Monday, December 17, 2012
Lee Vague, Woodbury Public Safety chief, reached out to area schools to ask what could be done in the wake of the massacre in Connecticut.
Woodbury parents might have noticed police standing outside their child’s school Monday morning. Public Safety Chief Lee Vague reached out to local public and private schools following the shooting in Newtown, Conn., to ask what police here could do, said Michelle Okada, police spokeswoman. The additional police presence was meant to “help families and kids feel safe as they transition back from a tragic event,” Okada said. Police were set to monitor things at the start and end of the school day, she said. One or two officers were assigned to each school. There is no definite timeframe for how long officers will be stationed at the schools, and there will be additional dialogue between police and school officials this week, Okada said. …
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Candy Hofstad sent out a note to parents Sunday.
In the wake of the shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut, the principal of Bailey Elementary in Woodbury on Sunday sent out the following statement: As you are aware, there was a tragic shooting at a school in Connecticut on Friday, December 14, 2012. Because the incident happened in a school setting this comes of concern to students and their families locally. At Bailey Elementary School, our staff will support all of our students as needed in the days ahead. In addition, we will pay close attention to our security steps/routines as well as review the school wide crisis plan. Although nothing truly prepares us for the tragic event of Sandy Hook Elementary School, the strength of our own school community and our commitment to our…
Do you agree with Rep. Betty McCollum? What do you think is at issue in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting? Is it gun control? Addressing mental health? Both? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Fourth District Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), who will soon represent the Woodbury area in the U.S. House, issued the following statement regarding the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. "Today’s elementary school shooting is heartbreaking. As a mother, the mass murder of young school children and educators is incomprehensible. My prayers are with all families of the victims. "The time has come for President Obama, Congress and the American people to come together to act immediately to end the epidemic of gun violence and the proliferation of guns designed to be weapons of mass murder. Inaction and obstruction by the National Rifle Association (NRA) to common sense gun laws is not tolerable.” …
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Here are this week's blog posts.
Here are this week’s blog posts. If you're interested in joining our Local Voices roll, email kris.janisch@patch.com. Our most popular post this week was actually this one from Brittney Harvin that ran back in January. Maybe it was the title: Welcome to 2012: The Year We Are All Supposed to Die Cherished Moments: My Journey Save a life. Improve a life. Enjoy life your to the fullest. (Rhonda Fitzgerald) As Another Year Nears Its End... Recent happenings have caused me to update two previous posts, and to write my 2012 "Christmas Message," which focuses on gratitude and today. (Dick Bernard) Cherished Moments: Lost & Found Happy Place Taking deep relaxing breaths does not always work. (Rhonda Fitzgerald) You Better Watch Out! Ways to Stay …
Friday, December 14, 2012
South Washington County Schools posted a note on its website Friday expressing sympathy for the victims.
Following the shooting at a school on the East Coast that left 27 people dead as of Friday afternoon, officials in South Washington County Schools expressed their condolences and said the district would “continue review of our safety and security practices to determine if they need to be adapted or strengthened.” From a post on the South Washington County Schools’ website: Several schools have received calls from parents regarding today’s school tragedy in Connecticut. They are concerned about our district and school security planning and preparation. The following are thoughts we would like to share in this regard: “This is an active ongoing investigation,” Connecticut State Police Lt. Paul Vance said at an afternoon press conference …
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
To avoid a conflict of interest, the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office will review the case, according to a Pioneer Press report.
A state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigation into the shooting death of a man by three Woodbury police officers is complete, according to a Pioneer Press story. In late August, police shot and killed and Mark Eric Henderson, of St. Paul, during a hostage standoff at the Red Roof Inn. He was unarmed at the time, but apparently ran from the room a short time after a weapon was pointed at officers. A shot was fired as Henderson was fleeing the second-floor room, and police opened fire. Demetrius Santrell Ballinger, of Stillwater, is accused of firing the shot at Henderson, and has been charged with 27 felonies, including attempted murder and rape. In an effort to avoid a conflict of interest, BCA officials have given their findings …
44.921639
-92.970111
Red Roof Inn
1806 Wooddale Dr, Woodbury, MN
/articles/report-investigation-of-officer-involved-shooting-at-woodbury-s-red-roof-inn-complete
1705239
/locations/8147197
Monday, October 29, 2012
The victim had ties to Woodbury.
