K. Stolpa's 3101 News Blog

Activists groups are saying that the presence of the Los Angeles Police Department's Metropolitan Division at an immigration rally provoked violence.

The Metro Division was created to deal with riots, terrorism and other dangerous situations, and activists say the presence of the force was unnecessary at the rally.

The May Day immigration rally at MacArthur Park ended in the Metro Division's Platoon B firing rubber bullets into crowds of demonstrators. The rally was a peaceful and lawful demonstration, but police moved in after a group of agitators began throwing bottles and rocks.

Four investigations are in progress at the police department said LA Police Chief William Bratton. So far the investigations have determined that 148 rubber bullets were fired by the officers, not the originally reported 240, and between 30 and 40 demonstrators provoked police, not the 50 to 100 that police originally reported. Demonstrators and journalists were also beaten by police batons.

As a result of the violence, three protesters have filed federal lawsuits against the police department, claiming their constitutional rights were violated. Patti Ballaz, a camerawoman for a local television news station, has also filed a civil suit due to injuries she sustained during the altercation. Ballaz suffered a fractured wrist and ankle injuries.

Of the 600 officers in the Metro Division, 100 were involved. Bratton said that those officers have been removed from the streets while investigations continue.

Posted by Kelly Stolpa at 10:35 PM | Permalink

Police have taken a suspect into custody after an alleged kidnapping and sexual assault in Coon Rapids.

A 12-year-old girl was waiting to go to school on Friday when a man pulled up to her bus stop and asked her for directions. When she came close to the truck he pulled her inside and drove away. After several blocks the girl was able to escape when the truck stopped.

Thanks to eye-witnesses and other people living in the neighborhood of the alleged crime, Coon Rapids police were able to pick up on a suspect quickly and put his home under surveillance.

Christopher John Mitchell, 46, was arrested early Saturday on probable cause of kidnapping, second-degree assault and first-degree criminal sexual assault. Mitchell is expected to be charged Monday or Tuesday. He has no extensive criminal record and he is not a registered sex offender.

The sixth-grade girl is expected to return to school on Monday said her stepfather.

Check out the coverage of the story in the Star Tribune and the Pioneer Press.
(**NOTE: I thought it was interesting that the Star Tribune did not print the accused's name, but they did explain that it is not something they do until after a suspect is charged. I thought this was probably explicitly stated because the Pioneer Press did print the name of the suspect.)

Posted by Kelly Stolpa at 9:32 PM | Permalink

For the last three decades David Suzuki has raised awareness for environmental issues in Canada. He has done so much to bring global warming to the top of the country's list of concerns that he is referred to as the Canadian Al Gore.

In 2004 Suzuki was named one of the "Greatest Canadians" for being a champion for the environment. He was 5th on the list, and the highest living member of the list.

Suzuki has a genetics degree from the University of British Columbia, where he first worked on a college television program talking about the preservation. He continued to work in television and hosted a weekly CBC show, "The Nature of Things," in 1979.

Aside from raising awareness through television, Suzuki has set up dozens of other environmental programs in both Canada and the U.S. 1990 he and his wife started the David Suzuki Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is now pulling in $6 million per year.

Check out the Star Tribune's recent story about Suzuki.

Posted by Kelly Stolpa at 2:55 PM | Permalink

Street Sense, ridden by jockey Calvin Borel, made a come-from-behind victory on Saturday at the Kentucky Derby.

He also won the Breeder's Cup Juvenille race six months ago, making him the first horse to ever win those two races in the same year. That race was also run at Churchhill Downs.

The win makes Street Sense the highest-priced winning favorite in Derby history.

The derby has not had a 2-year-old champion since 1979 when Spectacular Bid won.

Trainer Carl Nafzger watched his horse start in 19th place, out of 20, and rally to overtake the entire pack and win the race.

Posted by Kelly Stolpa at 2:36 PM | Permalink

A Waseca family's petition to build an obstacle course for tanks and shooting ranges in their backyard has their neighbors up in arms.

The Borglum family would like to build an obstacle course where people could pay to drive and ride tanks, three outdoor shooting ranges, one indoor range and a retail store on their 26 acre property just outside of Waseca. They figure the money from the business would make up for the $150,000 spent on the tanks.

The Planning Commission will review the Borglum's plans and then submit a recommendation to the County Board for a final vote.

Many neighbors are concerned about the affects the obstacle course would have on their community. The main concern is safety. The outdoor shooting ranges would have a large hill as a backdrop, but the homes and church on that hill are extremely concerned about stray bullets especially with children around. Others are also worried about the noise and pollution the tanks would cause.

Posted by Kelly Stolpa at 2:06 PM | Permalink