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Forest Lake, Duluth men charged in brazen $250,000 Pokémon store break-in

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:11 GMT

Gotta catch ‘em all. That’s what police have done in the case of last year’s Pokémon card heist in Forest Lake.Two men have been charged with third-degree burglary in connection with the theft of more than $250,000 in Pokémon cards from a Forest Lake gaming store on Feb. 10, 2022.Matthew James Cuypers Jr., 40, of Duluth, and Dustin Anthony Wittern, 40, of Forest Lake, are accused of gaining entry to Punch-Out Gaming by breaking into the vacant shop next door and then smashing two large holes through the adjoining wall into the gaming store’s storage rooms.Cuypers, who has an extensive criminal history, admitted stealing the Pokémon cards in a post-Miranda interview on an unrelated federal matter about a month after the burglary, according to the criminal complaint filed last week in Washington County District Court. He reported that he worked with Wittern, “who knew a buyer who had been looking at the cards,” the complaint states.The men allegedly loaded the stolen cards into ...

Gophers golf: Simley’s Isabella McCauley rallies to reach NCAA Championship

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:11 GMT

Frankly, Isabella McCauley assumed what most probably did after struggling through her first round at the NCAA Westfield Regional.The Gophers freshman figured she did not have a shot at advancing. She was playing as an individual, and only one player from a non-qualifying team moves through to the NCAA Championships. After a first-round 74 at The Club of Chatham Hills in Westfield, Ind., McCauley was six shots back of that position.Simley grad and current Minnesota freshman Isabella McCauley made her collegiate debut for the Gophers on Sept. 12, 2022 at the ANNIKA Invitational at Royal Golf Club in Lake Elmo. McCauly was photographed in Minneapolis on Sept. 8, 2022. (Brad Rempel / University of Minnesota Athletics)“I was just hoping to play a little bit better the next couple of days,” the Simley graduate said. “That’s just always my mentality on the golf course is just play my game and I hope to play well in my standards of just playing well, not necessarily against the field.”She ...

Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan voters OK state record $493M school bond referendum

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:11 GMT

Voters in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district on Tuesday approved a combined $493 million bond referendum, the largest successful public school funding request in Minnesota history.District 196, the state’s third largest school district with some 29,000 students, posed two questions to voters in the special election. Both were approved in all 14 district precincts, the district’s leadership said.The first question, for $374 million, included safety and security improvements at all district schools, a new elementary school, a new Rosemount Middle School and repurposing the current school. Additions will also be made to Scott Highlands Middle School and Dakota Ridge School, finishing renovation of Rosemount High School and renovation of Transition Plus, along with science lab and performance space improvements at secondary schools and furniture replacement where needed.The question was approved by a margin of 7,576 “yes” votes (69%) to 3,446 “...

Refreshed Kayla McBride hopes to lead young Lynx

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:11 GMT

Kayla McBride was disappointed in a number of things about the way the Lynx’s 2022 season ended.Obviously, there was the lack of a playoff appearance, the first time Minnesota suffered such a fate since 2010. That was a less-than-storybook sendoff for future Hall of Fame center Sylvia Fowles.But what really seemed to bother the guard is how she contributed — or didn’t — to the team’s cause down the stretch run.“My motor, I think last year, even at the end of last season, I was disappointed,” McBride said. “How fatigued I was toward the end of the season, especially during that playoff push, and Syl leaving, there was a lot of things towards the end of the season and I was disappointed in myself.”That stayed with McBride. She’s spoken this week about the “sour taste” that was left in her mouth.“It was really hard for me,” McBride said. “I held onto it a lot in the offseason.”Much has happened since then. McBride’s Turkish team, Fenerbahçe — a stacked superteam overseas — won its firs...

Minnesota Democrats have deal on new gun control — red flag law, expanded background checks

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:11 GMT

Minnesota Democrats believe they have agreement on two gun-control proposals that can win approval in the state Senate, where they have a one-seat majority.Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party members, who won a trifecta of control of state government in November, have said addressing gun violence was a top priority. But until Wednesday, there were a lot of doubts DFLers could win approval of substantial changes in the Senate, where several members won close races and are politically vulnerable on the issue.Now both expanded background checks and a red flag law appear to have the support to pass. They were inserted Wednesday into the judiciary and public safety budget bill being finalized by a bicameral committee of lawmakers.The gun-control measures have already passed the House once along party lines, but they have not been debated in the full Senate.“I am so proud the Legislature is finally getting this done,” said Sen. Bonnie Westlin, DFL-Plymouth, who is in her first term ...

