by April Scheinoha
Reporter

The Thief River Falls City Council, acting as the canvassing board, has ruled Jerald Brown as the winner of the Ward 4 seat featured on the Nov. 8 ballot. Both he and challenger Justen Lee received 301 votes in the general election. The determination was made at a special meeting of the canvassing board Tuesday, Dec. 6.
 

A second vote commenced after the canvassing board again examined the ballot. During that second vote, Sollom was the lone council member who voted that the ballot showed voter intent for Lee. As a result, Brown will continue to represent Ward 4 since he won the coin flips.

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    On Monday, Dec. 12, a Thief River Falls man was sentenced to 90 months in prison for shooting another man at a 2015 party in rural Pennington County.
    Trevor Lee Brown, 24, had earlier pled guilty to a felony charge of first degree assault. Felony charges of second degree attempted murder and reckless discharge of a firearm have been dismissed. For the first degree assault charge, Brown was given credit for 491 days served.
    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 fled the scene and was arrested at a friend’s home in Goodridge about 14 hours after the shooting. He threw the pistol out of the vehicle after leaving the party. The two men didn’t know each other prior to the incident.
    When entering his plea, Brown testified he was intoxicated and couldn’t recall some details of the incident. Brown said he had no plans to kill anyone.
    During the sentencing hearing Monday, Brown’s attorney, Blair Nelson, asked for a downward departure. He noted that Houle, not Brown, was the aggressor in the incident. Referring to the time Brown has already spent behind bars, Nelson sought a probationary sentence.
    Kristin Hanson, assistant Pennington County attorney, requested the maximum sentence of 103 months in prison per Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines. She noted that Brown, not Houle, was the aggressor. Hanson indicated that Houle was defending himself and others.
    Judge Kurt Marben then ruled there was no justification for a downward departure, noting that Brown’s conduct nearly resulted in Houle’s death.
    More information will appear in the next edition of The Times.

