Latest News From Minnesota Daily News Dot Com

October 9, 2025

There has been misinformation that due to the government shutdown the SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Bemidji is closed. That is not true. The center is still open during the shutdown and so are the disaster services provided by the SBA. Walk-ins are welcome during their hours or you can schedule an appointment on the SBA website. Staff do request you arrive before 4pm, or 1pm on Saturday, so your requests can be processed before their closing time. The Disaster Loan Outreach Center is located at Bemidji Fire Station #2, located at 312 Lake Ave Southeast. Please use the back entrance where the parking lot is located. Do not park in front of garage doors to maintain access for fire trucks. The Center is open until October 18th, Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. The Center will be closed on Monday for the National Holiday.

City residential refuse customers who are normally picked up on Monday, October 13th, which is Columbus Day and Indigenous People Day, will be picked up on Tuesday of next week.



A cannabis processing business could be coming to Blackduck soon. Dozens of people testified at the second reading of a Blackduck Council amendment on whether or not to change city laws to allow the business. The changes were approved 4-to-1. The approved changes eliminate buffer requirements around schools and day cares for cannabis manufacturers, though dispensary buffers remain the same. The company plans to convert the former Anderson Fabrics and Shade Store facility for cannabis cultivation, promising up to 150 new jobs. They addressed concerns about environmental and community impacts, emphasizing controlled fertilization and strict security measures.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison visited Bemidji this week to discuss issues and take questions. He addressed topics such as birthright citizenship, tariffs, federal funding, data privacy lawsuits, and protecting state laws from federal interference. Ellison highlighted that Minnesota has sued the federal government approximately 40 times since President Trump took office.



The Medica Foundation has given $1.6 million in early childhood health grants to 16 nonprofit organizations in Minnesota, with three in the Bemidji area receiving $100,000 each. Grant recipients include Northern Dental Access Center, which will use its grant to support dental care for children in rural Minnesota. Mewinzha Ondaadiziike Wiigaming, where this Bemidji based organization will expand a group-based prenatal and postpartum care program. And finally, Red Lake Nation Boys & Girls Club, which will grow a program that promotes healthy relationships and violence prevention through cultural teachings, parenting support, and age-appropriate workshops.

The 26th Annual Senior Community Clean-Up Day will take place on Saturday, October 25, from 8am to 2pm at the Boys and Girls Club of the Bemidji Area. Volunteers are needed to rake leaves for seniors aged 60 and older or those with disabilities living within Bemidji. To have a yard raked, call 218-333-8265. Volunteers can sign up at 218-333-8266 or online at northwoodscaregivers.org.



A passenger wanted by the Minnesota Department of Corrections fled after a two-car crash on September 29 on US Highway 2 in Farden Township, injuring both drivers. The Hubbard County Sheriff's Office reported that the passenger ran away, last seen heading east on foot. The fugitive, 25 year old Kristopher Roybal Junior of Cass Lake, had an outstanding warrant for felony domestic assault. Despite searching the woods with a K9 unit, deputies could not find him.

The United Way of Bemidji Area, in partnership with Bemidji State University, invites the public to the 9th Annual Women United Tribute Awards on Thursday, October 23. The event will be held at the Beaux Arts Ballroom from 8:30AM to 10:00AM, with doors opening at 8:00AM for networking. Awardees from various community sectors will be honored. Dr. Mary Eaton will deliver the keynote speech. General admission tickets are $20 or $150 for a table of eight, with limited tickets available at the door for $30. Women United members can attend for free but must register at UnitedWayBemidji.org.

October 8, 2025

On Saturday at 3:35 am, Hubbard County Sheriff Cory Aukes reported a call from a trailer park in Straight River Township near Park Rapids. An adult male and his 5-year-old daughter were heard screaming for help. A nearby resident found 49-year-old David Kerr bleeding from the chest, having been stabbed 8-to-10 times. Kerr was taken to Saint Joseph’s Hospital and later airlifted to a Fargo hospital. The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Charles Justus from Park Rapids, was found at his home. Justus and his wife, Danielle Westphal, were detained. Justus confessed to stabbing Kerr because he suspected his wife was having an affair with him. He went to Kerr's home, attacked him with a knife after seeing him and his daughter, and later returned home to tell Westphal about the incident. They disposed of Justus' blood-stained clothes together. Both are currently in the Hubbard County Jail, and both are awaiting arraignment.



