BEMIDJI — Local business Latitude 218, as well as an attached house, have suffered significant damage after a fire broke out early Sunday morning in Bemidji.
According to a release from Bemidji Fire Chief Justin Sherwood, at 3:53 a.m. on Sunday, May 4, firefighters responded to a report of a structure fire at Latitude 218 along the 6600 block of Bemidji Ave. N.
Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a two-story building with heavy smoke showing from the upstairs occupancy. Residents were outside the home and no flames were visible from the exterior, the release said.
An occupant of the home informed the crew that the fire was in the lower part of the building. Fire crews deployed a 1 3/4-inch attack line to begin extinguishing the fire found in the basement, the release said. As more crews arrived, additional lines were deployed to support the firefighting efforts.
A total of 21 firefighters and eight pieces of equipment were on the scene for approximately seven hours. The business, home and contents suffered significant damage, but no injuries were reported.
The fire is currently under investigation, though it appears accidental, the release noted.
The Bemidji Ambulance Service, Bemidji Police Department, Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office, American Red Cross and Ottertail Power Company assisted the Bemidji Fire Department at the scene.
BEMIDJI — Headwaters Music and Arts is set to offer a Fiddle Camp for string musicians from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 16-20 at Headwaters, 519 Minnesota Ave. NW.
The camp is open to youth and adult string musicians with at least one year of playing experience, a release said. Campers will highlight their work with a public show on Friday, June 20.
Instructors will include Eric Carlson, Carrie Dlutkowski, Sawyer Corcoran, Mary Vanorny and Brian Miller.
Headwaters offers several scholarship and grant options for all of its youth programming in an effort to make its programming accessible for all, the release noted.
Registration deadline and full payment are due by June 9.
Bemidji school board members discuss the organization of the board during a meeting on Jan
in the district office board room.Madelyn Haasken | Bemidji PioneerGo Deeper.CloseCreate an account or log in to save stories
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forcing them to cut spending next year by $1.5 million.The Bemidji school board is making steep cuts to the district’s budget for next year
voting unanimously last week to reduce spending by more than $1.5 million
School officials acknowledge that the spending cuts will be felt in Bemidji’s classrooms
faculty and the kinds of programs the district offers
Bemidji Schools superintendent Jeremy Olson said he and the school board tried to minimize the impact on classroom learning
He noted that classroom spending accounts for about 65 percent of the district’s budget
but only a little more than half of the budget cuts will be felt in the classrooms
The other cuts will come through attrition
and other non-classroom related reductions
one elementary school principal's position is being eliminated
as two schools will share a principal next year
Bemidji School Board member Todd Haugen acknowledged the budget cuts are painful
"These actions we've just taken effect people’s lives
“None of us enjoy this process of cutting back
but it's what has to happen for our school district to continue."
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Olson says the cuts were needed because state aid to the district hasn’t kept up with inflation
“Since 2019 the average (state) revenue (increase) has been 2.36 percent
the average expense increase to the district has been 3.23 percent
“This is why we are looking at making reductions.”
Olson said that if state aid had kept up with inflation the district should have received 18.7 percent more funding this school year
And he said that if that had happened “we would not be having these discussions.”
board members pointed to the failure of referenda in 2020 and 2021 which could have raised more operational funding for the schools
Prior to the board’s decision during the public comment portion of the meeting
library media specialist Shirley Lipscy spoke out against some of the cuts
Lipscy noted that only about half of Bemidji’s elementary and middle school students are reading at grade level
and suggested budget cuts could drop reading scores even more
“The proposal is to cut the library program even more,” Lipscy said
“Our library program is what helps fuel literacy
Jon Cameron and Dennis Bartz chose that name when they launched their Italian eatery in downtown Bemidji on May 9
“I think it’s amazing that it’s still there,” Forshee-Donnay said
“I think it speaks to the community support of local businesses.”
The original owners operated Tutto Bene for 11 years
The late Tom Allen bought the restaurant in 2006 and sold it to current owners Justin Frederick and Jerusa Ricke in 2012
“You’ve got to be proud of the fact that it’s gone through three owners … and it’s still there and thriving,” said Bartz
“That means the original concept was a good thing.”
Forshee-Donnay and Cameron were working together in 1994 at Stats Sports Bar on the top floor of what is now the Mayflower Building
Both were experienced in the restaurant business and had the ambition to open their own establishment
had moved here in 1981 when Pat joined the faculty at Bemidji State University
They met when both worked at a pizzeria in St
specifically television production,” Lori said
“I wasn’t finding anything to do with that.”
taking the job at Stats and meeting Cameron
who was building a reputation as a creative chef
“I knew about working the front of the house,” Lori said
“I work with this guy who’s incredibly talented and really should have his own restaurant.”
a local teacher who also had been Cameron’s cross country and track coach at Bemidji High School
and purchased the former Luigi’s Pizza building
Bartz spearheaded an effort to sell shares in the restaurant to community members
and Tutto Bene was on its way to becoming a reality
“I put together the team of people to basically contribute to getting the place started,” Bartz said
“I was sort of a behind-the-scenes kind of guy.”
“My focus and interest was in Italian food because my mother is Italian
I didn’t want him to be constricted with what he could do with the menu
Tutto Bene had only 66 seats for the first five years
The capacity nearly doubled in 2000 when the bar and secondary seating area was added
designed after a building Forshee-Donnay spotted on a trip to Italy
Cameron said he rode his bicycle past the restaurant earlier this week and reflected on the 30-year legacy he and his partners started
“I'm still proud that I was part of that,” said Cameron
who stayed on after the 2006 sale and remained through Allen’s six years
I had three of my cooks leave to go to chef school
so I think I might have been doing something right.”
“I don't know a damn thing about cooking or the kitchen
Justin Frederick was entrenched in the Twin Cities restaurant scene
even though he was dating his future spouse
Both worked for several restaurants in the Minneapolis area
But they had dreams of owning their own place
Frederick heard about a restaurant that was for sale in Bemidji in the summer of 2012
“We had always talked about breaking away and working for ourselves,” Jerusa said
He was telling me some restaurant is for sale up there.”
It didn’t take long for the couple to turn their careers northward
“I remember we pulled around the corner and I saw the color of this building,” Justin recalled
‘Is that it?’ Something just kind of resonated with us.”
Justin began creating dishes that featured seasonal ingredients
and added things like oysters and grilled octopus to the menu
Jerusa stayed on full-time for the first few years before taking a position with her family’s business
She continues to curate the restaurant’s wine list
She said a loyal workforce has helped keep Tutto Bene running smoothly
“I’ve worked in a lot of restaurants,” she said
We have two people who’ve been here since the beginning.”
