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Judge finds man mentally ill, not guilty of killing father in St. Anthony home

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:45:00 GMT

A Ramsey County judge has acquitted a man in the beating and stabbing death of his 88-year-old father at their St. Anthony home nearly two years ago.Judge DeAnne Hilgers found Rodney Berg Christopherson, 49, not guilty by reason of mental illness in the December 2021 murder of Donald Allan Christopherson, who died of head trauma and blood loss caused by sharp-force injuries. Christopherson showed “he was laboring under such a defect of reason as not to know the acts constituting the alleged offense were wrong,” the judge wrote.Rodney Berg Christopherson (Courtesy of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office)Hilgers’ ruling was issued last week; a bench trial was held in July.Christopherson, who had been diagnosed with psychotic disorder and paranoid schizophrenia, struck his father in the head with a metal mallet and stabbed and slashed him with a knife, according to court documents.The elder Christopherson had a long career as chief of pharmacy services for the Vet...

President Joe Biden comments on attacks in Israel

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:45:00 GMT

The White House released a transcript of President Joe Biden’s remarks on Tuesday regarding the terrorist attacks in Israel.The transcript reads:“Good afternoon.You know, there are moments in this life — and I mean this literally — when the pure, unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world.The people of Israel lived through one such moment this weekend.  The bloody hands of the terrorist organization Hamas — a group whose stated purpose for being is to kill Jews.This was an act of sheer evil.More than 1,000 civilians slaughtered — not just killed, slaughtered — in Israel.  Among them, at least 14 American citizens killed.Parents butchered using their bodies to try to protect their children.Stomach-turning reports of being — babies being killed.Entire families slain.Young people massacred while attending a musical festival to celebrate peace — to celebrate peace.Women raped, assaulted, paraded as trophies.Families hid their fear...

Election 2023: Mounds View School Board (Elect 4)

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:45:00 GMT

MOUNDS VIEW SCHOOL BOARDMounds View voters will elect four school board members on Nov. 7 from a field of 11 candidates.General information about the Nov. 7 election is online at twincities.com/tag/elections. In addition, twincities.com/news/politics/elections will have a full voters guide with candidates for Ramsey, Dakota and Washington county races online this month. To find out where to vote, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s online polling place finder at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us.Heidi DanielsonHeidi Danielson of New Brighton, candidate for Mounds View School Board (District 621) in the November 2023 election. (Courtesy of the candidate)Age: 54What qualifies you to hold this position? I bring depth of experience with Mounds View schools – as a classroom volunteer, PTA leader, work on district committees (Equity Council, curriculum, facilities), and the MV school board the past 4 years. I am passionate about the commitment we make to EACH student in our schools an...

Gunfire investigated along I-44 near Fenton, one struck

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:45:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Police are investigating an exchange of gunfire Tuesday morning along Interstate 44 in St. Louis County. St. Louis County Police say two people reportedly exchanged gunfire in the eastbound lanes of I-44 in St. Louis County near Bowles Avenue. It happened during the 8 a.m. hour. One person was taken in custody in connection with the case, but the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office has refused all charges as of Tuesday afternoon. Investigators say two drivers pulled over along I-44 at some point, which was then followed by an exchange of gunfire. Monthly $500 payments coming soon for some St. Louis families One man was shot in the hand and ended up in the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. The driver of one of the car linked to the shooting then headed toward I-270 and Gravois Avenue, where he reportedly called police about the incident. No one else was struck by gunfire, though the situation led to some traffic delays Tuesday morning...

Illinois leaders react to recent attack on Israel

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:45:00 GMT

CHICAGO (WMBD) -- Leaders across Illinois have spoken out and released statements after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel Saturday.Gov. JB Pritzker spoke during the Jewish United Fund’s Israel Solidarity Gathering, which was held Tuesday. He said he is praying for the men and women of the Israeli Defense Forces."Each step of the way they should know, and the people of Israel should all know, that America and Illinois unequivocally stands with them in their battle to end the ongoing Hamas attacks," Pritzker said.Pritzker also stated that state police and law enforcement have been put on alert for attacks against synagogues and other gathering places for Jews across the state, though no threat has been reported at this time. WATCH: Pritzker gives remarks at Israel Solidarity Gathering U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released a statement on the attack on Saturday.“My heart goes out to the people of Israel as they face these horrific, unconscionable and ongoing coordinate...

