Latest News From Minnesota Daily News Dot Com

July 14, 2026

The National Weather Service announced a Red Flag Warning for 13 counties in northern Minnesota yesterday, due to high fire danger. The counties affected were Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Cook, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, Marshall, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Roseau, and St. Louis. Fires can spread rapidly because of high temperatures, strong winds, and low humidity. Residents should not burn anything and must ensure any previous fires are completely out. The DNR will halt open burning permits and advises against campfires. Caution is urged with activities that can create sparks or heat near plants. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has activated National Guard troops to fight wildfires near the northern border with Canada. The fires have burned over 800 acres in five days and remain uncontrolled. The entire Boundary Waters Canoe Area was evacuated yesterday.

The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage and urgently needs donors to help. Since late May, blood donations have sharply declined, leading to a shortage affecting patient care. To assist, donors of all blood types should book an appointment to give blood, platelets, or plasma. From now through July 31, donors will receive a Fandango Movie Ticket as a thank-you. More details are available at http://RedCrossBlood.org/July.

A 53-year-old woman from Bemidji, Sherilyn R. Strong, has been charged with felony, first-degree possession of fentanyl. The charge follows an incident on July 3, when a Hubbard County sheriff’s sergeant stopped a 2009 Honda Odyssey for not having a front license plate. The driver, Courtney A. Whitefeather, had a revoked license and an active DUI warrant. Passengers included Strong and others, with one having an active warrant as well. During a search of the vehicle, authorities found multiple micro baggies and a digital scale. Strong was found with fentanyl in her purse and concealed on her, totaling over 53 grams. An initial court appearance is set for yesterday.

The Akeley City Council has decided not to rent the dilapidated Akeley depot due to high liability risks. The Akeley Chamber of Commerce proposed a 50-year lease for $1 but lacked required insurance coverage of at least $1 million. The city would be at risk if someone were injured on the property. The depot, built around 1900, is used for storage, but councilor Dan Riggs suggested that funds would be better spent on other projects, like building a replica or improving nearby facilities. He motioned to get s for demolishing the depot, which passed unanimously.

Rocksan K. Orth, a 55-year-old from Laporte, faces felony domestic assault charges. On July 3, a sheriff’s deputy responded to a 911 hang-up call where a male requested to have a female removed from the home. The reporting party claimed Orth had pulled his hair and head-butted him. Although Orth denied any physical altercation, the deputy observed injuries including redness, swelling, and bleeding on the reporting party’s face. Orth has a history of prior convictions for domestic assault and other offenses. An initial court appearance is set for July 20.

An E-Bike rider, 30-year-old Devin Fletcher, of Onamia, was injured when his ebike was hit by a vehicle last Wednesday in Hubbard County. The Minnesota State Patrol reported the crash happened at 3:36 p.m. on U-S Hwy. 71. Fletcher sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken to CHI St. Joseph’s Health. The driver of the vehicle, Kenneth Pritchett, 82, and his passenger, both from Park Rapids, were unharmed. Alcohol is suspected to be a factor.

Congratulations to Red Lake Nation Youth Council Chairperson, Kynsie May as she has been elected as UNITY Midwest Region Representative. May will continue to represent the Red Lake Nation Youth Council and will serve all Youth Council’s in the Midwest Region: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. May's top goal is to engage with Youth Council Members and Advisors to ensure the Midwest Region stays active.