They also credited the Bemidji community for helping the restaurant weather the Covid pandemic
“This community has been very good at supporting us through the tough times,” Justin said
“Without that we wouldn’t have been able to punch through to the other side.”
The owners have been able to use lessons learned in their Twin Cities food careers to help them at their own restaurant
“You have to get into this for the right reasons,” Justin said
“If you’re getting into this to get rich and make a lot of money you’re a fool
I always told myself when I owned a restaurant that I wanted to be the boss that I always wished that I had
This is it for me in the restaurant industry
BEMIDJI – It had been seven years since the Bemidji State baseball team picked up a win over St
The Beavers dropped their first two games against the Huskies
losing 7-6 in seven innings before falling 10-7 in 10 innings to cap off the doubleheader
Brandon Lind picked up the victory on the mound
seven hits and one walk with 10 strikeouts
Ty Schulte picked up the save by striking out two of his four recorded outs
Ben Corradi hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning to tie the game at 2-2
Adrian Falcon and Nick Ekstrum each doubled
Jack Feldman and Noah Drusch each had multi-hit games
Bemidji State finished its 2025 season with a record of 7-40 (6-34 NSIC)
Public hearings will be held for a stormwater pollution prevention program
a liquor license for outdoor dining and a permit for a street/sidewalk cafe at Keg N'Cork
and the second reading of an ordinance amending the zoning map adopted in Chapter 28 of the Bemidji City Code
The city does not have any new or old business on the agenda and will likely spend a bulk of its time discussing the municipal liquor store report
Bemidji ranked eighth out of 176 cities in highest operating revenues per amount of sales
seventh in highest gross profit and ninth in highest operating income
Coe lists that the city ranked 59th out of 176 in highest net profit as a percent of revenue
four walks and an error to score all its runs in the first inning in a 10-4 fastpitch softball win over Park Rapids on Thursday
Allie Michaelson walked and scored in the second while singles by Allie Rowland and Vivian Shepersky led to another run in the third for Park Rapids
The Panthers scored their final two runs in the sixth on a double by Michaelson and singles by Adrienne Cook
Rowland went 2 for 4 to pace the Panthers’ eight-hit attack
Keira Noyd and Maddison Shepherd finished up as those three pitches combined to allow nine hits and five earned runs with four walks and five strikeouts
The loss dropped the Panthers’ record to 6-4
Maya Schmidt went 3 for 4 at the plate and earned the win with a complete-game effort as Bemidji improved to 5-3
These pillars once steered clear of politics
providing a much-needed political sanctuary
"It's happening all over the world in countries that have democratic governments," Doherty explained
because we've been more divided on issues before
but it's how we feel about each other when we disagree
nonpartisan organization that specializes in finding solutions to this community polarization that has seemingly taken over bastions of a local community
One main solution offered is simple conversation and welcoming ideas one may not believe in
they realize that even if they don't agree
this person is not that stereotype," Doherty explained
"We decided we weren't going to even begin (the bus tour) unless we had the sponsorship of the DFL statewide and the sponsorship of the Republican Party statewide," said Doherty
showcasing Braver Angels effort to feature both sides of the political aisle
who posed different questions to help garner conversation and teach folks different tactics to bridge political gaps and ease polarization
A primary goal: find common-sense solutions that come from a place of bipartisanship while not inherently trying to change minds
there's a story,' and if you get the story out of curiosity
you now know where somebody's coming from," Doherty explained
"Let go of trying to change people's minds
and this is from good social psychology research
we're actually more influential with people when we accept them as they are and communicate with them with respect."
Doherty began the town hall by explaining three aspects of polarization to familiarize attendees
"One is othering and that is (a belief) that people who think and vote differently are strangers; they're alien," Doherty explained
"The second is disdain: we don't like the people who think and vote differently
The third one is that people on the other side are ethically compromised
The average Republican (and) Democrat thinks the other side wants the worst for the country and they're morally compromised
"That's a trifecta: I don't understand you
Doherty explained that these three aspects have affected different institutions
including a collaborative list of churches
and it's invaded nearly every aspect of life," he said
"Nearly every social institution has been undermined
like an epidemic or something that's been infected."
the issues have seeped into families and relationships
only 5% of people said they would not date outside of their political beliefs
shared a story of a patient planning to "pop the question." No
she planned to ask her boyfriend who he voted for and if he said the wrong thing
"We like to think of polarization as sort of tearing bridges down or setting them on fire
which means maintaining relationships of respect
but respect with people who differ from us politically," Doherty elaborated
we say we're not trying to change people's minds about issues of politicians
We're trying to help them change minds about each other
Two main questions were asked to spark engagement
The first asked participants what they would personally do to bridge gaps
Someone defined breaking from their defined political bubble
Another shared that they have learned to hang out in the community with a welcoming smile
not shying away from conversation regardless of any internal beliefs
A third person said volunteering for different things
The segment concluded with someone saying they could respond to things they do not believe or understand with genuine curiosity instead of vitriol
Doherty mentioned that we likely agree on most things
we just have not found common ground for policy solutions
people must dismiss internal temptation to stereotype
ridicule and hold contempt for those who voted differently
The second question asked what role the community can take in bridging gaps
One called for more community-oriented events that garner conversation
Another called for more community pillars that specialize in nonpartisan conversation
A third mentioned developing intergenerational relationships within the community
A final comment stated that friendship is best made with humor
Doherty shared another story that showcased the Braver Angels skills in action
A community event brought conservatives and liberals together
both physically and with one side wearing masks and the other not
and said they joined political activism because they were raised in a foster care system and wanted to support those people
A conservative then stood and said they too were raised in a foster care system and joined to do the same thing
Thus proving the point that people have more in common than what meets the eye
and conversation is the best way to bridge the gaps and solve the issue of polarization
located next to Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox
You can find all kinds of information about things to do and see in the Bemidji area
The TIC also houses some of Paul Bunyan’s memorabilia and has items for sale
Brooklyn Sjostrom and Thaddeus Variance from the Sign Language 2 class at BHS were the guest speakers at a Bemidji Lions Club meeting
Following their presentation and a question-and-answer period
First Vice President Lion Bob Sandbo presented the students with a $500 club donation to offset trip expenses
Bemidji Chamber Ambassadors recently congratulated North Central Door on its recent expansion at 900 Carr Lake Road
North Central Door is a locally owned and operated company and has been manufacturing top-quality residential and commercial garage doors for over 50 years
With an additional 18,000 square feet added to their facility
they now operate out of a 122,000 square foot building
North Central Door can assemble up to 300 garage doors a day and employs 125 talented team members who help maintain their legacy of craftsmanship
The Paul Bunyan Dog Training Association recently announced the newest group of Therapy Dog Training graduates
They have recently completed volunteer training based on Standards of Practice through Animal-Assisted Activities and Therapy Dog Team Training Course materials
Their dogs have passed basic health screening
and some will be certified as AKC Canine Good Citizens
Students at TrekNorth recently visited several area businesses as part of the school's Career Exploration program
Naylor Heating and Refrigeration and other businesses during the program
LAPORTE — The Northwoods Writers of Laporte will meet from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m
Those in the area interested in writing their own stories are invited to bring two copies of something they have written or just show up at the gathering
every second and fourth Monday of the month
The group will not meet on May 26 due to the Memorial Day holiday
BEMIDJI — In an effort to fight back against Parkinson’s disease
the Bemidji Boxing Club will begin offering a class that has an international presence
Coined “Rock Steady Boxing,” the class employs a non-contact
boxing-based curriculum designed specifically for those with Parkinson’s disease and other conditions
Those in the Bemidji area wanting to learn more about the class had the opportunity to do so during an open house on Monday
“Our mission locally is to give people in this rural community a group where they can exercise and be in community together,” Sanford Health physical therapist Tessa Richardson said
and I hope this helps them to live a better life.”
