Latest News From Minnesota Daily News Dot Com

June 12, 2026

Leech Lake Band members voted for a secretary-treasurer and a District 1 representative in the Ball Club area this week, part of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribal General Election. Cindy Jackson Kingbird won the secretary-treasurer position with 811 votes (52.59%), defeating Michael Reyes. Jonathan White defeated incumbent Kyle Fairbanks for District 1 representative, receiving 281 votes (56.54%). Voting also took place for the tribal housing authority, with winners: Brenda White, Miguel Reyes, and Don Headbird Sr. Meanwhile, White Earth Band members voted for new leaders. Jacob McArthur defeated Michael LaRoque for secretary-treasurer with 1,065 votes to 664. Henry G. Fox won reelection for District 1 with 198 votes. Alrick Accobee won District 2, receiving 470 votes against 235.

On Tuesday, June 16th and Wednesday June 24th, some Clearwater-Polk Electric members will experience an outage starting at 9am for about 1.5 hours on both days located in the following townships: Jones, Moose Creek, La Prairie, Minerva, Bear Creek, Lake Hattie, Itasca, Rice, Long Lost Lake, and Lake Alice. This is a planned outage for substation maintenance. For questions, please call Clearwater-Polk Electric at 888-694-3833.

On Wednesday, at about 10:38am, the Bemidji Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Spirit Ave NW in Wilton. Firefighters found smoke coming from a second-story window of a two-story multi-family building. They quickly used two lines to put out the fire. Thirty firefighters and eleven pieces of equipment worked on the scene for around 2 1/2 hours. The involved apartment had severe damage, while the rest of the building had moderate damage. No injuries were reported, and the fire is believed to be accidental. North Country First Responders, Bemidji Ambulance Service, Beltrami County Sheriff's Office, Ottertail Power Company, and Red Lake Housing assisted the Bemidji Fire Department at the scene.

Pinnacle Marketing Group has acquired Evolve Creative, a marketing agency in Bemidji, Minnesota. This move will enhance both companies' capabilities and client services throughout northern Minnesota. Shelly Geerdes, CEO of Pinnacle, emphasized that the acquisition will combine expertise and create growth opportunities. Evolve Creative, with over 20 years of experience, is known for its strategic marketing and website development. Both agencies will maintain their current brands while exploring collaboration and future growth to better serve clients and communities.

The Knights of Columbus Walleye Classic is an annual fishing tournament in Bemidji, held on Lake Bemidji and Lake Irving. Held tomorrow, it also includes family activities, and an awards ceremony, with proceeds supporting local charities. The tournament starts at 7:00 a.m. with a Catch-Photo-Release format and offers over $48,000 in cash and prizes. A community celebration features a free public party with food, games, and a "Top 10 Team" Boat Parade, which will be held at the Sanford Center. Additionally, there is an annual raffle for a boat package. The event has raised over $1.2 million for various local organizations over 25 years.

Two men found a missing woman who had been stuck in mud for three days. Adam Sandbeck noticed her body in a puddle next to her van and, when she asked for help, he and Mike Gravalin helped to rescue her. This all happened just east of Park Rapids. Sandbeck filmed rescue crews as they arrived to assist the 68-year-old woman, who was badly sunburned after falling into mud that felt like quicksand. She had gotten out of her stuck van on a trail where the men had never ridden before. The woman was about 100 miles from home, and police are investigating why she was there.

June 11, 2026

On Tuesday, at 9:11 PM, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call about a motorcycle crash on County Road 1 near Pillager Lake in Sylvan Township, Minnesota. A motorcycle hit a deer, which ejected the 40-year-old male driver from Pequot Lakes and caused the bike to crash. He received emergency treatment and was airlifted to a hospital for serious injuries. Pillager Fire and Rescue, North Memorial Ambulance, and Life Link assisted at the scene.

