Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application Amy was the beloved daughter of Anna Mae Gessner (Dupre) and Dick Gessner She was a proud graduate of Forest Lake High School where she was a member of the marching band and had the honor of marching in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena CA—an experience she carried with joy and pride throughout her life Amy graduated from Mankato State University with a degree in graphic design a field that reflected her natural creativity and artistic spirit Amy grew up in a close-knit family and was one of seven siblings She is survived by her brothers Dan Gessner and Tom Gessner She cherished her family deeply and was the heart of many shared memories Amy was employed by Taylor Corporation (TOG) in North Mankato for many years and it became so much more than just a workplace She loved the company and cherished the people she worked with—many of whom became her closest friends They were an incredible support system: lifting her up through the hardest times and helping her find strength on days when she needed it most Their care gave her more precious time with her daughter Amy was deeply proud to be part of the Taylor Corporation family Amy's creativity was a reflection of her soul—gentle She had a rare gift for seeing beauty in everyday moments and bringing it to life in ways that touched others She designed the water tower logo for the city of Forest Lake and created many logos and designs for local celebrations Amy also loved designing holiday cards for her family and for reminding others how much they mattered A memorial service will be held at Mattson Funeral Home in Forest Lake Public visitation will be from 12 to 2 p.m. a scholarship will be established in Amy's honor to benefit the Forest Lake High School Marching Band The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Birchwood Health Care Center Tefferi—whose God-given wisdom and tireless care became a light in some of our darkest moments Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors This week’s TRIA Prep Sports Salute goes to the Forest Lake softball team The Rangers are off to an 8-1 start this season after reaching the Class 4A state semifinals last year ***Click the video box for TRIA Prep Sports Salute segment*** Any person with disabilities who needs help accessing the content of the FCC Public File may contact KSTP via our online form or call 651-646-5555 Lake and McHenry County Scanner Lake Forest Police announced they are training a new St and they are seeking help from the public to name him Director of Communications and Community Engagement for the Lake Forest Police Department Bernard puppy will accompany department Social Worker Lauren Perez on mental health-related calls within the community Olson said the department responded to 538 mental health-related calls for service in 2024 marking a clear indication of the growing need for compassionate and innovative resources like comfort dogs The addition of a comfort dog will help provide emotional support during these high-stress situations “There’s no question that police work takes a toll on emotional well-being,” Lake Forest Police Chief John Burke said “This comfort dog program is an important step forward – not just in how we support our team but in how we connect with and care for the Lake Forest community.” affectionate nature and remarkable emotional intuition making the breed especially well-suited for high-stress situations that require empathy “Having a comfort dog on the force will help build trust in difficult moments,” Perez said “Whether we’re responding to a mental health crisis or offering support after a traumatic event comforting presence for the people we serve – and for the officers who serve them.” Comfort dogs are increasingly used by law enforcement agencies nationwide to help alleviate the psychological stress experienced by first responders and those affected by trauma The role of the new dog will conform to the role of other comfort canines which includes providing emotional support during and after critical incidents reducing anxiety for residents and officers enhancing communication during sensitive investigations and offering a positive presence during community engagement and outreach The Lake Forest Police Department is inviting the public to help choose the perfect name for the new dog. Community members can cast their vote in a short online survey at cityoflakeforest.com/HelpNameLFPDComfortDog “This program is more than just about one dog – it’s about how we approach mental health “We’re proud to take this next step with Social Worker Perez leading the effort.” No part of this website may be reproduced or stored in any form without written permission from Lake and McHenry County Scanner To keep you informed about the latest news across Lake and McHenry counties as it happens ExpandThe playroom section of the room redesigned by Theresa Hansen Interiors (Photo provided by Grundy County Chamber of Commerce) Theresa Hansen Interiors in Morris has been selected for a Lake Forest mansion designer showcase where Hansen will be responsible for giving an 1895 little girl’s playroom a 21st-century makeover The Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens is an event held by the Lake Forest Chapter of Infant Welfare Society of Chicago an organization that raises funds for IWS Family Health IWS provides healthcare services to medically underserved