GRAND RAPIDS — The Itasca County Sheriff's Office will distribute free youth life jackets at L&M Fleet Supply in Grand Rapids on Friday, Aug. 2.
Residents can learn about water safety from experts and receive proper fitting and usage instructions for the life jackets.
State law requires children under 10 to wear a life jacket when moving on the water. Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death, especially among children.
"Our goal is to ensure that everyone can enjoy the water safely, and events like this help us make a real difference in preventing water-related accidents," Sheriff Joe Dasovich said.
L&M, Onyx Outdoor, National Marine Manufacturers Association and Water Sports Industry Association are cosponsors of the event.
Life jackets will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. The event begins at 3 p.m. and runs until 5 p.m. or until all life jackets have been distributed.
-
Plus: the DNR is asking for the return of $2.7 million it mistakenly sent to local governments on the Iron Range. -
Contributed/The Unruly ShutterThe Thunderhawks advanced despite being the third-seeded team in their section, while Esko held the top seed in theirs. The state tournament begins Oct. 21, 2025. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe Minnesota Department of Natural Resources miscalculated mining revenue distributions, disbursing money that should have gone to a statewide education fund. -
Heidi Holtan/KAXEPFAS contamination led Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School to use bottled water since 2022, and particles in surface water and tissue of deer and fish are claims against 3M and DuPont. -
Contributed/IRRRMinnesota North College and the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board say Roy Smith died Oct. 14, 2025, after a short battle with cancer. He was the director of talent development for both since 2005. -
The USDA, which oversees the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, has given notice to states that funding will run out to pay November's benefits if the federal shutdown continues.
