Helicopter Pilot Killed In Cass County Lake IDed

Authorities have released the name of the helicopter pilot killed when his chopper crashed into Ten Mile Lake in Cass County.

Sheriff Tom Burch identifies the pilot as 56-year old Joh Zacher of Hackensack.

Zacher's body was recovered Friday outside of the helicopter about 150 feet from the shore in about 30 feet of water.  An autopsy is pending.

A passenger in the aircraft, 55-year old Vicki Zacher, was able to swim to shore and call 911 Thursday night.  She was treated for hyperthermia.

The crash remains under investigation by the Cass County Sheriff's Office and the FAA.

CLC Names Vets Resource Director

Kathy Marshik of Little Falls has been named coordinator of the Central Lakes College Veterans’ Resource Center, effective Monday, Nov. 28. 

She will serve as the liaison between Central Lakes College, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Minnesota National Guard, and the Director of Higher Education Veterans Programs and community service agencies.

The VRCC meets with prospective and returning veterans to provide information about educational opportunities, the application process, financial aid and veterans’ funding procedures, and transfer of military educational credit.

Marshik is a CLC grad as well as Concordia University, St. Paul (bachelor’s), and Cappella University, Minneapolis (master’s).

She has 19 years of military experience as an administrative, training, and readiness supervisor, most recently as Medical Operations and Military Readiness Supervisor for the Army National Guard at Camp Ripley.

She served in Iraq from January 2003 to April 2004.

New Siren in Breezy Point

The City of Breezy Point is installing an additional civil defense siren at the intersection of Alpine Drive and Co Rd 11.  Police Chief Kevin Merschman says there will be a short test today. 

 

Civil defense sirens are only intended as an outdoorwarning.  Residents should still own a weather alert radio that can keep them safe at night.  Sirens are not likely to wake them while sleeping in today’s well insulated homes with the air conditioner running.  Weather alerts can also be heard on KLKS FM 104.3.

Alexandria Man Could Get 40 Years

A 52-year-old Alexandia man has pleaded guilty to second degree murder in the death of a 51-year-old Todd County woman last May.

Jeffrey Allen Brooks entered the plea in the murder of Diane Fortenberry.  She was found dead in her home near Osakis on May 20th. 

Police say Fortenberry returned home for lunch, finding Brooks in the middle of a burglary.  Autopsy results show she died of blunt force trauma.

Brooks could face up to 40 years in prison.  He is scheduled for sentencing in January.