SSGT Jenny Wunderlich put away her dusty camo fatigues and gun and found her way back to the Mille Lacs County Attorney’s Office to resume her role as the victim assistance coordinator. “We’re happy she’s back safely,” county attorney Jan Jude said.

Wunderlich left Iraq on New Year’s Eve, but it was January 10th by the time she reached Minnesota. A week later, after throwing away every dust-embedded item she had from Iraq, Wunderlich was back in the attorney’s office, still adjusting to sleep and the frigid temperatures. See more in Dawn Slade's exclusive in the Mille Lacs County Times.

SSGT Jenny Wunderlich (right) presented her boss, Mille Lacs County Attorney Jan Jude (left) with an American flag that was flown in Iraq. (Times photo by Dawn Slade)

The third wave of 34th Red Bull Infantry Division (34th ID) Soldiers will return to Minnesota following their one-year deployment to Iraq.  The next group of approximately 200 Soldiers are scheduled to arrive at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5.

Since May 2009, the 34th Infantry Division (34th ID) provided command and control of military forces in the southern third of Iraq. Headquartered at Contingency Operating Base Basra, the 34th Infantry Division led a force of approximately 14,000 U.S. service members throughout nine of Iraq's 18 provinces.

Read more: Third wave of 34th Infantry Red Bulls comes home tomorrow

Washington, D.C. – On the heels of a new report showing that the toxic metal cadmium is being used in children’s jewelry sold in stores across the nation, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Al Franken (D-MN) today (Thursday, Feb. 4) announced that they have introduced legislation that will define cadmium as a banned hazardous substance which will get cadmium out of children’s jewelry once and for all.

The report shows that cadmium is being used by Chinese manufacturers who are producing children’s jewelry that is being sold in the United States

Read more: Sen. Franken, others introduce legislation to ban toxic heavy metal cadmium found in children's jewelry

After being convicted of premeditated first degree murder, Jeremy Hull took his case to the Minnesota Supreme Court. It’s an automatic appeal and Hull did not waive his right to appeal.

Hull, 26, was convicted in 2008 of killing Lewis Wilczek of Little Falls in April 2007, then dismembering, burning and burying Wilczek’s body outside of Foreston. (Hull was living in St. Cloud at the time of the murder but previously lived in Foreston and attended Milaca High School.) See more in Dawn Slade's exclusive Mille Lacs County Times report.

Travis Joshua Kamann, 29, of North Branch and Max James Bartelt, 35, of Cambridge have died from injuries sustained during an early morning crash on Wednesday, Feb. 3.

At approximately 5:38 a.m., the Isanti County Sheriff’s Department responded to a two-vehicle crash located at Co. Rd. 5, near the junction of Jodrell Dr. NE. in North Branch Township, east of Isanti. Read more in Isanti County News story.

Both drivers of two vehicles involved in a crash early Wednesday morning near Isanti reportedly died at the scene. Isanti County Sheriff's authorities and the Minnesota State Patrol are continuing an investigation. (Photo submitted)

Anoka County scouting veterans are invited to attend a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.

The anniversary celebration and open house for prospective scouts is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8 at the Glen Cary Lutheran Church, 15531 Central Ave. N.E. in Ham Lake. The celebration is for Cub Scout Packs 508 and 509 and Boy Scout Troop 509. See more in ABC Newspapers story.

Twelve men in a huddle and a devastating interception on Sunday evening became thorns in the side of Minnesota Vikings fans everywhere, but painful as they were one local mayor remains high on the future of the Minnesota Vikings.

Doug Anderson, the mayor of Dayton, has been stoking the flames of the latest speculation that the Minnesota Vikings will consider suburban locations to build a new stadium. See more in Editor Jim Boyle's Star News story.

The 80-year-old Harris woman who struck and seriously injured Deputy Chad Meyer (pictured) as he directed traffic at an accident scene in December 2008 has received a suspended jail term and lost her driving privileges for at least one year.

It was about 5 p.m. December 13, 2008 as Deputy Meyer was directing traffic at a two-vehicle injury crash at Hwy. 95 &  Co. Rd. 48 in North Branch Twp., that he was struck by a car driven by Elizabeth Louise Richards and thrown 110 feet into the air. See more in Evelyn Puffer's Isanti County News story.