Fire at Birchwood Color Center in Bemidji

Bemidji Fire Department responded to a fire in a multi-business
commercial/residential building Thursday morning in Bemidji. The fire,
which was reported at 10:49 AM by numerous passing motorists, was
located in the 3400 block of Bemidji Ave North. Bemidji Firefighters
arrived on scene to find a large volume of smoke exiting the from the
roof area of the business. Firefighters encountered extensive fire
inside the structure, however were able to confine the fire to the
business of origin. Blackduck and Cass Lake firefighters supplemented
the 30 Bemidji firefighters on scene. Three Fire Engines and a Ladder
Truck along with a large tracked excavator were used on the scene. The
businesses and apartment were unoccupied at the time of the fire. The
fire departments were on scene approximately 8 hours. The fire caused
an estimated $410,000 in damage to the structure and contents. The
cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Bemidji Fire
Department, Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office and Bemidji Police
Department.

DAMAGED TREES POSE RISK THIS WINTER

The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office Division of Emergency Management
would like to remind our citizens of the potential risk damaged trees
pose following the destructive straight-line wind storms on July 2nd
and July 4th, 2012. A large number of trees remain standing, but are
damaged, fractured, and weakened as they were battered by wind, rain,
and hail during these storms. In the event of a heavy snow or ice
accumulation and combination of wind, these weakened trees will likely
succumb to the weight of snow and ice and fall to the ground or across
power and utility lines.

Winds well in excess 85 miles per hour on July 2nd carved a path of
extensive tree damage across a large part of southern Beltrami County,
followed by winds in excess of 70 miles per hour across most of the
county on July 4th. As the leaves fell from trees this season and
visibility into our forests improved, it revealed just how extensive
damage to our wooded areas is following these storms.

If you observe an area where damaged trees pose a risk to utility
lines, contact the appropriate utility company and advise them of the
situation so the risk can be mitigated. In the event of a winter storm
causing downed power lines, assume the line is active and report it to
911 immediately. Do not cross downed power lines.

Beltrami County will likely be feeling the effects of these
destructive storms for years to come. Downed timber will continue to
dry out and will be a wildfire concern as it was this fall with the
severe drought conditions. The weakened trees will also be susceptible
to future storms in the coming years.

Victim identified in fatal house fire

On Friday, November 2, 2012, at approximately 2:43 AM the Beltrami
County Sheriff's Office 911 Dispatch Center received a report of a
residential structure fire in the 1000 block of Tyler Ave NW in
Bemidji Township, located just east of Bemidji in Beltrami County.

When Deputies and Bemidji Fire Department personnel arrived on scene
they found the home entirely engulfed in flames. The homeowner,
INGEBURG KATHARINA TANGEN, age 74, of Bemidji, was found deceased
inside the home, a victim of the fire.

Beltrami County Sheriff's Office Investigators and the MN State Fire
marshal are investigating the cause of the fire. An autopsy is
pending with the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office in Ramsey, MN.
Beltrami County Sheriff's Office, Bemidji Fire Department, MN State
Fire Marshal's Office, Bemidji Ambulance Service, Bemidji Police
Department and Beltrami Electric Cooperative assisted at the scene.

Hunter Dies of Heart Attack

At approximately 4:42 PM, on Sunday, November 4, 2012, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office was notified that a hunting party found one of its members having an apparent heart attack in his dear stand near the Three Culverts Road in Taylor Township.  

Beltrami County Deputies arrived at the scene about 15 minutes later to find the victim deceased.  The victim was identified as William Michael Spielmann, age 66, from Maple Lake, MN.  An investigation is underway to determine the cause and manner of death.

Sheriff Phil Hodapp

Beltrami County Hunting Victim Identified

On Saturday, November 3, 2012, at approximately 9:01 AM, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office 911 Dispatch Center received a report of a deer hunter being shot by another hunter in Section 16 of Turtle River Township in rural Bemidji, MN.  The location of the shooting is approximately 9 miles northeast of Bemidji near Concordia Language Village.

A male victim, identified as 64 year old, Donald Zane Bixby was located and found deceased at the scene by Beltrami County Deputies, MN DNR Enforcement Officers and Bemidji Ambulance personnel.

The hunter who fatally shot Bixby has been identified as 48 year old, Phillip Bruce Nyland.  The two individuals were acquaintances of each other, but were not hunting together.  The location of this incident is on public land.  Both individuals are Bemidji area residents.

