by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    In 2018, Thief River Falls voters may have an opportunity to vote on whether the city builds a swimming pool. At its meeting Tuesday, July 12, the Thief River Falls Parks and Recreation Committee approved creating an exploratory committee to determine the legal preparations for such a venture. Council Member Josh Hagen was appointed to chair the committee.
    Hagen asked the committee to discuss the construction of a swimming pool. He noted there has been another push for it.
    For years, talk has circulated about the possibility of an outdoor swimming pool in Thief River Falls. An indoor swimming pool is located at Franklin Middle School.
    On Wednesday, July 13, Finance Director Angie Philipp said the Swimming Pool Fund contained $239,896.77, as of May 31. That amount includes interest.
    At the meeting, Mayor Brian Holmer noted that initial donations to the fund were $80,000. The last donations were made in the 1990s. The remainder has been interest. “$200,000 isn’t much for cash or $250,000,” he said.
    Hagen replied that he wanted to have a conversation about bringing a vote to the people. He added that he didn’t think the city needed to do another study on a swimming pool. “I think we can do it on our own,” Hagen said.
    Council Member Curt Howe agreed with putting it to a vote. “I think the public has to come forward and push this,” he said. Howe also cautioned about the cost of maintaining a swimming pool, noting that East Grand Forks recently spent a million dollars to repair its swimming pool plant.
    Council Member Jerald Brown replied that East Grand Forks voters approved a one cent sales tax to cover that cost.
    Brown asked committee members to postpone discussing staff issues related to ice at the Ralph Engelstad  Arena and Movie in the Park at Hartz Park. He asked for those matters to be discussed further at a future Labor Committee meeting.
    “I would like to know what the problems are out there,” Howe said in response to Brown’s request.
    Brown said the Parks and Recreation Committee meeting would then have to be closed. He added that Howe, who doesn’t serve on the committee, would have to be among those leaving the room before the Labor Committee met.
    Brown, Holmer and Hagen sit on the Labor Committee.
    At the time of Brown’s request, Parks and Recreation Committee members were discussing issues with ice during a Thief River Falls Amateur Hockey Association camp at REA. They were also discussing the postponement of the June 24 Movie in the Park, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which was rescheduled to the following Tuesday. The movie was postponed at 12 p.m. Friday, June 24 due to bad weather forecasted to occur around dusk. At the time of both incidents, Parks and Recreation Director Joe Amundson was on vacation, and both matters were handled by staff.
    The Parks and Recreation Committee meeting remained open with the Labor Committee set to schedule a meeting in the future.

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    Last year, more than 40,000 people received food distributed by North Country Food Bank in Crookston. They were struggling to put food on the table, and they may be your neighbors, your friends or your coworkers.
    “Could we do more? Absolutely,” said Executive Director Susie Novak.
    North Country held a Lunch and Learn event about its organization Thursday, July 14 at Black Cat in Thief River Falls.
    North Country distributes food to 220 charitable organizations in 75 communities in 21 counties. It is the third largest food bank in Minnesota. The Twin Cities and Rochester food banks are larger. Novak said that children account for 40 percent of all recipients needing emergency food help in Minnesota. Thirty percent are seniors.
    In 2015, North Country distributed about seven million pounds of food in northwest and west-central Minnesota. That amounted to more than 5.68 million meals provided to such places as food shelves, senior programs, abuse shelters and soup kitchens. Novak said North Country provides 70 to 90 percent of the food distributed by most of those organizations.
    In Thief River Falls, North Country distributes food to the Thief River Falls Area Food Shelf, Falls DAC, the Occupational Development Center, Skylite Apartments, Riverside Terrace and other locations.
    “It’s about getting food into the hands of people who need it,” Novak said.
    Every dollar donated to North Country or the Thief River Falls Area Food Shelf is enough to feed five people.  “When you go to the grocery store, you can’t do that,” said Novak, who noted 96 cents of every donated dollar goes toward feeding people.
    North Country knows there may be more people who need food. Due to the volume of food distributed out of its building, North Country is seeking funding for a new facility in Crookston. “We want to grow to be able to do more than seven million [pounds of food],” Novak said.
    Novak added that North Country would like to be able to distribute food at clinics and hospitals. It would also like to distribute food at more schools.
    North Country is in contention for $3 million in state bonding proceeds. Novak said the request was in both the House and Senate versions of the bill. However, the bonding bill hasn’t passed. If that request were approved, North Country would still need to raise more than half of the funding for the facility.
    The Thief River Falls Area Food Shelf also seeks help in terms of a location. The Food Shelf hasn’t had a permanent location for four years. Twice a month, it distributes food out of the National Guard Armory in Thief River Falls.

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    Starting next week, motorists may have to alter their routes in Thief River Falls.
Greenwood Street
    Construction is expected to start Monday, Aug. 1 on Greenwood Street between Hanson Drive and Highway 59. The project will realign that segment of Greenwood Street with Greenwood Street East near Slumberland. It will also extend the frontage road from the Walmart intersection to the realigned Greenwood Street.
    Starting Monday, Aug. 8, Greenwood Street will be closed to through traffic between Hanson Drive and Highway 59. The road will be open to local traffic. Mark Borseth, community services director, said that segment is expected to be closed to through traffic for up to three weeks. A detour will be in place from Greenwood Street to Spruce Avenue to First Street to Highway 59. The project is expected to be completed Friday, Aug. 26.
    Borseth said the Minnesota Department of Transportation may install a traffic control signal system at the intersection in 2018. However, he said MnDOT could also look at a roundabout there.
Davis Avenue
    Next week, curb and gutter will be replaced on Davis Avenue from Third to Eighth streets. The road will only be open to local traffic.
    During the week of Monday, Aug. 8, work will begin on reclaiming the road, repairing sewer issues and paving the road. Borseth said the completion date has been set for Wednesday, Aug. 17.
Other projects
    Those projects are part of a $2.4 million construction project, which also includes:
    • Construction of Greenwood Street East and Nadine Street
    • Edge mill and overlay of Atlantic Avenue
    • Edge mill and overlay of Oakland Park Road from Greenwood Street to Highway 32
    • Edge mill and overlay of First Street from Highway 59 to Sherwood Avenue
    • Construction of a multi-use trail along Pennington Avenue from Eastwood Drive to Evergreen Street and then along Evergreen Street to Challenger Elementary School
    • Water main replacements underneath portions of Conley, St. Paul and Markley avenues