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    More increases are on the way for Thief River Falls municipal customers. The Thief River Falls City Council approved a 5.5 percent rate increase for water and a 10 percent rate increase for wastewater at its meeting Tuesday, Dec. 6. The increases will take effect with the January billing.
    The increases are expected to generate about $190,000 for water operations and $113,000 for wastewater operations.
    Water Systems Superintendent Wayne Johnson noted the increased revenue will help fund:
    • The city’s lime sludge management project
    • Sewer project upgrades mandated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
    • Pump replacement
    • A phosphorous management plan
    • The relining of sewer mains
    • Bond payments
    The average homeowner will pay an additional $1 per month in service charges and an additional 25 cents per 1,000 gallons per month in usage fees for water.
    The average homeowner will pay an additional 70 cents per month in service charges for wastewater and an additional 12 cents per 1,000 gallons per month in usage fees for wastewater.
    The water rate increase is in line with a 2008 study by consulting firm Springsted Incorporated. At that time, the firm recommended a 5.5 percent rate increase each year for 10 years for both water and wastewater. Johnson noted that the Utilities Committee recommended a 10 percent increase for wastewater rates since 5.5 percent doesn’t generate enough additional revenue since wastewater rates were initially low.
    As part of its consent agenda, the council approved paying off the remainder of a special assessment related to city-owned property near the intersection of Highway 59 and Eastwood Drive. The council approved paying $38,330.99, which is the remainder of the special assessment for city-owned property located near Thief River Care Center. The special assessment was initially about $46,000, according to Finance Director Angie Philipp. By paying in advance, the city will save 5 percent interest on the remaining years of the assessment that was part of the 2014 Streets and Utilities Improvement Project.
    The city purchased the property years ago as a possible future site of Falls Liquor since it was one of the last tracts of land available in the city limits, Liquor Store Manager Steve Olson said in an interview Thursday. The special assessment is coming out of the liquor store’s reserves.
    Olson said the liquor store is running out of storage and parking space at it current downtown site. He added that the current location is great, and he is unsure whether the council would want to construct an addition at that site or build a new store at the other location.
    In three separate motions, the council approved hiring a full-time off-sale clerk and two part-time off-sale clerks at Falls Liquor. Hired for the respective positions were Casey Engelstad, Kathy Dalquist and Karan Lincoln.
    Engelstad will be employed in the full-time position formerly held by Lenny Johnson, who was earlier hired as the off-sale supervisor/clerk.
    Engelstad formerly worked in the part-time position that Dalquist will now fill. Dalquist and Lincoln both formerly worked at the liquor store as temporary employees.
    Engelstad will be paid $23.05 per hour. She has worked at the liquor store since July 2010. Dalquist will be paid $16.07 per hour, and Lincoln will be paid $14.92 per hour. Dalquist has been there for the past year, and Lincoln has been there for the past two months.
    The council approved updating the position of forester/park maintenance employee and filling the position. The position will be opened to Teamsters 320 employees. If the position isn’t filled by an employee in that union, it will then be opened to the public.
    The position has been vacant for several years since the retirement of Myles Olson. Forestry duties have since been handled by the Streets/Sanitation Department.
    The position will work in the Parks and Recreation Department. The employee will work in parks/arenas maintenance when not handling forestry responsibilities. There is currently a vacant parks arenas/maintenance position in the department.
    The council approved the six-month performance appraisal of City Administrator Rod Otterness. As a result of the positive performance review, Otterness’ salary will increase to $105,987 per his employment contract. The increase is retroactive to Nov. 1. Otterness was hired with a starting salary of $100,687.
    The council met in closed session Nov. 15 to conduct the performance review. A summary of the results was provided at the Dec. 6 council meeting. At that time, it was noted that Otterness has performed exceptionally “in the areas of Council/Staff Liaison Communication, Administrative Duties, Development/Implementation of Policies, Leadership, Community Relations, Intergovernmental Relations, City Council Relations and Overall Performance.”
    The council accepted the low bid for an electronic sign outside of the Huck Olson Memorial Civic Center and Ralph Engelstad Arena. Indigo Signworks of Grand Forks, N.D., provided the only bid of $65,932. The city will deduct $2,590 if it installs the contractor-designed footing for the sign, which will be located along Third Street. The sign will promote the activities of any civic or charitable cause associated with HOMCC and REA.
    Otterness said the city has about $20,000 in its 2016 budget for the sign. The city is also seeking pledges and donations for the sign. Otterness said the city has already received a positive response from nonprofit organizations interested in utilizing the sign when they hold events at the facilities.
    In separate motions, City Council approved tax abatements for five properties. The following city taxes were abated:
    • Alexander Schmidt, property in Pine Wood Estates, – $368.74
    • Marvin Smoot, property in Southtown Addition – $576.14
    • Sharon Piche, property in Southtown Addition – $774.32
    • Steven and Beth Wilson, property in South Eastwood Addition – $798
    • Amanda Sjaaheim, property in Porter’s Addition – $604.20
    As part of the program, the city and Pennington County abate taxes for three years for new single-family homes in the city. The home construction cost, excluding the value of the lot, can’t exceed $160,000 for homes built before June 2015 and $200,000 for homes built after that time. The tax abatement only applies to the first owner occupying the home.
    The next council meeting will be held Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    Moving can be tough, especially if one is leaving behind everything one has ever known. Such was the case for Marlys Stenberg in 1962, when she, her husband and two children moved to International Falls.
    Sometimes, though, fate intervenes. Within a year of moving, the Stenberg family met the Ronnie and Sandra Anderson family. Like Elmer and Marlys, the latter couple also had connections to the Grygla and Thief River Falls area.
    “Soon, family game nights, ice fishing expeditions, outings to the county fair and frequent drop-bys with bags of Sandra’s mouth-watering homemade fried cake donuts were regular occurrences. A lifelong friendship was forged between our families,” wrote Elmer and Marlys’ daughter, Sandra Birdsall, in an email to The Times.
    That friendship has extended to other members of Marlys’ family. Birdsall soon realized the extent of that friendship. In 1980, she and her husband, Brent, welcomed baby Stephanie, the first Stenberg grandchild. “Soon after Stephanie’s birth, a large package arrived, containing a lovely handmade crocheted blanket and a personalized knitted stocking, compliments of the nimble fingers and creative talents of Sandra Anderson,” wrote Birdsall. “Shortly thereafter, Sandra decided that my parents needed Grandpa and Grandma stockings, as did my husband and I, my brother, and his new bride.”
    Two years later, Birdsall’s daughter Amy was born in Sierra Leone, West Africa. A blanket and personalized stocking arrived via Elmer and Marlys, who visited Sierra Leone in time for Christmas.
    Two more children joined Birdsall’s family. “Once again, special shipping arrangements were arranged to send the personalized items with Grandpa and Grandma for another Christmas celebrated in West Africa,” Birdsall wrote.
    Soon, Birdsall’s brother, John Stenberg, added to the number of Stenberg grandkids. “Stockings and blankets for John’s four children were promptly designed and created between 1989 and 2000,” wrote Birdsall. “For a number of years, we celebrated Christmas with the entire extended family at the Big Falls hunting shack, with Sandra’s stockings hanging festively from the antlers of assorted bucks harvested from the surrounding forests.”
    The children grew, and more people joined the Stenberg clan. “To our amazement, each new son- and daughter-in-law was presented with a personalized stocking created by Sandra,” wrote Birdsall. “It came to be an anticipated thrill, each in-law secretly waiting for the box to arrive, containing proof of their official induction into the Stenberg Christmas Stocking Hall of Fame. His/her name would now be proudly displayed through the ages with all the rest, hanging in a colorful parade down the mantle.”
    In October, John’s family added a daughter-in-law, Kaitlynn. She already has her stocking.
    Sometimes after sons- and daughters-in-law arrive, babies arrive. “Sandra’s increasingly arthritic fingers have continued to furiously crank out blankets and stockings for each of our eight grandchildren who have arrived the past five years,” Birdsall wrote.
    Marlys, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren appreciate the gifts crafted with love by their friend. “All in all, Sandra has so far knitted 27 personalized stockings and crocheted 16 baby blankets for our extended family. Because our children are scattered, our grandchildren have not even met Sandra personally; yet, she keeps giving and giving, knitting and crocheting …and mailing and mailing,” Birdsall wrote.
    Sandra, who is divorced, has now returned to Thief River Falls to be closer to her siblings. Her friend Marlys now lives in Monticello. Elmer passed away in October.
    The Stenberg clan has happy memories of their time with the Anderson clan in International Falls, and Birdsall noted that Sandra’s gifts to the family will live on for generations.
    “Sandra, we hope you’ll be pleasantly surprised by this article and our public words of effusive thanks,” wrote Birdsall. “However, please be forewarned: We have an Alaskan grandbaby due in May!”
    There is also another surprise in store for Sandra – if she hasn’t already received it.

