Home Explosion in Grant Valley Township

The Bemidji Fire Department, Beltrami County Sheriff's Office, and the Minnesota 

State Fire Marshal's Office continue to investigate the cause of a house explosion on 

Monday evening in Grant Valley Township. The cause does appear to be accidental 

in nature and investigators believe it may be related to a propane gas leak in the 

home. 

On Monday evening emergency responders arrived on scene to find an occupied 

home that was totally destroyed. Emergency services personnel located and quickly 

removed one victim from the debris who was in the home at the time of the 

explosion. He was transport to Sanford Hospital by ambulance. We have no 

additional information on his current status.

FATAL PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT IN BELTRAMI COUNTY

On January 21, 2015 at approximately 7:59 PM, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office was notified of a crash in the 16000 block of Roosevelt Rd SE located in southeastern Beltrami County involving a 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe with a snowplow and a pedestrian who had been struck by the vehicle.  Deputies and first responders who arrived at the scene found the victim on the side of the road.  The victim, a 32 year old male was unresponsive and immediate efforts were undertaken to save his life.  Bemidji Ambulance EMT's arrived on-scene and took over lifesaving efforts to no avail.  The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.  His identity will not be disclosed at this time until all relatives have been notified.

 

The investigation revealed the vehicle had been driving northbound and the victim was walking southbound along the west side of the road with two other parties when according to a witness the victim suddenly ran across the southbound lane into the path of the northbound vehicle and was struck.  The driver of the vehicle did not see the pedestrian as the victim was dressed in dark clothing.

 

The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Pike Bay Township Police Department, Leech Lake Tribal Police, Cass County Sheriff's Office, Cass Lake Fire Department, the Minnesota State Patrol, and Bemidji Ambulance.  This case remains under investigation. 

 

Additional information will be released at 4PM today.

 

7 INJURED IN 3 CAR CRASH EAST OF BEMIDJI

On December 14, 2014, at 6:03 P.M., the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office 911 Center received a report of a three car crash on Roosevelt Road near Frohn Road East of Bemidji.  Deputies and emergency responders arriving at the scene found 3 vehicles which had been involved in a collision on the county road.  A Pickup truck driven by Verlin Kingbird, 51 of Redby and occupied by Royce Hawk, 47 of Bemidji had crossed the centerline and struck a sedan being driven by Trisha Lindstrom, 23 of Bemidji, and continued on to strike a second vehicle head on.

 

The Kingbird Pickup Truck was travelling westbound when it crossed the centerline glancing off Trisha Lindstrom's car and plowing head on into a Saturn Sedan being driven by Karen Mix, 27 of Bemidji.  The passengers in Mix's car who were injured are; Michael Garbow, 25, Bemidji, Lisa Fineday, 28 of Cass Lake, Brooke Mix, 4 of Bemidji.  All seven parties from the crash were transported to Sanford Emergency Department by Bemidji and Cass Lake Ambulance.  Lisa Fineday was still in critical condition at last report.

 

In addition to being treated for his injuries at the ER, Verlin Kingbird was processed at the hospital for suspicion of drunk driving.  Once lab results have been received by investigators and the investigation has been concluded the results of this investigation will be forwarded to the Beltrami County Attorney's Office for consideration of criminal charges.

 

Beltrami County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by Bemidji Police Department, the Minnesota State Patrol and Bemidji Fire Department

 

Sheriff Phil Hodapp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~Christopher S. Muller

Beltrami County Sheriff's Office

Director, Emergency Management

613 Minnesota Ave NW

Bemidji, MN 56601

ph.218.333.8386

Person Found Dead in Bemidji

The Bemidji Police Department, along with members of Bemidji Ambulance, responded to a "possibly" deceased person in the 500 Block area of Paul Bunyan Drive S. Upon arrival, emergency personnel determined an adult female was deceased. Her remains were transported to Sanford Health in Bemidji for examination.  At this time, the cause of death is unknown, but does not appear suspicious. There appears to be no threat to public safety at this time. The incident remains under investigation by the Bemidji Police Department.