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    A Pennington County jury convicted a Thief River Falls man of nine felonies Thursday night after a six-day trial. The charges stemmed from the sale or possession of methamphetamine mixtures totalling more than 78.17 grams.
    Erick Carl Longo, 40, was convicted of one count of racketeering, two counts of first degree controlled substance crime, two counts of conspiracy to commit a first degree controlled substance crime, two counts of second degree controlled substance crime, one count of fourth degree controlled substance crime and one count of fifth degree controlled substance crime. Sentencing has been set for Tuesday, Sept. 20.
    Longo was acquitted of one count each of second degree controlled substance crime and conspiracy to commit a first degree controlled substance crime. Earlier, another racketeering charge, one count of second degree controlled substance crime, one count of conspiracy to commit a second degree controlled substance crime, one count of third degree controlled substance crime, and one count of fourth degree controlled substance crime were dismissed.
    The charges stemmed from incidents spanning back to May 1, 2014. Eight people told investigators that Longo had a drug operation in which mules or runners were used to sell meth, according to the complaint. He would give them free meth, cigarettes or gas money to help in the operation. Some said meth would be floated to some buyers, but Longo would confiscate their property or damage it if the debt weren’t paid. One man said he gave the title of his motorcycle to Longo. After the man was unable to pay his debt for two eight-balls of meth, Longo confiscated the motorcycle.
    Another man said someone owed $2,000 from a previous drug debt. He said Longo instructed him and a third man to hire people to burn down a barn belonging to the debtor’s relative. The barn later burned down, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office was unable to determine the cause of the fire.
    The complaint further noted that neither Longo nor his wife, Vyetta, had a steady job. However, they were able to pay about $9,600 over five months toward a contract for deed for Ashley Castillo and her father. Vyetta Longo also paid for her husband’s bail with $10,000 in cash. After encountering Erick Longo, who had been assaulted at St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery, police learned he possessed $20,000 in cash. Witnesses indicated that the money came from the proceeds of meth sales. Longo also possessed a stamp that said “Longo’s Dope House Sales Auto & Loan.”
    After being arrested, Longo admitted that he marked his bags of meth with a B or T. During controlled drug buys, law enforcement obtained bags marked in that manner. He also admitted that two baggies of a meth mixture found in his home belonged to him. The mixtures weighed 12.43 grams.
    Longo was also convicted of possessing an eight-gram mixture containing meth. In addition, he was convicted of selling 17.74 grams of a meth mixture over a 90-day period. Most, if not all, were to a confidential informant later identified as Christopher Seglem. Seglem has since been sentenced for setting up law enforcement and individuals. However, Longo and Seglem both told law enforcement that Longo wasn’t involved in Seglem’s crimes.
    Longo was also convicted of selling one or more meth mixtures totalling 10 or more grams with Christopher Marvin Leeper on Sept. 29, 2014. He was also convicted of two counts of conspiring to sell one or more meth mixtures totalling 10 or more grams with Leeper, Bobbi Jo Garfve, Heather Flickinger, Ashley Castillo, Sasha Carriere, Brandon Wasley and Vyetta Longo. One of the counts allegedly involved Jordi Lancette while the other did not.

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    On Wednesday, a Pennington County jury convicted a Thief River Falls man for his role in a 2015 head-on crash that killed his friend.
    Scott Wayne Srnsky, 42, Thief River Falls, was convicted of felony criminal vehicular homicide. Jurors were also able to consider a lesser included offense of careless driving. Jurors deliberated for about three-and-a-half hours before reaching their verdict. Sentencing has been set for Monday, Sept. 19.
    Jacob James Kasprowicz, 29, Warren, was killed in the May 26, 2015, crash along 190th Street Northeast, a couple of miles northwest of the city of Thief River Falls.
    The jury trial began with the state presenting its case Tuesday. The defense presented its case Wednesday. Srnsky didn’t testify in his own defense.
    Jurors heard testimony from two crash reconstructionists who gave opposing testimony as to which driver crossed into the opposing lane of traffic. They also heard testimony that Srnsky told a Grand Forks, N.D., police sergeant that he was playing chicken with Kasprowicz at the time of the crash.
    At the time of the accident, Srnsky was driving a 2000 Chevy Silverado westbound on 190th Street Northeast in ideal weather conditions. Kasprowicz was driving an eastbound 1999 Pontiac Grand Am. The vehicles collided head-on on the southern edge of the eastbound lane. The vehicles then caught fire. Srnsky was injured in the crash. No one witnessed the accident.
    After the crash, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the event data recorders located in both vehicles. EDRs are similar to black boxes found in airplanes. Sgt. David Eischens testified that a qualified Minnesota State Patrol trooper in St. Paul downloaded the EDR information and emailed it to him. He indicated that he isn’t trained to analyze such data.
    Using the emailed information and evidence available at the scene, Eischens said he came to the conclusion that Srnsky was traveling westbound in the eastbound lane. He indicated that Kasprowicz was traveling eastbound in the eastbound lane. Eischens testified that both drivers turned hard to try to avoid the collision. He said Kasprowicz turned right and Srnsky turned left.
    Lauri Traub, one of two assistant public defenders representing Srnsky, questioned Eischens’ lack of advanced training, lack of accreditation and lack of membership in professional crash reconstructionist organizations. None of the above are required of Eischens; however, he is certified by the State Patrol. When asked, he testified that he had completed about 175 crash reconstructions since 1997.
    Traub noted that Eischens didn’t look at what had happened prior to the crash. Specifically, she noted that Eischens hadn’t looked farther than the marks left by the vehicles on the roadway. When pressed as to why his report didn’t include that information, Eischens replied that he used the evidence he had.
    Eischens had earlier admitted that he had inaccurately interpreted some of the crash data. In particular, that data related to the speed of Kasprowicz’s vehicle at the time of the crash.
    Jurors also heard from Greg Gravesen, a private crash reconstructionist hired by the defense. He testified about his extensive résumé, which included published work and teaching in the crash reconstruction field. Gravesen has worked in the field for 24 years, including while he was employed as a St. Paul police sergeant.
    Gravesen testified that Eischens’ accident reconstruction was incomplete. He noted that Eischens didn’t look at what had happened prior to the crash.
    Gravesen testified that Kasprowicz, not Srnsky, was driving in the wrong lane at the time of the crash. However, like Eischens, he indicated that both drivers turned hard to try to avoid the collision.
    Gravesen presented a computer simulation of how the crash may have happened. He testified the simulation used physics and mathematics to come to its conclusion.
    Gravesen inputted data into the program, including such things as vehicle measurements, vehicle speed, tire marks, and the drivers’ perception response time. Using research regarding perceived hazards entering one’s lane of traffic, Gravesen estimated each driver had between 1.6 and 1.8 seconds, on average, to respond to the other driver.
    Gravesen said he had no control over the outcome of the simulation, which ended similarly to how the crash ended. The simulated vehicles came to rest the same way the real vehicles did.
    Steve Moeller, assistant Pennington County attorney, asked how Gravesen determined where to place the vehicles prior to the accident in the computer simulation. Gravesen replied that he placed the vehicles in a location using the physical evidence available to him.
    Moeller also questioned Gravesen whether a motorist could perceive a hazard in their lane and not take evasive action. Gravesen replied yes.
    A little more than a month after the accident, Sgt. Michael Jennings encountered Srnsky during a traffic stop in Grand Forks, N.D. Jennings testified that Srnsky was wearing a cast or brace on his leg. He needed a wheelchair to move around.
    Srnsky explained the reason for his disability at the time. “Mr. Srnsky told me that he was playing chicken with his friend and that his friend died,” Jennings testified.
    Pennington County Sheriff Ray Kuznia also testified. He was among the first law enforcement officers arriving at the scene. Both vehicles were engulfed in flames. Kuznia heard Srnsky screaming from a ditch. A passerby, Julie Skjerven, helped Srnsky move to that area. Realizing that Srnsky was still too close to the fire, Kuznia and Deputy Dave Olson pulled Srnsky farther from the flames.
    Sgt. Chris Bjerken and Capt. Mike Wedin, both from the State Patrol, also testified about their observations upon arriving at the scene.
Earlier court action
    In earlier court action, Judge Kurt Marben suppressed evidence gathered during a warrantless blood draw completed before Srnsky was airlifted to Fargo, N.D., after the crash. Methamphetamine was detected in that blood sample. At that time, Marben noted there was a compelling need for a trooper to obtain the sample and there was no time to obtain a warrant. However, he ruled that the trooper had no probable cause to believe that Srnsky was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Marben noted that there was no more reason to believe other factors, like mechanical failure or a medical emergency, led to the crash.
    At that time, Marben also suppressed Srnsky’s medical records from May 26, 2015. He found there was insufficient basis for a search warrant and there was no probable cause. Marben noted the warrant failed to refer to a conversation between a trooper and a doctor about Srnsky saying he used alcohol before the crash.
    As a result of those rulings, the state amended the criminal complaint from a criminal vehicular homicide charge involving meth to a criminal vehicular homicide charge involving gross negligence.
    Prior to the trial, both sides filed motions related to  whether the jury could hear evidence about Srnsky’s usage of meth. The state asked to be able to introduce evidence to that extent if the defense introduced evidence regarding Kasprowicz being under the influence or possessing meth.
    The defense filed motions requesting that the jury not be allowed to hear such testimony regarding Srnsky, purported drug paraphernalia in his vehicle, or the status of his driving privileges.
    No such testimony along either lines was offered at trial.

