Two people were killed during a head-on collision just north of Braham at Highway 65 and Rice Lake Road Thursday, Oct. 22, around 11 p.m.

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a 2008 Ford Taurus was travelling south on Highway 65 and veered into the northbound lanes of traffic, hitting a 2001 Pontiac Bonneville head on. This caused a 2011 Chevrolet Impala to rear-end the Bonneville.

The driver of the Taurus, John J. Hogrefe, 53, of Mora,  was killed. The driver of the Bonneville, Michael J. Becker, 31, of St. Paul, was also killed.

The driver of the Impala, Mackenzie L. Caza, 18, of Brook Park, and her passenger, Abby R. Crowell, 19, of Mora, sustained non-life threatening injuries.

Assisting the State Patrol at the scene was the Isanti County Sheriff’s Office, Braham Police Department, Braham Fire Department, Cambridge Police Department, Isanti County Safety and Rescue and Allina Ambulance.

The driver of a 2007 Chevy Malibu was killed after his vehicle crossed the center line and collided with a semitruck Friday, Oct. 23, along Highway 95, east of Cambridge.

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, James S. Waldock, 55, of Osceola, Minnesota, was travelling eastbound on Highway 95, near Vickers Street, when his Malibu crossed over the center line and collided with a 1992 Peterbilt Conventional semitruck. Waldock was deceased at the scene. The accident was reported around 4:53 p.m. and road conditions were wet at the time.

The driver of the Peterbilt, Dale D. Bardwell, 55, of Dalbo, was transported to Cambridge Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.

Assisting the State Patrol at the scene was the Isanti County Sheriff’s Office.

Jeff Hage
jeff.hage@ecm-inc.com

A tip to the Minnesota State Patrol Tuesday afternoon led authorities to the driver of a vehicle who fled the scene of a crash that killed a Princeton woman on Highway 95 in Springvale Township late Monday evening. The driver was being questioned by authorities as of press time.

Patricia M. Wolter, 54, was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a two-vehicle crash at about 10:15 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, on Highway 95 at Moon Lake Road, just west of the Cambridge city limits. Following the crash, Wolter was a pedestrian on Highway 95 when an unknown vehicle struck her. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Wolter was a passenger in an eastbound 1994 Saturn SL2 driven by her son, Joseph Turner, 37, of Zimmerman.

Turner crossed the center line, swiping a westbound 2005 Dodge Caravan driven by Ellard D. Blumer, 56, of Princeton. Turner suffered a non-life-threatening injury. Ellard and his passenger Kyle Hustad, 19, Princeton, were uninjured, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

Matthew Turner, a son of Wolter, said Tuesday morning that his mother was on disability and lived in the Oak Apartments in Princeton. Joseph Turner is from rural Princeton.

Joseph Turner was working on a vehicle Monday night and suffered an eye injury that required medical attention, Matthew Turner said. Joseph Turner was on his way to the hospital in Cambridge and accompanied by his mother when the initial crash occurred.

“The driver’s side door was pinned shut,” Matthew Turner said. He believes his mother was on Highway 95 attempting to help her son open the vehicle’s door when she was hit by the unknown vehicle traveling westbound.

Joseph Turner suffered a foot injury in the crash and was transported to the Cambridge hospital. He was later transferred to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, his brother said.

The Minnesota State Patrol and Wolter’s family were seeking help in locating the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run when the tip to the State Patrol came in Tuesday morning.

The fatality was the second in two weeks involving a Princeton resident who was on the road following a traffic crash.

On Monday, Oct. 19,  Roger Claassen was on the roadway after having crashed into a deer and being injured on County Road 2 just south of Princeton in Baldwin Township.

While people were rendering aid to the injured Claassen, a minivan veered to miss the witnesses and struck Claassen, who was still on the roadway.

Isanti County Sheriff Chris Caulk, whose agency assisted at the Cambridge crash scene, said the Cambridge and Princeton incidents present an opportunity to review what people should do at the scene of a crash.

“Anytime you are at an accident scene or involved in any incident on the road way, stay buckled up, in your vehicle and turn your flashers on,” Caulk said. “If you have to exit the vehicle, walk away and into the ditch,” he said, especially at night when light is low and it is hard to see.

If possible, you should stay about 100 feet off the road, he said.

“Once our first responders arrive on scene, we can help with traffic control and safely assist you with the situation,” Caulk said.

Five individuals are facing felony drug charges following a search of a residence last week in Bradford Township by agents of the East Central Drug and Violent Offender Task Force and the Isanti County Sheriff’s Office.

The search was executed around 7 a.m. Oct. 27 at a residence along the 590 block of County Road 5 Northwest. Upon execution of the search warrant, the following were charged Oct. 29 and Oct. 30 before Judge Amy Brosnahan in Isanti County District Court in Cambridge :

• Daniel Brian Keith, 50, Cambridge, felony fifth-degree drug possession, subsequent conviction. Bail was set at $100,000 without conditions or $50,000 with conditions and next court appearance for Nov. 4. Keith has a prior conviction for felony fifth-degree drug possession in Isanti County from September 2012.

• Christine Marie Barnum, 39, Coon Rapids, felony fifth-degree drug possession, subsequent conviction. Bail was set at $50,000 without conditions or $25,000 with conditions and next court appearance for Nov. 4. Barnum has a prior conviction for felony fifth-degree drug possession in Anoka County from August 2015.

• Timothy Vernon Schmidt, 53, Isanti, felony fifth-degree drug possession. Bail was set at $25,000 without conditions or $7,000 with conditions and next court appearance for Dec. 9.

• Wendy Annmarie Cole, 36, Stacy, felony fifth-degree drug possession, subsequent conviction. Bail was set at $16,000 without conditions or $5,000 with conditions and next court appearance for Nov. 4. Cole has a prior conviction for felony fifth-degree drug possession in Chisago County from January 2011.

• William Bennett Avre, 57, Isanti, felony fifth-degree drug possession. Bail was set at $7,000 without conditions or released on his own recognizance with conditions and next court appearance for Nov. 25.