Newman founded Rock Steady Boxing in 2006 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 40
He started training with former Golden Gloves boxer Vince Perez and found such training to be beneficial for his symptoms
Boxer Kristy Rose would also join the cause to develop a curriculum that eventually became known as Rock Steady Boxing
The program currently boasts over 800 affiliate locations in every U.S
Monday’s open house allowed attendees to get a feel for the classes before official classes start Monday
“There are a lot of people living with Parkinson’s as it’s the second most common neurodegenerative disease behind dementia,” Richardson said
“There’s so much scientific research showing that living an active lifestyle and doing targeted exercises can help to counter those symptoms and slow the progression.”
Alongside Richardson are coaches Jeff Large and Bill Bowstring
Each coach has completed an intensive training and certification program developed over the past 10 years that assures an understanding of Parkinson’s disease as well as the benefits of Rock Steady Boxing’s methods
Richardson and Large have remained active in Bemidji’s Parkinson’s Support Group
which meets on the second Wednesday of each month
Conversations among the group provided an on-ramp for Rock Steady Boxing to begin operating in the area
the group was talking and someone had asked about why we didn’t have Rock Steady Boxing here,” Richardson recalled
“There was a lot of push to get it going and it took a lot of effort to get approved for the class
There were a lot of road bumps along the way.”
Given prior experiences of working with those with Parkinson's disease
Richardson considers the start-up of Rock Steady Boxing in Bemidji as a true opportunity to forge community
“Jeff and I have worked with people with Parkinson’s for years
and you get really attached to those who you’re working with,” she left off
“We really just want to serve our community and have a good time doing it.”
PARK RAPIDS – The Bemidji High School boys golf team finished in fourth place in a 20-team field on Friday in Park Rapids
the Lumberjacks finished 12 shots back of Pequot Lakes in first place
Weston Seitz took fifth individually with a BHS-low 76
42nd) also competed for the Lumbejracks on Friday
Carter White of Staples-Motley broke par with a 70 to finish in first individually
1-Pequot Lakes 302; 2-Staples-Motley 312; 3-Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 314; 4-Bemidji 316; 5-Hawley 320; 6-Thief River Falls 328; 7-Crosby-Ironton/Aitkin 330; 8-Perham 332; 9-East Grand Forks 337; 10-Barnesville 342
"We felt that May Day was a really good day to be in the streets," said Indivisible Bemidji organizer Nancy Haugen
"We wanted to support our people in the community that work for Social Security and receive it
we're very worried that there's going to be major changes."
"One of the people standing out here was 98 years old
I think people understand that they need to speak out."
DOGE's task of eliminating governmental waste
"We wanted to definitely say that we are not in support of Elon Musk being in our data and making cuts that are not strategic," said Haugen
"We understand that there's bloat and inefficiency in all agencies
but we strongly believe that (DOGE is) using a chainsaw approach instead of a scalpel."
While Trump and Musk have said they don't plan to cut Social Security benefits for qualifying taxpayers
they do claim that Social Security is filled with fraud
Even if Social Security benefits are not slashed
And cuts to leases and grants could hurt local communities in the long term
even if they save government funds in the short term
Unintended outcomes of the DOGE federal cuts could inadvertently hurt taxpayers
even if Social Security benefits are not touched
Indivisible Bemidji and other organizations across the country will continue to host rallies with the hope of raising awareness and catching the eye of local representation
"The hope is that we are going to show our representatives in the legislature that people are upset with what's happening with the status quo," Haugen said
to stand up and take a stance against what's happening with all these cuts without any forethought."
One issue that seems to be getting lost in the national news is the elimination of DEI programs and the ongoing attack on “Wokeness.” DEI stands for diversity
"that all men (people) are created equal.” Being “woke” means being aware and empathetic to people
Why are the ideals of DEI and empathy attacked with such venom and anger and with punishment
Women have always been a little over half of humanity
Native American people have always lived on this land
African slaves were brutally and legally brought to this continent from 1619 to 1809
Because favored immigration status of Europeans
almost all Black Americans today descended from the enslaved who were on this land long before most of my European ancestors
Hispanics had permanent settlements on this land long before the Mayflower and Hispanics and Latinos lived in and governed much of this land before it was this country
Gender expansive people have always been here
but have had to live repressed lives or face societal bias
People with disabilities face unnecessary obstacles to living their best lives
legislation was finally started to address Civil Rights and fairness
sometimes to violent opposition and always extended legal battles
Efforts have continued to address inequities for all people
the average Black/Native American/Latino family earns much less and has a fraction of the wealth of the average white family
Unfairness and bias are not things of the past
BEMIDJI — When Bemidji Fire Chief Justin Sherwood started his career more than 20 years ago
he considered himself "just a guy who loved the fire service."
he returned to the institution that helped kickstart his career to receive Northwest Technical College’s inaugural Innovation
“(This award) is presented to a truly remarkable leader in both industries and public service,” NTC Executive Vice President Ketmani Kouanchao noted during the program
“(Sherwood) has dedicated his career to advancing fire service technology
transforming challenges into opportunities and inspiring the next generation of first responders and innovators … His dedication to excellence
leadership and service embodies the very spirit of this award.”
