‘Catholic Church is a Total Mess’: Residents Angry Over Latest Accusations

While some are waiting to see how the investigations play out, others are frustrated with a church embroiled in controversy over clergy sex abuse accusations.

Danielle Jelinek's Boyfriend Facing Third-Degree Murder Charges

Court documents say Aaron Schnagl gave Danielle Jelinek the cocaine that ultimately could have killed her, and allegedly hid her body in a pond near his Chisago home.

State Patrol Report: 2 Spin-Outs, 1 Flipped Semi, No Major Injuries in I-94 Crash

The rollover crash near MN Hwy. 95 shut down the interstate's eastbound lanes Monday night.

100 Stories About Gun Violence Since Newtown

We looked at stories from across America in the year since the shootings at Sandy Hook School to try to illustrate the scale of the problem.

Deputies Say Woman Accused Her Mother of Being Satan, Choked Her: Crime Roundup

The top police, court and fire stories from our Patch sites in the Twin Cities include a woman shot in an apartment, a couple who left a baby in a car and a kidnapping.

At Stillwater Library, This Patron Was Checked Out

Local man blew a .351.

Rafters Staff Has Different Version of Night Fudge-Shop Window Shattered

The man police cited was a former, not current bouncer—and he didn't punch the person he suspected of having vandalized Barbara Ann's Fudge Shop, according to the bar's manager.

Updated: Eric Richard Gets Six Years for Bar Fight that Proved Fatal

The Stillwater resident had pleaded guilty to first-degree assault for punching Bayport resident Adam McCloud at Smalley’s Caribbean Barbeque in downtown Stillwater in 2012.

Small Number of Accused Priests Have Far-Flung Influence

Only 30 clerics were on last week’s list of accused priests, but an animated Patch map and interactive timeline illustrate the scope of their time in the ministry.

Lakeville North Student Killed in Crash: Crime Roundup

The top police, court and fire stories from our Patch sites in the Twin Cities include more information on a fatal crash into a pond, a stabbing and a prisoner escape.

Anti-Police Graffiti Appears on Stillwater's Main Street Stairs

The spray-painted markings included a drawing of a police officer.

Police: Broken Fudge-Shop Window Leads to Fight, Arrest

Officers cited a bouncer from Rafters bar after he chased and attacked a male who witnesses said had run from the vicinity of Barbara Ann's Fudge, according to a Stillwater Police report.

Charges Say Stillwater Man Was Shipped Pot Inside Stereo Speakers

Homeland Security agents investigated after a shipping company reported a suspicious crate addressed to Joshua Lowell Volkman, 22, according to a criminal complaint.

Police Seek Armed Robbers, Laptop Thieves and Serial Burglar: Crime Roundup

The top police, court and fire stories from our Patch sites in the Twin Cities include a police chief possibly moving to another city.

Oak Park Heights Inmate Charged with Assaulting Officers

Convicted murderer Jason Ray Dominguez hit an officer with the part of his left arm that's not missing, the Washington County Attorney's office charged.

Cops n' Coats: Dog Wore One in Parked Car, Woman Left Hers in Unmarked 'Cab'

She told police she forgot her coat in unmarked 'Silver Ride' taxi from No Neck Tony's. Meanwhile, a seasonally attired dog in a Jetta parked outside a bar seemed OK.

Teacher Charged With Having Sex With Students In His Home: Crime Roundup

The top police, court and fire stories from our Patch sites in the Twin Cities include more info about shooting of doctor and an update on a stowaway.

Charges: Grantsburg Teacher Had Sex with Students at His Stillwater Home

Washington County prosecutors charged Matthew Robert Koenen with two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. The charges 'stem from' his role as a high school teacher in 2012, they said.

Discharged from Hospital, Then Charged with Having Meth, Cocaine

A 19-year-old from Iowa got treatment in Minnesota for a possible overdose in Wisconsin, then two felony charges.

More Christmas Lights Lifted Sunday in Stillwater

Another Olive Street resident lost the display from her yard.