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    It may be four years away, but the city of Thief River Falls has begun planning how it will phase out the refrigerant R-22, which is commonly referred to as Freon.
    At its meeting Tuesday, Aug. 23, the Thief River Falls Committee of the Whole discussed how the Montreal Protocol will affect the city’s compressors at Ralph Engelstad Arena and the Huck Olson Memorial Civic Center. It is believed that it may cost as much as $200,000 to retrofit both arenas. Cost-share grants are available from the state of Minnesota.
    The committee decided to await the results of a feasibility study to determine the best option for the city. Parks and Recreation Director Joe Amundson expected the study would be finished in September. An oil change will continue as planned on the REA compressors.
    In 1987, the United States signed the Montreal Protocol. The treaty completely phases out hydrochlorofluorocarbons, ozone-depleting substances, by 2030. The schedule stipulates that 99.5 percent of hydrochlorofluorocarbons, including Freon, will be phased out in 2020.
    More than 1,900 pounds of Freon are needed to refill the city’s compressors at REA and HOMCC. The majority – 1,200 pounds – are needed at REA. Amundson said the city needed to refill Freon at REA last year at a cost of $15 per pound.
    Blended refrigerants, such as R-507 and R-410A, are an option for the city. However, Amundson noted they’re not proven and will possibly be eliminated in the future. “It really comes down to natural refrigerants, which leads to ammonia and CO2,” Amundson said.
    The REA compressors are set up for ammonia. However, at some point in the construction process, they were converted to R-22 and never used ammonia.
    Ammonia is more dangerous than R-22, but people would immediately smell an odor if there were a leak.  Amundson noted that the REA compressor room would need its own ventilation system as well as a second egress. He indicated that the ramp door is the only egress out of the basement in this  case.
    Both arenas use indirect systems, meaning the gas is contained to the rooms. Amundson said he is under the impression that CO2 can’t be used in an indirect system. He expected that it would cost $100,000 in just concrete to retrofit the system if it were converted to a CO2 system. Many European arenas have such systems whereas two are located in the United States.

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    A Thief River Falls man was sentenced Tuesday, Sept. 20 in Pennington County District Court for nine felony offenses. The charges stemmed from the sale or possession of methamphetamine mixtures totalling more than 68.17 grams. The incidents go back to May 1, 2014.
    Erick Carl Longo, 40, was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison. He was expected to be remanded to the Minnesota Department of Corrections in a few weeks after a hearing is held regarding his financial responsibilities, including whether any forfeitures will be made.
    Details of the sentencing are as follows. All sentences are to be served concurrently.
    • Racketeering – 84 months in prison
    • Fourth degree controlled substance crime – 15 months in prison
    • First degree controlled substance crime – 110 months in prison
    • First degree controlled substance crime – 134 months in prison
    • Second degree controlled substance crime – 129 months in prison
    • Conspiracy to commit a first degree controlled substance crime – 189 months in prison
    • Conspiracy to commit a first degree sale of a controlled substance – 189 months in prison
    • Fifth degree controlled substance crime – 18 months in prison
    • Third degree possession of a controlled substance crime – 49 months in prison
    As a condition of those sentences, Longo was ordered to supply a DNA sample. He was ordered to not possess firearms. Financial terms were stayed until the upcoming hearing. Longo was given credit for time served.
    A Pennington County jury convicted Longo of the nine felonies after a six-day trial in July. The jury acquitted him of one count each of second degree controlled substance crime and conspiracy to commit a first degree controlled substance crime. Earlier, another racketeering charge, one count of second degree controlled substance crime, one count of conspiracy to commit a second degree controlled substance crime, one count of third degree controlled substance crime, and one count of fourth degree controlled substance crime were dismissed.
    Prior to sentencing Tuesday, Judge Eric Schieferdecker denied a defense motion for a new trial. Longo’s attorney, Assistant Public Defender Joshua Melgaard, argued that the evidence didn’t support the verdicts.
    Schieferdecker noted that Melgaard referred to Christopher Seglem, a confidential informant who was later identified by the authorities. Longo was convicted of selling 17.74 grams of meth mixtures over a 90-day period. Most were sold to Seglem, who has since been sentenced for setting up law enforcement and individuals. However, Longo and Seglem both told law enforcement that Longo wasn’t involved in Seglem’s crimes.
    Schieferdecker indicated that extensive disclosures regarding Seglem were provided to the defense and used at the trial. He said that the jury still believed Seglem, and officers corroborated a lot of the activity to which Seglem testified.
    Longo’s wife, Vyetta, earlier presented a letter to court administration on her husband’s behalf. Schieferdecker said it would be more appropriate to discuss the issues at a post-conviction relief hearing. He indicated that Erick Longo claimed that Melgaard didn’t contest the last search warrant executed in the case. Schieferdecker advised Longo to take that issue to the State Public Defender’s Office.
    Prior to sentencing, a crying Longo pointed at Assistant Pennington County Attorney Steve Moeller and said, “He knows I didn’t do it.” He then pointed at Ron Woolever, a narcotics investigator with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and said, “He knows I didn’t do it.”
    When given the opportunity to speak, Longo said he wanted to see his wife, who was in the courtroom that day. Schieferdecker replied that Longo was still in custody.
    Longo added that he didn’t do all of the things law enforcement said he had done. Crying, he indicated there may be only 10 percent truth in the case. Longo was given the opportunity to compose himself and speak with his attorney during a short recess. In the midst of that break, Vyetta Longo could be heard, making loud statements related to the case in the court administration hallway.
Complaint
    The charges stemmed from incidents spanning back to May 1, 2014. Eight people told investigators that Erick Longo had a drug operation in which mules or runners were used to sell meth, according to the complaint. He would give them free meth, cigarettes or gas money to help in the operation. Some said meth would be floated to some buyers, but Longo would confiscate their property or damage it if the debt weren’t paid. One man said he gave the title of his motorcycle to Longo. After the man was unable to pay his debt for two eight-balls of meth, Longo confiscated the motorcycle.
    Another man said someone owed $2,000 from a previous drug debt. He said Longo instructed him and a third man to hire people to burn down a barn belonging to the debtor’s relative. The barn later burned down, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office was unable to determine the cause of the fire.
    During the trial, there was apparently testimony that Longo directed someone to kill a dog belonging to the sheriff’s daughter. Melgaard characterized that testimony as a reputational rumor.
    The complaint further noted that neither Longo nor his wife, Vyetta, had a steady job. However, they were able to pay about $9,600 over five months toward a contract for deed for Ashley Castillo and her father. Vyetta Longo also paid for her husband’s bail with $10,000 in cash. After encountering Erick Longo, who had been assaulted at St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery, police learned he possessed $20,000 in cash. Witnesses indicated that the money came from the proceeds of meth sales. Longo also possessed a stamp that said “Longo’s Dope House Sales Auto & Loan.”
    After being arrested, Longo admitted that he marked his bags of meth with a B or T. During controlled drug buys, law enforcement obtained bags marked in that manner. According to the complaint, he also admitted that two baggies of a meth mixture found in his home belonged to him. The mixtures weighed 12.43 grams.
    Longo was also convicted of selling one or more meth mixtures totalling 10 or more grams with Christopher Marvin Leeper on Sept. 29, 2014. He was also convicted of two counts of conspiring to sell one or more meth mixtures totalling 10 or more grams with Leeper, Bobbi Jo Garfve, Heather Flickinger, Ashley Castillo, Sasha Carriere, Brandon Wasley and Vyetta Longo. One of the counts allegedly involved Jordi Lancette while the other did not.
    In addition, Longo was convicted of possessing an eight-gram mixture containing meth.

