Hotline Online

By Dan Moe

Please join us in welcoming our newest staff member, Brandi Tellijohn, who comes to us with a wealth of qualifications and experience.

With over 23 years of administrative experience, including more than 11 years in the legal field, Brandi brings a deep understanding of processes and requirements.

Her excellent interpersonal and communication skills will be invaluable in our team environment. We are thrilled to have Brandi join us.

She will start in the new employee academy on May 8, 2024.

By Willie Swanson

Les Gruwell and I would like to recognize the Buffalo FS staff who have been short-staffed for significant period of time. The Buffalo agents and support staff have worked very hard during this time.

Thank you for your dedication and hard work! Several agents from around the Litchfield District have pitched in and taken on PSI's for the Buffalo office to help carry the load.

Thank you for the teamwork and effort!!!!

By Willie Swanson

Agent Christine Sangren received this message from a former client along with a picture of the client and her child (not included in this post). Christine makes a difference in her clients lives on a daily basis.

"Hey I just wanted to drop a line and let you know how things are going. I am 3 years sober now by the grace of God. I was actually in Litchfield on April 30th, I stopped in cuz I wanted to say hi and the lady at the front desk of probation told me you were working remote. Anyways just wanted to let you know that I'm doing really well. And I just wanted to thank you again for never giving up on me and pushing me, and seeing the potential in me!"

By Ashlee Berts

Brantley's love, appreciation, and respect for all Fire and Rescue, Law Enforcement, and EMS started at an early age and has continued to grow. He has honored our dedication to serving others, by treating us to some refreshments each summer!

He finds us to be among the bravest, strongest, and most courageous people and enjoys nothing more than to make us feel important and valued. For four years he's provided Brantley's Annual FREE Lemonade Stand to those working in these fields.

MCF- Rush City staff have attended this lemonade stand and brought many representations of our work to share with Brantley (challenge coins, K9 demonstration memorabilia, etc.). As a thank you for us posting his flyers around the facility for his lemonade stand, Brantley had a sign made for us and wrote us a sweet letter.

We wanted to proudly display this appreciation! Brantley also plans to visit MCF- Rush City this summer to provide staff with lemonade on the plaza near the staff entrance.

Thank you to Officer Joe Wittwer and Case Manager Kristin Wittwer for connecting Brantley's cause with the MCF- Rush City staff!

Officer Joe Wittwer and Case Manager Kristin Wittwer

By Jay S. Olson, Training Coordinator

Fourteen recruits graduated from the 40-hour SORT Academy that was held at Camp Ripley, April 29 - May 03, 2024. The new Team members are to be congratulated for their focus and hard work during the intensive week of training. According to Training Coordinator Jay S. Olson, “the Special Operations Cadre assigned to Academy do a phenomenal job."

Special recognition was given to Lieutenant Karl Krippner (SCL) during the graduation ceremony for his eight consecutive years as an Academy Coordinator. He will be retiring early next year. Captains Chad Oye (LL) and Chris Mitchell (FRB) expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the recruits, cadre, and Lt. Krippner for their contributions and commitment. Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Andrew Rudesill stated, “Karl's dedication to SORT is the glue that keeps this training event moving forward. No detail is missed or overlooked." In addition, SCL Warden Jesse Pugh, AW Dan Raden, and Captains Jamie Holm and Lori Korts provided congratulatory remarks.

Karl Krippner

By Lieutenant Cory Felda

On April 15th, a $10,000 donation was made to the University of MN Raptor Center in memory of Officer Joe Gomm EOW 7/18/18. The donation was the culmination of a year-long fundraiser through the sale of Joe Gomm Memorial Challenge Coins, clothing and tumblers, as well as private donations. The donation is being utilized directly for the medical care and treatment of an American Kestrel being housed at the Raptor Center, and a plaque has been attached to it's cage in tribute to Officer Gomm.

"In the days before his death, Joe Gomm delievered a pair of injured birds to the University of Minnesota Raptor Center after the chicks had fallen out of their nest on prison grounds. On the last day of his life, Joe emailed the Raptor Center to inquire the status of the two Americal kestrels, the smallest and most common type of falcon in North America. On July 25th (2018), the day before Gomm's memorial service, the two birds were released outside prison grounds as a living tribute to Joe's heroic legacy." (Officer Joseph Gomm Tribute, 2018)

Another donation will be made on 7/18/24 from continued sales of coins and tumblers. For questions about the fundraiser or making a donation, please contact Lt. Cory Felda at Cory.Felda@state.mn.us. Direct donations to the Raptor center are also accepted; any given in his honor will only be used for the care of his kestrel.

Officer Gomm's memorial on his kestrel's enclosure

Photo of the two kestrels Officer Gomm saved in 2018

Photos of the kestrel that has been saved in Officer Gomm's honor.

By Jana Payne

Victor has gone above and beyond in his assistance to create video content for the virtual court team! He was given a short timeline and worked in collaboration with 3 sites (MCF-FRB, MCF-LL and MCF-RC) to gather and compile footage that displays what our virtual court settings look like at varying sites, levels and modes of operation. Thank you for jumping into this project with enthusiasm and curiosity!

The footage taken will be used for various presentations and education with our judicial partners and internal stakeholders.

Thank you again Victor for your creative lens and dedication to creating content that helps us tell our story!

By Rachel Culver, Case Manager

I want to recognize the work of the Security Staff assigned to MCF-Stillwater's Segregation Unit on Friday, April 12, 2024.

The Security Staff not only accommodated the four legal calls for Case Management that morning, but also the myriad of medical appointments, intakes, and construction that were happening as well. The Security Staff remained extremely professional and were able to accommodate the legal calls in a timely manner.

The 2nd Watch Segregation Security Staff were Officer Lent, Officer Porter, Sgt. Steele, Officer Harrington, Officer Domenick, Officer Adams, and Officer Newkirk.

Thank you 2nd Watch Segregation Security Staff! Your hard work was appreciated.

By Dominic Chacon

I just wanted to make a Shout out to 1st Watch at Rush City. They have been going above and beyond with nightly duties and working together as a team.

Thank you all for your hard work and dedication.

By Heather Hansen

Recently, Willow River hosted a two and a half day, CIP tri-site training for a new program curriculum. The WR staff were all friendly and helpful, the bathrooms always clean, and there was plenty of coffee.

A job well done by all involved to make the best learning environment possible!

Thank you Willow River!!!