families according to the Showhouses’ Instagram page Theresa Hansen Interiors is a featured designer in the 2025 Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens The Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens is an event held by the Lake Forest Chapter of Infant Welfare Society of Chicago Hansen is at the far left of the group gathering of the designers at the kick-off of the designing event This year’s Showhouse brings together 38 interior designers from around the country to reimagine the 15,000-square-foot mansion and its 3.5 acres Hansen was among 100 interior and landscape design companies “Being selected as a designer for the Lake Forest Showhouse is such an incredible honor It’s a privilege to collaborate with some of Chicago’s most talented and seasoned designers on this project,” Hansen said Theresa Hansen Interiors opened 10 years ago and it’s a nationwide custom interior design company based in Downtown Morris inside the Fabric Center Hansen and her husband Matt purchased the Fabric Center in 2024 The interior of the room redesigned by Theresa Hansen Interiors “Theresa Hansen Interiors is renown in the field and to have Morris be its home is already a point of pride for our community,” said Christina Van Yperen Grundy County Chamber of Commerce & Industry President & CEO “To have Theresa be a part of such a distinguished and elite showhouse illustrates her talent and will help promote Morris to a new audience the Georgian-style home chosen has 30 rooms and was designed in 1895 by architect Henry Ives Cobb It was built for real estate and zinc mining entrepreneur David Benton Jones and remained in the family for 67 years Each designer is assigned a different room of the house from the kitchen to the outside tennis court Hansen will design a little girl’s playroom and bathroom “Designing the little girl’s bedroom and playroom has been such a joy Seeing the space through a child’s eyes has made the process feel playful “While every project is a creative adventure there’s something truly magical about crafting a space for imaginative play Our goal is to create a room that not only sparks joy today but becomes a cherished memory for years to come.” The Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens is Tuesday through Sunday from April 26 - May 25. To buy tickets, visit www.lakeforestshowhouse.com For information on Theresa Hansen Interiors visit theresahanseninteriors.com The bathroom section of the room redesigned by Theresa Hansen Interiors Michael UrbanecMichael Urbanec covers Grundy County and the City of Morris, Coal City, Minooka, and more for the Morris Herald-News Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday surrounded by his loving wife and children he later built a successful career as a Computer Engineer at Control Data Though life presented him with challenges—including a 28-year journey with an inoperable brain tumor—he faced them with resilience and faith allowing him to continue living a life of service and gratitude Robert found his true calling in volunteer work dedicating his time and heart to organizations such as the Boy Scouts He was a source of inspiration and hope to many and a steadfast belief in the power of prayer always seeking and recognizing the ways God was working in the world around him Robert was preceded in death by his parents Paul Pechmann and Sara (Tony) Diventuri; his beloved grandson Susan (Chris) Bustrak; as well as extended family and many dear friends A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m Visitation will be held from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Forest Lake and one hour prior to mass at the church and love will continue to shine in the hearts of all who knew him remained unbeaten with a 5-0 win against Woodbury yesterday ***Click the video box to see highlights from this game*** Avery Muellener looked strong in the circle for the Rangers Forest Lake hit with ease and solid defense hampered Woodbury’s opportunities passed away peacefully at home on December 4 She found great joy in spending time at her beloved cabin on Lake Vermilion where she cherished the serenity of nature and countless special moments with family and friends She and Curtis shared many happy winters together in Marana A proud and devoted member of the Forest Lake AA chapter Marlys inspired others with her strength and commitment and treasured every moment spent with her grandchildren Marlys had a knack for bringing people together Whether she was hosting her legendary Christmas parties sharing laughter with her cherished group of friends over a smoke or creating traditions that her family will carry forward her home was always filled with love and laughter Jonathan (Jessica) Blackledge; many great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; other family and friends Family will be greeting friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home In lieu of flowers memorials can be directed to Faith Lutheran Church in Forest Lake Just a few of his wonderful attributes we will never forget His passions in life were being in the company of his grandchildren riding one of his many Harleys with family and friends to Sturgis and on local bike trips He is survived by and will forever remain in the hearts of his wife A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. The family will greet friends beginning at 1:00 p.m passed away unexpectedly in her home on January 22 Her passing comes as a shock to her family Massachusetts to Frank and Lillian (Drewicz) Sullivan Doris dedicated her life to education and family.  