Dale Morin

Kilyn Deuel, 16, of Marshall, was transported to the hospital in Granite Falls after his vehicle collided with a semitractor on Minnesota Highway 23 Wednesday morning.

With the holiday season starting and many people traveling to visit friends and family, it's important that Minnesota's roads remain safe.

Seven vehicles collided Wednesday while traveling southbound in wintry conditions Wednesday on Minnesota Highway 9 near Hancock, according to the State Patrol.

Gordon Nika, 37, is charged for allegedly firing a gun and striking a man with a machete during the fight. Kasmit Kuss, 36, is charged for allegedly hitting a man in the head with a metal baton.

Jamie Herrera Sanchez, 40, made his first appearance in Kandiyohi County District Court after two girls reported to their mother that he was abusing one of them.

The Willmar Police Department announced Thursday afternoon that Sgt. Chad Nelson was among the 292nd graduating class from the FBI's National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Jaime Cisnero Pizarro Jr., 32, was the suspect arrested after a brief police pursuit in Willmar near the end of November. According to the criminal complaint, the CEE-VI drug and gang task force attempted to execute search warrant of his vehicle.

Joshua Lee Hill, 28, of Shakopee, was sentenced to 60 months in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting murder for his role in an arranged drug purchase.

Richard Lee Flynn III, of Mankato, pleaded guilty to causing great bodily harm to a care center resident by giving him an illicit drug, causing the man to overdose. The man survived.

The Meeker County Sheriff's Office said a report of a house fire in Cosmos was made late Saturday evening. According to the news release, a woman and her two small children were able to escape their home safely. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.