Thank you all so much for your support, thoughts and prayers. We had a little bit of a break through... they caught FOUR people who did it. I have put up the long newspaper article but short story: they were investigating a huge rape case when they found blood on a young boys shoe. They tested it and matched it to Dash, CSI style! I visited him at the hospital today and he still has a long way to go cognitively so please keep up the thoughts and prayers.
Four teens held in Duluth Lakewalk beating
Four juveniles — three 17-year-olds and a 14-year-old — have been taken into custody as suspects in the May 20 beating of University of Minnesota Duluth student “Dash’’ Johnson, who was left unconscious on the Duluth Lakewalk.
Four juveniles — three 17-year-olds and a 14-year-old — have been taken into custody as suspects in the May 20 beating of University of Minnesota Duluth student “Dash’’ Johnson, who was left unconscious on the Lakewalk.
Sgt. Mike Ceynowa, supervisor of the Duluth police Violent Crimes Unit, said evidence that investigators gathered at a sexual assault scene led them to the people involved in the savage beating of Johnson, a popular 21-year-old UMD communications major who just finished his junior year.
While investigating a rape case, Investigator Jared Blomdahl noticed some dried blood on a pair of shoes in the residence where two or three juvenile males and two juvenile females were allegedly involved in the sexual assault, Ceynowa said.
“He went back and looked at the Dash Johnson case because we had suspicions about this group prior to the criminal sexual conduct case,’’ Ceynowa said. “Jared went back with crime scene investigators and compared the evidence and they were able to determine that they were probably related.’’
Ceynowa said investigators showed one of the suspects the front page of the May 28 News Tribune where a large photograph was published of a smiling Johnson drinking from a cup.
“Basically, it was a really long process,’’ Ceynowa said. “We used your article in the interview process. We showed him (one of the 17-year-old males) a picture of what Dash looked like before and after the assault and really played upon his emotions to do the right thing.’’
Ceynowa said that 17-year-old identified Johnson from the photo as the person they had beaten. “He still only gave us bits and pieces of this, but he did establish some of the other people that were there,’’ he said.
Ceynowa said the youth has admitted his involvement, as has the 14-year-old boy. Another 17-year-old admitted to being there and touching the victim’s wallet but denied taking part in the assault, Ceynowa said. A 17-year-old girl, allegedly involved, was being interviewed by police Thursday evening.
Wally and Ruth Johnson, of Arden Hills, Minn., were reached by phone at Health East Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul, where they were visiting their son in a traumatic brain injury unit.
“We are glad that they caught the kids that did this to Dash,’’ Wally Johnson said. “But it doesn’t really help Dash’s recovery. We don’t want something like what happened to Dash to happen to anyone else, so we are glad they were caught. We appreciate the efforts of Investigator Jared Blomdahl and the Duluth Police Department.’’
Johnson said his family has had a heart-warming response from their son’s many friends. Dash was working as a host at Little Angie’s Cantina and Grill in Canal Park and as a student intern with Visit Duluth.
The father said his son is improving daily, but that “it will be a long-term recovery.’’
St. Paul police Officer Charlie Anderson, Dash Johnson’s cousin, traveled to Duluth last week to bring the case to the public’s attention in hopes of leading to the suspects.
“I’m just happy that things are turning out to at least bring some justice to what happened,’’ Anderson said. “It by no means erases the hurt or harm that Dash received. In fact, we’re looking to a long road to recovery. While we’re happy about how the investigation went, the real tragedy is playing itself out. Dash may not ever fully recover. It’s bittersweet, but we can’t be more proud of the work of the Duluth Police Department and we really send our appreciation to the wider Duluth community.”
The Duluth News Tribune and the Herald are Forum Communications Co. newspapers.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
The Bachelorette
My Top 3 Picks (for this week...)
Frank
I really am liking him thus keeping him around for another week on my top faves. He was jealous of the other guys and doesn't want her kissing others. This is what would really happen in a real relationship. I hope his problem with the other guys doesn't make him turn into a psycho.
Kirk
Another repeat for this week on my list. He is HOT and I loved when they just kept kissing even when the director called cut! Showed what they had was real and they were not acting.