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    The pages are turning on 2016, and the Thief River Falls City Council is making plans for the 2017 construction season. At its meeting Tuesday, Dec. 20, the council called for a feasibility report for the 2017 street and utilities improvements.
    The potential 2017 projects include:
    • Reconstruction of the Ole Engelstad Park tennis courts
    • Edge mill and overlay of Oakland Park Road
    • Edge mill and overlay of Evergreen Street
    • Full mill and overlay of southwest area streets
    • Reconstruction of Zeh Street
    • Street construction of Eastwood Drive
    • Construction of a sidewalk along Arnold Avenue near Lincoln High School
    • Street construction of Hanson Drive from Willow Court to Pennington County Road 62
    • Water main replacement underneath Reserve Avenue from Seventh Street to Riverview Trailer Court
    • Overlay of miscellaneous trails
    • Mill and overlay of miscellaneous alleys in the Central Business District
    • Full mill and overlay of Riverdale Drive
    • Edge mill and overlay of Jerome Street and Columbia Avenue
    • Water main replacement underneath State Avenue from Zeh to Backe streets
    • Storm sewer repairs underneath Westview Avenue
    As it stands now, if all of the above items were approved, the 2017 Street and Utilities Improvement is estimated to cost $1.97 million.
    As part of its consent agenda, the council approved a resolution of support for Discovery Place’s application for a Greater Minnesota Child Care Grant. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has authorized $500,000 for the grant program, which would assist in increasing the number of childcare providers outside of the Twin Cities. The grant program would help fund such things as the start-up or expansion of childcare facilities; training; and facility modifications or improvements required for licensing. Recipients would be required to match the grant amount on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
    When contacted by The Times, Dayna Bruggeman, Discovery Place director, declined to comment.
    The council approved vacating the Greenwood Street right-of-way where the street was located prior to the realignment. The property is north of the intersection of the realigned street and the frontage road.
    Community Services Director Mark Borseth said 0.32 acres of right-of-way was created during the realignment. He said the city will retain a utility easement on the unbuildable parcel. Sanford Health will now take possession of the parcel and maintain it.
    City Council held a first reading of a proposed ordinance regarding sign performance standards in zoning districts. If approved, it would remove percentage limitations from the current ordinance pertaining to signs advertising the city or city facilities in the park zoning district.
    Right now, the ordinance stipulates that “up to 33 percent of the sign surface may be used to display an event.” It also indicates that “up to 20 percent may be used to display the insignia or name of any nonprofit organizations and educational institutions sponsoring the sign.”
    The proposed ordinance would also eliminate the sentence, “Letters or characters may not be changed more often than once every two hours.” Borseth said that restriction is already included in the city’s dynamic sign ordinance.
    The city plans to install an electronic sign outside of the Huck Olson Memorial Civic Center and Ralph Engelstad Arena. The sign will promote the activities of any civic or charitable cause associated with HOMCC and REA. At its last meeting, the council accepted a $65,932 bid for the sign. The city will deduct $2,590 if it installs the contractor-designed footing for the sign, which will be located along Third Street.
    The ordinance is expected to be considered at the next council meeting.
    Mayor Brian Holmer recognized Pennington County Commissioner Oliver “Skip” Swanson and Council Member Jim Strandlie, who are leaving their posts at the end of 2016.
    Swanson has served as the District 5 commissioner since 1985. He was defeated this fall by challenger Bruce Lawrence.
    Strandlie was appointed March 1 to the post of Thief River Falls council member at large. He succeeded Ken Schmalz, who died unexpectedly Jan. 22. The term is set to expire Dec. 31. Strandlie faced three challengers in the election, ultimately losing the seat to Jason Aarestad.
    Strandlie said he appreciated the experience of serving on the council and thanked his fellow council members.
    Council Member Rachel Prudhomme replied that she looked forward to seeing him wear his fabulous sweaters when he attends future council meetings as a Sons of Norway representative.
    Holmer proclaimed the week of Jan. 22-28 as Thief River Falls School Choice Week. The proclamation noted that “Thief River Falls is home to a variety of high quality public and nonpublic schools from which parents can choose for their children, in addition to families who educate their children in the home.”
    It further indicated “School Choice Week is celebrated across the country by millions of students, parents, educators, schools and organizations to raise awareness of the need for effective educational options.”

