Crime

Judge Exceeds Recommended Sentence in Gaarsland Beating Death

Scott Moen is given a 20-year prison sentence in the beating death of Joey Gaarsland

Scott Moen, the last of four men accused in the beating death of Joey Gaarsland, is given a 20-year prison sentence. This exceeds the 15-year sentence recommended by prosecutors who say Moen has been cooperative since his arrest. Moen was the first suspect to plead guilty in this case: one count of murder, and one count of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault….

Reitan Won’t Return as Police Chief of West Fargo

Chief Reitan was placed on administrative leave on January 13 and Mayor Rich Mattern says privacy policies prohibit him from saying why

  West Fargo Police Chief Mike Reitan will not be returning to his job according to the mayor. Reitan was placed on administrative leave on Friday after a special meeting between the mayor, commissioners and city officials. Mayor Mattern says a separation agreement between the city and Reitan is being drawn up. He could not tell us the reason behind…

Moorhead Woman Suing the FPD Wants Former Chief’s Employment Record

Sarah Rhodes says she was wrongly accused of possessing a meth pipe after being arrested for drunken driving

  An attorney for a Moorhead woman who claims the Fargo Police Department violated her civil rights wants to see the employment record of former Police Chief Keith Ternes. Sarah Rhodes filed a federal lawsuit last year that claims she was wrongly accused of possessing a meth pipe after she was arrested for drunken driving. A felony drug charge against…

Fargo Plans Ceremony to Honor Anniversary of Officer Moszer Shooting

Officer Moszer's father says the family is a supporter of the Fargo Force and wanted to honor Jason in this way

  A ceremony is planned to mark the one year anniversary of the shooting of Fargo Police Officer Jason Moszer. The February 10th observance will be prior to the Fargo Force game at Scheels Arena. Dave Moszer says Jason and his family were avid fans of the hockey team, so it’s an appropriate place to honor his son. There will…

Minnesota State Patrol Arrests Son of Hennepin County Sheriff

Ryan Stanek, 24, is in trouble with the law again after the Minnesota State Patrol arrests him for DWI

The son of Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek has landed in his father’s jail once again. Ryan Stanek, 24, was arrested for DWI by the Minnesota State Patrol and booked into the Hennepin County Jail early Saturday evening. This isn’t the first time Stanek’s son has been in trouble with the law. Last May, he rear-ended and severely damaged a…

Police: Wisconsin Man Dies Trying to Blow Up Apartment Building

Police say 44-year-old Joseph Zunker called dispatch threatening to blow up his apartment building

  Police say a man in a small northwestern Wisconsin community was killed after he followed through on his threat to bomb his apartment building. Joseph Zunker, 44, called dispatch late last night and said he had a bomb. As officers tried to make contact with Zunker, he threatened to blow everyone up. He eventually set off the bomb and…

McIntosh Man Cited for Snowmobile Accident in Polk County

33-Year-Old Sofrony Kutsev suffered minor injuries after crashing his snowmobile near Erskine

  A rural McIntosh, Minnesota man was cited after a snowmobile crash in Polk County. A passerby reported finding a crashed snowmobile near Erskine around 8 o’clock last night. Deputies responded but couldn’t find anyone in the area. They later located the operator of the snowmobile, 33-year-old Sofrony Kutsev, who had minor injuries. Kutsev was cited for operating a snowmobile…

U.S. Senator Heitkamp Speaks Out About Alleged Death Threats

U.S. Senator Heitkamp won't let threats keep her from public appearances

WEST FARGO, N.D. — U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp spoke with KVRR for the first time about the threat against her life which put Kevin Olson in federal custody. Olson is accused of sending emails to Heitkamp in which he threatens to shoot her in the head. Heitkamp said this isn’t the first threat like this she’s received, although most past…

21 Years Later, a West Fargo Family is Still Dealing with the Murder of Cherryl Tendeland

Appearing in court for the first time in three years the family shares their feelings about Friday's court ruling

Convicted murderer Barry Garcia appeared in court appealing his life sentence. The family of his victim was in the courtroom and spoke with us after the decision. “The defendant’s summary for disposition is denied,” said District Judge Wade L. Webb. After almost a year of delays, the Tendeland family finally hears the answer they’ve been hoping for. The man convicted…