SNOWMOBILE CRASH CLAIMS THE LIFE OF BEMIDJI MAN

 

                On Saturday, December 28, 2013, at 4:46 AM, the Beltrami County Sheriff's 911 Center received a 911 call reporting a crashed snowmobile along the roadside of the 4900 block of Sherman Dr NE, located on the east side of Lake Bemidji , within the Bemidji city limits.

 

Responding to the scene were Bemidji Police Department officers and Beltrami County Sheriff's deputies.  Despite life saving measures taken by emergency responders, the driver of the snowmobile, Seth Ryan, age 23 of Bemidji, was pronounced dead at the scene.  Mr. Ryan had struck a mailbox, telephone pedestal and several trees before coming to rest in the north ditch of Sherman Dr NE.  It appears that Mr. Ryan was riding solo.

 

                Assisting with the accident were the Bemidji Fire Department, Bemidji Ambulance and Minnesota State Patrol. No further information is available at this time.

 

 

James Marcotte, Captain

Bemidji Police Department

 

SCAM INVOLVING FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF WALKER

The Beltrami County Sheriff's 911 Dispatch Center is receiving numerous phone calls regarding text messages that have been sent to cell phone owners that say:  "Your bank account has been compromised. Please contact First National Bank of Walker at 218-252-8142 or 218-296-7222."

THIS IS A SCAM.  Do not text a reply to this or call the numbers listed.  Instead see your banker in person at the bank in Walker or call their business line on Monday which is (218) 547-1160.  In addition, this is NOT the First National Bank of Bemidji. The bank in Walker is taking steps to attempt to identify who perpetrated this scam. Be advised that even those who are not customers of the bank are getting these messages.   We also ask that you not call the Law Enforcement Center in Bemidji regarding this scam.  Our Dispatch Center has received over a 100 calls and it is flooding our lines.  We are experiencing a typically busy pre-holiday weekend with domestic violence incidents and other crimes.

Deer Survey in City of Bemidji

Pursuant to the City's Deer Management Plan, roadside deer surveys will be conducted in the Northeast Lake Bemidji Area in an effort to assess deer population levels. The survey area is described as the area generally bounded by Lake Avenue, Elliot Road, Tyler Avenue and Mill Street.

 

Bemidji State University professor, Dr. Hiller, and his students will be conducting the survey, which is expected to be conducted between October 14th and November 6th, weather permitting. The surveys will include the use of a BSU van and spotlighting equipment to detect and record information.

 

Since residents will most likely witness the survey activity, we ask they refrain from calling 218-333-9111, the Bemidji Police Department or Beltrami County Sheriff's Office regarding this activity, which would normally be perceived as illegal.

 

If you have questions, please contact Teresa Hanson at (218) 759-3562 or Officer Charboneau at (218) 333-8374. However, specific questions regarding the survey should be directed to Shelley Gorham, DNR Bemidji Area Wildlife Supervisor, at (218) 308-2332.

BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE SEEKING INFORMATON ON STABBING SUSPECT

 

On Sunday, September 29, 2013 at 12:46 AM, Beltrami County Deputies were called to investigate the stabbing of Jace Jeffrey Ugrich, 18 of Bovey.  This crime occurred at a large party on property owned by Theta Tau Epsilon Fraternity Alumni on Hensel Dr.NE.  Ugrich was attempting to intervene in a brawl between two males when an unknown suspect came from behind and stabbed Ugrich in the back.

 

Sheriff's Investigators request help from the public to identify the suspect in this assault.  Investigators are also seeking to interview two persons of interest; a white male 5-11 to 6-01 in height with a skinny build, wearing a dark sweatshirt and a black baseball cap on backwards with the word " Dope "in a light color on the front and a white male approximately 5-11 to 6-01 in height with light colored hair wearing a red hoodie sweatshirt.

 

If you have any information about this incident please call the Beltrami County Dispatch center at (218) 333-9111.  If you wish to remain anonymous please submit information to Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477, text message by texting "Tip674" plus your tip to 274637, or by their website http://crimestoppersmn.org/. If your tip leads to the capture and conviction of the suspect you are eligible for a reward up to $1,000.

 

Beltrami County Sheriff Seeking Information on Stabbing Suspect

On Sunday, September 29, 2013 at 12:46 AM, Beltrami County Deputies were dispatched to intercept a vehicle transporting an18 year old male stabbing victim to the Sanford Hospital. Deputies intercepted the vehicle and rendered aid until Bemidji Ambulance arrived on scene. Bemidji Ambulance transported the victim to the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.

Deputies learned Jace Jeffrey Ugrich, 18 of Bovey, had been stabbed at a large party on property owned by a fraternity on Hensel Dr.NE.  Ugrich was attempting to intervene in a brawl between two males when an unknown suspect came from behind and stabbed Ugrich in the back.

Sheriff's Investigators are requesting help from the public to identify the suspect.  Investigators are also seeking to interview two persons of interest; a white male 5-11 to 6-01 in height with a skinny build, wearing a dark sweatshirt and a black baseball cap on backwards with the word " Dope "in a light color on the front and a white male approximately 5-11 to 6-01 in height with light colored hair wearing a red hoodie sweatshirt.

Anyone with information regarding this stabbing is asked to call the Beltrami County Dispatch center at (218) 333-9111.

Fire at the Oak Hills College in Bemidji

Bemidji, Cass Lake and Solway Fire Departments responded to a fire on the 

campus of Oak Hills Bible College on Wednesday afternoon. The fire, which was 

reported at 3:26 PM by college staff members, was located in a dining hall on Oak

Hills RD SW. Upon arrival Bemidji Firefighters found a large fire on the first floor 

engulfing approximately 50% of the building. Firefighters were able to contain the fire 

to the kitchen and storage rooms of the building. Thirty four firefighters used five Fire

Engine, three Water Tenders, and a Ladder Truck on the scene. Approximately 

15,000 gallons of water was used on the fire with a nearby pond and dry hydrant 

used as water supply sources. No injuries were reported and the fire departments

were on scene approximately three hours. The cause of the fire is under

investigation; however appears to be accidental in nature. The fire departments were

assisted at the scene by the Beltrami County Sheriff's Department, MN DNR 

Firefighters, State Fire Marshal's Office, Beltrami Electric and the Bemidji Ambulance 

Service.

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