De La Hunt Media - KK Radio Network

ST. PAUL, Minn. (October 9, 2024) — The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) announces a Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment Festival grant opportunity.

The Minnesota Legislature appropriated $450,000 (less allowable administrative fees) to MHC from the Legacy Fund to administer grants through a competitive application process to organizations for festivals. These grants, consistent with legislative intent, will support community events, music and jazz festivals, cultural festivals for art installations, and other performances and activities that support festivals and events.

MHC will accept grant applications on a rolling basis until funds are expended or on June 30, 2025. Applicants may request up to $50,000 in funding. Funding decisions will be reviewed based on date of submission.

“This is the first time that MHC will be administering Festival grants. We believe that this funding will support the many unique, diverse, and wonderful festivals throughout Minnesota that build our community and make our state an amazing place to live”, stated Kevin Lindsey, MHC’s CEO.

More information about MHC’s grant opportunities is available online at mnhum.org/grants

Wadena, Minn.—October 9, 2024, - Hurricane Helene caused major damage to a facility in the southeast US that produces much of the supply for intravenous (IV) fluids, which are a critical component of patient care. They are used to administer medications, provide hydration, and deliver essential nutrients to patients. The disruption in the supply chain is expected to have significant impacts on the availability of these fluids for hospitals and clinics across the country, including Astera Health.

The leadership team at Astera Health has been working diligently to address the escalating IV fluid shortage impacting the facility. With the pending Hurricane Milton, the production facility in Florida may be impacted again this week which would make the shortage worse.

Astera Health is actively working to minimize the impact on patient care. Our team is in constant communication with suppliers, regional health networks, and state agencies to secure alternative sources and ration our existing supplies effectively. In the meantime, we are implementing several measures to conserve IV fluids, including:

• Prioritizing Critical Patients: We are prioritizing the use of IV fluids for patients with the most urgent medical needs, such as those in the Emergency Department.

• Using Oral and Alternative Hydration Methods: For patients who can tolerate oral hydration, we are shifting to alternatives like oral rehydration solutions, when medically appropriate.

“Our team is working hard to coordinate care for planned procedures, some of which may be postponed if they are not time sensitive. Being prepared for critical and emergent patients is our top priority at this time,” stated Joel Beiswenger, President & CEO of Astera Health.

Despite these efforts, community members may experience some delays in care or changes in the way treatments are delivered, particularly when it comes to time-sensitive or non-emergency procedures. Patient safety is always a top concern and Astera Health is doing everything possible to ensure that all patients receive the care they need during this challenging time.

Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk reports that on October 8, 2024 at 2:08 PM, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received reports of an airplane that had crashed into the southern end of Inguadona Lake, in Trelipe Township, rural Remer, Minnesota. Responders and Deputies arrived in the area and learned that several witnesses to the incident were able to rescue and retrieve the pilot, a male age 56 from the state of Texas who was the only occupant, from the wreckage.

The initial investigation indicates that the airplane is a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources contracted fire suppression aircraft that was completing a proficiency flight, which are completed routinely to meet minimum flight hours each month when it crashed into the lake. The operator was treated on scene for minor injuries with no further treatment required. Recovery efforts to retrieve the aircraft and components are ongoing.

Assisting at the scene was North Memorial Ambulance and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The incident remains under investigation with the assistance of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, The Federal Aviation Administration, and The National Transportation Safety Board.

BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced today, the Highway 371 and Highway 34 Walker corridor study is complete. The final report is now available on the project website: www.talk.dot.state.mn.us/hwy-371-walker. The Community Review Panel (CRP) held the fourth and final meeting earlier this summer. The panel voted on preferred alternatives presented by the MnDOT project team. The study began in October 2023.

The study included an open house, online surveys, pop-up events, meetings with business owners and four CRP meetings. The CRP includes representatives from the City of Walker, Cass County, and various local community and business interests. The group met throughout the study to review possible design options for each segment of the Highway 371 corridor, including downtown, Michigan Avenue to the causeway, causeway to Highway 200, and Highway 34 south of Highway 371. The final meeting was well attended and concluded with a poll of which options were preferred by individual members.

The preferred alternatives include roundabouts at Highway 34, Walker Bay Blvd. and Highway 200. The study supported traffic signals at Fifth and Sixth Streets.

MnDOT project staff presented the preferred alternatives to the Walker City Council in August at a work session. Council later voted to approve the preferred alternatives, which allows MnDOT staff to begin the design of the project. The study includes a final report which includes the publicly supported design alternative. This report will provide the framework for project staff to seek funding and municipal support for the improvement project.

The final report, including the preferred alternatives can be found on the website. To learn more about the project, visit the project website https://talk.dot.state.mn.us/hwy-371-walker, where you can sign up for email updates, review information and submit comments and questions.

MnDOT and the City of Walker invite and encourage participation by all. If you need an ASL, foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation, or need documents in an alternative format (such as braille or large print), email your request to ADArequest@state.mn.us or call 651-366-4720. 

25 pounds of Methamphetamine, 3 pounds of Cocaine, and 2.5 pounds of Heroin Leads to Federal Charges

As a result of a drug trafficking investigation conducted by the Wadena County Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with the West Central Drug Task Force, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), these drugs were seized from an investigation that started in Wadena County, MN and concluded in St. Paul, MN.

The following arrests have been made following federal indictments:

• Bill Rude, 62, of Wadena, MN, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Cocaine.
• Robert Anderson, 38, of Wadena, MN, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Cocaine, and three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
• Aaron Heifort, 28, of Clitherall, MN, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Cocaine and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
• Carlos Valdovinos-Trejo, 27, of St. Paul, MN, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Cocaine, three counts Distribution of Methamphetamine, and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Heroin.

There is currently a federal arrest warrant for Jesus Valdovinos, 41, of St. Paul, MN, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Cocaine, Distribution of Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Heroin, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Cocaine.

When sold by the gram to street users in West Central Minnesota the value of the drugs is estimated to be over $1 million dollars.

The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office.

At the September 17, 2024, regular meeting of the Hubbard County Board of Commissioners, the board set a preliminary tax levy of $21,614,000. This is a 7% increase from the 2024 tax levy of $20,200,000. Primary drivers for the increase are staffing costs and general increases in operating costs. A continuing strong economy in the county means that there has been a 4% increase in new tax capacity which will reduce the impact of the proposed tax levy to
approximately 3% which will equal approximately a $50 annual increase in county property taxes for a median valued home.

The annual Truth in Taxation meeting will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 6:00pm in the Hubbard County Board Room on the third floor of the government center. The public is welcome to hear a presentation on the proposed budget for 2025 and make comment or ask questions about the proposed budget and levy.

The board will set the final budget and tax levy for 2025 on Tuesday, December 17 at the regularly scheduled meeting.

On September 16 th at 12:06pm the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a 2-vehicle crash at the intersection of Hubbard County Roads 4 and 18 in Henrietta Township. The caller reported that
there were injuries and 1 person was trapped inside one of the vehicles.

