Former House Majority Leader Winkler Victimized in THC Company Fraud Case

(Learfield News/Minneapolis, MN) — Former Minnesota House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler is the victim in a fraud case involving the co-owner of his THC beverage company. Hennepin County prosecutors are charging 46-year-old Christopher Schenk from Eden Prairie with stealing 76 thousand dollars from Crooked Beverage Company. Schenk is accused of writing fake emails under the […]

Teen Arrested for DWI Following Rollover Crash in Chanhassen

(Learfield News/Chanhassen, MN) — A 17-year-old boy is facing DWI charges after a rollover crash on Highway 7 Sunday morning in Chanhassen. Deputies say the teen lost control and rolled the vehicle. He was checked by medics at the scene, then taken to jail. Investigators say his blood alcohol level was over twice the legal […]

Willmar Hardee’s Closed

WILLMAR — The Hardee’s on First Street in Willmar will not reopen its doors. The West Central Tribune reports a sign on the front door seen Saturday reads that it is closed permanently. The fast-food restaurant had returned to Willmar in 2014, after having left over a decade prior. As of Sunday, the Hardee’s website listed […]

Property Owners Brace for Upcoming Tax Increases

(Learfield News/St. Paul, MN) – Officials with the Minnesota Department of Revenue say you should get ready for higher property taxes next year. Officials say preliminary numbers show a statewide increase of up to 6.9% for 2026. Here’s the breakdown: Cities could see around an 8.7% increase, counties, 8.1%, townships, 5.6%, schools, 5.8% and special […]

Representative Keeler Challenging 7th District Congresswoman Fischbach

(Learfield News/Moorhead, MN) — State Representative Heather Keeler of Moorhead plans to challenge 7th District Republican Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach next year. Keeler says the lack of access to affordable health care in rural Minnesota is one of the issues that brought her into the race. Keeler says the 7th District has the most hospitals of […]

BAIL SET FOR ZIMMERMAN

Bail has been set for the Courtland man accused in a double homicide in Hanska.  Randy Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder in the deaths of Justin Reinarts and Tabitha Trescott November 2.  Bail has been set at $5-million conditional, $10-million unconditional.  Court documents also say Zimmerman had been cited for stalking in July.  […]

From the Community Calendar

Suspect Charged in Wright County Co-worker Killing

The suspect has been charged in the killing of a co-worker in Wright County early Tuesday morning. Forty-year-old David Bruce Delong of Watkins is charged with 2nd Degree murder. Delong is accused of killing 20-year-old Amber Czech of Hutchinson at Advanced Process Technologies where they worked. Delong was taken into custody without incident and according […]

Willmar Man Injured in Renville County Crash

A Willmar man was injured in a single-vehicle crash in Renville County Wednesday morning south of Hector. The Sheriff’s Office says 31-year-old Steven Jones was taken to Olivia Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Authorities say Jones failed to negotiate a curve on Highway 4 at 475th Street, entered the ditch, and hit an […]

BOELTER TRIAL ON HOLD

The trial of Vance Boelter remains on hold after a federal judge granted defense attorneys additional time Wednesday to review what they call an overwhelming amount of evidence.  Boelter faces federal charges in connection with the June 14th shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses.  Boelter’s defense attorney told the court, that one hard […]