Miller Media Moments

Local Somali families spoke Sunday about the men in their lives who they say have gone missing.

According to the Pioneer Press, the families fear they are fighting a jihad in the war-torn country.

This week, one Minneapolis resident was buried after he blew himself up as a part of his role as a suicide bomber in the ongoing civil war, according to the Star Tribune.

The FBI said they only helped to return the body to Minneapolis and would not confirm the death of the man, said to be Shirwa Ahmed, the Star Tribune said.

The Somali community is concerned and speaking out about other young men they worry will find themselves in similar situations after being brainwashed.

"(The missing men and boys) have been financially supported to leave the country with the promise of utopian society," Abdirizak Bihi, Somali community leader told the Pioneer Press. "But they are in harms way."

Bihi's nephew is one of the people missing.

Attorney Mahir Sherif, who represents local mosques, said they are not recruiting men to go and fight, but he told the Star Tribune "he has seen some in the community call young men to arms."

"The whole issue raises some interesting questions," he told the Star Tribune, adding the number of men rumored to have left to fight has dropped from 45 to possibly fewer than 10.

"Let's say they went in answer to a call to stop aggression. Or maybe they just left to protect their grandmother. Do people have a right to return to a country to fight? Will it be a crime?" he asked in a Star Tribune interview. "And does the government even want them back, especially if they have been trained over there?"

Posted by mill3444 at 10:59 PM | Permalink

Local Somali families spoke Sunday about the men in their lives who they say have gone missing.

According to the Pioneer Press, the families fear they are fighting a jihad in the war-torn country.

This week, one Minneapolis resident was buried after he blew himself up as a part of his role as a suicide bomber in the ongoing civil war, according to the Star Tribune.

The FBI said they only helped to return the body to Minneapolis and would not confirm the death of the man, said to be Shirwa Ahmed, the Star Tribune said.

The Somali community is concerned and speaking out about other young men they worry will find themselves in similar situations after being brainwashed.

"(The missing men and boys) have been financially supported to leave the country with the promise of utopian society," Abdirizak Bihi, Somali community leader told the Pioneer Press. "But they are in harms way."

Bihi's nephew is one of the people missing.

Attorney Mahir Sherif, who represents local mosques, said they are not recruiting men to go and fight, but he told the Star Tribune "he has seen some in the community call young men to arms."

"The whole issue raises some interesting questions," he told the Star Tribune, adding the number of men rumored to have left to fight has dropped from 45 to possibly fewer than 10.

"Let's say they went in answer to a call to stop aggression. Or maybe they just left to protect their grandmother. Do people have a right to return to a country to fight? Will it be a crime?" he asked in a Star Tribune interview. "And does the government even want them back, especially if they have been trained over there?"

Posted by mill3444 at 10:59 PM | Permalink

A Fridley High School star athlete was killed Friday in an accident shooting, according to police.

Emmanuel Bartuoh, also known to his football coach as the "E-man,", was a quiet leader and a standout player with dreams of a college football scholarship and one day earning a degree, according to the Pioneer Press.

Bartuoh, 18, died of a gunshot wound inside his Fridley town home, where he was watching the state high school football tournament on TV, according to the Pioneer Press.

Samuel Keleih Dennis, a 20-year-old graduate of Fridley High, was booked into the Anoka County Jail on suspicion of second-degree manslaughter after he pointed a semi-automatic gun he didn't know was loaded at his friend, Bartuoh, and pulled the trigger, authorities told the Pioneer Press.

Bartuoh had spoken earlier in the day with a Midwestern college about a football scholarship, according to the Pioneer Press article.

"It doesn't make sense. Oh, God, could this really be happening?" said his older sister, Marthaline Bartuoh, 22 told the Star Tribune. "I can't say it was his time to go, because it's not. It was not his time to go."

According to the Star Tribune, hundreds of students gathered at Fridley High School on Saturday sobbing and hugging each in grief.

