MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Two Elk River parents were each sentenced to 40 years in prison on Thursday for the child endangerment and ultimate death of 8-year-old Autumn Hallow in 2020. Brett Jason Hallow and Sarah Kay Hallow entered guilty pleas to charges which included domestic assault, child endangerment, and second-degree murder. They both agreed to aggravating factors which resulted in the 40-year sentence. (credit: Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office) The criminal complaint says that the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office and Elk River police were called to an apartment complex in Elk Riv ..read more

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – It’s an uncomfortable topic that’s tough to talk about. But, suicide is a subject some Minnesota moms believe people must raise before it’s too late. The Minnesota Department of Health says 48 teenagers died by suicide in 2020 in the state after a year that saw more than 700 deaths total. “He just really struggled after losing his two good friends,” Janet Casperson said. An avid fisherman and polite young man, Sam Casperson would never recover from the suicides of his friends in the fall of 2019. “On January 2, 2020, my 16-year-old son died to suicide. Unfortunately ..read more

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said Wednesday a man who led authorities on a chase that ended in a crash in Elk River Saturday died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The BCA also identified the man as 26-year-old Michaellee Ramos Avieda. The chase began when officers from the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office and Big Lake Police Department saw a vehicle wanted in a Minneapolis shooting going east on Highway 10. The BCA said law enforcement tried to stop the vehicle using “stop sticks” and a PIT maneuver. The BCA also said Avieda shot at law enforcement duri ..read more

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A man who was wanted in connection with a shooting in Minneapolis is dead after authorities say he led police on a chase that ended in a crash in Elk River Saturday. The man died of an apparent gunshot wound, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and a handgun was found in his vehicle. No law enforcement officers fired their weapons during the pursuit, the BCA said. The chase began when officers from the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office and Big Lake Police Department saw a vehicle wanted in the Minneapolis shooting going east on Highway 10. The BCA s ..read more

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) —  There is a large police presence in an Elk River neighborhood Saturday after neighbors say police came knocking on their doors telling them to take cover. As of 6 p.m., it was still an active scene near Proctor Avenue and Highway 10. The highway was closed for several hours. The crashed vehicle is on a neighborhood street and several law enforcement agencies were on hand, including the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. .@MnDPS_BCA now on scene in Elk River.@WCCO https://t.co/p8uxdFxKXx pic.twitter.com/RZpMvK6zJ3 — Jeff Wagner (@Jeff_Wagner4) May 29, 2021 T ..read more

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A 93-year-old man with dementia went missing on his way to Elk River Wednesday, according to police. (credit: Sobalvarro family) The Big Lake Police Department said Roberto Sobalvarro was last seen around noon. He was driving a black 2016 Volkswagen Jetta with Minnesota plates reading MZR928. Sobalvarro does not have a phone with him, police said. Anyone who has seen him or has information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911 or Sherburne County dispatch at 763-765-3500. (credit: Big Lake Police Department)   More On WCCO.com: Derek Chauvin’s Attorney Files ..read more

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – It’s the end of an era for a downtown Elk River staple. Elk River Meats closed its doors on Saturday for the last time. The family-owned business has been a main stay in the town for 50 years. In 2017, WCCO’s viewers named the butcher shop the best place in Minnesota for beef sticks, known to customers as “Happy Sticks.” Loyal customers say their home-town meat market will be missed. “I am going to miss them. I am going to miss their meat – it’s always perfect and their pies!” said customer Judy Brenteson. “Happy sticks, beer cheese, string cheese, and friendship yes ..read more

This story was originally published on April 9, 2021 ELK RIVER, Minn. (WCCO) — After five decades as a Main Street mainstay, the town of Elk River is saying goodbye to a beloved family-owned meat market. Elk River Meats is closing for good next month. Owners Bob and Denise Robeck are retiring and will open for the last time May 1 — 50 years to the day the Robeck family purchased the storefront. WCCO’s viewers named the butcher shop the best place for beef sticks — known to customers as “Happy Sticks” — in Minnesota in 2017, so it’s no surprise that locals said they are sad to see it go. “I’m s ..read more

ELK RIVER, Minn. (WCCO) — After five decades as a Main Street mainstay, the town of Elk River is saying goodbye to a beloved family-owned meat market. Elk River Meats is closing for good next month. Owners Bob and Denise Robeck are retiring and will open for the last time May 1 — 50 years to the day the Robeck family purchased the storefront. WCCO’s viewers named the butcher shop the best place for beef sticks — known to customers as “Happy Sticks” — in Minnesota in 2017, so it’s no surprise that locals said they are sad to see it go. “I’m sad. I think it’s going to be a big loss to the commun ..read more

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — An Elk River man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for possession of child pornography. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Friday that 41-year-old John Edwin Kuhnel was convicted in January. He was accused of having more than 33,000 images and videos depicting sexual conduct involving minors, all while under supervision for a previous criminal sexual conduct conviction. “Despite the many challenges this past year has presented, my office has not lost sight of our commitment to bringing child predators to justice. Prosecuting cases involving child exploitation remains a ..read more