High water issues east and south of Blackduck area- use caution

  Beltrami County Highway has erected barricades on Co 311 Everton Creek Rd NE between Summit Hall Rd NE and Cornell Rd NE.  There is a one foot wide and getting deeper trench in the road as well as water consistently washing across the road in three places along that roadway.  Stay tuned to updates as the water is pushing south towards the Lookout Tower Rd NE as well. B

 

Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office requests assistance from boaters to minimize shoreline erosion

            Due to the increased Lake levels from our recent heavy rains the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office is asking boaters to help minimize shoreline erosion.  We are asking all boaters to consider 300 feet from shore to be a no wash, no wake zone on all of our area lakes.  One of the main reasons for establishing a no wash no wake zones is to prevent fragile shoreline from being eroded by the large waves that are caused by a boat when it is passing under power.  Now, with the increased Lake levels, boats have a greater ability to operate under power closer to the shorelines that previously were more protected from the waves caused by the passing boat. 

            Another area for concern is in and around reed areas and the damage that can be caused by passing boats interfering with any nesting loons.  Loons commonly will use reed beds to build their nests using the reeds to help protect their nest.  On many area lakes the reeds are now either submerged or close to being submerged and the nests are without the protection that the reeds once offered.  A boat passing under power can cause large waves to upset the nest, thus possibly harming the young nesting loons. At this time we are asking for voluntary compliance to the 300 foot safety zone of all Beltrami County lakes to be considered a no wash no wake zone.

            Recently the Commissioner of the MN Department of Natural Resources approved an expedited process for all counties, cities and towns in Minnesota to enact slow no wash no wake zones due to the high water issues across the state.  At this time Beltrami County is not taking steps to enact temporary rules to designate and enforce the temporary no wash no wake zones, but is closely monitoring the situation and asking for voluntary compliance.

            All lakes and waterways that were previously designated by ordinance as no wash no wake zones are being strictly enforced.

 

 

BELTRAMI COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT MONITORING FLOODING

 

Several heavy rain producing storm systems have affected the northland over the last several weeks.  The recent rainfall on June 11^th resulted in several areas receiving in excess of four inches of rain.  Already saturated ground from earlier heavy rainfalls has resulted in runoff in some areas.

 

There have been roadways that have been impacted by flooding in low lying areas:

 

Hornet Rd NE is closed north of US Highway 71.

Willow Creek Rd NE approximately 2.5 miles north of MN Highway 1 is closed due to water washing out the road.

Hornet Rd NE is cautioned for water encroaching the roadway at Three Mile Rd NW.

Hwy 72 six miles north of Blackduck near Lanet Rd NE is cautioned for water encroaching the roadway.

 

If you encounter flooded roadways, "Turn Around… Don't Drown."  Roadways may be compromised with flowing water and the road may not actually be there.  Do not assume you know how deep the water is.  As little as six inches of flowing water can knock you off your feet and a foot of flowing water will float most vehicles.  Report flooded roadways to the Beltrami County Emergency Management Office through the Beltrami County Communications Center at 218-333-9111.  Communications Officers will take your report and advise emergency services.

 

Townships and County Highway Departments are encouraged to document with photos any damages, needed repairs, and any impacts due to flooding.

 

The Beltrami County Emergency Management Office will provide updates as needed.  Additional weekend rainfall and early next week rainfall will prolong or exacerbate flooding in Beltrami County.  The forecast for the next week includes several chances of rain and thunderstorms.

Four Arrested in Beltrami County Methamphetamine Trafficking

PAUL BUNYAN DRUG TASK FORCE AND FBI SAFE TRAILS TASK FORCE MAKE METHAMPHETAMINE ARRESTS

 

 

On Tuesday, June 10, 2014, four suspects in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking organization were arrested in Beltrami County.  Philip Eugene Gurzi 54, of Puposky, Tamara Sue Halverson 44, of Puposky, Shawn Elston Jackson, 46, of Bemidji and Raymond Jesse Nibbe Jr 56 of Bemidji were arrested and lodged at the Beltrami County jail.  Narcotics agents conducted several search warrants and seized a large amount of cash, vehicles and other evidence associated with the criminal enterprise.

 

During the past year investigators collected evidence of a sophisticated drug smuggling and distribution enterprise established in the Bemidji area involving several other states and large quantities of methamphetamine sold in Northwest Minnesota.  The investigation has been forwarded to the Beltrami County Attorney's office for review for charges.

 

The following agencies participated in this investigation: FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force, Paul Bunyan Task Force, MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, ATF, Beltrami County SWAT team, Pine to Prairie Drug Task Force, Beltrami County Sheriff's office and Bemidji Police Department.

 

 

Death of Child Reported in Bemidji

On June 5^th, 2014, at 9:57 AM, the Bemidji Police Department, along with members of Bemidji Ambulance and Bemidji Fire Department, responded to a medical call in the 2700 Block of Birchmont Drive NE, Bemidji, MN. Upon arrival, emergency personnel assisted with CPR of a 4 year old. The child was transported to Sanford Health of Bemidji where efforts to revive the child were unsuccessful. At this time, the cause of death appears accidental. However, the incident is under investigation by the Bemidji Police Department.