 

 

Captain James Marcotte

Bemidji Police Department

613 Minnesota Ave NW

Bemidji, MN  56601

218-333-4229

 

 

Sheriffs’ Association Announces Scholarship Opportunity

The Minnesota Sheriffs' Association (MSA) announced today the commencement of the Law Enforcement Scholarship Program for 2014. THE MSA Board of Directors have established a scholarship fund for the awarding of up to 15- $600 scholarships for this year. These scholarships are due to the coordinated efforts of the 87 Sheriffs of the State of Minnesota.

MSA gives special recognition to the financial needs of students attending the peace officer skills course, or one of the two or four year law enforcement degree colleges. "The Board of Directors feel peace officers in our democratic society have complex duties to perform" said Jim Franklin. MSA recognizes the importance of pre-entry training for people considering law enforcement as their career choice. MSA recognizes some students need outside help in meeting the costs of such training, even though they excel academically.

The Scholarship Committee, in making its selection of awards, intends on achieving representation from all geographical areas of the state. Scholarship awards will be announced at the 2014 MSA winter conference. Application forms and a statement of procedures are available at the student's local county sheriff's office. Scholarships are only available to students currently enrolled in one of the following three categories:

1. Mandated POST Skills Program

2. In their second year of a two year law enforcement program.

3. In their third or fourth year of a four year college criminal justice program.

In order to qualify, students must have completed at least one year of the two year program or two years of a four year program. Students meeting these criteria are invited to obtain a scholarship application form from their local sheriff's office or online at www.mnsheriffs.org .

 

Suspect in Custody After High Speed Pursuit

Timothy Lance Scott 33, of Grygla, MN, was arrested at approximately 10PM on August 19^th, 2014, after leading authorities approximately 30 miles on a high speed chase reaching speeds of around 90 miles per hour. 

 

A Minnesota State Trooper patrolling west of Wilton on Hwy 2, spotted Scott's pickup driving east bound at 84 MPH in a 65 MPH zone.  When the trooper attempted to stop the vehicle, Scott increased his speed and began fleeing east toward Wilton.  Scott turned his vehicle north on HWY 89 and continued driving at speeds over 90 MPH.  The Trooper reported Scott was swerving at oncoming vehicles –causing citizens to dodge to avoid colliding with Scott.

 

Beltrami County Deputies and Bemidji Police officers maneuvered into position to assist the Trooper.  Scott continued driving at a high rate of speed and in a reckless manner northbound on HWY 89 toward Red Lake.  The Trooper was able to confirm that Scott's vehicle contained only the driver and no other occupants were in the truck.  As Scott drove onto the Red Lake Reservation, Tribal Police Officers deployed stop-sticks and took over the chase from the State Patrol Trooper and Beltrami County Deputies. 

 

Scott continued to HWY 1 where he turned eastbound and drove into the western edge of the Town of Red Lake.  At that point, Scott's left front tire deflated but he continued to drive on the rim.  He lost control of the vehicle and drove into the north ditch of HWY 1 near the Tribal police Department.  As tribal officers and deputies pulled their vehicles around Scott's truck, Scott accelerated his truck and drove right at a Beltrami County Deputy who had just stepped from his patrol car in an attempt to strike the officer.  Two gun shots were fired at Scott's vehicle by the deputy as he moved to get out of the path of Scott's oncoming vehicle when another deputy crashed Scott's truck with his squad car to stop him.  Scott got out of his vehicle and grabbed a logging chain when he was subdued by officers. Scott was taken into custody by Beltrami County Deputies and Red Lake Officers.  Fortunately no officers or citizens were injured and Scott suffered minor scrapes and abrasions during his apprehension.

 

Scott was taken to Bemidji Sanford Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries and processed for Driving While Impaired.  He was then transported to Beltrami County Jail where he is being held on potential charges of 1st Degree Assault, Felony Fleeing of a Peace Officer and DWI.  The case will be reviewed the Beltrami County Attorney's Office for formal charges once the investigation has been completed.

 

The Minnesota State Patrol was assisted by the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office, Bemidji Police and Red Lake Tribal Police.

 

Sheriff Phil Hodapp

 

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High water issues east and south of Blackduck area- use caution

  Beltrami County Highway has erected barricades on Co 311 Everton Creek Rd NE between Summit Hall Rd NE and Cornell Rd NE.  There is a one foot wide and getting deeper trench in the road as well as water consistently washing across the road in three places along that roadway.  Stay tuned to updates as the water is pushing south towards the Lookout Tower Rd NE as well. B