July 13, 2026

The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced that on Friday, July 17, the Highway 197 improvement project in Bemidji will enter stage 1C. A temporary detour will close Highway 71 south of the intersection for three weeks to allow for safe reconstruction. Motorists will use Highway 197 along with Bemidji Avenue; or Highway 2, as detours. During stage 1C, bypass lanes along Highway 197 and Highway 71 north of the intersection will remain open, while stage 1B work continues. For more details, visit http://mndot.gov/d2/projects/hwy197-bemidji.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced over $1.4 million in child care economic development grants awarded to 11 programs across the state. These grants aim to create more than 1,100 new child care slots, with over 80% of the funds directed to Greater Minnesota. The program supports investments in new or expanding child care businesses through facility improvements, training, and strategies to address the child care shortage. Locally, the Northwest Minnesota Foundation in Bemidji receives $200,000 while Prairie Pines Child Care Center in Fosston receives $73,333.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the invasive algae, starry stonewort, in Spider Lake, in Hubbard County. A contractor reported the finding, which DNR staff later verified. The DNR is planning more surveys to understand the algae's spread. Starry stonewort is marked by white, star-shaped bulbils that appear in late summer. It has been found in 39 Minnesota water bodies since 2015, where it forms dense mats affecting recreation and native plants. To prevent spreading invasive species, Minnesota law requires cleaning watercraft, draining water, and proper disposal of bait. The DNR offers resources for identifying and managing invasive species, urging public reports of new findings. More information is available at http://mndnr.gov/ais.

United Way Bemidji Area announces Molly Miller and Nikki Brink as co-chairs for the 2026 United Way Campaign. Both have deep roots in the community, with Molly's family owning Patterson's and Nikki and Bob owning Little Caesars and Cool Threads. They express gratitude for the opportunity to serve and invite others to support the campaign. The campaign starts on September 16, 2026, and will fund local programs helping community members. For involvement or support, contact the United Way office at 218-444-8929.

Beltrami County officials have identified the woman who drowned in Lake Andrusia last week as 26-year-old Danielle Rushman, of Cass Lake. Rushman was pulled from the water and was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. She was the second drowning victim in Beltrami County last week after a Twin Cities man drowned on Lake Movil.

The Beltrami County Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party will host a Pizza and Programs event on Thursday, July 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the DFL office, 1510 Bemidji Ave. N. The session will feature the United Way of Bemidji Area. The event is open to the public. To learn more, visit www.beltramidfl.org.

Multiple people were injured on Thursday, after a crash on Highway 371 near Walker. The Minnesota State Patrol responded to the accident at 2:43 p.m. in Shingobee Township. A 2009 Toyota Venza, driven by 81-year-old Suzanne Marie Erion, of Laporte, was attempting to turn onto County Highway 38 when it caused a head-on collision with a southbound 2019 Ram 1500. Erion and her 12-year-old passenger, Cheyton James Ryckman, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to hospitals. Several passengers in the Ram, all from of Fairbanks, Alaska, also suffered non-life-threatening injuries, including Bentley James Fitch, Emmery Lee Fitch, Jasper Trevor Fitch, and Candace Marie Mailhot, while the driver, Joshua John Mailhot, reported no injuries.

July 10, 2026

Hubbard County Sheriff Cory Aukes informed the county board that his policy to limit sheriff’s deputies' responses to non-emergencies in Akeley began in 2021, amid ongoing claims that it is a politically motivated decision. Akeley Police Chief Jimmy Hansen, who is running for county sheriff, has been endorsed by Aukes’s deputy, Tony Petrie. In a story in the Park Rapids Enterprise, Aukes explained to county commissioners that the majority of non-emergency calls—such as complaints about dogs or messy yards—should be handled by Akeley's police department. He stated that his office focuses on emergency calls and has not received complaints from the city council or local businesses regarding this policy. He highlighted that the sheriff’s office actively handles serious issues, including drug cases and threats at local venues. Aukes provided traffic stop statistics showing a significant difference in activity levels between his deputies and Akeley officers. He affirmed that deputies complete any necessary follow-ups for chargeable offenses and generate incident reports for both departments when emergencies occur.

The Beltrami County GOP will meet on Monday at 6:30 p.m. at their office in the Paul Bunyan Mall. Coffee and treats will be provided, and everyone is welcome to attend. More information at 218-760-1624.

