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Tag: Lakeville News

  • Agate collector and streamer raises $100,000 for Toys for Tots

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    Lakeville, Minnesota resident Chase Anderson spent years working as a realtor, he left the corporate grind behind to pursue his passion: rocks. 

    “2016, I was in a gravel pit with a buddy picking up agates. And I said you know there’s something to this and I want to pursue this more,” Anderson said.

    In that pit, Anderson had an idea — to go after his longtime hobby of collecting agates and minerals. He started live streaming under the name ” The Agate Dude,” where he showed his finds to his audience.

    That audience quickly became a community of collectors and hobbyists who followed his daily hunts.

    “To go from the grind of the 9-5, everybody does it, to living a more independent lifestyle. Doing what I love,” Anderson said. “Its been a wild adjustment. I still pinch myself every day that I wake up.”

    A few years into streaming he has accumulated 90,000 loyal followers on his Facebook where he streams.

    “We’ve made a huge connection all across the country. We got a lot of people into the rock hunting thing and it has evolved into something way bigger than I would have ever thought,” Anderson said.

    In 2020, Anderson received a call from his friend asking if he could donate a singular sphere piece to help raise money for Toys of Tots in Northern Iowa. The request sparked an idea that would grow into a major annual fundraiser. 

    “We don’t do anything small around here,” Anderson said.

    The first year they raised $3,000 dollars, since then they have expanded the effort into a multi-state livestream fundraising event featuring donated agates, minerals, fossils, handmade crafts and art. Participants claim items during live broadcasts and donate directly to Toys for Tots.

    In 2024, they were able to raise $51,000 dollars for Toys for Tots and hope to raise more this year.

    “I hope it influences others to do something similar. Start small, it doesn’t have to be big, help out somewhere local. Give your time somewhere and give a donation somewhere and help people out in need,” Anderson said.

    The kickoff to the Toys for Tots Fundraiser will begin at 4.pm. CT on The Agate Dude livestream.

    For more information about The Agate Dude you can find his website here.

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    Ray Campos

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  • Twin Cities man accused of swindling thousands from customers seeking tree care services

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    A man from Burnsville, Minnesota, is accused of scamming thousands of dollar from more than a dozen Twin Cities residents who sought his tree care services.

    The 44-year-old man was charged in Dakota County earlier this week with two counts of felony theft by swindle in connection to 13 reported cases between Aug. 1, 2024, and Nov. 1 of this year.

    According to the criminal complaint, the Burnsville Police Department started investigating the defendant in August “for tree care services that were only partially or never completed.”

    Five of the 13 victims reside in Burnsville, while the other eight live in Apple Valley, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Prior Lake and Savage. The total amount he’s accused of stealing is more than $17,000.

    Court documents show patterns of the defendant’s alleged misconduct include making excuses for why the work was never completed, refusal to issue full or partial refunds and subsequently blocking customers’ phone numbers.

    He faces up to a decade in prison if convicted.

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    WCCO Staff

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  • Money meant for Lakeville gymnastics programs embezzled from booster club, charges say

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    The fundraising efforts for two Lakeville, Minnesota, gymnastics programs were flipped upside down after prosecutors say a booster club member embezzled more than $80,000. The former booster President Amber Ruhland says after years of suspicions, charges have been filed.

    The former treasurer of the club is facing two counts of theft for stealing money from two programs — more than $50,000 from one club and over $32,000 from another. Ruhland says she alerted police after noticing bills were going unpaid.

    “We were arguing with our [athletic directors] and the business owners that are saying we owe these bills and we’re just trying to figure out,” said Ruhland. “We don’t understand how they’re just not paid. There’s this much money; there should at least be that $30,000 and there’s not. Something’s just not right.”

    According to court documents, the former treasurer used money for personal and gambling expenses between 2021 and 2024.

    Court documents also say the woman told police she started by reimbursing herself for club-related expenses, but her “spending spiraled” out of control.

    Investigators say casino records show she lost more than $41,000 gambling — money that Ruhland says came directly from families close to the gymnastics program.

    “The money is coming from parents. This is not from the school. This is me, my husband and my friends and all these gymnasts’ parents raising money,” said Ruhland. “That’s why I’m here, making sure that every community out there sees this is so easy to do; people are doing it all the time and getting away with it.”

    Prosecutors say the woman eventually paid back about $30,000 to the impacted clubs. 

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    Tony Peterson

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  • Lakeville family turns driveway into free food pantry:

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    A Lakeville family has turned their driveway into a small, free food pantry. It’s a place where anyone can stop by and grab fresh produce and staples with no questions asked.

    Kate-Madonna (Hindes) Quast says what began as sharing extra garden produce has grown as the need has increased. 