He also earned a chief fire officer certification from the Center for Public Safety Excellence
is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Managing Officer Program
and serves as the Region 2 northern representative for the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association
Sherwood is a writer with work published in the Minnesota Fire Chief and Firehouse magazines
Much of his writing focuses on the importance of mental health practices and work-life balance
values that play a huge factor in Sherwood’s role as a leader and mentor
“I love the way that Justin’s story ties to what we try to do here at NTC of career expertise
the work that (he has) done and learned in those spaces,” BSU and NTC President John Hoffman said
“but also the commitments to mental health and holistic health and life beyond the workplace.”
Sherwood took a moment to note the stigma surrounding mental health in the fire service
“This job is incredibly hard and I guess I get emotional because we put a lot of time into it,” he said
“...Here I am being vulnerable because fire chiefs aren’t supposed to be criers
but I’m probably the most emotional fire chief in the country
Sherwood recalled the day he was notified that he would receive the award
expressing feelings of gratitude and relief
Looking out into the audience filled with his family
he credited his support system for getting him where he is today
it isn’t about my individual accomplishments or … the types of awards I’m getting
but it is truly about those who support me,” he said
“So I want to say thanks to my mentors and supporters in this room
my colleagues from the city … but most importantly
“You guys have really supported me even in those seasons that were really hard
Sherwood thanked NTC for choosing him as the first-ever recipient of the IMPACT award and noted the symbolism of the item
which he plans to display at his office in the fire hall
“(This award) will always serve as a strong reminder for me and a powerful motivation to continue leading with purpose
because all we can do is give our best effort,” he said
but ultimately be a dreamer and do my best and try to always use my position to advocate for those who couldn’t.”
7at9Bemidji State
St. Cloud State Baseball Comes up Short in Regular Season Finale to Bemidji State5/3/2025 3:04:00 PM | Baseball
Huskies drop final game of regular season, will be five-seed in NSIC Tournament
NSIC TournamentMay 7 (Wed)
I made a semi-impromptu weekend trip to Sioux Falls
and came across a massive stainless-steel sculpture spanning the length of a football field
the sculpture is considered a signature art piece for the city
but I would argue that its relevance extends beyond city limits
To anybody simply passing through Sioux Falls’ downtown
they might just pass it off as a frivolous structure that looks cool
But the idea behind its construction and a 15-foot gap at its center is what makes it even cooler
Eighty-five feet above the Big Sioux River
the gap represents “the leap of faith dreamers take to see their dreams come true.”
I began applying such an idea to my own life experiences
I’ve been thinking critically about the moments where I’ve taken such leaps
as well as situations where I couldn’t muster up any courage to jump
We’re presented with such decisions every day — whether it’s taking up a job offer
moving to a different city or planning a vacation — and the idea of leaps of faith can be applied to each situation
My path was well laid out after high school
My leaps of faith included attending college in the first place — a dream I long had — as well as the choice to switch majors in my freshman year and become a double-major in my junior year
My job search presented another leap of faith as I mainly perused positions in Fargo
Bemidji was not at the top of my list when seeking work
I returned to Bemidji as a full-time employee in 2021 after spending four years here as a college student
Though I didn’t expect to return to the area post-graduation
I had a conversation with someone regarding future plans and where we would want to live after Bemidji
This person told me — something along the lines — that it was obvious I’d live in Bemidji the rest of my life
Though I hadn’t initially dreamed of staying in Bemidji after college
the process has a way of leading you where you need to go and transforming your dreams in ways you hadn’t considered
earlier dreams can still be intact and linger
one must learn to be content where they're at and make the best of their current situation
move to a bigger city or immigrate to Canada
I’ve learned that a leap of faith can be the decision to have faith in the process
And I learned that thanks to a hunk of metal in Sioux Falls
7at6Bemidji State
Photo by: Brian Larson, UMary Athletic CommunicationsSt. Cloud State Baseball Earns a Pair of Wins over Bemidji State5/2/2025 9:28:00 PM | Baseball
Huskies hold off comeback, then finish comeback in doubleheader sweep
atBemidji StateL
Surplus Era Programs Revisited; Hibbing Apartment Fire Investigated; Trooper Charged In Child Porn Case
>>Minnesota Legislators Consider Rolling Back Or Revising Some Laws Passed By DFL
MN) — Minnesota lawmakers are at odds over whether to roll back or revise some laws passed two years ago
Republican legislators are pushing to repeal laws providing summer unemployment insurance to hourly school workers and health care to undocumented immigrants
Democrats are defending the programs they created when the state had a huge budget surplus in 2023
a bipartisan group of lawmakers is proposing changes to Minnesota’s paid family and medical leave and earned sick and safe time laws
Legislators face a May 19th adjournment deadline to get their work done
>>Sunday Morning Structure Fire In Bemidji
(Bemidji) On Sunday just before 4AM the Bemidji Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire on the 6600 block of Bemidji Ave N in the City of Bemidji
firefighters discovered a two-story building with heavy smoke showing from the upstairs occupancy
and no flames were visible from the exterior
An occupant of the home informed the crew that the fire was in the lower part of the building
Twenty-one firefighters and eight pieces of equipment were on the scene for approximately seven hours
though it appears accidental.(Bemidji Now)
>>Apartment Fire In Iron Range Sends One Person To The Hospital
MN) — Fire officials are investigating what led up to an apartment fire in Hibbing
Firefighters arrived at the 7th Avenue Apartments late Friday night
they saw heavy smoke and flames coming from a second story unit
First responders were able to evacuate everyone from the building; however
one person was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation
>>Minnesota State Trooper Charged With Producing Child Porn
MN) — A Minnesota state trooper is accused of producing child pornography
Jeremy Plonski was arrested and charged with one count of production of child pornography
The Shakopee resident faces a minimum of 15 years in federal prison if convicted
State patrol authorities say Plonski is on leave
He will remain in custody in Sherburne County Jail pending a detention hearing.(24/7 News Source)
MN) — The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is confirming that a teen had to be rescued after falling out of a moving boat
The incident took place Saturday on Lake Miltona
Police said that the 15-year-old that fell into the lake made the call to authorities that he had fallen from the boat
The teen was also not wearing a life jacket
he was looked at by first responders and released back to his parents.(24/7 News Source)
>>Charges Filed In 2024 Duluth Fatal Accident
(Duluth) An unlicensed driver fleeing one crash caused another moments later in Duluth and killed a nun in the other vehicle nearly a year ago
24-year-old Damien John Brown was charged in St
Louis County District Court with criminal vehicular homicide in connection with the collision on May 9
that killed Sister Arlene Kleemann more than six weeks later
The crash that ultimately killed Kleeman happened when Brown was fleeing another crash that had happened on I-35
He sped away because he was driving on a revoked license
He was also charged with criminal vehicular operation regarding that crash
Brown was charged by summons and is due in court on June 2
>>United Way Someone Special Deadline Approaching
(Bemidji) The Someone Special program provides organizations
and groups the opportunity to honor up to two volunteers each year who generously share their time and talents to make our community stronger
in partnership with Paul Bunyan Broadcasting
has proudly celebrated over 1,000 outstanding volunteers in the Bemidji area
Someone Special Nominations are NOW OPEN through Thursday
Go to www.UnitedWayBemidji.org/Someone-Special-Volunteers to nominate your volunteer
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the lumberjack Paul Bunyan could bring down 25 trees with a single swing of his ax
it’s trendier to plant trees than to cut them down
nestled in the headwaters of the Mississippi River
have banded together to populate public spaces with native habitat for birds and insects
In the spring of 2017, the Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society (a chapter of the National Audubon Society) joined forces with 12 organizations, including Bemidji State University, the Downtown Alliance, garden and naturalist clubs, and nurseries to launch Birds, Bees and Butterflies
The mission is simple: promote native plantings to support pollinator populations
which are in steep global decline due to vanishing habitat and the use of pesticides
“There’s been a scattering of interest from a variety of different sources for a number of years,” says Peter Buesseler
president of the Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society
there seemed to be an aligning of the stars.”