"He was a great kid and he's gonna be deeply missed by a lot of people," Bartuoh's football coach, Lambert Brown told the Star Tribune. "Hopefully they can remember him by the good things he did and try to live up to the example that he set."

Fridley High School principal, David Webb said Bartuoh is the first student to die at Fridley High School in 11 years.

The Anoka County attorney's office will review the case. Formal charges against Dennis as well as a court appearance are expected Monday, according to the Pioneer Press.

Posted by mill3444 at 4:20 PM | Permalink

A professor confessed on a national blog that he stole Republican presidential campaign signs in southern Minnesota.

Phillip Busse, a visiting professor at St. Olaf College in Northfield, wrote about the thefts on Huffington Post, a liberal news Web site, with a post date of Thursday, according to an Associated Press report in the Pioneer Press.

Busse said in his post that he stole McCain signs. Busse told the Star Tribune he intended the posting to point out the foolish things people do in a highly charged political season.

But no one seems to be looking at the bigger message behind the prank.

Neither the McCain nor Obama presidential campaign, St. Olaf college or the Rice County sheriff are finding the thefts acceptable, according to the Star Tribune.

Busse told the Star Tribune he has offered restitution for his actions.

"This was stupid. It was immature. It's illegal. I am taking responsibility for all of my actions,'' Busse told the Star Tribune. "I regret it has brought some focus to the college, because they have nothing to do with this.''

Tom Steward, regional communications director for Sen. John McCain's campaign, told the Star Tribune: "No matter which side of the aisle you come down on, people should be able to agree there is no place in politics for what is really uncivil activity, not to mention illegal.''

The Northfield Police Department told the Associated Press stealing political yard signs is treated as a misdemeanor, but complainants rarely decide to pursue charges.

Posted by mill3444 at 9:14 PM | Permalink

The St. Paul Pioneer Press received a suspicious package labeled anthrax, but initial reports show the white substance is sugar, according to police.

The envelope contained a CD with a photo of Colin Powell labeled "Anthrax Shock and Awe Terror" and a white, sugar-like packet taped to the top labeled "Anthrax" and "Biohazard." (Pioneer Press)

St. Paul police spokesman Pete Crum told the Star Tribune the material will be investigated by the FBI, U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

This incident followed several other anthrax scares at newspapers across the country.

According to the Pioneer Press the Minneapolis Star Tribune received a similar package Thursday.

On Wednesday, a California man was arrested on suspicion of send the hoax "anthrax" envelopes to media outlets, according to the Pioneer Press.

Marc M. Keyser, 66, is suspected of sending more than 120 envelopes containing a compact disc that had a packet of sugar labeled "Anthrax Sample" along with a biohazard symbol. The CD was titled "Anthrax: Shock & Awe Terror." (Pioneer Press)

Posted by mill3444 at 8:53 PM | Permalink

An 18-year-old woman was found Sunday morning shot to death in the Dayton's Bluff neighborhood, according to St. Paul police.

Police received a phone call of shots fired at 9:35 p.m. The woman and a 24-year-old man were shot near Sixth Street East and Forest Street. The car they were in then traveled to a gas station at Arcade Street and Minnehaha Avenue East, about four blocks from the shooting, police spokesman Peter Panos told the Pioneer Press.

Panos told the Pioneer Press it is unclear whether they were in the vehicle when they were shot.

The St. Paul Fire Department medics determined the woman was dead, according to the Star Tribune.

Panos told Pioneer Press reports the man was taken to Regions Hospital and his condition is unknown.

Names were not being released until family members could be reached, according to the Pioneer Press.

The Star Tribune reports the Gang Unit and homicide unit are investigating the case.

Posted by mill3444 at 5:56 PM | Permalink

Minnesota's Independence Party announced Saturday it will not be endorsing a candidate for presidency.

Despite four hours of deliberation and requests from several candidates for the endorsement, including Republican Sen. John McCain, the party decided no candidate full represented the ideals of the IP party, according to the Pioneer Press.

