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.
-
Events this week include an allyship presentation in Grand Rapids, "Willy Wonka" in Pequot Lakes and a bike park grand opening and fundraiser in Brainerd.
-
The Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists highlights the best work from around the state. This year, that includes reporting and photography from KAXE News.
-
Despite the popularity of amateur fireworks, especially on the Fourth of July, large swaths of the state have had no fireworks-related convictions since 2020.
-
The internet and cable provider said the Bemidji derecho caused damage in hundreds of locations, and crews worked long hours to restore service.
-
The lawsuit against the MN DOC commissioner argues the law would take away discretion from local providers to determine what’s best for the inmates and the situation.
-
The section of Highway 169, named in honor of late state Sen. David J. Tomassoni, runs between County Road 69 in Marble and County Road 7 in Mountain Iron.
-
And: Midco Bemidji services mostly restored, and Affinity Plus offering disaster loans; Great Tails Animal Rescue's Anttila wins volunteer of the year; and Superior NF advisory committee meets July 7.
-
The county will use the plan as a roadmap for guiding investments in transportation over the next 20 years or longer.
-
Law enforcement found a body that is believed to be 62-year-old Jane Korpela near Aitkin on Sunday, June 29, 2025. The search continues for her partner Daniel Latterell.
-
The mission of KAXE News is to ensure we provide our listeners and readers with the highest-quality independent, fact-based news and information about Northern Minnesota.