A half-naked man is found passed out in a van in Lonsdale. 53 year old Souvanh Ger Ly, of St. Paul, was spotted Saturday by an off-duty officer alongside the road passed out with an uncased firearm laying next to him. Police and a Rice Co. deputy arrived and could tell the van had been there for a while. Approaching the passenger side, the Deputy saw multiple blankets blocking the drivers side. The flashlight woke Ly up, who grabbed for his rifle. Officers immediately yelled commands, which he obeyed. The loaded rifle was removed. According to the complaint, Ly was
sweating profusely and was very jumpy. A large blanket covered him from the waist down. The officer asked to remove it to check for more weapons. There were no weapons and no clothing below the waist. There was a glass pipe and butane lighters. Ly told officers that the rifle was out because he was hunting squirrels. A search of the van revealed some burnt marijuana, more paraphernalia and 1.7 grams of methamphetamine. He’s scheduled for a hearing on March 1st. Ly faces felony 5th degree drug possession and driving after revocation. Ly Complaint
First Responders honored for saving a life
A man’s life was saved due to the quick thinking of First Responders. In December, Off-duty Lonsdale Firefighter, Joe Pumper, was first to arrive on the scene of a crash on Millersburg Blvd. Nfld Hosp. EMS Medical Director, Dr. Jenna Fischer, said, “without the actions of these men we would be mourning a death, I am certain of that. First on scene, off duty firefighter Joe Pumper, who knew the importance of opening the airway. When Deputy (Justin) Hunt arrived he was quick to recognize the opioid overdose and did not hesitate to administer naloxone”. The pair gave life saving support until the ambulance arrived. Fischer said, “When EMS arrived, paramedic Quiggle was quick to recognize the need for a greater than usual dose, and this is something new to us as more and more drugs become stronger and stronger”. Once administered, Medics Marlon Quiggle and Bryan Morris along with Pumper, provided respiratory care. While naloxone doesn’t cure anything, it gives the patient a second chance. Sheriff Dunn presented the men with their awards. Deputy Justin Hunt commented that it is a team effort, not an individual award. Talking with the men after the ceremony, Quiggle said that naloxone isn’t just used on someone with an opioid addiction but accidental overdoses. He said, please, keep your medications out of the reach of children and dispose of any unused medications properly. [envira-gallery id=”67335″]
Rep. Bly announces retirement
District 20b State Representative David Bly announced his retirement from the Legislature at the end of 2018. Bly, whose District includes Northfield, Montgomery, and Lonsdale is serving his fifth term in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Bly commented that he’s been “wrestling with this decision for about a year”. He adding, “I feel like, perhaps, it would be a good time for someone else who was interested to step forward and have the opportunity to represent a very good district”. At 66, he said, there are other things he’d like to do including pursuing his writing. Commenting on who he might recommend, he said, “I don’t see myself as, necessarily, a king or queen maker. I have gotten a feeling over the years that there are people who are interested, who would step forward, and I hope that’s the case”. His proudest moment was early in his career when he helped protect landowners from huge utility lines across their property. His one regret is not getting closer to passenger rail to the Northfield area. He added, “I just want to thank the people of Northfield and the people of my district for having faith in me to represent them. It’s been a huge honor and I’m really glad to have had the opportunity”. Rep. Bly will be in studio Wednesday mornings at 8:45 beginning February 21st throughout the legislative session.
