Man beats his pregnant girlfriend and hospital staff

A 32-year-old man beat his girlfriend and mother to his unborn child at a hospital maternity ward before turning his rage to a doctor and nurse, said a criminal complaint filed in Ramsey County District Court.
Rufus Myers of Fitchburg, Wis., faces two charges of second-degree assault and one charge of third-degree assault in a Thursday, June 28, incident at St. John's Hospital in Maplewood, the Ramsey County court said.
According to the criminal complaint:
Myers smashed his girlfriend, who was 8 1/2 months pregnant, on the head with a glass vase, causing a large cut above her ear. She screamed for help as Myers kicked her chest multiple times in her hospital room's bathroom.
The woman, who was on bed rest since June 9, was taken to the emergency room where a Caesarain section was performed to remove the baby. The condition of the baby was not included in the criminal complaint.
During the incident, a doctor tried to restrain Myers and was hit by Myers several times in the chin and chest. Myers then threatened other hospital workers who came to help, saying, "Who wants some?"
Myers then ran toward a nursing assistant who tried to flee him into a main hopsital room. Myers punched her about five times in the head. The doctor then again tried to separate Myers from his girlfriend and was again hit several times.
Staff was then able to remove Myers from his girlfriend's room. They held the door shut as they attended to the woman's bleeding.


\Man beats his pregnant girlfriend and hospital staff - TwinCities.com

Man charged with assault of 4-year-old boy who was found dead on mid-Michigan reservation

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - A 20-year-old man was charged Friday with beating and dragging a 4-year-old just weeks before the child's body was found under the porch of his mother's home in mid-Michigan.
While Anthony Bennett was not charged in the death of Carnel Chamberlain on Friday, family members say he was the last person to see Carnel before his disappearance June 21. A weeklong, seemingly fruitless search of woods and ponds around the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe reservation ended at the child's home Thursday.
Bennett faces a charge of assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a child under 16, and was sent back to jail after the brief hearing in federal court in Bay City to await a detention hearing next week.

Man charged with assault of 4-year-old boy who was found dead on mid-Michigan reservation | StarTribune.com

2 teen boys arrested in shooting death of 5-year-old Nizzel George

 
 Christina Banks spoke emotionally on Friday about the arrests in the death of her son, 5-year-old Nizzel George, who was shot while sleeping on the couch at his grandmother's house.
2 teen boys arrested in shooting death of 5-year-old Nizzel George | StarTribune.com

Gay couple's image used in political attacks in Colorado races

 
 
 

The attack mailer that went after Republican House candidate Jeff Hare used a copyrighted engagement photo of Brian Edwards and Tom Privitere with an altered background.

The group Public Advocate of the United States, based in Falls Church, Va., superimposed the picture of the couple on two political mailers. Edwards said the photo, which appeared on a gay wedding website, was copyrighted.

A gay New Jersey couple plans to hire a lawyer after learning a conservative political group used one of their engagement pictures in attack ads in at least two Colorado legislative races.
The original shot features Brian Edwards and Tom Privitere kissing with the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline in the background. Their image was superimposed over different backgrounds and used in mailers ripping Republicans Jean White of Hayden and and Jeff Hare of Greeley. Both lost in Tuesday’s primary election.
Gay couple's image used in political attacks in Colorado races

Colorado wildfire: Aerial photo shows about 300 homes destroyed in Waldo Canyon Fire - The Denver Post

Tens of thousands of people remained homeless in Colorado Springs on Wednesday, fixated on the smoky hills as the weather helped slow a Waldo Canyon fire that left a stunning path of destruction in its wake. An aerial photograph of the Mountain Shadows neighborhood that was taken Wednesday showed approximately 300 homes, all of them inside the Colorado Springs city limits, reduced to charred rubble. Colorado Springs authorities would not confirm exact numbers, saying they were still making assessments and devising a way to convey the information to affected homeowners.

Read more: Colorado wildfire: Aerial photo shows about 300 homes destroyed in Waldo Canyon Fire - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_20957092/tens-thousands-remain-homeless-wake-waldo-canyon-fire#ixzz1z67cZXPp

St. Paul priest arrested on suspicion of sexual assault of a minor

Police arrested a St. Paul priest on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct, and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has removed him as a pastor.
The move came after the archdiocese learned "of allegations that the priest had engaged in misconduct involving a minor," archdiocese spokesman Jim Accurso said in a Sunday, June 24, statement. "Following archdiocesan policy, the archdiocese immediately reported the allegations to the police, and an investigation into the allegations was begun."
Police arrested Curtis Carl Wehmeyer, 47, in Oakdale on Friday. He was released from the Ramsey County jail Monday, pending further investigation. He has not been charged.