Deputies and medical personnel responded to the scene. Upon arrival, Deputies found 2 vehicles in the ditch, both with extensive damage. A male party identified as 87-year old Mathias Knott of Akeley was inside his vehicle being tended to by medical personnel. The investigation showed that 76-year old, Richard Lorenz of Park Rapids was driving his 2020 Ford Escape north on County Road 4. Knott was travelling east on
County Road 18 in his 2006 Chevrolet Equinox when he stopped at the stop sign at County Road 4.

Knott then proceeded to cross County Road 4 when he collided with Lorenz’s vehicle. Lorenz was transported by North Ambulance to St Joseph’s Hospital for chest pains and a laceration to his wrist. Knott was airlifted to a Fargo hospital and treated for possible injuries. The crash is being investigated by the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office.

At approximately 7:02 PM, on September 19th, the Becker County Sheriff's Office received a report of a possible credible school shooting threat at the Pine Point School located in the area of Ponsford, MN. Shortly thereafter, the Pine Point School cancelled school for today after the initial report, out of an abundance of caution. The Becker County Sheriff's Office investigated the complaint, and a 13-year-old female was later taken into custody for a Threats of Violence charge for the statements that were made. From the initial investigation there was no indication of any imminent danger to the school, staff, or students from this incident.
This incident remains under investigation.

General Election 

Early Voting Location & Hours:
Hubbard County Courthouse - 301 Court Ave., Park Rapids
September 20, 2024 through November 4 - Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 26, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 2, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 3, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Monday, November 4, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Click HERE for a list of Voting Locations.

LITTLE FALLS, Minn. – Friday, the Minnesota National Guard’s 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor Regiment based in Brainerd, Minnesota, will receive the U.S. military’s highest unit award, the Presidential Unit Citation, for their efforts in the Kabul evacuation along
with two other prestigious awards.

“These awards are not just symbols of what the Soldiers have achieved—they are reminders of the lives they saved, the people they protected, and the difference they made in the world,” said Army Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, Minnesota National Guard’s Adjutant General.

The unit deployed in March 2021 and returned in January 2022. During their deployment, they supported Operations Freedoms Sentinel and Spartan Shield. Task Force 1-194 was essential in supporting our Allies and the citizens of Afghanistan in Kabul, Afghanistan. Working alongside the Air Force and Marines, they ensured a safe and successful evacuation of vulnerable Afghan citizens and Allied personnel.

The unit will receive three awards: the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) award, the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) award, and Superior Unit Award (SUA). The PUC is awarded to units for extraordinary heroism in action against an enemy. The unit must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous condition to set it apart and above other units.

The last time a PUC was issued to this Battalion was during WWII. The MUC is for exceptionally meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding achievement. The SUA is awarded to Army units that display outstanding meritorious performance of a difficult and challenging mission under extraordinary circumstances.

The ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. with a dinner to follow provided by the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.

“The prestige of these awards are significant milestones in the lineage and rich history of this battalion, but awards come with a cost and a sacrifice that only the Soldiers and families of the deployed truly understand,” said Army Lt. Col. John Hobot, 1-194 Armor Battalion Commander.

“I am honored to participate in this recognition to celebrate the accomplishments of the Soldiers who made up Task Force Bastard.”

GLENS FALLS – The Adirondack Thunder, proud ECHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils and Utica Comets, have announced that the club has signed forwards Chase Brand and Patrick Polino to standard player contracts for the 2024-25 season.

Brand, 25, played in seven games last season with the ECHL’s Reading Royals after finishing his fifth year of college. The Nevis, Minnesota native played in 117 games with NCAA (D1) St. Cloud State University and 30 games with NCAA (D1) Augustana University and recorded 19 goals and 27 assists for 46 points in 147 regular-season games.

“Chase Brand is a high character human who will fit in well with our locker room,” said Head Coach Pete MacArthur. “He will add depth to our forward group, specifically at center ice.”

The left-shooting forward also played in the 2021 NCAA National Championship game.

On 09/04/2024 at approximately 2053 hours, the Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to a motor vehicle crash in rural Dunn Township, near Pelican Lake. Upon arrival, life saving measures were unsuccessful. The lone occupant, adult, driver was pronounced deceased at the scene. Alcohol is believed to be a factor.

The Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Pelican Rapids Police Department, Pelican Rapids Ambulance,the Pelican Rapids Fire Department, Life Link, the Becker County Sheriff's Office, the Minnesota State Patrol, the Barnesville Police Department and the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office.

In the evening hours of August 31st, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a group of wild ricers that they had located what they believed to be human remains in an area of Gould Township on the shores of Leech Lake.  Deputies arrived in the area and found skeletal remains of at least three individuals believed to be several hundred years old.  The area was secured and the Leech Lake Heritage Sites program was contacted.  Representatives responded that evening who confirmed deputies’ findings.  Steps were taken that evening to secure the remains, and the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council was also contacted and is assisting with the process.  This incident remains under investigation and the specific location is not being disclosed at this time, though it is located within a known cultural site.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office, the Leech Lake Tribal Police Department, and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe would like to take this opportunity to remind citizens the importance of contacting law enforcement should they encounter suspected human remains and to not disturb the area.  In doing so, this ensures vital evidence is preserved, along with being respectful of those who were here before us.  The above entities would also like to inform the public that knowingly disturbing suspected cultural sites and/or cemeteries can have civil and criminal repercussions.  The above entities are working together to ensure the human remains are preserved and ultimately restored to their original state in a timely, and culturally appropriate manner. 

Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk reports that on August 26th, 2024, at 5:31 PM, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a missing adult male in the City of Pine River, MN. The Pine River Police Department responded and learned that an adult male, age 54, had left a residence and gone swimming in the Pine River and had not returned. A search of the area was conducted and the victim was located in the Pine River at 7:13 PM, deceased. An autopsy is scheduled with the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Assisting at the scene was the Pine River Police Department and the Pine River Fire Department.

PRESS RELEASE
August 21, 2024
Moose Lake Township, Beltrami County MN - At 6:17 PM on August 20th, 2024 the Beltrami County 911 Emergency Communication Center received a report of a 30-year-old male that was unresponsive after jumping into Kitchi Lake, and lifesaving efforts were being performed by individuals on scene.

Upon arrival, law enforcement learned that the 30-year-old male had jumped from a dock into an area of shallow water, and when he surfaced he was unresponsive. Lifesaving efforts were continued by law enforcement and other first responders, but were ultimately unsuccessful.

The deceased has been transported to Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

The Beltrami County Sheriffs’ Office was assisted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Bemidji Ambulance Service, and Sanford AirMed.

Captain Joe Kleszyk
Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office
 

Park Rapids, MN (August 20, 2024) – The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office joined the historic $26 billion multi-state settlement agreements with pharmaceutical distributors and opioid manufacturers in 2021. This settlement will bring more than $300 million to Minnesota counties and cities. Hubbard  County's expected portion of the settlement is $1.71 million over 18 years.

