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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A designation change, pending approval from the Centers for Medicaid Services, would move Mahnomen Health Center from a critical access hospital to a rural emergency hospital — the first in Minnesota.
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Every spring, on select prairies in northwestern Minnesota, Greater Prairie-Chicken males gather to put on a showy and energetic courtship display to woo females.
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The bill, sponsored by Sen. Robert Farnsworth and Rep. Dave Lislegard, heads to Gov. Tim Walz's desk.
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The fourth annual Native Nations Fashion Night was a vibrant celebration of creativity and culture, showcasing the latest and most innovative works of Indigenous designers.
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Plus: Public hearing offers insight into Mahnomen Health Center changes; and Rep. Michelle Fischbach fails to garner the GOP endorsement in the 7th District.
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A court-appointed commission voted 4-1 on a new map that now splits the city of Bemidji between three districts instead of two. A judge previously ruled Beltrami County applied an incorrect legal assumption in its now-rejected map.
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And: Bills aimed at addressing MN's mental health shortage pass in the House; Brainerd City Council approves permits for new apartment building; and
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The Sheriff's Office was advised to remove the religious installation after complaints, including a Freedom From Religion Foundation letter calling it a constitutional violation.
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And: Beltrami County redistricting forces elections for all commissioners; and the constitutionality of a Ten Commandments display in the Itasca County jail is under scrutiny.
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Dancers of all ages participated in the Funtastic Dance Follies at Bemidji State University this weekend. The event started in 1945 and features several local dance groups.