Latest news with #Matzen
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Biking 4,000 miles to help homeless veterans
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Gage Matzen is on a 4,228-mile mission across America. 'I've always loved big adventures that are physically tough,' Matzen said. The Tea, South Dakota native is biking the TransAmerica Trail, which begins in Yorktown, Virginia. He set off in early May, and he hopes to reach his final destination in Astoria, Oregon in early August. Air quality alert issued for South Dakota due to wildfire smoke 'I'm making good progress, I think. The days should pick up with mileage as well as the trip has been going on. A couple days ago, we did 80 and then another 70 miles after that,' Matzen said. The reason he's biking across the country is to raise money to help those who have served. Last summer, Matzen volunteered for a day at the Veterans Community Project of Sioux Falls. 'At my last job in Sioux Falls, we did a volunteer opportunity at VCP and had the opportunity to go out, build some frames, some walls, and the houses and hear some testimonials,' Matzen said. 'It just kind of struck home for me.' From support services to a home of their own, the nonprofit provides veterans with resources to help them get back on their feet. To Matzen, this was eye-opening. 'Just hearing those stories really solidifies how awesome that organization is and why I want to help raise money for it,' Matzen said. So, as any other 'aspiring TransAmerica Trail rider' would do, he told the staff in Sioux Falls his plan and began preparing for his ride across the country. 'He had expressed sort of a bucket list thing to bike across the country. What he told Kaelyn, who he's been working with, is he wanted to do this for somebody else. He wouldn't quit,' Veterans Community Project of Sioux Falls executive director John Holter said. 'He was motivated by helping someone else.' With no government funding, the Veterans Community Project relies on donations and volunteers. Right now, the organization is adding another row of homes to the Sioux Falls village to help more veterans get a fresh start. 'Paying the light bill, helping finish out building the village- all that money goes to helping house homeless veterans,' Holter said. Helping others is a big part of Matzen's goal, but it's also about pushing himself. Sioux Falls street closures start Monday 'A couple of years ago, I was involved in a drunk driving accident. We were hit head-on on a highway, and thankfully, myself and my passengers were okay, but my ankle was put into a pilon fracture and shattered,' Matzen said. 'I spent a good year and a half or two years in and out of surgeries and recovery.' Now, back on his feet, Matzen is biking not only to challenge himself, but to inspire others. The trek across America is no small feat, and it requires plenty of rest days, resilience and even the kindness of strangers. 'I've been approached by so many people. 'Are you biking across? Are you doing the TransAmerica Trail?' And they try to buy you dinner,' Matzen said. 'I had a lady come up to me at the gas station as I was riding my bike while I was eating a snack. She said, 'Do you have a place to stay tonight?' She's like 'I'm always looking for cyclists and we love hosting. You guys are so much fun.'' It wasn't long before Matzen realized he wasn't alone on this mission. What started as a solo ride to help veterans has grown into a shared journey with cyclists from around the world. 'Along the way, I've met at least ten other cyclists doing this, and now I'm actually rolling with three guys: one from California, a guy from London, U.K., and a guy from West Virginia. So, we've been rolling together, and then we actually met two other gals from the Netherlands,' Matzen said. 'We rode with them for a few days, and the whole last week has flown by because we've been hanging out and riding together.' Each biker has their own story, their own goals, and their own reason to keep moving forward. For Matzen, it means pedaling across the same country that so many have fought to protect. You can follow along with Matzen's journey, and you can also donate to help him reach his fundraising goal and support veterans in Sioux Falls. The new Miss South Dakota has been crowned Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Yahoo
Emily Rogers death: Nicholas Matzen guilty of reckless homicide
The Brief Nicholas Matzen has been convicted of reckless homicide in the death of Emily Rogers. The jury also found him guilty of hiding a corpse. Sentencing is scheduled for April 17. MILWAUKEE - Nicholas Matzen, the Milwaukee man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend, Emily Rogers, has been found guilty of 1st-degree reckless homicide by a jury on Friday, March 7. Sentencing for Matzen is scheduled for April 17. The backstory An ordeal that began in May 2022 is finally coming to a close. Terry Rogers and Ammie Lyde drove from North Texas when they learned their daughter, 23-year-old Emily Rogers, was missing along with her infant daughter. The little girl was later found safe. Rogers was last seen alive by her on-and-of again boyfriend, Nicholas Matzen, on April 27, 2022. That same day, Matzen was released from jail. Rogers planned to break up with Matzen. Rogers' body was found behind a St. Francis business days later. What we know The Milwaukee County jury took a little more than two hours to reach the guilty verdicts against Matzen on Friday, March 7. He was also found guilty of hiding a corpse. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android It has been 1,045 days since Rogers died. With thousands of road miles logged from North Texas to Milwaukee, Rogers' family feels closer to putting painful memories to rest. What they're saying "A sense of relief. I'm so happy. Justice is finally – it's been a long time coming. I didn't think this day would ever be here," said Ammie Lyde, Rogers' mother. "These are tears of joy." "We knew it was coming – it just took longer than we wanted," said Terry Rogers, Emily's father. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News "There's no more wondering. It's over. I can move on with my life and close this chapter," Lyde said. What's next Again, sentencing for Matzen is scheduled for April 17. The Source FOX6 News was in attendance at the trial and used prior coverage.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Yahoo