The Minnesota Hospital Association recently recognized 60 hospital and health system teams and individuals for their contributions to patient care, communication, and support for the healthcare workforce during its 2026 Spring Innovation Forum. MHA President Dr. Rahul Koranne emphasized the innovative efforts of hospitals in improving care and serving communities. Award recipients were honored in three categories: Quality and Safety; Workforce; and Communications. Locally, honored for Patient and Family Engagement was the Native American Patient Family Advisory Council at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center; for Substance Use Treatment Innovator was the Narcan Distribution Program, Sanford Bemidji and Sanford Bagley Medical Centers;

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program is offering tax preparation help on Monday and also August 10 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bemidji Senior Center. This service focuses on assisting residents with Minnesota homestead credits and regular tax returns. No appointments are necessary, and assistance will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis, depending on volunteer availability. Clients should bring a photo ID and a 2025 tax return if filed. If not, social security cards and income documents are needed. A property tax statement is required for homestead credit returns. For joint returns, both partners must attend. For details, call 218-751-8836.

Over this past Forth of July Holiday, there were several drowning incidents in Minnesota, including two in our area. Here are some tips on lake swimming...Enjoying Minnesota’s lakes safely requires vigilance: Supervise & Swim; Always use a buddy system, and always keep children within arm's reach; Check Water Quality: Avoid swimming if the water smells bad, is discolored, or you cannot see your feet in waist-deep water to ensure there are no hazards or harmful algal blooms; Wear Life Jackets: Ensure non-swimmers wear US Coast Guard-Approved Life Jackets. Lake swimming has different risks than a standard pool. Being hyper-specific about your lake and surroundings can make your swimming experience much safer and more enjoyable; Swim Sober: Over half of all adult drowning incidents involve the use of alcohol. Avoid alcohol when supervising children or when participating in water activities; Choose Bright Swimwear: In murky or weed-filled lakes, avoid blue and green bathing suits. Opt for High-Contrast Swimwear Colors like neon pink, orange, or yellow so swimmers stand out; Never Dive Headfirst: Lakes can have sudden drop-offs, submerged logs, and rocks. Always enter feet-first.

July 9, 2026

The City of Bemidji released their rental and construction reports for May. For the first time in 2026, the city had a jump of licenses and units for rental property. The city gained two licenses last month, and seven rental units, jumping from 1073 licenses to 1075, and from 3718 units to 3725. This marks the first time since the calendar flipped to 2026 and the number of units has been this high. It is, however, still behind the 3735 rental units the City had in January of 2025, and the two-year high mark of 3742 units in May of 2025. Meanwhile, there were $4.154 million in construction permits issued in May, down nearly $600,000 from May of 2025. With the current projects with the YMCA of the Northern Sky, and the new Les Schwab Tire Store being built next to Arby's, construction numbers are expected to be very strong for the remainder of 2026.

A fundraiser is being held for Colin Bales, a Park Rapids man who suffered a serious spinal cord injury from a diving accident on July 4. He was airlifted to Sanford Medical Center and remains in the ICU after surgery. Medical transport could cost around $20,000, with total expenses estimated between $500,000 and $1 million. The “Colin Bales Benefit Fund” is accepting donations online and by check to support his recovery.

Dancers from Park Rapids made history by reaching the national competition at the DX Dance competition. The Northern Lights Dance Academy’s mini stars team, ages 5 to 8, became the youngest to compete in grand nationals, finishing as first runner-up. NLDA had a record 10 teams in grand nationals, with six winning. Teams included mini hip hop, hip hop squad, and the Park Rapids core team. The academy also has a recreational program for ages 3 to 18, focusing on dance skills and confidence. Director Kiala Velde received the Choreographer of the Year Award, expressing pride in their achievements and the lessons learned through dance.

Laporte is hosting its classic Independence Day celebration tomorrow and Saturday, featuring activities for all ages as the town celebrates its 250th birthday with fireworks. The events begin tomorrow with a craft and flea market featuring over 60 vendors downtown. The Trinity by the Lake Fine Art Show will take place, alongside a volleyball tournament at the WoodShed and a free-throw contest at the school. Saturday kicks off with a 5K run/walk to support Lakeport Emergency Medical Responders, followed by a pancake breakfast and free well water testing. There will be a pork feed, a corn hole tournament, and a Cow-a-Bunga raffle at noon. The day includes a silent auction, Lions Club Bingo, and food vendors. The Soap Box Derby starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by a parade at 7 p.m. The festivities culminate with live music and fireworks at dusk. For more details, visit the Laporte Independence Days Facebook Page.

