
A two-car accident occurred on the 9100 block of Biss Road, just west of Britt, early in the morning yesterday October 24. According to a witness to the crash stated that two pickup trucks were travelling in opposite directions down Biss Road, when the truck traveling eastbound drifted onto the shoulder, overcorrected across the centerline of the road and struck the oncoming truck. According to investigative reports which say that both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene. Currently, the names are being withheld until family members can be notified. The accident is currently under investigation by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Minnesota State Patrol. Responding agencies to the crash include the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, Pike Fire Department and First responders, Gilbert Fire Department, Virginia Ambulance, and Life Link air medical.
Get ready to turn back time as daylight saving time ends. Clocks will “fall back” one hour on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 2 a.m., marking the official end of daylight saving time for the year. This means earlier sunrises, sunsets well before 7 p.m., and, for many, an extra hour of sleep. It won’t be until March 2025 that we adjust our clocks to “spring ahead” once again.
Keewatin Elementary School is doing its part when it comes to helping veterans. Its called Pennies for Veterans and students at the elementary school are trying to raise 1000 dollars. The money will be used to purchase an electric scooter for a veteran in the area. The goal is raise enough money and have the scooter ready for the veteran to be gifted on November 11th which is Veteran’s Day. The scooter is being supplied by Patriotic Kenny Foundation. You can donate to help the students reach their goal and promote the cause by contacting the Nashwauk Keewatin School District.
A decision has been reached in the criminal case of the former Parent Teacher Organization treasurer who stole thousands of dollars from the PTO. Trista Swanson 44 pleaded guilty to 4 out of the 7 different counts of theft. According to official documents, Swanson stole over 100 thousand dollars from the PTO in Hermantown through hundreds of transactions. Through the investigation it was found that Swanson would write checks to herself and then use the money as she pleased. A recorded telephone call has Swanson admitting to using the PTO account money. Her sentencing date is scheduled for December 19th.
On Monday, Oct. 28 residents can meet the people running for both the Chisholm City Council and Chisholm School Board. The meeting will be held at the Chisholm Senior Center starting at 6 p.m. It is expected to run for a few hours. Three incumbent candidates are running for their three seats on the school board. Meanwhile, six people are running for three open city council seats. There are three incumbents in that race as well. The forum is being hosted by the Chisholm Area Chamber of Commerce and Chisholm Community Education.
Blandin Foundation Expands Essential Dental Services to Underserved Residents and Families Across Rural MN . The Blandin Foundation announced a $500,000 grant to Northern Dental Access Center to acquire the Park Rapids Community Dental Clinic. This investment ensures the continuation and expansion of vital dental services for asset-limited individuals and families across rural Minnesota. The Mississippi Headwaters Area Dental Health Center, operating as Northern Dental Access Center, serves more than one-fifth of the state’s counties and four Native Nations, including some of the most underserved populations in Minnesota. With this grant, Northern Dental will expand its unique, patient-centered service model to the Park Rapids area, maintaining essential dental care access for low-income families while enhancing regional health capacity. The program expansion was marked by a recent ribbon-cutting event in Park Rapids attended by Northern Dental, Blandin Foundation and other community partners. Dental care access in rural Minnesota remains limited, with high rates of uninsurance and significant reliance on Medicaid. In isolated rural areas, 43 percent of residents lack dental insurance, compared to 21 percent in urban areas. Northern Dental’s mission is to break these barriers, having served nearly 18,000 patients across its three locations in 2023 alone.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is lifting open fire restrictions in Cook, Koochiching, Lake, and the northern portion of St. Louis counties, effective early this morning. Recent rain and improved humidity have reduced, although not eliminated, wildfire risk in northeast Minnesota. This action lifts restrictions on state and private lands, including those placed on campfires in dispersed, remote, backpacking, or backcountry areas; burning of brush or yard waste; and fireworks use outside city limits. While campfires are now allowed, burning permits are required, as always, for anything larger. The activation of burning permits will be managed locally, based on conditions. The DNR will continue to monitor conditions and adjust county-specific burning restrictions as necessary. The health and safety of the public and firefighters is paramount. Check the fire danger and burning restrictions map for current information at mndnr.gov
The state of Minnesota leads the pack when it comes to voter turnout, and it could happen again in this year’s election. Secretary of State Steve Simon says early indications show the early voting and absentee ballots are rolling in at a quicker pace. He says, ”We are more than double the pace of early voting and absentee voting now than we were for the election of 2016.” Simon uses 2016 as the example because COVID affected the numbers of the 2020 presidential election. Minnesota has led the nation in voter turnout in three of the past four elections.
A Level 3 predatory offender has relocated to a new residence in rural Walker. Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk reports 35-year-old Thomas Edward Strong has been living in the vicinity of Shing Wauk Drive NW since October 18th. Strong was incarcerated for engaging in sexual contact with known male and female children. According to the Department of Corrections, strong used his established relationships of trust to attain and exploit unmonitored contact with the children. Authorities say Strong was released in 2018 and is not currently wanted by law enforcement, but the release of information regarding his move to the area is meant to keep the public informed.
There has been a high number of respiratory illness cases lately in Minnesota and it has experts wondering why that is. Called Atypical pneumonia that is really hitting children in the ages of 2 and 4. The bacteria itself is not new, has been around for quite some time, typically seen in spring and summer. Symptoms include fever, cold like, a continuous cough. This is spread through droplets. Recommend ways to stay healthy and stop the spread of infection, wash your hands, get vaccinated, stay home if your sick. There is good news. The number of cases peaked in August and hasn’t hit that since. There are also treatment options out there as well. There are a couple of different antibiotics that are used for treatment. This illness can effect anyone at any age.
The city of Virginia is looking at filling 3 open seats on the Virgina City Council this upcoming election. 6 individuals have filed and are hoping to elected after the general election Nov 5th. All precincts with in Virgina will vote on election day at the iron trails motor event center. Polls will be open from 7 in the morning to 8 at night.
Tony Schmid News Director Rapids Radio
Comments