Larissa Donovan is the News Director for the stations of Paul Bunyan Broadcasting and has been, almost without interruption, since Election Day 2016. She covers events and issues in north central Minnesota, which include local government, crime, courts, education, environment and social issues. She studied communications at Bemidji State University and received her degree in 2018. Larissa is also an active member with the Bemidji Jaycees, a leadership development through community service organization for adults 18 to 40. Larissa, native to the great state of New York, grew up in Bemidji, and enjoys spending her spare time with her family and pet cat. She also loves Star Trek, punk rock music and the theater.
STATE UPDATES Today, the Minnesota Department of Health confirmed 510 newly reported COVID-19 cases and 33 newly reported deaths, bringing the total to 22,464 cases and 932 deaths. Of those deaths, 759 were residents of long-term care or assisted living facilities. Of those total cases, 2,487 are confirmed to be health care workers who have…
The “Old Bemidji High School, Remembered” is a project to rebuild one of the entry arches from the old Bemidji High School building, and construction is set to begin this summer. The arch was saved before the school’s demolition in 2008, with a plan to reconstruct it on the current high school grounds, near the…
Two more have filed for Bemidji City Council. Robert Elliot is entering the running to be the next Mayor of Bemidji, and Adam Hellquist filed for Ward 1. Jeremiah Liend, who recently won the DFL endorsement for the Minnesota House 2A race, also filed for that office yesterday. The filing period closes at 5 p.m….
Five were seriously injured in a crash Saturday evening in Cass County. According to Sheriff Tom Burch, deputies and responders arrived to 43rd Avenue and found two vehicles involved in a head-on crash at the crest of a hill, with one vehicle, a 2001 Chevy Pickup, fully engulfed in flames. The three male occupants of…
The following is a summary of incidents the Bemidji Police Department and the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office responded to on Tuesday, May 26. BEMIDJI POLICE DEPARTMENT Fire, 11:42 p.m. Vehicle fire at a dealership on the 700 block of Paul Bunyan Dr. NW. Vehicle Calls/Complaints, 7:40 p.m. Reported reckless vehicle on Paul Bunyan Dr. and…
About 50 nurses and community members picketed outside Paul Bunyan Park Tuesday afternoon. According to a release from the Minnesota Nurses Association, the group was rallying behind a registered nurse who had reportedly been placed on administrative leave. According to MNA, she was trying to arrange alternative housing solutions for quarantining health care workers. Sanford…
STATE UPDATES Today, the Minnesota Department of Health reported an additional 652 COVID-19 cases in the state and 18 newly reported deaths, bringing the cumulative totals to 21,960 cases and 899 deaths. Of those positive cases, 2,427 were health care workers that contracted the virus at some point over the course of the outbreak. To…
The Becker County Sheriff’s Office has identified the two-year-old child killed in a house fire north of Detroit Lakes. According to a release, the fire was reported early Saturday morning after midnight, with the initial report indicating there were two people trapped inside the house. Upon deputy arrival, the house was fully engulfed in flames…
Three more candidates filed for Bemidji City Council Friday. According to City Clerk Michelle Miller, Laura Fairbanks is joining the running for Ward 1, Jaime Thibodeaux is the first to file for the Ward 2 special election, and incumbent Nancy Erickson filed for Ward 5. One new candidate filed for the Beltrami County Board, Danny…
An Osage woman is receiving treatment for life threatening injuries after a crash Friday night near Lake George. According to the state patrol, 50-year-old Jennifer Tinkler of Bemidji was northbound on Highway 71 and 20-year-old Nykia Neuerburg of Osage was southbound, just west of Hubbard County Road 91. The two vehicles came together in a…
