STEARNS COUNTY

Minnesota

Man killed in police response to domestic dispute in west-central Minnesota

Police say shots were fired as they attempted to take a suspect into custody, and he died at the scene.

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The Vault

She always locked her doors, fearing an attack. One night her worst fears came true

Myrtle Vera Cole, 81, was found stabbed to death in her Fairhaven, Minnesota, home on Dec. 12, 1981. The case remains open, according to an investigator.

Apr 1

Minnesota

Native plants, lots of patience: How a Stearns County couple restored a damaged lakeshore

Richard and Mary Gallea's work on Minnesota's Great Northern Lake resulted in the kind of transformation environmentalists say is vital to saving Minnesota鈥檚 impaired lakeshores

Sep 1, 2024

The Vault

The Reker sisters' 1974 deaths remain a mystery 50 years later

The teens left their home to run an errand on Sept. 2, 1974. Their bodies were found weeks later in a quarry. No one has ever been charged. Their mother, Rita Reker, now 88, hasn't forgotten.

Aug 23, 2024

Latest Headlines

Minnesota

Severe thunderstorms bring rain, wind damage to west-central Minnesota

Thunderstorms from Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in west-central Minnesota brought rain and recorded wind gusts as high as 75 mph.

Jul 26, 2023

By West Central Tribune staff report

Minnesota

Names released in St. Joseph officer-involved shooting

Jason Patrick Cully, 38, of St. Joseph, was shot once by Stearns County Deputy Tyler Thunstedt, according to the Minnesota BCA. Thunstedt is on standard administrative leave.

Jun 27, 2023

By Staff reports

Minnesota

BCA investigating SWAT team 'use of force' in St. Joseph shooting

The team was assisting St. Joseph police in executing a search warrant Wednesday, the Stearns County Sheriff's Office said

Jun 22, 2023

By Staff reports

Minnesota

1 killed in rollover crash Sunday near Sauk Centre, Minnesota

The Stearns County Sheriff's Office identified the victim as driver Collin James Flynn, 24, of Detroit Lakes. Flynn was found lying in the roadway, according to the sheriff's office.

Jun 5, 2023

By St. Cloud LIVE

Minnesota

Kayaker missing in Mississippi River near St. Cloud

The missing kayaker is described as a white male, 39 years of age, and is 5-feet,10-inches tall and approximately 200 pounds, according to a Stearns County Sheriff's Office news release.

Jun 1, 2023

By St. Cloud LIVE

Minnesota

Man indicted on murder charges in Waite Park, Minnesota, stabbing death

Jarquez Javon Bedford, 28, faces life in prison in the stabbing death of Andrea Rae Cottew, 52, on Feb. 5. Bedford remains in custody on $4 million unconditional bail.

May 24, 2023

By Abdulla Gaafarelkhalifa

Minnesota

College students uncover history of racist housing deeds in Stearns County

Halfway through the semester, they'd uncovered 95 racial covenants in St. Cloud, St. Joseph, Cold Spring and Sauk Centre

Apr 5, 2023

By Kirsti Marohn / MPR News

Minnesota

67-year-old Avon man killed in Stearns County crash

The crash occurred Monday afternoon roughly 5 miles north of Avon

Mar 14, 2023

By St. Cloud Live

Minnesota

17-year-old driver dies in Stearns County rollover

Lifesaving efforts at scene of accident were not successful

Dec 11, 2022

By West Central Tribune

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The Vault

A missing MN man's family was kept in the dark by investigators. But they gave clues to 'Unsolved Mysteries'

Days before an 'Unsolved Mysteries' episode aired on the disappearance of Joshua Guimond, the Stearns County Sheriff's Office released 28 images discovered on his computer.

Nov 10, 2022

By Trisha Taurinskas

Minnesota

Student, 18, arrested after shooting threats made at central Minnesota school

Matthew Paul Herr-Ramirez was arrested Monday at his home in Grove City, Minnesota, after he had allegedly told other students at Paynesville Area High 歪歪漫画 his plans about carrying out a school shooting. According to the criminal complaint, Herr-Ramirez allegedly identified three staff members and a student as potential targets, and told a witness that he would continue shooting random students and staff.

Oct 19, 2022