Hubbard County, working with CHI St. Joseph’s Health Community Health, is seeking input from residents on how this money should be best used. A survey is available online at: https://chisjh.org/opioid-survey/. You can find the link to this survey on the CHI St. Joseph’s Health website. Paper copies of this survey are available at CHI St. Joseph’s Health Community Health and Hubbard County Social Services, and can be returned to the same locations. 

Approved use of the funding includes the following options.

Treatment:  Treatment includes strategies such as; treating opioid use disorder, supporting people in treatment and recovery, connecting people who need help obtaining the services they need (connections to care i.e. transportation), and addressing the needs of the perinatal population, caregivers, and families including babies with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome.

Prevention:  Prevention strategies include; preventing over-prescribing and ensuring appropriate prescribing and dispensing of opioids, preventing misuse of opioids, and preventing overdose deaths or other opioid harms.

Other Strategies:  Other strategies can include, working with first responders, working with leadership, planning & coordination, training, and research.  

Please contact CHI St. Joseph’s Health Community Health at 218-237-5464 with questions or to request a paper copy of the survey.

Link to survey: https://chisjh.org/opioid-survey/

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds firearm and muzzleloader hunters who want to harvest antlerless deer in a deer permit area designated as antlerless permit lottery this hunting season to purchase their license by Thursday, Sept. 5. Hunters who purchase their license on or before this date are automatically entered into the lottery for the deer permit area or special hunt area they declare.

Successful applicants will receive a postcard in the mail authorizing them to take an antlerless deer using their regular license in that antlerless permit lottery area. No application is needed to take antlerless deer in permit areas with either sex, two-deer limit, three-deer limit or five-deer limit designations. Hunters are reminded that DPAs 235 and 251 went from either-sex to lottery this year.

Hunters who want to participate in special firearm or muzzleloader deer hunts also need to apply for permits that are issued through a lottery. That application deadline is also Sept. 5. More information and details about how to apply for special hunts are available on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/hunting/deer/special-deer-hunts.html).

More information about designations and regulations for deer permit areas, as well as details about special hunt opportunities, are available on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/hunting/deer) and in the 2024 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook, available online and in print wherever Minnesota DNR licenses are sold.

Hubbard County Sheriff, Cory Aukes reports that on August 7 th at 5:30pm a Corrections Officer in the Hubbard County Jail was assaulted by an inmate.

The Corrections Officer was sitting at a desk monitoring inmates in a housing unit when 23-year old inmate, Cole Pigeon of Bayport, MN exited his cell and attacked the officer. Pigeon stabbed the officer multiple times with a sharp piece of metal commonly known as a “shank” causing cuts to his head and face.

The officer was able to fend his attacker off long enough before other Corrections Officers arrived on scene to assist. The Corrections Officer was transported to St Josephs Hospital in Park Rapids where he was treated for stab wounds. The investigation showed that Pigeon made the weapon from a bracket that he removed from a table in the recreation room.

Pigeon made the statement that he stalked the officer before stabbing
him and that he will stab more officers every chance he gets. He said the officers signed up for this. Pigeon was in the Hubbard County Jail due to a felony level criminal damage to property charge and assaulting a peace officer. New charges include 1st, 2 nd, 3 rd, and 4 th degree assault

Park Rapids Area Schools is pleased to invite you to join us for a dynamic and powerful presentation on Monday, August 26, 2024, with The Connection Coach: Tara Brown.

Tara’s presentation, “Understanding the Teenage Brain,” will be held in the Park Rapids Area High School Auditorium from 1:00 to 2:30. We welcome parents, mentors, social services, health care providers, mental health care providers, law enforcement, and other community members. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into the teenager's mind!

Tara’s presentations are high-energy, humorous, well-researched, and filled with practical ideas and techniques for making connections and getting results. Listeners leave Tara’s keynotes recharged and renewed, moved to tears and action, and—most importantly—ready to make a life-altering difference in the lives of youth.

Location: Park Rapids High School Auditorium

Register Here: Registration Form

On Monday, August 13th, just after 8:00 PM, the Wadena County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a motor vehicle crash with injuries in Section 24 of Thomastown Township.

Upon the arrival of first responders, it was learned that a 2018 Nissan Rogue, driven by an 88 year old male of rural Staples was driving on McGivern Drive when it collided head-on with a 2007 Toyota Camry, driven by a 17 year old female of Staples.

The Nissan Rogue had two occupants while the Camry had a total of five juvenile occupants, with no serious injuries reported. The crash remains under investigation by the Wadena County Sheriff’s Office.

Assisting on scene was the Staples Police Department, Todd County Sheriff’s Office, Staples Fire Department, Lakewood Health EMS, and
Scott’s Southtown Towing.

On Sunday, August 11th, the Wadena County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a possible drowning on Spirit Lake near Menahga. The Wadena County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Menahga Police Department, Menahga First Responders, and Astera Ambulance responded to the Menahga City Beach.

Responders learned that a 19 year old male had gone swimming when he went under water and had not resurfaced for approximately two minutes. The male was located and removed from the water by good Samaritans and CPR was immediately started. A short time later, the male started breathing on his own and was transported by ambulance to Essentia Health in Park Rapids.

The Wadena County Sheriff’s Office wishes to thank all those responsible for the positive outcome of this near tragedy. Good work to all those involved!

On 8/10/24 at approximately 2:34 pm, the Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office received a report of a drowning on the NW side of Otter Tail Lake.  Sheriff's deputies, Ottertail Rescue and Perham EMS responded to the scene.    

 A male, later identified as David Kantrud, was on a pontoon with family members when he fell into the water while trying to retrieve an item.  Occupants from a nearby pontoon assisted in recovering the unconscious victim from the water.  Within minutes, Otter Tail County water patrol arrived and assisted with an AED and CPR on the pontoon until they arrived on shore.

Resuscitation efforts were ultimately not successful and Kantrud was pronounced deceased at the scene.  Kantrud was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.    

On Tuesday, August 6, 2024, the Hubbard County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution granting EDA (economic development authority) powers to the existing Hubbard County HRA (housing and redevelopment) Authority and establishing the five commissioners of the Hubbard County Board as the board for the new HRA/EDA.

The County HRA owns multifamily properties with a total of 70 units of affordable housing in the City of Park Rapids. Management of these properties is provided by DW Jones out of Walker, MN. The HRA also provides housing services such as down payment assistance to help Hubbard County residents purchase and maintain their own homes.

The new countywide HRA/EDA powers will enable the county to take a proactive role in the development of housing and business throughout the county. The HRA/EDA will have the ability to work with cities and townships in the county to develop housing, support business and business development, and reduce blight.

Initially, the HRA/EDA will be working to develop tax forfeited parcels in northern Hubbard County to provide housing and business development opportunities.

Information about these programs and services is available on the Hubbard County website https://www.co.hubbard.mn.us/eda.

On August 6 2024 at approximately 12:50PM, The Bemidji Police Department responded to a report of a robbery occurring near Algoma Park in the 3500 block of Minnesota Av NW. Upon arrival, police officers were directed to a juvenile male who stated that 4 males surrounded him and demanded his scooter and bag or they would assault him.  Ultimately, the group fled from the park after attempting to take the juvenile’s scooter and bag. 

