Year in review 2021: the most read stories


(KNSI) – As 2021 draws to a close, we take a look at our most read stories of the year.

The most read story on our website this year was the announcement that Coborn’s Incorporated, based in St. Cloud, to offer COVID-19 vaccine to the general public in 20 of its pharmacies. The announcement of a locally available vaccine, for many, may have meant a light at the end of the tunnel.

The second most read story was the bank robbery and hostage-taking at Wells Fargo Bank on 33rd Avenue in St. Cloud. Ray Reco McNeary is accused of entering the bank on May 6, saying he had a problem with his account. He became so upset that the branch manager got worried and someone set off the panic alarm, triggering the police to intervene. Police said several people fled the bank, but five people remained inside. McNeary kept police at bay for several hours before to be arrested. McNeary’s state case is on hold while he is prosecuted on federal fees.

Several hundred CentraCare employees are put on leave for not getting COVID-19 vaccine by company policy was the third most read story of 2021. CentraCare said as of December 16, “100 percent of its staff and clinicians are in compliance vaccine “, while between 250 and 300 employees are on leave.

One of the most read business stories on the website was the announcement that the Coleman Company was close its Sauk Rapids plant this year and its Little Falls office as of January 1, 2022, but there was some good business news in 2021.

After businesses shut down for the pandemic in 2020 – some temporarily, others for good – the St. Cloud region has seen new businesses settle in the region and established businesses expand in 2021. Some of our other most read stories included the Opening of the Amazon fulfillment center, Coborn’s Incorporated opens a new store in Buffalo, Crew Car Wash opening its Minnesota’s premier location in Saint-Cloud, Stihl Wolf Bar opening of downtown Saint-Cloud, Opening of the Sierra in the former location of Ulta in Rivertown Village and Raising Cane’s shopping center open a location in Saint-Cloud. The ultimate sports bar and grill rises from its ashes in 2021, opening a new building on its old site following a devastating fire in 2020.

Much like elsewhere in the state and country, crime stories also made headlines in St. Cloud.

Some of the most read stories on our website included the murder of two women on two consecutive days in June. Police say Janesa Lashay Harris has been found shot dead in his apartment on the 1400 block of 12th Avenue North on June 2. On June 3, Keisa Marie Lange was also found beaten down on the 4300 block of Cooper Avenue South. Four people were arrested for the murder of Lange. One of those suspects, Angela Renee Jones, was also arrested in Harris murder and was charged with first degree murder in connection with her case.

Another most read story on the website was the car accident which claimed the life of 2020 cathedral graduate Mack Motzko. Motzko and another man were riding in a car driven by James Blue from Orono. Blue was reportedly under the influence and speeding when he lost control of his Bentley Flying Spur on a turn and pulled off the road, crashing into a tree, killing Motzko and Sam Schuneman, 24. Blue was arrested and charged with two counts of third degree murder and driving manslaughter for the accident.

Other most read crime stories include the prosecution and conviction three suspects who grabbed a woman on the street, dragged her to a park and sexually assaulted her; a shooting in June left two teenagers injured, and the gunshot by Professor Edward Ward of St. Cloud State University.

The coronavirus pandemic continued to grab headlines in 2021, including CentraCare officials claiming hospital systems are reaching a tipping point due to the rapid spread of the Delta variant. It happened in October when CentraCare President and CEO Dr Ken Holman compared it to war as healthcare workers battle the pandemic. In November, CentraCare made a public advocacy, asking anyone with health care experience to step in and help. Crash of COVID patients at St. Cloud Hospital led to a federal strike team deployed to hospital to help overworked staff.

Not all health stories revolved around the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. A medical team from the CentraCare Heart and Vascular Center in St. Cloud is the first in the world to use 4D hologram technology during structural heart surgery. St. Cloud also ranked in the top 50 for America’s Drunkest Cities according to Wall Street 24/7.

The Sartell St. Stephen School District’s Fairness Audit of Race Relations was among the biggest education news in the region and made headlines nationwide and globally. The audit was commissioned at the end of 2020, and the the results were returned in June. Residents and parents were upset that the district hired Equity Alliance Minnesota and even more upset after the results returned, saying the company described the community and district as racist and that Equity Alliance Minnesota should be fired. Information has surfaced showing the district used federal COVID-19 dollars to pay for the investigation, prompting Congressman Tom Emmer to write a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen questioning the district’s use of the money. Less than two months after the release of the survey results, Sartell St. Stephen’s new superintendent, Dr. Jeffrey Ridlehoover, said the district was end his relationship with Equity Alliance Minnesota. Ridlehoover said he and the district were extremely unhappy with the way the audit was conducted, analyzed and presented. The company said the district needed an equity manager and offered to take over to the tune of more than $ 100,000. The district felt it was best for the community, leaders, parents and students to deal with the issues by working together without the Equity Alliance.

Other big stories from last year included the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources change some rules and regulations to the 2021 deer hunting season and the Paynesville Police Department being offered what would be the state’s first sabbatical officer focus on mental health and well-being.

After the abrupt shutdown of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person events were once again held. One of them was Firefest 2021 is back. Blackhawk, Dustin Lynch and JoDee Messina were all included in the lineup for Firefest. Firefest is the annual fundraiser for the Cold Spring Fire and Rescue Department Relief Association. In other local entertainment news, The Ledge Amphitheater in Waite Park open in july with a special representation of Cinderella. The Beach Boys, Willie Nelson and punk rock band Rancid all performed in the brand new venue.

St. Cloud Police Officer Ryan Priebe also made the news in 2021. named Officer of the Year by the Minnesota Police and Law Enforcement Association. Priebe was appointed by his fellow officers and recognized, in part, due to his actions on the night of June 14, 2020. Priebe was shot in the hand during a fight with a person who was allegedly seen on the media. social workers and allegedly brandished a gun. He was also recognized for his continued efforts to keep the community safe, especially in the South Side neighborhood, and for his work with the COP House.

Other big news include American pickers back to Saint-Cloud and the NCHC publish a statement on the controversial ending of the St. Cloud State University hockey game against the University of Minnesota Duluth.

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