REGIONAL BRIEFS: Fargo man accused of attempted murder

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From the Forum Communications News Bureau

North Dakota

Lisbon woman charged with son’s murder

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – A Lisbon woman is charged with murder and two counts of child abuse or neglect in connection with the death of her 22-month-old son.

Jodi Renae Lindvall faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted of the murder charge filed Tuesday in Ransom County District Court.

Lindvall was arrested Monday and made her first court appearance Tuesday, according to an official at the Barnes County Jail in Valley City, where she’s being held.

Her son, Bentley Lindvall of Fort Ransom, died Sept. 22. Court documents don’t reveal how the child died.

The murder charge alleges that on or about Sept. 18, Lindvall caused the boy’s death “under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life” or by the past abuse, pattern of abuse and types of injuries sustained by the child.

The Class A felony abuse or neglect charges, each punishable by up to 20 years in prison, allege that Lindvall willfully inflicted bodily or mental injury upon the boy or “did willfully fail to provide proper parental care.”

The complaint was signed Monday by Ransom County State’s Attorney Fallon Kelly.

(FF)

UND names new police chief

GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- The University of North Dakota named Eric Plummer at its new police chief Tuesday.

Plummer, who comes to UND from Southern Arkansas University, is scheduled to start Oct. 15. His official title will be director of public safety and chief of police.

Grand Forks Police Lt. Jeff Burgess has been serving as interim UND police chief since the retirement of Duane Czapiewski, who served 31 years at UND.

City engineer resigns amid rapid growth

DICKINSON, N.D. -- City Engineer Shawn Soehren tendered his resignation at Monday’s Dickinson City Commission meeting, citing a high workload and high stress as the oil boom has spurred city growth.

He told the Commission gathered at City Hall that he would like his last official day to be Oct. 15, but will help with the transition to a new city engineer.

Commissioner Shirley Dukart asked Soehren if his departure was due to being overworked.

“Numerous issues, I guess,” Soehren replied. “Certainly the workload and the feeling that I can’t satisfy everything.”

Engineering is in charge of infrastructure, building inspection, planning and zoning and other development-related issues.

(DP, filed Monday)

Minnesota

Fargo man accused of attempted murder

MOORHEAD, Minn. – A 21-year-old Fargo man faces kidnapping and attempted murder charges after he allegedly beat his ex-girlfriend with a car jack handle, choked her and threatened to kill her if she went to police, according to documents filed in Clay County District Court.

The woman’s injuries included a broken front tooth, a ligature mark on her neck, a heavily bruised and swollen face and cuts on her face, head and neck. She also had a bite mark on her arm and spray paint on her face, the complaint states.

Mason William Seaborn was arrested Sunday at his residence in north Fargo. He was being held Tuesday in the Cass County Jail in Fargo awaiting extradition to Clay County.

According to the complaint, a sheriff’s deputy was called at 4:59 a.m. Sunday to a residence in Georgetown, Minn., by the alleged victim. The woman told authorities she had been drinking with Seaborn at a Fargo bar and had left with him and two other men. She said Seaborn became angry and hit her with what was later determined to be a jack handle as they drove.

(FF)

Alexandria man dies in crash

ALEXANDRIA, Minn. -- A 42-year-old Alexandria man died following a one-vehicle crash on Minnesota Highway 29 Friday night.

Kyle Neitzert was driving his 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT2 north, just south of the intersection with County Road 13 at about 10:30 p.m. when he lost control of the vehicle, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. The car went off the road, through a field and into a grove of trees.

Neitzert, who was wearing a seat belt, was taken to the Douglas County Hospital and he died the next day.

(AEP)

Man who launched Rapala business dies

DULUTH -- Ron Weber, a Duluth native who made a fortune by creating the company that imported Rapala fishing lures and Fiskars scissors from Finland, died Friday. He was 84.

“Ron has probably accomplished more in his lifetime than most people ever dream about,” said Butch Furtman, a Pelican Lake-based angler and outdoor television show host who met Weber steelhead fishing more than 50 years ago.

“He was one of the best all-around fishermen I know,” Furtman said.

Weber was also a philanthropist.

In 2000, Weber and his wife, Mary Ann Myhre Weber, donated $1 million to UMD to spur construction of the $9.2 million Weber Music Hall. They were early benefactors of what became the Great Lakes Aquarium and help fund watershed restoration efforts.

Weber graduated from University of Minnesota Duluth in 1952. In the late ’50s, he formed his own sales representative agency, the predecessor of the Normark Rapala Group. During a fishing trip to Canada he was introduced to a handmade Rapala lure, which he began importing. Weber also introduced the Rapala fillet knife and Fiskars scissors to the United States.

(DNT)

Tags: minnesota, crime, accidents, business