Chris L
Down to Earth guy who seems to have some chemestry with Ali. AND he wants her to play flip cup with her and his family, sign me up!
xoxo
Sara
Frank
I really am liking him thus keeping him around for another week on my top faves. He was jealous of the other guys and doesn't want her kissing others. This is what would really happen in a real relationship. I hope his problem with the other guys doesn't make him turn into a psycho.
Kirk
Another repeat for this week on my list. He is HOT and I loved when they just kept kissing even when the director called cut! Showed what they had was real and they were not acting.
Chris L
Down to Earth guy who seems to have some chemestry with Ali. AND he wants her to play flip cup with her and his family, sign me up!
xoxo
Sara
Monday, June 7, 2010
White Water Rafting
So last weekend I went with 5 other friends white water rafting! I mean, it was only in Minnesota but none the less, it was a blast. We woke up early Sunday morning to drive 2 hours North to Cloquet, MN. We were all able to go in 1 raft, we listened to rules/what to do, ect and got into the water! It was a lot of work but oh so much fun. On our first rapid we went down it and I noticed that I kept paddling but was not going anywhere, I looked back and only 1 other person was in the raft! We lost 4 people including the 2 boys who were steering. We didn't have instructors in our boat so they ended up having to kayak over to our boat and help us to pick up everyone in our raft. To get our friends, you have to put your knees on the side and your arms under their arms in their armpits. Well to pull them in they basically are laying on top of you. So because there were 2 of us in the boat we went to pick up the 2 people. Jenna got Steve and I got Steve's girlfriend Kate. All people saw was Steve laying on Jenna and Kate laying on top of me. It was funny! After that little incident we were awesome. I would say the best raft and we worked together and the day was a blast!!!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Thoughts and Prayers
Hi guys,
I am really looking for any thoughts and prayers for one of my brothers bestfriends who needs all the help he can get. He was just transfered from a Duluth Hosp down here to the Cities. He is at a great hospital but still having a slow recovery. Here is the newsstory:
Who left Dash for dead on Duluth's Lakewalk?
Twenty-one-year-old UMD student Walfrid David Ashlie “Dash” Johnson was beaten unconscious and robbed of his wallet and cell phone while walking alone on the Lakewalk early May 20. His family is looking for help in finding his assailants.
By: Mark Stodghill, Duluth News Tribune
Dash Johnson
Walfrid David Ashlie “Dash” Johnson, seen here in 2006, was robbed, beaten and left unconscious along Duluth’s Lakewalk early on the morning of May 20. Johnson’s family is pleading for help in finding his assailants.
St. Paul police Officer Charlie Anderson talks about his cousin, Dash Johnson, who was robbed and beaten on Duluth’s Lakewalk earlier this month. Bob King / rking@duluthnews.com
University of Minnesota Duluth student “Dash” Johnson stood out among 300 people interviewed this spring for jobs at Little Angie’s Cantina and Grill, allowing him to land a job as a host at the Canal Park restaurant.
“Of all the mass interviews we conducted, he by far had the biggest personality,” said Matt Baumgartner, Little Angie’s service and beverage manager. “He lit up the room. He’s a wonderful, wonderful guy with a lot of personality. This is extremely unfortunate.”
Twenty-one-year-old Walfrid David Ashlie “Dash” Johnson was beaten unconscious and robbed of his wallet and cell phone while walking alone on the Lakewalk between the Fitger’s complex and Leif Erikson Park about 12:47 a.m. on May 20.
Johnson’s cousin, St. Paul police officer Charlie Anderson, came to Duluth this week seeking the public’s help in trying to identify the assailants.
“Dash always has a smile for his family, friends and all whom he meets,” Anderson said. “He doesn’t have a mean bone in his body. Dash is such a dang good kid that he would never think that anyone would do to him, or to anyone else, what they did to him.”
Johnson, who just finished his junior year in communications at UMD, and his friends were out celebrating the end of finals at UMD on May 20. He is of legal drinking age and had been drinking. Anderson said he was able to read Duluth police investigative reports of the incident and provided the following scenario:
He said his cousin and two of his buddies left Grandma’s Sports Garden and started walking northeast on the Lakewalk. His friends decided they wanted to go to the Fond-du-Luth Casino. Johnson decided to go home alone.