St. Paul priest arrested on suspicion of sexual assault of a minor - TwinCities.com

11-Year-Old Boy Heroically Stabs Mom's Abusive Boyfriend as He Chokes Her

On Saturday night, a brave 11-year-old Brooklyn boy became a hero in a way he should never have to. Terrance Allen watched in terror and horror as his mother's live-in boyfriend allegedly attacked her, trying to strangle her. When Terrance's older cousin tried to intervene, the man reportedly turned on her, knocked her to the floor, and began choking her as well. This is when Terrance thought to himself, "I had enough."

11-Year-Old Boy Heroically Stabs Mom's Abusive Boyfriend as He Chokes Her | CafeMom Articles

What's next for Jerry Sandusky? An explanation of what happens to him now that he's convicted

 A jury took less than two days to find Jerry Sandusky guilty of 45 of 48 counts of child sexual abuse, but the judge will need substantially more time to decide his punishment.
Judge John Cleland ordered a pre-sentencing report, which will take anywhere from one to two months to complete.
During that time, Sandusky will be examined by the state Sexual Offenders Assessment Board to decide if he should be treated as a sexually violent predator, and prosecutors could ask the judge for a hearing.
The judge determines whether someone is a sexually violent predator — it carries stiffer reporting and treatment requirements once someone is out of prison — and can use information from the board's investigation in a sentencing decision.
If he's sentenced to state prison — which appears to be certain in this case — then Sandusky will be transferred to Camp Hill, in south-central Pennsylvania, which has 3,000 to 4,000 inmates, about 1,000 of whom are held temporarily for classification.
 More: What's next for Jerry Sandusky? An explanation of what happens to him now that he's convicted | StarTribune.com

Illinois prosecutors refuse to defend state ban on gay marriage, claim law is unconstitutional

CHICAGO - Twenty-five Illinois couples were prepared for a long legal fight when they joined lawsuits challenging the state's ban on gay marriage. Turns out they won't get one — at least not from the attorneys who would normally be responsible for defending the state's laws.
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez have refused to defend the 16-year-old ban, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman, saying it violates the state constitution's equal protection clause.

Illinois prosecutors refuse to defend state ban on gay marriage, claim law is unconstitutional | StarTribune.com

Gomer's statue unveiled: ‘I never thought I’d see this in my time’

 
  Maj. Joe Gomer, Tuskegee Airman, Duluth, MN

 “We’re all Americans. That’s why we chose to fight. I’m as American as anybody. My black ancestors were brought over against their will to help build America. My German ancestors came over to build a new life. And my Cherokee ancestors were here to greet all the boats.”
Gomer's statue unveiled: ‘I never thought I’d see this in my time’ | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota

Social media: Incredible images from Duluth

 

 



Social media: Incredible images from Duluth | StarTribune.com

State of emergency declared for Duluth area

 

DULUTH, Minn. -- Roiling waters fueled by torrential rains have caused upheaval in northeastern Minnesota, buckling roads, forcing evacuations and wrecking property.
Overnight downpours, reaching as high as 9 inches in some parts of Duluth and surrounding areas, have created the worst flooding in decades, city officials said. Although rains had subsided by mid-afternoon Wednesday, forecasts were calling for more.
In the afternoon, Gov. Mark Dayton issued an emergency executive order declaring a state of emergency for the popular tourist region and three other counties hit hard by recent storms. He will visit the area Thursday. Duluth Mayor Don Ness earlier Wednesday had declared a state of emergency for Minnesota's fourth-largest city.

State of emergency declared for Duluth area | StarTribune.com

Bowser Beer helps dogs beat the heat

 

Now man's best friend can be your best drinking buddy.
Bowser Beer, America's first beer for dogs, is cooling collies and hydrating hounds in Minnesota.
You don't even have to check IDs -- what's the legal drinking age in dog years? -- because it has no alcohol.
"It's for the celebration of the dog days of summer," said Derrick Kunes, interim marketing manager for Axel's Bonfire restaurants.

