Latest News From Minnesota Daily News Dot Com

September 29, 2026

The 26th annual Knights of Columbus Walleye Classic took place on June 13 on Lake Bemidji and Lake Irving, featuring 100 two-person teams competing for over $54,000 in cash and prizes. Ben and Andrew Hittle from Alexandria won the tournament by catching, photographing, and releasing the largest five-fish bag, earning $15,000 and other prizes. Nineteen additional teams won cash prizes, and the top ten teams participated in a boat parade at the Sanford Center. The tournament recently announced that it raised $146,775 for 11 charities. Overall, the tournament has contributed $1,531,443 to community projects over 26 years. The next tournament is scheduled for June 12, 2027. For updates and registration details, follow the Facebook page.

The Bemidji Police Department was asking help in finding 14-year-old Jessie Dillard, who was reported as a runaway. Dillard, who was last seen on Paul Bunyan Drive on Sunday, was located late yesterday. Another runaway from last week, Karsen Smith, was located. Call the Bemidji Police Department at 218-333-9111 with any information on any missing or runaway child.

Beltrami County invites you to its annual meeting as part of the Minnesota Opioids State-Subdivision Memorandum of Agreement. The meeting will cover Beltrami County’s response to opioids, recovery efforts, and future plans. It will start with a welcome and overview, discuss local opioid data and the use of settlement funds, and feature updates from grant recipients. The meeting will end with an open conversation for questions and ideas on improving recovery efforts. The meeting is Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 6pm in the Beltrami County Board Room.

The Minnesota waterfowl opener was last weekend, and the Minnesota DNR reports mixed success over the weekend. DNR Conservation Officers in the Bemidji area spent time working the busy waterfowl opener, with area hunters having mixed results. They also spent time checking grouse hunters, and patrolling for shiners. Enforcement action was taken for transportation of loaded firearms, life jacket violations, operating with expired A-T-V registration, and hunting with an unplugged shotgun.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Minnesota, St. Paul, and Minneapolis, challenging the constitutionality of a state law that requires a 30-day waiting period for handguns and certain rifles. The lawsuit argues that this waiting period violates the Second Amendment rights of Minnesotans who need firearms for home defense. It also notes that over 93% of Minnesotans do not have a carry permit. The lawsuit seeks to stop the enforcement of these waiting periods and permit-to-purchase requirements for individuals without a carry permit.

Sanford Health will hold its annual Walk to Remember on Saturday, at 10 a.m. at the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center. The community is invited to join the Sanford PETAL program to honor babies lost due to early pregnancy loss, stillbirth, newborn deaths, and SIDS. Registration starts at 9 a.m., and a remembrance tree will be planted after the walk. The event is free, and a silent auction will run online, with proceeds supporting the PETAL program. For more information, call 218-333-6129.

September 28, 2026

Starbucks plans to close about 250 locations in North America, which is around 1% of its total stores. The closures are due to some locations not offering the desired customer experience or being financially viable. This initiative is part of a larger effort to improve the business with simpler menus and better store conditions. At least two stores in Minnesota are confirmed closures, including one in Mankato, and one in Bemidji. The Bemidji location is on the south end of town, and was just built a few years ago. Starbucks corporate expressed gratitude to affected employees and mentioned efforts to transfer them where possible.

The American Red Cross encourages people of all blood types to make an appointment to donate blood, as the demand is high. They provide hospitals with over 6.5 million blood products each year, relying on volunteer donors. As September is National Preparedness Month, it is vital to remember that disasters can occur unexpectedly, making a strong blood supply necessary. A Red Cross Blood Drive is set for St. Phillips on October 15.

A man from Blackduck, Eric Gourley, 58, is facing charges after allegedly threatening a woman in the parking lot of Blackduck High School. Staff reported that Gourley pinned the woman’s car door and yelled threats after she entered her vehicle. The school principal witnessed the incident and asked Gourley to leave, which he did. Security footage showed Gourley preventing the woman from entering her car and pushing the door into her. The woman feared for her safety, interpreting his words as death threats. Later, officers arrested Gourley, who claimed he didn’t touch her and denied using meth, despite being found with a substance that tested positive for it. Gourley is currently in custody.

The persistent drought across the region continues to ease and that is reflected in last week's update for the U-S Drought Monitor. Less than half of Beltrami County remains in moderate drought with the northwest half either not in drought or categorized as abnormally dry. The precipitation deficit remains as bodies of water continue to be very low. Areas south of Fargo and south of Duluth remain in extreme drought, the worst in the state.

