PEQUOT LAKES — The head of a Pequot Lakes dog rescue organization and her husband are facing multiple felonies for filing false income tax returns and failing to pay their taxes.
The Crow Wing County Attorney's Office filed charges against Shannon Steele and her husband Russel Steele for tax years 2017 through 2021.
According to the complaints, Shannon Steele was the only person with access to Northern Lakes Rescue's bank accounts.
She allegedly withdrew thousands from the nonprofit's accounts for personal expenses such as including airfare and jet ski rentals.
Collectively, the couple avoided paying taxes on more than $300,000 in taxable income, the charges say.
Shannon Steele also faces a probation violation as part of a previous theft by check conviction.
In that case, while working at a painting business in Garrison, Steele wrote checks to herself totaling $62,000 and charged more than $16,000 in unauthorized purchases to company credit cards.
Agreement to prevent plastic pollution in the Mississippi River
Mayors from numerous states and tribal leaders from Northern Minnesota gathered in Bemidji last week to announce a first-of-its kind partnership to protect the Mississippi River.
KAXE/KBXE Reporter Larissa Donovan found out how these partners intend to take action.
White Earth water regulations
The White Earth Band is one of a growing number of Native American tribes exerting their authority to protect reservation water reserves.
In the wake of a recent New York Times story highlighting the overuse of groundwater in Northern Minnesota attributed to agriculture, a new report from nonprofit news organization Circle of Blue highlights White Earth's regulatory efforts.
Band leadership are in the midst of developing regulations and a permitting program that sets mandatory standards of environmental performance for farm operations.
White Earth recently set a two-year moratorium on the development of large livestock and dairy operations within the reservation boundary.
A second ordinance establishes a tribal review and permitting process for high-capacity water wells.
Tribal Chairman Michael Fairbanks says the state of Minnesota's own practices around groundwater protections do not go far enough to prevent negative impacts, in the band's view.
Circle of Blue says the tribal rules are a clear rebuke to farm states and the federal government, which have advocated voluntary participation in pollution prevention and water conservation programs that have cost taxpayers billions of dollars.
Tree debris drop off site to remain open two extra weeks
The tree debris drop-off site opened by St. Louis County following the powerful windstorm that knocked down hundreds of trees in and around Gilbert, Aurora and Hoyt Lakes will remain open through Oct. 9, two weeks longer than originally announced.
The extended schedule is to assist residents still cleaning up following the Sept. 5 storm. The South Gravel Pit in Makinen is open from dawn until dusk, seven days a week.
The county is not offering curbside pickup of debris.
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Residents around Calumet received a peek behind the curtain Aug. 21, 2026, at the iron reclamation project set to transform the former Annex Hill Mine. -
Cisco and other cold water fish died by the thousands in the large, shallow lake as water temperatures soared to an average of 77 degrees in late July and early August 2026. -
One of the occupants of the pickup truck was in custody in Itasca County Jail on Aug. 24, 2026, on suspicion of criminal vehicular operation. -
The campfire ban across the Superior National Forest was lifted Aug. 24, 2026, as cooler temperatures reduce wildfire risk. Parts of the Boundary Waters remain closed due to wildfires. -
Six Minnesota counties will receive state assistance to repair public infrastructure damaged by severe summer storms. -
A new state aid covers part of the operating levy for school districts that have lots of cabins. Some districts say they'll offset the levy if voters approve it, meaning more money for the school, while taxes stay the same or go down. -
Plus: Bemidji is closer to being the next home of a YMCA after a ceremonial groundbreaking; and local governments receive assistance to replace emerald ash borer-damaged trees.
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Neighbors converge for fair fun: showing or judging livestock, enjoying classic or new foods on offer, admiring prize-winning artwork or baked goods or simply gathering in community. -
The driver of the semitruck is in custody as of Aug. 21, 2026, and is facing two felony counts of criminal vehicular homicide. -
Plus: Changes to 'roadless rule' could open areas of Superior National Forest to logging; and researchers consider climate change's impacts on pathogen spread.
