Bemidji, MN - Bemidji State Athletics and Affinity Plus held a Polar Plunge last week, raising money for Special Olympics Minnesota. As of late yesterday afternoon, 68 plungers raised $11,112. The goal of the event was $15,000. You can still donate at plungemn.org.
Akeley, MN - A follow up on a story we had for you a couple of months ago, a pair of former gang members from Chicago will speak in the area May 1st through the 4th about escaping the life of gangs and drugs. Ex-gang members Ron Smith and Sammy Armstead will speak at the Akeley Community Center at 7pm on May 1st, Peace Lutheran Church in Nevis at 7pm May 2nd, First Baptist Church in Park Rapids at 7pm May 3rd, and the Maslowski Center in Wadena at 3pm May 4th. The city of Akeley paid $3000 for travel expenses for the two.
Bagley, MN - Another food drop in Bagley next week. It will be held on Monday starting at 11am along Great Northern Drive SW. As with the past food drops in Bagley, the food comes from North Country Food Bank in Crookston with the help of the Bemidji United Way. Food is free, with no questions asked, until it's gone.
Bemidji, MN - The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency announced a new initiative to monitor water quality throughout the entire Mississippi River within Minnesota’s borders for the first time in a single year. The agency made the announcement in recognition of Earth Day at an event along the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Paul, where leaders from the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, and the Metropolitan Council joined MPCA Commissioner Katrina Kessler to formally kick off the water monitoring season. Monitoring lakes and rivers for pollution is a critical aspect of maintaining clean water. Information collected from the river throughout 2024 will be used to direct funding and other resources for river clean-up and improve water quality both within Minnesota and downstream.
Fosston, MN - A fire in Fosston two weeks ago was started by a holiday light cord that was ultimately used as an extension cord. The State Fire Marshall says that's a no-no. The lone occupant of the home escaped without injury.
Bemidji, MN - The Bemidji Rotary along with Sanford Health of Bemidji will be holding a blood screening blitz May 15th through May 17th from 7am to 10am each day. The cost is $35, and the screenings will check for: cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoproteins, low-density lipoproteins, glucose, creatinine, hemoglobin, and white blood cell count. Preregistration is required. Call 218-333-2277. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Bemidji Police K9 Program.
Bemidji, MN - Furr Bowl is this Sunday at Bemidji Bowl. The event is a fundraiser for Great River Rescue. Registration costs $400 for a team of six. Single registrations start at $40. Furr Bowl is sponsored by First National Bank.
Mahnomen, MN - The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will hold a public hearing on April 30 at 6pm on Mahnomen Health Center's transition to a Rural Emergency Hospital. Rural Emergency Hospitals do not have inpatient services or swing beds. According to the submission filed by Mahnomen Health Center, Mahnomen Health Center will continue to provide outpatient services and emergency services to the community. The hearing will be hosted by MDH's Health Regulation Division to provide a forum for the community to discuss the change and available alternatives for Mahnomen Health Center patients. Community members interested in participating can join the public hearing via the Microsoft Teams event Mahnomen Health Center public hearing or by calling 651-395-7448 and using the access code 898 653 172#.
Bemidji, MN - Beltrami Electric Cooperative will host their 16th Annual Multi-Vendor Indoor Garage Sale on Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 8am to 2:30pm in the co-op's garage at 4111 Technology Drive NW in Bemidji. Shoppers will have access to more than 90 booths, with a huge variety of new and used merchandise. The entrance fee is $1 per person, with kids 12 and under visiting for free. Food concessions will be available, including walking tacos, baked goods, and fresh rolls from Raphael's Bakery. All proceeds of the event will benefit the United Way of the Bemidji Area.
Thief River Falls, MN - A Toward Zero Deaths workshop is in Thief River Falls today, being attended by more than 70 regional traffic safety stakeholders, representing law enforcement, engineering, education, emergency medical and trauma services as well as local leaders. The event is hosted by Minnesota Departments of Public Safety, Health and Transportation. ATV and UTV safety will be discussed, as well as a session on understanding grief from a first responders viewpoint in telling a family that a loved one was killed in a crash. Since TZD started in 2003, traffic-related deaths have declined by 37 percent through 2023.