    Fire destroyed the Kennedy Farmers Elevator on Wednesday. No injuries were reported.
    Firefighters were dispatched to the elevator at 12:25 a.m. Wednesday. At least 12 fire departments responded to the scene.
    “I’m happy that we had such a good response,” said Kennedy Fire Chief Aaron Kirkeby. He noted that he called the other Minnesota and North Dakota volunteer fire departments on a whim. They responded with manpower and equipment. Kirkeby said it was a tragedy that the fire destroyed a historic building in good condition. However, he was amazed by the willingness of the other volunteer fire departments to help.
    Some firefighters were able to leave the scene starting at 6 a.m. Wednesday. The Kennedy Fire Department remained on the scene Wednesday and Thursday, monitoring the wreckage and making sure that the fire didn’t reignite.
    The elevator contained wheat and soybeans at the time of the fire. The majority of the product was wheat. Kirkeby said the product was valued at $500,000.
    The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Kirkeby said the fire started at the bottom of the elevator.

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    A 7-year-old boy was killed Thursday morning after attempting to cross the highway and get onto his school bus in rural Pennington County.
    Anthony Fellman was taken to Sanford Medical Center in Thief River Falls, according to Sgt. Jesse Grabow with the Minnesota State Patrol. He was later pronounced dead.
    At about 7 a.m. Thursday, Fellman was crossing Highway 59 in front of his home, which is located south of the city of Thief River Falls. Two other siblings were also waiting for the bus at that time.
    Fellman was then struck by a northbound 2005 Chrysler Town & Country driven by Joanne J. Schultz, 69, Plummer. Fellman was struck on the east side of the highway, which is north of the intersection with Pennington County State Aid Highway 3. The van sustained moderate damage.
    The Thief River Falls school bus was in the southbound lane at the time. The State Patrol hadn’t released that driver’s name as of presstime. Superintendent Brad Bergstrom said about 12 students were on the bus.
    Schultz is cooperating with authorities. “We don’t suspect alcohol or drugs at this time,” said Grabow, who noted the crash remains under investigation.
    The State Patrol also noted that it was still determining whether the bus’ stop arm was extended and whether its warning lights were functioning at the time.
    “The Prowler community is extremely sad this morning, learning the loss of one of our students,” Bergstrom said.
    Fellman was a second grader at Challenger Elementary School. Bergstrom said he had an infectious personality that was larger than life.
    The school district has reached out to the Fellman family. Lincoln High School Guidance Counselor Bill Stock said Fellman’s locker may be used in the future to honor the child’s memory.
    The crisis management team was in place Thursday morning at the school. Guidance counselors were also available. Stock said he had already spoken with at least one high school student who witnessed the crash.
    “We expect a different day tomorrow,” said Stock. “A lot of our elementary students will find out tonight.”
    Stock said the district will have grief resources on its website for parents to help their children.