An off-duty Bemidji Police Officer was in the park with his family and witnessed the incident, providing suspect descriptions and direction of travel to the first responding officers.   Officers were able to secure a perimeter in the area and quickly located 3 suspects of the original 4. 

After a lengthy search of the area, a resident of the Vista North neighborhood contacted the Beltrami County Emergency Communications Center to report a suspicious person hiding in the bushes near his home.  Officers immediately responded and identified this person as the 4th suspect. 

Without the quick thinking and information provided by BPD’s off-duty officer and citizen reports, responding officers would not have been able to locate and identify the 4 suspects as quickly as they did.  
Officers arrested Nathaniel Williams age 18 and Landon Lovejoy age 20 both of Bemidji in connection with this incident along with a 15 & 14 year-old.  Requested charges include simple robbery. 

The Bemidji Police Department was assisted by the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office, MN State Patrol and the MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Anyone with additional information should contact Detective Nick Whichello at (218)333-8312.
 

On August 6th at 5:48am, the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a structure fire in the City of Nevis. Deputies and the Nevis Fire Department responded to Northwoods Grocery & Cafe to find the business actively burning.

The business and area residents were evacuated due to the location of some propane tanks and a gas station attached to the building. Mutual aid was requested from other area fire departments.

Firefighters from Nevis, Park Rapids, and Akeley battled the fire for several hours before the fire was extinguished. The business received extensive damage.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the State Fire Marshall’s Office and the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office.

Photo credit: Jolene Harris

Akeley's National Night Out

Tuesday, August 6 5-7 PM at Pauls Patio

Kids games, prizes, face painting and snow cones. Free Food.

Live music by Paradigm, bring your classic car.

Join your community for a night out!

Bemidji's National Night Out

Tuesday, August 6 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Free meal, fun, bounce houses, dunk tank, first responder vehicles/demos, resource fair and more.

Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area

1600 Minnesota Ave

Bemidji, MN

Hackensack National Night Out

Tuesday, August 6 5-7

Near the Community Building, 310 Lake Ave Hackensack MN

Menahga National Night Out

Tuesday, August 6 5 - 7 PM

Memorial Forest Park and Campground

825 Aspen Ave Sw

Menahga, MN 56464

Park Rapids Police Department Night to Unite!

Tuesday, August 6 5 - 7 PM in Heartland Park

Demonstrations by HCSO & PRPD Canine Demo, local First Responders, Lakes Area SWAT, EMS, Hubbard in Prevention, Greater Northwest Rollover Simulator, Jail Special Response Team, North Memorial Helicopter, Bicycle Giveaway.

Sylvan Township 3rd Annual Community Outreach Day

Saturday, August 3 10 AM - 2 PM

Meet your neighbors, see emergency vehicles up close, ATV and water safety info, games, activities, resources, document shredding, old drug disposal.

Please bring a donation for the Pillager Food Shelf!

Sylvan Town Hall

12956 24th Ave SW

Pillager, MN 56473

Walker National Night Out

August 2, 2024
Press Release:
Hubbard County Sheriff Cory Aukes reports that on August 2 nd at 12:16 am his office received a call from an individual claiming to have been assaulted at his residence in rural Akeley. 26-year old Jonathon Smith of Akeley, MN told dispatchers that a person by the name of Ryder Schlagel assaulted him and he then shot Schlagel in the leg with a gun.

Hubbard County Deputies, Officers from the Park Rapids Police Department, MN State Patrol, and medical personnel responded to the scene. Upon arrival, officers located 25-year old Ryder Schlagel laying on the ground outside of the residence severely bleeding from a gunshot wound to his leg. Officers provided medical attention to the victim until North Memorial Ambulance arrived on the scene.

The investigation showed that an altercation started earlier in the evening involving threatening text messages being made by Schlagel to Jonathon Smith. Schlagel and another party arrived at Smith’s residence and were pounding on his door. Smith opened his door and a fight ensued. Smith was carrying a loaded 9mm Taurus handgun in his waistband in which he removed and fired one shot, striking Schlagel in the leg.

Schlagel was transported to St Josephs Hospital in Park Rapids and was then life-flighted to Sanford Hospital in Fargo. Smith was placed under arrest for 2 nd Degree Assault and transported to the Hubbard County Jail. The incident is being investigated by the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office.

The American Hospital Association (AHA) on Wednesday presented Essentia Health with the prestigious AHA Dick Davidson NOVA Award for hospital-led collaborative efforts that improve community health. Essentia is one of five recipients across the country to receive this honor in 2024.

Essentia was recognized for its Resourceful program. Resourceful was launched in 2021 as a public resource directory connecting community members with thousands of verified programs providing free and reduced-cost services. Information available at WeAreResourceful.org is customized for the specific needs of communities served by Essentia in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota.

The program integrates into Essentia's electronic medical record system and is widely used by community members, including Essentia staff and local organizations. All Essentia patients are screened for social needs at primary care and pediatric appointments. Our team of community health workers develops relationships with patients and utilizes Resourceful to connect them to services addressing patient concerns such as food insecurity, transportation and housing. Since it was launched in September 2021, Resourceful has been responsible for about 19,000 referrals that helped patients in need – that's an average of more than 500 connections per month. 

"During this project, we've partnered with hundreds of community-based organizations, all dedicated to the common goal of enhancing access to vital services for our communities," said Emily Kuenstler, Essentia's community health director. "This project serves as a testament to the power of collaboration."

Resourceful uses a community leadership team that sets annual performance targets, reviews robust evaluation metrics and monitors community and patient feedback.

Essentia Health is inviting community members to provide input about community health needs in its service areas. This input opportunity is part of Essentia Health’s Community Health Needs Assessments, which are completed every three years and guide the work and partnerships of Essentia Health’s Community Health Department. The survey is available in both English and Spanish and can be accessed online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EssentiaHealthCHNA. 

The survey specifically seeks to collect perspectives from members of the public about community conditions that impact health. These conditions include the ability to get an education, eat healthy foods, and be physically active, among others. 

“The input we receive will help us make an informed decision about the most pressing community health needs throughout Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin,” said Emily Kuenstler, Community Health Director at Essentia Health. “We hope to hear from as many residents in our area as possible, whether they choose to receive care at Essentia Health or at another health care system.” 

If you have questions or need assistance with the survey, please email chna.comments@essentiahealth.org.

The survey is open through September 30. 

July 14, 2024
Eckles Township, Beltrami County, MN – Two children, ages 7 and 9, were reported missing on Sunday morning
between Bemidji and Wilton. They were later located safe at a residence in Hubbard County. This incident is currently under investigation and no further information will be released at this time.

The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Bemidji Police Department, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Minnesota State Patrol, Beltrami County Emergency Management, Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office and the Park Rapids Police Department.

The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office extends gratitude to the community for their efforts and cooperation.