United States Attorney Daniel Rosen announced that 56-year-old Courtney John Barrett Sr., of Red Lake, had his initial appearance hearing. Barrett was indicted on two counts of sexual abuse of a minor on September 22, 2026. The indictment claims he engaged in sexual acts with a minor victim on two occasions from June 2023 to February 2025. The FBI and Red Lake Police Department conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dana Joseph is prosecuting the case. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

More than 110 schools in Minnesota and thousands of students are set to join the 31st annual Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 7. This event, sponsored by Minnesota Safe Routes to School, promotes healthy habits by encouraging families to walk to school. Minnesota law requires students to learn safe walking and biking skills at the start of the school year. Students can participate regardless of their home distance from school by using designated drop-off points. Volunteers will assist with supervision and street crossings.

September 25, 2026

The Red Lake School District American Indian Parent Advisory Council is holding its next meeting on Tuesday, September 29th, at 5P-M in the Red Lake High School Culture Room at the Red Lake Secondary Complex. All parents, family members, and guardians are invited to attend. A meal will be provided, along with a door prize drawing for attendees at five:10P-M. A virtual attendance option is available via Microsoft Teams through the district website. For more information, call at two one eight, four zero seven, two four one two.

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe District Three is partnering with Bridging to host a furniture giveaway on Wednesday, September 30th. The event runs from noon until items are gone at the Old Elementary Parking Lot located on 4th Street Northwest. Participants must bring a truck to transport items, as staff and vehicle assistance will have limited availability. Preference will be given to elders, veterans, and single parents with families. For questions, contact Toni at two one eight, five one three, seven eight zero four or Kari at two one eight, three six eight, zero one one six.

The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians Enrollment Department has announced the upcoming deadline for the 2026 Trust Fund Distribution. Applications for enrollment must be submitted by September 30th, at 5P-M. Any applications received after the deadline will be reviewed during the next quarterly enrollment meeting in March 2027, and incomplete applications will not be processed.Members are strongly encouraged to keep their mailing addresses up to date by contacting the Enrollment Department at two one eight, six seven nine, one three four five.

A fifty-year-old Park Rapids man, Rodney S. Wick, faces charges of second-degree felony possession for having over twenty five grams of a drug mixture with cocaine or methamphetamine. On September 7th, police were alerted by the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force about a Toyota Solara suspected of drug trafficking. The vehicle was stopped for a loud muffler, and Wick, the driver, had no insurance. Officers noted several vape devices in the car, commonly used for THC. A K-nine search found a crystal substance in a bag that tested positive for methamphetamine.

Minnesota's regular waterfowl hunting season begins thirty minutes before sunrise tomorrow. This year's spring waterfowl counts were much higher than last year, with an estimate of six hundred seventy seven thousand eight hundred sixty eight breeding ducks, which is sixty two% above the 2025 estimate. This increase is attributed to good rainfall in April. Hunters can find needed information about stamps, season dates, and regulations on the Minnesota DNR waterfowl hunting webpage. There are also changes in how hunters will buy licenses using a new electronic system.

Well Aware is hosting a clinic to give out free water test kits for private well owners to check for lead, arsenic, and bacteria in their groundwater. Residents can pick up the test kits at Leveers Foods in Blackduck, on September 29th from 3pm to 6pm. Completed test kits should be returned on October 1st from 11am to 1pm. The event is organized by Well Aware and various local partners to raise awareness about water quality issues. For questions, contact Collin Murphy at two one eight, two eight one, six zero seven zero.

September 24, 2026

The Bemidji City Council approved a resolution to change parking rules in certain areas of the city. This change will remove parking restrictions during warm-weather months on several blocks of Minnesota and Beltrami Avenues, along with parts of 15th and 16th Streets. Some streets were considered for changes but were too narrow. While there will be no calendar parking in the warm months, restrictions will still apply during winter for snow removal. According to the Bemidji Pioneer, the council will also address street cleaning and maintenance issues affected by this change. Specific streets listed for calendar parking include parts of Irvine Avenue, America Avenue, and several others, with designated no-parking hours on certain streets. Parking signs will be updated.

The Nevis Council approved a three percent increase in the levy, amounting to over two hundred ninety seven thousand six hundred dollars distributed among various departments. The 2027 budget totals over five hundred twelve thousand dollars including receipts of one hundred sixty nine thousand five hundred dollars and forty five thousand dollars from a liquor transfer.

