Latest News From Minnesota Daily News Dot Com

October 23, 2026

Beltrami County Health and Human Services will be closing early next Wednesday. Offices will close at 2pm to accommodate an agency event. The self-service area will remain open for document drop off during this time. The closure includes all Beltrami County Health and Human Services departments: Public Health, Social Services and Economic Assistance. Services will return to their normal schedule on Thursday, October 29 at 8am. With questions, call 218-333-8300.

A cattle farmer in the Park Rapids area, Rob Kelm, is seeking public help after his entire herd of 11 cows was stolen in broad daylight. Kelm discovered the theft when he arrived at his pasture and found it empty. The sheriff's office is investigating, having found tire tracks and grain at the scene. Kelm emphasizes his desire to get his animals back and has received community support. He warns the thief they will be caught and encourages them to return the cows. Cattle theft is a felony in Minnesota, punishable by jail time up to ten years, plus additional fines.

The Red Lake Band will provide free rides to the polls on October 28th from noon to 6pm. Call 612-492-1679 to request a ride. Early voting is open now for the election next month.

Steven Charles Heller, a 33-year-old from Bemidji, faces two charges: aggravated harassment with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a permit. A police officer responded on June 2 to a report from a victim who said Heller had been harassing her for a year, often yelling or making obscene gestures. The victim reported receiving nonstop texts and emails from Heller, including a photo of himself with a pistol. Heller allegedly called her over 60 times in one day and expressed suicidal thoughts. The officer later found Heller at his workplace and conducted a traffic stop, where he admitted to sending the pistol photo and his many calls. A Smith & Wesson 9 millimeter pistol was found in his pickup, and Heller acknowledged he had no permit to carry it. Charges were filed on October 14 in Beltrami County District Court.

The American Red Cross urges people to carve out just an hour of time over the next few weeks to give blood before the holiday rush. In thanks, all who come to give through November 22, will get up to $20 in Gift Cards. Additionally, successful November donations will get free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes. Visit http://RedCrossBlood.org/ for details.

Great River Rescue is inviting community members and their furry friends out for their annual Howl-O-Ween Pet Walk tomorrow. The event runs from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM at the Great River Rescue. Admission is just five dollars per person, with all proceeds directly supporting the shelter's ongoing animal care programs. Attendees and their pets can enjoy a party on the two-acre Great Dog Run, take part in a pet photoshoot, check out local pet vendor booths, and even watch dogs try their paws at bobbing for apples. Prizes will also be awarded for the best pet costumes. Organizers remind participants that all dogs must remain leashed and cats should be safely contained. For more information or questions, call 218-751-7910.

October 22, 2026

Nevaeh Kingbird has been missing since October 22, 2021, and her family, friends, and the Bemidji Police Department continue to search for her. Her mother, Teddi Wind, emphasizes the importance of keeping Nevaeh's memory alive and finding answers. As autumn arrives and deer season approaches, the police urge people to stay alert outdoors and report any suspicious activity. Nevaeh was last seen wearing a black zip-up hoody or a red sweatshirt with a “bull” logo, blue skinny jeans, a white undershirt, and black and red Nike sandals. The police request anyone with information about her clothing or whereabouts to call 218-333-9111. There is a reward of up to $10,000 for information that helps the case, and tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers for a possible reward of up to $1,000.

North Country Food Bank and the United Way of Bemidji Area, along with the Clearwater County Food Shelf will hold a mobile food distribution event on Monday, along Great Northern Drive SW in Bagley. The food distribution event begins at 11 a.m. and runs until noon, or until food runs out.

A driver, Jocelyn Irene Dow, 41, was arrested after fleeing Red Lake Police at speeds of up to 110 miles per hour. She faces charges for first-degree driving while intoxicated, fleeing a peace officer, and driving after her license was canceled for safety reasons. A breath test showed a level of 0.17.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced over $2 million for five business expansion projects throughout Minnesota. These projects aim to create or maintain 141 jobs and attract over $19 million in private investments. DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek emphasized that public incentives can lead to significant private investments and economic benefits in communities. The Job Creation Fund provides funds to new and expanding businesses that meet job and investment targets, while the Minnesota Investment Fund offers loans for equipment to help businesses grow and retain jobs. One project involves Aircorps Aviation in Bemidji, which will receive $175,000 from the Job Creation Fund to build a new hangar and is expected to create 14 jobs.

