Minnesota probes food poisoning
BAXTER -- The Minnesota Department of Health is investigating a fundraiser at a church in Baxter where some attendees may have gotten food poisoning.
WCCO-TV reported the benefit was for New Pathways of Brainerd, a group that helps homeless families with children. It was held Sunday, and the problem was reported Thursday.
Investigators believe about 275 people were at the event, but it's not yet clear how many were exposed to food poisoning or became ill. The Department of Health said Baxter's Prairie Bay Restaurant catered the event. Preliminary investigation points to a norovirus as the cause.
The general manager of Prairie Bay told the Brainerd Dispatch that the restaurant is doing all it can to cooperate with the investigation
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Woman exposes herself to officer
DULUTH -- A woman with 20 criminal cases filed against her in four Minnesota counties was arraigned in St. Louis County District Court Thursday accused of exposing herself to a Duluth police officer.
Janelle Rae Reynolds, 32, also known as Wendi Erin Baker, is charged with indecent exposure.
According to police reports, an officer found Baker lying on the stairs at the 21 W. Superior St., entrance to the skywalk shortly after 5 p.m. Friday. The officer asked Reynolds her name and after providing it she said, "I'm a ... prostitute," and pulled out her breasts. The male officer reported that he smelled alcohol on the woman, and he called for a female officer to respond as backup.
A preliminary breath test indicated Reynolds had an intoxication level nearly four times the legal limit to drive.
Reynolds has also been charged with crimes, including writing worthless checks, DWI, first-degree assault, disorderly conduct, trespassing, drinking in public and forgery, and felony attempted theft by swindle in Anoka, Mille Lacs, St. Louis and Stearns counties.
Police reports indicate that the defendant had stayed at the Chum shelter.
Reynolds is being held in the St. Louis County Jail. She was scheduled to appear in Stearns County District Court Friday under the alias of Wendi Erin Baker on charges of forgery and attempted theft by swindle. She has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
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Two dogs attack prized pet goats
LAKE ELMO -- A Twin Cities goat breeder is trying to find the dogs that killed some of the family's prized pet goats.
Five of the Augustine family's goats died after two dogs attacked the goats last weekend in Lake Elmo.
Bonnie Augustine said the dogs got into the pen where the baby goats were staying. She said the goats were "ripped apart."
Augustine said three goats were saved from attack when they laid still against a back wall.
A neighbor's son saw the attack and gave the Augustines a note describing what he saw. He said the dogs were either black Labradors or boxers, but he wasn't sure.
The goats are worth about $1,000 each. Augustine said she is afraid to let the surviving baby goats outside again.
White powder probed at airport
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BISMARCK -- Law enforcement and fire officials responded to the Bismarck airport Friday after a report of a white powder in a bag in the baggage area.
Authorities said normal airport activities were not affected by the investigation.
