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 growing family and pet cat. She also loves Star Trek, punk rock music and the theater.
The Bemidji Community Food Shelf is asking for community support to help with the costs of a new roof. According to a release, the BCFS learned their roof was completely worn out last summer. The cost of a new roof is $77,000, and to date, the BCFS has raised about $60,000 for the project. BCFS…
Two registered sex offenders will move to the 1300 block of Beltrami Ave. NW tomorrow. According to the fact sheet released by the Bemidji Police Department, 43-year-old Gerald Browneagle has been out of prison since last November, and 34-year-old Michael Smith was initially released from prison last July. Smith has a history of engaging in…
A Turtle River man has announced his intentions to run against Republican Matt Grossell in the Minnesota House 2A race. According to a release, Jeremiah Liend made the announcement at one of the Beltrami DFL precinct caucus sites Tuesday, and outlined a platform that focuses on sustainable development, campaign reform and criminal justice reform. Liend…
The following is a summary of incidents the Bemidji Police Department and the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office responded to on Wednesday, Feb. 26. BEMIDJI POLICE DEPARTMENT Assault, 10:55 p.m. Male arrested for domestic violence on Carol Dr. NE. Traffic Stop, 10:21 p.m. Traffic stop on 30th St. and Pine Ridge Ave. NW. Verbal warning for…
The City of Bemidji will have to cancel the special election set for May. According to a notice from City Manager Nate Mathews, the opening of the Ward 2 filing for office period was not published two weeks ahead of time in the legal newspaper, the Bemidji Pioneer, as state law requires. Instead, only three…
Two women were arraigned yesterday for their roles in last week’s incident that left one dead and one wounded. According to new criminal complaints filed yesterday, 19-year-old Lauryn Elizabeth Jones and 18-year-old Deja Ilean Mattison are each accused of one count of conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery in the first degree and one count of…
Sherry Lawdermilt has been named chief information officer for both Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College. Lawdermilt comes to Bemidji from the University of North Dakota, where she most recently served as director of applications and integration support. “I’m excited for the opportunity to join Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College,” she said….
Paul Bunyan Communications was recently awarded a “Border to Border” Broadband Grant from the state to expand fiber optic services to portions of Koochiching County and St. Louis County. This project will pass a minimum of 1100 locations in those counties, and is expected to cost $5.68 million. The B2B grant will contribute $2.35 million,…
Caucus night was last night, and both the Beltrami County DFL and Beltrami County Republicans held events. Curtis Hunt of the DFL said their caucus was about the grassroots efforts of choosing delegates and prioritizing policy. Rich Seigert, of the Beltrami County Republicans, offered that their caucus also was prioritizing policy and delegate selection. No…
Only two have filed to fill the vacancy in Bemidji’s Ward 2 via a special election, making a secondary election unlikely. According to city clerk Michelle Miller, Doug Flatness filed yesterday, the last day to file for the special election. Flatness joins Jaime Thibodeaux in the running. Thibodeaux ran against Mike Beard in the 2018…