including 15 cherished years at Wyoming Elementary School Sullivan had a special gift for inspiring young minds through words Her passion for education extended beyond the classroom where she led Math and robotics teams.  The Forest Lake Senior Center became a second home where she was known for her skillful card playing in 500 and Euchre She was an enthusiastic member of the dominoes group where she enjoyed both the friendly competition and social connections Her community involvement extended to the Forest Lake Lions Club where she served on the board of directors and participated in many charity events Monthly lunches with her Red Hat friends were a treasured tradition as they explored local eateries and shared memories.  Doris enjoyed visiting local art crawls and had a keen eye for artwork of all kinds Perhaps her most cherished relationship was with her sisters Karen and Lorraine with whom she maintained a weekly phone tradition that kept their bond strong despite distance.  She is preceded in death by her parents Lilian and Francis Sullivan A celebration of life will happen on February 28th at 1:30pm at the Forest Lake American Legion Everyone attending will have a chance to share a story or fond memory of how Ms Doris Sullivan touched their life!  Thursday’s vote follows discussions on inclusion programs federal pressure on DEI initiatives and the school board’s commitment to educational equity The Forest Lake School Board Thursday unanimously approved funding for groups promoting inclusion and diversity following a strong show of public support The 7-0 decision to approve funding for advisers of the groups often referred to as “affinity groups,” came after community members pushed for continued funding amid fears the fund could be cut the groups would be at risk of losing their advisers The board plans to discuss the groups more at the March 13 meeting The vote comes three weeks after the Lakeville school board voted to remove their “inclusive poster series,” instead prioritizing a focus on academic excellence and “aggressive neutrality.” Schools and colleges are facing increasing pressure to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion – or DEI – programs or risk losing federal funding following a Feb. 14 federal Department of Education letter that emphasized the need for schools to avoid promoting race-conscious policies and ensure their DEI initiatives do not violate civil rights laws community members and allies sporting bright red shirts sweatshirts and jackets in solidarity with the groups piled into the board room with excess attendees flooding into the halls Among the clubs discussed were the Hmong and Asian culture clubs Indigenous and people of color) Student Leaders Board members made an exception to regularly scheduled midmonth meetings by allowing public comment Several speakers expressed their support for affinity organizations and gratitude for the board’s support encouraging the board to consider the importance of investing in inclusion programs for current and future students “I proudly ran two of these affinity groups over the years and I firmly believe that these groups are an important investment in our schools diverse communities and future generations of leaders while also promoting a supportive and inclusive educational environment for everyone,” Ackerman said Board members earlier this week included a vote for two paid adviser positions for student organizations supporting LGBTQ students on the agenda an apparent reversal of the board’s earlier decision to discuss the positions’ funding A Wednesday email sent to Forest Lake Education Association members a union for the employees and teachers of Forest Lake notified members of the change and urged them to attend and demonstrate their support for the student organizations by wearing red “While we are hopefully optimistic that the board members are no longer seeking to disband these two important groups we will also continue to monitor the agenda in order to be prepared to speak to their support if they do add it back before the meeting takes place,” union President Rich Elliot wrote Teachers who were interviewed by the Minnesota Star Tribune but who asked not to be named for fear of jeopardizing their jobs expressed concern about the future of clubs representing students of color 16 meeting in which three student members of the Black Student Union urged the Forest Lake School Board to fund their program emphasizing its importance and openness to all students “I joined BSU because I needed a place to connect with others especially in a predominantly white area,” said Esther Dacruz “My overall experience at BSU has helped me and plenty of other members shape who we are today.” the adviser of BSU for the past seven years said Thursday the students felt unheard by some of the board members when they spoke on Jan “They took offense that they used the word segregation and its suggestion that these students are segregating themselves from the other students,” O’Donnell said “The word that should be used is celebration The vote also came on the heels of two new members joining the board: Tessa Antonsen and Mark Kasel The other board members are Jill Christenson President Donald Trump restricted the use of race-conscious programs in educational settings, including