to walk through a metal detector and have their bags go through an X-ray machine.

The decision came after a committee led by Sheriff Joel Brott and comprised of county department heads reviewed the building’s security measures following the Oct. 2 shooting outside the complex. See more in Elizabeth Nelson's Star News story.

Elks girls cross country team wins state championship

howard.lestrud@ecm-inc.com (Howard Lestrud) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:35:31 +0000

The Elk River girls cross country team knew they had as good a chance as anyone to win the state championship on Saturday.

And the Elks made sure that this was one opportunity that did not slip away. The Elks captured the Class A crown in a very close race over Prior Lake and Eden Prairie while their longtime leader Emma Bates narrowly missed a gold medal, churning from behind to place runner-up by 1.1 seconds. See more in Bruce Strand's Star News story.

Displaying some hard-won hardware was the 2009 state champion Elk River Elks. Seated, from left: Erin Ness, Victoria Janasz, Emma Bates, Brittani Ellefson. Standing: Abbi Aspengren, head coach Mike Niziolek, Anna Haugen, Jane Kallemeyn, volunteer coach Jill Varty, Kayti Hanson, Chelsea Schlegel, assistant coach Brian Gilbertson. (Photo by Bruce Strand)