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    On Tuesday, Oct. 4, a Thief River Falls man was sentenced to 75 months in prison for his role in burglarizing McDonald’s in Thief River Falls.
    Justin Rick Hopper, 26, was sentenced in Pennington County District Court for two felony counts of first degree burglary and one felony count of theft of a firearm. One burglary charge and the firearm charge stemmed from a burglary at a rural Thief River Falls home. A felony charge of ineligible person possessing a firearm was dismissed.
    Last month, Hopper entered Alford pleas in the cases. In an Alford plea, a person doesn’t admit guilt but admits the prosecution has enough evidence to prove the person is guilty.
    Brian Allen Torkelson, 25, has been convicted for his role in the McDonald’s burglary. He was convicted of felony offenses of first degree burglary and ineligible person possessing a firearm. A sentencing and motion hearing has been set for Tuesday, Oct. 18.
    Torkelson has also been charged with felony first degree burglary, felony theft of a firearm and felony ineligible person possessing a firearm for the burglary at the home.
    For the McDonald’s burglary, Hopper was sentenced to 75 months in prison.  That sentence is to be served concurrently with the sentence for the home burglary and firearm theft. He was given credit for 278 days served.  Hopper was also ordered to not use or possess firearms or dangerous weapons. He was ordered to supply a DNA sample. Hopper was also ordered to pay $210 in fees and fines, and $6,463.58 in restitution.
    For the other burglary charge, Hopper was sentenced to 58 months in prison. That sentence is to be served concurrently with the sentence for the firearm charge. He was given credit for 278 days served.  Hopper was also ordered to not use or possess firearms or dangerous weapons. He was ordered to supply a DNA sample. Hopper was also ordered to pay $210 in fees and fines. The right to restitution has been reserved.
    For the firearm charge, Hopper was sentenced to 15 months in prison. He was given credit for 278 days served. Hopper was also ordered to pay a $50 fine. The same conditions apply.
    Hopper and Torkelson allegedly entered McDonald’s through an unlocked drive-through and stole a large safe on Dec. 10, according to the complaint against Torkelson. Police Chief Dick Wittenberg earlier said that it was believed the safe contained about $4,000.
    Surveillance video showed two masked people entering the business about three minutes after the last employee clocked out at 1:07 a.m. The burglary was discovered about four hours later. One burglar, wearing a white hooded sweatshirt, was armed with a shotgun featuring a sling. Both were wearing gloves.
    Torkelson and Hopper allegedly loaded the safe into a stolen 1999 Chevy Suburban that had been parked at 112 Breezy Dr., a short distance from McDonald’s. Police later found the vehicle in the parking lot of Chief Red Robe Park in Thief River Falls. The police report indicated that the vehicle had sustained about $5,000 in damage.
    The men are also accused of a burglary at 14224 177th St. N.E. in rural Thief River Falls. That burglary was reported the same morning as the McDonald’s burglary. The police report indicated that jewelry, cash, an iPad, a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun and a Colt target pistol were stolen. The items are valued at more than $5,000.
    While investigating the case, police spoke to Hopper’s girlfriend. She allegedly said that the men brought two guns – including a gun with a strap and a .22-caliber pistol – to her home. She said they told her that the guns and about $60 in coins had been stolen from the rural Thief River Falls home. The woman also reported seeing a checkbook with the alleged victim’s last name on the front.
    The woman allegedly said Torkelson and Hopper talked about obtaining more money and something about someone walking out with a bag of money. They later left her home with Torkelson carrying a shotgun in his coat. About 45 minutes after McDonald’s was burglarized, the woman received a phone call from the men. Hopper, who admitted to stealing a safe, asked for a ride. She said her vehicle wouldn’t start. He replied that they would steal a truck, according to the complaint.
    The woman later saw the two men with money contained in Northern State Bank bags. Police learned from McDonald’s employees that the safe contained such bags.
    The woman said she and the men later used another woman’s car to drive to a storage trailer. A stolen suitcase was placed there. Afterward, law enforcement found clothing inside the suitcase, including a white hooded sweatshirt and another piece of clothing. The clothing matched a description, provided by the woman, of what Torkelson had been wearing.
    The woman said Shane Michael Drury, 36, Moose Lake, later removed the guns from her home at her request. She didn’t want the guns there, and Torkelson hadn’t removed them as she had requested. On Tuesday, Sept. 27, Drury entered an Alford plea for a felony charge of obstructing an investigation. Sentencing has been set for Monday, Nov. 14.
    According to the complaint, Drury gave the shotgun with a sling to Keith Deremer. Law enforcement later confiscated the shotgun there. It had been stolen in the home burglary.  

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    A Thief River Falls man was arrested Saturday morning after he allegedly assaulted two people and engaged in a standoff with authorities late Friday night.
    Michael Roy Nelson, 46, was arrested without further incident at about 10:55 a.m. Saturday, according to the Thief River Falls Police Department. Formal charges are expected to be filed Monday.
    Authorities ended the standoff at 3 a.m. Saturday after a lengthy period of no contact with Nelson and after determining he didn’t pose a danger to the general public.
    The incident was repported at about 9:11 p.m. Friday at 504 Main Ave. N. Nelson allegedly choked a woman and assaulted another person. He then left the scene and officers saw him entering a second-floor apartment. They repeatedly attempted to contact Nelson; however, those attempts failed.
    As a precautionary measure, immediate neighbors were evacuated and Code Red was activated. Code Red notified the public in the immediate area to remain indoors and away from windows.
    Law enforcement also sought assistance from the Grand Forks Special Operations Group to provide tactical assistance, negotiation experts and additional personnel.
    This is the second time in six months that authorities have had contact with Nelson. In April, he was charged with two felony counts of attempted second degree arson, a felony count of second degree assault and a misdemeanor count of domestic assault. In that case, Nelson is accused of trying to start his teenage son and two vehicles on fire in rural Thief River Falls. He is also accused of assaulting his father in that case. The case remains pending in court with his next court appearance scheduled for Monday, Nov. 28.

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    A guilty plea was entered Friday, Oct. 21 in the case of a Thief River Falls man accused of shooting another man at a 2015 party in rural Pennington County.
    Trevor Lee Brown, 24, pled guilty to felony first degree assault. Felony charges of second degree attempted murder and reckless discharge of a firearm were dismissed. The plea was an open plea, meaning that the attorneys can argue for a sentence that they deem fit. Sentencing has been set for Monday, Dec. 12.
    The plea was entered on a Norgard basis, meaning that   Brown was unable to recall some details of the case since he was intoxicated or had blacked out. In his initial statement to law enforcement, Brown said he sometimes blacks out when he is mad. When entering the plea, he said he was intoxicated and couldn’t recall some details of the incident.
    On Aug. 9, 2015, Brown and three friends arrived uninvited at a party at the rural Plummer home of Bob and Darlene Houle. After a fight involving other people, he shot a round into the air. Ryan Houle then tackled him. The two men fought over the gun. Brown shot Ryan Houle twice in the chest, causing a collapsed lung. One of the shots also injured Houle’s left hand. He was hospitalized for 31 days at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, N.D.
    Brown acknowledged that he had no reason to doubt the testimony of Ryan Houle or Houle’s sister Robyn Almendarez about the incident. He said that he didn’t remember pulling the trigger. Brown acknowledged that he shot Houle on purpose.
    The plea came after testimony Thursday in the case. Houle testified at that time. Shortly after taking the stand and starting to testify about Brown shooting him in the chest the first time, Houle said he needed a break.
    Houle left the stand and exited the courtroom. Judge Kurt Marben then excused the jury. After the recess, Brown’s attorney, Blair Nelson, requested a mistrial, saying he had never seen such a thing and he questioned whether his client could have a fair trial afterward.
    Kristin  Hanson, assistant Pennington County attorney, replied that she has seen witnesses break down on the stand in the past. She indicated that the court has taken a break in those instances. Hanson said it wasn’t intentional.
    Marben denied that motion. He said he thought it would be more detrimental to the defense if Houle remained in front of the jury.
    A short time later, Nelson again requested a mistrial after Houle contradicted his statement to authorities a month after the shooting. In his statement, Houle said it was the first shot in his direction that hit him in the chest and struck his hand.
    In court, he  testified it was the second shot in which Brown backed up and pointed the gun at his face. He said he tried to bat the gun away and was shot in the chest and hand. When explaining the discrepancy, he said he was on painkillers at the time of the statement. Houle testified he was remembering more of the incident and had notified Hanson of the change about a month before the trial.
    Soon afterward, Nelson told Marben that information hadn’t been disclosed to him if the conversation had occurred. He said that lack of information prejudiced his preparation for the trial.
    Hanson replied that she had provided emails to Nelson about what each witness had and hadn’t said to her. She said she would have to check her emails. Hanson added that, if the information hadn’t been provided to Nelson, it wasn’t intentional.
    Nelson then said that Hanson seemed surprised when Houle testified it was second, not first, shot.
    Marben then gave Hanson an opportunity to check her emails. Court was later adjourned after both sides met with him in chambers. The next morning, Brown entered his plea.