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Motorists on Highway 34 in Akeley will encounter a short-term detour July 9-18 when crews complete drainage work, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The detour will utilize Fourth Street between Pleasant Avenue and Graceson Avenue.

For more information as well as staging and detour maps, visit the project website: www.mndot.gov/d2/projects/hwy34-akeley

Stay connected

View detour maps and traffic impacts on the project website www.mndot.gov/d2/projects/hwy34-akeley

Join project staff at weekly construction update meetings. They will take place Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. at Akeley City Hall

Sign up for weekly construction update emails on the project website

Join the Northwest Minnesota Facebook group for news, events and updates

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Park Rapids, Minn. June 25, 2024 —The Jonathan Carter family of Park Rapids has been named Hubbard County’s “2024 Farm Family of the Year” by the University of Minnesota.

Jonathan and Julia Carter started their farm with chickens. They soon added one cow to their homestead and began what they call their “mini-micro dairy experience.”  The Carters began selling raw, A2A2 milk, from the farm. Their first cow produced three heifers and they became the Carters’ dairy herd. To use all the milk, Julia began making cheese. After extensive cheesemaking, the Carters began selling their raw, aged cheese, at local farmers’ markets in Park Rapids and Walker. Julia started offering cheesemaking classes this past winter.

The Carters currently milk three Jersey dairy cows--all half-sisters—producing A2A2 milk.  The family has been making cheese for a decade. They also offer sleigh rides for local residents in the winter.

Jonathan and Julia have five children: Samuel, Maggie Kay, Hazel Mae, Silas, and Gideon.  The four youngest kids are homeschooled, and all contribute to the farm’s success. Samuel, the oldest, has a job away from home but is key to keeping the farm’s equipment running and getting the hay crop in.

The Carters are active in their church and their local 4-H horse program.  The family’s farm is part of the “Harvest Host” program that welcomes RVers from around the country to stay on the farm, meet the Carters’ cows and experience their cheese. 

The families will be officially recognized in a ceremony Thursday, Aug. 8 at the annual Farmfest near Redwood Falls, Minn. Profiles of the 2024 honorees can be found on the University’s farm family website, https://extension.umn.edu/farm-families.

Honored families are chosen, one per county, by local University of Minnesota Extension committees based on their demonstrated commitment to their communities and to enhancing and supporting agriculture.

“These farm families are a major driver of Minnesota's economy and the vitality of Minnesota's rural communities,” said Bev Durgan, dean of the University of Minnesota Extension. “The University of Minnesota is proud to recognize these farm families for their contributions to agriculture and their communities.”

Along with Farmfest, University units sponsoring the recognition event include the University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Farmfest runs Aug. 6-8 at the Gilfillan Estate, near Redwood Falls, Minn. Event hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8.00 in advance or $10.00 at the gate and those 17 and under are admitted free. More information on Farmfest is available at https://www.ideaggroup.com/farmfest.

The Bemidji community, elected officials, tribal
leaders, civic leaders, Veterans Service Organizations, volunteers,
donors and Veteran advocates will officially dedicate the new Minnesota
Veterans Homes Monday, July 1 from 1 -2 PM.

Self-guided tours immediately following the program

WHERE:            920 Anne Street N.W.

 * No public parking on campus for the event.
 * Remote parking available south of Sanford Regional Medical Center on 34th Street
  * Follow the signs and volunteers directing traffic.
  * Shuttles available beginning at 11:30 a.m.

FUN FACTS:

     * 72-bed skilled nursing facility located on 15 acres that provides views of Northwoods nature and wildlife.
    * Public spaces include a Town Center featuring a multipurpose room, theater, learning studio, family dining room, meditation room, club area and multiple outdoor spaces.
    * Bemidji is one of three new Minnesota Veterans Homes opened this year. No other state has opened so many homes in such a short amount of time.

On June 26th the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a deceased body that was discovered in a wooded area near the railroad tracks in Cass Lake. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office and Leech Lake Tribal Police responded to the area where they discovered the remains of missing person, James White, age 60 of rural Laporte.

White was reported missing to the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office on June 24th after reportedly not being seen for the past two weeks. The cause of death remains under investigation

UPDATE: Abdinour has been located and is safe.

Fergus Falls Police are attempting to locate Abdinour "Abdi" Alasow (27 years old). He was last seen at his adult foster home in Fergus Falls around 10:15 PM on 06/22/2024.

Abdi is a black male, 5'9", 200 lbs, with short black hair. He was wearing gray sweatpants and a dark colored t-shirt.

Please contact the Fergus Falls Police Department with any information. 218-998-8555

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and the Chippewa National Forest have announced that a Decision Memo was signed by US Forest Service Regional Forester Tony Dixon designating the selected parcels for transfer on the Chippewa National Forest. A total of approximately 11,778 national forest acres are being transferred under this Act.

This action is a significant step in implementing the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation Restoration Act, signed into law in December 2020 and meets the legislative target of approximately 11,760 acres of federal land, currently managed by the Chippewa National Forest, to be held in trust for the benefit of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. With the signing, the Forest Service is poised to transfer 345 Restoration Parcels approximately 11,778 acres through legal descriptions publication in the Federal Register.

"It's been a pleasure and an honor to work with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe as we implement the Reservation Restoration Act to transfer back approximately 11,778 acres to this sovereign nation. We understand the importance the land holds to the Band and will continue to work with the Band as we move through this process," said Chippewa Forest Supervisor Michael Stansberry.

These restored lands will enable the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe to invest in future generations with economic and residential development. Lands subject to transfer hold historical and cultural significance to the Band.

"It is with great joy and hope for the future in our hearts that we celebrate the latest step forward in restoring a portion of the illegally transferred lands back to the Leech Lake Ojibwe. On behalf of the Band, I want to express my gratitude to the Forest Service and Tribal staff collaborating behind the scenes to move this land transfer towards completion. This is one of the most monumental and positive developments to take place on Leech Lake since the first treaties were signed and the reservation was established in 1855," said Faron Jackson Sr., Chairman of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.

The Forest and the Band jointly identified the parcels to be transferred. The intent was to limit fragmentation of ownership boundaries while honoring private property rights. The legislation language made provisions for honoring any existing private property rights such as easements, permits, or other encumbrances.

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe will hold a commemorative ceremony on July 17.

Comprehensive information about the selected land transfer parcels, including the Decision Memo, FAQs, and an online StoryMap, is available on the Forest's website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/chippewa. We anticipate the Federal Register Notice will publish on June 28, 2024.

For additional information regarding Public Law 116–255, please visit Congress.gov at: https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ255/PLAW-116publ255.pdf

Bill S.616, the Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Technical Corrections Act of 2023 was introduced in March of 2023 to address the Bureau of Land Management Indian Lands Surveyor's finding of additional Cass County Indian allotments illegally transferred (4,362 acres) beyond the original acres specified in the Act.

On April 15 th, 2024 the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office received multiple reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that someone was uploading and disseminating child
pornography from a computer located in Hubbard County. A subpoena was served on an area telecommunications company and it was confirmed that the IP address used in disseminating the child
pornography was located in Hubbard County.

