Strong winds and blowing snow create difficult driving conditions in west central Minnesota

ST. CLOUD Minn. – (3:45 p.m.) The Minnesota Department of Transportation advises motorists to drive with caution in west central Minnesota, including Stearns County and surrounding areas, due to blowing snow and scattered slippery spots.

Most roads in the region currently are in fair driving condition, but motorists should be aware that conditions could change quickly.

 

Officials do not anticipate any interstate or highway closures at this time; however, motorists may encounter brief lane and road closures where crashes occur.

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.