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    A Thief River Falls man has been charged with four felony offenses after he allegedly pointed a gun at two family members early Monday morning.
    Zachary Matthew Daniels, 35, has been charged in Pennington County District Court with two felony counts of second degree assault, two felony counts of threats of violence, and two misdemeanor counts of domestic assault. Daniels also has charges pending for driving while impaired and refusal to submit to an alcohol-level test in a separate, related case. He was arrested without incident in rural Pennington County a short time after the assaults were reported.
    After his arrest, Daniels said he didn’t know what was occurring, and he declined to make a statement to law enforcement, according to the complaint.
    The charges stemmed from a 911 call Monday at about 4:02 a.m. in the 2000 block of Washington Ave., according to the complaint.  A woman allegedly said her husband, Daniels, had woken her up by holding a 9-mm pistol to her head. She said Daniels, who was intoxicated, asked her if she was planning to lock him out of the house. The woman then heard a click. Daniels soon left the bedroom, and she found him lying on a couch. The woman asked him if he had put a pistol to her head.
    Around the same time, their son told her that Daniels had also pointed a gun at his face in the boy’s bedroom and then Daniels had gone back upstairs.
    The woman ordered Daniels to leave, and she called 911. He told the woman and boy to go to hell and said they had earlier locked him out of the house. Daniels then left.
    The gun was allegedly later found with another full magazine lying next to it.
    The woman said that Daniels had been consuming alcohol earlier at a neighbor’s house. Hours before the incident, she tried to get him to come home. Daniels refused. About three-and-a-half hours later, he arrived home, pounding on a door and awakening their daughter. The woman then let him into the home, where the incident occurred.
    A police sergeant soon discovered tire tracks, indicating that Daniels had hit a snowbank across the street from the house after exiting the property.
    The woman believed Daniels was going to his grandmother’s home in the 13600 block of 150th Ave. N.E., according to the complaint and the sheriff’s office report. The sheriff’s office found him at that location in his vehicle. Daniels was then arrested without incident.

