KEVIN WALLEVAND

Minnesota high school hockey goalie's senior picture is tribute to late Grandpa

Kevin Wallevand — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:12 GMT

HALLOCK, Minn. — When Jameson Turner of Hallock looks back at his storied high school hockey career at Kittson County Central, there will be a lot to cover.

Like the night when he broke the record for "career saves" in the Minnesota State High �� League with more than 2,100 career saves.

"It goes right to the pad of Turner," the sports announcer for Crookston radio station KROX said during the recent game between Kittson County Central and Crookston.

There's no getting around it, Jameson Turner has left a mark on Minnesota hockey this season.

But the senior is celebrating more than a state record for goalie saves. He might also have the best senior picture around, with Jameson on the left and Jameson's late grandfather, Kim, also a goalie from Hallock, pictured on the right.

"He has the old pads on and everything , so he looks really sick," Jameson said of his grandfather, Kim.

Loren Younggren of Younggren Photography was well aware that Jameson's grandfather played hockey in Hallock back in the 70s.

"And it is just amazing how their styles are so similar. They were both so calm and smooth, and could predict where the puck was going. It's just fun to watch Jameson because it is like watching his grandpa," Younggren said.

And so Younggren started experimenting with composing a picture that included both Grandfather Kim and Grandson Jameson.

"He definitely has 70s hockey hair, yes," Younggren said, laughing.

"I hit this one and it was like, 'That's it,' ... That's the one I need to go with," Younggren added.

Jameson said he feels the photo is perfect.

"I wasn't sure how it would turn out. I had seen the original picture of my grandpa and I thought, 'This will be cool to try and match it up.' Loren said he was going to try and make it look good and it looks way better than I thought it could've," Jameson said.

Grandpa Kim died shortly after Jameson was born. But this picture has a lifetime of impact now on the family. Two goalies forever connected in the locker room.

"When I put the two together, it looked like they were having a conversation. It just clicked," Younggren said.

The two just seemed to meet again. Both holding a can of pop, ready to tell the tale of the puck.

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DL's Patriot Assistance Dogs has trained 300 dogs for veterans

Kevin Wallevand — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 00:18:03 GMT

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. — You've maybe heard the saying: We don't deserve dogs.

And in Detroit Lakes, a special group of trained dogs is changing, even saving the lives of veterans.

The veterans come to Detroit Lakes from all over a five-state area.

Phil Krabbe, 44, and his trained dog, Cal, are inseparable.

"Good boy," Krabbe, a U.S. Marine veteran, says to Cal. "Good check-in, I'm OK."

Krabbe, who lives in Detroit Lakes, has battled post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mental health issues since returning from multiple deployments to Iraq.

"I've dealt with suicide a lot since getting out of the military. A lot of my brothers I have served with have died by suicide and I have been to a lot of funerals, and I have dealt with it personally," Krabbe said.

This black lab has transformed his life.

"He (Cal) gave me the confidence to go out in public and live life," Krabbe said.

Krabbe is now a mentor at Patriot Assistance Dogs in Detroit Lakes. Since 2011, staff has trained 300 dogs, often found at shelters and pounds, that have been teamed up with struggling veterans in the region.

"It means that the '22 a day' — 22 veterans a day nationwide die by suicide — but since we have placed the 300 dogs we have had only one suicide and that occurred in a hospital where they would not allow him to have his dog," Linda Wiedewitsch, Patriot Assistance Dogs founder, said of veterans who received the dogs.

The nonprofit is always raising money. It takes nearly a half million dollars a year to keep the program running. Each dog costs about $25,000 to train from start to finish.

But the impact? Priceless.

"Suicidal thoughts last 45 seconds to a minute-and-a-half and if you can divert your attention for that long, it is life saving and they (dogs) do that," Krabbe said.

Patriot Assistance Dogs has a Purse Bingo fundraiser set for March 1 at the Detroit Lakes VFW. Call (218) 844-6003 for more information.

You can also visit their website at patriotassistancedogs.com.