The relationship between plants and pollinators dates back millennia. In many cases, you can’t have one without the other: Plants coevolved alongside pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies. Many native bird species, in turn, rely on insects for food—for example
a clutch of six chickadee chicks can gobble down 9,000 caterpillars in the 16 days between hatching and fledging
In its first summer, Buesseler and the supergroup planted around 2,500 seedlings in demonstration gardens across the city at local businesses, a library, a city park, and an elementary school. The native landscaping—along with the adoption of other avian-friendly practices—earned Bemidji the title of “Bird City” through a program backed by Audubon Minnesota
a boost in birds and other pollinators is an end in itself
Others are also motivated by what the birds bring with them to the city
“Tourism is a really big industry,” says Rita Albrecht
“People come to the area for nature.” Albrecht doesn't just see Birds
and Butterflies as a driver for tourism: She also thinks it will spur residents to get outside
which aligns with the city’s interest in public health
native landscaping is a subtle way of honoring indigenous values
Bemidji straddles three of the largest tribal nations of Minnesota—Red Lake
and Leech Lake—and about one in five residents claim to be of native heritage
the sustainability director at Bemidji State University
is a descendant of the Red Lake nation; in the local Ojibwe language
she goes by “Butterfly Woman.” “They’re part of our place,” she says of native plants
that's the most important thing—to nurture things that are from here.”
Part of that means growing the movement even more. Last year, Birds
and Butterflies galvanized Bemidji residents and the city government; now it’s all about “cultivating their energies,” Buesseler says
the campaign will host two festivals—one for monarch butterflies and another for Purple Martins
They’re also preparing to plant at least three more demonstration gardens at an arts center
we’ll have more folks notice [the campaign],” Buesseler says
Join the movement. Just type your zipcode into our handy database to discover bird-friendly native plants in your area—and where to buy them.
To take some of the mystery out of native landscaping
volunteers have put together a top-ten list of local plants
that best suit Bemidji’s birds and pollinating insects
they hope to encourage less-experienced denizens to consider the curated species when they pull out their rakes this spring
“It’s not just about planting a native garden," Buesseler says. “It’s about adding native plants to your [existing] garden.”
residents won’t have to go far to find them
and Butterflies is also working with local nurseries and garden centers to stock all 10 of these native species
they'll be sure to draw new locals—caterpillars
This story originally ran in the Spring 2018 issue as “The Buzz About Bemidji.” To receive Audubon magazine in print,
Native plants provide birds with the food they need. Use our database to discover the best plants for birds in your area.
St. Cloud State Baseball Travels to Bemidji State to Wrap up Regular Season5/1/2025 10:46:00 AM | Baseball
Huskies and Beavers to play doubleheader three games May 2-3 in Bemidji
atBemidji StateW
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BEMIDJI — The public is invited to join the Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park at 11 a.m
on the second Thursday of the month in the visitor center of the main State Park building
The Friends group provides funds for and volunteers at many park projects and events
"Join us in making a positive difference in our beautiful park," a release said
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the Bemidji Public Works department was notified of a potential sinkhole at parking lot 7 in downtown Bemidji
at the intersection of Minnesota Avenue and Fourth Street NW
adjacent to Raphael's Bakery and Brigid's Pub
the department was thrown off guard by what it unearthed
The foundation of a building that previously stood in the lot's place lay intact underneath the lot
The unexpected discovery created more work for the department
the lot was temporarily closed for the potential sink hole to be filled
Bemidji City Manager Richard Spiczka explained in a letter to city councilors that the lot would need to be resolved in the future
This likely means excavation to remove pavement and debris while filling the cavity to ensure the lot is safe to use again
accommodations to prevent ticketing have been made between regulars and the Bemidji Police Department
This should remain until the lot is safe to reopen
to which building did the foundation belong
Beltrami County Historical Society members
began researching the lot's history immediately following the news
Though the trio did not find an absolute truth
they did discover some interesting tidbits about the area that could unveil the foundation's true origin
The trio determined that the lot was likely paved and tarred in 1971
they formed a timeline for the properties of 314-318 Minnesota Avenue
which likely began breaking ground between 1898 and 1906 with a smattering of hardware stores that continued to change hands throughout the years
the potential origin of the cavity is a leftover basement of a building torn down and forgotten by time
The historians offered four likely candidates that previously operated in the vicinity
These prime suspects include The Deep General Store
which was listed on a 1914 map; Given Hardware
which operated at multiple lots in the area around 1918; C.A
which likely operated from 1937 to 1938; and Saar Motor Co.
