BEMIDJI — The Beltrami County Board of Commissioners declared an emergency for the July 31 storm that downed several trees in the Bemidji area.
The storm caused at least $100,000 in damages, which Beltrami County Emergency Management said "could potentially open the door for state disaster reimbursement assistance.”
During the Board's meeting Tuesday, Aug. 20, Beltrami County Emergency Management Director Chris Muller said cleanup and repair costs for Bemidji area parks, streets and electric infrastructure are part of the preliminary estimates.
"We have previously found that when the assessors come in, damage costs are higher than we initially estimate," Muller said.
If assistance is granted, eligible applicants could include the city of Bemidji, Beltrami County, the electric cooperative and other institutions like schools.
The storm damage does not qualify for a federal emergency declaration. The state program does not offer assistance for individuals or private property but does assist communities in offsetting disasters that municipalities don’t typically budget for.
-
Plus: High flu rates reported across Northern Minnesota; and Hibbing Public Utilities will host a town hall meeting on elevated lead levels. -
ContributedRiggs was first elected to sheriff in November 2022, having served since January 2023. -
Dr. Daniel Hoody at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center advises precautions for combatting flu and other respiratory illnesses, and Essentia Health advises choosing care carefully. -
Contributed/Nicole Neri / Minnesota ReformerThe Attorney General’s Office and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office set up a portal for people to submit photos, videos and other evidence they think may help prosecutors. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXE"Minnesota Star Tribune" columnist Aaron Brown talks media consumption and the state of library funding in Minnesota. -
Events this week include a games and puzzle swap in Pine River and the Second Annual Cardboard Classic sledding event in Deer River.