Cass Lake - The Leech Lake Band will be holding a Health Fair today at the Cedar Lakes Casino and Hotel. Service providers from 30 different businesses and departments will be there today from 9am to 3pm. There will be door prizes and a light breakfast and light lunch provided.
Cass Lake - The last of four parenting workshops will be held tonight, virtually on Zoom. The workshop, put on be the Leech Lake Tribal College Extension and Community Education, is for caregivers for children newborn to age five. Call Hanna Baird at 218-335-3747 for more information.
Bemidji, MN - The Bemidji City Council met last night and discussed the American Rescue Plan Act, which gives local governments extra funds. Virtually every city department made their requests on how to spend the $1.12 million dollars the City of Bemidji still has to spend. City Staff and the Council spent about 90 minutes last night going over all of the requests, and the Council gave the City Manager their ideas as to what should be the most important items that the City should fund. City staff will go back to work to trim the list of requests that the Council will take up again at their next meeting.
Bemidji, MN - The Bemidji Senior Hockey season has come to a close, but the group made one last round of donations for the year. Senior Hockey gave $2500 to the Bemidji Food Shelf, $2500 to Bemidji Youth Hockey, $1500 to the United Way and another $1500 to the Joe Lueken Cancer Center. Funds raised were part of the Steve McLean Memorial Hockey Tournament, as well as from donations from: Bernick's, Cool Threads, Corner Bar, Country Inn and Suites, Keith’s Pizza, Paul Bunyan Communications, The Garden Grill and Pub, The Tavern on South Shore, Top Shelf Hockey, and West Fraser.
Bemidji, MN - The Beltrami County Workforce Impact and CareerForce is holding an open house tomorrow from 11:00am-2:00pm at the County Admin Building on America Avenue. The purpose of the open house is to have coffee and conversations celebrating their achievements by meeting their team, exploring their programs and networking with featured employers. Workforce Impact works with families to move toward self-sufficiency, guiding participants through the entire process of finding a job and offer personal support. Call 218-333-8200 with questions.
Bemidji, MN - High School Robotics has been active in Northern Minnesota, and The Northern Minnesota Robotics Conference recently named 83 students to their All-Academic Team. Students must possess a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher for the current school year. Eight students from Bemidji made the all-academic team, and four from Cass Lake Bena made the list. The 2024 Northern Minnesota Robotics Conference tournament will be held in Bemidji.
Bemidji, MN - The candidates for the GOP and the DFL for Minnesota House Seats for 2A and 2B have been finalized. The area DFL has selected Reed Olson of Bemidji to be on the ballot for 2A, and Michael Reyes of Cass Lake to run for the 2B seat. The GOP has selected Bidal Duran of Bemidji for Minnesota House 2A and incumbent Matt Bliss of Pennington for House 2B. In 2A, Matt Grossell announced that he would not seek reelection.
Baudette, MN - You can still fish for lake sturgeon on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River. The US Fish and Wildlife Service had considered adding the fish to the Endangered Species Act. Yesterday, the Fish and Wildlife Service said that they wouldn't be adding the fish to the list, because of ongoing management efforts and restocking. Kevin Hinrichs of Baudette, who owns Royal Dutchman Resort on the Rainy River with his wife, Jenn, was quoted in the Grand Forks Herald that the vote comes as a relief. He said that sturgeon fishing is a large majority of their business.
Undated - Nine counties in Northwest Minnesota are asking the State Legislature for nearly $27-million to completely redesign how garbage is handled in the area. Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Polk and Red Lake counties are asking for the funds to construct two regional solid waste hubs in Hubbard and Polk counties, and make 12 new or modified existing facilities in the other counties that would transport their construction and demolition debris to the nearest hubs. It would also construct two new lined regional landfills. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has grant money available for these types of projects, and all nine counties have, or will be, applying for them. Each County is asking for bonding amounts that they would need for the project including:
Cass County, $5.103 million
Beltrami County, $3.935 million
Clearwater County, $982,000
Norman County, $920,000
Marshall County, $780,000
Mahnomen County, $620,000
Red Lake County, $350,000
Bemidji, MN - The Bemidji Eagles Club recently made a donation to Fishing Has No Boundries. The donation was for $702. The National Fraternal Oder of Eagles donates more than $10 million a year to local communities, fundraisers, charities and more. As part of its philosophy, the F.O.E. gives back 100 percent of money raised in the form of grants. Fundraisers are conducted for eight major charities, including Kidney, Heart, Diabetes, Cancer and Spinal Cord Injury funds, a Childrens Fund, Memorial Foundation and Golden Eagle Fund.