RDO Equipment Co., one of North America's largest John Deere dealers, plans to expand in the Northern Plains by acquiring True North Equipment's John Deere agriculture locations in northern North Dakota and Minnesota. The deal is awaiting final approval from John Deere and is expected to close on August 3, 2026. This acquisition involves around 200 employees at eight store locations in North Dakota and Minnesota, including Grand Forks, Grafton, and Northwood, ND, as well as Thief River Falls, Warren, Kennedy, Mahnomen, and Baudette, MN. RDO's president, Chris Cooper, expressed excitement about welcoming True North's employees and customers, highlighting shared values between the two organizations. True North Equipment's owners believe RDO is the right partner to enhance service for their customers. RDO operates over 80 locations in the U-S and has international partnerships.

The Bemidji Disability Advocacy Council will meet on Monday, July 20, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Options Interstate Resource Center for Independent Living office. The council seeks input on what makes the community good for people with disabilities and how to improve it. For accommodations, contact Heather at 218-773-6100 by Monday, July 13, if possible.

July 8, 2026

The man who drowned in Lake Movil last Friday has been identified as 23-year-old Matthew James Rayta of Maple Grove. He exited the boat and went under the water and never resurfaced. The Lakes Area Dive Team recovered his body about three hours later. Any autopsy is still planned. Meanwhile, an adult female was pronounced dead after being pulled from a lake east of Bemidji on Monday. The Beltrami County Emergency Communications Center received a call at approximately 4:05pm, on Monday reporting someone was being removed from the water and appeared to be unresponsive near the Mission Road Bridge. Beltrami County Deputies, Leech Lake Tribal Police Officers and Leech Lake Ambulance were dispatched to the area. A bystander and a Leech Lake Tribal Police Officer were able to remove an adult female from the water and began life-saving efforts. The female was transported by ambulance to an area hospital where life-saving efforts continued. The female was ultimately pronounced deceased. The female was transported by a funeral home for an autopsy. The location of the incident on Lake Andrusia is an area commonly used as a swimming beach, and the female was reportedly swimming when she became unresponsive. Both cases remains under investigation.

A Bemidji man, 56-year-old Thomas Jay Drift Sr., faces five felony charges, including child torture, after being accused of years of severe physical abuse towards his children, involving household items, strangulation, and exposure to methamphetamine. He was charged on June 22 and was set to appear in court on Monday. The child torture charge could lead to a 25-year prison sentence and a $35,000 fine. Investigators began their inquiry on April 30, gathering accounts from Drift's children about the abuse. They reported being hit with objects and experiencing strangulation. The children also mentioned Drift's drug use, with one alleging he offered meth while high. Drift has prior domestic assault convictions in St. Louis County in 2010 and 2014.

Two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 200 in Cass County last Thursday. The Minnesota State Patrol responded around 4 p.m. in Inguadona Township. A 2025 Nissan Pathfinder was making a left turn when a 2020 Dodge Ram 1500, trying to pass stopped vehicles, collided with it. Jeffry Wayne Umberger, 40, and passenger Jaiden Karrin Breitkreutz, 16, both suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to a hospital. Other passengers in both vehicles reported no injuries.

In the first six months of Minnesota's Paid Leave program, around 75,000 people have been approved for benefits that help workers take time off for bonding with a child, personal health, or family care. DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek stated that the program is running well and meeting its goals. Signed into law by Governor Walz in 2023, the program aims to support families in Minnesota. Most workers are eligible for paid time off during qualifying events, and early data shows participation from a wide range of the workforce. About $600 million has been paid out, with an average weekly benefit of $1,083. This funding comes from a designated benefit account and premiums collected. The program also emphasizes continuous improvement and offers resources like a guide for new applicants and videos to help employers and families. Forty-four percent of applicants live outside the 7-county Twin Cities metropolitan area, while 64% of applicants are women. Northwest Minnesota had the lowest percentage of applicants in any area of the state, at just 15%.