    Officers Ryan Bassett and Ben Tureson were presented with Life Saving Awards at the Thief River Falls City Council meeting Tuesday, Oct. 18.
    Bassett and Tureson were dispatched to Quality Inn on the morning of Monday, Sept. 11. They found a man on the ground, unresponsive and not breathing. They began CPR. Paramedics arrived and used a defibrillator. The man was eventually transported to Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, N.D..
    “His family reports that he is recovering well,” said Police Chief Dick Wittenberg.
    This was Bassett’s second Life Saving Award and Tureson’s third Life Saving Award. Each officer received a certificate and a uniform ribbon indicating the number of lives saved.
    Mayor Brian Holmer thanked them for their work, stating that he is always honored to bestow such an award.
  

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    A Thief River Falls man was sentenced Monday, Oct. 31 for his role in a 2015 head-on crash that killed his friend.
    Scott Wayne Srnsky, 42, was sentenced to 68 months in prison for a felony charge of criminal vehicular homicide. He was given credit for time served. Judge Kurt Marben ordered him to provide a DNA sample. Srnsky was also ordered to pay $210 in fees and fines.
    Jacob James Kasprowicz, 29, Warren, was killed in the May 26, 2015, crash along 190th Street Northeast, a couple of miles northwest of the city of Thief River Falls.
    A Pennington County jury convicted Srnsky of the charge in August 2016 after deliberating for about three-and-a-half hours. Jurors heard testimony from two crash reconstructionists who gave opposing testimony as to which driver crossed into the opposing lane of traffic. They also heard testimony that Srnsky told a Grand Forks, N.D., police sergeant that he was playing chicken with Kasprowicz at the time of the crash.
    At the time of the accident, Srnsky was driving a 2000 Chevy Silverado westbound on 190th Street Northeast in ideal weather conditions in the afternoon. Kasprowicz was driving an eastbound 1999 Pontiac Grand Am. The vehicles collided head-on on the southern edge of the eastbound lane. The vehicles then caught fire. Srnsky was injured in the crash. No one witnessed the accident.
    Prior to the trial, Marben suppressed evidence gathered during a warrantless blood draw completed before Srnsky was airlifted to Fargo, N.D., after the crash. Methamphetamine was detected in that blood sample.
    Prior to the trial, both sides filed motions related to  whether the jury could hear evidence about Srnsky’s usage of meth. The state asked to be able to introduce evidence to that extent if the defense introduced evidence regarding Kasprowicz being under the influence of or possessing meth.
    The defense filed motions requesting that the jury not be allowed to hear such testimony regarding Srnsky, purported drug paraphernalia in his vehicle, or the status of his driving privileges.
    No such testimony along either lines was offered at trial.
Sentencing
    On Monday, Kasprowicz’s son and sister spoke in court about their loss. “There’s a big piece of my heart missing,” said Jayce Kasprowicz, now 13.
    The day of the accident was Jayce’s last day of school. Looking back, he cried as he recalled telling everyone at school about how he planned to spend time with his dad during his summer vacation. It wasn’t meant to be.
    Jayce said, “I can still hear those awful words, ‘Jayce, your dad passed away.’”
    Jayce’s aunt Tasha Kasprowicz also spoke.  Speaking to Srnsky, Tasha said, “On May 26, 2015, you forever changed our family’s lives.”
    Tasha noted how her brother would have given Srnsky the shirt off of his back. She recalled Srnsky had told her brother that he hadn’t eaten for days one time, and her brother made him something to eat.
    Noting her brother was far from perfect, Tasha described the help her brother provided to their parents and also to their brother Zach after Zach was paralyzed in a November 2010 accident.
    Saying she could remember it like yesterday, Tasha recalled hearing about her brother’s death. She said their mom had just left for work, only to return about 20 minutes later. Once their mom was able to get the words out, she and Zach learned that Jacob had died.
    Tasha added that she knows her brother wasn’t playing chicken, but her brother couldn’t defend himself. She indicated this wasn’t the first time Srnsky had driven “dumb” and she prays that another family doesn’t have to endure what her family has had to endure. Tasha said, “There is no sentence long enough for you.”
    Prior to sentencing, Srnsky was given the opportunity to speak. He apologized but asked what a driver should do if someone is in front of them. “He was my friend,” Srnsky said.
    Srnsky added that he didn’t know where the comment “playing chicken” originated. The last thing he remembered the day of the accident was leaving Petro Pumper. He noted that he didn’t testify at the trial, but he didn’t know why he hadn’t testified and wished he had.
    Srnsky’s attorney, Assistant Public Defender Scott Collins, had requested a downward dispositional departure or durational dispositional departure. He asked that Marben stay execution of any sentence. Collins requested a sentence between 24 and 36 months. He also asked for the statutory maximum in terms of probation. While making his request, Collins noted that Srnsky had to take evasive action to avoid Jacob Kasprowicz. He added that Srnsky’s last felony prior to this case was in 2007. The last gross misdemeanor was in 2010.
    Steve Moeller, assistant Pennington County attorney, requested a sentence within the sentencing guidelines. With the severity of the offense and Srnsky’s criminal history score, Moeller said that would be between 58 and 81 months. Moeller requested 81 months, referring to the offense, Srnsky’s lack of remorse and his egregious driving conduct prior to the crash.
    Besides noting the “playing chicken” comment, Moeller indicated that Srnsky was driving in excess of 60 mph prior to the crash. He noted that Srnsky has had multiple traffic citations and convictions, including two offenses in 2014.
    Moeller said, as part of the pre-sentence investigation, Srnsky told a probation officer that he would only quit driving if his eyes were poked out. Moeller indicated that Srnsky said he was being made into an example and he was only in trouble due to bad luck.

South African performer Lorraine Klaasen and her ensemble performed Nov. 7, 2016, for seventh graders at Franklin Middle School in Thief River Falls. They also performed for other FMS students that day.