Bowser Beer helps dogs beat the heat - TwinCities.com

Sandusky strategy emerges after trial's first week

BELLEFONTE, Pa.—After a gripping, emotionally charged four days of testimony that saw eight men from 18 to 28 years old tell jurors that Jerry Sandusky sexually abused them as children, the former Penn State assistant football coach will soon get to tell his side of the story. Sandusky himself could take the stand in his own defense at his criminal trial, but it's not certain that will happen. Sandusky strategy emerges after trial's first week - TwinCities.com

FACT CHECK: Republicans exaggerate size of 'Taxmageddon.' It's not the biggest tax hike ever

WASHINGTON - Republicans are calling it "Taxmageddon," the big tax increase awaiting nearly every American family at the end of the year, when a long list of tax cuts is scheduled to expire unless Congress acts.
It would be, GOP leaders in Congress say again and again, "the largest tax increase in American history."
Except it wouldn't be, not when you take into account population growth, rising wages, and most importantly, the size of the U.S. economy. When those factors are taken into account, the largest tax increases were those imposed to help pay for World War II — back when the U.S. raised additional revenue to pay for wars instead of simply borrowing.

FACT CHECK: Republicans exaggerate size of 'Taxmageddon.' It's not the biggest tax hike ever | StarTribune.com

Hungry Jack syrup truck spills onto Buttermilk Pike

 

A highway truck accident never sounded so delicious. A semitrailer hauling Hungry Jack pancake syrup collided with a highway median at the Buttermilk Pike overpass in northern Kentucky, causing the truckload of syrup to spill all over the highway.
"Every lane of southbound I-75 was covered in pancake syrup," Fort Mitchell Police Officer Mark Spanyer told the Kentucky Enquirer. "It was a royal pain in the butt."
Hungry Jack syrup truck spills onto Buttermilk Pike | The Sideshow - Yahoo! News

A union of two for 74 years

 

He asked her to dance, and she agreed - then turned him down at the last minute.
Giacomo DiRienzo tried several more times at the community dances they both attended in Burlington, New Jersey, and he finally succeeded in getting Antonia "Donnie" Filliponi into his arms.
That was back in 1934. She has basically remained there ever since.
After a four-year courtship in a country still reeling from the Great Depression, they married on June 12, 1938. Do the math – that means they're about to celebrate a 74th anniversary.
The bride is now 95. The groom is 98.
He still calls her "Hon."A union of two for 74 years

North Dakota’s oil boom brings damage along with prosperity

                                  An oil rig near Williston, North Dakota

Oil drilling has sparked a frenzied prosperity in Jeff Keller's formerly quiet corner of western North Dakota in recent years, bringing an infusion of jobs and reviving moribund local businesses.
But Keller, a natural resource manager for the Army Corps of Engineers, has seen a more ominous effect of the boom, too: Oil companies are spilling and dumping drilling waste onto the region's land and into its waterways with increasing regularity.
North Dakota’s oil boom brings damage along with prosperity | MinnPost

The most popular city in Minnesota? Poll suggests that it's Duluth

 An organization called Public Policy Polling must have been feeling mischievous recently because they slipped some questions about favorite Minnesota cities into their latest political poll.
After a dozen questions about upcoming elections, they suddenly switched to people’s impressions of Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth and Rochester. They even asked whether people like Minneapolis or St. Paul better (Question 18, Minneapolis won).
The most popular city in Minnesota? Poll suggests that it's Duluth | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota

Two charged with killing St. Boni toddler in horrific case of child abuse

 
 Cottrell Short

Two people were charged Thursday with killing a St. Bonifacius toddler in what authorities called a horrific case of child abuse.
The boy's mother, Shacara Foster, 27, and her boyfriend, Kentae Todd, 20, were charged with second-degree murder. Todd, who was arrested Thursday morning in Coon Rapids, was also charged with child neglect, a gross misdemeanor. Foster had been charged with neglect in March. Both are in the Hennepin County jail.
Authorities said the victim, Cottrell Short, and his younger sister slept in portable cribs in the basement of a duplex packed with 17 people living amid garbage, rotting food and dead animals.

Two charged with killing St. Boni toddler in horrific case of child abuse | StarTribune.com

Governor Arne Carlson: Personal Responsibility – Yes

Personal Responsibility – Yes

Over the past three decades, the Minnesota Republican Party has been evolving from one with moderate and traditional conservative wings to one that is now engaged in an open tussle between the younger Ron Paul Libertarian types and the more radical social right of Mary Kiffmeyer and Tony Sutton.