Emily Rogers death: Nicholas Matzen's homicide trial continues
The Brief In court on Wednesday, March 5, a man that was given immunity during the investigation into Emily Rogers' death took the stand. Nicholas Matzen faces one count of first-degree reckless homicide and one count of hiding a corpse. Rogers' body was found in St. Francis, days after she was reported missing. MILWAUKEE - Emily Rogers disappeared from her Milwaukee home nearly three years ago and now her ex-boyfriend is on trial for allegedly killing her. What we know Nicholas Matzen's trial kicked off on Monday, March 3. In court on Wednesday, March 5, a man that was given immunity during the investigation took the stand. What they're saying Back on April 27, Felix Torres said his brother called him, saying that he needed help. More specifically, his brother's friend, Matzen, needed help. Torres said he and Matzen went to the house he and Rogers shared near 24th and Becher. "He spoke in riddles. It was over. He said it was done. Said they were done, and he had to go grab clothes for the baby," Torres said. "They were going to have a cordial separation." Torres said he helped Matzen roll up Rogers in a rug and put her body in a car trunk, and the two drove to an industrial area in St. Francis. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News "He opens the bathroom door, and first thing that popped in my head was, he was [expletive] serious," Torres said. "[...] Pull behind the building, take her out and dump her in the creek." Dig deeper Torres never went to the police and never talked about what happened. He was arrested in the days that followed, and entered into an agreement with prosecutors: he would tell them what he knew, for immunity for himself and for his brother to not get charged. Torres was the 16th witness in the state's case, as prosecutors came closer to wrapping up their case. A detective testified Matzen said he and a friend carried out a 400-pound sex doll, and got rid of it. At the end of the day, prosecutors played recorded jail phone calls of Matzen. One of them read a letter he wrote to his young daughter, confessing to taking Roger's life, and that he will have to face 12 jurors in judgement. The backstory In May 2022, Rogers' parents drove hours from their Texas homes to 24th and Becher. Their 23-year-old daughter was reported missing on May 1. Prosecutors charged the then-35-year-old with killing Rogers and dumping her body. He was arrested days before Rogers died on an unrelated matter. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android An autopsy ruled her cause of death asphyxia in the manner of homicide. What's next The trial is scheduled to continue on Thursday, March 6. The Source FOX6 was in attendance at the trial and used prior coverage.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Yahoo
Emily Rogers homicide: Nicholas Matzen trial moving forward
The Brief The trial of Nicholas Matzen, the Milwaukee man charged in connection with the death of Emily Rogers, is moving forward. Rogers' ex-boyfriend, Matzen, faces one count of first-degree reckless homicide and one count of hiding a corpse, A friend had reported Rogers missing after not hearing from her for a few days; she had repeatedly reached out to Rogers on April 28, 2022, but did not hear back. MILWAUKEE - Emily Rogers disappeared from her Milwaukee home nearly three years ago. What we know In May 2022, Rogers' parents drove hours from their Texas homes to 24th and Becher. Their 23-year-old daughter was reported missing on May 1. But she was last seen alive days earlier by her then-boyfriend, Nicholas Matzen. They were at the home they shared with their one-year-old child. Rogers' body was found in St. Francis, days after she was reported missing. Prosecutors charged the then-35-year-old with killing Rogers and dumping her body. He was arrested days before Rogers died on an unrelated matter. In an interview, police spoke to someone who had reportedly spoken with Matzen on April 27, 2022. The complaint states Matzen told the person "I (expeletive) up, I hurt her" and that Rogers was dead. Later, the person said Matzen informed them that "the job is done" and they "don't have anything to worry about." FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android. Matzen allegedly told the person he had broken Rogers' neck, per the complaint. An autopsy ruled her cause of death asphyxia in the manner of homicide. Dig deeper Court filings say Rogers planned to break up with Matzen when he was released on April 27, messaging a friend shortly before her death. Rogers: I literally had to force him to leave Friend: U ok? Rogers: Not exactly. Friend: what happened? Rogers: I'll call you in a minute Rogers: If I can Prosecutors say that cryptic message was the last she would send. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News What's next Nearly three years later, Matzen's homicide trial is moving forward. He's on his third defense attorney. In between, asking and getting denied to represent himself and scheduling delays. On Monday, March 3, 14 jurors were selected, with eight men and six women. Jurors were read instructions and opening statements were made. Witnesses will be called on Tuesday, March 4, and the trial is expected to last through the week. What they're saying "I've read this complaint, I do find probable cause," Milwaukee County circuit court commissioner Grace Flynn said. "Mr. Matzen murdered Emily Rogers and dumped her near a stream in St. Francis," Milwaukee County assistant district attorney Dan Flaherty said. "[...] Conflicting stories of events," Defense attorney Scott Anderson said. "Observations that were made that can't be true." The Source FOX6 was in attendance at the Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court and used prior coverage.
