Minnesota Lawmaker Arrested in Undercover Sting Operation Targeting Minor Solicitation

In this Marshall Area Insider issue…

🌤️ Marshall, MN Weather - Partly cloudy with a high of 53

🗞️ Police Apprehend Suspect in Deadly Kwik Trip Stabbing

🗞️ Minnesota Lawmaker Arrested in Undercover Sting Operation Targeting Minor Solicitation

🗓️ Upcoming Events

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Police Apprehend Suspect in Deadly Kwik Trip Stabbing

Mankato Police have arrested a suspect following the fatal stabbing of a Kwik Trip employee early Tuesday morning.

Responding to a disturbance call just after 3 a.m., officers discovered an unresponsive man with a knife wound at the convenience store. The victim was transported to Mayo Clinic Health System where he was later pronounced dead.

Police identified a 28-year-old male suspect using surveillance footage and subsequently arrested him at his residence. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is collaborating with local police on the investigation.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of either the victim or the suspect.

In a statement, Kwik Trip President/CEO Scott Zietlow expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, extending condolences to the victim's family and friends. He affirmed the company's commitment to supporting staff members through this difficult time and noted they are cooperating fully with law enforcement to determine what occurred.

Minnesota Lawmaker Arrested in Undercover Sting Operation Targeting Minor Solicitation

Minnesota State Senator Jason Eichorn, a Republican from Grand Rapids, is facing bipartisan pressure to resign following his arrest for allegedly attempting to solicit a minor for prostitution.

Bloomington Police Department officials report that Eichorn, 40, was arrested Monday evening after engaging in online communications with an undercover detective who was posing as a 17-year-old girl. He was taken into custody without incident and placed in Hennepin County Jail, where he awaited formal charges as of Tuesday evening.

Currently serving his third term after initially winning election in 2016, Eichorn has not released any public statement about the allegations, and inquiries to his office have gone unanswered.

Senate leadership from both parties has strongly condemned the alleged conduct. The Senate Republican caucus expressed shock at the reports and called for Eichorn's immediate resignation, noting he needs to focus on his family during this difficult time. According to his Senate website, Eichorn is married with children.

The Minnesota DFL's executive director emphasized that individuals who solicit children should not hold public office, describing Eichorn as a public safety risk who must resign immediately based on the police department's findings.

This incident comes amid another ongoing ethics situation involving DFL Senator Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury, who faces burglary charges for allegedly entering a family member's home without permission last year. Despite resignation calls, Mitchell has remained in office and recently appeared before the ethics committee. Her legal team has requested a delay in her criminal proceedings until after the legislative session concludes.

Prior to his arrest, Eichorn had publicly criticized Mitchell's situation, stating that her actions were inconsistent with the values expected of elected officials and calling for her resignation.

Eichorn had previously garnered media attention for co-sponsoring legislation that sought to classify "Trump Derangement Syndrome" as an officially recognized mental illness in Minnesota, a controversial proposal backed by five state senators that was widely criticized as political theater.

Upcoming Area Events

 🗓️ Have an event to add? Send us the details!

Thursday, March 20th

• True Light Christian School Promise Banquet 2025 at The Upper Room in Marshall (100 W. College Dr., Ste. 300) at 6:00 PM

  • Join True Light Christian School for an unforgettable night at the Promise Banquet, featuring Sean McDowell, and discover how you can make a lasting difference at True Light Christian School.

• Granite Area Arts Council classes: Carving for kids starting at 5:30 PM ($15)

  • For more information please go here: https://www.granitefallsarts.org/

Friday, March 21st

• KC/VFW Fish Fry at VFW Post 2980, 116 E Saxon St., Ivanhoe, MN from 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM

  • Serving Beer Battered Cod, French Fries, Vegetable & Dinner Roll

  • Adults $14, Children (age 10 & under) $9

Saturday, March 22nd

• Spring Fling Pet Event at Animal Health Center in Marshall from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

  • FREE Photo Booth: Bring your kids and / or pets for spring themed pictures

  • Free goodie bags for all pets

  • Free juice and cookies for humans

  • …and more!

