Steven Duncan, 52, of St. Paul was arrested for what law enforcement call “quick change” at the two gas stations. Quick changes is when a person, in this case Duncan, uses a technique where they ask cashiers for change repeatedly confusing the cashier and therefore getting more cash than originally given.

While a Wright County deputy was investigating the theft of $50 to $80 stolen from the Montrose Casey’s, a cashier at the Cokato Cenex also reported a similar crime where the suspect obtained $60 of the store’s money. A liscence plate number and description of the vehicle was obtained and the suspect was stopped by a Meeker County deputy in Dassel.

Though this isn’t a real common crime, it does tend to happen occassionally, mostly on freeways and highways, according to Mike Even at the Wright County Sherriff’s office.

Norlin said that wandering is a life threatening behavior associated with people who have these cognitive conditions and time is one of the most critical factors in a search. This program is a highly effective solution to public safety agencies responsible for rescuing those in need, according to Norlin.

To begin the program, the family must apply with the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office. A waterproof transmitter bracelet is put on the wrist of the family member in the program. The bracelet is worn all day, every day and sends out a signal every second of the day. Should this member wander away, the family contacts the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office who will have the trained personnel to use the tracking equipment needed to find the missing loved one, according to Norlin.

Project Lifesaver was established in 1999, has developed a network of more that 1,000 Law Enforcement and Public Safety Agencies nationwide and has more that 2,000 successful rescues to date. Sheriff Norlin
advised it is a relatively straightforward program. Many state and national associations, including the National Sheriff’s Association and The Alzheimer’s Foundation, endorse project Lifesaver.

For information on Project Lifesaver, or if you have a family member or know someone who would benefit from this program, you are encouraged to call the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office at (320) 693-5400.

Ruby Voight, 91, of Cokato was killed while trying to cross Highway 12 as a pedestrian northbound at Johnson Ave. NW (near the Marketplace) at about 5:15 p.m. She was using the crosswalk, according to the accident report filed by the State Patrol.

Voight was struck by David Rostomily, 55, of Cokato who was going westbound in a 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe. Rostomily was not injured. His vehicle sustained minor damage and was towed to Holt Motors.

Voight was pronounced dead at the scene at a nearby air ambulance landing zone (near the industrial park). The air ambulance helicopter was dispatched to the scene, with the fire department dispatching several crews to help with traffic control, and assist in the air ambulance. The State Patrol was assisted by the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, according to the accident report.

A female pedestrian was killed on the highway at Johnson Ave. NW (near the Marketplace) while trying to cross northbound at about 5:15 p.m.  Identification of the victim is being withheld until relatives are notified. (Note: the State Patrol report initially listed the pedestrian as being “male.”  This was updated to female shortly after).

The vehicle involved was a 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe traveling westbound.  It sustained minor damage and was towed to Holt Motors.

A helicopter was dispatched to the scene, with the fire department dispatching several crews to help with traffic control, and assist in the air ambulance.  The State Patrol was assisted by the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, according to the accident report.

After a grand total of 33 years of public service, Dille indicated that he won’t seek re-election next year. He was first elected to the Senate in 1992. He previously served in the Minnesota House, where he was first elected in 1986.

On average, Minnesota legislators serve for about ten years. Dille started his public service many years ago as a township supervisor for Dassel Township.

“By the end of next year when my term ends, I will have had the honor and privilege of serving my constituents and the State of Minnesota at the Capitol for 24 years. Effective at the end my current term, I will be stepping down from my role as your state senator and will not seek re-election in 2010,” Dille noted.

“I have been fortunate enough to spend much of my adult life serving the people surrounding me. I entered elected office in 1977, serving as the Dassel Township supervisor. I then held a seat on the Board of Meeker County commissioners from 1984 until my first term in the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1986. After my first stint in state politics, I ran for the Minnesota State Senate in 1992, where I have been protecting the interests of my constituents and the state at large for over seventeen years. The time I have spent in public office has been extremely fulfilling and has greatly enriched my life.”

“I would like to thank all of you for the tremendous amount of support you have given me over my years as an elected official. While looking forward to my retirement, I will miss the opportunity I have been given to serve my community. It has been a pleasure representing your needs and an honor serving each of you during my 33 years of service.

Dille says he is looking forward to his last session which starts Feb. 4, 2010. “I will keep working hard to find solutions to the issues that face my constituents and my state. If you have any ideas you would like to share with me, please contact me so I can continue to represent your best interests during my final year in office.”

District 18 includes all of Meeker and McLeod counties, plus the following area in Wright County: the cities of Howard Lake, Cokato, and Annandale; and townships of French Lake, Middleville, South Haven, Southside, and Stockholm.

The accident occurred at approximately 8:49 p.m. on CSAH 1, ¼ of a mile north of MN Hwy 7. Meeker County Deputies, Cosmos Police, Cosmos Fire and Cosmos Ambulance were dispatched to the scene.

Investigation shows that Quast was southbound on CSAH 1 on a 1987 Harley Davidson motorcycle that he
was riding. The motorcycle rolled several times and came to rest in the west ditch.

The Minnesota State Patrol assisted the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office and the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the accident.

According the the Annandale Advocate, police in all but one Minnesota city where there are similar hospitals have taken the same position.

In April, a patient at the Annandale Community Behavioral Health Hospital attacked an officer, grabbed his handgun, and fired a shot at the floor.

A new lockbox has been placed in the hall where police enter the building, and staff will request the officers lock their weapons. The old box was behind a locked door.

According to the Annandale Advocate, Annandale police have been called to the CBHH for emergencies since the April incident,  and declined when staff asked them to put their weapons in the lockbox.

Instead, police are taking more officers on emergency calls to the hospital. Police analyzed the April incident and concluded they could’ve gotten more information and had more manpower. The main thing was additional manpower.

To read the full article, go to http://www.annandaleadvocate.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&ArticleID=9587&SubSectionID=1

COKATO, MN - A Cokato man was found deceased in his home on 365 Broadway Ave. N. (south of the Baptist church) yesterday, Nov. 1, following a welfare check.
It was determined Robert Wuotila, 66, died of natural causes when he was found by Wright County Sheriff’s deputies who responded to a check welfare call at approximately 10:23 a.m. Sunday.
The deputy coroner was contacted and the Cokato Fire Department also assisted.

Danny Sipola, 56, of Clearwater was traveling northbound driving a 2000 Honda Road Start on Highway 24 near 105th Street when he left the road and ended up on the west side of the highway.  The road conditions were listed as dry by the State Patrol.