The Nevis City Council voted 4-0 to fly Minnesota’s previous flag design within city limits after a successful petition. John Nicklawsky and Marv Vredenburg presented the petition at the council's May meeting, requesting the return of the flag used from 1983-2023, which they argued symbolized unity and pride. The petition criticized the new state flag design from 2024 for lacking historical significance and noted that residents hadn't been consulted before its adoption. At the council's June 8 meeting, after gathering enough local signatures, the motion to display the old flag in Muskie Park was made and supported. Also at the Council meeting, it was discussed to add temporary speed bumps on city streets around the school athletic fields to help reduce speed. The cost would be around $200 per speed bump. The motion was tabled as the city plans to ask the school to pay for half the cost.

Those traveling this weekend to the Boundary Waters should be alerted that even with some rain the last two days, campfires and charcoal grills are banned in the BWCA through the end of the month. Gas or propane grills are allowed. The ban will stay in place until at least the end of June.

The Mahnomen County Sheriff's Office arrested two men near a stolen vehicle on Monday. Deputies found the vehicle at a residence by Roy Lake and saw two suspects. One fled but was caught, while the other was arrested near the vehicle. Officers took 11.7 grams of meth, drug paraphernalia, $4,177 in cash, and a semi-automatic rifle. Darius Barnes, 28, and Alejandro Sanchez, 23, were booked into a corrections facility.

Red Lake Community Health Services will have a grand reopening on Monday, June 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. at 705 5th St. NW, Suite A2. The event will include a ribbon-cutting at 1:30 p.m. and showcase a mobile crisis medical unit and a mural by artist Kent Estey. The mural is created to welcome Indigenous clients and partners to the new space. The event will also feature performances by Mitch Walking Elk, Keveon Kingbird, and the Battle River Singers, along with a raffle to support cancer patients. Redbears Frybread will provide food.

Plans are underway for America's 250th Birthday next month. The Bemidji Jaycees 82nd annual Water Carnival is July 1st-5th, with fireworks on the 4th. Other fireworks shows in the area include: Walker, Bagley, Park Rapids, Cass Lake, and Grand Rapids. Most of these towns pay for fireworks displays via donations. Donations for next year are still being collected. Park Rapids announced last week that they are over 50% of the way to their goal for next year.

The Hubbard County Coalition of Lake Associations (COLA) met to learn about native and invasive mussels from Ingrid Bey, a member of the Minnesota’s AIS Research Center Advisory Committee. Bey described 14 native mussel species, highlighting their size, diversity, and unique names. She explained that native mussels begin as larvae and need to attach to host fish to survive. Bey noted that freshwater mussels face serious threats from historical harvesting, changes to river systems, and invasive species, especially zebra mussels. She discussed measures being taken by AIS Research Center to combat the spread of zebra mussels, including a new antifouling coating and projects like Zebra Mussel Safari and genomic surveillance to track infestations. Lake Riley will receive statewide treatment for zebra mussels starting this summer.

June 10, 2026

An 18-year-old named Elias Harper is facing felony assault charges after an incident with a sheriff’s deputy, Michael Cowan, on May 4 in Max, Minnesota. Harper, who did not show up in court, has a long criminal record and was being arrested for an outstanding warrant. While attempting to arrest Harper, Cowan noted that Harper was unpredictable and initially complied before resisting, leading to a struggle. During the confrontation, Cowan’s firearm discharged, injuring him in the thigh. There is conflicting information about how the gun fired. Harper denies wrongdoing, claiming the gun misfired, while Cowan disagrees. Another deputy later used a Taser on Harper to subdue him. Harper is currently in jail, facing multiple charges. Max is 28 miles northwest of Deer River.

A man is in the hospital, and a 22-year-old suspect is in custody following a shooting in Fosston, on Monday afternoon. Police responded to a disturbance report around 3:20 p.m. and found a man shot inside an apartment. He was taken to the hospital in serious condition. Officers arrested the suspect at the scene. Officials indicate there is no ongoing danger to the public, and the Fosston Police Department is investigating the incident.