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    Northwest Minnesota voters have spoken, letting their voices be heard in municipal elections.
    Some elections provided a few surprises. In Thief River Falls, there was a tie for the position of Ward 4 council member. In the region, there were also a few seats determined by write-in votes since no one had filed for those positions.
    The following results were unofficial as of presstime Thursday afternoon since most canvassing boards hadn’t yet met.
Argyle
    Mayor Robert Clausen was reelected in Argyle with 195 votes to Dan Sjostrand’s 165 votes. Two council seats were on the ballot. Elected were Aaron Rivard (239 votes) and incumbent Anthony Deschene (216 votes). Incumbent Terry Sundby was the other candidate with 201 votes. All seats have a four-year term.
Badger
    None of the candidates faced opposition in Badger. Mayor Jim Rinde was reelected for another two years with 181 votes. Bethany Sandwick and incumbent Tommy Dann were elected with 151 and 148 votes, respectively. Council members serve for four years.
Brooks
    All three incumbents ran unopposed in Brooks. Reelected were Mayor Ernest Kolling (53 votes) and council members Perry Morinville (52 votes) and Ray Vasend (44 votes). The mayor serves for two years whereas the council members serve for four years.
Erskine
    Incumbent Andy Shimpa and Brian Stuhaug were elected to the two four-year council seats on the ballot in Erskine. Shimpa received 141 votes, and Stuhaug received 136 votes. Michelle Johnson was elected to the two-year council seat with 162 votes.
Goodridge
    David Brown was reelected mayor in Goodridge with 30 votes. He was opposed by Manuel Byrd, who had 17 votes. Incumbent Faye Wold and Morris Sampson were the top vote-getters for the council positions on the ballot with 27 and 26 votes, respectively. Other candidates included incumbent Gary Hasby (21 votes) and Irvin Hamm (eight votes). The mayor serves for two years, and council members serve for four years.
Greenbush
    Brenda Sather received 301 votes to become the mayor of Greenbush. She will serve for two years. Incumbent Dennis Filer and Eric Etherington were elected to the council with 293 and 226 votes, respectively. They will serve for four years.
Grygla
    Incumbents faced no opposition in Grygla. Richard Mosher was reelected to the two-year mayoral position in Grygla with 64 votes. Also elected were council members David Dunrud (64 votes) and Robert Thompson (59 votes). They will serve for four years. Lindsay Oslund was elected to the two-year council seat with 74 votes.
Gully
    Cathy Bergerson was reelected mayor of Gully with 21 votes. Donna Marshall and incumbent Jim Sundrud were elected to the council with 19 and 18 votes, respectively.
Hallock
    David Treumer was elected mayor of Hallock with 370 votes. Other candidates included Michael Totleben (129 votes) and Thomas Lanctot (15 votes). Incumbent Kevin Waller and Brad Williams were elected to the council with 467 and 179 votes, respectively. All seats have four-year terms.
Holt
    Chris Rux defeated incumbent Dale A. Johnson to serve as mayor of Holt for two years. Rux had 23 votes, and Johnson had 18 votes. Incumbent Harvey Fisher was reelected to the four-year council seat with 37 votes. DelRay Rux was elected to the two-year council seat with 35 votes. Incumbent Jenny Lee was reelected to the clerk position with 40 votes.
Karlstad
    Michael Wade and George Hultgren won the two council seats on the ballot with 211 and 191 votes, respectively. Other candidates included Mitch Borneman (122 votes) and Peter Knapp (119 votes).
Kennedy
    Incumbent Cindy Urbaniak and Jonathan Pietruszewski were elected to the four-year council seats in Kennedy with 94 and 75 seats, respectively. Matthew Casper was elected with 66 votes for the other seat, which has two years left in its term. The other candidate was Josh Pietruszewski, who had 34 votes.
Lake Bronson
    Evan Veer was elected Lake Bronson mayor with 69 votes. Incumbent Jerry Vanderlinde and Leana Kowaliuk were elected with 78 and 36 votes, respectively. Verlene Hill was elected in the special election for a council seat with 70 votes.
Lancaster
    Mike Olson was reelected Lancaster mayor with 175 votes. Also reelected were council members Luke Nordin and Jim Hilman with 171 and 160 votes, respectively.
McIntosh
    Mayor Toby Strom was reelected McIntosh mayor with 247 votes. No one filed for the two council positions on the ballot. Kevin Subbert and Michael Pearce had the most write-in votes with 19 and seven, respectively. Subbert accepted one seat whereas Pearce has declined the other. The city office planned to contact the next top write-in vote-getters until someone accepts the other position.
Mentor
    Mayor Lonnie Morberg was reelected for another two years in Mentor with 68 votes. Elected to the council were Natalie Boushee with 51 votes and incumbent Herbert Hiltabrand with 48 votes. Council members serve for four years.
Middle River
    Mark Stromsodt was elected mayor of Middle River with 149 votes. John Scheff Sr. and Thomas Super were elected to the council with 127 and 126 votes, respectively.
Newfolden
    All three incumbents were unopposed in Newfolden. Mayor Lori Warne had 163 votes for another two-year term. Council members Mark Augustine and Melanie Sorenson had 147 and 141 votes, respectively, for four-year terms.
Oklee
    George Burthwick was reelected Oklee mayor with 102 votes. Alan Jensen had 43 votes. Two council seats were also on the ballot. Top vote-getters were Paul Cyr (74 votes) and Matthew Genova (69 votes). Other candidates included Gloria Moose (47 votes), Kyle Dudycha (45 votes), Jacqueline Cross (29 votes) and JoAnn Hamm (22 votes).
Plummer
    All of the incumbents were unopposed in Plummer. Mayor Jim DuChamp received 95 votes to serve another two years. Council members Thomas Braaten and Brent Hemly had 95 and 81 votes, respectively, to serve another four years.
Red Lake Falls
    No one filed for the mayor or the council member at large positions in Red Lake Falls. Al Bertilrud had the most write-in votes with 317 for mayor. Justin Carriere had the most write-in votes with 75 for the council member at large position. They will have the opportunity to decide whether they wish to serve. Incumbents Neil Knaack (Ward 2) and Cheryl Matzke (Ward 3) had no opposition. Knaack received 176 votes, and Matzke had 153 votes. The mayor serves for two years, and council members serve for four years.
Roseau
    All of the candidates were unopposed in Roseau. Mayor Jeff Pelowski was reelected with 1,161 votes. Council members Jane Evans and Patrick Novacek were reelected with 1,013 and 898 votes, respectively. Don Ross was elected in a special election with 1,153 votes.
St. Hilaire
    All of the incumbents were unopposed in St. Hilaire. Mayor Brandon Kisch was reelected for another two years with 112 votes. Council members Tracy Kloety and Bernard Huot were reelected with 104 and 92 votes, respectively, for another four years.
Stephen
    Mayor Richard Lee was reelected in Stephen with 341 votes. Two council positions were also on the ballot. The winners were Paige Halfmann and Daniel Douglas with 247 and 170 votes, respectively. The other candidate was Whitney Weisenberger with 122 votes.
Strandquist
    Jared Lemoine was the only person who filed for Strandquist mayor. He received five votes; however, Lowell Lefrooth had 30 votes. John Ombler Jr. was elected to the council with 18 votes, and Jessica Grochowski was elected city clerk with 32 votes.
Strathcona
    No one filed for the two council positions on the ballot in Strathcona. Vicky Lorenson and Mark Ryden had the most write-in votes with 12 and nine, respectively.
Thief River Falls
    Thief River Falls Mayor Brian Holmer was reelected to a two-year term with 3,306 votes. Incumbent Don Sollom was reelected with 342 votes to Dian Wilde’s 303 votes. Ward 4 incumbent Jerald Brown and opponent Justen Lee were tied with 301 votes. There were five write-in votes for the seat. City Finance Director Angie Philipp said the council will canvass the results at its meeting Tuesday, Nov. 15. After that time, the candidates may request a recount at no cost to the candidates. In city elections, there isn’t an automatic recount. If there were still a tie after a recount, there would be a coin toss. The candidates may decide whether they want a series of three or five tosses. Jason Aarestad was elected to the council member at large position with 1,675 votes. Other candidates included Jim Strandlie (who was appointed to the position earlier this year) with 1,182 votes, Joe Pueringer with 261 votes and James Sceville with 219 votes. The mayor serves for two years, and council members serve for four years.
Viking
    All of the incumbents were unopposed in Viking. Mayor Michael Hestekind had 34 votes for the two-year position. Council members Arnold Weleski and Dennis Barclay had 36 and 28 votes, respectively. Council members serve for four years.
Warren
    No one filed for mayor in Warren. David Erickson launched a write-in campaign, receiving 241 write-in votes. Elected to the council seats were incumbent Jarod Peterson (645 votes), incumbent Mark Wimpfheimer (629 votes) and Chris Desrosier (573 votes). Voters also voted 718 to 50 to change the city charter to have the mayor serve a four-year term instead of a two-year term, starting with the 2018 election.
Warroad
    None of the incumbents faced opposition in Warroad. Mayor Bob Marvin had 668 votes. Council members Michele Vandal and Dick Soderberg had 528 and 517 votes, respectively. The mayor serves two years, and council members serve four years.
Winger
    All of the incumbents were unopposed in Winger. Mayor Darrell “Ole” Olson had 73 votes. Council members Nicholas Geray and Lori Lucken had 57 and 54 votes, respectively.

