Latest News From Minnesota Daily News Dot Com

October 15, 2026

The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced yesterday that construction on Highway 71 from Turtle River to Tenstrike is now complete. Highway 71 was detoured beginning in June through early October using Beltrami County roads 23 and 29. The project included pavement reconstruction, southbound bypass lane at Turtle River Lake Road and entrance culvert replacements. The contractor has now completed final paving and is currently installing striping and signage. Motorists may still encounter crews on-site finishing final touches on the project.

During the Laporte School Board meeting this week, Superintendent A.J. Dombeck reported that the school district is facing an unexpected challenge with increased law enforcement presence at school. According to the Park Rapids Enterprise, he noted that there have been more drug-related issues than usual at the start of the year, but expressed hope that this would lead to a calmer environment moving forward. Dombeck plans to contact nearby school districts to see if they are experiencing similar issues.

You're invited to Bemidji CEC Theaters for Movie Days for the United Way on Saturday and Sunday with the film Minions and Monsters. Tickets cost $5, and all money goes to the United Way of the Bemidji Area. Showtimes are at 11:00 AM and 1:10 PM on both days. The movie features Minions in 1920's Hollywood as they become stars and face real monsters. Every ticket supports local families. Sponsors include Amity Graphics, First National Bank Bemidji, Kraus -Anderson, Northwoods Lumber Company, Paul Bunyan Communications, PrimeWest Health, and The Bemidji Pioneer. For more information, visit http://unitedwaybemidji.org.

Minnesota hosts a youth deer season for hunters aged 10-17 today through Sunday. This four-day event allows experienced deer hunters to mentor young participants, taking place during M-E-A break. The youth season started in 2004 and was expanded statewide in 2019, leading to an average harvest of 6,700 deer annually by this age group. A survey shows 80% of hunters support the youth season for fostering connections and recruitment.

One Hundred Women Who Care of the Leech Lake area held a fall giving event on October 5 at Tianna Country Club. Many women came together to support a local non-profit, raising $7,000 for Family Safety Network in just one hour. This organization was chosen through a voting process among three nominees, which also included Lake May Center and the Federal Dam Fire Department. Over the past four years, the group has raised a total of $107,000, aiding various local organizations such as the Akeley Women’s Shelter and Walker Area Food Shelf.

The Leech Lake Tribal Police and Child Welfare departments are hosting the "Every Voice, Every Step: Walking to End all Violence" event tonight from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM at the Facility Center in Cass Lake. The community gathering invites residents to walk in honor of those lost, raise awareness, foster healing, and work toward a safer, more peaceful future. The event features open prayer, guest speakers, and informational booths, along with beverages and a light meal provided by Cedar Lakes Casino. For questions call the LLTPD at 218-335-8277.

October 14, 2026

Federal agents have taken control of the Red Lake Nation’s child welfare program due to serious failures in protecting children, which have resulted in at least eight deaths. That from a story in the Star Tribune yesterday. The Bureau of Indian Affairs and FBI raided the Center in September, citing an urgency to protect children at risk. The BIA’s notice highlighted years of neglect, danger to children, and a lack of cooperation from the program with federal authorities. Concerns emerged about the facility employing individuals with serious criminal backgrounds, including convicted sex offenders. There has been a rise in child abuse and neglect reported since 2021, with federal officials noting an alarming lack of action from the program despite dangerous conditions. The Red Lake Tribal Council is appealing the federal takeover, emphasizing that the safety of their children is their top priority. The program is required to report to the state, but the BIA criticized their submitted data as unrealistic and misleading regarding child maltreatment reports. Again, this is from a story in yesterday's Star Tribune.

Jonathan D. A. Ogugua, 26, from Bemidji, faces charges of third-degree felony burglary for entering a building without permission with the intention to steal. On September 26, sheriff's deputies responded to an alarm at the Hubbard County North Transfer Station. Security footage showed a man in a hooded sweatshirt breaking in and taking ice cream bars. Deputies later identified Ogugua near U.S. Hwy 71. He has three pending misdemeanor cases for theft and trespassing, and was in court yesterday.

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Tribal Council is holding its Quarterly Meeting this Friday, October 16th, 2026, starting at 10:00 AM. The gathering takes place at the Kego Lake Wellness Center, located at 6159 Kego Lake Trail Northeast in Longville. All band members and employees are welcome and encouraged to attend, and a free lunch will be served following the meeting. For those unable to attend in person, a livestream and archived video link are available online through the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe official website and social media channels.