One of the tips contained a phone number which was traced back to a Mitchell Phillippi of Akeley, MN. Investigators with the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Snapchat where they received images containing child pornography that
was linked to the Mitchell Phillippi residence in rural Akeley.

Hubbard County Investigators went to Phillippi’s employment where they seized Phillippi’s phone and placed him under arrest. Phillippi
provided a statement to law-enforcement where he admitted to sending hundreds of images containing child pornography using Snapchat. Mitchell Phillippi was charged with 8-felony counts of Disseminating Pornographic Work Involving Minors Under the Age of 14.

WHITE EARTH, MINN. – Incumbent Michael A. Fairbanks defeated Eugene “Umsy” Tibbetts, 1,155 to 909, for Chairman in the White Earth Reservation General Election held Tuesday, June 11.  Laura Lee (Thompson) Erickson edged incumbent Cheryl “Annie” Jackson 595 to 441, for District III Representative.  Both positions are four-year terms.  Here are the official results:

Chairman

Michael A. Fairbanks (incumbent)              1,155   55.96%

Eugene “Umsy” Tibbetts                                909      44.04%

District III Representative

Laura Lee (Thompson) Erickson                595      57.44%

Cheryl “Annie“ Jackson (incumbent)             441      42.57%

On May 30 at 5:57pm the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a possible drowning at Starlight Bay Resort on 8 th Crow Wing Lake in Nevis Township.

The caller reported that his father fell in the lake and was unconscious. Deputies and emergency personnel responded. Upon arriving, Deputies
found several Nevis First Responders providing medical care to the victim who was now on shore.

Deputies spoke to 48 year old Shane Delmore of Boston, MA who advised that he and his father, 75 year old William Delmore of Bismarck, ND had been fishing on the dock. Shane went into their cabin to use the restroom and when he returned, found his father laying face down in the lake.

Shane jumped into the water and attempted to pull his father to shore. With the assistance of another individual, they were able to get the victim out of the water and onto the beach. Medical personnel from North Ambulance arrived on scene and pronounced William deceased. The incident is being investigated by the Hubbard County Sheriff's Office.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN)  announced the introduction of the Rural Mail Delivery Improvement Act. This legislation would require the United States Postal Service (USPS) to implement all of the recommendations made by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) following their audit of the Bemidji Post Office, which uncovered operational problems at the facility. 

“Minnesotans rely on the Postal Service to deliver their prescriptions, Social Security checks, and more, and they need and deserve timely service. The recent Inspector General’s report that I called for confirmed significant delays and service disruptions for those who rely on the Bemidji Post Office,” said Klobuchar. “That’s why Rep. Stauber and I are leading bipartisan legislation that requires the Postal Service to act on all of the Inspector General’s recommendations, which will improve operations for Bemidji residents, those in the surrounding communities and beyond.”

“I have been deeply concerned by the reports about postal issues in Bemidji and Greater Minnesota,” said Stauber. “Rural Minnesotans rely heavily on mail delivery and any disruption in this service is unacceptable because it can have a detrimental impact on people’s businesses, livelihoods, and health. The USPS has been having problems for a while and I have repeatedly asked their leadership to fix these issues, but my requests seem to fall on deaf ears. Enough is enough. Decisive action must be taken immediately to improve the efficiency and reliability of mail delivery, which is why I am proud to introduce legislation requiring USPS to enact all five of the recommendations made by the OIG after their comprehensive audit of the Bemidji Post Office. I thank Senator Klobuchar for joining me in this effort.”

The OIG performed an audit of the Bemidji Post Office during the week of December 12, 2023, to evaluate mail delivery in northern Minnesota after community members and postal employees in the area publicly expressed concerns about the disruptions in mail delivery. 

According to the audit report, the OIG found 78,948 pieces of delayed mail in the mail processing area, which was attributed to the lack of an adequate training program for staff. 

According to the OIG report, USPS headquarters also failed to ask the Bemidji Post Office if they could handle the expected increase in volume due to third-party shipments folding into operations. They also failed to tell the Bemidji Post Office about this agreement until eight days before third-party packages would start arriving.

The recommendations from the OIG report are as follows: 
 

1. Develop and execute a plan to verify that all delayed mail volume is entered into the proper system for the Bemidji Post Office.
2. Obtain and consider district and local management input on their ability to deliver all mail when assessing new opportunities for new projected drop shipment package volume. 
3. Develop and implement procedures to promptly communicate to district and local management any expected new drop shipment mail volumes and start dates for large shippers.
4. Coordinate with Headquarters and Central Area Human Resources personnel to identify and implement additional strategies to fill carrier vacancies at the Bemidji Post Office.
5. Provide mail processing training that includes proper mail staging processes, managing critical mail entry and clearance times, scheduling extra trucks, staffing policies, and reporting delayed mail for all district and local managers who are responsible for mail processing operations in a delivery unit.
    

The USPS disagrees with recommendations 2 and 3.

Senator Klobuchar previously called on Postmaster General DeJoy to address staffing shortages and mail delays at the Bemidji Post Office in November 2023. Senators Klobuchar and Smith requested an audit of the USPS’s Minnesota-North Dakota District operations in December 2023.

St. Paul, Minn. - Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is celebrating Minnesota Veterans Homes Week May 12-18. This annual event honors our dedicated staff who care for Veteran Residents and their families as well as each other. The new Veterans Home in Bemidji - which started admitting its first residents earlier this year--is proud to recognize ongoing efforts to ensure an optimal quality of Residential life and a workplace of choice for all.

Making beautiful memories that bring joy to Residents is what our employees do every day. During Minnesota Veterans Homes Week, residents and team members will further bolster the warm, welcoming settings through a variety of activities, including staff contests, gratitude walls, special meals and treats, dress-up days and giveaways.

"These are just a few ways to say thank you to our employees for consistently showing up to deliver award-winning care and honor our Veterans' legacies," said Simone Hogan, Senior Director, Healthcare.

Eric Meittunen, MDVA Deputy Commissioner, Healthcare, noted that, "Our employees take every possible opportunity to make memories with Veterans, be it at mealtime, during onsite activities or community outings, or just sitting and relaxing after a long day. While we are grateful for their commitment 52 weeks a year, during this week in particular, we shine the light on the sense of extended family they create and the way they deliver a safe, respectful environment for our Residents."

Brad Lindsay, MDVA Commissioner, shared that talented, compassionate employees are essential to serving the needs of state Veterans and their families. "We're grateful that our team members have found their purpose with us; Minnesota Veterans Homes Week is a great opportunity to say thank you to them for going above and beyond to meet the healthcare needs of our nation's heroes."

About MDVA

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is a cabinet-level
state agency dedicated to serving Minnesota Veterans and their families. In addition to overseeing the eight State Veterans Homes and four State Veterans Cemeteries, MDVA helps eligible Veterans and families secure state and federal benefits and provides programs and services relating to higher education, benefits, burial, claims and outreach. Veterans and their families are encouraged to visit https://mn.gov/mdva/  or call 1-888-LinkVet for more information about benefits.

