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.

Construction on Whiting Rd NW from Irvine Ave NW-Werner Rd NW in Northern Township May 2014

NORTHERN Township - construction project - 2 year project

Whiting Rd NW, from Irvine Ave NW to Werner Rd NW - all located within Northern Township north of Bemidji approximately 7 miles-  will be undergoing construction beginning this week beginning May 21 2014.  This will include marking utilities, reclaiming the bituminous, grubbing, dropping trees, etc.  

The road will be closed to thru traffic however emergency services, local traffic and buses will have access.  It is suggested that those that use that road that do not live in the area refrain from doing so-  traffic will impede progress significantly.  If traveling that stretch, drive very slowly and carefully on this road way- flaggers will be used where necessary.  The goal of this project is to widen the road to allow for shoulders and upgrading the roadway.  Notices of full closure will be sent as they happen. 

Access to Whiting Rd  

Bemidji Stabbing Suspect in Custody

 

At approximately 9:20 PM, Thursday evening May 1, 2014, Mr. Mert Scripture 71, answered a knock at his front door at his house, NW of Bemidji in Grant Township.  Orland James Spears, 23, of Redby, asked to use the telephone to make a call.  Mr. Scripture allowed Spears to make a phone call from outside his front door.  After completing the call, Mr. Scripture closed his front door and turned away when suddenly Spears broke through the door and stabbed Mr. Scripture twice in the chest and fled on foot from the scene.  A call to 911 brought Beltrami County Deputies and Bemidji Police to the scene.  First aid was administered to Mr. Scripture by officers and he was subsequently transported to Sanford Emergency Department where he remains at the time of this release.

 

The Beltrami County Sheriff's Communications Division sent a CodeRED alert for the neighborhood advising citizens to lock their doors and watch for the described suspect whose identity was not yet known.  Additional officers and investigators flooded the area and began to conduct a manhunt.  A Beltrami County K-9 officer was called to the scene and the canine began tracking the suspect through the woods.  After several hours of searching the K-9 lost the scent of the suspect in the wooded area west of Bemidji.

 

During this time it was learned the suspect had stolen a car on Red Lake which he had used to drive down into the neighborhood.  Investigators were able to determine the identity of the suspect as Orland Spears which gave investigators more leads to follow while attempting to apprehend Spears.

 

At approximately 10 minutes after 5 AM the Beltrami County Communications Center began receiving phone calls from citizens in the neighborhood reporting the suspect walking around near homes in the area.  Deputies in the area arrived at a residence where the suspect had just entered the garage.  Deputies entered the residence and located the suspect, who refused commands to lower his knife and surrender.  The police K-9 was released and the suspect was successfully apprehended after the dog took the suspect down.

 

Spears was arrested and transported to the Sanford emergency department for treatment of his injuries and placed into custody at the Beltrami County Jail.  The investigation will be presented to the Beltrami County Attorney's office for consideration of serious assault and burglary charges.

 

Beltrami County Sheriff's office was assisted by the Bemidji Police Department, the Minnesota State Patrol and the United States Border Patrol.

 

 

 

 

Sheriff Phil Hodapp

 

ORLAND JAMES SPEARS, 23, REDBY, MN

 

 

Bemidji Hillside Drive Blocked Due to Four Wheel Drive Damage

The City of Bemidji announced, due to four wheel drive vehicles damaging Hillside Dr SW (located at the south end of Irvine Ave along Lake Irvine) and creating muddy conditions not to mention tearing up the road again,  the City of Bemidji has closed Hillside Dr SW at each end (junctions of Park Ave SW and Woodland Ave SW) effective today, April 3, 2014.  The road will be closed until further notice and any traffic needing to access their residences or for purposes of emergency services,  access to the stretch of road where people live is from Park Ave SW to Woodland Ave SW from the east.  

 

The city encourages people to disseminate this information and share with those who might have the urge to go mudding!!

 

Bemidji Police Department to Conduct Tobacco Compliance Checks

In order to assure that local tobacco retailers are not furnishing tobacco to underage buyers, the Bemidji Police Department will be conducting tobacco compliance checks beginning in early April.  The checks will continue into late May.

 

The Bemidji Police Department encourages licensed tobacco retailers to educate their employees on proper procedures in checking customers’ identification and refusing sales to underage buyers.   Employees and employers may be subject to criminal and civil penalties for tobacco sales made to underage persons.

 

This round of tobacco compliance checks is funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division.  The grant is part of the “Educate and Congratulate Project” which seeks to educate retailers and keep tobacco out of the hands of Minnesota youth.