A two-vehicle accident happened Monday afternoon at the intersection of westbound Hwy 2 and Centerline Rd in Bemidji. At about 4:47 p.m., a 2008 Dodge Ram, turning left, collided with a 2020 Buick Encore traveling east. The 78-year-old Buick driver from Solway suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Sanford Hospital. The 24-year-old Dodge Ram driver from Bemidji was unhurt. Preliminary findings indicated alcohol involvement for the Buick driver.

Indivisible Bemidji will hold a "We the People" Flag Day rally at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, by the Paul and Babe statues. Everyone is invited to join and is encouraged to bring an American flag to show support for the U-S Constitution. The rally emphasizes that the government’s authority comes from its citizens, not from a king or elite group. It highlights the need for active participation, respect for legal institutions, and protection of civil liberties. Donations will also be collected for the Bemidji Community Food Shelf.

Devin J. Gorski announced his candidacy for Itasca County Attorney, highlighting his courtroom experience and commitment to public safety. He aims for common-sense prosecution, legal efficiency, and youth education on laws and consequences. Currently an Assistant Itasca County Attorney, Gorski has worked as an Assistant Public Defender, representing clients in various legal cases.

Sanford Health of Bemidji will hold its annual Native Americans with Stethoscopes health care career exploration event on Saturday, June 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center. This free event is for students in grades 7-12 to learn about health care careers through hands-on activities. Registration is required at tinyurl.com/sanfordbemidjistethoscopes. For more information, contact Hannah Johnson at hannah. johnson@sanfordhealth.org or (218) 333-4544.

The Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park invite the public to their meetings at 11 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month, which is tomorrow, at the visitor center. For more information, call the state park at (218) 308-2300.

June 9, 2026

The U-S Small Business Administration (SBA) reminds eligible businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Minnesota that the deadline to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans is July 2. This applies to areas affected by severe storms and high winds on June 21, 2025, including Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington, and Roseau. The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program offers loans to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and nonprofits with losses from the disaster. Loans may be used for working capital, and applicants do not need to show physical damage. Amounts can reach up to $2 million, with interest rates starting at 4% for businesses and 3.625% for nonprofits. To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster or call the Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. The deadline to apply is July 2, but there is a 60-day grace period for applications.

A Swearing-In Ceremony is today at the Event Center in Redby for Red Lake Nation Secretary Robert L. May, Treasurer Vernelle, R. Lussier, and Redby Representative Harold E. Graves. All three won their contests in the Election on May 20th. The races for Chairman, Ponemah Representative, Red Lake Representative, and Little Rock Representative will be held in July.

The Beltrami County Assessor’s Office reminds homeowners in order to receive homestead classification the State of Minnesota requires the property to have an application on file with the county. Beltrami County is reviewing parcels classified as homestead and property owners may receive a letter from Beltrami County requesting an updated application. If you need assistance, the Assessor’s Office is happy to help, please contact the Beltrami County Assessor’s Office at 218-333-4113 or 218-333-4110.

Yesterday, the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State announced the certification of candidates for all federal and state offices for the August 11, State Primary Election. Lists of candidates who have filed for are available electronically from the Candidate Filing website, as well as MinnesotaDailyNews.com. Candidates for local offices that do not have primaries can file for office from July 14, until July 28, 2026. Requirements for candidates vary by the office type and political party affiliation. Minnesotans can find qualifications and filing instructions for each office in the updated Become a Candidate section of mnvotes.gov. Some petitions for minor party and independent candidates in the general election are still being processed. These will be complete by the close of business on June 16, at the latest. Minor party and independent candidates with successful petitions will advance directly to the November 3 General Election.

Fourteen Candidates filed for 4 Red Lake School Board Positions and will be on the Primary Ballot on August 11, 2026. Of those filing, eight candidates will advance to the November 3, 2026 General Election, and four will be elected to the Board and take office in early January 2027 to each serve four-year terms.

Those filing were:

Those currently on the Red Lake School Board are: Michael Barrett, Chris Jourdain, Tina Stately, Rob McClain, Jack Desjarlait, Tom Barrett and Nicole Desjarlait.

