Minnesota News

Popular Battle Lake Restaurant Goes Up in Flames

These pictures and video are courtesy of Sam Humann

BATTLE LAKE, Minn. — The owner of a popular restaurant near Battle Lake escaped his basement apartment after flames ravaged through the business in an early morning fire. These pictures and video are courtesy of Sam Humann. Rodger Heaton, an owner of Elmer’s Texas Barbecue on State Highway 78 north of Battle Lake, woke up to smoke in his apartment…

Beltrami County Corrects Information on Inmate Death

Authorities say the wrong information was released to the media after the death of Stephanie Bunker while in their custody

  BELTRAMI COUNTY, Minn. — The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office says they want to clear up details behind the death of an inmate in the detention center last July. Authorities say the wrong information was released to the media after the death of Stephanie Bunker while in their custody. Bunker died from complications after an attempted suicide in her cell…

Homeowner Dies in House Fire Near Bemidji

Firefighters got inside the home and found the body of 56-year-old Erich Schissel

  BELTRAMI COUNTY, Minn. — A man is dead after a mobile home became engulfed in flames about 20 miles northwest of Bemidji. Authorities were called to the fire just before 6:00 Thursday morning at the Buzzle Township. When they arrived, they say neighbors were trying to put out the flames with garden hoses. Firefighters got inside the home and…

St. Cloud Police Need Your Tips on the “Blowtorch Bandit”

The suspect was able to break into a Gate City Bank with a blowtorch and get away with an unknown amount of money

ST. CLOUD, Minn. — They’re calling him the “Blowtorch Bandit” and St. Cloud police are asking the public’s help in getting him behind bars. Authorities have released the surveillance photo of the suspect. The suspect was able to break into a Bremer Bank with a blowtorch and get away with an unknown amount of money. He also vandalized a Wells…

Pollution Control Agency Issues Air Quality Alert in Minnesota

The state's Pollution Control Agency put in an air quality alert throughout western and central Minnesota

  REGIONAL — Smoke from Canadian wildfires triggered an air quality warning throughout much of central Minnesota. The state’s Pollution Control Agency put in an air quality alert throughout western and central Minnesota. Areas affected include Alexandria, Marshall, Brainerd, St. Cloud, Worthington and the tribal nations of Mille Lacs and Upper Sioux. The increase in fine particles and thicker smoke…

Former Minneapolis Police Chief’s Severance Proposal Released

The proposal still requires city council approval

  MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The severance proposal for the former Minneapolis police chief who resigned under pressure from the city’s mayor has been released. The deal for ex-Chief Janee Harteau includes $183,000 in severance pay and 12 months of health and dental benefits. The proposal still requires city council approval. The deal also states neither Harteau nor the city can…

Reward for Information on Missing Alexandria Teen Increased

Block has been missing for 25 days

ALEXANDRIA, Minn. — Authorities say the reward for a missing Alexandria teen was raised thanks to an anonymous donor. The reward for 15-year-old Jasmine Block’s safe return is now $7,000 after someone added $5,000. Block has been missing for 25 days. Investigators are still searching property and talking with people in the area to find leads. Anyone with information is…

Battle Lake Area Restaurant Destroyed By Fire

The State Fire Marshall’s office will be on scene today to investigate.

Otter Tail County, MN — Elmer’s Texas Barbecue, north of Battle Lake, was lost to fire early Friday. The building, on State Hwy. 78, is a complete loss. The owner, Rodger Heaton, who lived in a basement apartment of the business was awoken by a loud noise. He saw smoke all around, and made his way out of the building…

Sweet Treats, the Stanley Cup and Matt Cullen at the Moorhead Dairy Queen

Fans waited in line for hours for the chance to meet Matt Cullen and touch the Stanley Cup

MOORHEAD, Minn. — Three-Time Stanley Cup champion and Moorhead native, Matt Cullen, is in town and he has the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Stanley Cup with him. Hundreds of fans waited in line for hours for the chance to meet Cullen and to touch the Stanley Cup. Some of those fans have been in line since before the sun even came up…

Body Recovered in West Battle Lake Identified as Missing Grand Forks Man

An autopsy will be performed

  WEST BATTLE LAKE, Minn. — The body of a Grand Forks man has been recovered in West Battle Lake, Minnesota. Authorities were using sonar equipment on the lake Wednesday afternoon when they found the body of 39-year-old Peter Akinboro. The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office Dive Rescue Team recovered the body with the help of water patrol members. An…