Author: Jim Monk

98% occupancy in Minnesota hospital intensive care units

MINNEAPOLIS – The number of people hospitalized in intensive care in Minnesota has reached the highest level yet during the coronavirus pandemic. The state is reporting a 98% occupancy rate in adult ICU beds when COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients are included. Nearly 350 people are receiving intensive care. M Health Fairview doctor, Andrew Olson, is urging people to get vaccinated…

Fargo woman sentenced to 30 years for death of toddler

Brandi AdelekeFARGO (KVRR/KFGO) – A judge has sentenced a Fargo woman to 30 years in prison for the death of a 15-month-old girl that she was caring for. Thirty-eight-year-old Brandi Adeleke had earlier pleaded guilty to murder and child abuse. Meka Ducheneaux died about a year ago from what doctors said was blunt force trauma. Adeleke claimed that she had left…

Wrong trailer hitch ball led to fatal I-29 crash

FARGO (KVRR) – The North Dakota Highway Patrol says an improperly sized trailer hitch ball contributed to a fatal crash on I-29 in Fargo last week. The hitch ball on the pickup was smaller than the hitch on the trailer was designed for. As the vehicle was traveling southbound on I-29, the trailer hitch separated from the ball.  The driver…

Four receive human rights awards in Moorhead

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – Four people are being recognized by the Moorhead Human Rights Commission for significant contributions to human rights in the community. The recipients are Allison Pillar, Hukun Dabar and Rory Beil in the Civic/Community category.  Delores Gabbard is being awarded in the Education category. The commission says Pillar led the development and launch of the YWCA Cass…

Minneapolis police chief to retire

Police Chief Medaria ArradondoMINNEAPOLIS – Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo announced Monday that he is stepping down. The 54-year-old Arradondo said it was time for new leadership at the department. He’ll step down in January, with Mayor Jacob Frey appointing a replacement. Arradondo led the department when four police officers were charged in George Floyd’s death. Arradondo was promoted in…

Two men indicted for September shooting death in Moorhead

Idris Haji-Mohamed (left) Ibrahim IsaacMOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – A Clay County grand jury has indicted a Rochester, Minn. man in connection with the September shooting death of Abdi Abdi in Moorhead. Clay County Attorney Brian Melton says Idris Haji-Mohamed is charged with 1st Degree pre-mediated murder.  Haji-Mohamed was earlier charged with 2nd-degree murder. Another man, Ibrahim Isaac, was also indicted…

Fargo pharmacy closes, cites financial trouble

FARGO (KVRR/KFGO) – A pharmacy in South Fargo has closed, with the pharmacist-owner telling the State Board of Pharmacy that the business is no longer able to be financially viable. Thrifty Pharmacy in Southgate Hornbacher’s on 32nd Ave. S. closed in late November. Board of Pharmacy Executive Director Mark Hardy says patient records have been transferred to Linson Pharmacy inside…

3 trapped firefighters rescued from Minneapolis home

MINNEAPOLIS – Three firefighters were injured and had to be rescued from a burning home in Minneapolis. Crews responded to the fire shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday. All four people in the house fled to safety. Officials say gusty winds fueled the fire and when crews were inside a portion of the house collapsed and trapped three firefighters under a…

Pipeline documents case headed to North Dakota Supreme Court

BISMARCK, N.D.  – A legal battle is headed to North Dakota’s Supreme Court over access to thousands of documents related to the developer of the Dakota Access Pipeline and the company that oversaw security during construction. Pipeline developer Energy Transfer and a subsidiary sued the state board that regulates security firms, seeking the return of some 16,000 documents. The company…

North Dakota special session costs within budget at $301,000

BIMSARCK, N.D. – The cost of North Dakota’s special five-day session last month is within the amount that was budgeted. Figures released to The Associated Press show costs incurred by taxpayers so far total just more than $301,000. About $316,000 was budgeted for the session. Legislative budget analyst Allen Knudson says 11 of the Legislature’s 141 members had not submitted…