as nearby businesses began to consolidate with it
the basement could have belonged to Saar Motor Co
and was paved over without much thought a year or so after the business closed
not to be seen again for over five decades
simply acquired the basement along with the building
It is hard to tell if demolition and reconstruction were a theme throughout the early 1900s
The trio used historical maps and newspaper articles to pinpoint the ownership and business timeline
but there is a chance that some details were missed or completely lost due to time
the basement could be part of a different project that never made it off the ground or part of an extended basement that touched other buildings that no longer stand in the area
Perhaps the city will learn more about the cavity when it begins filling it
BEMIDJI — The 50th edition of the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship is coming to Minnesota
in front of the Tourist Information Center next to the Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues
Minnesota Sports and Events and Bemidji State announced that Bemidji has been named a preliminary site for the 2026 WJC
The WJC is an international hockey tournament for under-20 teams held annually
While the round-robin and elimination portions of the tournament will be held at Mariucci Arena and the Xcel Energy Center in the Twin Cities
the 10 competing teams routinely play exhibition games at preliminary sites before the tournament starts
“We felt like we could make a splash with these pre-tournament sites that have an impact on the players
coaches and the tournament itself,” said Andrea Graham
the co-executive director of Minnesota Sports and Events
“It’s Minnesota; a lot of us are legacy hockey people
We go through our list of these key cities and groups that we want to get involved with
and Bemidji was truly at the top of the list.”
Bemidji is the second preliminary site announced
joining Mankato at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center
the home of Minnesota State men’s and women’s hockey
Graham said that two more locations will be revealed by the end of May
“Our main parts right now are working with USA Hockey to make sure they have all of the information about the city and the sites that they need,” Graham said
“We work closely with the cities to plan these events
We’re working to bring some youth clinics up here with USA Hockey and Minnesota Hockey
We’re looking to partner with different community events — just doing a lot of different things to make sure the community knows we’re up here and offering all of this.”
the teams competing and the dates of the games will be determined at a later date this summer
The tournament hasn’t been in Minnesota since 2005 when it was hosted at the Ralph Englestad Arenas in Grand Forks
She talked about her impressions of the hockey culture in Bemidji and the importance of being included in Minnesota’s turn to host the international tournament
“To be able to show what our city is about
to show off our hospitality and our culture in the state of hockey — we couldn’t be more happy and blessed to welcome everybody here,” Lauritsen said in her speech
“Bobby (Anderson) and his crew put that bid in to make sure we were able to bring this to the community that loves hockey
whether you’re 2 years old or 102 years old.”
Bemidji State sophomore forward Kasper Magnussen played for Team Norway in the 2024 IIHF WJC in Gothenburg
He had a goal and an assist in seven WJC games during his rookie season with the Beavers
“It was a crazy atmosphere around the whole city,” Magnussen said
and to be able to see firsthand all of the fans and the famous people around
“We had 28 different countries represented here in Bemidji for Unicon,” Josh Peterson
all eyes across the globe will be on Bemidji once again for the World Junior Championship preliminary site (games)
We’re excited to do that and showcase all Bemidji has to offer
“Hockey is entrenched in Bemidji’s culture
and we want everyone to experience the great moments and share them while they're in Bemidji.”
Minnesota Sports and Events brought representatives from USA Hockey to Bemidji in February 2024
shortly after the 2024 WJC that Magnussen played in
they were impressed with Bemidji’s potential to be a host
“They just appreciated the enthusiasm and the incredible facilities and the hospitality
They knew it was going to be a great place for these teams to come
Graham noted that while Minnesota Sports and Events has played a crucial role in selecting the sites and planning the tournament in Minnesota
USA Hockey will determine which sites each team will play preliminary games at
Those details won’t be released until after all sites have been made public
“Once everybody has had their moment to talk about it in their own words with their communities
we will have an all-encompassing announcement with more details of the event,” Graham said
It’s so rewarding and motivating to see everyone get excited
"To know that everyone is on your team to make this the best possible event it can be
it just makes you want to work harder and do it really well.”
Preliminary games will likely be held in the days leading up to Christmas
“We want to tie Bemidji into the tournament
even though it’s happening in the Cities,” Graham said
whether it’s through shuttles or special ticket packages
BEMIDJI — The United Way of Bemidji Area's Someone Special Volunteer Program is now accepting nominations to recognize local volunteers
The Someone Special program is celebrated by the United Way of Bemidji Area in partnership with Ken K
Paul Bunyan Broadcasting and the Bemidji Pioneer
over 1,000 volunteers have been recognized for their outstanding volunteer efforts in the Bemidji area
The program offers the Bemidji area’s community organizations and businesses a complimentary way to recognize and show their appreciation for up to two volunteers who have contributed their time and talents to the betterment of the organization
Recognized volunteers will be celebrated throughout June with special features on Paul Bunyan Broadcasting morning shows
and will receive a personalized plaque from Ken K
All forms are due to United Way by Thursday
and will be recognized in the order they are received starting in June
Superintendent Jeremy Olson detailed the financial background of the district and reasons that cuts are needed – namely
state aid not keeping up with inflation and the district operating in a structural deficit since 2018
when COVID dollars are removed from the equation
the average revenue increase (to the district) has been 2.36%
the average expense increase has been 3.23%
Olson noted that the district should have received 18.7% more revenue for fiscal year 2025
“Can you imagine a world in which we received 18.7% more revenue
We would not be having these discussions,” he added
1 is to keep as many cuts outside the classroom as possible,” he said
“The second is to reduce attrition as much as possible
meaning that we wanted to reduce positions and lessen our impact on people.”
classroom reductions clocked in at 53% of all cuts or $890,000
Non-classroom reductions came in at 46% or roughly $780,000
Olson emphasized that while classroom reductions total 53%
their corresponding portion of the district’s annual budget clocks in at 65%
Non-classroom reductions make up 15% of the district’s annual budget and 22% of all proposed cuts
district administration and support services make up 7% of the district’s annual budget
Administrative reductions include the elimination of an elementary principal position
with a principal being shared between Northern and Solway Elementary
Another change would come with the consolidation of the middle school and high school activities departments
which would necessitate the elimination of the Dean of Students position at BMS
District office consolidation and reduction of the Gene Dillon Elementary secretary’s term from 12 months to nine months capped off administrative reductions
which make up 3% of the district’s annual budget and 1% of proposed cuts
“The proposal for extracurricular reductions was a reduction of debate
consolidation of boys swimming coaches and a combination of our cheerleading squads,” Olson explained
Other non-classroom reductions included cuts to library media specialists and a high school scholarship position
Classroom reductions would affect four full-time equivalent teachers at the elementary level
One reduction at BHS — one FTE in special education — would be added at BMS and Gene Dillon Elementary starting next school year
Given its effects on district stakeholders
eight community members took turns at the podium to share their thoughts on the reductions during the public participation portion of the night
library media specialist Shirley Lipscy shared about her eight years at the district and the student-facing nature of her role
She noted that reading proficiency rates at Gene Dillon and BMS currently sit at 52% and 49%
“The proposal is to cut the library program even more
Our library program is what helps fuel literacy along with our English teachers and classroom teachers,” Lipscy said
BHS students Ella Thorson and Brynn Klaers spoke on behalf of the debate program and the value they derive from their involvement
It’s about teaching students how to think critically
to analyze both sides of an argument and to communicate those ideas with clarity and evidence,” Thorson said
and stand in front of our peers to defend our positions just like real legislators
“This is civics in action and this is democracy in practice
Cutting this program sends a message that these skills — leadership
critical thinking and informed citizenship — are expendable
they are the very foundation of what it means to be an educated American.”