UPDATE
No travel advisory lifted for parts of northwestern Minnesota
Advisory remains in effect for western Kittson and Marshall Counties
 
(11:00 a.m.) The Minnesota Department of Transportation has canceled the no travel advisory for much of northwestern Minnesota. It remains in effect for western portions of Kittson and Marshall Counties.
 
Current driving conditions remain difficult because of reduced visibility from high winds and blowing snow. Motorists should slow down and drive with caution.
 
Motorists should remember to:
Turn on your headlights; day or night if it’s snowing.
Check road conditions at www.511mn.org or call 511; it takes time to get roads back to good driving conditions.
Be patient and remember snowplows are working to improve road conditions for their trip.
Stay back at least five car lengths and preferably 10 behind the plow, far from the snow cloud.
Stay alert for snowplows that turn or exit frequently and often with little warning. Plows may also travel over centerlines or partially in traffic to further improve road conditions.
Slow down to a safe speed for current conditions. Snowplows typically move at slower speeds.
 
For additional tips on safe winter driving, go to www.mndot.gov/workzone/winter.html.
 
For updated road condition information, call 511 or visit www.511mn.org.

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    January is National Mentoring Month, and the Little Brother/Little Sister Program of Pennington County is looking for your help. Currently, seven kids are waiting for mentors through the program.
    Adult mentors commit to meeting with youth for four hours per month for 12 months. Youth may be nominated for the program by teachers, parents or others. They may also decide that they would like a mentor and apply to be a part of the program. LBLS serves youth ages 4 to 18.
    Coordinator Melora Bergee noted there is a stigma that the program only serves at-risk youth. It serves children seeking or needing an adult mentor.
    Adult mentors apply to participate. A background check is conducted, and references are also checked. An interview is conducted, and mentors are also required to complete training, which mentors are able to complete at home.
    Currently, there are 14 pairs matched through the program.
    This January marks the third anniversary of the restart of the program. “I feel that all of the kids we’ve had in the program have done phenomenally,” Bergee said.
    Bergee is also grateful for the community support provided to the program. She noted businesses have hosted activities for LBLS and provided financial contributions.
    Applications to become an adult mentor or youth participant are available at http://trfcommunityed.registryinsight.com/program-information. Applications are also available at the School District Service Center, 230 LaBree Ave. S.
COPS
    LBLS also operates the Caring on Patrol for Students (COPS) program. Through that program, law enforcement meets with selected students one-on-one during the school day. “We try for once a week. They usually go for lunch and recess,” said Bergee, who noted law enforcement officers have also attended school performances and other events in which their matches may be participating.
    For that program, students are nominated by their principals, and parental approval is required.
    Last year, the program debuted at Challenger Elementary School in Thief River Falls. Bergee reported that a mom said she was getting daily reports of her son fighting at school. Since he started the program, there have been two reports.
    COPS currently serves six kids at CES. This year, it expanded to Goodridge Elementary School with Deputies Melissa Larson and David Lovly meeting with the two participants there. Bergee expected that the number of participating deputies may increase after the completion of the justice center.
 