On Saturday, at 2:24am, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call about an assault at 925 Grant Utley Avenue Southwest in Cass Lake. Deputies found a 29-year-old male victim who had been stabbed multiple times. He was treated at the scene and then taken to a hospital in Fargo for serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation is ongoing due to inconsistent information from the victim and a witness.

The Bemidji State University Alumni & Foundation has started the Replant Our Roots Project, a fundraiser to replace trees lost in the storm in June. They invite donations of $1,000 per tree, which will serve as a lasting legacy for donors at the university. Donors will receive a plaque for their tree dedication and can plant their tree in spring 2026. A wooden gift will also be provided as a thank you, made in partnership with Woodchuck USA. Those unable to donate a full tree can contribute any amount, as every dollar raises funds for new trees. To donate, visit bsualumni.org/trees.



The Bemidji office of Kraus-Anderson has been chosen to build a new YMCA in the downtown area's Rail Corridor on Minnesota Avenue. This project is part of Greater Bemidji’s “Building Our Future” initiative aimed at fostering development in the region. A partnership with the YMCA of Northern Sky, based in Fargo, will ensure the facility offers community-specific programs. The new 60,000-square-foot YMCA will feature an indoor track, aquatics center, indoor playground, party rooms, and a fitness center. It will also have a childcare center. The facility is expected to boost the local economy and encourage future development, including housing and businesses. Funding totals $35 million, with $25 million from donations and $10 million from YMCA financing. Site work starts this summer, with groundbreaking set for spring 2026 and completion expected in fall 2027.

Laporte School will host a fall carnival fundraiser on Saturday from 3 to 6pm, featuring games, bounce houses, a pumpkin sale, and food. Proceeds support fall sports programs. For details, contact Caitlin Hadrava at 218-224-2288 ext. 1041.



The 21st Annual Beltrami Electric Touchstone Energy Open at Castle Highlands Golf Course raised $21,500 for the United Way of Bemidji Area. Denae Alamano, the United Way's executive director, highlighted the event's significance in supporting the community and thanked Beltrami Electric for their efforts. The tournament had over 130 participants, with Bemidji Sports Centre winning first place. Dakota Supply Group took second, and Kraus Anderson Construction came in third. Beltrami Electric thanks all sponsors, golfers, and volunteers for their support.

No Kings Protests will happen again on October 18 from 11am to 1pm on both sides of Bemidji Avenue North by Paul and Babe. Local residents will join millions in nonviolent protests across the country. On June 14, more than five million people across all 50 states joined No Kings in the largest single-day protest yet against President Trump. All No Kings events adhere to a shared commitment to nonviolent protest and community safety. Organizers are trained in de-escalation to ensure peaceful protests.

October 6, 2025

The US Small Business Administration has made low-interest federal disaster loans available for Minnesota businesses, private nonprofits, and residents impacted by severe storms and high winds on June 21. This follows a disaster declaration made on September 30, upon a request from Governor Tim Walz. Eligible businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged assets. Homeowners and renters can apply for loans of up to $100,000 for personal property and up to $500,000 for their primary residence. An additional loan increase of up to 20% may be available for mitigation efforts to protect against future damage. The Disaster Loan Outreach Center is located in Bemidji and will be open from now through October 18, but will close on October 13 for a holiday. Applicants should not wait for insurance settlements before applying for loans, and they can apply online or contact the SBA for assistance. The application deadlines are December 1, 2025, for physical damage and July 2, 2026, for economic injury.