“This warrant was signed and executed after a lengthy investigation by members of the East Central Drug and Violent Offender Task Force,” said Isanti County Sheriff Chris Caulk. “Two of the people arrested are on probation, so there may be additional charges for probation violation due to new charges and violations stemming from this case.”

Caulk said drug and theft crimes remain a priority for the sheriff’s office.

“This is the second drug warrant that has been executed in the last two weeks,” Caulk said. “Our investigation into drug and theft crimes is a high priority, and based on our investigations, it is likely that more drug arrests and warrants will take place at other locations as we continue with our investigations.”

According to the criminal complaint:

In the search of the residence, a number of items of evidentiary value were located and taken into evidence, including the following:

• In the downstairs bedroom, occupied by Barnum and Keith, officers located a crystal-like shard on an end table that tested positive as methamphetamine. Officers also located a glass bubble pipe inside the bedroom, which is commonly used to smoke methamphetamine.

• In a common area of the residence, on the main level, officers located a clear plastic zippered bag containing a white residence, which tested positive for methamphetamine.

• In the upstairs bedroom, occupied by Schmidt and Cole, Agent Wayne Seiberlich located a paper towel on a table that was covered in what appeared to be black soot and a torch commonly used to heat methamphetamine in a pipe. From Seiberlich’s training and experience, the black soot is often wiped out of the methamphetamine pipe to clean it. Officers also discovered a glass vile inside the bedroom containing a white powdery substance, which tested positive for methamphetamine.

• Inside a safe, of which Cole claimed ownership, officers located a plastic bag with a white residue that tested positive as methamphetamine.

• Inside a motor vehicle on the property, Deputy John Gillquist located three white circular pills that were identified by a pharmacist at Cambridge Medical Center as a generic form of Percocet. Percocet contains oxycodone, a schedule-ll controlled substance. Gillquist gained access to the vehicle by using car keys that were inside Schmidt’s bedroom. There wasn’t any information to suggest Schmidt has a prescription to lawfully possess the three pills.

• In a main level bedroom, occupied by Avre, officers located a plastic bag with a white residue that tested positive for methamphetamine. Officers believed this bedroom to be Avre’s room, as paperwork with his name on it was located inside the bedroom and outside the bedroom on a common living area.

• Inside a green zippered container, officers located $647. Officers attributed this money to belonging to Keith, based on Barnum’s statement that the money belongs to him.

Two people are facing felony drug charges following a traffic stop last week at Highway 65 near Main Street, just south of Cambridge.

The individuals also had active warrants out for their arrest.

Jacob Dean Reesey, 25, of Braham, and Stevie Jo Beck, 23, of Isle, appeared before Judge James Dehn Oct. 30 in Isanti County District Court in Cambridge.

Reesey was charged with felony fifth-degree drug possession, as well as misdemeanors possession of dangerous weapons and driving with a revoked license. Bail was set at $20,000 without conditions or $10,000 with conditions and his next court appearance for Nov. 13.

Beck was charged with felony fifth-degree drug possession, and petty misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail was set at $15,000 without conditions or $2,500 with conditions and her next court appearance for Nov. 13.

According to the criminal complaint:

On Oct. 29, at approximately 2 a.m., Deputy Jonathan Vander Vegt was on routine patrol southbound on Highway 65 near Main Street.

In front of his squad he observed a Buick LeSabre make a turn onto North Main Street toward the city of Cambridge at which time Vander Vegt observed the vehicle had a faulty taillight on the left side.

Vander Vegt was preparing to make the traffic stop when the vehicle made a quick turn onto 338th Lane Northeast and pulled into the middle of the driveway of a private residence.

Vander Vegt activated his emergency lights as the vehicle pulled in and parked. He approached the driver, whom he recognized as Reesey, and Reesey identified himself with a Minnesota ID card. Vander Vegt knew Reesey had an active warrant for his arrest out of Isanti County and had a revoked license. Vander Vegt had Reesey step out of the vehicle and placed him under arrest. In the search incident to arrest, Vander Vegt located a set of brass knuckles on him, as well as a scoop straw, consistent with drug use and drug paraphernalia.

After placing Reesey in his squad car, Vander Vegt returned to the vehicle and identified the passenger as Beck. A warrant check revealed a gross misdemeanor warrant out of Becker County, so she was also placed into custody.

Given the vehicle was sitting in the middle of the driveway of a private residence and both occupants were under arrest, a tow was ordered and an inventory search conducted. During the inventory search, a small bag containing a crystal-like substance was located in the ashtray within reach of both occupants of the vehicle. This substance tested positive for methamphetamine.

During the booking process at the jail, additional methamphetamine and paraphernalia were found on Beck. Jail staff located a methamphetamine pipe, marijuana pipe, a clear zippered plastic bag that contained a clear crystal-like substance consistent with methamphetamine, and a dollar bill that had a small rock of crystal-like substance rolled up inside of it. This rock also tested positive for methamphetamine.

Three people are facing felony drug charges and stolen property was recovered following a search of a residence in Bradford Township led by the East Central Drug and Violent Offender Task Force.

On Nov. 6, in a coordinated effort between the task force, the Isanti County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota State Patrol, Isanti County Safety Rescue and Isanti Fire District, the search warrant was executed at approximately 5 p.m. along the 29490 block of Highway 47 Northwest.

The property listed in the original warrant was more than 9 acres. The additional property, though limited in search, was over 100 acres. Isanti County Investigator Wayne Seiberlich divided the search into the four teams.

Team No. 1 was led by Seiberlich and covered the pole building, which was on the north side of the smaller property. Team No. 2 was led by Agent Russ Jude of the East Central Drug and Violent Offender Task Force and included the residence to the south. Team No. 3 was led by Detective Jason Harvey of the Cambridge Police Department and included a mobile home at the east end of the property. Team No. 4 was led by Agent Alex Gerhardson of the Task Force.

Following the search, three people appeared before Judge Amy Brosnahan Nov. 9 in Isanti County District Court in Cambridge:

• Jon Peter Englund, 51, Isanti, charged with felony fifth-degree drug possession and felony receiving stolen property. Bail was set at $17,000 without conditions or $8,000 with conditions and his next court appearance for Dec. 17.

