CLAY COUNTY

In-Person Absentee Voting Begins at Local Election Offices in Minnesota

People could visit their local elections office to cast their ballots ahead of Primary Day

MOORHEAD, Minn. — Even though the Minnesota Primary is not until August 14, today is the first day that people can cast their absentee ballots. People could go to the election offices in their respective county if they want to vote before the primary. In Clay County, people can vote ahead of the election at the Auditor’s office inside the Clay…

Nine-Year-Old Drowning Victim at Buffalo River State Park Identified

The victim was Grace Bettie, a student at Ellen Hopkins Elementary School in Moorhead

GLYNDON, Minn. — A nine–year–old child drowned in the swimming area at Buffalo River State Park Wednesday afternoon. While participating in the Moorhead Police Summer Youth Program, Grace Bettie, an Ellen Hopkins Elementary student, passed away after she was found unconscious in the pond at Buffalo River State Park near Glyndon. When deputies arrived, first responders were performing CPR, but they…

Couple Charged With Aiding And Abetting Murder Of Missing Wahpeton Man

Authorities arrested 39-year-old Jason Jensen and 35-year-old Kayla Westcott last week

CLAY COUNTY, Minn. — The suspects in a missing person investigation have been charged in Clay County with aiding and abetting murder. Authorities arrested 39-year-old Jason Jensen and 35-year-old Kayla Westcott last week in connection with the disappearance of 41-year-old Troy Yarbrough of Wahpeton. Yarbrough was last seen with the couple on May 18th. According to the criminal complaint, Westcott…

Remains Found During Search of Hitterdal Farm

HITTERDAL, Minn. – After searching a farmstead near Hitterdal for the investigation of a missing person, authorities found human remains on the property. Wahpeton Police says 41–year–old Troy Yarbrough of Wahpeton had not been seen since May 18th. He was last seen with 39-year-old Jason Jensen, who owns the Hitterdal property, and 35-year-old Kayla Westcott. Both have been arrested in connection…

Justin Critt Found Guilty of Moorhead Murder & Arson

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KFGO/KVRR) – A man accused of fatally beating a Moorhead woman and setting her house on fire has been found guilty. A Clay County District Court Jury on Friday afternoon convicted Justin Critt of 2nd degree murder and 1st degree arson in the 2016 death of Melissa Wilcoxon. Clay County Attorney Brian Melton says Wilcoxon died from blunt…

Clay County Unveils Sneak Peak at New Law Enforcement Center

The construction is currently on schedule and is slated for completion in July

MOORHEAD, Minn. — Ever since last year, construction workers have put together the pieces of a brand new Law Enforcement Center in Moorhead. The facility is intended to replace one of the oldest jails in Minnesota, which has fallen victim to overcrowding in recent years. The new law enforcement center will house the Moorhead Police Department and Cass County Sheriff’s Office….

Clay County Sheriff Makes Endorsement For His Replacement

Sheriff Bill Bergquist has endorsed Mark Empting to become the next Clay County Sheriff

MOORHEAD, Minn. — Clay County Sheriff Bill Bergquist has endorsed Mark Empting to take his job. In a statement, Bergquist said Empting has the experience and enthusiasm desired to be sheriff. Empting has been with the sheriff’s office nearly 16 years and has risen to the rank of lieutenant. Other declared candidates for sheriff include Mark Hendrickson, Scott Steffes and…

Mark Empting Announces Clay County Sheriff Candidacy

He is looking to replace retiring sheriff Bill Bergquist

  MOORHEAD, Minn. — Mark Empting is declaring his candidacy for Clay County Sheriff. He joins at least three other candidates who have expressed interest in joining the race. They are seeking the position currently held by Bill Bergquist, who is retiring at the end of this term. Empting says Bergquist put Clay County in a good place, but there are…

Retiring Clay County Sheriff Says He’ll Stay in Community

He served as sheriff for 16 years

MOORHEAD, Minn. — Bill Bergquist announced his retirement on Monday and will not seek a fifth term as Clay County sheriff. Bergquist has been elected to four four year terms as Clay County sheriff and has decided to hang up his handcuffs. He is happy and proud to have served his community. But he says the decision to run for…

Nineteen Caucuses Open Across Clay County

Clay county GOP had five people on the ballot for governor, while Clay County DFL had six

  MOORHEAD, Minn. — Nineteen precinct caucuses were open across Clay County. Athena Graycyk can still remember how strange it felt to be in a caucus for the first time ever. “I moved here from California and all we had were primaries. I had never heard of a caucus. The first one I went to, I was like a wide–eyed…