CASS LAKE — The Cass County Sheriff’s Office identified the 82-year-old man who died Friday, Jan. 5, after breaking through the ice with an all-terrain vehicle on Pike Bay.
Thomas Steele of Bemidji was the victim in the incident, with ATV passenger Mark Jacobson of Bemidji also needing rescue from the frigid waters.
Witnesses fishing nearby Friday pulled Steele from the water and attempted lifesaving efforts. Responders transported him by airboat and then ambulance to the Cass Lake Indian Services Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Jacobson was treated at the scene.
Sheriff Bryan Welk reported ice conditions on Pike Bay and several area lakes are still extremely unsafe due to recent warm weather, wind and rain.
More from KAXE
-
contributed/Minn. Secretary of State's OfficeSimon will talk with a national elections expert about what to expect in the midterms on April 30, 2026. There will be time for the public to ask questions. -
Maria Hileman/KAXEKAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features the Duluth Homegrown Music Festival, Kemari, Monroe Crossing, and Merritt. -
Contributed/Lorie ShaullDuring the Phenology Report for the week of April 28, 2026 Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on loons returning, bloodroot flowering, and the first leaves emerging on raspberries. -
Contributed/Chad KaddatzDuring the week of April 28, 2026, we enjoy reports of bird calls, insects emerging, and spring wildflowers. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds. -
Contributed/Nicole Neri / Minnesota ReformerGov. Tim Walz commended Minnesotans’ compassion during tragedy and praised their resilience after a federal immigration crackdown, political assassination and school shooting. -
Contributed/Adobe Stock Image via Minnesota News ConnectionExtra dollars in the state will fund the public input process ahead of possible changes to the state's financial aid program. -
Plus: the federal government approved St. Louis County's public labor agreements for road and bridge projects; an additional 5,000 trees will be distributed in the ReForest Bemidji event; and four Northern Minnesota fire departments will host Women Explore Fire Day events on May 2, 2026. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEResearch indicates that in the coming decades, the state is likely to see more risk days of wildfires starting on the ground due to more extreme droughts connected to climate change. -
Contributed/Madison McVan / Minnesota ReformerThe sites included autism service providers that received payments through Medicaid, according to a statement from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. -
Contributed/Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike CrewCelebrate International Women's Mountain Bike Day with the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew on May 2, 2026, at Miner's Mountain Rally Center in Ironton.
