Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota cities declare burning bans due to dry conditions
Minnesota cities declaring burning bans
Several cities across Minnesota are enacting bans on outdoor recreational fires due to dry weather conditions in an effort to help prevent fires.
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (FOX 9) – The cities of Bloomington and Burnsville have declared a ban on outdoor recreational fires due to dry weather conditions in an effort to remove any potential ignition source to help prevent fires.
What we know
“We’ve got all this dry vegetation, warm weather, low humidity, the wind conditions,” said Laura McCarthy, Deputy Fire Chief and Fire Marshal for Bloomington.
It’s one of several reasons why The Bloomington Fire Department is sounding the alarm saying no outdoor fires.
“All of that is really adding up to significant concerns of a small fire creating a very large fire and spreading very quickly,” said McCarthy.
The reason why the fire can spread quickly is because of less rainfall in recent weeks. The burn ban includes fire pits outdoors, no matter if it is made out of metal or stone or fueled by gas or wood.
“A simple ember or ash from a recreational fire or fire pit could easily spread to areas that have a lot of vegetation and increase that risk and have a significant fire,” said McCarthy.
Other ignitions
One thing you may want to look out for is how you get rid of your cigarette butt.
“Discarded smoking materials, any kind of open flame that can produce an ash, an ember that could spread to vegetation and then potentially spread to structures and homes,” said McCarthy.
If you decided to go against the burn ban, you could be fined up to $250. But, the fire department isn’t looking to give out citations right away.
“We’re really about education, so our first steps are to educate the resident to let them know if they’re not already aware, give them the opportunity to say hey, we got a burning ban please extinguish your fire,” said McCarthy.
The Bloomington Fire Department says the burn ban will remain in effect until there is enough rainfall to lower the fire danger.
The scene of the crash at 26th Avenue North and Emerson Avenue North in Minneapolis. (FOX 9)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A Minneapolis woman was sentenced for her role in a deadly crash that killed two women and injured two other people in December 2024.
READ MORE: Minneapolis woman charged in fatal high-speed crash faces additional charges
Woman sentenced in fatal Minneapolis crash
Big picture view:
Prosecutors say Teniki Steward drove a Buick Enclave into a bus shelter and a Ford Explorer after speeding through a red light.
Both of the women in the Ford Explorer died in the crash. They were identified as 53-year-old Ester Jean Fulks and 57-year-old Rose Elaine Reece.
During the crash, the Ford Explorer went off the road, injuring a 17-year-old boy who was waiting for a school bus.
The passenger in Steward’s vehicle also suffered injuries.
Minneapolis police said that Steward was also injured in the crash.
Steward pleaded guilty to multiple murder charges.
What they’re saying:
During the sentencing, the daughter of one of the victims had a statement read on her behalf:
“There’s nothing that can truly prepare you for the moment your entire world is taken from you. Losing my mom has left a pain in my heart that words will never be able to explain.”
What’s next:
Minnesota law requires that Steward serves at least two-thirds of her sentence, a bit under eight-and-a-half years, in prison.
Fatal Emerson and 26th crash
The backstory:
According to the criminal complaint, through surveillance videos from the scene of the crash and witnesses, investigators learned that Steward, driving the Buick Enclave, had been driving at a high rate of speed northbound on Emerson Avenue North.
Before the fatal crash, Steward sped through the intersection of Emerson Avenue North and Broadway Avenue North, running a red light and nearly causing a crash, the charges said.
Steward then continued to speed northbound down Emerson Avenue North, and ran another red light at 26th Avenue North, hitting the Ford Explorer, which was traveling eastbound, according to the complaint.
The Ford Explorer had been at the intersection of Emerson and 26th on a green light.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty shared the following statement:
“This was an egregious act that took Rose and Esther’s lives and injured a child waiting to go to school at a bus stop. Ms. Steward was driving at extremely dangerous speeds on city streets and narrowly avoided multiple collisions before the incident occurred. Third-degree murder charges are appropriate to hold her accountable and protect our community.”
The Source: This story uses information gathered from an Olmsted County court appearance and previous FOX 9 reporting.
A motorcyclist is dead after an early morning crash in Minneapolis Friday morning.
The Minnesota State Patrol said that at 1:20 a.m., a Suzuki Motorcycle going north on I-35W at Johnson Street hit the left side of the median guard rail.
The motorcycle continued north for about another quarter mile before coming to a rest on the right-hand side.
State Patrol said the rider came to rest on the left shoulder. He was later identified as 21-year-old Andrew James Neuberger.
ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The Rochester Spartans boys volleyball team played its second game on consecutive nights. The Spartans beat Minneapolis Camden 3-0.
Rochester’s next game will be Tuesday, April 21, at St. Anthony Village at 7:00 p.m.
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