• Stephen John Kowalik, 37, Isanti, charged with felony fifth-degree drug possession. Bail was set at $40,000 without conditions or $20,000 with conditions and his next court appearance for Nov. 18.

• Jacob Eli Maki, 24, Cambridge, charged with felony fifth-degree drug possession. Bail was set at $32,000 without conditions or $10,000 with conditions and his next court appearance for Nov. 18.

The search was done on Englund’s property. The three defendants were ordered not to have contact with each other.

Isanti County Sheriff Chris Caulk viewed the execution of the search warrant from above inside a State Patrol helicopter.

“It was a very well-orchestrated search and involved four different areas on the property and four different teams of law enforcement officers,” Caulk said. “I would just like to remind our residents that if they see suspicious activity, including increased traffic, to call in and report it as suspicious activity. Residents can also call our tip line at 763-691-2426.”

According to the criminal complaint:

Upon execution of the warrant, Seiberlich was in a tactical position within a line of officers at the pole building on the property. Lt. Lance Olson of the Isanti County Sheriff’s Office pounded on the outside secured door of the building and announced in a clear and loud voice, “sheriff’s office, search warrant.” There was no answer at the door and after no response on the second announcement, Olson breached the door. Upon entry, Kowalik and Maki were ordered to the floor and detained.

Immediately inside the building, Seiberlich observed a television monitor that displayed the image from an outside mounted camera. The image was of two marked police vehicles. With the time it took to line up officers for an entry and to announce the presence of law enforcement and a search warrant, the occupants had a tactical advantage to hide, conceal or destroy items of evidentiary value. In a search of the building several items were located:

• Four glass pipes with a burnt white residue in numerous clear plastic bags with residue of a crystal-like substance inside. All of these items were found in the bottom of a tool chest drawer, which sat on top of a counter. A field test of one of the pipes tested positive for methamphetamine.

• A device appearing to be a methamphetamine bong and liquid consistent with a methamphetamine smoking device. The liquid was less than 4 ounces and was located in the top of a tool chest in the shop.

• A glass jar containing a clear plastic bag with a green plant-like material consistent with marijuana.

After the location was secured, Seiberlich checked on the status of Team No. 2 in the residence. Detained inside was the homeowner, Englund, his girlfriend, and her three juvenile children. A K-9 was utilized in the search of the residence. Nothing of evidentiary value was located within the home. A television monitor was located with a live feed picture similar to the video surveillance system in the pole building.

Seiberlich was informed Team No. 3 had located a trailer that was believed to be stolen from Pine County. The trailer was specifically described as being with a snowmobile, which had also been reported stolen out of Pine County. This trailer sat behind the mobile home.

In an outbuilding designated to be searched by Team No. 4, Jude had located a snowmobile matching the description of the snowmobile stolen from Pine County. The snowmobile was well inside the outbuilding and was blocked in by other machinery and valued at $750.

Englund was taken into custody for possession of controlled substance, based on his being the property owner and utilizing the pole building as a shop. The amount of controlled substance located in various locations in the shop would lead to a reasonable knowledge that the items existed.

In a conversation with Englund’s girlfriend, Seiberlich was informed she was unaware of what took place in the pole building, but she knew drugs, specifically methamphetamine, were in the shop.

The girlfriend stated she and Englund had been arguing over the course of the two weeks due to individuals coming and going from the residence and due to her knowledge of drug activity associated with Englund and the shop.

A Stacy man has died after falling from his deer stand in North Branch Township.

According to a press release from the Isanti County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call around 5:39 p.m. Nov. 10 that a man had fallen from a deer stand and was unconscious. Upon arrival, CPR was started on the victim but their efforts were unsuccessful and the man died at the scene.

The victim has been identified as James Swanson, 59. During the course of the investigation, it appears that Swanson was climbing down from his deer stand when a wooden step broke, causing him to fall approximately 20 feet to the ground.

By Debbie Griffin
Princeton Union Eagle

An 18-wheeled Coca-Cola truck traveling along Highway 95 swerved to miss a horse in the road about 4:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, then left the road, overturned and landed on its side in the ditch next to the westbound lane of traffic. The crash happened about five miles east of Princeton near the address of 9419 Highway 95.

Emergency crews on the scene around 8:30 a.m. said the horse had died but the truck driver was OK. Responding to the crash was the Princeton Fire Department, Sheriff’s deputies from Isanti and Mille Lacs, State Patrol and specialists from Collins Brothers Towing out of St. Cloud.

The westbound land of Highway 95 was closed so that a truck-based crane could set up beside the overturned truck. Responders said the goal was to right the truck without having to unload all the soft drink product inside of it.

The gradual process of righting the truck took several hours as the professional from Collins Brothers Towing affixed giant straps around the trailer of the truck and placed a handful of giant airbags underneath the side lying on the ground. Generators slowly inflated the bags to lift the truck while the crane hoisted the truck from the top.

Unofficial reports from the scene revealed that the horse owners had experienced problems with the animal escaping its fence, and someone had reported a loose horse the night before. Emergency personnel were still working to right the big truck around 10 a.m. Thursday morning.

No people were injured in an early-morning semi-truck rollover crash on Highway 95 about five miles east of Princeton. Photo by Debbie Griffin

A Cambridge woman is facing charges for selling and possessing drugs after being pulled over on County Road 17 in Bradford Township on Halloween night.

Brandy Rae Lindell, 24, of Cambridge, was charged before Judge James Dehn Nov. 16 in Isanti County District Court in Cambridge with felony third-degree sale of narcotics; felony fifth-degree drug possession, subsequent conviction; and misdemeanors driver must carry proof of insurance when operating motor vehicle and driving with a revoked license.

Dehn set Lindell’s bail at $30,000 without conditions or $15,000 with conditions and next court appearance for Nov. 25.

When Lindell was pulled over by Isanti County Deputy Jonathan Vander Vegt, she explained she was in the possession of Oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance and narcotic, to sell for extra cash.