Bemidji, MN - The Bemidji Rotary along with Sanford Health of Bemidji will be holding a blood screening blitz May 15th through May 17th from 7am to 10am each day. The cost is $35, and the screenings will check for: cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoproteins, low-density lipoproteins, glucose, creatinine, hemoglobin, and white blood cell count. Preregistration is required. Call 218-333-2277. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Bemidji Police K9 Program.
Bemidji, MN - Furr Bowl is this Sunday at Bemidji Bowl. The event is a fundraiser for Great River Rescue. Registration costs $400 for a team of six. Single registrations start at $40. Furr Bowl is sponsored by First National Bank and Sanford Health.
Cass Lake - The Bemidji teachers union just got a new contract. Now, the Cass Lake Bena teachers union wants a new one. The CLB union has been in negotiations with the School Board since last summer. The next CLB Board meeting is Wednesday at 5pm.
Cass Lake - An Earth Day Program is planned at the Cass Lake Boys and Girls Club today from 11am to 3pm. Enter through Door #5. More info, call 218-335-7420.
Backus, MN - The Cass County Board met last week and passed the long worked-on ATV ordinance. In the county, ATV's would only be allowed to use county roads and right-of-ways if they are street legal, and speed limits now exist on County roads. ATV's must also travel in the same direction as regular car traffic, and when multiple ATV's are traveling together, they must be single file. The Board will evaluate the new law after next hunting season.
Fosston, MN - A cattle trailer and semi rolled into the ditch west of Fosston on Friday morning. Just after 2am, the Polk County Sheriff responded to the scene on County Roads 1 and 31. The Fosston fire department and passersby helped remove the cattle from the trailer that was on its side in the ditch. The driver, 34 year old Richard Hulleman, of Iowa, was transported to the Fosston Hospital.
Bemidji, MN - BSU will be offering a two-day workshop May 8th and May 9th for those 55 and older to learn about opportunities in possible career changes, resume writing, or even retirement. There will also be discussions on topics like cyber security, health care and active lifestyles. Early registration is $30 per person and ends on Thursday. After April 26, the registration rate will be $50. To register, click on the Summer Session tab at bemidjistate.edu, email youngseob.son@bemidjistate.edu, or call 218-755-2851.
Undated - The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is waiving vehicle permit fees at all 74 state parks and recreation areas on Saturday, April 27. This “Free Park Day” is one of four days each year on which the DNR waives the requirement for a vehicle permit at state parks and recreation areas. As a part of "Free Day", Signs of Spring Hike will take place at Itasca State Park from 10:30am to 11:30am. Explore signs of spring hiking down the trail with a naturalist looking for interesting plants and animals that are starting to make their spring appearance. The hike will be 1 to 2 miles in length.
Leech Lake - Elections for Local Indian Council seats, Leech Lake Housing Authority Board and Bug O Nay Ge Shig School Board will take in place in conjunction with the Leech Lake MCT General Election on June 11th, 2024. The filing period to sign up to run for any of these positions opens today through May 17, 2024 at 4:30PM.
White Earth - A White Earth man got 40 years in prison for shooting and killing his cousin. Forty one year old Michael Croud admitted to shooting 35 year old David Hanks. Croud said that Hanks had threatened to "shoot up my house" if Croud didn't give him $50. Croud hinted that drugs were the reason that Hanks threatened him. Hanks was shot while in a car with a number of other people. The shooting took place last summer in Pine Point.
