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Tuesday, September 2, 2025
The former owner of Baby’s on Broadway in St. Cloud and Little Falls has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for masterminding a $9 million fraud scheme. Prosecutors say the Sartell woman operated the store, selling baby products and toys. The 41-year-old submitted false claims for reimbursement to the U.S. Department of Defense’s healthcare program, TRICARE, which initially paid out the claims. When TRICARE began rejecting her claims, Starin created a fictitious company called Sunshine Medical LLC. She falsely represented to two lenders, Liquid Capital Enterprises Corp. and Slope Tech Inc., saying she needed financing to buy supplies for her store from a place called Sunshine Medical, which was a shell company. To collect the cash, Starin created fake invoices from Sunshine Medical and sent them via interstate wire transfers. In December, Adelle Starin pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of wire fraud. In addition to the prison sentence, she must also serve three years of supervised release and pay $2.35 million in restitution.
40-year-old Cass Lake man was shot Thursday in his residence in Cass County. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident at 2:14 a.m. at the Prescott Housing area in Wilkinson Township, rural Cass Lake. According to a news release, deputies and first responders arrived at the residence and learned that an unknown man had entered the residence and shot an occupant of the residence before fleeing the scene. Deputies immediately rendered medical aid to the man and he was transported to Sanford Bemidji Medical Center with serious injuries. The incident remains under investigation with the assistance of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk said there is no threat to public safety at this time, as they believe the two individuals were known to each other. The Leech Lake Tribal Police Department and the Cass Lake Ambulance assisted at the scene.
The 59-year-old Cass Lake woman who died last Tuesday after her boat crashed into the shore on Leech Lake has been identified as Theresa Kay Cechini. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office news release Thursday stated the autopsy by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office indicated Cechini suffered a medical emergency prior to the crash. On Tuesday, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash at 1:25 p.m. on the south shore of Leech Lake, near the Walker City Park. According to the report, deputies and responders arrived and found a 2016 Regency Tri-toon crashed on the shore. Cechini was located unresponsive in the watercraft. She was removed from the watercraft and medical aid was immediately rendered. Lifesaving efforts continued while being transported to the Walker airport, where she was pronounced deceased.Cechini was the only person on board the watercraft at the time of the incident.
A two-vehicle accident happened Friday in Princeton Township of Mille Lacs County. Around 10:50am Karen Vanderpoel of Milaca was on 55th Street and attempted to cross Highway 169 colliding with a driver from Prior Lake. The Prior Lake man had one adult passenger and four children ages 9, 5, 3 and an infant in the vehicle. Vanderpoel was taken to Princeton hospital with injuries while the family in the other vehicle were all checked out at the scene, the adult passenger and two younger children were treated for what the State Patrol called non serious injuries.
Jeff Meyer, a resident of Avon in Stearns County, has been elected the new President of the Gordon Rosenmeier Center for State and Local Government at Central Lakes College. “Jeff brings remarkable experience and knowledge in state and local government,” said Steve Wenzel, Executive Director of the Rosenmeier Center. “His vast work experience and knowledge as an environmental consultant with work in groundwater protection and remediation will be valuable to the work of the Rosenmeier Center.” Meyer has also served on the Avon City Council for eight years and two years as Chairman of the Holy Family School Board in Albany. Meyer said he wants the Rosenmeier Center to continue hosting forums that bring valuable information to the people of North Central Minnesota on the key issues and problems facing local governments and the State of Minnesota. Also elected as officers for the Rosenmeier Center for the next two years were James Russell, of Pillager, as Vice-Chair; Greg Blaine, of Little Falls, Secretary; and Michelle Blaine, of Little Falls, Treasurer.
The Little Falls Area Chamber and Tourism's September Employee of the Month is Sarah Rustad with Little Falls Community Services. Sarah Rustad: "Even though education isn't my background, I've truly enjoyed being part of this district and community since moving here in 2012. Working as a para, then in Community Services, has given me the chance to work with some amazing kids and coworkers. I have learned so much from everyone around me! I'm grateful for this recognition, and want to thank Kelly Desormey for the nomination and Kayla Gruber for always working by my side. Teamwork allows us to offer all of the amazing things we do!" Supervisor Kayla Gruber: "Sarah exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond in her role with Community Services. Her commitment, leadership, and reliability make her an essential part of our district's success in Community Services." Congratulation to Sarah Rustad the Employee of the Month.
Death Notices- Jayme Fredrick Keehr, age 43 of Pierz.
Weather- Tuesday scattered thunderstorms, high 75 more rain possible Tuesday night, low 48. Wednesday mostly cloudy, scattered showers and cooler, high 63, low around 41. Thursday sunny skies, high 65.
Sports- Twins beat San Diego 7-4 Friday night at Target Field. Twins continue with White Sox Tuesday night at Target Field, pregame at 6pm on Q92 WYRQ. High School Football Friday Annandale 54-6 over Little Falls, Parkers Prairie 34-22 over Upsala Swanville, Staples-Motley 42-13 over East Grand Forks and Brainerd won a thriller 28-27 over Buffalo.
Friday, August 29, 2025
The 66-year-old man accused of shooting five police officers as they served a warrant at his home in 2023 has been convicted on all 15 counts, including seven counts of...
Thursday, August 28, 2025
The Minneapolis Police Department confirmed an active shooter opened fire at a church on the city's south side Wednesday morning, killing two children and injuring 17 others. Police say the...
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
The 72nd Princess Kay of the Milky Way Malorie Thorson of Waverly in Wright County will be the guest today on KLTF Community Program around 8:45am on AM960 KLTF to discuss the night she...
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
A one vehicle accident sent two people to the hospital Monday afternoon at 12:20pm on Highway 10 in Cushing Township. 62-year-old Brenda Johnson of Bethel was driving a pickup with...