Avalanche addresses depth concerns by trading for Caleb Jones, placing Pavel Francouz on injured reserve

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:45:00 GMT

There was more personnel shuffling one day after the Colorado Avalanche set its season-opening roster.The big move was trading for defenseman Caleb Jones from the Carolina Hurricanes. Jones, the younger brother of Seth Jones and the son of Nuggets assistant coach Popeye Jones, could be an important depth defenseman for the Avalanche. Colorado sent minor-league forward Cal Burke to the Hurricanes.“I like his experience,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “I like his ability to get up in the play and help a little bit offensively. He’s got decent size. … We’ll get him into our system, teach him what we know and see if he can be a fit.”The Avs are going to start the season with six defensemen on the active roster, but Jones joins a group with the Colorado Eagles in the AHL that includes veteran Brad Hunt and younger players like Sam Malinski and Nate Clurman who could jostle to be the first player recalled at the position. Bednar noted that he’d like to add another defenseman to the NHL ros...

Aurora police arrest 16-year-old boy in fatal Southlands mall shooting

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:45:00 GMT

A 16-year-old boy wanted in connection with a fatal shooting outside the Southlands shopping center in September turned himself into police on Monday, according to the Aurora Police Department.The boy, who was not identified because he is a minor, was booked into the Aurora Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder, aggravated robbery and failing to report an accident to police.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Aurora police officer who shot 14-year-old Jor’Dell Richardson cleared of policy violations, two others cited Crime and Public Safety | Aurora police seek 5 suspects in fatal shooting of 15-year-old outside Southlands mall Crime and Public Safety | 2 shot in Aurora during Sunday morning road rage incident Crime and Public Safety | Neck hold used on Elijah McClain emerges as focal point in officers’ trial over his 2019 death Crime and Public Safety | Police blame some deaths on “exci...

Jury deliberating in first trial of Aurora police officers charged in Elijah McClain’s death

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:45:00 GMT

Elijah McClain is pictured in this undated photograph. (Photo provided by family of Elijah McClain)Jurors began deliberating Tuesday in the trial of two Aurora police officers charged in the death of Elijah McClain more than four years ago.Attorneys for both sides made their closing arguments to jurors Tuesday afternoon, following two-and-a-half weeks of testimony in the jury trial for Aurora police officer Randy Roedema and former officer Jason Rosenblatt.Roedema, 41, and Rosenblatt, 34, are each charged with reckless manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and assault in connection with McClain’s 2019 death. They are the first of the five people indicted in the killing to stand trial in Adams County District Court.McClain was walking home on Aug. 24, 2019, when officers contacted him because a 911 caller had reported McClain as a suspicious person. The 23-year-old was wearing a runner’s mask that night, as he often did because he was frequently cold. Within seconds...

Broncos coach Sean Payton on trade deadline: We answer phone, but “we’re not looking to do business with any of our players”

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:45:00 GMT

The Broncos have already traded one veteran player this season, but coach Sean Payton says the team isn’t in a big rush to part with more.Speculation around trade targets is only going to increase in the three weeks between now and the Oct. 31 trade deadline in the NFL, but Payton on Tuesday said that he and general manager George Paton aren’t shopping anybody.“George and I talk every day. Three or four times a day,” the first-year Denver head coach said. “We’re not looking to do business with any of our players. That doesn’t prevent teams from calling at times. You pick the phone up, but that’s kind of where it’s at.”Teams called for most of the offseason, too, particularly about wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. Payton and Paton didn’t get a deal they liked for either one and held the line. At 1-4, though, and with a rugged schedule ahead, the math is different at the trade deadline than it is in the summer when nobody’s lost a game yet.In the coming wee...

Former L.A. Kings coach, ESPN analyst Barry Melrose to retire amid Parkinson's battle

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:45:00 GMT

One of the most beloved personalities in American hockey coverage is stepping away from the game he's dedicated his life to. On Tuesday, ESPN announced that Barry Melrose would be heading into retirement to spend more time with his family as he battles Parkinson's disease.Melrose played six years in the National Hockey League, appearing in 300 games and scoring 10 goals and 33 points as a defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets, Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs. He spent the early part of his career in the now-defunct World Hockey Association.Los Angeles sports fans might know him best as the head coach of a Los Angeles Kings team that immediately made the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals under his stewardship, led by the "Chosen One," Wayne Gretzky. He also had a brief stint as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning.Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins is interviewed by Steve Levy and Barry Melrose of ESPN after his team's 3-1 victory to win the Stanley Cup on June 12, 2016 in ...