“If you know Dash, you’d know that he will go out and have some beers with you, but he’s not going to waste his money at a casino,” Anderson said. “So he says, ‘You guys have a great time. I’m going to head home.’ One of his buddies piped up something to the effect: ‘It’s after midnight and it’s probably not a great idea to go walking on the Lakewalk right now. Why don’t you come with us?’ Dash said, ‘No guys. I’ll be fine. I’ll see you when you are done.’ ”
Duluth police Sgt. Mike Ceynowa, supervisor of the Violent Crimes Unit, said passersby who later found Johnson first heard vulgar threats directed toward someone on the Lakewalk. The witnesses then saw three men estimated at 18 to 25 years old biking away from where Johnson was found; he was unconscious but breathing.
It was too dark for the witnesses to get a description of the men on bikes or the clothing they were wearing, Ceynowa said.
“We’re interested in any activity that went on there earlier in the evening and if any suspicious people were seen in the area,’’ Ceynowa said. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Violent Crimes Unit at (218) 730-5050.
Because of his trusting nature and knack for seeing the best in everyone, Anderson believes that his cousin had no idea the danger he was in until it was too late.
“I saw the medical pictures and I couldn’t even recognize him,” Anderson said. “His whole head was just swollen. They had to have taken joy in whatever they did to him. I don’t think he was hit with a rock or a blunt instrument because it didn’t leave marks that would normally be seen. I think that he was stomped on. His head was stomped on.”
After spending a week in the intensive care unit at St. Luke’s hospital, Johnson was transferred to a St. Paul hospital on Wednesday.
“He had a moderate to a severe brain injury,” Anderson said. “Some days he does better than others. He’s able to recognize his mom, but most of what he says is incoherent and doesn’t make sense. A neurosurgeon estimated the best-case scenario of six to nine months for a possible full recovery.”
Johnson was also working this summer as a student intern for Visit Duluth, where he did research and helped write press releases. “He’s a very personable young man and fit in with office staff very well; he was great to work with,” said Gene Shaw, public relations director of Visit Duluth.
Anderson, the St. Paul cop, wants justice for his cousin and his family, and a full recovery.
“I really want to reach out to all citizens in this city and plead with them that if they saw anything or know anything, the decent thing to do would be to tell Duluth police to bring some kind of peace to Dash’s family,’’ Anderson said. “We just ask for everyone’s thoughts and prayers for Dash’s full recovery.”
xoxo
Sara
I am really looking for any thoughts and prayers for one of my brothers bestfriends who needs all the help he can get. He was just transfered from a Duluth Hosp down here to the Cities. He is at a great hospital but still having a slow recovery. Here is the newsstory:
Who left Dash for dead on Duluth's Lakewalk?
Twenty-one-year-old UMD student Walfrid David Ashlie “Dash” Johnson was beaten unconscious and robbed of his wallet and cell phone while walking alone on the Lakewalk early May 20. His family is looking for help in finding his assailants.
By: Mark Stodghill, Duluth News Tribune
Dash Johnson
Walfrid David Ashlie “Dash” Johnson, seen here in 2006, was robbed, beaten and left unconscious along Duluth’s Lakewalk early on the morning of May 20. Johnson’s family is pleading for help in finding his assailants.
St. Paul police Officer Charlie Anderson talks about his cousin, Dash Johnson, who was robbed and beaten on Duluth’s Lakewalk earlier this month. Bob King / rking@duluthnews.com
University of Minnesota Duluth student “Dash” Johnson stood out among 300 people interviewed this spring for jobs at Little Angie’s Cantina and Grill, allowing him to land a job as a host at the Canal Park restaurant.
“Of all the mass interviews we conducted, he by far had the biggest personality,” said Matt Baumgartner, Little Angie’s service and beverage manager. “He lit up the room. He’s a wonderful, wonderful guy with a lot of personality. This is extremely unfortunate.”