Falling in line with board sentiment from last Tuesday’s work session
Solway Elementary parent Jennifer Casey expressed disapproval of reductions at the school
which could lead to a merger of the second and third grades
knowing that Solway is at risk of losing a valued teacher and merging grades,” Casey said
“Solway is small enough to offer close relationships with students and parents
yet large enough to provide all the services students need to be successful.”
the board shared their own thoughts regarding the budget cuts
recognizing their necessity alongside difficulty
“I see immense value in every staff member and I’m grateful for every person who works hard each day to help our students succeed
I feel confident saying that the rest of the board feels the same way,” board member Jack Aakhus said
our legal obligation to balance the budget forces us to make difficult choices
“How can costs be greatly reduced while continuing to offer the same quality and quantity of services
Maintaining the status quo is not a luxury that we have.”
Aakhus had recently donated $3,500 for the program to continue its operations for at least the next year
have donations that would equate to one year of debate costs for the entire program,” Olson said
Another sticking point was the reduction at Solway Elementary
Board member Anna Manecke moved to amend the resolution regarding reductions and additions in programs and positions to remove that specific reduction
which was met with unanimous board approval
This amendment also meant that Solway teacher Katherine Brandt would not receive notice of termination as was originally spelled out in a separate resolution concerning terminations and nonrenewal of contracts for those with probationary or tier 1 teaching licenses once the 2024-2025 school year concludes
All other reductions and additions were approved unanimously
still meeting the board’s $1.5 million target
“We’ve asked a number of times for the community to support our students through operating levies
and they have declined,” Long-Voelkner said
and participate in any opportunity to bring back the referendum opportunity to the community.”
Board clerk Jenny Frenzel shared similar sentiments
“We can’t keep putting Band-Aids on our budget
I’m scared for public education right now.”
Board vice chair Todd Haugen emphasized the necessity of the budget cuts while recognizing broader funding issues beyond the school district
“These actions we’ve just taken affect people’s lives
but it’s what has to happen for our school district to continue on,” Haugen said
BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Senior Center is set to host a Senior LinkAge Line class at 1 p.m
The Senior LinkAge Line helps older adults remain in their homes or return to their homes from a facility by providing free
Resource coordination and ongoing follow-ups promote long-term success in the community
while offering guidance and support to family members and caregivers
statewide service of the Minnesota Board on Aging in partnership with Minnesota’s area agencies on aging
The Senior LinkAge Line helps older Minnesotans and caregivers find answers and connect to the services and support they need
BEMIDJI — AirCorps Aviation will celebrate Veterans Day at its semi-annual open house event from 5 to 7 p.m
Attendees will get a chance to see ongoing projects in the restoration facility and ask AirCorps staff questions
The open house is a self-guided event with AirCorps employees on-site to answer any questions about projects and processes
ALEXANDRIA – The Bemidji High School girls golf team went through one of its most competitive meets this season on Wednesday
The Alexandria Invite at the Alexandria Golf Club typically features some of the best girls golf programs around the state
Bemidji finished 11th with a team score of 376
Detroit Lakes won the tournament with a 322
The meet was cut short due to reported gunshots near the AGC premises
Aurora Frank notched the best score for BHS
while Taylor Schulke and Stella Schoonover tied for 44th with matching scores of 96
McLean was one of the golfers who was pulled off the course before her round was completed
Coaches at the event agreed to put likely scores in place for each player who couldn’t finish a round
1-Detroit Lakes 322; 2-Minnewaska 327; 3-Wayzata 334; 4-Alexandria 345; 5-Moorhead 347; 6-Brainerd 366; 6-Willmar 366; 8-Legacy Christian Academy 367; 8-Sartell 367; 10-Park Christian 373; 11-Bemidji 376
BEMIDJI — President Donald Trump was photographed by the Associated Press at his Mar-a-Lago golf course Thursday and Friday
likely gearing up for a weekend full of leisure sporting
The event also addressed frustrations with the Trump Administration's Department of Government Efficiency
heralded by billionaire immigrant Elon Musk
who does not possess any formal government experience
Perhaps this nationwide attention will catch Trump's eye during his stay at Mar-a-Lago
"I have parents that are just about at retirement age; I'm really concerned about their Social Security and their well-being," Dickinson continued
"I'm also concerned that people I love don't feel safe in the community just because of their identity ..
I've known several people who have been laid off without warning
"There's a way to do change; change shouldn't happen this abruptly."
A plethora of issues that have surfaced since Trump's inauguration in January were expressed by spanning generations through signage during the event
The most common sign shared the event's namesake
"Hands Off," referencing what participants considered to be severe government overreach regarding Social Security
protection for national parks and employees
protection of science and a plea for state representatives and senators to take action
Many other topics surfaced during the peaceful protest as well
with a few mentioning a fractured relationship with Canada due to tariffs
Many folks donned a Canadian flag to express solidarity
the Canadian flag still flies proudly alongside the American and Minnesota state flags at Paul Bunyan Park
the meeting place for the "Hands Off!" event
Many others flags waved in support of other causes during the event
but the American flag was the most prevalent
"We have a lot of American flags here because this is our community and we're fighting for it," said Dickinson
"We're indivisible because no matter who you are
Many participants chanted together as folks in passing cars honked to show their support
"(Indivisible has) three main goals," mentioned Indivisible Bemidji member Ben Munisteri
"We want to draw attention to the fact that this is an illegal power grab by Trump and Musk
that this power grab causes services to go down and prices to go up
and that their scapegoat are immigrants and transgender people — a minority of people who really just want to be left alone and who aren't causing the sort of damage that Trump and Musk are."
that change is possible if folks band together to make their voices heard at events such as this
"We as a group of people can come together and actually make a change to hold our representatives and our lawmakers accountable so that they can go after Trump and Musk and get hands off of our data
you hear the crowd; there's a lot that really care
and they're out here because they're mad and they want answers," Indivisible Bemidji member Mary Fairbanks chimed in as she motioned toward the large gathering
"It's super good to see that people really care about what's going on with freedom and rights."
and although the event was only slated to last an hour
many stayed much later as attention continued to grow
Many participants traveled from elsewhere to contribute
Indivisible Bemidji helped to organize and monitor the event to ensure it functioned smoothly
"(The event) largely was directed from the national Indivisible office
and we took our cues from them," said Munisteri
"and then we started working very hard to get the word out that this was happening
We are thrilled that we have over 1,100 people by an unofficial count
I never would have imagined we would get that many people here this passionate."
