Thank Goodness...

Our good friend Erin Stojan (Tony Ruccolo's wonderful fiance) and her sister were missing last night into this morning. After an awful night sleep, good news came at about 9 am.

Erin, we hope you feel better soon... and we are very, very happy you are ok.

Here is the story from the S-Trib:

2 St. Paul sisters plucked from water after St. Croix canoe trip goes awry

Star Tribune
Last update: October 29, 2007 – 10:07 AM

Two St. Croix River canoeists who were missing since last evening have been pulled from the water and taken to a hospital, the Burnett County Sheriff's Office in western Wisconsin is reporting.
Holly Stojan, 27, and Erin Stojan, 29, sisters from St. Paul, were rescued from the river shortly before 10 a.m., the Sheriff's Office said.

There is no immediate word on their condition. They were taken to the Burnett Medical Center in Grantsburg, Wis., authorities said.

The sisters put in their canoe about 12:30 p.m. Sunday near Grantsburg, and a search for them began about 7 p.m. after canoe rental staff said the two didn't arrive at their pickup spot 8 miles down the river around 5 p.m., the Sheriff's Office said.

The search included the Grantsburg Fire Department, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter and Burnett County sheriff's deputies. It ended about 12:30 a.m. due to darkness, high water from recent heavy rains and swift currents.

The search resumed about 6 this morning, and the two were spotted from the air about 8 a.m. on the Minnesota side of the river, near Fox's Landing, the Sheriff's Office said. Less than two hours later, they were removed from the water.

Water temperature was in the low 40s, the Sheriff's Office said. The women were described as having a "moderate skill level" in canoeing but were not familiar with that stretch of the river. Before being spotted this morning, they were last seen Sunday wearing proper clothing and life jackets, the Sheriff's Office said.

PAUL WALSH