• Youth Sports Activities & Expo at the Red Baron Arena in Marshall from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Tuesday, March 25th

• Granite Area Arts Council classes: Needle felting from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM ($40)

  • For more information please go here: https://www.granitefallsarts.org/

Wednesday, March 26th

• First Lutheran’s Lenten Worships: The People vs Judas Iscariot at First Lutheran (100 Church Street in Marshall) at 6:15 PM

  • Supper from 5:00 - 6:05 PM and stay for worship

• Soup & sermon at Holy Redeemer Church in Marshall (each Wednesday during Lent)

  • Serving begins at 11:45 and sermon is at 12:05

Saturday, March 29th

• Cottonwood Spring Vendor Show at the Lakeview High School in Cottonwood from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

• Easter Bunny mini photo sessions at the YMCA in Marshall brought to you by Keel Photography from 1:00 - 3:00 PM

  • Register & purchase package at: Keel Photography

Saturday and Sunday, March 29th and 30th

• 2025 Culligan Water Marshall Home Show at the Red Baron Arena and Expo Center in Marshall

  • Saturday from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

  • Sunday from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Sunday, March 30th

• The Southwest Minnesota Orchestra presents Concerto da Camera at First Lutheran Church in Marshall at 5:00 PM

Wednesday, April 2nd (first Wednesday of every month)

• Dementia Caregiver Support Group from 10:00 - 11:30 AM at Adult Community Center in Marshall

  • Open to everyone, come when you can, no cost or obligation to attend, refreshments available

  • For questions contact Jane Nelson Como (507) 829-1143

• First Lutheran’s Lenten Worships: The People vs Judas Iscariot at First Lutheran (100 Church Street in Marshall) at 6:15 PM

  • Supper from 5:00 - 6:05 PM and stay for worship

• Soup & sermon at Holy Redeemer Church in Marshall (each Wednesday during Lent)

  • Serving begins at 11:45 and sermon is at 12:05

Friday - Sunday, April 4, 5 and 6th

• Granite Area Arts Council classes: Drawing Workshop ($300)

  • For more information please go here: https://www.granitefallsarts.org/

Friday, April 4th

• KC/VFW Fish Fry at VFW Post 2980, 116 E Saxon St., Ivanhoe, MN from 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM

  • Serving Beer Battered Cod, French Fries, Vegetable & Dinner Roll

  • Adults $13, Children (age 10 & under) $9

Saturday, April 5th

• Habitat for Humanity’s Spring Market at Market Street Mall from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Monday, April 7th

• Marshall Area Cancer Support Group Meetings at Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall at 6:00 PM

  • For patients, survivors, and caregivers looking for support

Wednesday, April 9th

• First Lutheran’s Lenten Worships: The People vs Judas Iscariot at First Lutheran (100 Church Street in Marshall) at 6:15 PM

  • Supper from 5:00 - 6:05 PM and stay for worship

• Soup & sermon at Holy Redeemer Church in Marshall (each Wednesday during Lent)

  • Serving begins at 11:45 and sermon is at 12:05

Sunday, April 12th

• Granite Area Arts Council classes: Adult Carving from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ($55)

  • For more information please go here: https://www.granitefallsarts.org/

Wednesday, April 16th

• Soup & sermon at Holy Redeemer Church in Marshall (each Wednesday during Lent)

  • Serving begins at 11:45 and sermon is at 12:05

Thursday, April 17th

• Easter Egg & Bunny Scavenger Hunt at the Marshall Lyon County Museum from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday, April 18th

• Glo-Wild Egg Hunt at location TBD from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Easter Egg & Bunny Scavenger Hunt at the Marshall Lyon County Museum from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Saturday, April 19th

• Easter Egg Swim at the YMCA in Marshall at 9:30 AM

  • Sign up for just $5

• Wood Lake Easter Egg Hunt at Freedom Park (weather permitting) starting at 10:00 AM for children 2-7

  • Bring your basket to collect eggs

• Easter Egg & Bunny Scavenger Hunt at the Marshall Lyon County Museum from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

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