those related to DEI, and called for eliminating “radical, anti-American ideologies” from schools in a Jan. 29 presidential executive order. Steve Massey, the school superintendent, said the district, alongside various state agencies, will monitor federal recommendations and adjust district practices in accordance with Trump’s order. “The district does not believe that it is the role of districts to counsel or guide students into or through identity related questions or discernments,” Massey said. “We believe that this is the responsibility of students, parents and families, and, if appropriate, medical professionals.” Christenson, who dressed in red along with Theisen and Corcoran, requested to pull the section regarding the adviser funding and non-curricular assignments from the consent agenda to allow for additional discussion before the vote. Theisen, emphasizing the role of creating spaces that foster friendships and nurture bonds, said educational equity is the foundation of Forest Lake Area Schools. “I am a public school board elected member to serve all of the students in our public school,” Theisen said. “And every time they walk through our halls and through our doors, of any of our buildings, they’re all Rangers, and we will treat them as such.” Caroline Weier is an intern for the Minnesota Star Tribune. Books Ariel Lawhon and Imani Perry also are coming to Hopkins for the popular Hennepin County Library series Hyperlocal cable TV stations that broadcast everything from high school sports to city government meetings confront a perilous existence The state’s 61st Teacher of the Year is the first from the Eden Prairie school district to win the award A North Branch man who ran over and killed a teenage girl last summer in Forest Lake was found guilty of second-degree murder at the conclusion of a jury trial A Washington County jury on Thursday returned a guilty verdict against Dylan Robert Simmons on charges of second-degree unintentional murder and three counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon for the July 16 incident at Lakeside Veterans Memorial Park Jurors acquitted him of one count of second-degree murder with intent Simmons was initially charged with third-degree murder and criminal vehicular homicide; those charges were later upgraded the vehicular assault arose from a fight between two groups of people some of whom were armed with baseball bats Simmons and another person got into a Mazda sedan and looped around the parking lot narrowly missing bystanders multiple times before striking 17-year-old Darisha Tela Bailey Vath of Stacy Witnesses told police they believed Simmons was intentionally trying to hurt them Prosecutors filed a notice of their intent to seek an aggravated sentence due to the “particular cruelty” of the crime and because the murder was committed in the presence of children Simmons faces a maximum sentence of 40 years for the second-degree murder charge A man who ran over and killed a teenage girl in Forest Lake in 2023 will serve nearly two decades in prison Dylan Robert Simmons, 21, was sentenced on Thursday to a 19-year term for the death of 17-year-old Darisha Bailey Vath of Stacy In December, a Washington County jury found Simmons guilty of second-degree unintentional murder criminal vehicular homicide and three counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon He was acquitted on one count of second-degree murder with intent Simmons drove his car into a crowd on July 16 The vehicular assault arose from a fight between two groups of people narrowly missing bystanders multiple times before striking Bailey Vath Carolyn Choate had heard about Casella Waste Systems’ plan to build a landfill near Forest Lake in Dalton and the local community’s efforts to stop it she kept wondering: How could a company that touts sustainability on its website be pushing for a landfill next to a freshwater lake in the North Country Choate drove north to get a sense of the place and to understand what the community was fighting for At a hearing Tuesday on a resolution urging the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services to deny any permits for the project Choate made it clear — this isn’t just a North Country issue many people in southern New Hampshire feel as though it’s happening in their own backyard and they don’t want it “I seriously hope we don’t let the financial interests of private industry outweigh what this small community wants and needs — because in the end who studies how environmental factors like diet has researched the link between forever chemicals and cancer While not actively fighting alongside the Dalton community against the proposed landfill warning that it could contaminate nearby water sources with harmful chemicals Since Casella Waste Systems proposed a landfill near Forest Lake in 2018 it has stirred strong opposition from both environmental advocates and local residents Their main concern is the risk to the lake’s water quality — if a leak were to happen is particularly worrisome because leachate posing a serious threat to the environment Rep. Jared Sullivan, a Democrat from Bethlehem and Franconia, believes that while a resolution may not have the same impact as a bill it can still make a powerful statement if the New Hampshire House passes it “I think it sends a strong message that this is something that is not a good idea to have … next to a lake.” said Sullivan “This would just get a