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Honda denies defect in runaway car incident

Kevin Wallevand — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 15:49:00 GMT

WEST FARGO — Honda says there was no "system malfunction" that caused a West Fargo teen's car to reach speeds of 113 mph and would not stop until a Minnesota trooper intervened, forcing the driver to hit his squad car.

Sam Dutcher, 18, of West Fargo, was driving his Honda Pilot on Sept. 17 near Harwood, North Dakota, when the car suddenly accelerated and would not slow down or stop. He called his mother and 911 as he sped through numerous rural intersections and into Minnesota.

In all, he traveled about 30 miles before a Minnesota State Patrol trooper was able to get in front of Dutcher east of Hitterdal, Minnesota.

The trooper then had Dutcher intentionally crash into the back of his vehicle to slow it down and eventually stop the runaway car.

In a statement to WDAY News on Tuesday, Jan. 7, Honda said it did an inspection of Dutcher's car in November. The company said it "identified no vehicle defects that could have contributed to the event described by the driver." It went on to say that "no evidence of any system malfunction was found."

The family said the last time they saw the car was when the insurance company picked up the vehicle.

Catherine Dutcher, Sam's mother, said she does not believe Honda did not find any problems with the car.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not responded if they have yet to inspect the car.

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Family grateful as six of them recover from violent crash last month near Felton

Kevin Wallevand — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 00:31:19 GMT

FELTON, Minn. — What started off as a trip to a homeschool conference ended with six people from one vehicle hospitalized, some with long-lasting injuries.

Like most farms in Polk County, June is a busy time of year. But inside Steve and Tansy Hoppe's home near Crookston, it still looks a little like a hospital floor.

"I feel very blessed, very grateful to God we are all here," said 14-year-old Kai Hoppe from his wheelchair at home.

Kai, along with his three brothers, mom, and grandmother, were injured after a semi-truck T-boned them while they were driving south on Highway 9 near Felton. They were headed to a homeschool education conference.

"I never saw this semi approaching until it was too late, and it was the grill of the semi right in our windows. I was watching on impact," Tansy Hoppe said.

Tansy Hoppe is the mother of the four boys and was driving the Suburban at the time of the crash. She is still recovering from her injuries that day and says she realized quickly that 6-year-old Beau Hoppe was in trouble.

"I knew at that point that Jesus was our only hope," Tansy Hoppe said. "Because (Beau) wasn't breathing (and) he was bluish."

Steve Hoppe was back at the farm when he got the call from his wife.

"She got me on the phone and I could hear her praying over Beau and that is when it hit me: This is real serious. She said they had been in a bad crash," Steve Hoppe said.

Once the Clay County Sheriff's Department and EMT crews arrived on scene and realized how critically injured the children were, three medical helicopters were called in. One was able to land and take the most critically injured, Kai Hoppe

He had a crushed artery in his foot and was bleeding badly.

"They put me on a stretcher (...) and took me right into the helicopter, " Kai Hoppe said.

Some of the family members who were injured spent a few hours or days at Sanford Health in Fargo. Others, like Beau Hoppe, needed surgery to repair broken legs and other injuries. Kai Hoppe also needed surgery. Both boys are in wheelchairs while they recover.

Sanford is marking 10 years as a Level Two pediatric trauma center, which can make all the difference when time is key to getting life-saving care.

"I think the most important thing is that you have specialists available in a very timely manner. Almost all of the surgical specialties that we have, many of them are in house all the time or immediately available," said Sanford pediatric surgeon Dr. Johanna Askegard.

The family has a deep faith, and they say the crash has changed them. The summer will be spent healing, farming and being grateful for everyone in the house who made it out of the crash alive.

"It's such a blessing. The injuries could have been so much worse," Steve Hoppe said.

"I have a much deeper sense of peace. It's just each day is truly a gift," Tansy Hoppe said.

No charges have been filed against the 22-year old semi-truck driver from Texas, but the state patrol has not yet wrapped up its investigation.

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No snow, warm temps and strong sun means perfect season for early ice out and weeds

Kevin Wallevand — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 00:48:04 GMT

LAKE BLANCHE, Minn. — On some of Otter Tail County's lake gems on Friday, March 8, it looked so inviting you almost wanted to take a dip. Lake Blanche is already clear of ice, while the fishing opener is still weeks away.

