BEMIDJI — Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince is being nationally recognized for his leadership amid disaster after hurricane-strength winds tore through the city and surrounding area on June 21.
The straight-line wind event, named by some meteorological types as a derecho, knocked out power to thousands of residents and damaged hundreds of homes and businesses.
“Mayor Prince demonstrated exceptional leadership and resilience during the derecho,” the three-judge panel stated in a news release.
“His ability to guide the community to a swift and robust recovery while working to implement innovative measures to protect against future threats truly sets him apart as a leader dedicated to long-term community well-being.”
Prince, in a phone interview, said he was surprised when he learned he was nominated for the award by the League of Minnesota Cities.
He said he would only accept if he could do so on behalf of the entire community.
“We know what the aftermath of the storm was for us, how critical and serious it was, how many people were involved — whether that was our emergency service personnel, the lines people that restored power, the United Way, Community Resource Connections, neighbors helping neighbors,” Prince said. “For me to say I want to stand above all of that is not anything I'm interested in.”
Prince is the fourth recipient of the Tommy Longo Disaster Leadership Award, a nationwide award by the nonprofit LeadersLink to honor city and county officials who lead their communities well through a major disaster.
The award is named after the late mayor of Waveland, Mississippi, John Thomas “Tommy” Longo. Longo led the city’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and later volunteered to be a LeadersLink mentor.
LeadersLink Founder and Executive Director Kathleen Koch will present the award to Prince in the coming months at an event in Minnesota.
“As disasters become more frequent and severe, leaders like Mayor Prince are a brain trust for those who follow,” Koch stated. “Sharing what disaster veterans like him have learned can help speed the recoveries of other communities struggling after major disasters.”
-
Contributed/National Weather ServiceThe Level 3 of 5, or enhanced risk of severe weather, has shifted east to Wisconsin, but much of Northern Minnesota is still at a Level 2 for Wednesday, June 10, 2026. -
Plus: the Brainerd School Board votes to put a levy referendum on the ballot; and the DNR's new electronic licensing system launches. -
Map/DatawrapperThe Cass County, North Dakota, Coroner's Office reported that TeeJay Alvarez, 31, of Fosston, died June 9, 2026, as a result of injuries from a gunshot wound. -
Contributed/Ely Wolves Track and Field Facebook pageSophomore Violet Udovich of Ely took home two golds and a silver, setting records in the 200 and 400-meter. -
Graphic with Contributed Maps/National Weather ServiceThis means the potential for severe wind gusts of 75-80 mph or more, embedded tornadoes, hail up to the size of golf balls and locally heavy rainfall with flash flooding possible. -
Contributed/Aitkin County Sheriff's OfficeA neighbor on Gun Lake called 911 after hearing calls for help and seeing a person struggling. Other neighbors joined rescue efforts and brough Randy Benson to shore. -
Plus: Causes of BWCAW-area wildfires determined; Brainerd educators reach tentative agreement on overdue contract; and rural Northland athletes take home 87 medals in track and field.
-
Contributed/U.S. Forest Service - Superior National ForestA few wilderness campsites may be closed, but there are no other closures in the Boundary Waters. There is currently a campfire ban within the area because of dry conditions. -
Contributed/Aitkin Youth Baseball Facebook pageThe Gobblers won a close 1-0 game against the top-seeded Duluth-Marshall to advance, while Red Lake County looks to defend the title and Grand Rapids makes its 6th-straight appearance. -
Contributed/Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning CenterA conservation easement will protect the property spanning forests, wetlands, cliffs and streams. Half of the protected acreage is considered to be "high biodiversity."
