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20-Feb-2025

Paynesville Man Officially Charged With Shooting At Police Officers

A Paynesville man accused of shooting at police officers during a standoff on Saturday has been formally charged. Fifty-eight-year-old Nicholas Kaufenberg is charged with eight counts, including six counts of felony 1st-degree assault by use of deadly force against a peace officer. The other two counts are misdemeanor domestic assault charges. According to the criminal complaint, a woman inside the home was working on a puzzle Friday night when Kaufenberg came into her room and began yelling at her and calling her names. The woman said she told Kaufenberg to go buy more alcohol. When he left the home, the woman locked the bathroom door and pushed a dresser in front of the bedroom door to block it. Court records show she got a text message at around 1:45 a.m. saying his life would be better without her. She feared it meant he might kill her. On Saturday morning, Kaufenberg tried forcing his way into the bedroom, but instead, the woman went to let her dogs out. Kaufenberg is accused of pushing her up against the wall continuing to yell at her and call her names. She was able to push him to the ground, call the police, and leave the house. The police standoff ensued with Kaufenberg allegedly telling officers he had guns in the house and if they came into his house it would go bad for them. Police say he also said it wasn't a threat, it was a promise. Authorities cut power to the house at around 6:30 p.m. and deployed tear gas. The complaint alleges Kaufenberg fired two or three rounds from a shotgun out a bedroom window, hitting one of the officer's safety glasses. No officers ever returned fire and Kaufenberg walked out of the house minutes later and was arrested.

19-Feb-2025

Hit And Run

A Sartell woman faces a felony charge after striking and killing a pedestrian with her car. The incident happened Sunday night near the intersection of Highway 15 and Highway 23 in St. Cloud. According to the criminal complaint filed in Stearns County District Court, 21-year-old Cadee Campbell was heading south on Highway 15 and had just crossed through the intersection at Highway 23. Witnesses say a man was crossing the southbound lanes outside of the crosswalk and was struck by the car. The man, whose name is not listed in the complaint, died as a result of his injuries. Campbell is accused of fleeing the scene, but called police to report she was the driver involved in the crash. Police officers interviewed Campbell at her residence and according to the complaint, she admitted to knowing she hit a person but left because she didn't want to exit her car with her child inside. Campbell is charged with one count of failing to stop for a traffic collision causing injury or death. The investigation is ongoing.

19-Feb-2025

National Guard Providing Temporary Shelter To Wadena Fire Residents

On Tuesday, February 18, Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 25-02 authorizing the National Guard to provide temporary shelter for people displaced by an apartment fire in Wadena. One person was found deceased and nine others have been displaced. The executive order is effective immediately and remains in effect until National Guard resources are no longer needed, or until February 25, 2025. Area fire departments responded to 123 Bryant Avenue SE around 10:45 Sunday night. Subzero temperatures and wind chills made firefighting efforts more difficult, causing four trucks and two ladders to freeze up. For anyone who would like to help those who have been displaced, Wadena County Human Services cannot accept cash or used items. They say people could use Walmart gift cards to purchase coats, boots and toiletry items. The Wadena Assembly of God church is accepting donations for several tenants who lost everything in the apartment fire. The church is collecting men’s and women’s clothing, socks, gloves and hats, among other things. There is also a newly-created Wadena Fire Recovery Fund you can donate to online.

19-Feb-2025

Semi Driver Killed In Crash

A truck driver was killed in a crash in Stearns County. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened on Interstate 94 near Sauk Centre at about 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Sixty-year-old David Elders of Joliet, Illinois was driving west when his semi left the road, went into the ditch, and landed on its side. Elders was killed in the crash. His passenger 61-year-old Kim Elders suffered non-life-threatening injuries but was not transported to a hospital by emergency responders.