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BEMIDJI — Bemidji High School freshman Gerritt Vigen’s past experiences are guiding him toward his future
As he nears the completion of his first year of high school
he looks forward to the remainder of his days at BHS
Vigen has kept himself busy by getting involved with BHS’ Vocalmotive show choir
moving lawns during the summer and bowling
“I like the sense of community,” he said regarding Vocalmotive
so you grow close to this group of friends that you have similarities with.”
Sharing common high school experiences with others
Vigen also stands apart as one of 10 Americans who will experience hearing impairment in their lives
He was diagnosed with sensory neural hearing loss in kindergarten
after which he would receive his first set of hearing aids
I had those and then they started to wear out,” he said
“Most hearing aids only last five to six years
noted the cost associated with the specific type of hearing aids Gerritt needed
“He couldn’t just have the basic kind that insurance will graciously cover,” Paula said
Gerritt also required a frequency modulated — FM — system
which uses external microphones that broadcast audio signals directly into receivers worn by those with hearing loss
Given its place in the Bemidji area as civic organizations
the Bemidji Lions and First City Lions clubs would step in to support the Vigens by means of an eggroll fundraiser
With consultation from the Hearing Wellness Center of Bemidji
“They worked with us to make sure we ended up getting him the hearing aids he needed,” First City Lions member Susie Balstad said
“and we still have a hearing aid fund for people who need hearing aids to this day
“The walk had been going for about 12 years (in Chaska)
“but there are some of us who don’t go to the one in Chaska
so we had the idea that it would be nice to have a site in northern Minnesota for clubs to take part in the walk without going to the cities
but Bemidji is pretty central for northern Minnesota.”
Balstad credits this walk as the largest fundraiser for the foundation
with past funds allocated to a variety of spaces and projects
funds were used to renovate the temporal bone lab at the University of Minnesota’s Department of Otolaryngology
The lab was originally built in 1995 with grants from the Lions with the purpose of teaching neurosurgeons and audiologists as well as medical students about the basic anatomy of the ear
Balstad added that upcoming efforts include work on a mobile hearing screening van to service underserved areas in greater Minnesota
“The Hearing Foundation is a big partner with the University of Minnesota’s hearing unit,” First City Lions member Joy Barclay said
“Our walk is meant to support research for people like Gerritt and purchase hearing aids for people who are young and old
but it also encompasses a variety of things that the foundation does to support many
Minnesota Lions clubs have raised more than $7 million to support research and establish several programs
voice clinic and an affordable hearing aid program
Paula noted Gerritt’s fearlessness talking at meetings about his experiences and being on the receiving end of such generosity — a favor he hopes to return after graduating and pursuing a career in audiology
so I told him that maybe he should come in and show everybody how his hearing aids and everything else work,” Paula said
but it’s not often that you see firsthand where your donation goes.”
Bemidji’s fourth annual D-Feet Hearing Loss walk is set for Saturday
Registration for the 2-mile walk will begin at 8:30 a.m.
The route will follow the sidewalk from Diamond Point Park pavilion to Paul and Babe and back
I don’t think they could have chosen a more beautiful location since we will be walking along the shore of Lake Bemidji,” Balstad said
participants will be given lunch and kept entertained by games
activities and live music by the Empty Cooler Band
The cost to participate is $25 per person without a T-shirt or $35 to receive an event T-shirt
Participation is free for children 12 years and younger
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BEMIDJI — Bemidji’s Indian Health Service office is listed on the Department of Government Efficiency’s website as a potential lease termination in an effort to cut costs
Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar wrote a letter Tuesday demanding answers about the possible lease termination for the office
which occupies a 4,896-square-foot building located at 2225 Cooperative Court NW near Beltrami Electric
The IHS office joins a list of 748 potential lease terminations throughout the country
terminating the lease would save the government $178,554
the Bemidji office provides health care services for 34 tribal nations and four urban health programs in Illinois
The office operates three federal/direct service programs on behalf of the Leech Lake
Red Lake Hospital and White Earth Health Center — are staffed by about 500 federal employees and Public Health Service commissioned officers
In a letter to General Services Administration Administrator Stephen Ehikian and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F
Smith and Klobuchar “highlighted the devastating impact this decision could have on the health and well-being of thousands of Native Americans across the region,” a release said
“Thousands of members of federally recognized tribal nations receive health care within the Bemidji Area Office’s purview,” the letter reads
recipients of this care will face immediate disruptions in care and health consequences
It is unconscionable to risk the health care of children and families in this way.”
Smith and Klobuchar noted that IHS services are provided under the federal government’s trust and treaty obligations to tribal nations and that any disruption in operations could jeopardize essential medical services
They requested clarity on whether GSA intends to terminate the lease and if so
what plans exist to prevent service disruptions
“The Bemidji area is already the least resourced IHS service area
and putting the administration of those services into chaos as a result of this abrupt office closure will only exacerbate this disparity,” the letter reads
“This is not in the spirit of making America healthy again.”
BEMIDJI — The Joann Fabrics and Craft store in Bemidji’s Paul Bunyan Mall is one of about 500 locations nationwide that will close
A going-out-of-business sale is expected to start on Saturday
It also said gift cards will continue to be accepted for in-store purchases but not online shopping
The company did not announce when stores will start closing
Bemidji is one of 12 Minnesota stores set to close
It also plans to close a store in Grand Forks
blaming higher shipping costs and waning consumer demand
"After carefully reviewing all available strategic paths to address our ongoing industry
JOANN and its financial stakeholders determined that initiating a court-supervised sale process is the best course of action to maximize the value of the business," the company said in a statement
"Right-sizing our store footprint is a critical part of our efforts to ensure the best path forward for JOANN."
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