Twenty-one-year-old Walfrid David Ashlie “Dash” Johnson was beaten unconscious and robbed of his wallet and cell phone while walking alone on the Lakewalk between the Fitger’s complex and Leif Erikson Park about 12:47 a.m. on May 20.
Johnson’s cousin, St. Paul police officer Charlie Anderson, came to Duluth this week seeking the public’s help in trying to identify the assailants.
“Dash always has a smile for his family, friends and all whom he meets,” Anderson said. “He doesn’t have a mean bone in his body. Dash is such a dang good kid that he would never think that anyone would do to him, or to anyone else, what they did to him.”
Johnson, who just finished his junior year in communications at UMD, and his friends were out celebrating the end of finals at UMD on May 20. He is of legal drinking age and had been drinking. Anderson said he was able to read Duluth police investigative reports of the incident and provided the following scenario:
He said his cousin and two of his buddies left Grandma’s Sports Garden and started walking northeast on the Lakewalk. His friends decided they wanted to go to the Fond-du-Luth Casino. Johnson decided to go home alone.
“If you know Dash, you’d know that he will go out and have some beers with you, but he’s not going to waste his money at a casino,” Anderson said. “So he says, ‘You guys have a great time. I’m going to head home.’ One of his buddies piped up something to the effect: ‘It’s after midnight and it’s probably not a great idea to go walking on the Lakewalk right now. Why don’t you come with us?’ Dash said, ‘No guys. I’ll be fine. I’ll see you when you are done.’ ”
Duluth police Sgt. Mike Ceynowa, supervisor of the Violent Crimes Unit, said passersby who later found Johnson first heard vulgar threats directed toward someone on the Lakewalk. The witnesses then saw three men estimated at 18 to 25 years old biking away from where Johnson was found; he was unconscious but breathing.
It was too dark for the witnesses to get a description of the men on bikes or the clothing they were wearing, Ceynowa said.
“We’re interested in any activity that went on there earlier in the evening and if any suspicious people were seen in the area,’’ Ceynowa said. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Violent Crimes Unit at (218) 730-5050.
Because of his trusting nature and knack for seeing the best in everyone, Anderson believes that his cousin had no idea the danger he was in until it was too late.
“I saw the medical pictures and I couldn’t even recognize him,” Anderson said. “His whole head was just swollen. They had to have taken joy in whatever they did to him. I don’t think he was hit with a rock or a blunt instrument because it didn’t leave marks that would normally be seen. I think that he was stomped on. His head was stomped on.”
After spending a week in the intensive care unit at St. Luke’s hospital, Johnson was transferred to a St. Paul hospital on Wednesday.
“He had a moderate to a severe brain injury,” Anderson said. “Some days he does better than others. He’s able to recognize his mom, but most of what he says is incoherent and doesn’t make sense. A neurosurgeon estimated the best-case scenario of six to nine months for a possible full recovery.”
Johnson was also working this summer as a student intern for Visit Duluth, where he did research and helped write press releases. “He’s a very personable young man and fit in with office staff very well; he was great to work with,” said Gene Shaw, public relations director of Visit Duluth.
Anderson, the St. Paul cop, wants justice for his cousin and his family, and a full recovery.
“I really want to reach out to all citizens in this city and plead with them that if they saw anything or know anything, the decent thing to do would be to tell Duluth police to bring some kind of peace to Dash’s family,’’ Anderson said. “We just ask for everyone’s thoughts and prayers for Dash’s full recovery.”
xoxo
Sara
Friday, June 4, 2010
Furry Friday
Thanks to Confessions of a Domestic Goddess - http://domesticgoddessconfession.blogspot.com/
Who has this fabulous idea that I am stealing! As most of you know, I foster dogs and I think everyone should adopt from a local shelter. My Italian Greyhound Steve was adopted last night and I am already missing him! He went to a fabulous home and I wish him the best of luck.
Dog of the week:
Name Mimi
Age: 11 months old
Weight: 6 lbs
Favorite Things: Cuddling with people!
