Minnesota Woman Found Guilty of Van Death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Cass County jury has found a 62-year-old woman guilty of using her van to strike and kill her estranged husband at his rural northern Minnesota home.
Helene Mitchell-Abraham, of Garrison, was found guilty Friday of second-degree intentional murder and interference with a dead body.

The complaint alleges that Mitchell-Abraham and her 64-year-old husband, Wendall Abraham, argued at his Remer  area home in September 2010. According to the complaint, Mitchell-Abraham saw her husband walk behind her van, so she put the van into reverse and floored it, striking and killing him.

Mitchell-Abraham then allegedly used a rope to drag his body into the woods and fled.
The jury heard 2½ days of testimony and deliberated for approximately four hours before returning the verdict. Her sentencing is July 9.

MAY IS MENTAL ILLNESS AWARENESS MONTH

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that one in four adults – approximately 57.7 million Americans experience a mental health disorder in a given year.  In the United States the government estimates that 6% of all adults have a serious mental illness. This estimate calculates to a possible 3,750 adults in Crow Wing County with serious mental illness.

A serious mental illness refers to a medical condition that alters a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder.  Just like high blood pressure, mental illnesses are treatable. 

Mental illness can affect persons of any age, race, religion or income. According to Tami Lueck, Social Service supervisor, “there is a continuum of care offered in our county from medication treatment, various types of therapy, peer support groups and other services that can assist a person in their recovery”.  

If you or someone you know would like to find out more information about adult mental health services offered in Crow Wing County call, Mental Health Intake Social Worker, at Crow Wing County Community Services at (218) 824-1140 or visit our website at www.co.crow-wing.mn.us

Crow Wing County Community Services provides Adult Mental Health services to more than 300 adults each year. The agency is dedicated serving with compassion to promote and protect the health, well-being and self-sufficiency of all residents of Crow Wing County.  

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A Holiday Reminder from the State Patrol

As Minnesotans get ready to head out of town this Memorial Day weekend, the Minnesota State Patrol is reminding drivers that applying the basic rules of the road will mean a safe holiday. With more motorists traveling it’s important for all motorists to pay attention, drive well-rested and be buckle up.

Memorial Day is historically one of the deadliest on the state’s roadways; there were 42 motorists killed and over 1,560 motorists injured from 2005 to 2010. Last year, Minnesota had the safest Memorial Day on record with zero fatalities. Motorists can take Simple steps to avoid death and injury including using seat belts for every seat and every ride, paying attention, slowing down and not drinking and driving.

"We don’t have to experience crashes, deaths and injuries on Minnesota roads," said Brainerd State Patrol Public Information Officer Sgt. Curt Mowers. "Crashes are simply the result of poor decisions that result in driver error, and most are easily prevented.  We need everyone to take personal responsibility for their own action behind the wheel on every trip."

Drivers are also urged to plan ahead and to practice common sense, courtesy and compassion with other motorists.  In addition, extra Click It or Ticket seat belt patrols are on roads now in Minnesota.

Fugitive Grabbed in Anoka Co.

A fugitive's misdeeds, that led through Walker, have ended in Anoka County.

The unnamed suspect is accused of breaking into his ex-girlfriend's house near Clontarf in Pope County May 17th, beating her, and abducting her in her SUV.  She was found later in the day in her disabled SUV near Walker. 

He was collared after being spotted in a car in Anoka County Tuesday evening.

Cass Co Man to Serve 20 Months

A 31-year-old Cass County man is staring at 29 months in prison for threatening a county deputy. 

Robert Joseph Jones received his sentence Monday from Judge David Herrington for making terroristic threats. 

County Attorney Christopher Strandlie says lawmen answered a call about a fight at a Cass Lake residence.  After it was learned Jones had a warrant for his arrest, he was taken to the Cass County jail.  During the ride Jones made comments threatening the deputy.

The sentence is consistent with state guidelines.

Hecker Moved To Pennsylvania Prison

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Fallen Twin Cities auto mogul Denny Hecker has been switched to another prison.

Hecker was recently moved to the U.S. Penitentiary in Canaan, Pa. It's his fifth prison in four months.

Hecker was sentenced to 10 years in prison last year in a high-profile fraud case. He started at the Federal Prison Camp in Duluth, then was moved to prisons in Wisconsin and Indiana before most recently being sent to Oklahoma City.

Man Sentenced For Threatening A Deputy

WALKER, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota judge has sentenced a man to more than two years in prison for threatening a Cass County sheriff's deputy.
Cass County Attorney Christopher Strandlie says 31-year-old Robert Joseph Jones was sentenced Monday. A jury had convicted Jones of making terroristic threats, a felony.
According to the criminal complaint, the deputy was called to a fight in front of a Cass Lake home last December. Jones was arrested on an outstanding warrant and taken to jail. The complaint says Jones made several threats to the deputy, saying he was affiliated with the Native Mob gang and would find out where the deputy lived. Jones' 29-month sentence is consistent with Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines.

Jeannette Watt Named Miss Pequot Lakes

The audience was treated to talent, beauty and brains during the Miss Pequot Lakes Scholarship Pageant Saturday.

The talent portion of the competition featured traditional music and song, but also cooking and archery demonstrations.

When the crowns were awarded, Jeannette Watt, a high school junior was selected Miss Pequot Lakes, the Princess is Josephine Nistler and Miss Congeniality is Kimberly Jessen.

Miss Pequot receives a $1000 scholarship; Princess, $500 and Miss Congeniality, $100.