"We're true to our name, true independents," state IP Chairman Craig Swaggert told the Pioneer Press after the convention held at Eastview High School is Apple Valley.

According to an Associated Press report that ran in the Star Tribune, Swaggert told the AP that 70 delegates and 30 observers made the decision.

Barack Obama's campaign did not request consideration.

The Independence Party has made a difference in several Minnesota races and was the party of former Gov. Jesse Ventura. This year, the IP senate candidate Dean Barkley is polling in double digits, according to the AP.

Posted by mill3444 at 5:42 PM | Permalink

Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann's comment on MSNBC that she was concerned Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama "may have anti-American views" is sending campaign contributions in the direction of her opponent.

Shortly after Bachmann made the comments on "Hardball" with Chris Matthews, a spokesman for her oponent, Democrat El Tinklenberg's campaign said Saturday about 9,000 people from across the country had donated at least $450,000 online since about 6 p.m. Friday, according to the Pioneer Press.

The Associated Press reported Bachmann is trying to retract her earlier statements. She appeared on a WCCO-TV show on Sunday claiming her comments were misleading.

Nick Kimball, spokesman for Obama's campaign in Minnesota, told the Pioneer Press Republican presidential candidate John McCain and his allies, like Bachmann, have decided to use "scare tactics and false attacks."

Bachmann's camp has encouraged voters to watch the interview in its entirety to know the true context of her comments.

Posted by mill3444 at 10:22 PM | Permalink

Although Minnesotan Jim Hautman wasn't the ultimate winner of the 2009-2010 U.S. Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp competition, he picked out the winner from the start.

When Hautman went online to look over the work of his 269 rivals, he had the winner "pegged from the get-go," according to the Star Tribune.

It was South Dakota artist Joshua Spies who won the Federal Duck Stamp Contest on Saturday with his painting of a pair of long-tailed ducks, according to the Pioneer Press.

"That was the one I feared the most," Hautman, a victor in 1990, 1995 and 1999, told the Star Trbune.

"Spiese, on the other hand, was a first-time winner but the third painter from Watertown, S.D., to have his work secure this honor, joining Terry Redlin and John Wilson." (Star Tribune)

Minnesota artists have won the contest 17 times since 1949, according to the Pioneer Press.

Hautman came in second in the contest with his depiction of Canada geese, according to the Star Tribune.

Spies' winning entry will be featured on the 2009-10 federal duck stamp, required for all waterfowl hunters. The $15 stamps have raised more than $700 million to buy habitat for national wildlife refuges, according to the Pioneer Press.

Posted by mill3444 at 8:43 PM | Permalink

A long time St. Paul teacher at Humbolt Junior High is under investigation after a special education student accused him of sexually assaulting her.

John Bernard Mauer, 58, has not been charged with a crime, however, police are investigating the claim, according to a Pioneer Press article.

"The girl told a school principal that, during the previous school year, Mauer had brushed against her breast area when leaning over her, and showed her pictures of himself as a young man wearing nothing but his underwear, according to a search warrant filed today in Ramsey County District Court." (Pioneer Press)

There are also accusations of the teacher having sexual intercourse with the girl on his desk, according to the Pioneer Press.

Police searched Mauer's home on Oct. 1 looking for child pornography. They seized a laptop, two hard drives and a plastic bag with pictures in it, according to a search warrant filed Thursday. (Star Tribune)

Pending further investigation, Mauer has been placed on paid administrative leave by the school. The leave began Sept. 25, after the girl's mother first raised concerns, according to the Star Tribune.

The girl transferred to another school after her mother noticed behavioral changes over the summer, according to the Pioneer Press.

According to the Star Tribune, the mother became suspicious of Mauer after he visited her daughter at her new school, Battle Creek Middle School.

Posted by mill3444 at 12:58 PM | Permalink

A radio talk show duo agreed Wednesday on air Former NBA basketball player Magic Johnson faked having AIDS.

