Jennie

By Jennie Wander

National Guard Sgt. Greg Riewer, 28, died in Iraq Monday after a bomb struck his vehicle, Associated Press said.

Riewer graduated from Frazee High School in 1997. He was a hunter, Associated Press said. He also loved to ride his motorcycle, Associated Press said.

Funeral arrangements have been arranged for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Frazee High School, Star Tribune said. A scholarship fun has been set up in his memory at the United Community Bank, P.O. Box 156, Frazee, MN, 56544, Star Tribune said.

http://www.twincities.com/news/ci_5552561
http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1090524.html

Posted by Jennifer Wander at 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Jennie Wander

The time-consuming Interstate Highway 35W and Crosstown Highway reconstruction is set to begin in June.

Three construction companies compiled a bid of $288 million, which was the lowest bid, Pioneer Press said. The transportation company still has a few other bids to look over.

Because the state did not receive bids on this project last year because of a financial problem, they had to put off reconstructing U.S. Highway 169 and state Highway 81 in order to complete this project, Star Tribune said.

http://www.twincities.com/ci_5558111?nclick_check=1
http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1090361.html

Posted by Jennifer Wander at 3:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Jennie Wander

The second Royal Navy crew member apologized on Iranian television for trespassing on Iranian waters, BBC said.

Navy crew member Nathan Summers apologized to Iran over a televised broadcast, BBC said. Tony Blair disagreed with the broadcast saying they should stop "parading" the crew in this way, BBC said.

The European Union called for immediate release of the soldiers in a meeting in Germany Friday. The UK still denies that the crew was in Iranian waters, BBC said.

The waterway where the crew was arrested is highly controversial since Iraq and Iran both claim the territory as theirs, CNN said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6509813.stm
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/03/29/iran.uk.sailors/index.html

Posted by Jennifer Wander at 3:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Jennie Wander

Four deaths were caused by the spring storms that hit three states Wednesday and Thursday and flooded parts of North Texas, Kare 11 said.

The storm released more than 65 tornadoes in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska, Kare 11 said. The storm also caused snow in Wyoming leading to pile-ups on highways and road closings, Kare 11 said.

More severe weather is expected Friday for several states including North Dakota, Iowa, and Texas.

http://www.kare11.com/news/national/national_article.aspx?storyid=249397
http://www.startribune.com/484/story/1089764.html

Posted by Jennifer Wander at 2:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Jennie Wander

If the bill goes through Saturday by Senate Democrats, Minnesota will have highest-in-the-nation top rate tax bracket, Kare 11 said.

By adding a proposed fourth tier to Minnesota's three-tier system, the state could raise just shy of $1 billion within the next two years, Kare 11 said. The new rate would be 9.7 percent.

Right now, top earning Minnesotans pay less than one-tenth of their personal income whereas middle-class earners pay 12 percent in taxes, Kare 11 said.

All of this is proposed after veto threats by Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Kare 11 said.

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=249421
http://www.startribune.com/587/story/1090142.html

Posted by Jennifer Wander at 1:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Jennie Wander

Fifteen British navy personnel were held at gunpoint by Iranian forces when they boarded a boat in the Gulf, BBC said.

The personnel were understood to be unharmed and were performing routine patrol when captured, BBC said. The boat, however, was suspected of smuggling cars off the coast of Iraq, CNN said.

Iran spoke on state-run television saying they asked Britain's ambassador why the navy personnel had crossed into Iranian waters, CNN said. The world powers will meet Saturday to discuss Tehran's nuclear ambitions, CNN said.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/03/23/iran.uk/index.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6484279.stm

Posted by Jennifer Wander at 3:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Jennie Wander

Rat poison was found in pet food that allegedly caused kidney failure and 16 deaths between cats and dogs, Kare 11 said.

The chemical has only been identified as a rodent poison, Kare 11 said. Sixty million cans and pouches of pet food have been recalled throughout North America, Kare 11 said. The recall included 95 brand names.

A conference has been scheduled Friday by the New York state agriculture to release laboratory tests, Kare 11 said.

http://www.kare11.com/news/national/national_article.aspx?storyid=247960
http://www.startribune.com/484/story/1074845.html

Posted by Jennifer Wander at 3:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Jennie Wander

Two victims were found dead after a shooting in St. Paul Friday and the third died later at the hospital.

A robbery was attempted, which police do not believe was a random attack, Kare 11 said. After being told there was no money in the house, gunmen shot the three residents.

Maria Mclay, 32, was alive when police arrived, but died shortly after at Regions Hospital, Kare 11 said. Telly Saunders, 31, and Brittany Kekedakis, a sophomore at Como Park High School, died on the scene, Kare 11 said.

There were no other people in the house at the time of the attack, Kare 11 said. Police are looking for suspects leaving in a dark-colored SUV, Kare 11 said. No arrests have been made.

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=247949
http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1074634.html

Posted by Jennifer Wander at 2:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Jennie Wander

After the most losses in U of M basketball history this year, the University has hired a new coach from Kentucky.

Tubby Smith is the 16th coach at the University and will be announced formally on Friday at a press conference, Star Tribune said.

Smith has won several titles throughout this 10 seasons of coaching at Kentucky and has a record of 263-83, Kare 11 said.