Backus, MN - The Cass County Board learned this week that they made the second highest total of funds in timber sales in 2023. The County made $1.2 million in timber sales of aspen, and nearly $400,000 in sales of red oak. The total for all timber and pulp sales in 2023 was $2.46 million.
Walker, MN - The Walker Area Community Center has a new director. Chad Trapier, who moved to Walker a year and a half ago, and was on the Board of the Food Shelf was named as the new executive director. Donations are always being accepted for the Community Center. Head to http://www.walkerareacommunitycenter.com to make a donation.
Bemidji, MN - The Bemidji Sunrise Rotary Club will hold a document shredding event next Saturday in the parking lot of the Boys and Girls Club. Hours will be 10am to 1pm. Boxes of documents can be shredded for $10. All monies raised will purchase dictionaries for Bemidji third grade students, and providing scholarships to high school seniors.
Bemidji, MN - Bemidji Area Habitat For Humanity is holding their Roof Raiser fundraiser next week, raising funds to build Habitat Houses in Bemidji. The ticket deadline has passed, you can still help raise funds through an online auction. Head to the Habitat Bemidji Facebook page for a link to the auction (https://habitatbemidji.auctions.networkforgood.com/auctions/roof-raiser-auction).
Bemidji, MN - The eighth annual Gigazone Gaming Championships are tomorrow at the Sanford Center. All of the gaming is free. Doors open at 10am. There are also tournaments for Rocket League, Madden, Overwatch 2, Super Smash Brothers and more. Visit https://gigazonegaming.com for more details. At 2pm tomorrow, Danielle Feinberg of Pixar Studios will be the keynote speaker. She has worked on Toy Story, Monsters Inc., The Incredibles, and Ratatouille, and WALL-E.
Menahga, MN - A Menahga teen, who was missing after running away from home, was found yesterday. Seventeen year old Amy Scouton was last seen Tuesday. The Menahga Police Department thanks anyone who assisted in finding her.
Undated - Two bills going through the Minnesota Legislature that would transfer state lands back to the White Earth and Red Lake Nations are dead for this session. Both bills missed deadlines this week to keep them going. Both bills can be reintroduced again next session.
Bemidji, MN - The Beltrami County Board has set the construction timeline for the new jail project. They had two choices, start this fall, but pay an additional $500,000 to heat the site during the winter, or option #2 was to start construction next spring. Commissioners opted for option #2, and construction will start in about a year. The facility is still in the design stage at this point.
Walker, MN - A Walker man, already a convicted felon, has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm, which is illegal for all convicted felons. Thirty six year old Donald Duane Armstrong Jr. had another individual buy him a gun at a licensed dealer in Walker last May. The second individual lied on the application for the gun and intended to give it to Armstrong. A-T-F and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force and the Cass County Sheriff's Office worked the case. Armstrong will be sentenced at a later date. During a search warrant execution, 14 guns were found in Armstrong's possession.
Mahnomen, MN - The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will hold a public hearing on April 30 at 6pm on Mahnomen Health Center's transition to a Rural Emergency Hospital. Rural Emergency Hospitals do not have inpatient services or swing beds. According to the submission filed by Mahnomen Health Center, Mahnomen Health Center will continue to provide outpatient services and emergency services to the community. The hearing will be hosted by MDH's Health Regulation Division to provide a forum for the community to discuss the change and available alternatives for Mahnomen Health Center patients. Community members interested in participating can join the public hearing via the Microsoft Teams event Mahnomen Health Center public hearing or by calling 651-395-7448 and using the access code 898 653 172#.
Bemidji, MN - The Beltrami Electric Cooperative Trust Board for Operation Round Up met in April and awarded grants to 26 area nonprofit and community organizations totaling $41,272. Many local programs and non-profit organizations benefit from Operation Round Up®, a charitable program unique to electric cooperatives. The program is designed to give cooperative members a means of working together to use their small change to make a big impact in their local communities, with 100% of member contributions going to local projects. Project categories for organizations applying for grants from Operation Round Up® must fit into one or more of the following: Community Service, Economic Development, Education & Youth, and Environment. Receiving funds this year were: Great River Rescue, United Way of Bemidji Area, Level Ground, Bemidji Career Academies, Bemidji Area Take a Kid Fishing, Oak Hills Christian College, Kelliher School, Buena Vista Ski Patrol, Kelliher Kids Childcare Center, Headwaters Science Center, Kelliher Library Information Center, North Beltrami Heritage Center, BHS Marching Band, Concordia Language Villages, Headwaters School of Music & Arts, St. Vincent de Paul-St. Philip, Blackduck Senior Center, Bemidji Middle School Robotics Club, and the Northstar Shooting Sports Club.
