Latest news with #ChisagoCounty
CBS News
05-07-2025
- CBS News
Stolen soldier statue returned to Rush Point Store; suspected thief arrested
A statue of a soldier stolen from an eastern Minnesota store on the Fourth of July is back in its rightful place Saturday, and one of the alleged thieves is in custody. The owners of Rush Point Store posted video of the theft on social media. The statue, known as Handsome Gene in honor of the previous owner, is "the great protector of the Rush Point Store," the owner said on social media. Chisago County Sheriff's Office "These boys have absolutely no respect for personal property or our US Military," the owner said of the thieves. "What an absolute disgrace." On Saturday afternoon, the Chisago County Sheriff's Office said the statue had been returned and one of the three suspected thieves was arrested. The sheriff's office said it has identified the other two suspects and impounded the vehicle used in the theft. "A tremendous thank you to everyone who took the time out of their day to help bring closure to this incident," the sheriff's office said. "And a huge thank you to our veterans, we all know freedom certainly isn't free and we couldn't be more grateful to be defending it alongside you." The Rush Point Store is in Stanchfield, Minnesota, about an hour north of Minneapolis.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Watch: Runaway emus found miles from home in Minnesota
July 2 (UPI) -- A pair of emus escaped from their home at a Minnesota farm during a storm and turned up several miles from home. Tom Halek said his emus, Sami and Ali, escaped from a partially-open gate on his Rush City property during weekend storms. "I figured the way they can move, who knows where they'd end up," Halek told CBS Minnesota. The emus were spotted near Rush Lake Road on Sunday before wandering miles from home and ending up in Chisago County. "Calling all Emu owners... We did make calls to Liberty Mutual Insurance, this is not their LiMu Emu. It also isn't Kevin from the popular movie, Up, we verified that by calling Doug. So if you happen to know the owner of this Emu, please have them reach out to dispatch to let us know," the Chisago County Sheriff's Office said on social media. Halek contacted the sheriff's office and learned the birds had been safely contained. "The sheriff called us back and said, 'We know where they're at.'" Halek said. "Somebody else in the area that owns emus also thought they were his, so he ran and he captured them, brought them home and he realized 'Wait a minute, these aren't mine.'" Halek said Sami and Ali are a little spooked from their time on the loose, but otherwise healthy and unharmed.
CBS News
01-07-2025
- General
- CBS News
Chisago County deputies wrangle loose emus that escaped home during weekend storms
Outside Tom Halek's Rush City, Minnesota, home, live dozens and dozens of his animal friends. "We've got goats, we've got peacocks, we've got ducks, chickens," said Halek. "I've always been an animal lover." That love expanded last winter, when Halek bought two emus: Sami and Ali, both purchased from Wisconsin over Craigslist. A few nights ago, the speedy and crafty birds escaped their pen after their gate was left partially open during weekend storms. "I figured the way they can move, who knows where they'd end up," said Halek. The following morning: an emu sighting, miles from home. It became a popular post on the Chisago County Sheriff's Office Facebook page. Halek learned he wasn't the only emu owner in the area. "The sheriff called us back and said, 'We know where they're at.'" Halek said. "Somebody else in the area that owns emus also thought they were his, so he ran and he captured them, brought them home and he realized 'Wait a minute, these aren't mine.'" Sami and Ali were soon wrangled by sheriff's deputies. They're a little spooked, but doing fine, Halek said. It's a wild tale with a happy ending. "Really happy, love them dearly," said Halek.
CBS News
08-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
How a couple raises emus on a central Minnesota farm
They are the second largest birds in the world, and you can find them here in our state at E2's Emu Ranch in Chisago County. Beth and Eric Engstrom always knew they wanted a farm, but they never dreamed they'd fill it with non-traditional farm critters. "I've always had an extreme love for animals. I just didn't know it would go this far," said Beth Engstrom. At the center of it all are the emus. Their leader is 5-year-old Bud, and he's the official greeter. And he's always curious. Bud is one of a half-dozen flightless emus you'll find at the ranch. The birds are native to Australia, but nearly 30 years ago the Engstroms brought them to their farm near Shafer. "We went into it knowing it was going to be a long-haul type thing," said Beth Engstrom. Back then there were a lot more emu farms in Minnesota, but the market crashed, causing people here to sell off their birds. Now, supply is low, but demand is high. "The reason why they are becoming more popular, I firmly believe it's because of the TV commercial about the insurance," said Beth Engstrom, talking about the Liberty Mutual's LiMu Emu commercials. "We've got a waiting list that's two years long right now for emu chicks." Chicks are a big part of E2's Emu Ranch. The animals are mostly raised for breeding purposes. Not long after they're born, they'll be sent to a new home. Emu eggs are green to blend in with the springtime vegetation in Australia. The male that sits in the nest and takes care of the eggs and he can sit on them for up to 50 days or more. But due to cooler weather in Minnesota, the eggs get a little help. "We've got the incubators running. We've got nine eggs going," said Beth Engstroms. The Engstroms also make their own emu oil, lotion, soap, hair products and lip balm. Beth is even starting to make jewelry out of leftover emu eggshells. A full-grown emu like Bud will be about 7 feet tall, when he stands up straight. Because they're not always fans of open spaces and they love to run, the Engstroms built them long pens with tall fences. But when they want to get out, they do. "They can run 35 to 40 miles an hour, and if he really wanted to and he has, he can run fast enough to jump this fence," said Beth Engstrom. "That's why you need 6-foot fences. At least a 6-foot fence," said Eric Engstrom. The Engstroms said that when the emus escape, they always come back. Because for birds like Bud, there's no place like home. "We are living our dream. It's really fun," said Beth Engstrom. Emus have been known to live to be 40 years old and a female can lay up to 35 eggs in the spring. The Engstroms say the name E2's Emu Ranch comes from Eric Engstrom's name.
