Minneapolis, MN
Weekly prayer walks return to North Minneapolis in effort to help reduce crime
Marielle Mohs is thrilled to be telling stories in her home state of Minnesota. She grew up in Eden Prairie and South Minneapolis.
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After seeing real change in just one year, a community group is picking up their weekly prayer walk in North Minneapolis again.
“We want to step out and get beyond the sanctuary and the worship service on a Sunday morning, and hit the streets where the people are at,” said Dave Halstensgard.
Halstensgard helped form this prayer group alongside Pastor Doris Allison, from Proverbs Christian Fellowship church.
The group walks through Northside every Sunday, specifically having a presence in areas deemed “hot spots” by Minneapolis police, which are areas where crime is more common.
“We need to love people in every situation and not just shake your head and say that was an awful instance,” said Halstensgard.
Since starting these prayer walks last fall, they’ve seen crime go down. The city’s crime statistics show that gun violence in Ward 4 is down 32% compared to this time last year.
“It’s just amazing what prayer can do. I believe that prayer changes things,” said Pastor Allison.
However, this group says they’re still losing too many lives to gun violence. Just three weeks ago, 11-year-old Amir Atkins was gunned down in Folwell Park.
“Amir being killed up there on Dowling Avenue, it gave us more of a reason to step up a little bit more, you know,” said Pastor Allison.
Another mission of this group is to be the bridge between police officers and the community. Officers from the Minneapolis Police Department showed up Sunday to support the group’s efforts and to build trust.
“That’s what we’re aiming at is breaking these barriers down to where the people on the Northside can walk freely and choose to do what they want to do and not be hesitant or afraid,” said Halstensgard.
Over the next 4 weeks, the group will meet every Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Cub Foods Northside parking lot. They welcome anyone to join them.
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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