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Regional officials would eventually like to provide passenger rail service between Red Wing and St. Paul. The Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority paid a consultant $150,000 to analyze the possible service. Completed in January, the study was shared with Goodhue County commissioners on Tuesday.
The Cannon Valley Trail was named Minnesota's finest biking spot in 2004. But trail manager Scott Roepke is quick to point out that the 20-mile stretch of blacktop has more to offer than just bicycling. "The scenery -- the valleys, bluffs and the Cannon River -- is all great. There is a wide range of cultural and natural resources," Roepke said. "There's a lot of variety." The trail attracts close to 100,000 people annually. They come on bikes, on foot, on cross-country skis. They come year-round.
Goodhue County authorities have received six more tips since releasing forensic images last month of three babies found dead between 1999 and 2007 in the Mississippi River near Red Wing. "It's not as many tips as we would like," said Capt. Pat Thompson of the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office. "But I'm not saying I'm dissatisfied. "I understand a number of years have passed in some cases," he added.
Authorities on Thursday released forensic images of three infants found dead in 1999, 2003 and 2007 along the Mississippi River in Goodhue County. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children created the composite renderings, which represent how the babies might have appeared soon after birth. Forensic artists created the images using photos local authorities took of the babies. "This definitely adds a touch of life to the children," said Capt. Pat Thompson of the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office. "I'm hoping the public's reaction is a positive one.
Bail has been set at $1 million for two 19-year-olds charged with murder in connection with a shooting Sunday in Red Wing. Marvin Todd Griffith and William Jamar Lawton, both of Red Wing, made their first appearance Tuesday in Goodhue County District Court. Goodhue County Attorney Stephen Betcher said Griffith shot and killed 27-year-old Joel Rafael Diaz Albelo while trying to rob him during a drug deal. Lawton, Betcher said, appears to have been an accomplice. Another alleged accomplice, 16-year-old Julian Stephan Smith of Red Wing, also appeared in court Tuesday.
As Kenyon Wind officials gear up for construction of their nine-turbine wind farm, a group of concerned citizens still has faith the project will be stalled and get the scrutiny they say it deserves. Citizens for Environmental Rights and Safety filed a petition this month asking the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to reconsider its decision allowing Kenyon Wind to operate a wind farm in Kenyon and Cherry Grove townships. "The fat lady hasn't sung yet," said Red Wing attorney Carol Overland, who previously represented CFERS.
WANAMINGO TOWNSHIP - Friday marked the beginning of the end of a long journey. After 38 years, Maj. Ben Danielson was home and the guest of honor at a tribute his family has been waiting for. "This is our miracle," Mary Danielson-Gates told hundreds of people gathered to honor her husband, an Air Force fighter pilot. "This chapter is not closed. That means we go back.
WELCH -- Authorities came up empty handed Wednesday after searching Mississippi River backwaters for possible clues related to the March discovery of a baby girl's body near Prairie Island marina. A two-man search team from the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office combed four miles of shoreline between North and Sturgeon lakes. Officials had planned on scouring the area by boat once flood waters receded. The crew spent several hours on the water today. Authorities say they have received more than 30 tips in the case.
A dead baby was found Monday floating in the water at Prairie Island Marina, according to the Goodhue County sheriff's department. Authorities have not yet released information regarding the sex of the child or how long it was floating in Sturgeon Lake, though it appears the baby was a newborn. "We'll know more after the autopsy," said Pat Thompson, captain of the sheriff's department investigation unit. "We don't know any details on how the baby died or where." The Regional Medical Examiner's Office in Hastings is performing an autopsy.
