Thursday, July 5, 2012

HOTLINE SET UP IN BELTRAMI COUNTY TO MATCH VOLUNTEERS AND THOSE IN NEED

IF you are a VOLUNTEER and wish to contribute to assisting the
survivors of storm damage, we would love to hear from you. We are
looking for people who have chainsaws, experience with using them,
other equipment to clear trees and lots of muscle. We could also use
office help to man the hotline. Please call 218-333-8395 and leave
your name, number, what you are offering and when you might be
available.

If you are a SURVIVOR of the storms this week, and have a need for
assistance in removing trees and storm debris and have NO other
assistance available we will match you up with folks that can help.
Please call 218-333-8395 and leave your name, a current good contact
phone number and your address in Beltrami County. We will do our best
to get back to you as soon as possible with solutions. We know there
are people in various parts of our county that may be in need so do
not hesitate to call.

The City of Bemidji is requesting that those who live in the City
deliver only tree limbs, not the root balls, as well as branches and
leaves to the site on Rako St SW just west of the Police Training
Center. NO other debris is allowed. Remember that there are
citizens living in that area as well. You will need an ID proving you
live in the City in order to utilize that site.

County residents can utilize the Waste Management, Inc demolition site
located on the Beltrami County Line Rd SE.


All residents are reminded that every single hour of time and money
that is spent on recovering from damages should be documented.
Especially important is taking pictures and keeping logs. If we are
able to be part of a disaster declaration all of that information will
be needed and may prove to be beneficial in providing aid if possible.

The compassion and outstanding support that volunteers have already
provided to many of those in need has been phenomenal. Many worked on
their holiday, July 4, to help neighbors, friends and strangers.
Today three gentlemen, two from south of Sauk Center, MN and one from
the Kitchi Pines Mennonite Church, Pennington, MN, who are all part
of the Christian Aid Ministries' Disaster Response, toured the most
heavily hit parts of Beltrami County with Emergency Management. We
were able to identify 7 properties that had immediate need for
assistance-these survivors are handicapped, suffering from severe
illness or have no other means of assistance. Their crew will be here
Saturday to address these needs. In addition Home Depot is putting
together a crew to assist next week. The stories go on of folks
willing to go the extra mile for those in need.


We just want to say how very much we appreciate all of the help and
support that has been so willingly given. Keep up the good work folks-
you make us all proud.

Bears Den Landing and Pine Point Landing Closed by DNR for Repaor

Bears Den Landing and Pine Point Landing in the southwest corner of
Beltrami County are closed to visitors. The DNR has closed those
locations due to a number of trees down making travel impossible.

Our unsung heroes, Beltrami Electric, Ottertail Power, Paul Bunyan
Telephone, Midcontinent and other vendors continue to work long hours
to restore power and amenities to residences. If you have questions
or concerns, please call your local provider and make sure they have
your address and contact numbers. Many crews have come in from other
locations to assist.

Finally we appreciate all of the citizens in our County that have
stepped up to help their neighbors, friends and family. We are truly
blessed with compassionate and caring citizens who go out of their way
to help others.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Operation Float Your Boat, Lake Bemidji July 4 2012

    The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office Recreation Safety Division
wants you to be safe while watching the fireworks from Lake Bemidji on
July 4th.  Deputies and  the Emergency Operations Team consisting of
volunteers from the Beltrami County Mounted Posse, Community Guard,
Coast Guard Auxiliary and others will be conducting boat safety
inspections on Lake Bemidji during the evening prior to the fireworks
display.

OPERATION "FLOAT YOUR BOAT" will take place on July 4, 2012, at three
Lake Bemidji boat access locations:  Cameron Park, Diamond Point and
the Northwoods Access. Deputies and volunteers will be on hand to meet
each boat operator prior to launch to determine if the boat has
operational front and back lights as well as safe and sufficient
personal flotation devices on board.  Our goal is to provide a safe
boating environment for all families and friends enjoying watercraft
activities during the fireworks event.  Please take time to outfit
your boat with the items needed to safely enjoy the show next
Wednesday night and enjoy the holiday evening on the lake.

