Two Greater Minnesota Fatal Fires; New Missing And Murdered Indigenous People Plate Debuts; STEM Ed Money For Red Lake and White Earth Colleges
>>One Dead, Five Hurt In Alexandria Fire
(Alexandria, MN) — Police in Alexandria are looking for information connected to a deadly fire. The flames erupted at a home on Jefferson Street early yesterday morning. Once firefighters made their way inside, the discovered the body of a man, while five other people were airlifted to the hospital to be treated. Authorities say all six lived inside the house. A police officer and a deputy also suffered minor injuries.
>>Deadly Fire In St. Louis County
(Eveleth, MN) — The state Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a deadly fire in St. Louis County. First responders were called to a camper fire yesterday afternoon in Fayal Township, which is about seven miles south of Eveleth. Human remains were discovered after the fire was put out. An autopsy is being done to determine the identity and cause of death of the person found inside.
>>Inmate Dies At Northern MN Jail
(Crookston, MN) — An inmate has died at a jail at a Polk County jail.. Authorities in Crookston say the unidentified inmate was found at the Northwest Regional Correction Center yesterday morning. He was pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has not released any information about the person who died, saying the case is being investigated.
>>Minnesota’s New MMIR License Plate Goes On Sale
(Minneapolis, MN) — The state of Minnesota has begun selling a license plate to bring awareness to missing and murdered Indigenous people. The specialty plate was debuted yesterday during a rally and march in Minneapolis. A fund that offers rewards for information about missing Indigenous people will receive 25 dollars for each plate sold. Marches and events to draw attention to crimes against Indigenous girls and women were also held in Duluth, Bemidji, Mahnomen and Moorhead yesterday.
>>Moose Lake Police Department Disbanded
(Moose Lake, MN) — A city in Carlton County is ready to disband its police department. The Moose Lake City Council voted for it yesterday, saying the cost of maintaining it was unaffordable. The city will instead pay the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office just over 660-thousand dollars to have a presence in the city. The transition is set to begin immediately, though it could take several months to iron out a contract and hire and train deputies to take over for the police force.
>>MN Senators Announce Funding For Tribal STEM Programs
(Washington, DC) — Minnesota’s two U.S. Senators have announced five-million dollars in funding for the expansion of STEM education at two tribal colleges. Democratic Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar announced the new funding from the National Science Foundation yesterday. The White Earth Tribal and Community College and Red Lake Nation College will split the money equally. The White Earth college will use the funding to begin an associate’s degree in natural sciences, while the Red Lake Nation College will expand social and behavioral science courses.
>>MN Company, Snowmobile Driver Charged After Sled Dog Deaths In AK
(Rosseau, MN) — A Minnesota man and the company he works for are facing charges in Alaska after a December snowmobile crash. Charging documents released yesterday say Erik Johnson of Rosseau was testing a snowmobile in the Alaskan backcountry for his employer, Minnesota-based Polaris Incorporated. Investigators say Johnson’s snowmobile crashed into a sled dog team, killing three of the dogs and injuring another. Alaskan authorities have charged Johnson with a misdemeanor for operating the vehicle in an unsafe manner, and say the company is also being charged because Johnson was working for them at the time of the crash. No court date has been set.
>>Crow Wing County Home With Bowling Alley, Go Kart Track Up For Sale
(Deerwood, MN) — A home described as the ultimate man cave has gone up for sale in Crow Wing County. The four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath house in Deerwood is described as secluded and private, with 64 acres of land that sits close to Birch Lake. The house has features like efficient geothermal heating, a bunk house and a wood-burning sauna. But the property also contains a two-lane bowling alley, a heated garage and a go-kart track. The 15-year-old house will cost its next owner at least one-point-five-million dollars.
