Law enforcement officers in Scott County arrested 61 impaired drivers in December during an enhanced enforcement campaign.

The local law enforcement agencies participated in a state Department of Public Safety (DPS) Safe & Sober impaired-driving enforcement campaign. Around 400 Minnesota law enforcement agencies participated in the effort.

By Shawn Hogendorf, Correspondent

The 43-year-old husband of murdered newspaper reporter Ruth Anne Maddox waived his right to a speedy trial during a hearing in Scott County District Court Wednesday afternoon.

The preliminary 2008 state traffic death count of 424 represents a dramatic 16 percent decrease in deaths from 2007, and the lowest fatality mark since 1944 when 356 motorists were killed.

The 2008 death tally will rise as more fatal reports are received by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) — the final number will be available in May. The 2007 road fatality total was 510.

The second of two men was sentenced Tuesday in federal court in connection with a Savage marijuana distribution operation.

U.S. District Court Judge James Rosenbaum sentenced Jorge Marques-Apodaca, 27, Bloomington, to two and a half years in prison and three years' supervised release on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute marijuana.

The second court hearing for Charles Anthony “Tony” Maddox was continued until Jan. 7 at 1:30 p.m. in Scott County District Court.

Maddox, 43, of Prior Lake, has been charged with one count of second-degree murder, without premeditation, in the death of his wife, Ruth Anne Maddox. He faces a maximum of 40 years in prison.

A 23-year-old Prior Lake woman has been upgraded to serious condition following a head-on crash Monday morning at highways 169 and 62 in Edina.

Kimberly Moreno was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis on Monday. The three-car crash occurred just before 7 a.m.

By Shawn Hogendorf, Correspondent

A 27-year-old Rosemount man died Monday afternoon after he was crushed by a piece of equipment at Applied Ecological Services, 21938 Mushtown Road in Spring Lake Township.

By Shawn Hogendorf, Correspondent 

A man was apparently crushed to death by a skid loader in Spring Lake Township Monday afternoon.

Prior Lake firefighters received a call about a man who was trapped under a bobcat at Applied Ecological Services, 21938 Mushtown Road in Spring Lake Township, at about 2:39 p.m. on Monday.

The man was dead upon firefighters’ arrival, said Prior Lake Fire Chief Doug Hartman. It appears the man was crushed by a skid loader, he said.

A 23-year-old Prior Lake woman is in critical condition following a head-on crash Monday morning at highways 169 and 62 in Edina.

Kimberly Moreno was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis on Monday. The three-car crash occurred just before 7 a.m.