little bit more news coverage and we all know a lot of our constituents are living in bubbles They’re not always paying attention to issues that are not in their backyards.” If this legislation passes both the House and Senate it will not prevent DES from permitting Casella’s proposed landfill but will instead serve as a statement from the General Court opposing the landfill in Dalton The House Environment and Agriculture Committee also heard testimony on House Bill 171, a bipartisan measure proposing a moratorium on new landfill permits until stronger rules and policies are established to safeguard both the environment and public health argued that the DES rules approved in December fall short of what’s needed He said the issue can no longer be tackled through rulemaking alone and it’s now time for the “legislature to address these concerns through policy.” the House passed a bill for a landfill moratorium the waste management division director at DES said the department isn’t taking a stance on the bill either way Opponents of the moratorium usually point out that New Hampshire could run into a landfill capacity shortage if it were put in place according to the state’s 2022 solid waste plan nearly half of the waste in New Hampshire’s landfills actually comes from out of state A bill last year to reduce out-of-state trash imports didn’t make it through with some arguing it would interfere with the Interstate Commerce Clause But states like Maine and Vermont have found ways to work around it president of the North Country Alliance for Balanced Change believes that to meet the state’s waste reduction goals New Hampshire needs to focus not only on cutting food waste and expanding composting facilities but also on reducing the amount of out-of-state trash “The absolute elephant in the room in any of these conversations is out-of-state waste It dwarfs anything else we do,” Morrison said in support of the bill Let’s not be the whipping boy for Massachusetts any longer.” you agree with our use of cookies to personalize your experience measure ads and monitor how our site works to improve it for our users Forest Lake’s varsity hockey team looks like a well-oiled machine is that their leading scorer is still in middle school is making waves on the ice as an 8th grader playing for the Forest Lake Rangers varsity team McKinnon is already a top scorer and is quickly making a name for himself in Class 2-A hockey ***Click the video box above to watch the feature story on McKinnon done by Alec Ausmus*** Head coach Jay Ekman says McKinnon has shown remarkable poise in the spotlight “The lights just don’t seem too bright for him,” said Ekman who has been coaching hockey for over a decade who’s been playing against older competition for years I just knew that I could play out there,” McKinnon said recalling his first moments on the rink with his varsity teammates While his classmates are focused on their middle school studies McKinnon is balancing school with his role on a competitive varsity hockey team I just have my dad come pick me up and bring me back over here and I just feel like one of the boys out there,” McKinnon said McKinnon’s talent became apparent early in the season In their first game of the year against section rivals Grand Rapids McKinnon scored a crucial goal to tie the game an early sign that he was no ordinary 8th grader “My first eye-opening moment was probably Grand Rapids our first game of the year,” said Ekman This goal was just the beginning for McKinnon who is now one of the top-25 point scorers in the state this season for Class 2-A McKinnon is the only 8th grader on that list and there isn’t even a freshman to be found in the top 25 “I’ve always gone through playing with older kids and I’ve done pretty well out there,” McKinnon said “When I came out here and started playing with highly skilled players McKinnon’s success on the ice is a testament to his maturity and skill Though his age may suggest he’s still learning “I think the biggest question I get asked is ‘Is he really only 14?'” Ekman said As McKinnon continues to grow both on and off the ice he’s undoubtedly a player to watch in the future of Minnesota hockey he’s proving that age is just a number when it comes to playing at the highest level M&A Seminar on Preparing Your Company for Sale Presented by Maslon LLP and Northborne Partners features 252 units spanning seven buildings Efforts to reform Minnesota zoning laws fail again as local opposition blocks a bill limiting parking mandates[...] will break ground this summer on The Dorian a 190-unit apartment complex in Lake Elmo after buying[...] The University of Minnesota plans to sell 60 acres at UMore Park for $8.1M to North Wind Test for a major aero[...] The Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates unchanged despite political pressure from President Tru[...] The Trump administration is swiftly remaking housing policy as the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Develo[...] construction job openings dropped by 38,000 in March signaling slowing labor demand amid tariffs Sign up for your daily digest of Minnesota News Efforts to reform Minnesota zoning laws fail again as local opposition blocks a bill limiting parkin[...] a 190-unit apartment complex in Lake Elmo af[...] The University of Minnesota plans to sell 60 acres at UMore Park for $8.1M to North Wind Test for a [...] The Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates unchanged despite political pressure from Pre[...] The Trump administration is swiftly remaking housing policy as the U.S Department of Housing and Ur[...] signaling slowing labor demand amid tarif[...] Trump's trade demands stretch beyond tariffs Performance contracting helps governments and schools cut energy costs is now an official city after a local vote Milwaukee Mitchell Airport will start a $95.2M international terminal project this summer after dela[...] Listen here analysis and commentary on Minnesota business We are the only independent daily newspaper dedicated to business reporting Get our free e-alerts & breaking news notifications Subscribe for access to the latest digital and special editions There’s a new place in Forest Lake helping veterans and first responders We first introduced you to the Invisible Wounds Project Support Center one year ago when work was just beginning on the building in Forest Lake RELATED: First-of-its-kind facility in Forest Lake will help veterans and first responders The non-profit center is designed to be a place of healing and connection focusing on improving mental health and improving lives “We’re making a difference in helping change and save lives that makes everything worth it,” Invisible Wounds Project Support Center Founder Russ Hanes said “Whether that’s the woodworking shop or just hanging out having coffee at our coffee bar with other people that get them and understand them organizers hope to expand the program across Minnesota CLICK HERE for more information on the center. and friend whose life was filled with love and laughter She was known for her warm heart and extraordinary talents in the kitchen and Christmas cookies were family favorites and her love of cooking and baking brought joy to everyone fortunate enough to share a meal with her Marie found peace and happiness among her flowers and plants She also enjoyed sewing and creating beautiful pieces that reflected her creative spirit Marie’s dedication to her community was evident through her involvement with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts a testament to a lifetime of love and commitment Corey Ridge; her cherished four-legged companions Annette (John) Sowl and Tom (Theresa) Corwin; her siblings Richard (Sandy) Levine and Jeff (Kristin) Levine; sisters-in-law Bev (Doug) Redfield; Bobbie Corwin; as well as her grand-dogs; many nieces and nephews and a large circle of other family and friends who will miss her dearly Family will be greeting friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  (ABC 6 News) – Dylan Robert Simmons was convicted of 2nd-degree murder without intent and three counts of 2nd-degree assault with a dangerous weapon– his car — in the death of Darisha Bailey-Vath and injury of three others in a Forest Lake group of people A Washington County jury acquitted Simmons of one charge: 2nd-degree murder with intent RELATED: Family of Darisha Bailey Vath speak on update murder charges to Dylan Simmons – ABC 6 News – kaaltv.com RELATED: Father of Darisha Bailey-Vath speaks on alleged murderer’s “self-defense” strategy – ABC 6 News – kaaltv.com Simmons drove his car into and over 17-year-old Rochester native Darisha Bailey Vath in the aftermath of a July 2023 fight in Forest Lake The 21-year-old North Branch man’s defense argued that he had done so in self-defense Simmons’ sentencing is scheduled for March 20 —–PREVIOUS STORY—– Washington County pushed Dylan Robert Simmons’ jury trial back to Dec ——PREVIOUS STORY—– a Washington County judge denied Dylan Robert Simmons’ motions to dismiss his murder and criminal vehicular homicide charges as well as a motion to disallow testimony from law enforcement officers The prosecution also filed a motion alleging that a witness told the State’s attorneys the defense had advised him not to speak with them “and he wished to respect that” when they attempted to contact him ahead of trial The state requested a hearing to discuss which witnesses the defense had advised not to speak with them “Interfering with access to material witnesses and material evidence is prejudicial to the administration of justice,” the state wrote in the Nov Simmons’ court proceedings are scheduled to continue Nov (ABC 6 News) – A Washington County judge heard arguments about testimony and behavior in court ahead of Forest Lake murder trial Witnesses told police Simmons intentionally drove his car into and over 17-year-old Rochester native Darisha Bailey Vath in the aftermath of a July 2023 fight in Forest Lake RELATED: North Branch man accused of killing Rochester native appears in court on updated murder charges – ABC 6 News – kaaltv.com On Thursday, April 25, Simmons appeared for an omnibus hearing. His defense informed the court that Simmons plans to rely on the following argument at trial: Self-Defense and Authorized Use of Force pursuant to Minnesota Statute 609.06, Subd. 1(3) RELATED: Father of Darisha Bailey-Vath speaks on alleged murderer’s “self-defense” strategy – ABC 6 News – kaaltv.com Simmons’ defense and prosecution made 11 court filings containing around 50 separate motions concerning evidence and arguments to be made during trial 30: Simmons’ defense attempts to prevent the state from arguing for an aggravated or comparatively harsh sentence compared to Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines The state also moves to keep the State from mentioning an alleged assault at a Stacy 13: The