In the wake of last week’s shooting in Cottage Grove that left two people dead, there are two children who still need care. A benefit fund has been established for the two boys whose parents died Oct. 26, when, according to police, Chevel Richard shot and killed his wife, Tensia M. Richard, before shooting himself. He later died at Regions Hospital. Tensia previously worked at the Woodbury Dunn Bros Coffee and at Dorothy Ann Bakery and Café, said Destiny Martinez, Tensia’s sister-in-law. Grandparents are taking care of the two boys, Martinez said, and the fund is meant to help them pay for things like diapers and groceries for the children. “Just the immediate needs,” she told Patch. “The fund is going to take care of what’s most important…
44.942601
-92.902192
Dunn Bros Coffee
10060 City Walk Dr, Woodbury, MN
/articles/benefit-fund-established-for-children-following-cottage-grove-shooting
1705650
/locations/8078543
A man apparently shot his estranged wife before he shot himself at a strip mall in Cottage Grove on Oct. 25.
As Cottage Grove police were dealing with last week’s shooting that left one woman dead, their counterparts in Woodbury helped secure the perimeter of the scene and responded to other calls in the neighboring city. Woodbury officers assisted Cottage Grove police for about an hour and a half during the afternoon of Oct. 25, when a woman was apparently shot by her estranged husband at Jimmy John’s near Highway 61 and 80th Street. He shot himself and died a short time later at Regions Hospital. Local police and fire departments “have really strong mutual aid cooperation,” said Woodbury police spokeswoman Michelle Okada. If a serious situation had occurred in Woodbury at that time, officers in other cities would have been deployed here, Okada …
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
The city and Red Roof Inn management released a joint statement Wednesday.
In the wake of community concern over criminal activity at the Red Roof Inn, the city and motel management on Wednesday sent out a joint statement. Management of the maligned Woodbury motel—which has been in the spotlight since the August hostage standoff that left one man dead after being shot by police—say they will work to enhance security procedures. Meanwhile, the Woodbury Public Safety Department plans to introduce a new “guest services staff training program for hotel front desk personnel in Woodbury,” and the Red Roof Inn will be the first to participate. Below is the statement in full. The City of Woodbury and Red Roof Inn management met last week in follow up to a recent event at the property. The meeting was highly cooperative …
44.921639
-92.970111
Red Roof Inn
1806 Wooddale Dr, Woodbury, MN
/articles/woodbury-officials-to-work-with-red-roof-inn-management
1705239
/locations/7870429
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Two people spoke during the open forum portion of Wednesday night's Woodbury City Council meeting.
In the wake of the hostage standoff that left one man dead after being shot by police, two residents spoke during the open forum portion of Wednesday night's Woodbury City Council meeting. The Red Roof Inn has come under fire since that Aug. 31 incident. Attempted murder, rape and robbery charges have been leveled against the suspect in that case. The police who shot one of the hostages—after he apparently ran out of the room when a shot was fired and refused to comply with officers' commands—have been placed on administrative leave. (The council does not typically respond to those who speak during the open forum.) Man Killed in Shootout with Woodbury Police During Hostage Standoff at Red Roof Inn Woodbury Red Roof Inn Shooting Detailed, …
44.921639
-92.970111
Red Roof Inn
1806 Wooddale Dr, Woodbury, MN
/articles/woodbury-residents-speak-out-about-red-roof-inn-raw-video
1705239
/locations/7817818
44.91984
-92.936949
Woodbury City Hall
8301 Valley Creek Rd, Woodbury, MN
/articles/woodbury-residents-speak-out-about-red-roof-inn-raw-video
1705757
/locations/7817819
Kris Janisch
2:21 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Globe University just posted this on their Facebook page: ATTENTION STUDENTS: In our continuous efforts to increase safety and security, the Woodbury campus has implemented a new door locking structure. Effective Wednesday, January 2, 2013: ALL DOORS will be locked at all times with the exception of the main front doors. more ›