Last week, Minnesota’s Division of Emergency Communication Networks held meetings about Next Generation 911 (NG911), including one at BSU with several attendees from Beltrami County. The county aims to adopt new technologies for emergency communications, focusing on accurately processing calls and locating callers. Representatives from various departments participated in the discussions to help prepare for the future. The local meeting last week was held at the Sanford Center.

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Government offices will be closed today for the MN Chippewa Tribe General Election. Regular office hours will resume at 8:00 AM tomorrow. Tribal Businesses and 24 Hour programs will remain on their regular schedule.

June 8, 2026

Last Thursday, at 7:01 PM, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received reports of gunfire in Cass Lake. Deputies found people shooting at each other, resulting in a juvenile male being shot in the leg. He received emergency medical aid and was taken to Sanford Bemidji with non-life-threatening injuries. Several juveniles and adults were interviewed, and the investigation is ongoing. The Leech Lake Tribal Police, Leech Lake Ambulance, and MN State Patrol assisted at the scene.

Ride For The Troops was held over the weekend, a motorcycle ride that raises funds for Veterans. Each year, around $20,000 is raised for Veterans causes like donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, Veterans on the Lake, and local crisis grants. Financial support has also been given for veterans' cemeteries, paving stones, and veteran memorials in the greater Bemidji area. More than 200 motorcycles participated in yesterday's ride. You can donate right now at RideForTheTroops.com.

Friday, Leech Lake's Government Relations Board met with Reed Robinson, Director of Tribal Relations for the Forest Service. Over two days, the Division of Resource Management showed him projects in partnership with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and the Chippewa National Forest. They discussed co-stewardship, community engagement, management challenges, and disaster recovery.

Construction is set to begin along CSAH 7, Division St W, today. The project will build a shared use trail from Bemidji High School to CSAH 11 and across to CSAH 14. Traffic will remain open, but drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid delays. Expect partial lane and shoulder closures, with completion by September 4th. Motorists should drive carefully in work zones. For details, contact the Beltrami County Highway Department at 333-8173.

State Representative Bidal Duran has filed for re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives. He aims to lower taxes, stop government fraud, protect Second Amendment rights, and support working families. Currently in his first term, Duran emphasizes stronger oversight of taxpayer money and the rights of law-abiding citizens. He expressed that rising costs and government waste are challenging for families. Duran is a Bemidji resident, a U-S Marine Corps veteran, and has over ten years of law enforcement experience with the Bemidji Police Department, Hubbard County Sheriff's Office, and Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force.

In its fifth year, Bemidji’s D-Feet Hearing Loss Walk attracted over 160 participants, raising $8,000 for the Minnesota Lions Hearing Foundation. The funds will support hearing research and programs for communication disorders in Minnesota. Angie Scripture from the foundation highlighted how donations help projects like the Temporal Bone Lab and the Mobile Audiology Van, which offers free screenings.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has found zebra mussels in Little Boy Lake, in Cass County. A local invasive species specialist alerted the DNR after discovering a zebra mussel on a sampler at a private dock. During a follow-up search, a specialist found a live zebra mussel attached to a native mussel. Minnesota law requires people to clean their watercraft and equipment, drain all water and leave drain plugs out during transport, dispose of unwanted bait in the trash, and dry docks and lifts for 21 days before moving them to another water body.

Last month, Brian Huch from the Bemidji Launchpad told us that they are becoming the Northwest Minnesota Small Business Development Center. Greater Bemidji is now hosting the organization, which offers free consulting and support to help businesses start and grow. This change aims to enhance support for entrepreneurs in northwest Minnesota, in line with Greater Bemidji’s mission to promote regional development. Philip Knutson has been appointed director of the NWSBDC.

The Office of Cannabis Management hosted a listening tour last Thursday at the BSU Crying Wolf Room. The event aimed to overview the OCM's work and its regulation of the cannabis industry in Minnesota. It included an overview of the OCM’s role, a market update, and a Q&A session.