According to the criminal complaint: 

On Oct. 31, at approximately 9:05 p.m., Vander Vegt was traveling eastbound on County Road 17 in Bradford Township. Deputy John Gillquist advised a vehicle was traveling toward Vander Vegt’s squad. The deputies were aware the vehicle had possibly been used for illegal activity and the driver of the vehicle most likely did not have a license.

Vander Vegt turned around to get behind the vehicle and observed the vehicle swerve onto the center line of County Road 17 and the third brake light was faulty. Vander Vegt activated his emergency lights to stop the vehicle.

Vander Vegt approached the vehicle and identified the driver as Lindell, who he is familiar with from past contacts. Lindell provided her name and advised she believed the vehicle was insured but she did not have proof of insurance. Vander Vegt ran Lindell through his squad computer and verified her license was revoked and she was on probation through Isanti County and subject to random testing.

Vander Vegt advised Lindell he could place her under arrest for driving after revocation and he needed to have the vehicle towed, as there was no valid driver present, no proof of insurance on the vehicle and it was a hazard in the position it was parked.

Vander Vegt asked if he would find anything dangerous or illegal in his inventory search. Vander Vegt advised that if she was truthful, he would be willing to work with her.

Lindell then provided there would be a pill bottle containing Percocet, a Schedule II controlled substance and narcotic drug. Lindell further advised she had been given the pills to sell for extra cash as she was desperate for money.

Vander Vegt then performed an inventory and probable cause search of the vehicle and located 15 round white pills with the marking “512,” which were identified as Oxycodone, a Schedule II narcotic controlled substance.

Two people are facing felony charges following the recovery of a stolen motor vehicle by Isanti Police officers.

Jason John Fitzsimmons, 18, of Cambridge, and Jordan Karl Arnoldi, 19, of Cambridge, were arrested after their vehicle was stopped on Nov. 15 along Railroad Avenue in Isanti by officers Chelsea Doherty and Rod Barrows after it was reported stolen in Cambridge.

Fitzsimmons appeared before Judge James Dehn Nov. 17 in Isanti County District Court in Cambridge where he was charged with felony receiving stolen property and felony theft of motor vehicle. Bail was set at $40,000 without conditions or $20,000 with conditions and his next court appearance for Nov. 25.

Arnoldi also appeared before Dehn Nov. 17 where he was charged with felony fifth-degree drug possession, subsequent conviction. Bail was set at $20,000 without conditions or $10,000 with conditions and his next court appearance for Dec. 9.

One 16-year-old, from Cambridge, and one 17-year-old, from Isanti, were also charged in connection with the incident.

According to the criminal complaint:

On Nov. 15, at approximately 3:12 p.m., Cambridge Police officer Jeremy Van Hatten was dispatched to Murphy’s Gas Station for a stolen vehicle complaint. Upon arrival, he met with the complainant.

The complainant reported he had been storing his 1992 Geo Metro at 136 Emerson St. S., Cambridge. At approximately 2:30 p.m., the complainant came to retrieve the vehicle and found it was missing. The complainant reported he spoke to several people who reside at 136 Emerson St. S., and they had noticed the car go missing between 9 and 10 p.m. on Nov. 13. They said they assumed the complainant took his vehicle. The vehicle was entered as stolen.

On Nov. 15, at approximately 7:13 p.m., Isanti Police officers Chelsea Doherty and Rod Barrows observed the Geo Metro traveling northbound on Railroad Avenue in Isanti.

The officers observed four occupants in the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Fitzsimmons and the right-rear passenger was identified as Arnoldi.

A search of the vehicle revealed a 12- to 15-inch fixed-blade knife under the driver’s seat. On the floor in the back seat, officers located a small case that contained a hypodermic syringe containing a reddish fluid. The liquid in the hypodermic needle tested positive for methamphetamine.

Also located in the case were two small plastic bags containing a white crystal substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.

Cambridge Police officer Matt Giese interviewed all of the occupants of the vehicle. Under Miranda, all of the occupants denied knowing the owner of the Geo Metro, and denied knowing it was stolen.

Additionally, all four occupants denied having knowledge of the hypodermic needle and methamphetamine that was recovered from the vehicle.

A man wanted on outstanding warrants out of Isanti and Ramsey counties was arrested last week following a traffic stop on Highway 95, just east of Cambridge.

Allen Clarence Jones, 46, of Cambridge, was charged Nov. 12 before Judge Amy Brosnahan in Isanti County District Court in Cambridge with felony fifth-degree drug possession, subsequent conviction, and gross misdemeanor driving with a canceled license, inimical to public safety.

Brosnahan set bail at $25,000 without conditions or $15,000 with conditions and his next court appearance for Nov. 20. Jones has a prior conviction for felony fifth-degree drug possession in Ramsey County from February 2014.

Jones was arrested following a traffic stop at 1:10 a.m. Nov. 12 on Highway 95 near the intersection of Stark Road (County Road 2) in Cambridge Township.

According to the criminal complaint:

Isanti County Deputy Noah Heiller was on routine patrol when he observed a white Chevy Tahoe traveling eastbound on Highway 95 with the driver’s side headlight out and initiated a traffic stop.

After the vehicle pulled over, Heiller approached the driver identified by Minnesota ID card as Jones. Heiller asked about a driver’s license and Jones admitted he did not have a valid license.

Heiller returned to his squad and verified Jones had a canceled license. The check also showed he had outstanding warrants on a probation violation on fifth-degree controlled substance charges. Dispatch confirmed warrants from Isanti and Ramsey counties.

Heiller returned to the vehicle and placed Jones under arrest on the warrants and for driving with a canceled license. Jones was placed in the rear seat of the squad.

Heiller began an inventory search. A glass methamphetamine pipe with a white residue was located between the driver’s seat and center console. Another glass pipe was located between the passenger seat and center console. In the back seat, on the passenger side, a cellophane bag from a cigarette pack was located that contained rocks of what appeared to be methamphetamine. Some loose crystals of methamphetamine were also located on the floor where this was found. These crystal rocks tested positive for methamphetamine.

Jones was transported to the Isanti County Jail and read his Miranda rights. Jones admitted to using methamphetamine.

A 24-year-old male from Oak Grove is facing charges following an accident just south of Cambridge that resulted in severe injuries to a Cambridge family.

