BEMIDJI — The Community Resource Center for locals continuing cleanup efforts after the disastrous severe weather in Bemidji last weekend moved to a new location.
On Friday, June 27, resources and relief moved away from the initial crisis hub at the Sanford Center to a more accessible spot — a former bank building in downtown Bemidji. Whether in search of supplies, groceries or even a hot meal, Bemidjians flocked to the location at 429 Minnesota Ave NW as the first day of operations began for the new center.
Beltrami County Public Health Director Amy Bowles said during the first night at the Sanford Center, shelter was provided for around 100 people. The second night, only seven people needed shelter, and they've now been placed in area hotels.
The decision to move downtown to the former First National Bank, according to Bowles, made sense.
"Since people are kind of now in action mode and what we call the response mode right now, it's, 'OK, where can people come now that they can get out to get the resources and services that they need and get connected?'" Bowles said. "So really we're doing what Public Health does best, and that's connecting.”
Salvation Army will provide hot meals during lunch and dinner, with delivery services available for those who need it. American Red Cross volunteers are providing blankets, shelf-stable food and water, as well as cleanup supplies like tarps, shovels and rakes.
Sue Thesenga with the American Red Cross said she has been impressed by the community partners working together through this disaster.
"We help across the United States: hurricane disasters, flood disasters, wildfire disasters. So we are a national organization that helps wherever we're needed, and unfortunately, we're needed right here in Bemidji, Minnesota, right now," she said. "And so we're here and we're helping out. We're doing initial damage assessment so people know where the most damage occurred.”
The Community Resources Center will be open daily from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. through July 2.
-
Plus: A allegedly intoxicated driver lands an SUV onto a building with a resident inside in Naytahwaush -
Contributed/Mahnomen County Sheriff's OfficeThe sheriff’s office reported the 36-year-old driver from Moorhead was later apprehended after a short foot pursuit. -
Scott Rodgerson/UnsplashA portion of the highway was shut down and traffic diverted on June 28, 2026, following a two-vehicle collision in which both drivers died. -
Contributed/Bemidji High School Trap Team via FacebookThe Lumberjacks won their first state title in their eighth-straight tournament appearance. Proctor sophomore Laine Graves won the individual championship. -
Contributed/KAXEFresh Picks: Location, location, location! Pacific NW, Absaroke, Cairo and The Lijadu Sisters in '76The KAXE staff highlights our album of the week from Orquestra Pacífico Tropical and a load of songs from artists like Wild Horses, along with our Pick from '76 featuring The Lijadu Sisters. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEReports of funnel clouds, strong wind, large hail and power outages accompanied the well-defined “bow echo,” a storm system that often produces straight-line wind events. -
Tammy Bobrowsky/KAXEFamily, friends and skateboarding are at the center of this heartfelt and compelling new young adult novel “Medicine Wheels” by Red Lake Nation writer Byron Graves. -
Students in Deer River are tending to a "pizza garden" this summer, with the hopes of hosting a pizza party using ingredients from the garden in September 2026.
-
Jennifer Barr/KAXEIn celebration of the 50th birthday of KAXE, Heather Johnson, Andrew Dziengel and Julie Crabb look back at the films of 1976. -
Plus: Tourism-based businesses brace for slower summer amid high gas prices and consumer costs; Little Fork River watershed plan open for comment; and fireworks galore in the Northland.
