REGIONAL BRIEFS: No sign of missing man

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Credit: Forum Communications

MN/ND

Chase crosses state line, causes power outage

BRECKENRIDGE, Minn. – A man wanted on federal weapons violations is in jail after allegedly leading police on a car chase through Breckenridge and neighboring Wahpeton, N.D., leaving three officers with minor injuries and knocking out power to part of Breckenridge.

According to Breckenridge Police Chief Nate Harder, Wahpeton police attempted to arrest Andrew Laborico, 23, about 4 p.m. Wednesday, on a federal warrant at a Wahpeton gas station. He fled the scene in a gray sedan.

The ensuing chase reached speeds of about 75 mph through Wahpeton and into Breckenridge. Laborico threw cash and other items out the window at several points during the chase, Harder said.

As the pursuit reached the east edge of the city, a Breckenridge police SUV bumped the fleeing car, sending both vehicles into the ditch. The SUV hit a utility pole, briefly knocking out power to part of Breckenridge.

Laborico was chased down by a Breckenridge police dog. A loaded handgun was recovered from the car, Harder said.

Three officers in the police SUV sustained minor injuries and were treated at a local hospital.

(FF)

Plant to produce power in 2015

SPIRITWOOD, N.D. -- The Spiritwood Station generating plant will begin operating in about two years, according to filings made by Great River Energy with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on Thursday.

“Our filing states we intend to be fully operational to provide steam to customers’ facilities that require steam by January 2015,” said Lyndon Anderson, communications supervisor for GRE.

The 99-megawatt coal-fired electric generating plant was completed in August 2011. The plant went through a testing and commissioning process and then was shut down because of lack of demand for electricity in Minnesota. The plant has sat idle since.

Construction on the Spiritwood Station generating plant began in 2006. The plant cost about $350 million to construct and was intended to produce steam for use at the Cargill Malt plant and electricity for the Minnesota markets.

Anderson said the 2015 startup is planned to coincide with the need for steam energy for multiple plants at the Spiritwood Energy Park.

(JS)

Minnesota

Bemidji man to lead DNR wildlife branch

ST. PAUL – Paul Telander of Bemidji, a 28-year wildlife management veteran of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, has been named the Fish and Wildlife Division’s new wildlife section chief.

Telander, who has been regional wildlife manager for the DNR’s northwest region since 2005, begins his new duties Dec. 5. Hereplaces Dennis Simon, who retired in September.

His career also includes 21 years as manager or assistant manager of the 55,000 acre Thief Lake Wildlife Management Area and surrounding area.

Telander will oversee a $47.2 million annual wildlife section budget and a staff of 220 full-time and 81 part-time employees. The section carries out research and management programs affecting state wildlife species and habitat.

(BP)

Washington governor endorses EGF candidate

EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. -- Even though she’s never met him, the governor of Washington state has endorsed challenger Wayne Gregoire for mayor of East Grand Forks.

The Washington governor is Chris Gregoire, whose husband is Mike Gregoire, a first-cousin of the City Council member who is opposing Mayor Lynn Stauss in Tuesday’s election.

Chris Gregoire, who is not running for a third term, sent an e-mail Thursday to the Grand Forks (N.D.) Herald with her endorsement because of “Wayne’s commendable community activism throughout his adult life, to include his long service on numerous local boards, and his most recent seven years on the City Council.”

Wayne Gregoire said he doubts that the endorsement will land him any votes, but that “I’m flattered the word of my candidacy has gotten that far.”

Stauss used the endorsement to make a serious point and crack wise:

“If I’m going to be endorsed, I want it to be by people who know me and what I’ve done,” he said, adding. “I guess Wayne is getting desperate if he’s going to Washington for endorsements. Maybe the next place he’ll go is China.”

No sign of missing man

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Land and water searches for Matt Pulis have not turned up any signs of the Bemidji man, according to a press release Thursday from the Bemidji Police Department.

Pulis, 31, was last seeing in the early-morning hours Oct. 20 as he left downtown Bemidji.

Police have conducted a shoreline search of Lake Bemidji and Lake Irvine and have completed a 200-block, door-to-door search of the area believed to have been Pulis’ route home, according to the release.

Lake searches were done by boat and side-scan sonar, the release stated.

An aerial search was planned Thursday to be conducted over a 500-acre lowland area west of the city, according to the release.

The public is asked to continue checking their properties and any outbuildings, campers or structures.

Pulis is described as 5-foot-7 and 165 pounds. He is white, with chin-length brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a dark blue zip-up hooded sweatshirt.

Anyone with information should call the police at 218-333-9111.

(BP)

Two of three rescued horses adopted

WILLMAR, Minn. — A spokesperson for the Humane Society of Kandiyohi and Meeker Counties said Thursday the prognosis for a rescued colt is “poor at best,” while the two mares that were rescued were being released to homes on Thursday.

According to Bobbie Bauman, director of operations, the colt has a massive infection in his right rear leg, the result of a lingering open wound.

Bauman said a decision on the colt’s fate will be made by Friday or Monday.

As to the two mares, one is going to be under foster care, while the younger mare, who has been found to be pregnant, is being adopted.

Earlier estimates of costs of care for the horses ranged from $3,000 to $5,000. The horses were removed from a home in Kerkhoven last Saturday, having been voluntarily surrendered by their owner.

A fund has been established for the care of the horses. To donate or to help with finding new homes for the horses, call the shelter at 320-235-7612 or visit the website at www.thehskc.com.

(WCT)

North Dakota

Pedestrian seriously hurt by van

FARGO – A woman sustained life-threatening injuries when she was hit by a minivan Wednesday night while trying to cross a major thoroughfare in south Fargo, police said.

The accident was reported at 11:50 p.m. near the Flying J Travel Plaza on 32nd Avenue South.

Police said Lauren Kandt, 23, Fargo, was taken to Essentia Health.

Lt. Joel Vettel said it appears Kandt was trying to cross the street in an area with no crosswalk.

The accident remains under investigation, and crash reconstruction experts are expected to return to the scene later today, Vettel said.

The minivan’s driver has not been cited, he said.

(FF)

N.D. veterans fund seeks donations

FARGO – A new Support Our Veterans Fund for North Dakota veterans and their families to find emergency assistance is seeking donations during November.

The fund is for urgent needs such as dental care, vision, hearing, transportation to medical care and other critical needs when other veteran support programs haven’t yet started.

North Dakota has over 60,000 veterans and more than 10,500 are disabled.

Donations are being accepted at www.impactgiveback.org or by texting NDVETS to 20222. Donations can also be mailed to Support Our Veterans Fund, Impact Foundation, 4152 30th Ave. S., Suite 102, Fargo, N.D. 58104.

For more information, call (701) 356-2655.

(FF)

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