According to a press release from the Isanti County Sheriff’s Office, on Nov. 21, at 3:43 p.m., Isanti County deputies were dispatched to County Road 45 (Xylite Street Northeast) approximately a half-mile south of 325th Avenue Northeast in Isanti Township.

Upon arrival, deputies found three children and one adult female critically injured in a car. A 3-year-old girl was not breathing and was quickly taken to an Allina Ambulance for care and later airlifted from the scene.

The two other children, ages 6 and 10, were being taken care of by other first responders and the female driver of the car had to be extricated from the vehicle.

The driver of the truck, Brandon Thomas Rossmeisl, was not injured and deputies suspected he was impaired. After performing field sobriety tests and a PBT test, he was taken to Cambridge Medical Center for a blood sample, which will be sent in for testing.

Based on the severity of the injuries, Rossmeisl was arrested for fourth-degree DUI and four counts of criminal vehicular operation. He was charged Tuesday, Nov. 24, in Isanti County District Court in Cambridge.

With the family’s permission, the family in the accident has been identified as the Jason and Erica Bodell family of Cambridge. Jason Bodell was not in the car at the time of the accident.

With the Bodells’ permission, a family friend informed this newspaper that as of press time, Kaleb, 10, broke his hip and should be released from the hospital soon. Gabriel, 6, fractured the back of his head and stretched ligaments in his neck causing him to have double vision. He also had surgery to remove or repair 4 inches of his intestine. Havana, 3, broke her neck and is on a ventilator and drug-induced coma. Erica Bodell broke both legs and has also had surgery.

A Go Fund Me account has been set up to help with the medical bills the Bodell family will be incurring at https://www.gofundme.com/sbbvw7wc.

The Isanti County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Cambridge Fire, Cambridge Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol, Isanti County Safety and Rescue, Allina Ambulance and Life Link. The crash remains under investigation.

Turkey, stuffing and unfortunately DWIs are all a part of Thanksgiving and other holiday celebrations this time of year.

As people get together for the holidays, law officers will be taking drunk drivers off the road as they conduct extra DWI patrols. The extra enforcement campaign starts Nov. 25 and runs on weekends through Jan. 2.

The enforcement is part of a statewide effort with officers, deputies and troopers from more than 300 agencies working overtime with funding provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (DPS-OTS) coordinates the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement and education effort.

Holiday DWIs by the Numbers
Most people think about a sober ride home when making their New Year’s plans, but statistics show motorists need to pay just as much attention to other holidays. The percentage of drunk-driving related deaths compared with total traffic fatalities is significantly higher for Thanksgiving and Christmas than other holidays (2010 – 2014).
• Thanksgiving: 53.8 percent
• Christmas: 46.2 percent
• Fourth of July: 40 percent
• Memorial Day: 27.3 percent
• Labor Day: 16.7 percent
• New Year’s Day: 12.5 percent

“You should not only be planning a sober ride home when you’re going to the bar, but also when you will be consuming alcohol at a friend’s or family’s home, or when attending holiday work parties,” said Bob Bollenbeck, Isanti Co. Toward Zero Deaths Coordinator. “When hosting a celebration, don’t be afraid to speak up. Find guests a sober ride home or let them sleep at your house. You could be helping save lives that night.”

Drunk Driving by the Numbers
The 2014 Minnesota Motor Vehicle Impaired Driving Facts report reveals there is much more work to be done when it comes to getting drunks off the road.

• 88 out of 361 people killed in traffic fatalities statewide (24 percent) were drunk driving-related.

• A number of people killed in Isanti County have been alcohol related.

• 25,258 DWIs (an average of 70 per day)

• In Isanti County there were more than 100 DWIs in 2014
In the last five years (2010 – 2014), there were 479 drunk driving-related traffic deaths in Minnesota. In Isanti County during the last three years, there were four drunk driving traffic deaths with two fatalities just last year.

DWI Consequences
• Loss of license for up to a year, thousands of dollars in costs and possible jail time.

• Repeat DWI offenders, as well as first-time offenders arrested at 0.16 and above alcohol-concentration level, must use ignition interlock in order to regain legal driving privileges or face at least one year without a driver’s license.

• Offenders with three or more offenses are required to use interlock for three to six years, or they will never regain driving privileges.
Prevent Drunk Driving

• Plan for a safe ride – designate a sober driver, use a cab/public transportation or stay at the location of the celebration.

• Offer to be a designated driver, or be available to pick up a loved one anytime, anywhere.

• Buckle up – the best defense against a drunk driver.

• Report drunk driving – call 911 when witnessing impaired driving behavior. Be prepared to provide location, license plate number and observed dangerous behavior.

Definitions
• Driving While Impaired (DWI) is a violation for driving under the influence of alcohol.

• Alcohol-related: any evidence of alcohol detected in a driver, pedestrian or bicyclist.

• Impaired-related: any driver, pedestrian or bicyclist with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or above.

• Drunk-driving-related: any driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or above.

DPS-OTS coordinates the statewide campaign, and local agencies participating include law enforcement in Cambridge, Braham, and Isanti along with Isanti County Sheriff’s Department.
In Isanti County, Safe Cab is available through local bars and restaurants during the holiday season.

The enhanced DWI enforcement campaign is a component of the state’s Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) program. A primary vision of the TZD program is to create a safe driving culture in Minnesota in which motorists support a goal of zero road fatalities by practicing and promoting safe and smart driving behavior.

TZD focuses on the application of four strategic areas to reduce crashes – education, enforcement, engineering, and emergency medical and trauma response.

Bail has been set at $100,000 without conditions or $50,000 with conditions for an Oak Grove driver who allegedly was driving drunk and collided with a Cambridge family around 3:45 p.m. Nov. 21.

Brandon Thomas Rossmeisl, 24, was charged before Judge Amy Brosnahan in Isanti County District Court in Cambridge Nov. 24 with two felony counts of criminal vehicular operation causing great bodily harm, under influence of alcohol; and two felony county of criminal vehicular operation causing substantial bodily harm, with gross negligence.