Nathan Francis Niehoff, a 43-year-old man from Deer River, threatened law enforcement during a disturbing 911 call and later refused sobriety tests after being stopped by deputies in Grand Rapids. He faces multiple charges, including threats of violence, second-degree driving while intoxicated, and driving after his license was canceled for safety reasons. A deputy tried to serve Niehoff with civil paperwork but couldn't find him. An hour later, Niehoff called 9-1-1, threatening violence and making explicit statements. When contacted by a deputy, he was aggressive and intoxicated, admitting to drinking earlier. After a traffic stop, he showed erratic behavior, refused tests, and continued to make threats while being transported for a blood draw, which he also refused.

The Red Lake Food Shelf is open today and tomorrow, today for those with last names beginning with "N to "Z", and tomorrow for those with last names from "A" to "M". The food shelf will be open from 1pm to 4pm each day. With questions, call 218-679-2122.

October 21, 2026

The Bemidji Area School Board voted 4-2 to send a letter to the Minnesota State High School League supporting a proposed amendment on sports participation based on biological sex. This action stems from a 2014 MSHSL vote that allowed transgender athletes to compete according to their gender identity. Board vice chair Jack Aakhus presented the measure to encourage participation in the amendment review process. Some board members opposed the letter, calling it unnecessary, while others expressed concern that it could promote discrimination against transgender students. Public comments highlighted that only a small number of athletes identified as trans and emphasized the potential harm to those students. The board's final vote reflected differing opinions on the amendment's implications and appropriateness. In a 6–3 ruling on June 30, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Title IX and the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause do not prohibit states from enforcing bans that restrict transgender women and girls from competing on female sports teams.

The Red Lake Political Education Committee is hosting a Candidate Fair today. The event offers an open invitation to meet state and local candidates, Red Lake School Board candidates, and Red Lake Housing Commissioner candidates. A meet-and-greet begins at 5:30 PM, followed by the main program from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Event Center in Redby. For assistance with voter registration information, polling locations, or sample ballots, voters can visit the official Minnesota Secretary of State's Office website.

A 27-year-old Bemidji man, Tavian Chayse Lyons Sr. was arrested last week in Bemidji while trying to escape from police. He faces five charges, including possessing a stolen handgun and drugs. An officer recognized Lyons and attempted to arrest him, but he resisted and fled. After a warning, the officer used a TASER to subdue him. A medical evaluation was requested due to an injury. Officers found a loaded gun, ammunition, and drugs in his possession. Lyons is prohibited from having firearms due to previous felonies. He is being held without bond in the Beltrami County Jail.

The Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association will induct five men into the MBCA Hall of Fame on October 24th. This Hall of Fame honors individuals who have significantly promoted high school basketball in Minnesota. One inductee is Dan Ninham, Head Boys Basketball Coach at Cass Lake-Bena High School since 1996. Under his leadership, the team won multiple championships and had a notable 2007 season, finishing as state runners-up. With a coaching record of 266-and-154, He is also in the Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame. This years class will be inducted this Saturday.

Tyler Alexander Molitor of Bemidji faces four charges: first-degree burglary, stalking, making Terroristic threats, and harassment. On October 6, police responded to a call from the victim’s friend, who reported the victim was in danger. The victim, who knew Molitor, believed he entered her home without permission. After she confronted him, he sent her threatening texts, including statements about physically harming her.The complaint was filed on October 8 in Beltrami County District Court.

October 20, 2026

Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians Tribal Chairman Darrell G. Seki, Senior, has released an official statement clarifying that he is not retiring or stepping down. In a written letter to the Red Lake Tribal Council dated yesterday, Seki said , "I have informed the Red Lake Tribal Council, in writing, that I am not retiring or stepping down. I remain the duly elected Chairman of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, and I will continue to carry out the duties of this office that the people of Red Lake entrusted to me. Our Nation is going through a difficult time and our members are looking for steady leadership; we owe you, our membership, a Council that stands united in purpose. I look forward to continuing to work together for the good of the Red Lake Nation. We are strong, and we must stand as one" .

Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk announced that the Sheriff’s Department began removing navigational buoys and markers from local lakes and will continue this process in the coming weeks. Boaters, anglers, and hunters are advised to be cautious and know the lakes they plan to visit.

