17-Dec-2025

Drug Bust

Two men have been arrested in connection with a large methamphetamine bust in west central Minnesota. The Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office says agents of the CEE-VI Drug and Gang Task Force executed multiple search warrants in Montevideo and Maynard in Chippewa County related to the trafficking of large quantities of methamphetamine. Task Force agents recovered about 10 pounds of meth. A 28-year-old Maynard man and an 18-year-old Montevideo man were arrested. They are expected to be charged with 1st Degree Controlled Substance charges. The Sheriff's Office says they are expected to charge additional people connected to this case in the future. The Task Force was assisted by the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Police, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Montevideo Police Department, and the Chippewa County Sheriff's Office.

 

17-Dec-2025

School Threats

A 14-year-old boy has been taken into custody for allegedly making threats to Forestview Middle School in Baxter. The Baxter Police Department says they received information about a possible threat to the school around 9:30 on Monday morning. During the investigation, they identified a 14-year-old male student they believe is responsible for the threats. The boy was taken into custody without further incident for felony threats of violence and was transported to a juvenile detention center. Baxter police officials say that at no time did they identify an immediate threat, and that there is no indication of any continued threats to students, staff, or facilities. The case has been referred to the Crow Wing County Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

16-Dec-2025

Bank Closes After Vehicle Crashes Into It

A bank in Akeley has temporarily closed after a pickup truck drove into it on Monday. The Minnesota State Patrol says the truck, driven by 79-year-old James Lewis Benson of Akeley, was traveling eastbound on Highway 34 when it left the roadway at Marie Avenue and collided with the First National Bank North building. The crash happened around 12:46 on Monday afternoon. Benson was taken to St. Joseph Hospital in Park Rapids with non-life threatening injuries. He was wearing a seat belt, and the State Patrol says alcohol was not involved in the crash. No other injuries were reported. Bank officials announced on Facebook this afternoon that the Akeley branch is closed until further notice, as the building was severely damaged. They are directing customers to their Walker office until they reopen at an undetermined date.

16-Dec-2025

Gas Prices

Just ahead of Christmas, the national average price for gasoline stands at its lowest level since March 12, 2021.Gas Buddy says the lower prices are being driven by refineries wrapping up maintenance and boosting output to near summer highs, increasing fuel supply, and additional production from OPEC. Average gasoline prices in Minnesota have fallen 6.4 cents in the last week, averaging $2.75. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 4.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.85. The national average price of diesel has decreased 5.3 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $3.61 per gallon.

16-Dec-2025

Woman Charged After Stabbing Sister

A 21-year-old Mahnomen woman is charged with felony assault in the second degree in connection with a stabbing that happened south of Bagley in Clearwater County on Nov. 24. According to the criminal complaint in the case, Kaitlyn Thompson is accused of stabbing her sister in the back with a knife. It happened at a home located on Lower Rice Lake Road. A witness told police that Thompson yelled she was going to kill the victim. She then stabbed her in the back before fleeing the scene. Thompson made her first appearance in Clearwater County Court today, where Judge Eric Schieferdecker set bail or bond with no conditions at $200,000 or $100,000 with conditions. Thompson’s next court hearing is scheduled for Dec. 24.