Rossmeisl was released from the Isanti County Jail on Nov. 24 and his next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 6. As part of his conditions of release, he will be placed on alcohol monitoring and subject to random testing; no use or possession of alcohol, drugs or controlled substances; no contact with victims; remain law-abiding; make all future court appearances; do not enter any bars or liquor stores; obtain permission from probation agent before leaving the state; and no use or possession of firearms or dangerous weapons.

The crash occurred at County Road 45 (Xylite Street Northeast) approximately a half-mile south of 325th Avenue Northeast in Isanti Township.

Rossmeisl was not injured in the crash. After performing field sobriety tests and registering a 0.18 on a breathalyzer test, he was taken to Cambridge Medical Center for a blood sample which will be sent in for testing.

Injured in the accident were Erica Bodell and her three children. Kaleb, 10, had a fractured hip and was released from the hospital Nov. 22. Gabriel, 6, had surgery to remove part of his intestines, has stretched ligaments in his neck and a fractured skull. Havana, 3, broke her neck and is on a ventilator. Erica Bodell broke both legs.

A Go Fund Me account has been set up to help with the medical bills the Bodell family will be incurring at https://www.gofundme.com/sbbvw7wc. Updates on the family’s condition can also be found at the Go Fund Me account.

Assisting the Isanti County Sheriff’s Office at the scene was Cambridge Fire, Cambridge Police, Minnesota State

Patrol, Isanti County Safety and Rescue, Allina Ambulance and Life Link.

According to the criminal complaint:

On Nov. 21, at approximately 3:43 p.m., Sgt. Wade Book of the Isanti County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the area of 32115 Xylite Street Northeast, Cambridge, on the report of a motor vehicle crash with injuries.

Book arrived on scene and observed a white Chevrolet pickup truck registered to Rossmeisl, along with a silver Chevrolet Impala registered to Erica Bodell. The two vehicles were still facing one another with the Impala facing almost eastbound and the pickup truck facing westbound.

Book was informed Havana was in the back seat of the Impala and not breathing. Book carefully reached around the back of her neck to support her neck and attempted to lift her head back toward the back of the car seat attempting to open her airway. With the ambulance coming, Book lifted her from the car and handed Havana over to the ambulance crew.

Book approached the Impala and saw Kaleb and Gabriel, who had been removed from the back seat of the Impala and were on the ground on the driver’s side of the vehicle. Book noted the boys were crying and there was a woman attending to them and they had blankets wrapped around them.

Book then turned his attention to Erica Bodell, who was still pinned in the vehicle and needed to be extricated.

The impact of the collision was more centered on the truck and came into the driver’s side corner of the front of the Impala, which pushed the leg compartment and the driver compartment back down toward Erica Bodell’s legs.

Book informed Erica Bodell emergency responders were coming to help her get free from the vehicle and medical staff were tending to her children.

When speaking with Rossmeisl, Book could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage when he would speak. Book said he wanted proof of insurance, and while Rossmeisl was looking for his insurance card, Book observed Rossmeisl had glassy, watery-looking eyes and his right eye was extremely bloodshot in comparison to the left eye. Rossmeisl stated he did not have a copy of the insurance card.

When asked where he was coming from, Rossmeisl had to ask his passenger to find out they were coming from a restaurant in Cambridge. When asked how much alcohol he had at the restaurant, Rossmeisl said two tall beers and one shot.

Book then asked Rossmeisl to complete the standardized sobriety testing. Observations were consistent with an individual having a blood alcohol level of greater than 0.10.

Book then retrieved the digital preliminary breath testing device from his squad and explained the process to Rossmeisl. During the digital test, Book received an alcohol concentration of 0.18.

Following the field sobriety tests, as well as the observations of the odor of an alcohol beverage, the watery bloodshot eyes, and the admissions to consuming two tall beers and a shot, Rossmeisl was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving while impaired and transported to the Isanti County Jail, where he remained until Book obtained a search warrant for a blood draw, and Rossmeisl was transported to Cambridge Medical Center.

The blood sample was sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for forensic analysis and Rossmeisl was returned to the Isanti County Jail.

A Minnesota State Patrol Metro Crash Reconstruction Team came to reconstruct the crash with Sgt. Daniel Dixson performing the reconstruction.

Dixson informed Book he would like a search warrant for the electronic control module for the truck as well as consent from Erica Bodell to download the electronic control module from the Impala.

Photographs were taken at the scene by the Isanti County Sheriff’s Office as well as other photographs and information gathered by the State Patrol. Book noted with regard to the crash itself, he could observe where the pickup truck was southbound on Xylite Street coming into the curve, where it went out beyond the center line and where there were tire skid marks from the truck appearing to be going sideways as it went into the northbound lane. Further he could observe that impact happened on the northbound east shoulder of the road and the truck pushed the Impala southwest and back into the ditch on the opposite side of the road.

Further catching the attention of Book at the Cambridge Medical Center, he observed while Rossmeisl was speaking with the receptionist at the desk, he asked if they were off of Coon Rapids Boulevard and asked if this was Mercy Hospital before being told he was in Cambridge.

On Nov. 22, Book received an email informing him that Jason Bodell, the husband of Erica Bodell and father of the three children, had called to give his children’s names and dates of birth.

Book learned all three children had been taken to Minneapolis Children’s Hospital and Erica Bodell had been taken to North Memorial Medical Center.

On Nov. 23, Book again spoke with Jason Bodell. Book noted Jason Bodell was very emotional but was able to give a description of the injuries suffered by each member of his family.

Jason Bodell stated he would be signing consent forms to release the medical information on his family members as well as consent for the search for the electronic control module for the Impala Erica Bodell was driving at the time of the crash.

A Cambridge Township resident is facing six felony charges after allegedly being in the possession of over $35,000 in stolen items.

Jason Edward Southworth, 42, was charged before Judge James Dehn Nov. 17 in Isanti County District Court in Cambridge with five felony counts of receiving stolen property and felony fifth-degree drug possession. Dehn set Southworth’s bail at $100,000 without conditions or $50,000 with conditions and his next court appearance for Dec. 9.