Waiting for her home since: May, 2010
Mimi had a rough start to her life. She is a puppy mill survivor. Despite being mistreated and neglected at the puppy mill, she is a wonderful little girl that loves people. She also gets along very well with other small dogs. Mimi loves to cuddle! Mimi is a beautiful miniature dachshund.
I was able to meet Mimi last weekend and she is so sweet. She loves to cuddle and likes playing with other dogs even though she is tiny!
Check out all of our animals at http://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?shelterid=MN283&status=X
Do you have a dog? Where did you get it? How did you pick the name? What is your favorite breed and why?
Who has this fabulous idea that I am stealing! As most of you know, I foster dogs and I think everyone should adopt from a local shelter. My Italian Greyhound Steve was adopted last night and I am already missing him! He went to a fabulous home and I wish him the best of luck.
Dog of the week:
Name Mimi
Age: 11 months old
Weight: 6 lbs
Favorite Things: Cuddling with people!
Waiting for her home since: May, 2010
Mimi had a rough start to her life. She is a puppy mill survivor. Despite being mistreated and neglected at the puppy mill, she is a wonderful little girl that loves people. She also gets along very well with other small dogs. Mimi loves to cuddle! Mimi is a beautiful miniature dachshund.
I was able to meet Mimi last weekend and she is so sweet. She loves to cuddle and likes playing with other dogs even though she is tiny!
Check out all of our animals at http://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?shelterid=MN283&status=X
Do you have a dog? Where did you get it? How did you pick the name? What is your favorite breed and why?
Positive Steps...Not So Fun-But Hopefully Worth It!
So in attempt to get down to a weight that I am happier with I have been making some changes to my lifestyle. Dang-it, why is food soooo good! So I decided to cut out two of my favs:
I would love to come home after a day of work and just have a glass of red wine to relax, but it is just more calories added every day.
Also, I have cut wayyyyy back on my carbs :( Love them, but I think it will really help take off the lbs.
Now I think my next goals are working out more and giving up diet pop...didn't want to do it all at once because I want to stick with it. Anything you are doing right now that you think might work well?
Hope you all have a great weekend!!!
xoxo
Kelly
I would love to come home after a day of work and just have a glass of red wine to relax, but it is just more calories added every day.
Also, I have cut wayyyyy back on my carbs :( Love them, but I think it will really help take off the lbs.
Now I think my next goals are working out more and giving up diet pop...didn't want to do it all at once because I want to stick with it. Anything you are doing right now that you think might work well?
Hope you all have a great weekend!!!
xoxo
Kelly
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The Bachelorette
I wasn't sure if I would like this season but so far I am loving Ali, this season, and her dress from last nights elimination.
My top 5 are:
Frank
The first episode I wasn't sure but he is my favorite thus far. Not super hot but cute, smart, funny. Especially when the car broke down, you can tell a lot about someone when that happens. He really stressed that he follows his guy/heart and his career will always be there and its perfect for her! Only downfall is that I hated both their shoes on the date haha!
Johnathan/Weatherman
He was a little self conscious and now that the tool is gone I hope he focuses on Ali and just has fun with it.
Kirk
Ok, so we haven't see much from him but I went to school in Green Bay and this is the closest to our hometown so I am rooting for him!
Chris L
Liking him!
Roberto
I think with the dancing and baseball he will get pretty far. He is impressing Ali and I don't think he will win but will make it pretty far.
What are your thoughts?
xoxo
Sara
My top 5 are:
Frank
The first episode I wasn't sure but he is my favorite thus far. Not super hot but cute, smart, funny. Especially when the car broke down, you can tell a lot about someone when that happens. He really stressed that he follows his guy/heart and his career will always be there and its perfect for her! Only downfall is that I hated both their shoes on the date haha!
Johnathan/Weatherman
He was a little self conscious and now that the tool is gone I hope he focuses on Ali and just has fun with it.
Kirk
Ok, so we haven't see much from him but I went to school in Green Bay and this is the closest to our hometown so I am rooting for him!
Chris L
Liking him!
Roberto
I think with the dancing and baseball he will get pretty far. He is impressing Ali and I don't think he will win but will make it pretty far.
What are your thoughts?
xoxo
Sara
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