Tuesday’s frigid forecast had nearly every metro-area school district calling off classes.
The National Weather Service expects wind chills to reach 32 below zero when buses would have been picking up students Tuesday morning.
Announcing closures Monday were the St. Paul, Minneapolis, Anoka-Hennepin, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan, South Washington County, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage, Lakeville, Mounds View, North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale, Roseville, Shakopee, Spring Lake Park, Forest Lake, Richfield and Inver Grove Heights public school districts.
The Stillwater district will open its schools two hours later than usual.
For a few other metro districts, Tuesday was scheduled as an off day for students even before the cold blew in.
After subzero highs on Sunday and Monday, temperatures do begin to recover Tuesday following the frigid morning. A high of 9 is expected, according to the NWS, following by a high of 25 on Wednesday.
— Staff report
Police pursuit ends in St. Paul collision
A suspect fleeing police struck another vehicle Monday morning in St. Paul, sending both drivers to Regions Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The incident began around 10:30 a.m. Monday when a Washington County Sheriff’s Office sergeant stopped the driver of a Nissan Armada at Century and Larpenteur avenues on the Oakdale-Maplewood border and the 27-year-old Minneapolis man provided what was believed to be an alias, according to a sheriff’s department news release.
Deputies determined the man had an extensive criminal history with active felony warrants for threats of violence and fleeing police. They tried to have the driver exit the vehicle but he refused before suddenly accelerating “while a deputy was standing in the open-door portion of the vehicle,” the release states.
Deputies pursued the driver for more than four miles before the suspect struck a Toyota RAV4 that was traveling on Johnson Parkway at the intersection with Seventh Street in St. Paul. A 49-year-old St. Paul woman driving the Toyota was injured and transported to Regions.
— Mary Divine
Search continuing for missing pizza deliverer
Apple Valley police still are looking for a pizza delivery driver whose absence has family members worried.
Shue Xiong, 42, failed to make four pizza deliveries Tuesday night after leaving the Domino’s on 141st Street off Pilot Knob Road around 6 p.m. In an update Monday, police said a witness reported seeing Xiong sitting in his red Toyota Camry in Superior, Wisconsin, around 4 p.m. Saturday; police found the car unoccupied. Later, around 8 p.m. Saturday, Xiong spoke with an acquaintance in Roseville.
“We are unsure how Mr. Xiong traveled or if he has obtained another vehicle,” police said. “Investigators now believe that Mr. Xiong might be experiencing a mental health crisis.”
Xiong is known to carry a firearm and has a permit to carry, according to police.
An investigation into his phone location, bank records and social media accounts have not provided any new information, police said Friday in an update.
Xiong’s family said in a statement Monday they remain “deeply concerned” for (his) safety and well-being. ... Given the cold temperatures and his uncharacteristic behavior, it is critical that he is located as soon as possible and provided the care he needs.”
His family urged anyone who sees Xiong to call 911 or Apple Valley police at 952-953-2700.
Xiong is an Asian man who is 5 feet 8 inches tall and 215 pounds. He is bald, with a dark mustache and beard, and brown eyes.
— Nick Ferraro