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=247925
http://www.startribune.com/512/story/1072981.html

Posted by Jennifer Wander at 9:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Jennie Wander

Thursday marked a first for St. Anthony in 15 years when a 16-year-old boy allegedly shot and killed his best friend.

The suspects family claimed Bryant Garroutte, 17, was allegedly shot by accident, Kare 11 said. The shooter turned himself into authorities early Thursday with coaxing from attorney, Star Tribune said.

The reason for the shooting is unknown, Kare 11 said.

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=247917
http://www.startribune.com/467/story/1072102.html

Posted by Jennifer Wander at 8:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Jennie Wander

A 17-year-old St. Paul girl's dog went missing, yet the head turned up weeks later inside a box.

Crystal Brown's dog, Chevy, was found with a severed head in a gift wrapped box left on Brown's doorstep, Kare 11 said. Police think this could be a "terroristic threat," Kare 11 said. Homicide investigators are looking into the case.

As of now the police have no suspects, but Brown and her grandmother believe the suspect is one of Brown's teenage acquaintances, Pioneer Press said.

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/16913195.htm
http://www.kare11.com/news/ts_article.aspx?storyid=247283

Posted by Jennifer Wander at 3:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Jennie Wander

A week long search for a 6-year-old boy ended Thursday after officials found him in a black trash bag on the side of the road in Georgia.

Christopher Barrios was found just three miles away from the Glynn County trailer park, which is where he disappeared, Pioneer Press said.

Some of the search volunteers wore shirts with Barrios' picture on the front, Star Tribune said.

Police have allegedly arrested four suspects all of which will be expected to be charged, Star Tribune said.

http://www.startribune.com/484/story/1059116.html
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/nation/16912058.htm

Posted by Jennifer Wander at 1:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Jennie Wander

The Minnesota State High School League voted unanimously Friday to change the transfer rule to not allow students to transfer who do not change their addresses.

This change will tighten regulations therefore the teams will be less likely to have all star athletes that transferred into the school, Kare 11 said.

The new regulation rule will not take effect until the 2007-08 year, Star Tribune said.

Although the bill has been passed through the MSHSL, it is still being contemplated within Legislature, Star Tribune said.

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=247423
http://www.startribune.com/526/story/1059417.html

Posted by Jennifer Wander at 12:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Jennie Wander

Retired St. Paul officer Clemmie Tucker was sentenced Friday to five years in prison for attempting a large drug sale, Kare 11 said.

Tucker attempted to retrieve 500 pounds of a crystal like substance containing meth and cocaine with intention of selling, Kare 11 said.

U.S. District Judge Joan Ericksen ordered Tucker's sentence to begin April 11 and last five years, which means he will most likely spend four years and three months in jail pending on good behavior, Star Tribune said.

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=247416
http://www.startribune.com/467/story/1059766.html

Posted by Jennifer Wander at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Jennie Wander

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed allegedly confessed he was responsible for the Sept. 11 attack and a dozen others that were successful.

Mohammed also attempted the assassination of Pope John Paul II and Musharraf, Kare 11 said.

Some officials have said that even though these statements are true, this could also be a self-promotion attempt by Mohammed regarding himself and al Qaida, Star Tribune said.

http://www.startribune.com/484/story/1057869.html
http://www.kare11.com/news/national/national_article.aspx?storyid=247243

Posted by Jennifer Wander at 8:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Jennie Wander

A 16-year-old St. Paul boy was charged with two rape cases on Thursday.

Joshua Lamar Smith was charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in juvenile court, Pioneer Press said.

After giving a voluntary DNA sample when questioned about a September rape, Smith was connected to another rape New Years Day as well, Kare 11 said.

When questioned by police, Smith denied having sexual contact with a 17-year-old girl in September, Pioneer Press said.

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=245853
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/16819466.htm

Posted by Jennifer Wander at 11:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Jennie Wander

A 25-year-old Maple Lake marine died in Iraq Wednesday when a bomb exploded.

Sgt. Chad M. Allen was scheduled to leave the Marines on May 1, Kare 11 said. He was on his second deployment.

Allen joined the Marines the day after 9/11 attacks intending to "save his family from harm," Star Tribune said.

This is the second Minnesota marine death in two days, Star Tribune said.

http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1031602.html
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=245696

Posted by Jennifer Wander at 10:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Jennie Wander

Officials in Pakistan arrested one of top three Taliban leaders.

Mullah Obaidullah Akhund was captured just hours after Vice President Dick Cheney visited Pakistan, CNN said. This is the first arrest of a senior leader in the Islamist militia since 2001, CNN said.

One Pakistan official claimed this capture was planned and was not related to Cheney's visit, BBC reported.

Other suspected Taliban officials were suspected to have been arrested earlier in the week, but the report is unconfirmed, CNN reported.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/03/01/pakistan.taliban.reut/index.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6410389.stm

Posted by Jennifer Wander at 3:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Jennie Wander

Police charged an astronaut Friday with attempting to kidnap a woman who was supposedly romantically after a space shuttle pilot she was interested in, Kare 11 said.

Lisa Nowak, 43, was charged a month after she was arrested at an airport in Orlando where she drove 900 miles to confront a woman who supposedly threatened her romance with another man, Kare 11 said.

Nowak's backseat contained a BB-gun, steel mallet, knife, and rubber tubing. Police suggested an attempted murder charge, but prosecutors declined to do so, Star Tribune said.

Posted by Jennifer Wander at 2:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)