A trial date has been set for a retired police captain who is charged with sending threatening postcards to local businesses.

Gerald M. Sjobakken, 77, <address redacted>, pleaded not guilty to four charges of third-degree harassment during a hearing today.

Sjobakken, who was not present at the hearing, demanded a trial by jury, and trial is scheduled for Dec. 27.

Police said Sjobakken sent several letters to two businesses, including the Telegraph Herald, which suggest that an accused mass shooter should have "wiped out" Telegraph Herald Editorial Board members, and alluded to a gas explosion "waking up" a local business. Sjobakken is also charged with harassing via postcards two editors at the TH.