By Marlana Balk

I appreciate Frank for always willing to assist TRIAD 400, well, for that matter all of TRIAD. He has wisdom, is kind, and has a calmness about him that is approachable.

Thank you Frank for being an awesome team member.

By Brady Hartman

Miranda Buck is currently working as a 1st watch Work Out of Class (WOOC) Lieutenant. She holds one out of two positions. Approximately two months ago her teammate fell ill. Due to this, Lt. Buck was left solo for this time frame. She has been successful with her independent coverage with little assistance. Her commitment to the position is needed and appreciated.

By Red Wing Principal Kristen Titus

Ofc. Tim Newhart and Ofc. Keith Zetah have consistently gone above and beyond by providing assistance to the education staff by spending time in the classrooms during school hours and by modeling positive behaviors for both employees and residents throughout the school day.

Your presence is greatly appreciate and felt at the school!

By Melissa Paquette

Miranda Krenske began her career with DOC in July 2017.

Up until her recent promotion to 3rd Watch K2 Sergeant, she has worked in the utility pool, 3rd Watch Squad and was a member of the SORT team in which she was selected as a Baton Instructor. Miranda is currently a Control Tactics/Self Defense Instructor, a Chemical Irritant Instructor and is the Coordinator for FRB's FTO Program and A-Team Training.

She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this position. Congratulations Sgt. Krenske!

L to R: Lt. Tom Wagner and Sgt. Miranda Krenske

By Latoya Shelby

L to R: Capt. Chad Oye, AWA Lathan Scott, Capt. Eric Knies, AWO Mary McComb & Warden Shannon Reimann

By Captain Eric Knies

Please welcome Katie Mathers as she begins a WOOC 2nd watch Commander position on Wednesday, March 27th.

Katie began her career in the DOC as a Corrections Officer here in Lino Lakes in 2013. During her time as an officer, she also served as a firearms, ICS, professionalism, and IPC instructor as well as a FTO. In 2019 she began working as an Investigator with OSI. Katie also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from Metropolitan State University. Please congratulate Katie.

L to R: Capt. Chad Oye, Lt. Katie Mathers & Capt. John Kelly L to R: AWA Lathan Scott & Lt. Katie Mathers

L to R: Lt. Jessica Johnson & Lt. Katie Mathers

By Marisol Ortega

Please join SCL Executive Staff on congratulating March's graduating academy.

L-R: CO W. Morris, AWO S. Rykken, CO S. Lydeen, Special Teacher K. Illies, Warden J. Pugh, CO A. Hardy, CO R. Simar, CO M. Vang, AWA D. Raden, Capt. J. Holm, Plummeer A. Kirpach, HRD J. Thelen.

By WOOC Lieutenant Joe Witter

Every year in mid-June, the Corrections Peace Officer Foundation (CPOF) holds an event called PROJECT 2000 and this year is their 35th Anniversary. The event will be held June 13 thru June 16 in Seattle, Washington. The CPOF organization selects a few people who were survivors of assaults in the line of duty to be honored at their annual banquet. They select these staff from corrections staff all over the country.

I was contacted by the CPOF regarding Sonia's assault and her recovery a few weeks ago. At that time I told CPOF Rep. Jazmin Wheelock that there was no one more deserving of this recognition and she would be so happy to be selected.

Sgt. Sonia Cobb was chosen out of many deserving Officers to be honored at PROJECT 2000 XXXV. It was a great privilege to be able to present Sgt. Sonia Cobb with this news. The CPOF will fly Sonia and one guest of her choice (she wants Will Smith but her husband will fill in) out to attend the conference. The CPOF pays for all expenses.

Sonia will be recognized for her dedication, her courage, and her resiliency for surviving a life-altering assault. We hope Sgt. Sonia Cobb has a great time in Seattle while representing Minnesota Department of Corrections.

Thank you for your service Sgt. Cobb.

By Warden Gino Anselmo

I would like to shout out to Willow River 3rd watch officers Jacob Stewart, Raymond Hagen, David Collins, Judy Curtis, and Sgt. Brodie Kruse for their quick response and action for an incarcerated individual that was choking in the dining hall.

Their communication, teamwork and quick work was excellent and saved a life. Your professionalism and performance each day is appreciated and something to be proud of!!

Thank you.

By Marina Fuhrman

The tattoo program has exciting news! Both apprentices received their temporary licenses and started tattooing real skin! Initially, they will be practicing on themselves and each other, and with more experience will start taking clients.

Some thoughts from our apprentices:

Daniel G.

“I am truly honored to be a part of this great program! I've learned so much in just these few short months than I have in many of the years I have been incarcerated. I've learned to expand my horizons as an artist and strive to always be better then I was. I've learned to look past the barriers between people and be more open to communications and dialogs both on a professional level and on a more personal one. I've learned to respect my own body and the bodies of others by not tattooing outside of a professional area without proper procedures and knowledge because it is dangerous. I've learned that finding one's purpose in life, true purpose for the self, is a key in rehabilitation. I am so thankful to those who helped build and support this program! You all have given me a sense of hope and direction for my future. I am truly excited to give back and contribute with the best of my ability both in my prison community now and my outside community one day. Lastly my thanks and gratitude go to Justin for his efforts. Its always inspiring to see people actually care".

Courtney O.

“My experience in the Tattoo program has been educational, inspiring and life changing. Over the past few months, I have had the privilege to learn about the history of tattooing, the tattoo industry and becoming a tattoo artist. We have studied topics such as bloodborne pathogens/cross contamination procedures, artistic growth, and professionalism to name a few; But this program has not been just about tattooing. It has also been about integrity, respect, and honesty. Throughout these past few months, this program has given me hope, purpose and a positive outlook on life; as well as positively effecting my mental health. I hope to one day be able to have an impact on people through a program such as this one and change someone's life for the better. Thanks to Justin (my mentor) I have also learned the importance of having true passion and dedication for the things you want to achieve in life. No matter how small or how big the challenge is, if you start it FINISH IT. Because there is always something to learn when facing a challenge. Overall, I want to thank Justin for believing in me and giving me this unreal opportunity to be involved with the program. I also want to thank every single person that had a hand in creating this program and entrusting us (inmates) to make it successful".