The Park Rapids School Board set the preliminary 2027 property tax levy at its maximum. The Minnesota Department of Education reported the maximum general fund levy as over two million dollars with additional levies bringing the total to about about seven million dollars. Currently, there is a projected reduction of eight point three percent compared to the 2026 levy, largely due to a new school. The schools will also receive compensatory revenue based on students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals. The motion to approve the levy passed six to zero.

The Red Lake Conservation Law Enforcement Program is hosting a hybrid ATV and Hunters Education course review and field day for youth ages eleven to seventeen. Review sessions take place on Friday, October 9th, with ATV safety from three:thirty to 5P-M and a hunters education review from five:zero to eight:30P-M. A combined field day follows on Saturday, October 10th, starting at 10A-M. Participants must complete online training prior to the review and bring their online vouchers. For registration or more information, call two one eight, six seven nine, one nine four five.

A group of citizens in Bemidji is hosting a city council candidate forum on Tuesday, October 20th, at 6P-M at Bemidji City Hall. This event will allow residents to hear from candidates and ask questions. The group is nonpartisan and aims to help neighbors meet their candidates. All six city council candidates have been invited, representing Ward two, Ward four, and At-Large positions. Candidates will participate in a timed Q&A session with opening and closing statements. Questions from the audience will be collected on cards. The forum will run from 6P-M to eight:30P-M, and doors open at five:30P-M.

A Clearbrook man, Brendan Ladd, was treated for non-life threatening injuries after crashing his work van southeast of Laporte. The Hubbard County Sheriff's office was called to a crash at State Hwy. two hundred and County Road forty five. The van had gone into a ditch and was smoking with the accelerator pressed to the floor. Ladd was found semi-conscious and sweating. He mentioned he is diabetic, and a test showed his blood sugar was dangerously high. He was treated at the scene.

September 23, 2026

The Bemidji City Council voted six to one to set a preliminary tax levy at seven point one percent during a recent meeting, with only Ward two council member Josh Peterson voting against it. Council members expressed concerns about the impact of inflation on residents, particularly regarding rising gas prices. Many stated they preferred a final budget closer to last year's four% increase instead of the proposed seven point one percent. Mayor Prince indicated he may not support the higher rate come December, acknowledging the economic challenges for citizens. The preliminary levy sets the maximum tax that can be levied for the 2027 budget but can only be reduced later. City Manager Rich Spiczka noted that recent years have seen the council lower the preliminary figure before final approval. The current budget forecast estimates a need of about nine point four million dollars for city operations, staff additions, and capital projects. The Truth in Taxation hearing in December will allow residents to voice their opinions on the preliminary budget. The council's next work session is scheduled for next week.

The Highway seventy one detour at Highway one hundred ninety seven has ended, as the south side of the Highway seventy one intersection reopened yesterday afternoon. Work still remains on Highway one hundred ninety seven, so lane closures and lane shifts are still possible. For more on this project, log on to Paskvan Podcasts on YouTube and look for our Roundabout Wednesday's.

A man from Blackduck is facing charges after his semi tractor-trailer rolled over on Highway twenty one in Embarrass Township. His name has not been released yet, as formal charges are pending, and alcohol may be involved. The accident occurred around eleven:45P-M Monday night, when the police received a report about a male occupant with a head injury. The fifty eight-year-old driver was treated for minor injuries at the scene and reported that another vehicle forced him to swerve, causing him to lose control and overturn in a ditch. He was wearing his seatbelt during the accident and was later taken to a hospital by ambulance.

The Bemidji Area Schools Board approved the district’s preliminary levy limit for the 2027 fiscal year at eleven point four million dollars. This marks a slight increase of zero point zero seven percent from last year’s levy. Despite this increase, the district’s tax base fell by zero point three percent over the past year, although it has risen by twenty point six percent over four years, indicating properties are selling for more than their assessed values. A new levy category for Achievement and Integration aid was introduced, funded partly by state aid. The board will finalize the levy in December and the next meeting is on October 19th at six:30P-M

Bemidji State University’s 2026 Homecoming festivities are underway. Tomorrow at the David Park House lawn; The Beaver Pond, a social recreation of a popular 1970's-era bar in Bemidji. On Friday, the BSU Alumni & Foundation Honors Gala will celebrate the conclusion of the "For the North" campaign and honor new Outstanding Alumni Award recipients. The Homecoming football game is Saturday, and the week will wrap up with the Carl O. Thompson Memorial Concert Sunday at Bangsberg.