The short conversation Wednesday on the politically conservative KTLK Radio (100.3 FM) between on-air personalities Chris Baker and Langdon Perry brought criticism from Johnson, who has been HIV-positive since 1991, according to Star Tribune report.

The context for the remarks was unclear. According to a partial transcript and audio clip posted on a media watchdog site, the conversation came after a caller complained about demands on workers. Perry responded by asking about treatable diseases that a person can live with for a long time "if you just get some basic drugs," according to the Associated Press article that ran in the Pioneer Press.

On air Friday morning, Baker described the comments he and Perry made as "not news" and said he can't believe this three or four seconds conversation is being focused on, according to the Star Tribune.

"I am extremely disappointed in KTLK in Minneapolis," Johnson, 49, said in a statement released Thursday. "I am outraged that Chris Baker and Langdon Perry would minimize such a serious and deadly issue." (Star Tribune)

"Millions are dying from HIV/AIDS, and the fact that they would make jokes about my status is unbelievable. Chris, Langdon and KTLK should use their power in a more positive light by encouraging people to get tested for this disease instead of making up such ridiculous lies." (Star Tribune)

KTLK did not immediately have a comment, according to the Associated Press report.

Posted by mill3444 at 12:36 PM | Permalink

After spending two months in jail after being found with a white powder in his possession, a Shakopee man, has been cleared of all drug charges.

Tests showed the powder was deodorant, not cocaine as police had originally suspected, according to an Associated Press article that ran in the Pioneer Press.

Cornelius F. Salonis, 31, was arrested for drunken driving on Aug. 3 in Lake Crystal. He had been in jail since then because the officers had reported finding cocaine, according to the Mankato Free Press.

Pat McDermott, assistant Blue Earth County attorney, said it's rare for someone to be arrested for drug possession and have the substance turn out to be something else. (Mankato Free Press)

Salonis spent 60 days in jail and was released upon the findings of the test results. He was sentenced to a year in prison for his drunken driving charge, but was released because of good behavior during the months he already served.

The test did not show what the powder was, just that it was not an illegal substance, McDermott told the Mankato Free Press.

"In all of the years I have done this, this has only happened one other time," McDermott, who has been a prosecutor for 18 years, told the Mankato Free Press.

Posted by mill3444 at 10:53 PM | Permalink

Former Vice President Al Gore spoke on behalf of Minnesota Senate candidate Al Franken Saturday at the University of Minnesota's Northrup Auditorium.

Gore spoke to a crowd of about 1,500 party members, including Walter Mondale, the only other Democratic vice president since the 1960s - that those who vote for Republican incumbent Norm Coleman will support the policies of the Bush administration, according to the Pioneer Press.

"It's time to kick them out of there. It's not that complicated," Gore said at the fundraiser for Franken. (Star Tribune)

Franken called Gore "the greatest president we should have had," and said he was running "because 5 million Minnesotans have seen their country veer off track under George Bush and Norm Coleman," according to the Star Tribune.

In response to the event, Coleman's campaign cited a 12-year-old example of Gore apparently not finding one of Franken's jokes funny, after the two joked at the event about being longtime friends, according to the Star Tribune.

Pollster.com, which aggregates numerous polls, lists Coleman as having a 41-40 lead over Franken, according to the Pioneer Press.

"I'm going to take this guy," Franken said to a standing ovation. "I need you running alongside me. I need you running alongside me for the next 31 days. I need you every step of the way. Together- together we will take this guy and we will take back the country. (Pioneer Press)

Posted by mill3444 at 9:50 PM | Permalink

A New London, Minn. science teacher shattered the Minnesota record for the largest pumpkin on Saturday.

Chad Revier won $1,000 for his oblong, bright orange gourd. The pumpkin weighed 1,427.5 pounds at the 4th annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off in downtown Stillwater, according to the Star Tribune.