WADENA, Minn. – May 08, 2024 – A groundbreaking ceremony took place on May 7, 2024, at the Astera Health Campus in Wadena for a new cancer center. The ceremony was originally planned to be outdoors but was moved inside due to inclement weather. During the presentation speakers from Astera Health, CentraCare, and the community shared their thoughts on the new facility. 

The cancer center is a partnership between Astera Health and CentraCare. It will be a state-of-the-art facility offering a wide range of services not easily accessible in rural Minnesota, including radiation, PET scanning, and expanded infusion therapy. With the expertise of the CentraCare oncology team and Astera Health, this program will bring full-service care with better outcomes for patients.  

The goal of both organizations is to improve access to cancer care in Central Minnesota. This partnership was spurred by increased cancer rates in Minnesota and patients struggling to receive care. Many people must travel long distances while suffering from cancer symptoms and the effects associated with such intense treatment. 

Ken Holmen, CEO of CentraCare took to the podium to share his thoughts on the importance of cancer care in Central Minnesota. “We build on yesterday,” said Holmen who mentioned the immense work completed throughout the history of Astera Health laying the groundwork for the success of tomorrow. 

“There is nothing funny about cancer,” remarked Stephen Davis, MD, who serves as a family medicine physician at Astera Health. For several months, Dr. Davis has been battling a form of bone cancer and shared some emotional patient stories impacted by cancer.  

Joel Beiswenger, President and CEO of Astera Health concluded the ceremony with heartfelt words about the journey to the construction of the cancer center. “In the end, this will transform the care we deliver, the experience our patients have, who of course, are going through the toughest times in their lives,” said Beiswenger.  

Construction started May 8 and will be open to patients in July of 2025. 

For more information about the new cancer center, please visit asterahealth.org. 

On 5/7/2024, the Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office and emergency personnel responded to the report of a farm accident with critical injuries at a farm site, north of Parkers Prairie. The victim in the incident had been working with others to repair a piece of tillage equipment, when a part of the machinery fell on top of him and pinned him underneath. Life saving efforts were unsuccessful, and the victim passed away at the scene. The name of the victim is being withheld, pending notification of relatives.

The Parkers Prairie Fire Department, along with the Parkers Prairie and North Ambulance services assisted with the incident.

4/3/24 Press Release:

WHITE EARTH, MINN. – White Earth Reservation held their Primary Election on Tuesday, April 2. Here are the unofficial results:

Chairperson

Michael A. Fairbanks (Incumbent)              658

Eugene “Umsy” Tibbetts                            605

Donovan G. Burnette                                      140

Karen Marie Manypenny                                21

District III Committeeperson *

Cheryl “Annie” Jackson (Incumbent)       

Laura Lee Erickson 

* Only two candidates were certified to run for District III Committeeperson so they bypassed the Primary Election and will compete in the General Election.    

The top two candidates for Chairperson and the two certified candidates for District III Committeeperson will now move on to the General Election scheduled for June 11.  The election results are expected to be certified later this afternoon.

PARK RAPIDS, MN (March 15, 2024) –
CHI St. Joseph’s Health is happy to announce that a local couple made a generous $1,000 donation to support the Menahga/Sebeka Backpack Program.

The Backpack Program provides bags filled with nutritious foods to children from Menahga and Sebeka on weekends throughout the school year.

More than 200 children are enrolled in the program this school year, the most there have ever been. Many families struggle with food insecurities and the hope is to be able to continue to grow and expand the Backpack Program and provide additional food for more local area children who need our help.

Robert and Sandie Nelson presented the donation to Donna Anderson, SNAP Education Health & Nutrition Program, and Christa Palubicki, Menahga School Social Worker.

The bags are assembled by students on Thursdays and then distributed to the enrolled students on Friday for the weekend. One hundred percent of all donations are used to purchase the food to fill the backpacks for deserving local area children and donations to this cause are tax-deductible.

To make a donation, contact CHI St. Joseph’s Health Foundation at 218-616-3383. Donors can also donate online at www.chisjh.org/foundation or by mail to CHI St. Joseph’s Health Foundation 600 Pleasant Avenue South, Park Rapids, MN 56470

House Passes Funding Bills with Resources for Minnesota Projects Secured by Klobuchar, Smith

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the House of Representatives passed legislation that included $3,111,000 in funding for a workforce housing development project in Hubbard County. These projects would expand access to housing through the Heartland Lakes Development Commission. The bill now goes to the Senate for final passage. 

“Employers in Hubbard County are reporting that the housing shortage is impacting their ability to recruit and retain talent. I worked to secure resources for the Heartland Lakes Development Commission to expand access to workforce housing in Hubbard County,” said Klobuchar. 

“Without a safe, decent and affordable place to live, nothing in your life works and it becomes nearly impossible to hold a job, go to school, or stay healthy,” said Smith. “This project would build 50 new affordable housing units, bolstering economic opportunities in the area and supporting working families.” 

Klobuchar and Smith have been actively involved in securing this federal funding for projects benefiting communities across the state through a process called “Congressionally Directed Spending” (CDS). During the CDS process, Klobuchar and Smith have considered project proposals and advocated for funding in close coordination with leaders from across the state.

Notice is hereby given that a public test of electronic vote tabulating equipment and assistive voting equipment will be conducted on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

The equipment will be used for vote tabulation for the Presidential Nomination Primary Election to elect a candidate that will be held on March 5, 2024.

The test will be held on the third floor of the Hubbard County Courthouse, South Conference Room, 301 Court Avenue, Park Rapids, MN  56470.

Public accuracy testing is one layer of security to ensure our elections are fair, secure, and accurate.  Public testing is done after each piece of equipment is tested preliminarily by officials to ensure accuracy and boost transparency in the election system.  State and federal authorities test and certify all election equipment used in Hubbard County before it can be purchased.  All election equipment is stored in a secure location. 

Learn more about Minnesota’s election administration at www.mnvotes.org/facts.  

The public accuracy test will be conducted in accordance with Minnesota Statute 206.83 and is open to the public.

Kay Rave

Hubbard County Auditor-Treasurer

February 23, 2024 Press Release from Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office:

On February 22, 2024, at approximately 9 PM, Crow Wing County Jail Staff discovered an unresponsive male in a jail cell. The male had been booked in earlier in the evening for a DWI. Life saving measures were attempted by jail correctional officers, jail medical staff and paramedics, but they were unsuccessful. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Minnesota Department of Corrections is investigating the incident.

The Grand Forks National Weather Service is considering discontinuing the regional weather summary at the end of December 2023. The regional weather summary is a brief statement that is broadcast on
the NOAA Weather Radio and the information is also delivered in many other products issued by the NWS. There is a public comment period open through December 2023. Comments or concerns can be
emailed to the NWS Grand Forks at nws.grandforks@noaa.gov.