On Otter Tail, there are large sections of open water. We could be headed to a record ice out there. Up and down lakes country, from Middle Leaf to Lida, from Swan Lake to Silver, to East Battle Lake, the lakes are opening up. But with a lack of snow cover and warm temperatures, look out. The sun has been out, penetrating all winter long, and weeds, like curly-leaf pondweed, are on the way.

"That means we're going to get ramped up here pretty soon," said Troy Friedrich, owner and operator of Aquatic Weed Harvesting Company near Henning and Otter Tail. His family's business has seen years similar to this, but nothing quite like this.

"With the warmer temperatures that we've had all winter, no snow cover. I mean, there's been no snow on the lakes. The sun is penetrating through the ice. A lot of people think weeds die off in the winter but they truly don't. They're just dormant. It's going to be a big change for us. We are going to be going a lot earlier this year than last year," Friedrich said.

Low lake levels in the fall going into winter will not only mean more weeds this spring, but sooner and thicker, too.

"The biggest thing we see with the low water levels and the early springs and whatnot, the weeds just come in faster, and they come in thicker, and people have trouble getting out of their boat channels or getting away from their docks," Friedrich said.

The University of Minnesota says curly-leaf pondweed could really be an issue this summer because of our mild winter. Its growth is often closely tied to how much snow and lake ice we've had.

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Minn. lawmakers table controversial White Earth Land bill after emotional testimony

Kevin Wallevand — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 04:30:00 GMT

ST. PAUL — The Capitol heard strong and emotional testimony Thursday, March 7, in connection with the legislative proposal that would transfer White Earth Forest land to the White Earth Tribe.

The tribe wants the ability to manage those lands and promises to keep them available to all, but many sportsmen and tourism groups are afraid of what could happen years from now if the legislation passes.

It appeared White Earth Tribal leaders, Minnesota sportsmen, county leaders and more were headed for a stalemate on the proposed legislation.

Bill sponsor Sen. Mary Kunesh set the tone at the committee hearing.

"We are here this afternoon to honor the sovereignty of the White Earth Nation," said Kunesh, a Twin Cities area lawmaker.

But soon after, county officials from Becker, Mahnomen and Clearwater counties began their testimony.

"We never find out about this stuff until it's down here," said Mahnomen County Commissioner David Geray. "We're always backpedaling and we always get turned into looking like the bad guy."

Geray and other county officials voiced concerns over the potential of losing tax dollars and tourists.

"People are concerned about what happens to these public lands, their property, businesses, recreational land, and the future of Becker County," said Becker County Sheriff Todd Glander.

White Earth Tribal Chairman Michael Fairbanks tried to reassure those concerned.

"(W)e're not here to ban anyone or to put up any roadblocks," Fairbanks said. "We're here to work with everyone."

But others were quick to point out that sentiment could change if the bill were to pass and new tribal leadership followed.

"This (tribal) council does change, like all of our other elections change. We don't know what they are going to do tomorrow," Geray said.

The legislative hearing was full of emotion as some testifying could hardly speak. Like White Earth Department of Natural Resources supervisor Dustin Roy.

"I grew up two blocks away from Pinehurst Resort. My family owns Broken Arrow Resort on Bass Lake. There's no better day than a day spent in these woods. This was my backyard growing up — and I'm getting emotional, I'm sorry. The question is: Why wouldn't we want everybody to enjoy this? That's what we are here for. Miigwech," Roy said.

The concern now is what impact this will have on already-stressed relationships in this part of Minnesota.

"Sadly, I believe the author of this bill is looking at the past and trying to take us backwards," said Northwoods Snowmobile Club member Craig Hall. " Instead of building unity, we are looking at building division."

All that testimony had an impact on lawmakers. The committee voted Thursday night to table the bill for now.

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Josh Duhamel, lakes country property owner, joins growing opposition to White Earth land transfer

Kevin Wallevand — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 00:44:16 GMT

FARGO — A voice from Hollywood is weighing in on the debate to transfer 155,000 acres of the White Earth Forest to the White Earth Tribe.