The previous state record was 1,258 pounds (Star Tribune).

"It feels pretty good," Revier told the Star Tribune. "It was nice to see that number come across."

In a preview brief that ran in the Pioneer Press, written by the Associated Press it stated Revier was planning to bring three giant pumpkins, one weighing 1,500 pounds.

It's officially ineligible because of small cracks, Revier told the Associated Press.

Contest rules, set by the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth - a national organization that governs these types of contests - say any pumpkin can be disqualified if it is damaged. In past year's in other parts of the country people have drilled holes into the pumpkins and filled them with water to make them weigh more, according to the Star Tribune.

This was only Revier's second year growing pumpkins, according to the Star Tribune.

Posted by mill3444 at 6:53 PM | Permalink

Proposed fares for the Northstar rail line were labeled too low, the Metropolitan Council said Thursday.

The council hopes to shift more of the operating costs to riders and canceled three upcoming public hearings on the rates to allow for more research to be conducted on the rates, the Pioneer Press reported.

The commuter rail line is projected to be completed by late 2009.

On Monday the transportation committee proposed one-way fares to downtown Minneapolis ranging from $3.25 from Fridley to $7.50 from Big Lake. At those rates, only 18 to 24 percent of the line's operating costs would be covered for 2010, according to the Pioneer Press.

Other bus and train services have their rates set to accomodate 35 percent of yearly operating costs, the Star Tribune reported.

The Twin Cities have historically had a slightly higher percentage of operating costs funded by fares than other major cities, University of Minnesota transit expert told the Pioneer Press.

Commuters will have to consider whether taking the Northstar line will be financially savvy.

About 5,000 riders are being estimated by Northstar supporters. About 1,000 people already use a bus route that started in 2001. (Pioneer Press)

The public hearings will be rescheduled once new proposed fares are developing, according to the Star Tribune.

Posted by mill3444 at 5:37 PM | Permalink

AT&T employees gave senior citizens a chance to learn more about cell phones Thursday and Friday around the Twin Cities.

The Thursday session in Maple Grove brought 76-year-old Darlene O'Donnell in. The Star Tribune observed her and her AT&T employee partner "mastering" the "missed call" and the "add new contact" challenges.

The biggest challenge for O'Donnell to tackle, the Star Tribune reported, was voice mail.

Dozens of senior citizens brought questions about their cell phones written down on anything from napkins to their worn cell phone manuals to get answered by AT&T employees, the Star Tribune reported.

The free 20-minute sessions in Maple Grove and at the Minneapolis Community Technical College's Wells Family College Center were part of an effort in several states to teach the elderly about how to use their cell phones.

"I know how to turn it on. I know this is the call thing. But I don't know what that's for, and what that's for," 82-year-old Rose Lillestol said pointing out buttons on her Nokia phone as the Pioneer Press observed her tutor session. "For us old people, all this new stuff is tough."

Surveys show seniors are gaining interest in cell phones and "embracing cell phones, less often as a safety precaution and more often as a way to keep in touch with friends and family," according to the Star Tribune

Clarice and Glenn Dustin of Brooklyn Park told the Star Tribune their children "forced" them to get cell phones, but they love them now and use them to communicate at the casino.

"We'll call back and forth about, 'I just hit four aces!' " he told the Star Tribune.

The Dustin's attended Thursday's workshops to learn about texting and using the Internet feature for instant messaging.

Posted by mill3444 at 9:03 PM | Permalink

The Minnesota Twins reached a tentative 25-year marketing deal with Target Monday, giving the new 40,000 seat stadium the name of Target Field.

Specific financial details were not released, however, the Star Tribune reports several sports analysts estimate the deal could be worth $100 million dollars or more over the next 25 years. Yearly estimates ranged from $3 million dollars to $8 million dollars.

"We really focused on Target," team President Dave St. Peter told the Star Tribune. "We really had only serious discussions with one company, and that was Target."

