Bemidji Woman a Person Of Interest In Case of Faribault Man’s Death; Turtle River Lake Road Bridge Being Replaced; Lawmakers Predict Less Active Session
(Des Moines, IA) — A Bemidji woman tied to the death of a 72-year-old man in Faribault is in custody in Iowa. Gary Lehmeyer was found dead in his home last Monday. Investigators say 32-year-old Arlene Bell of Bemidji was in a relationship with Lehmeyer at the time of his death and is considered a person of interest in the case. She was driving Lehmeyer’s car when she was pulled over by the Iowa State Police last week and arrested. Bell has now been charged with stealing the vehicle and investigators plan to have her returned to Minnesota once the case in Iowa is resolved. (24/7 News Source)
(Beltrami County) Bridge construction will begin on Turtle River Lake Road today. The bridge is located 3.9 miles East of Trunk Highway 71. The road will be closed until Monday April 8 or until construction activities are complete. Please follow the signed detour. Beltrami County Highway Department urges motorists to slow down and use caution when traveling in work zones.
>>Authorities Retract Statement Calling Lutsen Lodge A Crime Scene
(Lutsen, MN) — State and local authorities are retracting a statement from late last week calling the Lutsen Lodge a “crime scene.” The historic resort burned down last Tuesday and investigators are still trying to determine the cause. A statement issued Friday by the state Fire Marshal’s Office and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office called the property a crime scene. But they later said the statement was worded incorrectly and apologized for any confusion. The corrected statement asked people to stay outside the taped area around the resort and said anyone found wandering in that area will be detained.(24/7 News Source)
>>Lawmakers Anticipate Less Active Session As Legislature Gets Underway
(St. Paul, MN) — State lawmakers are anticipating this year’s edition of the Minnesota Legislature to be a bit less active than last year’s. Lawmakers return to St. Paul today and many are predicting little new spending will be approved during the session. A great deal of the focus will be on the bonding bill, which approves financing for millions of dollars in local infrastructure projects. There will also be topics sure to cause vigorous debate, such as opposition to the new state flag and seal, legalization of sports betting and a push for a statewide equal rights amendment.(24/7 News Source)
(Mille Lacs, MN) — A man under investigation for a hit-and-run in Mille Lacs County says a feature on his car may be responsible for a woman’s death. Investigators have been searching for the suspect in the death of Dr. Cathy Donovan since she was hit as she walked her dog near Mille Lacs Lake in November. Evidence led investigators to a Twin Cities man who initially denied any knowledge of the crash. But a second interview led the suspect to say that he may not have been aware of the crash because his Tesla was probably on autopilot at the time. No charges have been placed, and the man’s lawyer says his client plans to continue cooperating in the investigation.(24/7 News Source)
>>MnDOT Seeking Input On State Rail Plan
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Transportation wants public input about the future of the state’s railroad system. The agency is currently working on the Minnesota State Rail Plan, which will set guidelines for state railroad investment and policy for several decades. Mn-DOT is asking Minnesotans to take a short survey to comment on rail usage and make suggestions for future utilization. The survey is available on the agency’s website.(24/7 News Source)