Questions should be directed to the Recreation Division at 218-333-8359.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT RESULTS IN A DEATH - Beltrami County June 26 2012

On June 26, 2012, at 5:50 PM, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office
received several 911 calls reporting that a communications tower
climber had fallen from a cell tower located in Lammers Township, near
Solway, MN, approximately 10 miles west of Bemidji in Beltrami County.
Emergency vehicles and personnel responded to the scene to find a 19
year old male who had fallen from a distance of 153 feet to the ground
and was killed on impact. The male, who will remain unidentified until
all family members are notified, is from North Dakota.

            Responding to the scene were the Beltrami County Sheriff's
Office, Minnesota State Patrol, Solway Fire Department and North
Country First Responders. North Memorial Air Care was cancelled
enroute.

            No other details are available at this time.

Monday, June 25, 2012

UPDATE on the TRAIL BRIDGE- Paul Bunyan Dr SE - Please broadcasts as soon as possible

PRESS RELEASE UPDATE-  The Trail Bridge project at Paul Bunyan Dr S
and 1st St SE-  tentatively the Trail Bridge project closure will move
forward on Tuesday July 3 2012-  night of.  Folks need to stay tuned
due to the fluidity of this project.  More than likely, with the
holiday invovled it may be postponed longer.

Road construction closure Schroeder Rd and additional info on the Trail Bridge Project in Bemidji

The Trail Bridge project on Paul Bunyan Dr S and 1st St E (earlier
email advised the closure is cancelled for tonight) will most likely
occur in two weeks.  We will send out information on that beforehand.

In Grant Valley Township,  Schroeder Rd SW (from Bemidji High School
on Division St W (Co Rd 14), 1 1/4 miles west) will be closed
effective today through Friday June 29 (evening) from Division St to
505 Schroder Rd SW (approximately 1/4 mile) -  detour will be Big
North Rd NW to Grant Valley Rd SW and then south on Schroeder Rd or go
further west on Division, then north on Archery Rd SW, east on Grant
Valley Rd and south on Schroeder.   Grant Valley Township will be
cutting out a section of road and rebuilding it.   No traffic allowed.


ATTN Records- for those picking up vehicles at Ellis Towing they will
need to take the detour to get to the tow yard.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

PEOPLE'S VOICE to hold public discussion on reservation issues

Members of the Leech Lake, Red Lake, and White Earth reservations,
including tribal leaders and non-native people of the surrounding
communities, are invited to take part in a public discussion on issues that
affect everyone in the the area

The People's Voice open meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 23 at the Peoples Church, Ninth Street and America
Avenue NW, in Bemidji. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. A lunch will be
provided.

The purpose of the meeting is to give all people the opportunity to
speak and listen to issues and concerns of reservation and surrounding
community life.

"All issues are on the table," say organizers, including poverty, high suicide
rate, racist language, crime, education, casino and gaming issues, health
and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, sovereignty, tribal government,
constitutional rights, federal Indian policy, human and civil rights.

Also invited are Governor Mark Dayton, Rep. John Persell (DFL-Bemidji),
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken. State Sen. John Carlson
(Republican-Bemidji) has indicated he has previous commiitments and
cannot attend. "We are awaiting responses from other invited elected
officials," said organizers.

The People's Voice is a follow-up gathering of Native American and
concerned citizens to the Council of Conversation held in Minneapolis on
April 21 at the Division of Indian Works.
It is sponsored by the Native American Justice Task Force, consisting of

Native Americans, concerned citizens, and the Joint Peace with Justice
Committee of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Individuals who have questions or for per-registration may contact Curtis
Buckanaga, 218-407-2801.

"We hope to see you there," he stated. "The more voices, the better."