Bemidji, MN - Beltrami Electric Cooperative will host their 16th Annual Multi-Vendor Indoor Garage Sale on Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 8am to 2:30pm in the co-op's garage at 4111 Technology Drive NW in Bemidji. Shoppers will have access to more than 90 booths, with a huge variety of new and used merchandise. The entrance fee is $1 per person, with kids 12 and under visiting for free. Food concessions will be available, including walking tacos, baked goods, and fresh rolls from Raphael's Bakery. All proceeds of the event will benefit the United Way of the Bemidji Area.
Bemidji, MN - Trade in your books for some new reads. Books can be dropped off at the Tourist Information Center now through Saturday and pick up your voucher for new books at the Book Swap. The Book Swap will be held at the Historic Carnegie Library on April 23. Adult and children's books are being accepted. All donated and leftover books from the drop-off and exchange will be used to stock the Little Free Libraries this summer. For more information call 218-333-1862. Book drop off at Tourist Information Center April 18-20, 9:00am-4:00pm. Book Swap at Historic Carnegie Library, April 23, 3:00pm-7:00pm.
Staples, MN - Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk reports that on April 16, 2024 at 10:52 AM, the Cass County Sheriff's Office received a report of a house fire in the 7300 block of 79th Ave SW, in Byron Township, rural Staples, MN. Responders arrived on scene and found a residential structure engulfed in fire. The fire was extinguished and an adult male victim was located inside the residence. Two adult victims were transported to Staples, MN hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. Identification of the victim is being withheld at this time pending notification of family members. An autopsy is scheduled with the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office. Another structure on the property was damaged by the fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation with the assistance of the State of Minnesota Fire Marshall's Office.
Bemidji, MN - A Special Bemidji School Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 5:30pm in the District Office Board Room. The only item on the agenda is JW Smith Elementary Principal candidate Bruce Goodwin. Goodwin is currently a principal in the Grand Rapids, Minnesota, district.
Bemidji, MN - Bemidji State Athletics and Affinity Plus held a Polar Plunge yesterday, raising money for Special Olympics Minnesota. As of late yesterday afternoon, 68 plungers raised nearly $11,000. The goal of the event was $15,000. You can still donate at plungemn.org.
Undated - Seventeen partnerships across Minnesota will receive funding to develop and expand programs to offer career exposure and paid work experience for students 16 years of age and older, including the Bemidji Career Academies. The grants are part of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's (DLI) Youth Skills Training (YST) program that was signed into law in 2017 with bipartisan support to create and provide employment training for student learners ages 16 and older in high-growth, high-demand occupations. YST grants will be awarded to 17 partnerships, which will receive and split $1.5 million in funding to be used for programs operating from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026. The partnerships will offer safe, work experience in advanced manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, health care and information technology.
Walker, MN - Leech Lake isn't officially ice free, but it's close. It's one of the latest ice outs on larger lakes in the area this year. The DNR says that Lake Bemidji went out on April 7th, as did Cass Lake. Upper Red went out on April 9th, while Winny, Leech, and Lake of the Woods still aren't officially ice free by the DNR. Ice in and ice out dates as reported by the DNR are delayed several days for safety. The rain yesterday will certainly help with ice out, and fishing closures on some spawning bodies of water have already begun by the DNR.
Park Rapids, MN - The Park Rapids City Council called a section of their town "slum and blight." The resolution proclaiming those words was needed to get some federal funding for the Small Cities Development Program. An "L" shaped area of town, mostly on 1st Street East could get nearly $1.9 million dollars in grant money to revitalize it. The resolution added that there are 145 parcels of land in the "L shape of town, and that there are 113 buildings on those properties, and 50 of them are structurally substandard, and two need to be torn down.
