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Vance Boelter, the man charged with killing Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, appeared in federal court Thursday to change his plea to guilty. State Sen. John Hoffman, who, along with his wife, Yvette, was also shot by Boelter, watched as the terms of Boelter's plea agreement were announced. Boelter pleaded guilty to two counts of stalking, two counts of murder and two counts of discharging a firearm relating to a crime of violence. Prosecutors recommended a sentence of two consecutive life terms, plus 40 years, effectively taking the death penalty off the table. As part of the plea agreement, Boelter will face the longest possible prison term allowable for the offenses. A judge will decide Boelter's final sentencing, which is expected to take place before the end of July. In a press conference following the hearing, prosecutors called Boelter’s actions a "scourge in our nation" and “despicable.” “Political violence is a scourge in our nation,” said United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen. “We now expect Vance Boelter will spend the rest of his natural life in prison without parole. To all of those who would commit political violence: this Justice Department will seek and obtain the longest prison terms for your offense.". Boelter also confirmed he was dressed as a police officer when he visited both lawmakers' homes. A federal grand jury indicted Boelter last July on six federal charges connected to stalking, murder and firearms offenses in the shootings of the Hortmans, Hoffmans, and attempted shooting of the Hoffmans' daughter, Hope. 

Little Falls Police Department is investigating a fraud case, and we are looking to identify this person post on this link https://www.facebook.com/littlefallspd/ If you know who they are, please call Investigator Burgardt at 320.616.5570.

Two longtime friends from the Fargo area are being credited in saving the life of a missing Douglas County woman last weekend. Adam Sandbeck and Mike Gravalin were spending Saturday, June 6 exploring trails in the Backus and Hackensack area after plans for an organized ride changed. The pair said they typically stayed on more established routes but decided to venture onto an unfamiliar trail while riding together in a Polaris side-by-side. Sandbeck and Gravalin said the trail was rough and flooded after recent storms. Eventually, they entered a clearing and saw something unusual. "There's this van in the middle of nowhere that has no real off-road capabilities to get there, but it somehow did," Gravalin said. "We saw the van, and we both were shocked," Sandbeck added. "Like, how the heck did this van make it through there?" Gravalin, who spent 22 years in law enforcement as a deputy U.S. marshal, said the two first made sure the area was safe before approaching. As they got closer, they realized someone was beside the vehicle. "We could see that there was a body in the puddle next to the van, and then that's when it got real," Sandbeck said. "When we walked up, we thought she was dead. We thought it was just a body, and then she whispered, 'Help me,' and it scared the crap out of me." The woman was trapped in a pool of mud. "All you could see was just the round part of her face, like her mouth, her lips. You couldn't even see her ears. It was all submerged," Sandbeck said. The pair said they immediately shifted into rescue mode. “We got a job to do,” Sandbeck recalled thinking. “There’s a lady here, she’s in really bad shape. She’s been out here forever, and it’s up to us to get her out of here.” The men pulled her out and called 911. They said volunteer firefighters, paramedics and law enforcement were able to find them using coordinates from their Polaris Ride Command device, which tracks their location. "That feature from Polaris made the difference," Sandbeck emphasized. "It definitely made the difference for dispatch to get the paramedics out there." According to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, 68-year-old Kathryn Woessner of Alexandria was missing for three days.  After getting rescued, Woessner told Sandbeck she'd fallen into the puddle next to her van and became trapped immediately. "She said it was like quicksand, and she couldn't get out," Sandbeck said. Woessner was transported to Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd to be evaluated. She told officers that she thought no one would ever find her and is very grateful to her two real heroes to her. 

A Level 3 sex offender has moved to the Pillager area. The Cass County Sheriff's Office reports Dustin Gene Ayres, 44, relocated June 4 to the northwest area of Sylvan Township, in rural Pillager. Ayres is not wanted by the police and has served the sentence imposed upon him, the sheriff’s office reported in a news release. Ayres engaged in sexual contact against a known female child and a known female teen on separate occasions. Contact included touch. Ayres gained access to the teen victim by entering her residence without permission and took advantage of her vulnerable state to gain control. He used his established relationship of trust to attain and exploit unmonitored contact with the child victim. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office released this information in compliance with Minnesota state statute authorizing law enforcement officials to inform the public of a public registrant’s release from prison or a secure treatment facility when officials believe the release of information will enhance public safety and protection. The Cass County Sheriff's Office may not direct where the offender does or does not reside, nor can this agency direct where the offender works or goes to school. The risk level of this offender has been determined largely on his potential to re-offend based on his previous behavior. 

Two women were rescued on Steamboat Lake in rural Cass Lake this afternoon after their boat reportedly blew away from them in the wind when they got into the water for a swim. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports that a woman swam up to a resort on the south side of the lake in Wilkinson Township. Exhausted from swimming, she said that her two friends were still in the water. Deputies arrived at the resort within three minutes of the time of the 911 call and learned that a fisherman and resort guests were able to find the women and bring them back to shore. The three victims from Minneapolis were all in their 20s and were treated on scene for minor injuries, included water intake and exhaustion. Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk credits the successful outcome of the dangerous situation to those who immediately got into the water to search for the women, who were stuck swimming with 25 to 30 mph gusts of wind.

A reminder that the Little Falls DAV Chapter 12 has their clothing drop off open today Friday 9am-12pm at 609 4th Avenue Northeast in Little Falls, must be clean clothing and packaged in 13 gallon garbage bags. They do not except any electronics. Questions call Tim Tabatt 320-630-3428. 

Events this weekend include the Fair in Motley now through Sunday, Holy Family Belle Prairie Heritage Festival Sunday Mass under the tent at 10:30am. Community Field Day at Meadowbrook Farm Saturday, Benefit for John Booth at Little Falls VFW Saturday, Heartland Symphony Orchestra Summer Pops concert Friday 7pm in Brainerd and more, next week St. Francis Convent has a blood drive June 15-17th call Sister Julien for appointments at 320-632-0663. Details on events at fallsradio.com. 

Death Notices: Betty Mary Pollock, age 95 of Opole.