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TROUT STREAM RESTORATION

Researchers assessing restoration on Minnesota trout streams

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A team of northern Minnesota researchers is evaluating the results of millions of dollars of major restoration work on dozens of trout streams across the state in the last decade. In addition to finding out whether the trout have returned, the state needs to know if realigning creeks has upset their natural connection with groundwater or if it has unintentionally made some problems worse. The Star Tribune reports that erosion is the root problem forcing major restorations. More streams will be realigned in the coming years as they continue to wash away land near homes, roads, bridges and businesses.

DEER HUNTING OPENER-AMMUNITION

Wisconsin deer gun hunters once again face ammo shortage

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Wisconsin kicked off its 170th deer gun season and for the second straight year some hunters were feeling ill-equipped. A nationwide ammunition shortage due to the supply chain issues affecting other products has left hunters searching far and wide for ammo in the first place and then shelling out more money if they do find it. Randy and Tiffani Rogness, who own Paddock Lake Sporting Goods in Salem, had empty ammunition shelves on Friday. When a new supply is delivered it lasts two to three hours, even at one box limit per customer. One of the nation’s biggest ammunition manufacturers, Vista Outdoor in Anoka, Minnesota, said it’s “ramping production ahead of schedule at its Remington facility to meet unprecedented demand.”

LANDLORD FINED

Minneapolis landlord fined for ‘horrific’ rental conditions

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Hennepin County district judge has fined a north Minneapolis landlord $133,500 for what he called horrific conditions in his rental properties.Judge Patrick Robben ruled Thursday that landlord Steven Meldahl operated in bad faith by telling tenants that they were not allowed to contact city inspectors, violating the rights of 267 families who rented his properties. Robben levied a fine of $500 per family. He also issued a permanent injunction preventing Meldahl from engaging in illegal and deceptive practices, and gave him until Dec. 15 to comply with all housing correction notices. David Shulman, Meldahl’s attorney, declined to comment.

PHOTO FLAP

Photo firm ordered to preserve websites; owes $25K in rent

BISMARCK,N.D. (AP) — A judge has ordered Glasser Images to preserve its websites as the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office investigates the abrupt closure of the Bismarck photography studio last month. The business also is facing a possible eviction from its downtown location for owing $25,000 in rent and late fees. Glasser Images photographed weddings throughout the Dakotas, Minnesota and Colorado. Owner Jack Glasser has said the studio could not remain financially viable, due in large part to the coronavirus pandemic. The photo studio announced it would be unable to refund clients when it closed. The attorney general’s office is investigating to determine if fraud occurred.

POLICE SHOOTING-OLIVIA

Olivia police officer cleared in fatal shooting from July

MANKATO, Minn. (AP) — A police officer in the western Minnesota town of Olivia won’t face criminal charges over a fatal shooting in July. Minnesota Public Radio reports that Blue Earth County Attorney Patrick McDermott says Officer Aaron Clouse acted within the law when he killed Ricardo Torres Jr. July 4. According to an investigative summary, Clouse was putting up a surveillance camera in an alley when he radioed that shots had been fired. Clouse said he’d seen Torres carrying a gun and told him to drop it. Torres allegedly responded that Clouse should drop his, and pointed a shotgun at the officer, who then shot Torres.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MINNESOTA

Minnesota COVID-19 hospitalizations top 1,400 amid surge

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The number of Minnesota patients hospitalized with COVID-19 has surpassed 1,400 for the first time since last December, before vaccines became available. According to state health department statistics released Friday, Minnesota hospitals were caring for 1,414 patients with complications of the coronavirus, including 340 patients in intensive care. Only 2% of adult intensive care unit beds were free, and 56 hospitals reported that their adult ICU beds were at capacity. The influx of new patients comes as Minnesota reported another 5,162 new infections and 30 additional deaths. Minnesota continues to have one of the highest rates of infection in the nation.

TURKEY PRICES

Turkey producers benefiting from higher prices this year

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Agriculture experts say Minnesota farmers who grow about 45 million turkeys annually will benefit from higher prices this year. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture says the price of turkeys has steadily increased as demand has risen following a year in which there were fewer family gatherings and restaurant traffic was down due to the coronavirus pandemic. Livestock marketing economist with the North Dakota State University Extension Service, Tim Petry, says the prices are the best producers have seen for a number of years. And, while turkey prices are up 17 cents a pound from last year, Petry said consumers are still likely to find bargains as many stores sell turkeys below cost and markup other items that go along with a Thanksgiving meal.

FATAL FARGO SHOOTINGS

Minnesota man charged in killing of couple at Fargo factory

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A 35-year-old man has been charged with three counts of murder in the shooting deaths at a Fargo factory of a man and a woman who was eight months pregnant. Anthony Reese Jr., of Moorhead, Minnesota, is charged with killing 43-year-old Richard Pittman, 32-year-old April Carbone and her unborn child after an argument Wednesday at Composite America. He made his first court appearance Thursday, where a judge set his bond at $2 million and scheduled a preliminary hearing for Dec. 16. Authorities allege that Reese shot the couple after getting into an argument at the factory and being told by management to leave. Police say he later returned with a gun and opened fire.