defense moves to dismiss all charges against Simmons — as well as prohibit the testimony of three officers because of what the defense calls “egregious due process … violations.” Nov. 15: The defense lists 40 requests in a single document. Among them: motions to sequester all witnesses; require the state to disclose “Brady” material relating to any law enforcement officers called; motions to prevent any witness or attorney from commenting on the credibility of any speaker or from stating if they have an opinion about Simmons’ possible guilt The state also requests that no observer wear clothing that could “inflame the passions” of the jury The motion lists a hypothetical t-shirt with the slogan “Justice for Danisha” as an example Simmons’ victim was named Darisha The state further requests that testimony about Simmons possibly assaulting Darisha Bailey-Vath or friends be prohibited during trial and that the number of photos and videos of the victim’s injuries be limited to again avoid “inflam(ing) the passions of the jury.” 15: The State files motions to prevent the defense from attempting to offer negative evidence related to the character of the victim the state moves to enter evidence of a fight Simmons was allegedly involved in days before the Forest Lake incident The State also writes that the defense motion to dismiss all charges “contains numerous false claims and misrepresentations of fact and that the state will ask the Court to deny the defense motion in its entirety.” Family mourns Darisha Bailey-Vath at celebration of life – ABC 6 News – kaaltv.com Family of Darisha Bailey Vath speak on update murder charges to Dylan Simmons – ABC 6 News – kaaltv.com Any person with disabilities who needs help accessing the FCC Public file should email news@kaaltv.com or call (507) 288-7555 This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience Learn more about our use of your data by reading our Privacy Policy three Lake Forest College students who have spent months researching the history of Black Presence at the College will take part in a panel session that will focus on the latest discoveries the students have made Panelists include Payton Ross ’27, who conducted oral histories with Black alumni of Lake Forest College; Emilce Fabian ’27, who researched and organized newspapers that addressed Black life in Lake Forest and at the College; and Josh Marchbanks ’26, who researched within Lake Forest College’s archives and engaged with Black alumni Mamani’s newspaper research included diving into old issues of Lake Forest College’s newspaper “It is important to learn more about the place where you are living,” Fabian explained “It is something powerful to learn more about the Black communities who have been so silenced and overlooked in mainly white towns like Lake Forest When you do the research and look at primary sources you realize these places aren’t as white as you first think and you start to understand the importance of resistance.” This research has been enabled by a grant awarded to the History Center and Lake Forest College from the National Archives. Students are working on this research under supervision of Associate Professor of History and African American Studies Courtney Joseph and Assistant Professor of English and African American Studies RL Watson The event will take place at 7 p.m on November 20 at the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff History Center in Lake Forest Illinois 60045 847-234-3100 Admissions: 847-735-5000 Your access to this service has been limited If you think you have been blocked in error contact the owner of this site for assistance If you are a WordPress user with administrative privileges on this site please enter your email address in the box below and click "Send" You will then receive an email that helps you regain access Wordfence is a security plugin installed on over 5 million WordPress sites The owner of this site is using Wordfence to manage access to their site You can also read the documentation to learn about Wordfence's blocking tools or visit wordfence.com to learn more about Wordfence Click here to learn more: Documentation 6 May 2025 2:38:24 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString()); The Forest Lake Rangers won against the Woodbury Royals 4-1 on Saturday the Rangers took the lead when Mason Johnsen scored assisted by Maverick Mckinnon and Dylan Reuter Ryder Siedow then tallied a goal in the middle of the second period Maverick Mckinnon made it 3-1 with a goal late in the third period Ryder Siedow also increased the lead to 4-1 with a goal only seconds later The Royals are set to go up against the Stillwater Area Ponies on Thursday while the Rangers will clash with Park on Tuesday The College will purchase Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) representing 100 percent of its energy use for the year 2025 The REC purchase was proposed by the Campus Sustainability Committee The move marks a sharp uptick from the 20 percent purchased for 2024.  “We were aligning our sustainability goals with the US goal of 100 percent clean electricity by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2050 but decided to push up our efforts 10 years because there was no reason to postpone the switch,” Chair of the Campus Sustainability Committee and Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology Todd Beer explained.  the Committee is funded by students who pay a $10-per-semester Green Fund as part of their activity fees.  