Vandal's Motto? Take Only Christmas Lights, Leave Only Graffiti

Spraypainted tags and missing Christmas lights at two properties, Stillwater police say.

Priest Sexual Abuse Allegations Reported in Suburbs: Crime Roundup

The top police, court and fire stories from our Patch sites in the Twin Cities include a man charged for the third time with indecent exposure.

‘Cruella de Vil’ Arrested on Halloween and Woman Convicted of Animal Cruelty: Police and Fire Roundup

The top police, court and fire stories from our Patch sites in the Twin Cities include a pedestrian who died after being hit by an SUV and a former deputy convicted of stealing prescription drugs.

Former Sheriff’s Deputy Convicted of Stealing Prescription Drugs

Ricky Harry Gruber, 43, was seen on surveillance video taking a drum at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Stillwater used to collect unused prescription drugs.

Bambi Bumps into Lakeview Hospital Door but Trail of Blood Goes Cold

Stillwater police tracked the injured deer toward Lily Lake without success.

Behind the Scenes at the Washington County Dispatch Center

A video of what happens when people call 911.

Father Pleads Guilty in Daughter’s Drowning and Missing Girl Found 5 Miles from Home: Crime Roundup

The top police, court and fire stories from our Patch sites in the Twin Cities include a man charged with swindling $137,000 from a company.

Homicide Charged in June Boat Crash at St. Croix Cliff That Left One Dead

Hudsonite Daniel M. Schulte told investigators Patrick A. Puhalla of Bayport didn't respond to warnings before their boat hit the rocky shoreline near Kinnickinnic State Park. David J. Riley of New Richmond died at the scene.

How Do You Fence a Stolen Gate? Chop It Up in Place, Apparently

Whoever stole a 15-foot iron gate from the side of the Maple Island building appears to have used a torch to cut it into pieces on-site, according to a Stillwater police report.

Officer-Involved Shooting and Man Indicted for Ex-Girlfriend’s Death

The top police, court and fire stories from our Patch sites in the Twin Cities include a driver charged for texted right before car crash.

Someone Left Anatomy Lesson, Broken Windows on Vandalized Excavator

The damage may have been done over the weekend to the equipment parked near Brown's Creek Trail in Stillwater, according to police.

'Vega? Who's Vega?' Predatory Offender Secretly Stayed in Stillwater, Charges Say

Phillip Michael Vega failed to report to authorities that he'd moved in with his girlfriend on Greeley Street, according to a criminal complaint.

NW Health Sciences U. President Found Shot Dead: Report

No reason to think Jeff Nelson's death was "anything but an accident," a university official told WCCO.

Stowaway In New Home and Burger King Bandit: Crime Roundup

The top police, court and fire stories from our Patch sites in the Twin Cities this week include a cheerleader sentenced for prostituting her teammate.

Two Face Felony Charges in Alleged Lake Elmo Prostitution Bust

A Washington County Sheriff's Office detective answered a Backpage.com ad and was offered sex for a price at a hotel room in Lake Elmo, according to criminal complaints against a man and woman prosecutors say were behind the operation.

Wallet Left Behind in Minnesota SUV that Crashed into Hudson's Octagon House

Hudson Police Chief Marty Jensen said Monday he's hopeful the suspect will come forward.

100 mph Police Pursuit from WI Ends with Stop Sticks on Stillwater Lift Bridge

The suspect from New Richmond, WI crashed into a pole on Broadway Street early Saturday, according to Stillwater police.

Fatal Fiery Crash and Man Sentenced for Motel Standoff: East Metro Crime Roundup

Police and fire incidents in the east metro this week include a report of a flasher.

Stillwater Man Sentenced to 36 Years in Prison in Woodbury Motel Hostage Standoff

Demetrius Santreell Ballinger, 26, pleaded guilty in June to attempted murder and criminal sexual conduct.

UPDATED: Marine-on-St. Croix Man, 80, Dies in Fiery Crash on Hwy. 95

The Washington County crash happened Friday morning in Scandia, about 16 miles north of Stillwater.