Josh Duhamel's connections to the region are strong. He's a spokesperson for North Dakota tourism, and his wife is from Fargo.

Their summers are often spent in Minnesota lakes country. But right now the issue at the Minnesota Capitol has Duhamel very concerned.

Duhamel is the first to tell you he is "at home" when he is in North Dakota or at the lake in Minnesota. Summer or winter, there is no shortage of fun. And so while the Hollywood star has been busy working recently on his next big blockbuster, he was shocked to hear about the proposed Minnesota legislation.

"My initial reaction was, like, 'What?" Duhamel said. "This thing, it does feel like it was sort of a fly-by-night, under-the-radar, backroom-type thing that we didn't know anything about it, and it was so far down the road by the time we heard about it that we're hoping that it's not too late."

Duhamel was like so many sportsmen and Northwest Minnesota landowners to learn that the state Legislature is debating a bill that would turn the White Earth State Forest over to the White Earth Tribe.

Duhamel, who spends a lot of time in the region, has property in the area that could feel the impact of the legislation.

"We have to drive through about a mile of state and county land just to get to the private road. Now while they may say, 'That's all going to be taken care of, the easement will all be protected,' how do we know that for sure?" Duhamel said.

Like so many others, Duhamel is afraid that once big changes like this legislation happen, it is too hard to go back and fix.

"This is my favorite place in the world to go. This is my happy place. This is the spot I look most forward to going every year. And I've put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this place — and a lot of money," Duhamel said.

Duhamel has been coming to lakes country for years and said he has a great relationship with tribal members. He also said he has big concerns for the mom and pop resorts and businesses that depend on snowmobilers and trail riders throughout the year.

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Minnesota sportsmen take on lawmakers, White Earth leaders over proposed land transfer

Kevin Wallevand — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 04:28:11 GMT

OGEMA, Minn. — A controversy is brewing in the region that is pitting sportsmen against the Minnesota Legislature and White Earth tribal leaders.

Proposed legislation out of St. Paul would return the White Earth Forest to the White Earth Tribe.

The 155,000 acres that span Becker, Clearwater and Mahnomen counties are an attraction to those who hunt, fish and drive snowmobiles and UTVs on state forest trails.

Sportsmen are fighting back against the plan. Tribal leaders say the sportsmen are overreacting.

Ogema's main street was packed with pickups on Tuesday, March 5, as people gathered to share their thoughts on the matter.

"We're under the impression that they were trying to keep it quiet as long as they could down in St. Paul, and then they were going to spring it on us," said Greg Scherzer, a township supervisor in Clearwater County.

Within the White Earth Forest are areas of both public and private land, tax-forfeited land and the White Earth Reservation.

Some township and county officials are worried. Scherzer is a descendant of the White Earth Tribe, but he opposes the plan.

"If it goes to the tribe, (it will) most likely get put in tribal trust. Once it's in tribal trust, there (are) no taxes collected, none of that type of stuff. What are we, as in we the public, going to do?" he said.

Inside the Ogema Community Center on Tuesday, there was a packed house. Some gathered there to talk about irrigation regulations. But most came to voice their opinions about the proposed land transfer. Some of those who raised opposition were snowmobile and trail riding groups.

"My concern is, basically, the businesses that are not going to be in business. Which, in turn, is revenue for the county, and this is a tourist area," said Charlie Chadbourne, with the USA snowmobile club.

"As the president of the Woods and Wheels ATV Club, I'm really concerned that it's going to be detrimental to our riding," Gary Thompson said.

Minnesota State Sen. Mary Kunesh, DFL-New Brighton, is one of the bill's sponsors.

"It's important to Minnesota that we acknowledge that these are the rightful lands of the White Earth Nation," she said. "The lands that they are asking to be able to manage are within the boundaries of the White Earth Nation, and they have been deprived of that right forever."

Initially, White Earth tribal leaders didn't want to comment on camera about the proposed legislation. After the issue gained traction, White Earth Tribal Chairman Michael Fairbanks agreed to address the concerns of those opposed to the legislation on Tuesday.