For purposes of this blog, I will focus on the latter since they have been in power through the Pawlenty years and still control the legislature.    Further, under their leadership, the party has moved further to the right.  In addition to a total prohibition of abortion choices, their philosophy extends to endowing the fertilized egg with constitutional rights thereby prohibiting certain forms of birth control, strong anti-gay sentiment, anti-tax increases, pro small government, anti-the United Nations, etc.  Their message has always contained a certain political rigidity that is unusual in democratic systems and any deviation has resulted in the labels of “traitor”, “quisling” or “RINO” being applied.   We need only to remember the party’s attempt to oust six GOP legislators who voted against Governor Pawlenty’s veto of the transportation bill.

Briefly, any deviation from party orthodoxy was punished. 

Further, there has always been a firm adherence to self-sufficiency and personal accountability.  For instance, the platform GOP incumbents ran on in 2010 declared:  “Reform and Eliminate the Welfare System” as a headline and then continued, “People in need should be assisted primarily through private charity, including faith-based programs instead of government welfare programs.”   

However, when philosophy and comfort collide, the latter usually wins.  Such is the case with Michael Brodkorb vs. the Minnesota State Senate.

Originally, Tony Sutton, as GOP Party Chair, brought in Brodkorb because he excelled in campaign research particularly opposition research.  He played a key role in the Republican legislative victories of 2010.  Sutton then moved him to the Senate Republican payroll where he exercised party power over GOP Senators thereby causing some to refer to him as the “enforcer.”

Now circumstances are different.  The party is virtually bankrupt with massive debt as a result of years of gross mismanagement and the Senate Republicans are embroiled in a major legal battle with Michael Brodkorb.  It would appear that while this new Republican Senate majority was busy during the session trying to constitutionally protect the sanctity of marriage from the threat of gays, there was some serious extramarital bed hopping going on in Senate offices.  As a result, Michael Brodkorb was fired and the majority leader stepped down.

Brodkorb has now trained his weapons of research on his former employers and has concluded that others have probably engaged in this same activity and were not punished in a comparable fashion.  The result is some nervous stomachs fearful of disclosure and a Brodkorb demand for some $1 million to cover the loss of employment and damage to his reputation.

The Senate has engaged outside counsel at a rate in excess of $300 per hour.  It further appears that the intent is to have the taxpayer pay all legal and settlement costs.  So far, DFL leadership appears to be compliant.

Simply put, the Senate will do all in its power to postpone action until after the election and then surprise the taxpayer with the bills.

We, as taxpayers, are already saddled with an impending deficit of approximately $2 billion and an additional $2.4 billion owed to school districts.   We do not deserve to be further burdened with the costs of political misbehavior.

What others do in the privacy of their lives should be their business and not the concern or obligation of government.  The new Senate Republicans brought this mess entirely upon themselves and should be principled enough to fully accept the consequences and not expect taxpayer welfare.

Governor Arne Carlson: Personal Responsibility – Yes

Mitt Romney's record on jobs stinks

 
Mitt Romney is focusing all of his campaign’s energy on a single pitch: He claims that his experience as a vulture capitalist gives him the skills to turn our economy around. But his record in government so far proves that isn’t the case. After all, his vaunted experience as a hedge-fund manager didn’t do anything for the state of Massachusetts:

As the nation’s economy grew and the median income rose, under Romney, Massachusetts plummeted from 36th to 47th out of 50 states in job creation, and the median income declined.

MNpublius · Mitt Romney's record on jobs stinks

Phoenix police say mom forgets baby on car roof

 PHOENIX—Phoenix police have arrested a woman who allegedly drove off after forgetting that her baby was in a car seat on the roof of her vehicle.
Officer James Holmes tells Phoenix television station KPHO (http://bit.ly/LTouRB) that officers were called out early Saturday after witnesses found a child strapped in a safety seat in the middle of an intersection.
The boy wasn't hurt. He's now in the custody of Arizona Child Protective Services.
Authorities say the child's mother, Catalina Clauser, her boyfriend and their friends had been smoking marijuana earlier in the evening at a nearby park.


Phoenix police say mom forgets baby on car roof - TwinCities.com

Canada: Our underappreciated ally

 
 It's right next door, and it matters immensely to our security, so study up.

During one of his standup routines, comedian and late-night host Jon Stewart told a joke that encapsulated the often misunderstood relationship between the United States and Canada.
Said Stewart, "A Canadian came up to me and asked, 'What do Americans really think about Canada?' And I was like, 'We don't.'"
Bingo. Joke, truth, and a growing problem, all spelled out in two words.
In many ways, there is no country on Earth more important to the current and future welfare of the United States than is Canada -- and yet, many Americans and U.S. politicians barely give our neighbor to the north any thought at all.
They should.

Canada: Our underappreciated ally | StarTribune.com