Bemidji police seek public’s help in homicide investigation

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – A preliminary investigation into the death of a man found at a Bemidji residence on Saturday morning has been categorized as a homicide by Bemidji Police.

According to a news release, on Aug. 12 at 11:10 a.m., police conducted a welfare check at a residence on the 1200 block of Minnesota Avenue in Bemidji where they discovered a deceased male at the residence.

Investigators believe the man was killed on Thursday, Aug. 10 between 8 p.m. to midnight and they are asking nearby residents to check their surveillance and residential camera feeds for anything suspicious occurring near that time.

Anyone with information about the incident or any they have any video footage they believe law enforcement should investigate further should contact Detective Guy Schermerhorn at: (218) 333-8361.

Police also believe the killing was an isolated incident and there is no danger to the general public. They also stated in the news release they do not believe the killing to be a random incident.

2nd Annual Black Tie Gala rolls out the red carpet Thursday night at Historic Holmes Theatre

The glitz and glamour are returning to the Historic Holmes Theatre in Detroit Lakes tonight for the 2nd annual Black Tie Gala, a charity auction and fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club.

The event is hosted by Phaser Marketing and they have rolled out the literal red carpet as more than 150 people are expected to attend the event dressed to the stars.

Luke Eggebraaten, owner of Phaser Marketing, said the event is geared towards a fancy-dressed night out that will include some networking and raising money for a good cause.

“We have a concert, we have a live auction, silent auction, drinks, snacks, networking, basically anything you’d want at this type of event,” said Eggebraaten, during a recent Hodgepodge interview. “But we do it right in Detroit Lakes and every single dollar we raise is then donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Detroit Lakes.”

At last year’s event, the group raised more than $20,000 for the youth-focused nonprofit, which was spent on snacks and programs for the kids.

“It’s everyone in the community, it’s everyone outside of the community that sees the mission and wants to help,” he said. “When you bring people together like that, special things can happen.”

Eggebraaten also said that even though the event title is: Black Tie Gala, people should feel free to attend in whatever feels comfortable to them.

“The dress code it kind of, we call it a Black Tie Gala, but really you can wear whatever you want,” said Eggebraaten. “It gives you the opportunity to dust off that old suit or that dress and dress-up for a night.”

The Black Tie Gala at the Historic Holmes Theatre in Detroit Lakes begins tonight at 6 p.m., tickets are $50 at the door and the event is open to the public.

Sen. Tina Smith visits Prairie Wetlands Learning Center in Fergus Falls

Senator Tina Smith toured the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center (PWLC) in Fergus Falls on Tuesday.

Smith’s visit was marked by a tour of the center and active participation in the annual monarch butterfly tagging event, an initiative that tracks the journey and challenges faced by butterflies.

Smith engaged in discussions that emphasized the monarch butterfly’s unique classification as a “candidate for listing” under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

Joined by Joanne Ryan, Director of the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center, and Neil Powers, Fergus Falls Wetland Management District Project Leader, Smith immersed herself in the center’s educational outreach programs and seemed interested in the center’s environmental conservation efforts.

Smith also emphasized the Great American Outdoors Act, a piece of legislation she helped enact in 2020.

This law addresses the critical funding needs of the nation’s public lands, national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and recreational areas.

The Prairie Wetlands Learning Center was able to secure $3 million in funding that was used repairs and enhancements due to her bill.

The improvements included buildings renovations, parking lots maintenance, and construction of service roads and trails.

Frazee man charged with felony firearm possession after incident at Masterpiece Alternatives in Detroit Lakes

A Frazee man has been charged in Becker County District Court with felony illegal possession of a firearm and receiving stolen property.

According to court records, on Aug. 9 at 11:14 a.m., emergency dispatchers received a report of a man with a gun in the Jimmy John’s parking lot in Detroit Lakes.

Shortly afterward, an employee at Masterpiece Alternatives, located near the Jimmy John’s parking lot, contacted the Detroit Lakes Police Department to inform them they had disarmed a man in their store after he attempted to shoplift some items.

A blue, Sig Sauer P365 9MM pistol, along with 10 rounds of ammunition and personally identifying items, were turned over to law enforcement as evidence, as well as, surveillance video of the incident.

Law enforcement identified and detained 22-year-old Allen Ronald King, of Frazee, a short-time later.

Following King’s arrest, law enforcement was also contacted by the registered owner of the handgun, who had recently been out of town and had his vehicle dropped off at Chaney’s II Auto Repair in Detroit Lakes to get some work done while they were away. When they picked up the vehicle they discovered the handgun was missing.

The serial number given by the owner matched the serial number of the weapon that was in King’s possession earlier in the day.

King’s bail has been set at $60,000 and his initial request for a public defender was denied.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 21.

Story by News Staff / Detroit Lakes Tribune

West Fargo elementary principal charged with multiple felonies related to child porn

The principal of Independence Elementary School in West Fargo has been charged with seven felonies related to child pornography.   

39-year-old David George was arrested at his Fargo home Monday night.   

The Cass County state’s attorneys office filed the charges of promoting or directing an obscene performance by a minor and having illegal materials.   

The investigation began in early June after a tip from the national center for missing and exploited children.  

State crime bureau agents linked a social media account to George.   

The criminal complaint says the videos and pictures of minors were boys believed to be between the ages of 5 and 14.   

George has submitted his resignation to the school district.  

He took over as principal July 1st. Prior to that, he was assistant principal at Cheney Middle School.   

He started as a teacher in the school district in 2010. 

Story by Paul Jurgens / KFGO

TV3 launches ‘6 Over 60’ series featuring older adults living their best lives through hobbies and crafts

TV3 in Detroit Lakes began broadcasting and releasing their “6 Over 60” series this week, which features six Detroit Lakes community members doing inspiring things with free time.

Erika Gilsdorf, producer of the “6 Over 60” series, said the purpose of the videos are to inspire older adults to continue to be active and delve into their passions, which can lead to engagement with the community and connection with others.

“When people get older, a lot of times, we get lonlier, we get isolated, we maybe don’t feel as valuable not having our jobs, so we are showcasing six people … that are doing great things,” said Gilsdorf, during a recent Hodgepodge interview. “And the goal is to inspire people to stay active, stay social, and find things that make them happy.”

The series was presented by Arvig and Elevate OTC with other gold-level sponsors: Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging, UCare and Humana.

Gilsdorf said the stories range from a man making guitars from scratch to a woman who took her flower garden to the next level during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have Jen at Grand Flower Farm who, during COVID, saw that people were feeling really isolated,” she said. “And she had a little tiny flower garden and she just grew it, and now, it’s a venue where people can go and be together and pick flowers and make vases … we talked to Deb, the wonder woman of the lakes, and how exercise can keep you social. We talked to Fred about his history of Becker County and his family has been here for generations. And the last one was Patty, and she’s embraced her Norwegian culture and we got to see all this artwork … and it was just so much fun and feel inspired, and as we get older it’s a time to be active and have fun, and stay connected.”

She also said the one thing that stood out while she was making the video series was that hobbies and crafts can take a more prominent role in our lives as we age because we have more time for them. They also can keep the mind sharp and involved, while at the same time allowing people to remain connected to the community in some type of specialty or role.

“People can watch (6 Over 60) on TV3,” said Gilsdorf. “And if they don’t have TV3, or even if they do, they can catch the episodes on Lakes TV3 YouTube channel.”

The “6 Over 60” video series can be found TV3, or the Lakes Area TV3 website, Facebook page or YouTube channel.

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