    Two people have been arrested for a series of burglaries and thefts out of vehicles in and around Thief River Falls.
    Phillip David Trontvet and Jenson Leigh Johnston, both 25, were arrested, according to the Thief River Falls Police Department. Charges are pending.
    Police and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant Thursday, Feb. 9 at 11:25 a.m. at a rural Thief River Falls home. Numerous items believed to be stolen in a three-county area were allegedly recovered at the scene, including two firearms.
    More information will appear in the next edition of The Times.

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

    A Thief River Falls man was sentenced Tuesday, Feb. 7 in Pennington County District Court for burglarizing McDonald’s in December 2015. He was also sentenced for two residential burglary charges.
    Brian Allen Torkelson, 26, was sentenced for three felony charges of first degree burglary and two felony charges of ineligible person possessing a firearm. For two of the burglary charges, he was ordered to serve 111 months in prison. For the other burglary charge, he was ordered to serve 60 months in prison. For each charge of ineligible person possessing a firearm, Torkelson was sentenced to 60 months in prison. Those sentences are to be served concurrently with one another. Torkelson was given credit for 420 days served.
    For each offense, Torkelson was ordered to provide a DNA sample. For the rest of his lifetime, he is banned from using or possessing firearms unless that right is specifically restored.
    Torkelson was also ordered to pay a total of $14,001.08 in restitution joint and several with his co-defendant, Justin Rick Hopper, for the McDonald’s burglary and one of the residential burglaries. Torkelson was convicted of the McDonald’s burglary. He entered an Alford plea Tuesday for the aforementioned residential burglary. In an Alford plea, an individual maintains his innocence but admits that the state’s evidence would be sufficient to convict him. A felony charge of theft of a firearm was dismissed in that case.
    Hopper has already been sentenced for his role in the crimes.
    For the other burglary, Torkelson was ordered to pay $638.22 in restitution.  Torkelson also entered an Alford plea for that offense. Related misdemeanor charges of fleeing on foot and tampering with a motor vehicle were dismissed.
    Torkelson was also ordered to pay a total of $505 in fees and fines for all three cases.
    Torkelson was also sentenced for three probation violations, two in Pennington County and one in Red Lake County. For each offense, a sentence of 26 months in prison was executed. He was given credit for 724 days served.
    Prior to sentencing, Torkelson said that he prayed the victims would forgive him as he tries to forgive himself and tries to do better. Torkelson also apologized for any fear he caused a resident who was home at the time of one of the burglaries.
    Judge Kurt Marben told Torkelson that these crimes are serious crimes. He noted that Torkelson will be relatively young when released from prison. “I hope that you get a fresh start, and I hope that you’re law abiding,” said Marben, who referred to what would happen if Torkelson got into trouble again.
The charges
    McDonald’s was burglarized Dec. 10, 2015. Torkelson and Hopper entered through an unlocked drive-through and stole a safe, according to the complaint. Surveillance video showed Torkelson and Hopper, who were wearing masks, entering the business about three minutes after the last employee clocked out at 1:07 a.m. One burglar, later determined to be Torkelson, was wearing a white hooded sweatshirt. He was armed with a shotgun featuring a sling. Both burglars were wearing gloves.
    Torkelson and Hopper loaded the safe into a stolen 1999 Chevy Suburban that had been parked at 112 Breezy Dr. 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 also burglarized a home 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.
    While investigating the case, police spoke to Hopper’s girlfriend. She said they 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 victim’s last name on the front.
    The men soon left her home. Hopper, who admitted to stealing a safe, later asked the woman for a ride. She said her vehicle wouldn’t start. He replied that they would steal a truck.
    The woman later saw the two men with money contained in Northern State Bank bags. Police learned 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 near Petro Pumper. There, they placed a suitcase stolen from the home. Afterward, law enforcement found clothing matching a description of clothing worn by Torkelson.
    The woman said Shane Michael Drury 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. Drury has since been sentenced.
    The other residential burglary charge stemmed from an incident Dec. 14, 2015. According to the police report and information noted in court, police checked on Torkelson and another vehicle occupant who were parked in an alley. Torkelson then ran away from the officer. He soon entered a home in the 200 block of Tindolph Ave. N. Torkelson was found in a garage inside a vehicle. The owner was home at the time.