Isanti County Investigator Rob Bowker explained approximately $8,325 of the $35,000 in stolen property has been recovered by the victims. He explained the case involves stolen property from a construction trailer in Isanti Township, a residential burglary in Cambridge, a residential burglary in Bradford Township, and theft from a motor vehicle parked at the Lake Fannie public access east of Cambridge.

The case broke after a female called 911 to ask if an officer could meet her at a storage locker, registered to Southworth, so she could collect some of her personal belongings. The female said after she had unloaded much of property into her vehicle, she and Southworth started to argue over the phone and she requested an officer present while she collected her remaining items. When the female opened a storage tin, Deputy Doug Barron recognized one of the items inside the storage tin as reported stolen from a recent residential burglary.

“This case involved 27 hours of work including the search warrant, identifying victims and laying out all the items for the victims to look at,” Bowker said. “I had 116 items listed in the search warrant from the four victims who had recently reported stolen property.”

Bowker said in particular, law enforcement recovered a pair of Shift camo snowpants and a Cambridge-Isanti baseball cap, probably belonging to a high-school age child. Fishing equipment, DeWalt tools and a Husky tool bag were also recovered. If anyone has noticed these items missing from their possession, they should call Bowker at 763-691-2414 or email rob.bowker@sheriff.co.isanti.mn.us.

As part of the case, Bowker said officers were also able to return a tackle box to its owner who never even reported it stolen. Inside the tackle box was a fishing license from 2008, and Bowker said they were able to track down the owner of the missing tackle box from the address on the license.

Isanti County Sheriff Chris Caulk said the case is a good reminder for residents to have a good listing of property they own, and makes, models and serial numbers for more expensive property.

“The victims in this case all had a complete listing of what was taken and a good description of their missing items,” Caulk said. “This case was solved due to the vigilance of Deputy Doug Barron and recognizing items that were reported as stolen, and due to the vigilance of Deputy Brandon Oliver and Investigator Rob Bowker. This is another example of how our patrol division works well with our investigative division to get the job done.”

Caulk said the sheriff’s office will continue to work hard to crack down on burglaries and thefts.

“I would like to make another reminder to the public to report suspicious behavior to us or if you see something out of the ordinary, to call us,” Caulk said. “Our officers can’t be everywhere, so we rely on tips from the public to help us do our jobs effectively. Even though cases aren’t solved in one hour like they are on television, our office works hard to get resolution to cases. This particular case involved 40 hours of time after everything is said and done.”

If anyone has any more information on this case, they should call the sheriff’s office at 763-689-2141 or the 24-hour tip line at 763-691-2426. Caulk advises if anyone from the public sees suspicious or criminal activity happening to immediately call 911.

According to the criminal complaint:

On Nov. 15, at 2:05 p.m., Deputy Doug Barron was dispatched to standby at Summit Secure Storage, 1442 277th Lane NE, Isanti, as a female was removing some of her personal belongings from a storage unit leased by Southworth.

The female reported she had unloaded much of her property into her vehicle when she and Southworth began to argue over the telephone. That is when she decided to call dispatch and have an officer present to remove the remaining items.

Barron stood by while the female and one male began to load items into a truck. The female indicated to Barron that she felt a lot of the items in the storage unit were likely stolen as the property is expensive, and Southworth does not have a job. While the female was looking for her belongings in the storage unit, she opened a green ammo tin that contained ammunition. Barron noticed distinctive orange tags on the ammunition and recognized the ammunition as having been stolen in a recent residential burglary.

Barron contacted Bowker who contacted the victim of that burglary. The victim confirmed the stolen ammunition had orange stickers with a respective number written on the stickers. This number matched the boxes that Barron had located. Bowker advised no one should be allowed inside of the unit anymore, and he would obtain a search warrant for the storage unit.

A few minutes later an SUV arrived and Southworth exited from the passenger side of the vehicle. Southworth was advised he was not allowed in the storage unit as some stolen ammunition was located. Southworth was then placed under arrest for possession of stolen property, and during a search incident to arrest, Barron located a glass bubble pipe in Southworth’s pocket that contained residue that tested positive for methamphetamine.

Southworth was transported to the Isanti County Sheriff’s Office, where Bowker was drafting a search warrant. Southworth told Bowker, “You’re going to find a ton of stolen (items) in there.” Thereafter, Southworth requested to speak with an attorney.

Bowker obtained a search warrant for the storage unit, and Bowker and other officers returned to the storage unit.

During the search, Bowker recovered a Hitachi air compressor, and several tool boxes with a specific name written on them. Additionally, a DeWalt heater and several buckets of Hitachi tools were recovered. This property is valued in excess of $1,600. These items were confirmed as stolen from a construction trailer in Isanti Township between Oct. 5-6.

During the search, Bowker recovered a green ammunition case containing boxes of ammunition. Also recovered were a Remington 700 bolt action .30-06 rifle with Nikon scope valued at $1,800, and a 12-gauge Browning shotgun valued at $2,000, and tan zippered duffle bags. These items were confirmed as stolen from a residential burglary in Cambridge Oct. 6. During the search, Bowker recovered a Marlin lever action .30-30 rifle with a Simmons scope valued at $760 and a Ruger 10-22 rifle with a Nikon Pro Staff scope valued at $840. These items were confirmed as stolen in a residential burglary in Bradford Township Sept. 29.

During the search, Bowker recovered a blue Clam fish house, a green tub containing an ice auger and fishing equipment and two fishing rods. The value of this property is in excess of $1,325. These items were confirmed as stolen from a motor vehicle parked at Lake Fannie Oct. 4.

Two people were seriously injured during a head-on collision on Highway 95 near Larson Implement, east of Cambridge, around 5 p.m. Nov. 23.

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a 2015 Chevy Impala, driven by Destiny M. Weigman, 25, of Stacy, was stopped eastbound on Highway 95 waiting behind another vehicle to turn into a driveway. A 1997 Mercury Sable, driven by Michael A. Fisher, 37, of Rochester, was eastbound on Highway 95, swerved and sideswiped the Impala, and then struck a 2003 Buick Lesabre head on. The Buick Lesabre was driven by Brady A. Knauff, 45, of Cambridge.

Fisher and Knauff sustained serious injuries and were transported to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. No injuries were documented for Weigman.