Walker, MN - A pond hockey tournament could be coming to Leech Lake and Walker next winter. The Walker Youth Hockey Association and Chase on the Lake have teamed up to start the planning of the late February 2025 tournament outside of Chase on the Lake in Walker. Planners say that up to 700 guests could come to town for the first tournament. Organizers also add that they are planning on starting small, and growing the tournament in future years.
Red Lake - The Red Lake Nation held an informational session this week about two bills going through the Legislature that could bring State lands back to Tribal control. Minnesota Senator Paul Utke recently wrote an opinion piece to Forum Communications that said, "These metro legislators keep introducing bills that affect districts they don't represent, and it creates a lot of tension and animosity within affected communities. Those same legislators are also refusing to listen to concerns from that part of the state. I hope both land transfer bills die in committee since they didn't meet legislative deadlines, but with the way deadlines have been ignored in the past, you can never be sure." Utke represents District 5, which includes parts of Hubbard and Cass Counties. If you are in favor of the land swaps, or opposed to them, contact your elected officials.
Bemidji, MN - The Bemidji Teachers Union finally has a contract. The School Board passed the agreement unanimously last night. The contract is for this, and next, school years. The two sides came to a tentative agreement after teachers were without a contract for eight months.
Red Lake - A group of five individuals on the Red Lake Nation have been convicted of child neglect, torture, and child endangerment. The case stems from 2021 and 2022 when the victim was in the foster care of Trina Mae Johnson. Bobbi Jo Johnson, also known as Bobbi Jo Kingbird, Ellie Mae Johnson, Patricia Ann Johnson and Bertram Calvin Lussier Jr. have all been convicted in the case where they were accused of starving the boy and forcing him to stand in uncomfortable positions for long periods of time. None of the five individuals have been sentenced. The FBI and the Red Lake Tribal Police investigated the case.
Bemidji, MN - All Beltrami County Solid Waste Facilities will be closed on Thursday, April 18, 2024 due to mandatory annual safety training.
Bemidji, MN - The Bemidji City Council met last night and passed a resolution as the go-between for a State grant to provide workforce housing in Bemidji. Similar to the program that they approved at their last meeting that would build a 39-unit affordable housing complex in town, the Council last night approved a plan for local developer Mitch Rautio to build six condos, with two of the condos set to meet lower income levels of rent at $1500 per month for a three bedroom unit. To receive the grant, the City needs to be the recipient of the grant, and act as a go-between for the developers.
Akeley, MN - The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced yesterday that construction on Highway 34 in Akeley will resume in early May. The remaining project elements include resurfacing and sidewalk upgrades on Highway 34 from the Hulet Avenue to Hillside Avenue. Motorists will detour utilizing Hubbard CR 25 and Highway 64. The project is expected to be complete in mid-June, weather permitting. For more information as well as staging and detour maps, visit the project website: www.mndot.gov/d2/projects/hwy34-akeley.
Bemidji, MN - Effective April 30, 2024, the Federal SNAP interview waiver for the State of Minnesota and Beltrami County will expire. This means that all Beltrami County Residents who submit an application or recertification for SNAP benefits will need to complete an interview either in person at the office or over the phone to determine SNAP eligibility for any application or recertification received on or after May 1, 2024. When the County calls you for an interview, the number on your caller ID will show up as 218-333-4299. If you have additional questions, call 218-333-8300.
Undated - To protect spawning fish, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has begun to close certain portions of some Minnesota waters. The closings are routine and based on local conditions. Closings happen each year as ice-out begins and waters begin to warm. The DNR closes the spawning locations to fishing only where habitat is limited and fish are very concentrated in one location, such as a river or the bay of a lake where fish are congregated during spawning. Areas closed to fishing are listed and updated on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/regulations/fishing/fishing-seasonal-closures.html). In the area, Gull River is closed to fishing in Cass County from May 11 to May 24. In Hubbard County, an unnamed stream between Big Sand Lake and Lake Emma will be closed to fishing from April 26 until further notice.