Latest News From Minnesota Daily News Dot Com

June 19, 2026

In observance of Juneteenth/Freedom Day, all Beltrami County Offices will be closed today. The Sheriff’s Office Records and Court Divisions will also be closed. Essential 24/7 services will remain operational. All Beltrami County Solid Waste facilities will be closed today. Normal operations will resume tomorrow.

An 11-year-old boy from Cass Lake suffered serious injuries on June 14 after crashing an ATV into a vehicle on Highway 371. The Minnesota State Patrol responded to the incident at 8:19 p.m. The ATV, driven by Ninde Lowell Paquette, collided with a GMC Yukon driven by 48-year-old William Richard Stanley. Paquette was taken to a health care facility, while Stanley and his two passengers, aged 9 and 10, were unharmed. Paquette was wearing a helmet and the road was dry at the time.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced that construction on Highway 71 north of Park Rapids begins Monday. Motorists traveling on Highway 71 near Hay Creek will experience a detour during the culvert replacement project. The project will improve aging infrastructure and is expected to be complete by August 12, weather permitting. Highway 71 will be closed at Hay Creek. Motorists can expect a detour during construction using Hubbard County roads 40 and 4 as well as Highway 200 and Highway 71. Boat access under the bridge will be closed during construction. Property owners will have access to their homes and businesses during construction. For more information on the project, including a detour map, please visit the project website www.mndot.gov/d2/projects/hwy71-hay-creek.

The Beltrami County Historical Society will host its Annual Meeting and Director's Program, "Developing History," on Sunday, at 2:00 p.m. at the Beltrami County History Center in downtown Bemidji. All Historical Society members are encouraged to attend, and the public is invited. Admission is free. "Developing History" looks back at the remarkable contributions of the Society's collections, research, and publications teams over the past five years — the work that has shaped the museum into what it is today. Throughout the presentation, several volunteers will highlight current projects, offering attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the work underway. Guests will also enjoy previews of the History Center's new permanent exhibit.

The Beltrami County Veterans Service Office is warning Veterans about a current scam targeting vets. Scammers are sending out official looking post cards referring to legitimate programs like CHAMPVA and TRICARE For Life. They direct service members, veterans, and their families to call to find out how much extra money they could get. If you get one of these postcards, you're asked to not call the number, and report the scam to the VA at 800-827-1000.

Birchmont Beach Rd will be partially closed and detoured tomorrow morning, from 8am to around noon for the Loop the Lake Festival. Westbound traffic will detour north on Country Club Rd to Bemidji Ave. Eastbound traffic will use the westbound lane. Residents should follow the closure and one-way traffic. Caution is advised around the festival route, and drivers should look out for bikers on the road.

The Paul and Babe statues in Bemidji are about to turn 90. The statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox were built in 1937 by civic leaders for a winter carnival to attract tourists. Fox 9 in the Twin Cities ran a story yesterday saying that Babe was paraded through town on a truck, creating the illusion of exhaling cold air. Their popularity led other communities to create similar giant statues, and they were featured in Life Magazine as the second most photographed sculptures in the U-S The statues were added to the National Register of Historic Places in the late 1980s. According to the story on Fox 9, "locals consider them symbols of community strength and identity". The full story is at fox9.com.

June 18, 2026

Hubbard County, and many other counties, are facing a 50% cut in state aid for aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention. For Hubbard County, it resulted in reducing funding from $263,351 to $131,675 starting July 2027. According to the Park Rapids Enterprise, Hubbard County Environmental Services Office Director Eric Buitenwerf informed commissioners that this year’s stakeholder donations reached $200,017, raising concerns about how reduced state funding may affect donations. Most of the AIS budget focuses on watercraft inspections, with 14,692 inspection hours planned for this year, primarily funded by state aid and donations. To manage the budget, the inspection schedule will prioritize high-risk lakes, which may lower overall contributions as stakeholders focus on their own lakes. There is also concern about adapting inspection times to weather conditions. In response, staff are preparing different program options for future discussions as part of the 2027 budgeting process.

A donation has funded home-delivered meals and dining services for seniors. The Hubbard County Senior Nutrition Council donated $25,000 to Nutrition Services, Inc. (NSI) yesterday. NSI provides meals for seniors over 60 at Senior Connections in Park Rapids, including homebound individuals. Due to decreased donations and rising food costs, local residents were asked to contribute. Seniors receiving meals have increased their donations, ensuring service continuity through 2026. To reserve a meal, seniors can call 218-366-9343.

A judge in northern Minnesota sentenced 65-year-old Timothy Scouton, of Nevis, to 30 days in jail for allowing 11 unregistered voters to cast ballots during an election. Scouton, who oversaw a small voting precinct, admitted he couldn’t find registration forms and instead had election judges list new voters. The forms were later found in a box returned to the county. Judge Kathryn Lorsbach emphasized that Scouton's actions harmed public trust in democracy, highlighting that it was his responsibility as the head election judge. Scouton's lawyer argued for a lesser sentence, noting Scouton was overwhelmed by a larger voter turnout and had no criminal history. However, the county attorney insisted on the jail time, stating it was essential to maintain public confidence in elections, which has been declining in recent years. Scouton is banned from serving as an election judge in the future.

