🌱 Willmar man in high-speed chase case now awaits July sentencing
Willmar, Minnesota Patch AM: a 4 min readHi there, Willmar! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Willmar man in high-speed chase case now awaits July sentencing
- Why a Willmar city leader is documenting ICE operation stories
- How the Stingers survived a 10-inning slugfest in Waterloo
Also on today's calendar: MN Gun Class - Willmar - Permit to Carry and 4 more events.
Today's riddle: What do sweet potatoes wear to bed? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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- Friday: Mostly sunny; breezy, warmer, with a high of 80 and low of 58 degrees.
- Saturday: Becoming windier, not as warm, temps: high: 70, low: 48.
- Sunday: Partly sunny and windy, with a high of 74 and low of 51 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Man who was arrested after high speed chase in Willmar enters into plea agreement (willmarradio.com) — A Willmar man arrested after a high‑speed chase near Ridgewater College has accepted a plea deal in Kandiyohi County District Court. Frederick Rodriguez admitted to weapons possession after a prior violent crime and fleeing police, while several drug and theft charges were dismissed; he’s scheduled for sentencing on July 14. 
• Willmar man feels "privileged" to serve on panel gathering stories on Operation Metro Surge (willmarradio.com) — Willmar’s director of community growth, Pablo Obregon, has been appointed to Governor Tim Walz’s council documenting how recent ICE operations affected Minnesotans, including residents here. Obregon says he’ll help gather personal stories statewide and compares the fear and isolation some people felt during Operation Metro Surge to the early days of COVID-19, noting he even now carries his passport card everywhere.
• Northwoods League baseball: Willmar Stingers need 10 to beat Waterloo Bucks (wctrib.com) — Willmar’s Northwoods League team, the Stingers, pulled out a wild 14–13, 10‑inning road win over the Waterloo Bucks after twice building big leads. Now 7–9 in the Great Plains West, the Stingers send starter Taggert Cameron to the mound for Friday night’s rematch in Waterloo as they try to build momentum.
📸 Around Willmar
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Willmar
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
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Kandiyohi County Rescue Squad Car & Truck Show →
Willmar Community Center, 624 US-71 BUS, Willmar
9:00 am
Saturday June 13
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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MN Gun Class - Willmar - Permit to Carry →
Minnesota Gun Class - Willmar, 2005 Trott Ave SW, Willmar
9:00 am -
The Barn Theatre Presents: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella →
The Barn Theatre, 321 4th St SW, Willmar
2:00 pm -
Wed Jun 17 | Willmar, MN | 4:30 PM →
Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds, 781-899 7th St NW, Willmar
4:30 pm -
Nature Storytime →
Willmar Public Library, 410 5th St SW, Willmar
10:00 am -
Spotlight Theatre Workshop Presents The Little... →
WILLMAR EDUCATION & ARTS CENTER, 611 5th St SW, Willmar
4:30 pm -
Spotlight Theatre Workshop Presents The Little Mermaid Musical →
WILLMAR EDUCATION & ARTS CENTER, 611 5th St SW, Willmar
4:30 pm
Saturday June 13
Sunday June 14
Wednesday June 17
Friday June 26
Friday July 10
📣 Willmar Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Live Music at the Spicer American Legion →
Spicer American Legion Post 545, 145 Lake Ave S, Spicer
6:00 pm -
everett smithson →
Goat Ridge Brewing Company, 17 Central Ave W, New London
7:00 pm -
Freehand Fun Paint Class →
Willmar Community Center, 624 US-71 BUS, Willmar
4:00 pm -
Vesper Services at the Old Log Church →
Old Log Church, 9601 195th Ave NW, Pennock
7:00 pm
Saturday June 13
Monday June 15
Saturday June 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- How To Text 911 in an Emergency
Did you know you can text 911 if calling isn't safe or possible? Follow these steps when texting 911: - Enter the number 911 in the "To" field. -… (Nextdoor )
- Dunham's Sports posted a job opening for Team Member in Willmar. Apply here.
- Jobs for Humanity posted a job opening for Retail Merchandising Specialist in Willmar. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Willmar here.
🗞 Nearby News
Olivia
- Criminal penalties increased for extortion using private sexual images (mn.gov)
Paynesville
- Cathedral Boys Golf Team Takes 5th At State Tournament (minnesotasnewcountry.com)
Litchfield
- LAMP Summer Events (klfdradio.com)
- Community Ed Summer Activities in Full Swing (klfdradio.com)
- Steven Sangren, 53, Obituary – 6/8/2026 (dasselcokato.com)
Ok Willmar! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Yammies! (Thank you Lynda S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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