National
Roberts and Sotomayor to administer oaths
Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, John G. Roberts, Jr., will administer the oath of office to President Barack Obama on Sunday, Jan. 20, at the inaugural swearing-in ceremony in Washington D.C.
“I will be honored to again stand on the Inaugural platform and take part in this important American tradition,” said President Obama. “I look forward to having Chief Justice John Roberts administer my oath of office as we gather to celebrate not just a president or vice president, but the strength and determination of the American people.”
Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor will administer the oath of office for Vice President Joseph Biden on Monday, Jan. 21. Sotomayor will join three other women throughout U.S. history who have administered the oath.
State
Governor to fill High Court vacancy
Governor Mark Dayton announced that he will begin the process of filling a vacancy on the Minnesota Supreme Court. Associate Justice Paul H. Anderson, who has served on the Court since July 1, 1994, will be retiring in May.
The application process is currently open for the vacancy and those interested in serving on the Court may contact Andrew Olson at andrew.c.olson@state.mn.us or at (651) 201-3413.
In a press release Gov. Dayton’s and the Commission on Judicial Selection said that candidates are sought “who possess great integrity, extensive legal knowledge, broad experience and a commitment to fairness.”
DPS posts DWI arrest figures for New Year’s Eve
The Department of Public Safety released its preliminary count of New Year’s Eve arrests for drivers operating motor vehicles while intoxicated. The DPS estimates that at least 300 people were arrested. The final count is to be confirmed next week.
The DPS adds that over 4,000 DWI offenders are currently using ignition interlock devices, which help ensure that drivers are sober when they get behind the wheel.
BCA recovers gun used in Cold Water officer’s shooting
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension announced last Friday that the gun used to kill a Cold Spring, Minn. police officer has likely been found.
A press release issued Jan.4, said that BCA agents went to a home in Cold Spring in an effort to conduct a follow-up interview. When they arrived the individual they were to interview fled to an outbuilding on the property. Stearns County Sheriffs and BCA agents attempted to make contact with the individual to no avail.
Agents entered the building just before 7 p.m. and found the man, Eric Joseph Thomes, dead. Thomes, according to the press release, committed suicide by hanging. Officers later found a 20 gauge shotgun that BCA firearms experts believe was the gun used to shoot and kill Officer Thomas Decker.
“BCA agents and Stearns County Sheriff’s Office investigators continue to work every lead in a methodical and thorough manner,” said BCA Superintendent Wade Setter. “We are determined to fully reconstruct the events that led to Officer Decker’s murder.”
Setter said that while Thomes is a person of interest in the Decker’s shooting, the case is active and ongoing.
The public is asked to call the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office at 877-782-5683 or the BCA at 877-996-6222 or bca.tips@state.mn.us with any information about Thomes activities between the week before the killing of Officer Decker on November 29, 2012 and Mr. Thomes’ death on Wednesday.
Local
Beware of phone scam
The Two Harbors Police Department is spreading the word about a phone scam. On the Department’s Facebook page police say that someone is calling people about online drug purchases and claiming to be a DEA agent. The caller asks for money and threatens to arrest those who don’t pay. The THPD urges residents not give callers posing as agents any information. Police say that the caller may be calling from 330-775-2680. They say the number cannot trace and is fraudulent. They advise not answering the phone if the call originates from this number, exercise caution if these calls do come in and do not give out any personal information.
A heads up from our neighbors to the west
The St Louis County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an incident in which two men in a small unmarked car reportedly used dash-mount lights to stop a female motorist. They say the woman was travelling alone five miles south of Biwabik. The person who reported the incident said that she became suspicious of the men’s’ appearance and drove away.
The Sheriff’s Office advises any motorists who is suspicious of a vehicle attempting to stop them, to pull over in a well-lit or populated area. Call 911 to report suspicious incidences and ask for identification from anyone claiming to be a peace officer.
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