Andy Brownell KROC-AM NEWS

February 5, 2012

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is urging everyone with plans to consume alcoholic beverages while they enjoy Super Bowl Sunday to make sure they have arranged a ride home before they head out to the many parties taking place today.  Law enforcement officers will be on the lookout for impaired motorists in the hours following the game in hopes of preventing serious injury or fatal crashes.  Officials not that from 2006 through 2010, there have been over 1200 drunk driving arrests in Minnesota on Super Bowl Sunday.

Minnesota News Network

February 5, 2012

Former Vikings defensive end/linebacker Chris Doleman has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  Doleman was drafted by the Vikings in 1985 and went on to lead the team in sacks six times.  He was named a Pro Bowler eight times in his career, six times with the Vikings, and one time each as a member of the Falcons and 49ers.  Doleman will be enshrined in Canton in August. 

Andy Brownell KROC-AM NEWS

February 4, 2012

It's suspected a space heater might have started a fire that heavily damaged the second story of an apartment house in southeast Rochester Saturday morning.  The blaze was reported around 9:30am at 127 Mayo Park Drive by a neighbor.  All of the residents were able to get out safely and the extent of the damage is still being assessed. 

Wheeler News

February 4, 2012

 De Pere, Wisconsin Police say a person called them saying he had killed three people.  When officers arrived at the home, they say they found the bodies of a woman and two children along with the body of the woman's husband.   Investigators say it appears to be a triple-murder-suicide.  The names of the victims have not been released  Police say a man called them at about 3 p.m. Friday saying he had just killed three people and was about to kill himself. 

Minnesota News Network

February 4, 2012

An exhibit titled "Diana, A Celebration" opens this weekend at the Mall of America.  It includes over 150 items that help illlustrate the life story of the late Princess Diana of the British Royal Family.  Those items include Princess Di's wedding dress, which is billed as "the most famous wedding gown in the world."

Andy Brownell KROC-AM NEWS

February 4, 2012

A Hastings couple went before a federal judge in the Twin Cities has pleaded guilty to charges connected to a mortgage fraud scheme that involved some properties in Rochester.  51-year-old James Hoffman admitted to money laundering and tax evasion charges, while 52-year-old Teresa Hoffman pleaded guilty to a single count of tax evasion.  The two were accused of using so-called "straw buyers" to fraudulently obtain mortgages on properties in Minnesota and Wisconsin, including some apartments in Rochester.  Prosecutors say the scheme cost the affected lenders over $5-million dollars.

Andy Brownell KROC-AM NEWS

February 3, 2012

Two of the Republican presidential candidates have scheduled campaign appearances in Rochester before Minnesota holds its precinct caucuses next Tuesday.  Hundreds of supporters of Ron Paul gathered Saturday morning at Mayo High School this morning to hear the Texas Congressman speak at a Town Hall style event.  Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, who previously scheduled a series of campaign stops in the state on Sunday, has now added a visit to Rochester to his itinerary.  His website says Santorum is scheduled to deliver a major health care speech at the Kahler Grand Hotel at 10am on Monday.

Andy Brownell KROC-AM NEWS/Minnesota News Network

February 3, 2012

 The head of the Minnesota Association of Realtors is indicating the 2011 housing market statistics for the state suggest a gradual recovery in home values may be on the way.  The association says home sales rose 2.9-percent statewide last year, while the median sale price of the homes sold slid almost 8.5-percent to $135,000 dollars.  The Association's CEO, Christopher Galler, says the indicator that suggests home prices should soon begin rising was a 20-percent drop in the state's inventory of homes for sale last year.  The inventory of 103,500 homes was the lowest since 2008.

Minnesota News Network

February 3, 2012

Flu activity remains low around the state. During the latest reporting week, only six people were hospitalized with the flu and no deaths were reported. The state Health Department says only two schools reported flu-like outbreaks and there were none reported in the state's nursing homes. Since the start of the flu season, three people have died from influenza-related complications.

Minnesota News Network

February 3, 2012

There are good days and bad days but overall Benilde-St.Margaret's hockey player Jack Jablonski is making "remarkable" progress. That's according to comments on his CaringBridge website. Jablonski is recovering from a spinal cord injury which happened during a game in late December. The latest progress report says Jablonski, despite getting nauseous and dizzy at times, was able to raise his right arm and feed himself with the help of a therapist.