Local News Archives - Page 1317 of 2990

Full Interview: Former Rodriguez Juror Speaks Out

Shock and confusion. That's how Luke Lillehaugen describes what he felt when heard the judge overturned the federal death penalty sentence for Alfonso Rodriguez Jr.

September 8, 2021

Emily Welker,

One of the 12-person jury who convicted and sentenced sex offender Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. to death back in 2006 is speaking out. Luke Lillehaugen served on the jury through the entirety of the trial, which stretched on through much of the summer of 2006, three years after UND student Dru Sjodin disappeared from a Grand Forks Mall parking lot. Rodriguez…

LIVE: Big Brothers/Big Sisters In Urgent Need Of School-Based Mentors

Big Brothers/Big Sisters mentors are allowed back in schools this year after COVID kept them away last school year

September 8, 2021

Site Staff,

With the school year already started, time is running out to be there for a kid who needs a mentor in local schools. Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Village Family Service Center is looking for school-based Bigs. The program couldn’t be in schools last year because of COVID. This year they’re looking for people to match with kids in…

Fargo police begin training on use of body cameras

September 8, 2021

Jim Monk,

FARGO (KVRR/KFGO) – Fargo police officers begin training Wednesday with new body cameras, which are expected to be ready for street use soon. In October, the in-car video and interview room video will be integrated into the same camera system. Police Chief David Zibolski says those with the rank of lieutenant and below will be equipped with body cameras. The…

Veteran, Sanford AirMed pilot gifted Quilt of Valor for his service

September 7, 2021

Site Staff,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – A North Dakota veteran who’s now a Sanford AirMed pilot received a gift embodying comfort and gratitude Tuesday evening. With his newly gifted Quilt of Valor draped around his neck, Chad Erickson said there’s one simple word to describe how he’s feeling: “I’m feeling honored.” That’s exactly what those with the Quilts of Valor Foundation strive…

The latest: Federal judge tosses Alfonso Rodriguez death sentence

September 7, 2021

Jim Monk, Aaron Walling,

FARGO (KVRR) – A federal judge has thrown out the death sentence for a man convicted in the 2003 slaying of a North Dakota college student, saying new evidence shows that the medical examiner was “guessing” on the stand and defense lawyers did not adequately explore mental health evidence. Judge Ralph Erickson ruled Friday that misleading testimony from the coroner,…

Rodriguez juror shocked, confused with order that throws out death penalty

September 7, 2021

Emily Welker,

FARGO (KVRR) – A jury member who handed down Alfonso Rodriguez’s death penalty sentence says he disagrees with the judge who overturned the death penalty. Luke Lillehaugen was one of 12 jurors who unanimously found Rodriguez guilty and recommended he be sentenced to death in 2006. Lillehaugen says he was shocked when he found out that Eighth Circuit Court of…

Body of fisherman recovered from river in Mandan

September 7, 2021

Jim Monk,

MANDAN, N.D. – Mandan police are investigating the death of a man whose body was found in the Heart River. Deputy Chief Lori Flaten says the body of the 32-year-old man was found in the river Monday morning. He has not been identified. A bicyclist spotted the body in the river near the Sitting Bull Bridge on Highway 1806 in…

Judge rejects Minneapolis ballot language on policing

September 7, 2021

Jim Monk,

MINNEAPOLIS – A judge has struck down ballot language that aimed to replace the Minneapolis Police Department with a new agency, saying the wording was misleading and unworkable. Judge Jamie Anderson issued the order Tuesday just ahead of a deadline for ballots to go to the printer. The language approved by the City Council would have asked voters whether to…

Man found dead following 911 call in Beltrami County

September 6, 2021

Site Staff,

TURTLE RIVER TOWNSHIP, Minn. (KVRR) – Police are investigating a suspected homicide in Beltrami County. The sheriff’s office responded around 3:30 Sunday afternoon after a man said he was shot at a home in Turtle River Township. When deputies arrived, they found a man dead. His body was taken to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s office for identification and an autopsy….

Driver found dead in crash near Erhard, Minnesota

The Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office says the victim is a 29-year-old man from Elbow Lake

September 6, 2021

Alison Voorhees,

ERHARD, Minn. — A man is dead after crashing his vehicle into a tree in Otter Tail County over the weekend. The sheriff’s office responded to the crash east of Erhard, Minnesota after 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon. A pickup was in the ditch of County Highway 24. Authorities say the only person inside was the 29-year-old driver from Elbow Lake….