Every year the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one of the deadliest times on Minnesota roads. During 2005-2007, 23 motorists were killed and 63 were injured during the holiday travel period (Wednesday-Sunday), according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS). Traffic safety officials encourage motorists to buckle up, drive at safe speeds and pay attention behind the wheel.

Two dogs died after falling through the ice on Neill Lake Sunday, said Eden Prairie Fire Chief George Esbensen.

“Thankfully this wasn’t people, but it’s still obviously very sad for the people that lost their two dogs yesterday,” he said Monday.
Esbensen said that residents need to be reminded about ice safety, especially during this long holiday weekend when children will be home from school.

“Ice can be a real curiosity for kids,” Esbensen said. “There’s not a place in this state where the ice would be considered safe right now.”

Updated at 7:10 p.m.

A bank robber vanished after holding up Paragon Bank in downtown
Shakopee Thursday afternoon, despite a massive manhunt along the
Minnesota River.

The robber is described as white or light-skinned, 5-foot-8 or 5-9
in height, with a slim build. He was wearing very white or bright
shoes.

The bank's panic alarm was triggered about 4 p.m. No injuries were reported.

A reward is being offered to anyone providing information to the Eden Prairie Police Department that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individuals involved in a home invasion that occurred in the early morning hours of Sunday, Oct. 12, in the 6400 block of Regency Lane.
Eden Prairie Police are continuing to investigate the incident and according to a news release, “although this was a targeted incident, Police believe someone may have additional information that could aid in the investigation.”

By Nancy Huddleston

A contested omnibus hearing in the "Craigslist" murder case has been continued until Nov. 19 so that representatives of the popular web advertising business and of the e-mail service America Online (AOL) can be brought in to testify.

The testimony of the two Internet companies is important because the case hinges on if murder suspect Michael John Anderson used those services to lure Katherine Ann Olson to his home in October of last year for a fake babysitting job.

The Minnesota Supreme Court has voted to deny a request by Grant Everson for a new trial.

Everson was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in January 2007 after a jury found him guilty for his role in the murder of his mother, Nancy Everson, and the attempted murder of his father Tom Everson. Nancy was found shot to death in her Chaska residence on Jan. 15, 2006.

Looking for some safety advice for the upcoming holiday weekend?

Here's a news release from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and the Department of Natural Resources:

In advance of one of the busiest traffic periods of the year and the launch into the summer season, the departments of Public Safety and Natural Resources are stressing safety advice to Minnesota motorists, boaters and all-terrain vehicle riders.

Eden Prairie is ramping up patrols through June 1 as part of the state Department of Public Safety Safe & Sober “Click it or Ticket” seat belt enforcement campaign.

Jeffrey Berg is the first death in the Eden Prairie Police Department

Officer Jeffrey Berg of the Eden Prairie Police Department died May 6 at age 50.

The Eden Prairie Police are looking for information as to the “suspicious incident” that occurred Tuesday afternoon Feb. 26 at Eden Prairie High School and resulted in the school closing the following day.

At the time of the incident, police referred to it as an “alleged threat.”