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Chancellor Scott Olson announced potential campus closures and a need to “right-size” due to a $30 million deficit that must be addressed before year-end. Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College have proactively developed a facilities plan over the past 18 months. According to an article in the Bemidji Pioneer, a key change involves relocating NTC to BSU's campus and selling its current facility, due to a lack of industrial lab space at NTC. The new facility will provide better student access to services and shared resources. This plan also includes demolishing certain residence halls and the lower Hobson Memorial Union to reduce costs associated with underutilized facilities. The overall changes will lead to a 17% reduction in campus size.

A 30-year-old man from Lakeville, named Marquise Javon Walker, has been sentenced to five years in prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in Bemidji. He pleaded guilty on April 3, 2024. Walker worked with others to distribute fentanyl and other drugs.

October 13, 2026

Indivisible Bemidji will hold a "No Kings: Vote Early" rally on Saturday, October 17, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Paul Bunyan waterfront. This nonpartisan event aims to encourage all eligible voters to participate in the midterm election. The release highlights Minnesota’s efforts to enhance voting access, even amidst recent challenges. Participants are welcome to bring signs and wear costumes. Organizers will also collect nonperishable food items and donations for the Bemidji Community Food Shelf.

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe is hosting the District II Inaugural Resource Fair on Monday, October 26th, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Dave Morgan Community Center in Bena. Attendees will have access to a wide array of programs and services, including tribal IDs, enrollments, energy assistance, housing programs, elder services, Leech Lake Ambulance, education, workforce employment, youth and social services, and health and wellness resources. A lunch will be served, and door prizes will be available for participants. More info at the Leech Lake Band Facebook page.

Three local contestants were crowned at the Miss Northern Lakes Scholarship Pageant. Emily Waterworth became Miss Northern Lakes, Gracelyn Kvasager was named Miss Northern Lakes Teen, and Kelcie Kuschel was crowned Miss Bemidji. All will compete in the Miss Minnesota pageant in June.

Destiny L.A. Martin, 22, from Park Rapids, has been charged with felony criminal vehicular operation under the influence of a controlled substance, causing substantial bodily harm. On October 2, at around 5:22 p.m., a vehicle hit a motorcycle at the intersection of First Street and Middle Avenue. The motorcycle rider, Ezra Walz, reported that Martin's Jeep turned in front of him, resulting in a likely broken foot or ankle. A witness described Martin as driving recklessly. Martin, who had been on anxiety medication and smoked marijuana an hour prior, showed signs of impairment. After failing a sobriety test, she was arrested. Walz was treated for a broken tibia, and Martin faces a misdemeanor DWI charge as well. Her court hearing is set for October 19.

Richard J. Larsen, a 19-year-old from Bemidji, faces charges of second-degree felony assault with a dangerous weapon. This follows an incident on September 17, where sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of people being assaulted with baseball bats on Wejack Road in Farden Township. The victim reported that two unknown males and two identifiable females attacked him with bats. He defended himself with his own bat. The deputy observed blood on the victim's shirt and noted head injuries. Deputies located Larsen at a Bemidji address. Larsen claimed he fought back and denied knowing the car's owner. A baseball bat was found in the home.

Red Lake Chemical Health is sponsoring the upcoming 2026 Youth Hunting Camp for youth ages thirteen to seventeen. The camp runs from October 15 through the 18. Participants must sign up prior to the event by contacting Chemical Health at 218-679-3392. Youth who are signed up must arrive at Chemical Health on the 15th at 3:00 PM. Attendees will need to bring warm blankets, pillows, and appropriate clothing for the weather.

October 12, 2026

A group of Bemidji citizens is organizing a city council candidate forum a week from tomorrow at 6:00 PM at Bemidji City Hall. This event will allow residents to hear from the candidates and ask questions in a moderated format. All six city council candidates have been invited: Josh Peterson and Kate Egelhof for Ward 2; Emelie Rivera and Misty Bray for Ward 4; and Audrey Thayer and Ron Johnson for At-Large. The forum will feature timed questions and answers, along with opening and closing statements from each candidate. The forum will run from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM next Tuesday, with doors opening at 5:30 PM. It will also be live-streamed on the City’s website and broadcast on cable Channel 2.

