VIRGINIA — A 61-year-old Tower woman died in a crash Saturday night, Oct. 21, between two vehicles on Highway 169, northeast of Virginia.
The Minnesota State Patrol reported a vehicle was blocking all lanes of Highway 169 with traffic backed up shortly after 8 p.m. A 2014 Dodge Ram pickup was stopped in the lane waiting to continue north when a 2013 Chevrolet Impala sedan struck it from behind.
Cathy Marjorie Johnson, a passenger in the Impala, suffered fatal injuries.
The driver of the Impala, 38-year-old David Kevin Medicine of Virginia, and 45-year-old passenger Angela Geraldine Buckanaga, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Both were transported to Essentia Health-Virginia.
The state patrol reported Medicine and Johnson were not wearing seat belts and alcohol is believed to be a factor in the case of Medicine.
The driver of the pickup, 58-year-old Gregory Joseph Lenz of Embarrass, and two passengers, 56-year-old Carl August Brummund of Ely and 14-year-old Henry Edward Lenz of Tower, were also transported to Virginia with non-life-threatening injuries.
-
And: Four Northland organizations recieve child care grants; men encouraged to wear sunscreen and get skin checks; and Eveleth plans to replace the "Big Stick."
-
Research shows men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer.
-
Co-hosts Charlie Mitchell and Heidi Holtan delight in tiny toads, listen to catbirds, and wonder at crab spiders.Send us a voice memo through Speak Pipe!
-
The U.S. Forest Service is also banning campfires amid dry conditions. The closures and campfire ban go into effect July 11, 2026.
-
And: Minnesota partners hope opioid prevention success spreads to youth; and a community storytelling initiative aims to capture recovery stories in St. Louis County.
-
The plan will guide the implementation of voluntary conservation projects and programs in the northeastern Minnesota watershed over the next decade.
-
A foundation coordinating with local partners says the opioid crisis isn't over, and a new Minnesota grant is an example of the urgency felt in preventing youth tragedies.
-
The Grand Rapids area fishing guide and former Itasca County deputy died in his home on July 5, 2026. He contributed to the Minnesota fishing community in numerous ways.
-
California artist Rosemary Holliday Hall’s work is on display at the Nemeth Art Center in Park Rapids through July 18, 2026.
-
KAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Mighty Trains Band, Christopher David Hanson, j. bell & the Lazy Susan Band and Sonny Johnson.