Assisting the State Patrol at the scene were the Cambridge Police Department and the Isanti County Sheriff’s Office.

An Andover man was seriously injured after his semitruck blew a tire and rolled near Highway 65 and Andree Road (County Road 4) near Braham.

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the 1990 Kenworth Construct semitruck, driven by Donald R. Olson, 75, was travelling southbound on Highway 65 when its right front tire blew, causing the vehicle to leave the right side of roadway, around 2 p.m. Nov. 24.

The truck struck the north side of Andree Road, west of Highway 65. It ended in the southwest corner of the Highway 65-Andree Road intersection and overturned before starting on fire.

Olson was transported by air to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis with serious injuries.

A Princeton man was airlifted after he ran a stop sign and hit the side of a tractor trailer at the intersection of County Road 8 (261st Avenue Northwest) and Jarvis Street Northwest in Stanford Township near the border of Sherburne County around 12:20 p.m. Dec. 2.

According to a press release from the Isanti County Sheriff’s Office, Adam Young, 40, was driving a pickup truck northbound on Jarvis Street when he ran a stop sign and hit the side of a tractor trailer driven by Dale Selin, 57, of Princeton.

Young was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. He is currently in critical, but stable condition. Selin was not injured.

Assisting the Isanti County Sheriff’s Office at the scene was the Minnesota State Patrol, North Ambulance and North Air Care, Zimmerman Fire, Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office and Isanti County Safety and Rescue.

A 20-year-old Cambridge man was found not guilty in all three homicide charges filed against him in regard to an April stabbing of a Wisconsin man.

Levi Connor Acre-Kendall, a 2014 graduate of Cambridge-Isanti High School, was charged with one count each of first-degree reckless homicide, second-degree intentional homicide and second-degree reckless homicide following a fatal stabbing April 14 at Interstate Park in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin.

Acre-Kendall is charged in the death of Peter Kelly, 34, of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, who was a married father with five children, after an altercation in Interstate Park after a few hours of fishing along the St. Croix River.

The jury trial began Monday, Dec. 7, in Polk County Circuit Court in Balsam Lake, Wisconsin, with closing arguments held Saturday, Dec. 12. Jurors reached a verdict Monday morning, Dec. 14.

Throughout the case, jurors heard testimony from several members of law enforcement and the medical examiner; Kelly’s best friend, Ross Lechman, who was with Kelly when he was stabbed; friends of Acre-Kendall who were with him at the time of the incident; Kelly’s widow, Christie Kelly; Acre-Kendall’s father, Travis Kendall; and Acre-Kendall.

Acre-Kendall testified he acted in self-defense and stabbed Kelly because he feared for his life when Kelly pursued him and pulled him out of a car at the boat landing. Acre-Kendall was represented by attorneys Eric Nelson and Doug Hazelton.

Polk County District Attorney Dan Steffen claimed the use of force was unnecessary, and Acre-Kendall and his friends tried to hide from authorities after the incident.

According to the criminal complaint, Kelly’s friend, Ross Lechman, said he and Kelly were fishing at the Minnesota Interstate Park when they became engaged in a verbal argument with Acre-Kendall and his friends who appeared to be fishing at the Wisconsin Interstate Park. The argument continued for an extended period of time. At some point, Lechman stated he and Kelly drove to Wisconsin Interstate Park to confront the individuals.

Lechman also stated in the complaint that the verbal argument continued between Kelly and Acre-Kendall. Lechman indicated he began to watch the other two males who were standing on the other side of the car. While Lechman was watching the other two males, Kelly said, “We got to go,” and Kelly was running away from the car back toward his vehicle. Lechman stated Kelly then said, “He stabbed me.”

Lechman said in the complaint, he began to run after Kelly and looked at Acre-Kendall and asked him if he just stabbed his buddy. Lechman said Acre-Kendall responded by saying something similar to, “Yes, yes, I stabbed him.” Lechman said Acre-Kendall made that statement as he was getting into the front passenger seat of the car. Lechman stated Acre-Kendall and the other individuals present got into their vehicles and fled the area.

A Mora man is facing a felony drug possession charge after his car went into the ditch, and he was found slumped over the steering wheel.

Austin Drew Masters, 23, was charged Dec. 8 before Judge James Dehn in Isanti County District Court in Cambridge with felony fifth-degree drug possession. Dehn set Masters’ bail at $12,000 without conditions or $2,000 with conditions.

Masters had been driving during the evening of Dec. 5 in the area of 379th Avenue and Palm Street in Maple Ridge Township when he claimed to have swerved to miss a deer and ended up in the ditch. Authorities found a bag inside Masters’ wallet that tested positive for heroin.

According to the criminal complaint:

On Dec. 5, at 11 p.m., Isanti County deputies Chad Meyer and Todd Willenbring were dispatched for a call on a tow truck who reported a vehicle he had been contacted to remove from the ditch had a male party slumped in the vehicle over the steering wheel.

Upon arrival at the area, Willenbring observed the vehicle in the east ditch facing southbound with Masters slumped forward in the driver’s seat who began to move as the lights were shined on him.

Willenbring asked Masters if he was OK, and he stated he had swerved to avoid a deer approximately 45 minutes prior to Willenbring’s arrival. He said he was fine and had called for a tow, but the tow had not arrived yet.

Meyer told Willenbring he observed a knife in Masters’ right pocket, and Masters was asked to step out of the vehicle.

Willenbring opened the driver’s side door and observed a syringe in the door and then did a pat down of Masters.

When asked if had diabetes or other medical condition, Masters said no. He said he had taken suboxone at approximately 3 a.m. the previous day.

Willenbring asked Masters to perform standard field sobriety tests due to the observations that Masters may be driving under the influence of a controlled substance.

Based upon Masters being slumped over in the vehicle and his admittance to taking suboxone, he was handcuffed and placed in the back of the squad.

During a search of the vehicle, Willenbring observed in the driver’s side door other drug related items under the syringe, including a small bag of marijuana, a grinder and a dugout pipe.

Willenbring took photos of Masters’ wallet and inside the wallet he found a bag that tested positive for heroin.