    “We noticed there was a need as we went into fall and winter. We had never done this before,” she said. “We had cars lined up to come and get the food. It was completely full yesterday, and now it’s almost empty.”

    She says the family recently partnered “with an organization, a few other families” to expand the giveaway. She added that many neighbors are struggling to bridge gaps between paychecks and benefits. 

    Her husband, John Quast, said the whole thing started simply.

    “When we started it, it was just like, hey, we have more produce than we can use, and we wanted to share it with our neighbors,” he said. “And then times changed, and people actually really appreciated it and needed it.”

    The family keeps items out that can handle the weather and accepts donations from neighbors and nearby growers. John Quast has a nickname for the setup. 

    “We call it garden to driveway to table,” he said. 

    Around the neighborhood, it’s better known as the Little Free Veggie Library.

    Kate-Madonna (Hindes) Quast says the most meaningful feedback came from one late-night visitor. 

    “There was a woman last night who messaged, and I’m happy to share the message. It was very sweet,” she said. “She said she got to her car and she was crying because she felt that there was good in the world, and she was really struggling. That was the reason we do what we do, because we don’t know their struggle, but we can empathize with it, and John and I have both been there.”

    Even with Halloween decor out front — “Beware” and “Stay Away” signs — the family says everyone is welcome. 

    And if kids stop by on Oct. 31? They have an answer for that, too. 

    “If a trick-or-treater wants a potato, a trick-or-treater can absolutely have a potato or an onion. We’re the house with the carrots,” John Quast said. 

    Kate-Madonna (Hindes) Quast says they gladly accept donations of food, but not cash. 

    If you’d like to follow the couple, just search “Little Veggie Library” on Facebook or send them an email at LittleFreeVeggieLibrary@gmail.com. 

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    Nick Lunemann

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  • One dead, one seriously injured in a crash in Lakeville

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    An 85-year-old man has died after a crash in Lakeville, Minnesota late Saturday morning. 

    Police said they responded to a crash involving two cars on Cedar Avenue and 185th Street West around 11:45 a.m. When officers arrived on scene they provided medical care to the drivers of both cars — the drivers were the only occupants of their car.

    According to police, an 85-year-old man was driving a Jaguar the wrong direction on Cedar Avenue when it struck a Tesla driven by a 44-year-old woman. 

    Both drivers suffered life-threatening injuries and were taken to a Hennepin County hospital. It was later learned the 85-year-old did not survive his injuries. The current condition of the woman is unknown.

    The Minnesota State Patrol assisted with a reconstruction of the crash. Officials are investigating the cause of the crash.

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    WCCO Staff

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  • Charlie Kirk remembered at large vigil in Lakeville

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    Minnesotans gather to remember Charlie Kirk



    Minnesotans gather to remember Charlie Kirk

    01:27

    Community members, local lawmakers and religious leaders all gathered in Lakeville, Minnesota, with heavy hearts, to remember Charlie Kirk.

    Carly Cison of Lakeville said she organized the vigil, and hundreds RSVP’d. Cison said it was on her heart and that she needed to step up and do something.

    “Be patriotic, come together, be united, and I think that’s something we all need.”

    The night featured prayer, speakers and a candlelight vigil. Speakers remembered Kirk as a devoted husband, a loving father and tireless advocate for conservative values.

    Those at the vigil said they’re remembering Kirk for his faith, his love for his country, and for helping spark a conservative movement among younger people.

    Sen. Eric Pratt, R-Prior Lake spoke, condemning political violence, no matter political affiliation.

    “Political violence is not partisan. It doesn’t care if you wear red or blue, it doesn’t care if you’re conservative or liberal, it is the very enemy of our freedom,” said Pratt.

    Kirk was slated to speak at the University of Minneaota on Monday at a Turning Point USA event. The event is still going on, but conservative Michael Knowles will speak instead.

    Jason Rantala

    Jason Rantala joined WCCO as a reporter in June 2023. He’s a Minnesota native and is thrilled to be telling the stories of those in his hometown.

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    Jason Rantala

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  • Woman’s death at Wabasha County campground warrants further investigation, sheriff says

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    Vice President Vance to visit Minneapolis after mass shooting, and more headlines



    Vice President Vance to visit Minneapolis after mass shooting, and more headlines

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    A 63-year-old woman’s death at a southeastern Minnesota campground has been ruled suspicious pending further investigation, authorities said.

    The woman, from Lakeville, was found dead Saturday evening in a camper at Mac’s Park Place in Mazeppa, according to the Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office.

    The woman’s death was “sudden” and there was no “obvious injury or trauma,” the sheriff’s office said. The office added that it is standard practice to rule a death suspicious “until further information is obtained.”