"I know that the perceptions out there are not healthy," he said.

Concerns over losing access to roads on private property or losing access to hunting, fishing and recreation are false, he said.

"If they read the bill, it's over five years. It's nothing that's going to happen overnight, and everything's going to get flipped over, then it's going to be in our lap," Fairbanks said. "It's going to be five years for us to figure things out and work together, and I think that's the main thing."

On Tuesday, the Becker County Commission not only voted to send the Legislature a message opposing the legislation with a resolution, the board hired a lobbyist to fight it.

"I just can't understand how anyone could possibly think this would be a good idea," a Becker County commissioner said during the meeting.

Some of those attending the meeting in Ogema on Tuesday were tribal members, and it became clear the people opposed to the proposal are not upset with tribe members, but Minnesota lawmakers and tribal leaders who, according to one farmer, are asserting authority they don't have.

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In retirement, Fargo angler is fishing lure craftsman

Kevin Wallevand — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 00:48:43 GMT

FARGO — When people decide it is time to retire, they often hear others say they need to have a hobby.

Keith Krinke starts his day in the woodshop of One Oak Place in south Fargo, where a simple piece of wood is just the start of something big. It will soon help catch trophy muskies or northerns.

"Every one is different," Krinke said.

Krinke was a longtime muskie angler and guide in Wisconsin for decades.

"I figure out where the weights have to go," Krinke said as he drilled a small hole in the piece of wood.

Krinke is no stranger to this hobby. He has been making lures for about 35 years, he said.

Once he retired from his college administrator job in Wisconsin, he brought his hobby to Fargo, where he is now close to family.

And in the underground garage at One Oak Place, he has set up his magic, slowly transforming chunks of wood into amazing, colorful lures called Beavertail Lures. A lot of them, he gives away.

"I take pride in my lures," Krinke said.

"I give them to kids (for) free. I just sent a dozen lures over to (the) Shanley fishing team," Krinke said.

It is not quick work.

"It takes almost five days — maybe six — to make five of them," Krinke said.

He has it down to a science, and an art.

Krinke is a longtime muskie hunter who, even in retirement, is still finding a way to reel them in.

"One of the nicest things about fishing is I've never heard of a kid that fishes getting into trouble," Krinke said.

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'Thank You': Spuds honor Brainerd player who suffered brain injury here a year ago

Kevin Wallevand — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 04:00:48 GMT

MOORHEAD — It was an emotional football game in Moorhead Friday night, Sept. 22, between the Spuds and Brainerd.

For Conner Erickson of Brainerd, it was a night of handshakes and hugs.

For his dad Nick Erickson, it was an emotional drive into the parking lot in Moorhead. One year after their life changed forever.

"A little twinge in the stomach knowing the last time we were here was pretty tragic," Nick Erickson said.

EMT's, trainers and a medical staff rushed to Conner Erickson's side after collapsing, laying on the sidelines that night of Sept. 9. The game was in its fourth quarter.

"I think I said, 'I can't hear anything,' and then I passed out," Conner Erickson said.

Surgeons at Sanford Health operated immediately, and the injury to Conner Erickson's brain kept him in Fargo for several weeks. But slowly he worked and worked to get better.

It all paid off and on Friday night he met the first responders and medical teams that saved him,

"Not a good night, I think we will remember that for the rest of our lives," said Dr. Ben Noonan, a Sanford physician who worked on Conner Erickson that night.

Conner Erickson and the first responders walked to midfield where he presented them the game ball to start the Brainerd- Moorhead football game.

But Conner Erickson's biggest fan club is his family. His parents say they learned a lot about their son and themselves over this past year.

"It's what keeps me and my wife going. Everything that he does, he never gets crabby, he never gets upset, he's always looking forward, pushing, pushing, pushing," Nick Erickson said.

Coaches and players were moved by Connor Erickson's progress and courage.

He even got to see his little brother Beau Erickson play, wearing his jersey number — 21.

Friday night's return by Conner Erickson, more than any night, showed players and fans how strong the human spirit is. Conner Erickson is the poster boy.

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