The College’s Senior Leadership Team wholeheartedly approved the 2025 move-up date and was thrilled to work in partnership with the Sustainability Committee.  Other recent environmental initiatives supported by the Campus Sustainability Committee and the student Green Fund include: More information on the College’s sustainability efforts can be found here As part of the switch to campuswide move towards sustainability the College adopted the following Sustainability Guiding Principles: The Lake Forest College community works intentionally and strategically to fulfill our deep commitment to environmental sustainability and to stewardship of the ecosystem our beautiful campus is a part of We are committed to reducing our impact on future generations and on communities that are disproportionately exposed to environmental harms our efforts are guided by the consensus of the scientific community and modeling best practices to be sustainability leaders in their careers and communities This commitment is evident in our efforts to reduce our contribution to climate change both boldly and rapidly as we work toward carbon-neutral electricity by 2030 Campus leaders embrace a culture of environmental sustainability in planning and action making our campus increasingly energy and water-efficient and restoring and expanding native habitats Residents from all over northeast Missouri made their way to Forest Lake swimming beach at Thousand Hills State Park on Saturday — Residents from all over northeast Missouri made their way to Forest Lake swimming beach at Thousand Hills State Park on Saturday Residents participated in this year's Kirksville Polar Plunge to help raise money for Special Olympics Missouri Participants braved the cold and plunged into the lake despite the freezing temperature outside The event is the biggest fundraiser for Special Olympics Missouri Volunteers told KTVO that they surpassed last year's total Special Olympics North Area Development Director Melody Prawitz says that the money will go back to help pay for the many programs the organization provides The Polar Plunge is hosted by the Law Enforcement Torch Run a movement of volunteers dedicated to increasing awareness and funds for Special Olympics Missouri athletes Linn County Sheriff and event organizer Carrie Melte says that Special Olympics is a big help for those with disabilities allowing them to feel like they are a part of the community This won't be the last time Special Olympics Missouri stops by the Tri-States this year For the first time in the organization's history the 2025 state summer games will be held in Kirksville between May 30 through June 1 JLL Capital Markets secured the sale of vintage Forest Lake community Your browser doesn't support speech synthesis MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 2, 2025 – JLL Capital Markets announced today that it has arranged the $24.5 million sale of Village Apartments a 252-unit multi-housing community in Forest Lake Village Apartments marks the 7th property to trade in the broader 800-unit Minnesota Legacy Apartment Portfolio that JLL has been marketing for sale Village Apartments offers its residents the convenience of being close to I-35 entertainment options and shopping centers residents can fully enjoy the vibrant surroundings Forest Lake is a sought-after Twin Cities suburb located just 30 minutes from Saint Paul providing residents with easy access to the broader metro while maintaining its small-town charm and natural beauty centered around one of the metro's largest lakes the community consists of three-floor brick and wood apartment buildings and detached rentable parking garages as well as surface spaces available for residents The complex historically has maintained a strong occupancy rate of above 95% and offers residents a variety of living options Each unit is cable ready and thoughtfully equipped with carpeting air conditioning and heating units and scenic wooded national views The community also offers an array of amenities such as gated access JLL Capital Market’s Investment and Sales Advisory team representing the seller was led by Managing Director Josh Talberg JLL Capital Markets is a full-service global provider of capital solutions for real estate investors and occupiers The firm's in-depth local market and global investor knowledge delivers the best-in-class solutions for clients — whether investment sales and advisory The firm has more than 3,000 Capital Markets specialists worldwide with offices in nearly 50 countries For more news, videos and research resources, please visit JLL’s newsroom insights and opportunities from global commercial real estate markets straight to your inbox to Albert and Grace (Garen) Stoltzman in Forest Lake Brother to James Stoltzman; father to Steven (Lindsey) Stoltzman and grandfather of Vincent Doug graduated from Chisago Lakes High School in 1970 He was a journeyman carpenter for 36 years He designed and built his A-frame home and raised beef cattle on his Comfort Lake hobby farm for over 50 years Doug spent 12 years as a volunteer EMT with Chisago Lakes Rescue and seven years as a chemical dependency speaker with the Forest Lake Youth Service Bureau He donated 11+ gallon blood to the American Red Cross and he was a WWII and Civil War reenactor and enthusiast A private service was held on his farm for his family and close friends to celebrate his life.