The Minnesota BCA has issued an endangered missing person alert for 62-year-old Randal Hansen from Koochiching County. He was last seen on October 8 near Paul Bunyan Drive NW in Bemidji. Hansen is five feet eleven, weighs about 240 pounds, and may be driving a dark blue or black 2010 Ford F-150. If seen, contact the Koochiching County Sheriff’s Office at 218-283-4416 or call 911.

Last Thursday, at around 6:11 PM, a Bemidji Police Officer saw a woman carrying a rifle on Norton Avenue Northwest and 22nd Street Northwest. The officer approached her, but she was emotional and did not follow commands, moving away instead. Concerned for public safety due to nearby homes, businesses, and parks, officers set up a perimeter and tried to de-escalate the situation. Eventually, they managed to disarm her without using force. She was then taken to Sanford Bemidji Medical Center for evaluation.

The Leech Lake Reservation Business Committee will hold a special meeting at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow in the LLBO Council Chambers. On the agenda is discussion on with the Cass Lake Bena and Bug School School Boards, Leech Lake Early Childhood, and with the Leech Lake Band's Division of Resource Management. A live-stream of the meeting will be available.

Movie Days for the United Way will be held this weekend, with shows Saturday and Sunday at 11:00AM and also 1:10PM at the Bemidji C-E-C Theater. The movie is Minions and Monsters. Tickets are $5, and all proceeds go to the United Way.

Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk has been accused of showing explicit photos of a naked woman and a video of a nude man to unauthorized individuals. This accusation comes from Deputy Aaron Ammerman, who filed a complaint in January and is now running against Welk in the 2026 election. Ammerman claims he viewed these images without any professional reason and found it inappropriate. He also reported that a jail video of a nude male was shown to a member of the public. Ammerman believes his complaints highlight a need for integrity within the sheriff's office. The county's investigation has concluded, but any disciplinary action has been undisclosed by the County. More from this lengthy story is online at the Park Rapids Enterprise website. Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Mahnomen, and Red Lake County will all elect new Sheriff's this November.

October 9, 2026

The Bemidji Blue Ox Marathon is coming to Bemidji this weekend, bringing an influx of visitors and a substantial boost to the local economy. Past multi-day events over the last 13 years have injected over one million dollars into the regional economy, supporting local hotels, restaurants, and retail shops. Thousands of runners from across the region and beyond are descending on northern Minnesota to compete across a variety of events, including the full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, and lake loop races. The signature full marathon alone draws a competitive field capped at 300 runners following back-to-back sellouts in previous years. Spectators and participants alike will line the routes around Lake Bemidji. More details at http://bemidjiblueoxmarathon.com.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has completed its review of public input, biological data, and harvest information related to the proposed optional three-duck bag limit and determined it will not be implementing the optional three-duck bag limit at this time.

A local rivalry is shifting to the ice this Saturday as Bemidji hosts the highly anticipated "Battle of the Badges" hockey game at the Sanford Center. Organized in partnership with the United Way of Bemidji Area, the special matchup pits area firefighters against local law enforcement officials for a great cause. Puck drop is scheduled for 4:00 PM, featuring local hockey talent and family-friendly entertainment. Admission is completely free, making it an accessible community event for hockey fans of all ages. Following the game, fans are invited to stick around for a public open skate.

The Bemidji Police Department has launched an interactive map with crime data, including anonymous tips. It's called the Bemidji Police Department's Citizen Services Website. It's available at https://bemidjipolice.prophoenix.com. It lists all crimes within the city limits, on a map for you to view. Once you click on an incident, or a crime, there's an option to send an anonymous tip about that crime, or incident. With questions about the system, call the Bemidji Police Department at 218-333-9111.

The Red Lake Housing Authority is conducting the Reservation Homeless Survey later this month. Surveys will take place on Wednesday, October 21st, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Thursday, October 22nd, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Data collection sites include the Little Rock Round House, 4 Directions Red Lake, the Event Center in Redby, and the Ponemah Fire Hall. Staff are asking individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or doubled-up living situations, to sit down for a thirty-minute survey. Participating households will receive twenty dollars in cash, limited to one per household. Participants are encouraged to visit the site in their voting district. For questions, call 218-679-1276 or 218-679-1260.

A 45-year-old Park Rapids man, Charles W. Justus, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for stabbing his former neighbor, David Kerr. Justus pleaded guilty to first-degree assault, while more serious charges were dismissed. The crime occurred on October 4, 2025. Justus admitted to stabbing Kerr because he suspected an affair between Kerr and his wife.