Legend Technical Services has decided to leave the legal marijuana industry after being shut down by state regulators instead of trying to reinstate its license. As Minnesota’s oldest licensed cannabis testing lab, it was one of only four labs able to perform necessary tests on marijuana products. The company's exit may worsen existing testing delays for cannabis businesses and consumers. Legend will continue to provide various industrial and environmental lab testing services but will no longer test cannabis products. The state of Minnesota cannot issue cannabis licenses on tribal land without the express authorization of the respective tribal governments. White Earth, Leech Lake, and Red Lake tribes operate and regulate their own cannabis businesses, including dispensaries and cultivation facilities, under their own independent Tribal Cannabis Regulatory Commissions, and are not subject to State testing for potency, pesticides, bacteria, or mold.

The Park Rapids School District is preparing a nearly balanced budget for the 2026-27 school year. The school board approved a preliminary budget with general fund revenues of $24,269,581 and expenses of $24,224,261. Overall, the district anticipates revenues of $31,539,951 and expenditures of $33,388,989 across all funds. According to the Park Rapids Enterprise, business manager Kent Fritze noted that recent budget cuts of $1.3 million were necessary to achieve a break even position, citing state mandates as significant financial burdens. The board also approved a revised budget for the 2025-26 school year, which shows revenues of $32,096,102 and expenditures of $36,546,580, reflecting successful staff efforts to reduce a projected larger deficit.

Absentee voting is underway for the upcoming Red Lake Nation run-off election in July. In-person absentee voting can be done Monday through Friday now through June 26th, and every day June 29th through July 14th. Off reservation voting can be done Monday, July 13th from 8AM to 8PM in Bemidji, and at the Embassy in Minneapolis. With questions, call 218-679-1477.

June 17, 2026

A 21-year-old man from Bemidji, John Loren Loch, faces felony charges of criminal sexual conduct and domestic assault after an incident on June 11, 2026. He is charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct, felony domestic assault by strangulation, and misdemeanor domestic assault. Police responded on June 13 to a call for help from a juvenile female who was living with Loch. She had visible bruising and told officers that Loch physically assaulted her during a sexual encounter and had choked her multiple times, making it hard for her to breathe. She also recounted an incident where Loch drove his truck towards her during an argument. Loch was arrested on June 14, and police later searched his apartment. The charges carry significant penalties, with the most serious charge potentially leading to 15 years in prison. Loch has a history of prior convictions for disorderly conduct and a DWI.

The Bemidji High School Marching Band will hold its "Meet the Band" fundraiser on Tuesday, June 23. It starts with a pulled pork dinner at 5:30 p.m., followed by a performance at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $20 each.

School Districts across the state could see more money from the state if a constitutional amendment is passed in November. The Permanent School Fund has been in existence since Minnesota became a state. In the last fifteen years, the fund has grown from $765 million to now $2.3 billion. Bemidji Superintendent Jeremy Olson addressed the School Board this week and said that if the funding levels of the fund are changed, it could lead to and additional $100,000 a year.

The Bemidji City Council approved a grant for a Local Climate Action Planning to develop an electric vehicle (EV) fleet and infrastructure two years ago. City staff are working with the Great Plains Institute to create an EV roadmap. During a meeting Monday, council members expressed skepticism about the feasibility of EVs in northern Minnesota and discussed the private sector's role in infrastructure. While some councilors supported the proposal, others, including Mayor Jorge Prince and Councilor Mark Dickinson, raised concerns about its practicality and costs. The council will revisit the roadmap discussion later this summer.

Beltrami County would like you to sign up for Everbridge. Beltrami County decommissioned its CodeRED emergency alert system in late 2025 following a vendor cyberattack and data breach. The county now uses Everbridge to manage severe weather, active threats, and public safety alerts. Because your previous CodeRED enrollment did not transfer, you must re-register. Beltrami County said in a Facebook post, "this spring when a wildfire was creeping towards residences, we sent a notification to the area. Despite there being dozens of homes in the area, only two contacts were registered in Everbridge. Don't wait until we need to alert you to danger, sign up today." The Beltrami County Sheriff's Department Facebook page has a QR Code that you can use to sign up.

A motorcycle-deer collision injured Arthur Detmers, 75, from Laporte on Sunday. The Minnesota State Patrol reported that Detmers was riding his motorcycle on State Hwy. 200 when a deer ran into the road. He was taken to Sanford Bemidji Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. He was wearing a helmet, and conditions were dry.

June 16, 2026

The Beltrami County Board will meet tonight in regular session. One of the few items on the agenda tonight is whether or not to collect probation fees in felony cases from adult clients. The County already collects probation fees for misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases, but the State collected the fees on felony cases. The State is no longer collecting these fees, opening the door for Beltrami County to collect them. The County Board meets at 5pm at the County Administration Building.

Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince received the Tommy Longo Disaster Leadership Award for his work in the recovery following the June 21 storm. This award, given by the nonprofit LeadersLink, recognizes city and county leaders who manage weather crises. Prince emphasized that recovery efforts involved many people, including emergency services and community volunteers. He believes the award should be shared with the entire community. The selection panel praised Prince for his exceptional leadership during the storm, which caused significant damage in Bemidji. He was presented the award at last night's City Council meeting.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public input on new special fishing regulation proposals for the 2027 fishing season. Each year, the DNR reviews fishing regulations and considers changes based on their effectiveness. The current proposals include new or adjusted regulations for various fish species in specific lakes, such as sunfish at Hovde Lake, northern pike at Pine Lake, both in Cass County. Notifications about these proposed changes have been posted at the lake accesses. The DNR encourages feedback through an online platform.

The Red Lake IHS Hospital will hold an event on Thursday to honor Rainbow Babies. The event, at the front entrance on Thursday, runs from 3:00pm-5:00pm. All are welcome to participate in decorating the Healing Garden with flowers, memorial rocks, or tobacco ties. Kids crafts will also be available to take home. A rainbow baby is a child born after a family has experienced the loss of a previous baby due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. The rainbow represents hope and healing following the storm of grief after a loss.

MnDOT has started a public comment period for its Greater Minnesota Transit Plan, which aims to update transit policies, assess mobility needs, and set goals for public transit. This plan builds on past initiatives to develop comprehensive transit strategies. Minnesota is noted for its transportation, largely due to good transit access. MnDOT collaborates with 39 public transit systems in Greater Minnesota to provide transit services across 80 counties, offering over 7.5 million rides each year. The plan's goals include updating transit policies, increasing access for all, establishing equitable mobility strategies, and developing metrics for transit systems.

Over the weekend at White Oak Casino, a commemorative monument was unveiled for the 50th anniversary of Bryan v. Itasca County, honoring Helen Jean “Charwood” Bryan. Her case affirmed tribal sovereignty and impacted tribal self-governance and Indian gaming in the US. A commemorative monument was unveiled near the front of the casino.

June 15, 2026

Several construction workers at the Villas at Vista North in Bemidji were arrested on Thursday by U-S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, causing concern among residents. A local resident noticed several workers running between houses and saw multiple ICE vehicles and officers at the scene. A neighbor called 911, unsure of what was happening. According to the Bemidji Pioneer, Minnesota Rep. Bidal Duran confirmed the incident, stating it was a targeted operation with ICE looking for specific individuals with immigration violations. He mentioned that they had apprehended those they intended to arrest but did not specify how many were detained. Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince confirmed that the Bemidji Police Department was not involved in the ICE operation, which was strictly federal. Beltrami County Sheriff Jason Riggs told us Friday morning that he was notified of the the ICE presence a few days before they came to town, and he reiterated that immigration violations are strictly a Federal offense, and local authorities will never be a part of those efforts since there is no state or local law that has been broken, only, a federal law. For more with Sheriff Riggs, log on to Paskvan Podcast on YouTube.

Blackduck is shutting down its Police Department after over a century of service, following a unanimous council vote. The city, home to 800 residents, had limited police resources, featuring only a part-time chief and one officer. This decision is part of a wider trend in Minnesota, where about 40 police agencies have closed since 2016, particularly in rural areas struggling to attract and retain officers due to low wages and a lack of applicants. Many small towns are now relying on county sheriff’s offices for police coverage.

Three women from Minneapolis were rescued after their boat drifted away while they swam in Steamboat Lake due to strong winds on Thursday afternoon. The Cass County Sheriff’s office received a call at 12:47 p.m. about people unaccounted for in the water. A tired woman from the group arrived at a resort, reporting that she and two others were in the lake after their boat had blown away. While resort guests and a fisherman searched, they found the two women in the water and brought them to safety. The three women, ages 23, 25, and 28, received first aid for minor injuries. Sheriff Welk praised the quick response of those who helped.

Red Lake Nation has announced dates of their upcoming Run-Off Election. Absentee balloting begins today, with the election on July 15th. Races on the run-off ballot include Tribal Chairman between Darrell Seki Sr. and Floyd Buck Jourdain. Red Lake Representative with Clem May Sr. and David Desjarlait. Little Rock Representative between Lisa Beaulieu and Michelle Barrett-Cobenais. Ponemah Representative between Eugene Standingcloud and Delwyn Holthusen Jr. With questions about the run-off, call 218-679-3341.

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe is aware that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been operating within Beltrami County. The Band says, "ICE has mistakenly detained Tribal Members in the past and has, at times, used dangerous detainment practices. Tribal Members are advised to use caution, carry their Leech Lake Tribal Identification, and remain aware of their rights. Leech Lake is currently working through the Leech Lake Police Department in coordination with Beltrami County to consult with ICE. This effort is intended to help ensure the safety and security of our Tribal Members. If you believe your rights have been violated as a result of unlawful detainment, please contact the Leech Lake Police Department at 218-335-8277". Meanwhile, Red Lake Nation signed a resolution prohibiting ICE from entering the Reservation if they do not have a specific court order signed by a judge, and that ICE must meet with the Director of Public Safety to provide the court order prior to coming onto the Reservation.