Teen sustains non-life-threatening injuries in an apparent wolf bite at Lake Winnie Campground

Teen sustains non-life-threatening injuries in an apparent wolf bite A 16-year-old boy was injured in an apparent wolf bite early Saturday morning, Aug. 24, near the lakeshore of the West Winnie Campground on Lake Winnibigoshish in north-central Minnesota, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The boy sustained multiple puncture wounds and a laceration to his head of about 11 centimeters long. The wolf ran into the woods after the boy kicked it. After receiving local first-aid, the boy was transported to a hospital in Bemidji. The wound required multiple staples to close, but was not life-threatening. Officers from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, U.S. Forest Service and the DNR collected reports from the boy and the boy's father, as well as others at the camp. Statements from other campers indicated there were other incidents at the U.S. Forest Service campground where an animal bit through tents, one resulting in the puncturing of an air mattress. Another camper indicated that he witnessed a wolf near his campsite with coloration and markings matching the description of the animal involved in the attack on the boy. "This is an extremely rare incident and not normal wolf behavior," said Tom Provost, regional manager of the DNR's Enforcement Division. "Because wolf bites or attacks on humans are so rare, they are poorly understood. These rare incidents have usually involved food-habituated wolves and have led to minor injuries, but no fatalities." Before this incident, a serious injury or fatal attack on a human had never been documented in Minnesota. There have been two wolf attack fatalities in North America in the last decade. One was in northern Canada and another was in Alaska. Enforcement officers from the U.S. Forest Service, Leech Lake and the DNR briefly located the animal matching the description in the wooded area adjacent to the campground, but were unable to immediately kill it. U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services was called for assistance in locating and capturing the wolf. On early Monday morning, an average-sized male wolf of about 75 pounds, matching the description of the wolf in the attack, was trapped and killed in the campground. The wolf is being taken to the University of Minnesota veterinary diagnostic lab to be tested for rabies. Also, the lab will collect samples for DNA analyses and complete a thorough medical examination to determine the health of the animal.  Traps will be left in place for one more night to be sure another wolf is not present in the area. The Forest Service has closed the campground until further notice. Wolf safety tips Always be alert in the outdoors. Wild animals biting or attacking humans is a rare occurrence but people should be aware of the possibility and know how to react.  Animals are attracted to campgrounds due to food/cooking smells.  It is important not to feed wild animals.  Don't make homes or camps attractive to wild animals: Keep a clean camp; don't dispose of food by dumping into the campfire. Don't leave unwashed cooking utensils around your camp. Don't leave garbage unsecured. Don't cook food near your tent or sleeping area. Don't allow pets to freely roam away from your home or camp. Don't leave pet food or other food attractants out near your home or camp. Don't bury garbage, pack it out. In the rare event that you do have an encounter with an aggressive wolf: Don't run, but act aggressively, stepping toward the wolf and yelling or clapping your hands if it tries to approach. Do not turn your back toward an aggressive wolf, but continue to stare directly at it. If you are with a companion and more than one wolf is present place yourselves back to back and slowly move away from the wolves. Retreat slowly while facing the wolf and act aggressively. Stand your ground if a wolf attacks and fight with any means possible (use sticks, rocks, ski poles, fishing rods or whatever you can find). Use air horns or other noise makers. Use bear spray or firearms if necessary. Climb a tree if necessary, wolves cannot climb trees.                                                         -30- NOTE TO MEDIA: An image of the wolf carcass is available at ftp://mediaroom.dnr.state.mn.us in folder named "news release resources," then in folder named "8-26-13 wolf carcass."   ENF-wolf 8-26-13.docx Minnesota Department of Natural Resources info.dnr@state.mn.us STAY CONNECTED: SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Help | Sign-up for other Minnesota DNR notifications This email was sent to kaxeboard@kaxe.org on behalf of: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources · 500 Lafayette Road · Saint Paul, MN 55155 · 1-888-MINNDNR

Lane closures on Highway 210 in Brainerd scheduled Aug. 21

Baxter, Minn. – Motorists travelling Highway 210/Washington Street in Brainerd may experience delays as both directions of the road are intermittently reduced to a single lane near the Mississippi River bridge beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21.

 

All lanes of Highway 210 will reopen by 4:30 p.m.

 

The closures are needed as crews complete the routine biannual inspection of the bridge.

 

Motorists may also encounter work crews, lane closures and possible delays near other bridges throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area and central Minnesota as crews complete routine inspections and maintenance on other local bridges.

 

Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop as they approach the daily work zone, and must obey flaggers and signs as they navigate any work zone.

 

For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org.

Arrest Made in Beltrami County Fatal Hit and Run

On August 6 at approximately 8PM, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office
arrested Martin Erwin Ubert, 58 of Bemidji as the driver of the
vehicle which struck and killed Christopher Lee Strong, 25 of
Bemidji, MN on 07/31/2013 on Grange Road NW just east of Nature Road.
Ubert is currently being held in the Beltrami County Jail pending
review of the case for charges by the Beltrami County Attorney's
Office.

This arrest is the result of an intensive investigation by Beltrami
County Deputies assisted by the Minnesota State Patrol, MN Bureau of
Criminal Apprehension, Red Lake Tribal Police, Leech Lake Tribal
Police and the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office.

FATAL HIT AND RUN DRIVER TURNS HIMSELF IN- VEHICLE LOCATED

8/02/2013

 

A 58 year old male contacted Beltrami County Sheriff's investigators this morning and identified himself as the driver of the hit and run vehicle involved in the fatal crash on July 31^st on Grange Road in Beltrami County.  Investigators from the sheriff's office and the MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension met with the individual who admitted to being the driver of the car which struck Christopher Strong.  Investigators obtained a statement from the individual.  The red Monte Carlo believed to have struck Mr. Strong was seized by investigators from the individual and transported to a law enforcement facility for a forensic examination. 

 

The Sheriff's Office appreciates all the help received from the public in this investigation.

 

No further information will be released at this time as  Investigators and are continuing to investigate the case and the circumstances surrounding Mr. Strong's death. 

 

Agencies involved in this investigation are the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office,  the Minnesota State Patrol, MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Red Lake Tribal Police, Leech Lake Tribal Police and the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office.

 

 

Beltrami Sheriff Releases Color Swatch from Fatal Hit and Run Vehicle

The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal hit and run reported at 4:24 am on 07/31/2013 on Grange Road NW just east of Nature Road.   Responding deputies found the deceased , Christopher Lee Strong, 25 of Bemidji, MN,  lying in the road at the scene.  Skid marks and vehicle parts were also located on the road.

 

Investigators are looking for a red vehicle with front end damage.  The color swatch below represents the color of the vehicle being sought.

 

The Sheriff's Office is asking the public's help in identifying the vehicle and driver involved in this hit and run.  Anyone with information regarding Mr. Strong's whereabouts during the last day  and any information about the driver of the  vehicle which struck Mr. Strong  is asked to call the Sheriff's Office immediately at 218-333-9111. 

 

The Minnesota State Patrol is assisting with the investigation.

 

Sheriff Phil Hodapp

 

 

COLOR OF THE CAR