Sirens and spring roads

Beltrami County Emergency Management will resume outdoor warning siren testing across Beltrami County in April. Outdoor warning sirens are tested at 1pm the first Wednesday of each month from April through October. 

Outdoor warning sirens are intended to provide persons outdoors warning where they may be away from commercial radio or television to seek additional information on hazards that may be a threat to public safety. Sirens will sound for approximately four minutes before timing out. 
 

Sirens will also be used during Severe Weather Awareness Week, being held the third week of April, additional information on Severe Weather Awareness Week will be provided in the coming weeks. 

  

Spring Forest Access Roads and Trails

 

Bemidji, MN, April 2, 2013  Due to spring ground conditions; we urge the public to be careful using forest access roads and trails during this time of year. While under the spring thaw, ground conditions are such that severe damage to roads and trails can occur from improper use.    Please respect any closure signs, barricades, gates or poor trail conditions and refrain from using these areas at this time. Funding to build and maintain these areas is provided by public land managers, loggers, and user groups.  Please use common sense and do not damage our local forest roads and trails.

 

 

Mrs. Beryl Wernberg, 911 Supervisor/Emergency Management Director

Beltrami County Sheriff's Office

613 Minnesota Ave NW

Bemidji, mn 56601

(218) 333-8320  (Office)

(218) 759-7560  (Pager)

(218) 333-9111   (Dispatch)

(218) 755-9322  (Fax)

 

beryl.wernberg@co.beltrami.mn.us

 

TEN LAKES BRAWL RESULTS IN ONE DEATH AND TWO SERIOUSLY INJURED

At 6:36 PM on Thursday, March 21, 2013, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office was notified of a fight involving a number of individuals at a residence located in the 1300 block of Quill Ln SE, Ten Lakes Township, approximately 13 miles east of Bemidji.  Deputies and Leech Lake Tribal Police Officers responding to the scene found a large group of extremely intoxicated individuals who were bleeding and in various states of distress.  

Emergency efforts were undertaken in an attempt to revive Leslie Headbird, age 44, of Quill Ln SE at the residence.  Unfortunately, Headbird was beaten so severely that he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the Cass Lake Hospital.  Two other victims, a male and female were also taken to the hospital with possible life threatening injuries.

A short time later, a suspect was identified as Damion John Gullickson, Jr. 19, of Cass Lake, MN.  He was found in Cass Lake after he attempted to break into a residence and stopped a car on the street attempting to jack the car and driver.  He was arrested by responding Cass County Deputies and taken to the Cass Lake IHS Hospital, later transferring to Sanford Bemidji Medical Center where he was treated for minor injuries.   A second suspect, Dora Jean Keezer, 29, of Cass Lake, MN, was also arrested.  Both suspects are lodged in the Beltrami County Jail for 2nd degree murder and assault charges pending review of the case by the Beltrami County Attorney's Office.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Crime Scene Team responded to process the scene for evidence.  The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Leech Lake Tribal Police, Cass County Sheriff's Office, BCA Special agents, Minnesota State Patrol, Paul Bunyan Task Force, Bemidji Ambulance and Leech Lake Ambulance.  

Sheriff Phil Hodapp

Bemidji Police Arrest Police Officer Impersonator

On March 18th, 2013, the Bemidji Police Department located the person who was suspected of calling local businesses and identifying himself as a Bemidji Police Officer. Arron Robert Weatherspoon, age 45 of Bemidji, was located and admitted to making the phone calls and Impersonating a Police Officer. Weatherspoon was issued a citation for the misdemeanor violation. Weatherspoon was arrested on a Probation Violation Warrant and booked at the Beltrami County Jail.

On March 10th and 11th, 2013, the Bemidji Police Department had received numerous complaints in which a male subject called local businesses and identified himself a police officer. Each time the subject spoke with female employees and asked for personal information such as an address, phone number and their physical descriptions.


Captain James Marcotte
Bemidji Police Department
613 Minnesota Ave NW
Bemidji, MN  56601

Bemidji Police Investigates Police Officer Impersonation Scam

The Bemidji Police Department is currently investigating suspicious phone calls made by an unknown male subject. The Bemidji Police Department received 5 complaints on March 10^th, 2013 in which a male subject called local businesses and identified himself a police officer. Each time the subject spoke with female employees and asked for personal information such as an address, phone number and their physical descriptions.

 

The Bemidji Police Department recommends not providing personal information to people over the phone. If someone identifies themselves as a police officer, their questions will be of a professional nature and the officer will be able to provide identifying information. If you have doubts about an officer's identity, contact your local law enforcement agency.

 

 

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

 

Captain James Marcotte

Bemidji Police Department

613 Minnesota Ave NW

Bemidji, MN  56601

 

 

City of Bemidji Public Works Snow Removal Scheduled This Week

At midnight tonight, Tuesday February 19, 2013, the City of Bemidji will be removing snow from the curbs starting on Irvine Ave NW at 6^th St NW north to 30^th St NW and Irvine Ave NW.   Tomorrow night, Wednesday, February 20, 2013, the same will occur on 15^th St NW and all of Birchmont Dr NW.  Snow will be hauled to a holding site on 15^th St NW.   Please make sure your vehicles are not parked in tow zones or the wrong side of calendar parking.  Watch for trucks and equipment removing and hauling snow as well.

Bemdiji Police Respond to Possible Suicide

On February 9^th, 2013 at approximately 1921 hours the Bemidji Police Department responded to the 400 block of Central Avenue SE on a request to check the welfare of a male who was possibly suicidal. Officers were informed that the male had several loaded handguns and a rifle, along with extra ammunition.

 

Bemidji Police Officers attempted to make contact and began evacuating the neighbors. The Headwaters SWAT Team was requested to assist. During the evacuation process Bemidji Police Officers heard a single gunshot from inside the residence. The SWAT Team was able to approach the residence and observed a male lying on a bed. Entry to the residence was made by the Headwaters SWAT Team where they confirmed that Ryan George Nelson, age 34, of Bemidji had sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Ryan Nelson was pronounced dead on scene by the Bemidji Ambulance Service.

 

The Bemidji Police Department was assisted by the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office, Beltrami Office of Emergency Management, Headwaters Safe Trails Taskforce, Bemidji Fire Department and Bemidji Ambulance Service.

Sheriff Seeks Help with Blackduck Motel Robbery Investigation

The investigation continues into the armed robbery that occurred on New Year's Eve at 7:20 PM in Beltrami County.  We are asking for the public's assistance in locating and identifying the suspect.  If you were in Blackduck on this particular evening please think back to that time frame and examine anything you might have seen or heard that night.  Any vehicle or suspicious characters that were in the area of the Motel that night that you may have seen could be the catalyst to solving this crime. 

If you have any ideas, please contact the Blackduck Police Department at 218-835-4802 or stop any officer on the street and talk with them. You can also call the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office at 218-333-9111 or long distance, 1-888-449-9111 or Sheriff's Investigator Danelle Haugen at 218-333-8451.

You can also contact Crimestoppers at  (1-800-222-TIPS [8477]), online at www.crimestoppersmn.org, or by texting TIP674 plus a message to CRIMES [274637].  Tips to Crimestoppers that lead to the arrest and conviction of a suspect are eligible for a cash reward.