This incident continues to be under investigation by the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office.  An autopsy is pending with the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office, in Ramsey, MN. The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene of the shooting by the MN DNR, MN State Patrol and Bemidji Ambulance Service.

Deer Hunter Dies from Gunshot near Bemidji

On Saturday, November 3, 2012, at approximately 9:01 AM, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office 911 Dispatch Center received a report of a deer hunter being shot by another hunter in Section 16 of Turtle River Township in rural Bemidji, MN.  The location of the shooting is approximately 9 miles northeast of Bemidji.

 

A male victim was located and found deceased at the scene by Beltrami County Deputies and Bemidji Ambulance personnel. 

A male suspect has been identified and released.  The two individuals were acquaintances of each other, but were not hunting together.  The location of this incident is on public land.  Both individuals are Bemidji area residents.

 

This incident continues to be under investigation by the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office.  An autopsy is pending with the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office, in Ramsey, MN.   No names will be released at this time pending the notification of the victim's family.

Death in Beltrami County House Fire

On Friday, November 2, 2012, at approximately 2:43 AM the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office 911 Dispatch Center received a report of a residential structure fire in the 1000 block of Tyler Ave NW in Bemidji Township, located just east of Bemidji in Beltrami County.   

When Deputies and Bemidji Fire Department personnel arrived on scene they found the home entirely engulfed in flames.  After the fire was extinguished, investigators discovered a victim of the fire inside the home.  Beltrami County Sheriff's Office Investigators and the MN State Fire marshal are investigating the cause of the fire.  An autopsy is pending with the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office in Ramsey, MN.  The identification of the victim is pending notification of family members.

Beltrami County Sheriff's Office, Bemidji Fire Department, MN State Fire Marshal's Office, Bemidji Ambulance Service, Bemidji Police Department and Beltrami Electric Cooperative assisted at the scene.

BEMIDJI POLICE SEEK HELP FINDING MISSING PERSON - MATTHEW PULIS

Matthew Charles Pulis, age 31 was last seen and heard from during the early morning hours of Saturday, October 20, 2012 in the downtown area of Bemidji. Since that time the Bemidji Police Department has been investigating all leads and information in an attempt to locate Mr. Pulis. Additionally, the Bemidji Police Department has completed a 200 block, door to door search of the area between the last point Matt Pulis was seen and his residence. The shore line of Lake Bemidji and Lake Irvine has been checked by boat and side scan sonar. An aerial search will be conducted over the 500 acre low land area west of the city on Thursday afternoon, November 1, 2012.  The Police Department was assisted in these searches by the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office, Minnesota BCA, United States Border Patrol, Bemidji Citizens Patrol, and the Minnesota State Patrol.

 

The Bemidji Police Department continues to request the public's help in locating

Matthew Charles Pulis. Residents are asked to check their properties and any out buildings, campers, or structures on their property.  Mr. Pulis is described as a white male, 5'7", 165lbs with brown hair and blue eyes. He was wearing a dark blue zip up hooded sweatshirt.

 

Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the Bemidji Police Department at 218-333-9111.

 

 

Culvert Replacement-Scenic Hwy NE (Co Rd 29) Nears Completion

The culvert replacement that has been taking place on Scenic Hwy Rd NE
(Co Rd 39) is expected to be completed on Friday, November 2nd. The
culvert is located on Scenic Hwy NE (Co Rd 39) just south of the
junction of the Turtle River Lake Rd NE (Co Rd 22).

This area should be open to local traffic and emergency vehicles at
approximately 3:00 pm on November 2nd. There is still ongoing
construction however, on the Scenic Highway (Co Rd 39) starting at the
junction of Birchmont Beach Rd NE (Co Rd 20). The detour for that
area will remain in place for the rest of the 2012 construction
season.

For more information regarding this closure please contact the
Beltrami County Highway Department at 333-8173.

Only seasonal deer stands allowed in Three Island County Park and Movil Maze Recreation Area

· Only seasonal deer stands will be allowed within Three Island
County Park and Movil Maze Recreation Area

· Seasonal deer stands are allowed within Three Island County
Park and Movil Maze Recreation Area between September 1 and November
30. Seasonal deer stands must be removed by November 30. Hunters
should minimize damage to trees and vegetation. Licensed muzzle
loader and bow hunters may leave a seasonal stand in place until the
end of their respective season.

· Minnesota Department of Natural Resources hunting and trapping
rules and regulations will apply within Three Island County Park and
Movil Maze Recreation Area. ATVs/Snowmobiles may be used on trails
during the firearms deer season under the current Minnesota DNR
Regulations.