Latest news with #IsantiCounty
CBS News
21-07-2025
- CBS News
Friends remember man killed in Isanti County Fair crash
A man killed in an accident at a local county fair is being remembered for being a dedicated husband and hard worker. Josh Wines, 28, was driving in a truck as part of the "Night of Destruction" event at the Isanti County Fair on Thursday. He crashed with another vehicle and had to be air-lifted to North Memorial Hospital where he later died. "Josh's wife called me and let me know that he was in an accident," said Mike Hansen, owner of Long Shot Trucking, where Wines worked for the last year. "[He was] just a light. Never really complained about anything. He was just happy to be here." Hansen said he talked about driving in the Isanti County Fair race for a long time. "He was so excited. I think he spent a year getting a car ready for this race," said Hansen. "I spoke with his dad recently and he wasn't able to do the race last year, but got in this year and was super excited about it." Not only was this race a big deal to Wines, but so was the weekend ahead. "He worked Wednesday, Thursday was the county fair, they had planned on going, and then Friday morning they were heading out," said Hansen. Wines and his wife, Kayla, had their camper already packed and ready to head to South Dakota for their honeymoon. A trip that never happened because of this unimaginable tragedy. Loved ones were left heartbroken. "He's going to be missed by a lot of people. He's got a lot of friends, a lot of people that really did respect him. He was a good kid," said Hansen.
CBS News
18-07-2025
- CBS News
Driver suffers life-threatening injuries in Isanti County Fair crash, officials say
A man is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries after a collision at the Isanti County Fair in Cambridge, Minnesota, on Thursday evening, according to fair officials. WCCO has reached out to the Isanti County Sheriff's Office for more information about the collision, which occurred during a demolition derby-style event at the grandstand called "Night of Destruction — WRECKFEST." Fair officials say the driver was airlifted to North Memorial Health in Robbinsdale, and his condition is unknown as of Friday morning. This story will be updated.
CBS News
03-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
St. Paul man pleads guilty in staged robbery gone wrong in Isanti County
A St. Paul man has pleaded guilty to his role in a staged robbery in Isanti County that ended in a fatal shooting. Jerold Downs pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting second-degree murder Monday as part of a deal dismissing the other charges against him, court records show. The robbery and shooting happened during the morning of Dec. 13, 2023, in Spencer Brook Township. Court documents say Saavedra Olivar of Northfield hired three men, including Downs, to rob a "stash house" that contained money and drugs. Olivar said he could get out of debt to a "cartel organization" by staging the robbery. Olivar, Downs, Abraham Alexander Houle and Jesse Rodrigues entered the house dressed as police officers, charges say. Witnesses told police that one of the men held a gun to the head of someone in the house and attempted to tie him up when shots were fired. Jose De Jesus Diaz Fernandes died in the shooting. "At the plea hearing, Downs stated he was '100% responsible' for the actions that led to Mr. Fernandes's death," the Minnesota attorney general's office said. "Downs admitted he participated in the crime, dressed as a police officer, kicked in the front door of the ranch, and fled with his codefendants after the shooting." Olivar was sentenced in February to 30-and-a-half years in prison for second-degree murder and first-degree burglary. Houle pleaded guilty in May. Rodrigues is set to go to trial in August. Downs will be sentenced Aug. 4. As part of the plea deal, he is expected to receive more than 30 years in prison, court records show.
CBS News
19-05-2025
- CBS News
Man, 42, pleads guilty for role in Isanti County staged robbery that ended in a fatal shooting
A 42-year-old man has pleaded guilty for his role in a staged robbery in Isanti County that ended in a shooting that killed another man. Court records show Abraham Alexander Houle of St. Paul pleaded guilty on Monday to one felony count each of aiding an offender, accomplice after the fact, and first-degree burglary with a dangerous weapon The robbery and shooting happened during the morning of Dec. 13, 2023, in Spencer Brook Township. Court documents say Saavedra Olivar of Northfield hired three men, including Houle, to rob a "stash house" that contained money and drugs. Olivar said he could get out of debt to a "cartel organization" by staging the robbery. Olivar, Houle and the two other men, Jesse Rodrigues and Jerold Downs, entered the house dressed as police officers, charges say. Witnesses told police that one of the men held a gun to the head of someone in the house and attempted to tie him up when shots were fired. Jose De Jesus Diaz Fernandes died in the shooting. Houle was arrested in St. Paul one week after the incident. According to the criminal complaint, police found he had an abdominal injury "which resembled a gunshot wound" and was taken to the hospital. Olivar was sentenced in February to 30-and-a-half years in prison for second-degree murder and first-degree burglary. The trial for Rodrigues is set to begin on Aug. 11, according to court records, and a hearing for Downs is scheduled for July 17. The charge against Houle of aiding an offender, accomplice after the fact, was amended from second-degree murder with intent, not premeditated, as part of the plea agreement. The deal also included the dismissal of one count each of second-degree murder without intent while committing a felony and first-degree burglary of an occupied dwelling.
CBS News
14-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Minnesota family warily welcomes new neighbors: A family of black bears
One family north of the Twin Cities is dealing with unexpected visitors — with paws. It's been nearly four years since Tammy Madson and her husband purchased their Isanti County home. "Our camera goes off constantly, all night long and he gets up and checks it and he goes, 'Oh, they're back,'" said Tammy Madson, who lives in Isanti with her husband. "They" as in the neighbors they haven't met. Tammy Madson "We looked out and it's like, 'Oh my gosh, there's five bear out here,'" said Madson. "One large, one medium I would say and then three smaller cubs." Black bears. "They've been here every single day. Saturday, Sunday, Monday, today's Tuesday, been here three times today," Madson added. Which is now what she's slightly on edge about. "They were right there in front of the patio door, just looking at us," said Madson. "I am afraid. Yeah, a little bit. A little bit." Because they've also caused destruction. "We'll probably call the DNR and see if they have any recommendations for us," Madson told WCCO. Because she's not playing the game Goldilocks did. "It's scary. But the little bears are so cute, they're like climbing the trees and everything, I mean, they're really cute but," Madson added. "I never expected to see a bear. Not in my backyard anyway, and not right by my front door." The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says black bears are the only bear species that inhabits the state today. If you see a bear outside of its normal range, the DNR encourages you to report it.