The Battle of Sugar Point Commemorative Feast will be held today at 5pm at the Sugar Point Community Center. It's a pot-luck, and you're asked to bring a dish to pass. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Government offices will be closed today in observance of the Battle of Sugar Point holiday. Regular office hours will resume tomorrow at 8:00AM. Tribal Businesses and 24-hour programs will remain on their regular schedule.

Great River Rescue opened a new fenced-in dog park last week. The shelter has been working on the project for two years. The fencing was installed this summer, and allows larger-breed dogs a place to run, and limit kennel stress. The large area will be usable all year for the shelter. The shelter would like to add agility training equipment to the area. Donations are currently being accepted for that part of the project. The fencing alone cost $70,000. According to the Bemidji Pioneer, the facility will be open to the public on October 25th for Great River Rescue's Howl-O-Ween Walk.



Regional Native Public Defense will hold its second annual "Our Voices Restored" community event on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bemidji State University's Beaux Arts Ballroom. This year's theme is "Bridging the Gap," focusing on uniting voices, resources, and knowledge for stronger communities in Northern Minnesota. Keynote speaker Dr. Mark Baez will discuss the Sweetgrass Method, which blends Indigenous Ways of Knowing with Western practices to enhance mental health and addiction outcomes. The event will include panel discussions, performances by musician Dan Moberg, a free meal, and information from local organizations. The event is free and open to the public. For more information or to register for a resource table, visit NativeDefense.org/ovr.

The public can attend an open house at Lakeport Town Hall about the State Highway 200 Laporte construction project on Tuesday, October 14, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.



The Leech Lake DRM Forestry Department is requesting proposals for a firewood dry storage shed by October 17. More details at the Leech Lake Band Of Ojibwe Facebook page.

The Bemidji Police Department plans to use a drone, or Small Unmanned Aerial Service, to enhance community safety. The drone will help locate fleeing suspects, find missing persons, and assess security risks at public events. It will not replace police patrols or conduct surveillance without a warrant. Officers operating the drone must train according to Federal Aviation Administration guidelines and comply with Minnesota State Law and police policies. The department must report drone flights to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Community input is encouraged, with feedback options available and a chance for public comment at the City Council meeting tonight

A Cass Lake woman won $329,000 in the Progressive Print-N-Play Bingo game. The ticket was sold at Leech Lake Market, earning it a $1,000 bonus.

October 3, 2025

About 350 citizens attended a public comment session on the contested boundary trial between Northern Township and Bemidji at the Beltrami County Fairgrounds. According to the Bemidji Pioneer, most speakers, totaling 26 out of 35, supported Northern Township's incorporation petition. A resident presented a petition with 1,179 signatures against annexation. Many expressed concerns about potential tax increases from Bemidji’s rate of 44.5%, compared to Northern Township's 16.8%. Residents prioritized maintaining their rural lifestyle, lower taxes, and community bonds. Opposition centered on a proposed wastewater treatment facility, with fears it would lead to tax hikes without sufficient benefits. One individual supported annexation, claiming it would balance taxes and services, while two conducted informal surveys indicating broad support for incorporation.

The community is invited to a forum with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on October 7 to discuss federal lawsuits. The forum will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m.



Bemidji State University will host various activities for homecoming week. Today, alumni will participate in Alumni Leaders in the Classroom, sharing experiences with current students through various panels. Later, the annual Honors Gala at the Sanford Center ballroom will recognize outstanding alumni and donors. Tomorrow features a BSU football game against Northern State University at 1 p.m. Prior to the game, attendees can enjoy a Game Day Experience at Decker Hall and a Beaver Pride Tailgate at Diamond Point Park. On Sunday, BSU’s School of Music will hold the Carl O. Thompson Memorial Concert. A complete schedule is available at bsualumni.org/homecoming.

The Battle of Sugar Point Commemorative Feast will be held on Monday at 5pm at the Sugar Point Community Center. It's a pot-luck, and you're asked to bring a dish to pass. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Government offices will be closed on Monday in observance of the Battle of Sugar Point holiday. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday at 8:00AM. Tribal Businesses and 24-hour programs will remain on their regular schedule.