Target Field will be the second entertainment venue in Minneapolis named after the corporation, as the retailer already holds naming rights to the Target Center - home of the NBA's Timberwolves, the Pioneer Press reported.

"It's further evidence of our commitment to local community and providing community support," Susan Kahn, a spokeswoman for Target told the Star Tribune, "This is in our back yard. This is an extra-special commitment to our hometown."

Although Minnesotans are familiar with Target, analysts said having their name on the new stadium will bring national brand awareness to the company, according to the Star Tribune.

Target is not the first company to have two venues bearing its name. The Pioneer Press reports American Airlines, as an example, has naming rights to two NBA arenas in Dallas and Miami,

In addition to the naming rights, Kevin Smith, a Twins spokesman told the Star Tribune Target will work with the Twins on designing other aspects of the stadium including what is to be called Target Plaza, a pedestrian bridge and public gathering area connecting the ballpark to downtown Minneapolis.

The stadium is set to open in 2010.

Posted by mill3444 at 11:22 PM | Permalink

A coin toss decided a Farmington school board primary election Tuesday, after two candidates tied for the final spot to compete in the General Election, according to a report by the Star Tribune.

Candidates Carole Kappes and Bruce Westover tied at 360 votes each (Pioneer Press).

Minnesota law says governments must break election ties by a draw. This can include picking straws, flipping a coin or a card game. Lori Jensen, a Farmington election official, told the Pioneer Press Farmington leaders opted to use the coin toss.

"Everybody was kind of shocked that's how you resolve it," Jensen told the Pioneer Press.

Westover won the toss.

"It was the first time I ever had a funny feeling in my stomach about a coin toss," Westover told the Pioneer Press. "I don't think it's fate. It's luck of the coin."

Kappes told the Star Tribune she would not be seeking a recount of the votes. She said she didn't think her odds of winning on of the three contested seats was good after only being in sixth place for the primaries.

Posted by mill3444 at 4:15 AM | Permalink

Beginning June 2009, the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul will become St. Catherine University, according to reports by the Star Tribune and the Pioneer Press.

The announcement was made Thursday, the Pioneer Press said.

A number of names were debated - St. Catherine's University ,the University of St. Catherine, Saint Catherine of Alexandria University and the University of Saint Catherine of Alexandria - but, St. Catherine University was selected for its simplicity, Sister Andrea Lee, the college's president, told the Pioneer Press.

According to the Star Tribune report the new name is meant to reflect the changes that have transformed the college of the past few years.

"We haven't been solely a baccalaureate institution for women since 1979," Lee told the Star Tribune. "It became clear it was time to look at [the name]. We didn't enter it lightly. This is a process that took over a year, engaged a lot of people and featured a lot of conversation."

The school's population is 5, 200 student and also has about a dozen graduate programs that account for approximately a quarter of its total enrollment.

The College of Saint Catherine will continue to enroll women only for baccalaureate programs, but all graduate programs will continue to be co-ed.

"I like their choice," said Christie Young, a sophomore, told the Pioneer Press. She told them she will be happy to say she graduated from a "university."

Some students were concerned the name change would mean bigger changes, including senior Molly Hall.

"We're all so excited to be a small, intimate college of women," she told the Pioneer Press. "I think a lot of people were hesitant to take on 'university' because they didn't want that to change."

Lee told the Pioneer Press she, too, was not an initial supporter of the change, but that the undergraduate experience will not change.

The Star Tribune reported the change will cost nearly six figures, as everything from stationary to athletic uniforms will have to be changed.

St. Kate's is the one of many Minnesota colleges or universites to recently change their name, as other universities have found a name change is benfital for the recruitment of foreign students.

Bethel University president Jay Barnes told the Star Tribune in other cultures the term "college" is related to the U.S. equivalent of high school or community college.

But, despite the name change, the Star Tribune reported the day-to-day name is likely to remain "St. Kate's."

Posted by mill3444 at 10:05 PM | Permalink