Missing Indigenous Person Alert issued for man last seen in Denver

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:11 GMT

A Missing Indigenous Person Alert has been issued for a man last seen in Denver.CBI is issuing this Missing Indigenous Person Alert on behalf of our partners at Denver Police Department. If you see Kelsey Tsosie, please call DPD or 911. pic.twitter.com/jjpx5g4WIJ— CBI (@CBI_Colorado) May 10, 2023Kelsey Tsosie, 36, “went missing” on April 18 and was last seen in the 400 block of South Raleigh Street, according to a Colorado Bureau of Investigation alert.Tsosie, a member of the Navajo Tribe, has black hair and brown eyes, he is 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs 215 pounds, according to the alert. He may be experiencing homelessness.Anyone who sees Tsosie, or knows of his whereabouts, is asked to call 911 or the Denver Police Department at 720-913-2000.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Fort Collins police looking for man with developmental disabilities who may be in Denver area Crime and Public Safety | Search for missing El Paso Cou...

Colorado Rapids’ Max Alves implicated in Brazilian match manipulation scandal, according to report

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:11 GMT

Colorado Rapids midfielder Max Alves is currently under investigation by Brazilian authorities in relation to an alleged match manipulation scandal in his home country, which grew to include a Rapids game, according to a report from the Brazilian newspaper O Globo.Alves is among a group of players being investigated for receiving payments from match-fixers, according to the report, which is based on documents obtained by the news outlet from a law enforcement operation titled “Penalidade Maxima II.” As part of the alleged fixing ring, players were asked to perform certain actions in games, such as receiving yellow cards or conceding corner kicks, to generate profits for sports bettors.Alves has not been charged with a crime, as the investigation is still ongoing, but authorities from the Brazilian Public Ministry in the state of Goiás charged 16 people on Wednesday, including seven players.The Rapids released the following statement Wednesday night: “We are aware of the ...

Man beaten as thieves steal French bulldog in Ladera Heights

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:11 GMT

A family is desperate for help after their beloved French bulldog was stolen in Ladera Heights during an early morning walk.The attack happened on the 6300 block of Wooster Avenue as the victim was taking a stroll. The victim's family is now pleading for the public's help to find their beloved dog, Bruno.“It’s sad that it has to happen like this,” said Stefan Becker, the victim. “I can relate now to people in [a similar] situation, when you see people on the ground, being kicked at like a piece of dirt. No regard for life, no regard for a human being.”Becker was left battered and bruised after a group of three to four men beat him up as he was walking around 5:30 a.m. The thieves took 3-year-old Bruno and fled from the scene.“He made our family, our lives, richer for sure,” Becker said of Bruno.Becker described the suspects' vehicle as an older model silver-colored Toyota Camry. He said the suspects suddenly pulled up next to him, hopped out and assaulted him.Missing French bulldog,...

Former O.C. cheerleading coach arrested on molestation charges; additional victims sought

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:11 GMT

A former competitive cheerleading instructor in Orange County was arrested and charged with multiple felony counts of molesting six girls while he was their coach.Erik Kristianson, 44, of Antioch, Tennessee, was arrested last week in Fargo, North Dakota after a warrant was issued for his arrest in Orange County.Officials allege that Kristianson molested several young girls while working as a coach at a competitive cheer club and at a high school in Mission Viejo, according to the United States Department of Justice.The accusations came to light last year after he was arrested in Daytona Beach, Florida, on allegations that he masturbated to three girls, all under the age of 13, during a FaceTime call. He's also accused of touching another young girl's breasts.In August 2022, Kristianson was arrested in Kansas on a warrant related to the alleged abuse in Florida. He was extradited back to the state to face charges related to the FaceTime call, but left the state after posting $300,000...

Famed mountain lion P-22 could get permanent memorial at Griffith Park

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:11 GMT

Beloved mountain lion P-22 could soon be getting a permanent memorial at Griffith Park, the sprawling urban park he once roamed.The Los Angeles City Council voted last week to create a committee to determine the location and design of a memorial for the famed cougar.The ad hoc committee of the Griffith Park Advisory Board is made up of city staff and stakeholders who will report back within 120 days to determine the cost of the endeavor, the Los Angeles Daily News reported.Councilmember Nithya Raman, who represents District 4 where Griffith Park is located, said in a statement she is looking forward to the results of the committee.“We hope for this memorial to be a place for the community to come together, pay their respects, and reflect on the importance of protecting our environment and the wildlife that inhabits it,” she said.P-22 was humanely euthanized late last year after being struck by a car near Griffith Park.Wildlife officials had been searching for the cougar over concern...