Multiple DWI arrests, drug overdoses and minor consumption incidents in Becker County since June 30

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM)-At least 11 DWI arrests and multiple drug overdoses occurred in Becker County from June 30 to July 5.

According to the Detroit Lakes Tribune, the arrests accrued from traffic stops, individuals on boats and one ATV accident, which involved a 26-year-old Fargo woman crashing through a garage door at residence on Shorewood Beach Road in Detroit Lakes and injuring her hand. The woman was treated at Essentia Health St. Mary’s before being taken to jail.

Additionally, three individuals between 18 to 20 years old were caught using fake IDs and cited for minor consumption at area businesses.

In Rochert, law enforcement responded to drug overdoses the same Fingalson Road address on back-to-back days. During first incident, occurring on Friday night, first responders discovered four men on the floor of a residence who all required doses of Narcan to respond positively.

A 37-year-old Ogema man was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident.

On average over the holiday weekend, the Becker County Sheriff’s Office and Detroit Lakes Police Department received nearly triple the amount of emergency calls than they usually receive during a typical day.

Former N.D. prosecutor pleads guilty to second-degree murder charge in killing of his ex-wife

A former North Dakota prosecutor pled guilty to second-degree unintentional murder Thursday in Marshall County District Court for the killing of his ex-wife at his home in Warren, Minn., located about 30 miles northwest of Grand Forks.

According to court records, on the afternoon of Aug. 23. 2022, police were dispatched to a domestic disturbance call on South Division Street in Warren. 

Investigators determined that 31-year-old Anders Odegaard had attacked his ex-wife, 31-year-old Carissa Odegaard, while she was holding the youngest of their five children and left her for dead on the floor of the residence.

Carissa was unresponsive and not breathing as first responders reached the residence and she was rushed to the hospital where she was later pronounced.

Anders Odegaard was charged with second-degree intentional murder, however, in a plea agreement with Marshall County prosecutors, Odegaard pled guilty to second-degree unintentional murder and agreed to serve 18 ½ years in prison.

East Grand Forks unanimously approves recreational cannabis sale moratorium

The city council in East Grand Forks voted unanimously on Wednesday to temporarily suspend the sale of recreational cannabis within the city limits for up to two years.

The new statewide recreational cannabis law will go into effect on Aug. 1, however, the law allows for local governments for impose moratoriums on cannabis sales for up to two years after the law takes effect.

According to the Grand Forks Herald, Ron Galstad, city attorney for East Grand Forks, told members of the council the moratorium will allow them to evaluate zoning challenges under the new law and where and when in town those businesses will be allowed to operate.

In addition to the moratorium on cannabis sales, the measure also prohibits the testing, manufacturing, cultivating, growing, transporting, delivery and distribution of cannabis in East Grand Forks.

The city of East Grand Forks is located in Polk County, which also implemented its own cannabis moratorium in February.

Becker County Board introduced to new county economic development specialist

Becker County has a new economic development specialist and he is tasked with improving development opportunities across the county and increasing the lakes area economic foot print.

Cody Piper formally introduced himself to the Becker County Board during their regular meeting on July 5 and gave them an update on how his first couple months on the job have been going.

“A lot of my time has been centered around just benchmarking and verifying the county economic development functions to similar neighboring counties, as well as, across the state,” said Piper. “Just to ensure that we are providing valuable resources and opportunities to our communities, residents, businesses and prospects.”

He also said he’s been a resident of Becker County for a majority of his life and has worked for the county in other capacities for about five years, most recently, from county assessor’s office.

Piper said he’s been trying to do a lot of outreach to businesses and community groups to lay the seeds for future networking opportunities.

“I’ve been doing a lot of outreach just to establish and re-establish connections with those communities, local and regional organizations, I’ve also introduced myself to some private businesses,” he said. “I’ve also attended some membership organization conferences that I’m a part of. These provide learning and networking with industry peers and opportunities to connect with our state and regional resources, funding mechanisms, education on legislative avenues and guidance for Greater Minnesota Counties like ours.”

Lastly, Piper said, his office has moved to the first floor of the Becker County Courthouse and he is ready for walk-ins.

“The prior office, which was up on the third floor courtside, and we move it down here to the first floor, towards DMV,” said Piper. “So that’s going to be more accessible for the public. It’s pretty much open now, up and running. It’s there and invite you to swing in and if you have further questions, or just want to have a conversation or discussion.”

Be sure to check out the Becker County Economic Development Authority website for access to county, regional and statewide development programs, as well as, resources and data focused on Becker County.

Rep. Matt Grossell pleads guilty to DWI

Minnesota Rep. Matt Grossell, R-Clearbrook, pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree DWI charge on June 29 in Clearwater County District Court.

Grossell, a retired Clearwater County sheriff’s deputy and former Blackduck police chief, was cited on February 11 for DWI after being stopped by law enforcement for speeding in Gonvick, Minn.

According to an incident report, Grossell submitted to a blood alcohol test that showed he was at .15%, which is nearly twice the legal driving limit of .08%.

Grossell faces a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. His next court appearance is set for July 24 at the Clearwater County Courthouse.

Federally subsidized Bemidji apartment building evicts nearly 50 residents for structural concerns

Nearly 50 residents of a federally subsidized apartment complex in Bemidji had until 4 p.m. Thursday to vacate the premises after inspections found serious structural issues.  

A city-issued evacuation order was given on June 29 at Red Pine Estates, which houses many elderly and disabled residents.  

At a recent Bemidji city council meeting residents directed their anger at Twin Cities-based property manager The Schuett Companies. 

The evacuation comes five weeks after a six-story apartment building in Davenport, Iowa, partially collapsed, killing three people and severely injuring at least one other woman who needed to have one of her legs amputated.

Dozens of Bemidji-area volunteers, businesses and other nonprofits assisted many of the fixed income residents with moving their belongings out of the apartment building.

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