    Anthony Bettin

    Anthony Bettin is a web producer at CBS Minnesota. He primarily covers breaking news and sports, with a focus on the Minnesota Vikings.

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    Anthony Bettin

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  • Minnesota man accused of dismembering pregnant sister ruled competent to stand trial

    Minnesota man accused of dismembering pregnant sister ruled competent to stand trial

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    HASTINGS, Minn. — A Twin Cities man accused of dismembering his pregnant sister in May has been deemed competent to stand trial.

    A Dakota County judge made the ruling on Tuesday involving 23-year-old Jack Joseph Ball, who is charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the death of 30-year-old Beth Ann Israel and her unborn child.

    According to the criminal complaint, the mother of Ball and Israel called 911 on the night of May 23, 2024, believing her daughter had been killed inside her brother’s Lakeville residence.

    She told officers Israel went over to Ball’s for dinner earlier in the evening and she became concerned after she hadn’t heard from Israel.

    The mother told investigators she went to the house to check on them and said Ball “just tore out of the house” when she arrived, the complaint states. She then looked inside the residence and “saw a substantial amount of blood.”

    Officers discovered “a bloody saw, hatched, and large, bloody knives” inside before finding “several dismembered body parts,” according to the complaint.

    Police were then called to Rosemount after a resident watched Ball on a doorbell camera allegedly place a body part on their front step.

    Officers found Ball, covered in blood and suffering from an apparent self-inflicted knife wound to his neck, in a vehicle nearby. The complaint states Ball was coherent and able to tell officers the correct “date, time, and name of the current president.” Investigators soon found more body parts in the area.

    According to the complaint, investigators later found Ball’s journals and other writings where he wrote he was “angry” at his sister for being pregnant and “no longer innocent.”

    The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office later determined Israel was more than four months pregnant at the time of her death.

    After Tuesday’s ruling, Ball’s attorneys said they are planning at trial to assert a defense of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

    Ball’s next court hearing is scheduled for Dec. 12. If convicted, he faces up to 80 years in prison.

    NOTE: The original airdate of the video attached to this article is May 28, 2024. 

    If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, get help from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Trained crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day to talk about anything.In addition, help is available from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI. Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264 or text “HelpLine” to 62640. There are more than 600 local NAMI organizations and affiliates across the country, many of which offer free support and education programs.  

    Stephen Swanson

    Stephen Swanson is a web producer at CBS Minnesota. A 21-year WCCO-TV veteran, Stephen was a floor director for a decade before moving to the newsroom, where he focuses on general assignment reporting.

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    Stephen Swanson

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  • Lakeville police investigating double shooting

    Lakeville police investigating double shooting

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    Morning headlines from Oct. 6, 2024


    Morning headlines from Oct. 6, 2024

    02:19

    LAKEVILLE, Minn. — The Lakeville Police Department says officers responded to reported gunshots early Sunday morning in the16200 block of Florida Way. 

    Two people were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. Authorities believe these individuals are related to the incident. Investigators are currently interviewing possible suspects and witnesses. 

    This is an ongoing incident. The department says there’s no ongoing public safety concern. 

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    Chris Veninga

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  • Lakeville teachers ratify tentative agreement with school district

    Lakeville teachers ratify tentative agreement with school district

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    Lakeville teachers ratify contract with school district


    Lakeville teachers ratify contract with school district

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    LAKEVILLE, Minn. — Teachers in Lakeville have voted to ratify the tentative agreement made with the school district.

    On Tuesday evening, Education Minnesota Lakeville announced teachers voted 88% in favor of the contract. Earlier this month, teachers and the school district reached a tentative two-year agreement, avoiding a strike.

    The contract includes a 2.25% raise for the first year and a 4.75% raise in the second year. The starting salary will also be increased to attract new teachers.

    Also included in the contract is a retention bonus starting in the sixth year of employment.

    “I’m proud of the work that we did as a collective, standing strong and standing together for the future of our educators, students and schools,” said Carrie Popp, president of Education Minnesota Lakeville. “Our community values teachers and sees the essential role we play in creating excellent public schools for their children.”

    According to Lakeville Area Schools, a tentative agreement was reached in February but was voted down by union membership. A spokesperson for the district said the key issues revolved around wage increases and assignment language.

    The union said teachers rejected the district’s push for “right of assignment” contract change, saying it would have allowed the district to “unilaterally transfer teachers between buildings, subject areas and grade levels.” There was no change in the tentative agreement on this issue.  

    The school board will need to ratify the contract before it goes into effect. 

    Cole Premo

    Cole Premo is the digital manager at WCCO.com. For more than a decade, he’s been covering breaking news and weather, daily topics, stories from the Native community and more in Minnesota.

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    Cole Premo

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