Minnesota authorities searching for ‘habitual runaway’ emu

FOLEY (AP) — Authorities in central Minnesota are searching for a missing emu described as a “habitual runaway.”

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office said the big bird went missing from the Foley area on Saturday. Foley is about 70 miles northwest of Minneapolis.

Emus are the second-largest living birds in the world by height behind the ostrich. Animal experts say the flightless native Australian birds can sprint at up to 30 mph.

The sheriff’s office said there were two emus and a dog that also wandered away, but one of the emus and the dog were located.

Fire engulfs furniture store that opened in Aberdeen in 1945

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) — Authorities said fire has gutted a family-owned furniture store that has been a fixture on Main Street in Aberdeen since 1945.

No injuries were reported from the Saturday night blaze at the Malchow’s Home Furnishings building, which had 17 apartments on the second floor, at least 14 of which were rented.

The American News reported that the fire was reported just after 6 p.m. and flames were seen shooting out of the north side of the second floor.

Bud Malchow opened the store in 1945. He was manager of a Gambles store in Aberdeen in the 1930s and was eventually relocated to Minneapolis. Malchow’s son, Tom, became involved in the business in 1969 and Tom’s son, Mark, joined the company in 2002. It is one of Aberdeen’s oldest businesses.

Teen gets workhouse for beating Minneapolis school worker

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A teenager who admitted beating a Minneapolis school worker will spend a year in the Hennepin County workhouse.

Nineteen-year-old Corey Burfield also will be on probation for five years.

Burfield was sentenced after pleading guilty Thursday to first- and third-degree assault. Burfield was accused in a May 2018 assault on Mohammed Dukuly, a paraprofessional who was beaten unconscious at Harrison Education Center.

The Hennepin County Attorney’s office said Dukuly said in court that he was independent but now is dependent on people following the attack.

The Star Tribune reported prosecutors argued for more than seven years in prison for Burfield, as recommended by state sentencing guidelines, while the defense asked for probation.

Harrison is an alternative high school for students with severe behavioral or emotional disorders.