UPDATE: Justen Lee filed a request for a recount Wednesday afternoon. The manual recount will be held Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. at City Hall.

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    Incumbent Jerald Brown won a series of five coin tosses to win reelection to the Ward 4 council member seat on the Thief River Falls City Council on Tuesday, Nov.  15. It came down to the final flip.
    Brown was opposed by Justen Lee. Each candidate received 301 votes in the general election a week earlier. Five write-in votes were cast. Since a tie occurred, the city was required, by Minnesota state statute, to draw by lots. In this case, coins were flipped.
    As part of the canvassing board, City Attorney Delray Sparby drew Brown’s name first. Brown chose heads. He and Lee chose a dollar coin to be used by Finance Director Angie Philipp, who tossed the coin five times. Brown won the first two tosses. Lee won the third and fourth tosses. The final toss went to Brown.
    Lee has until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22 to file a recount if he so chooses. In the event a recount leads to a change in the vote totals or any ballots are contested, the council would be required to again convene as the canvassing board. After that time, the winner would be formally declared.
    This was the second time that Brown faced stiff competition in trying to secure the Ward 4 seat. In his first election for the seat in 2012, Brown defeated incumbent Conrad Holten by a vote of 307 to 306. At that time, there were 75 blank votes and four write-in votes. A recount had been requested in that contest.

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    The Thief River Falls City Council is seeking community input on a location for a proposed splash park. At its meeting Tuesday, Nov. 15, the council heard a presentation on the proposal.
    A splash park is a water play area that has little or no standing water. Construction estimates range from $285,200 to $451,900 depending upon the city park selected for the proposed splash park. City staff have estimated water usage at $5,000 annually.
    A committee has completed preliminary work for a splash park. The council has yet to vote on whether to move forward with construction. If approved, it is expected that the city would facilitate a fundraising campaign and seek grant funds for the project.
    The city has $240,103 in its Swimming Pool Fund, according to the 2015 city audit. No mention was made of using the Swimming Pool Fund at the council meeting or in material provided to the council.
    “At this point, we’re not recommending any specific property,” said City Administrator Rod Otterness. He expected that the city would gather community input about a possible location and then complete a deeper analysis that was site-specific.
    “This is an immediate and positive addition to the city,” said Council Member Josh Hagen. He noted that a splash park could be constructed as soon as next summer. Hagen added that a splash park would draw more people, including those in their 20s and 30s, to the city.
    For the past three months, Otterness, Hagen and a committee of four community members met and studied all 18 city parks as potential locations. The parks were evaluated based on nine criteria:
    • Storm water
    • Bathrooms
    • Playground equipment
    • Parking
    • Visibility/signage
    • Sufficient size
    • Safety
    • Accessibility to biking/walking
    • Accessibility to amenities like restaurants and other activities
    With assistance from city staff, they narrowed the list down to Hartz Park, Bill LaFave Park, Northrop Park and Floyd B. Olson Park.
Hartz Park
    With regard to Hartz Park, several options were presented. One option would be to build the splash park across from the pedestrian bridge at a cost of $285,200.
    Bathrooms are available at the park; however, some committee members were concerned about the distance from the bathrooms to the splash park. If a bathroom facility were constructed closer to that proposed site, costs would increase. That option is estimated to cost $357,200.
    Another option would be to build a splash park north of the bathroom facility. However, a retaining wall would need to be constructed. That option is estimated to cost $451,900.
Bill LaFave Park
    Bill LaFave Park has also been proposed as a site for a splash park. Otterness noted that no fencing would be needed at that location, which features the beach. Its playground equipment, however, doesn’t rank as high as playground equipment at Hartz, Lions and Northrop parks. If that option were chosen, Otterness noted that the bathrooms would be remodeled. That option is estimated to cost $287,100.
Northrop Park
    Another option was Northrop Park with a cost estimate of $298,900. However, Otterness noted that visibility may be an issue with regard to that location.
Floyd B. Olson Park
    Visibility wouldn’t be an issue at Floyd B. Olson Park, another option presented. However, Otterness noted there are no bathrooms at the park. He said that the city could make an argument, given the number of events currently held there, that bathrooms are needed. That option is estimated to cost $356,500.
Eliminated parks
    Lions Park and Annie Street Park were among the parks eliminated from contention. Otterness said the Lions Park frisbee golf course would have to be redesigned or relocated if a splash park were added at that location. He indicated that parking was also an issue there.
    Annie Street Park was eliminated since there are no bathrooms, parking or playground equipment there.
    The committee presentation will be available on the city website (www.citytrf.net). A community survey about potential locations is also expected to be on the website.