Representatives from the United Way of Bemidji Area and the United Way of Minnesota met to discuss the latest United for ALICE data, focusing on the financial struggles of working households. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, identifying families just above the poverty line who are at risk of falling into poverty. The report showed that despite wage increases, the number of struggling families in Minnesota has risen. According to the Bemidji Pioneer, the presentation on October 7 highlighted local issues and trends affecting communities. Beni Westgor, Executive Director of the United Way of Minnesota, emphasized the ongoing affordability crisis that ALICE families face daily. The data indicated that in 2024, 35% of households in Minnesota lived below the ALICE threshold, affecting diverse groups, especially young adults and single mothers. For a family of four, the survival budget was estimated at $79,752, compared to the federal poverty line of $31,200.

Rental and construction numbers for September are in for the City of Bemidji. The city ended September with 3721 rental units, up two from August of this year, but down 15 from a year ago. Construction permits totaled $1.9 million in permits in September, with the majority of permits for residential windows and siding, or new roofs. The $1.9 million total for September is down nearly $8 million from 2025, when the vast majority of construction work after the June storm was still being done last fall. Year -to-date construction for this year remains high, though, with $45.9 million in permits, compared to $49.6 million a year ago.

The Prairie Woods and Cass County chapters of the Izaak Walton League of America are hosting an event called “The Water We Share: Minnesota’s Nitrate Pollution Problem” today from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Armory Arts & Events Center in Park Rapids. The Minnesota Well Owners Organization will conduct free well-water-testing for nitrates from 3pm to 5pm and 6:30pm to 8pm. The Central Sands region is experiencing high nitrate levels in water supplies.

October 19, 2026

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has taken over the family and children services on the Red Lake Nation to protect the safety and well-being of children and families. Their main goal is to ensure the safety of tribal members, especially vulnerable individuals. The facility has had several deaths in recent months, and rumors started to spread over the weekend that the Tribal Council has asked Chairman Darrell Seki Sr. to step down. Seki has indicated that he has not agreed to step down. Seki was first elected chairman in 2014 and won re-election to a fourth term in a runoff election in July of this year.

On Saturday, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan held a rally at Bemidji State University ahead of the November 3 election. At the event, Flanagan discussed the stakes in this election, saying that she is fighting for Minnesotans. Michele Tafoya is fighting for Donald Trump. Tafoya was endorsed by Trump last week. Yesterday, she was on the Red Lake and Leech Lake Reservations. These events are part of Flanagan's 'Got Your Back Tour: Fighting for You, Not Donald Trump' tour.

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights announced that two Minnesota businesses discriminated against Native Americans by refusing to accept Tribal identification cards issued by the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe and Red Lake Nation. Two individuals brought separate cases to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights where a Minnesota business refused to accept Tribal identification. MDHR completed neutral investigations of both cases and found probable cause that discrimination occurred. In the second case, MDHR’s investigation found that The Office Pub and Grill sports bar in Minneapolis refused to serve a customer using his Tribal ID to show proof of age. The bar denied services on three occasions, despite being shown a valid Red Lake Nation identification card that confirmed his age. Minnesota law explicitly states that: “If a Minnesota identification card is deemed an acceptable form of identification in Minnesota Statutes or Rules, a Tribal identification card is also an acceptable form of identification.”

The Bemidji Area School Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. tonight in the district office. They will review assessment results and class sizes above recommended limits. The board will also discuss a letter to the Minnesota State High School League about a bylaw amendment. An informal listening session starts at 5:45 p.m. at the district office.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will inspect the Irvine Avenue Bridge over the railroad tracks tomorrow. The bridge will be closed during the inspection, which will last from 9 a.m. to early afternoon. Traffic will be rerouted to Park Avenue NW. For questions, contact the Bemidji Engineering Department at 218-333-1856. Most bridges are inspected once every 24 months. Field inspections typically utilize specialized equipment like "snooper" trucks and drones.

An "Our Voices, Our Future - Meet the Candidates" events will take place tonight from 5pm to 8pm at Cedar Lakes Casino Event Center. You can submit questions via the Leech Lake Band Facebook page and you are asked to keep the Seven Grandfather Teachings in mind. Election day is two weeks from tomorrow.