Some NOAA Weather Radio users have mistaken the statement as the discontinuation of the NOAA Weather Radio broadcast. The NOAA Weather Radio will continue to function as normal with all other
weather information provided. Bemidji’s NOAA Weather Radio has a call sign of WXM99 and broadcasts at a frequency of 162.425mghz. The radio broadcast is also rebroadcast on cable television

2024 Property Taxes will include correction for 2023 collections for cross-county school districts. 

Property owners in Bemidji, Cass Lake Bena, Walker, and Menahga School districts will see a correction to their 2023 taxes on their 2024 tax statement distributed in March 2024. The property tax rates collected in 2023 were not updated with the correct tax rates, leaving a shortfall in the levies these school districts approved in 2022.

The preliminary tax estimates sent in November of 2023 for proposed taxes in 2024 showed a correction to these rates that unfortunately collected tax based on 2023 values often resulting in excess increases.  

The 2024 rates have been corrected, and the actual shortfall from 2023 will show up on 2024 tax statements as a separate line item “2023 school tax correction” and will be based on 2022 values. In most cases, the taxes assessed for school district levies will be less than what appeared on the preliminary statements received in November.

Please contact the Hubbard County Auditor with specific questions. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2023
United Way Allocates Funding to 7 Hubbard County Agencies

HUBBARD COUNTY - United Way of Bemidji Area’s Board of Directors recently approved the United Way’s Hubbard County Community Investment Cabinet’s recommendations for grant allocations to 7
non-profits serving residents who live in Hubbard County.

The Hubbard County Community Investment Cabinet is comprised of local volunteers who vet the grant requests, interview the agencies’ directors, tour their facilities, thoroughly review financials, and come
to a recommended consensus for the Board of Directors to review and approve.

The Community Investment Cabinet included Kathy Henry, Ben Koppelman, Bill Steen, Brian Hall, Connie Carmichael, Derek Ricke, and Brian Ophus.

Funded agencies include the Akeley Regional Community Center Emergency Shelter, Park Rapids Armory and Events Center, Support Within Reach, North Country Food Bank, Family Safety Network, Kinship of the Park Rapids Area, and Hubbard in Prevention Coalition.

100% of the funds raised through the Hubbard County Campaign for the Community is from the area’s community residents, businesses, and foundations.

To learn more about how you can get involved, visit
www.UnitedWayBemidji.org/hubbard-county or www.VolunteerHeartlandLakes.

RUSNESS
On April 2, 1976, a fire engulfed the residence of Bernard Rusness, his wife, Peggy McKay, and their 8-year-old son, Brian, near Wolf Lake, MN. The body of Brian was recovered at the scene of the fire, but Bernard and Peggy’s remains were not identified after the fire. If anyone has any information regarding this incident, please contact the Becker County Sheriff’s Office at 218-847-2661.

EAGLESHIELD & MCQUILLAN
On October 5, 2014, at the age of 42, Melissa Eagleshield was visiting friends at a residence near Co. Rd. 126, near Island Lake. After family and friends did not hear from her the next day, she was reported missing to authorities.
On June 17, 1975, at the age of 71, Milda McQuillan left her residence on Round Lake in northern Becker County in route to visit friends on the west side of Bad Medicine Lake. Although her vehicle was located in a heavily wooded area west of Bad Medicine, McQuillan has been missing since that day.

There have been numerous searches for Eagleshield and McQuillan over the years, but neither have been located. If anyone has any information regarding Eagleshield or McQuillan’s disappearance, please contact the Becker County Sheriff’s Office at 218-847-2661, or your local law enforcement agency immediately.
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with their families.

Hubbard County Jail Updates Planned

 Hubbard County is planning for some updates to the Jail and Law Enforcement Center that will provide safer working conditions for county staff and more secure intake services to the public.

When the county created its current Strategic Plan in 2021 several buildings were at the top of the list for repair, maintenance, or remodel to continue to provide the best possible services to the community. When the county developed a Capital Plan in 2023, the proposed Jail and Law Enforcement Center updates were on top of the list on the five-year project plan.

The county is working with the BKV Group out of Minneapolis to identify needs and determine the scope of the proposed project. The primary objectives of the project are to address space and flexibility issues, increase security and safety for staff and the public, provide better working conditions, and increase overall operational efficiency. Several areas in the Government Center are also scheduled to be remodeled within the scope of the same project. Space needs for the County Attorney’s office are on top of this list.

The Hubbard County Board will review a proposal for the next phases of design and architectural development in November. Design and Planning will take approximately one year with a proposed two year phased construction schedule to begin in 2025. The approximate cost of the improvements is estimated to be $7.2 to $8.6 million dollars in 2026 dollars. The timing of this project will be coordinated with the retirement of current debt service so that there will be no new tax impacts to county residents.

A group of approximately 25 people gathered at the Armory Arts Center to discuss the possibility of a Community/Wellness Center. The attendees broke up into groups and wrote down things they felt the community was doing well, things the community would like to see and 3rd things that are problems/barriers.

Several talked about forming a small group to visit with other community centers to understand the financial stability and identifying stakeholders in the community for funding support. Ideas thrown out included if individuals would be willing to set up endowments that could help with continue funding.

This is just the start of planning and more meetings will be scheduled said, facilitator Donna Anderson.

If you tuned into KQ 101.9 FM this morning, you're not imagining things! We've switched to a Classic Hits format. A few weeks ago, we changed KAKK to a Fox Sports affiliate. Here's more info, as written in Radio Insight:

"De La Hunt Media has performed a double flip at its stations in Walker MN.

Classic Hits 1570 KAKK/93.7 K229DJ Walker has flipped to Sports utilizing Fox Sports Radio. KAKK is running the national lineup around the clock as well as carrying Minnesota Wild hockey.

Concurrently, Soft AC “KQ 102” 101.9 KQKK Walker has picked up the Classic Hits mantle as it is now branding as “101.9 The Arrow” positioned as “Leech Lakes’ Classic Hits”.

What do you think of our new sound? Love it? Hate it? Think we need to play more Foghat? We'd love to hear your thoughts at butch@delahuntmedia.com

Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk reports that on July 22nd 2024 at 8:21 PM the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a theft of fuel from a retailer in Hackensack, MN, valued at $259.55. Previously in the evening, there was a theft of fuel from a Backus, MN retailer with a reported value of $300.00. Information from the retailers was consistent with an individual filling barrels or drums in the bed of a Toyota pickup and leaving without paying for the fuel. This information also matched the description of a fuel theft reported on June 4th 2024, from a Remer, MN retailer, where the pickup was pulling a utility trailer with barrels on it.

Shortly after the report, Deputies located the described pickup on State 371 in Shingobee Township. A traffic stop was initiated and a female, Sapphire Torres, age 28, of Duluth, MN was arrested and transported to the Cass County Detention Center with formal charges pending for 1 count of possession of burglary or theft tools, 3 counts of theft of motor fuel from retailer, and 1 count of tampering with a motor vehicle.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office suspects that additional fuel thefts, similar in this report, have occurred in the region and possibly in northern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin areas and encourages retailers with information to report any theft to their local law enforcement jurisdiction and have them contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and speak with Investigator Robison for additional information and follow-up.