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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Nearly two dozen shared frustration with a lack of transparency surrounding the removal of the display in the Itasca County Jail, which the sheriff confirmed is already painted over.
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Plus: Residents speak in support of a Ten Commandments display in Itasca County Jail; and Duluth-based ALLETE announces a merger deal.
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The Office of the Inspector General's audit of the Bemidji Post Office pointed to numerous failures by management at the district and local levels.
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Plus: an audit shows several problems led to mail delivery delays in Northern Minnesota this winter; and Attorney General Keith Ellison visits Bemidji for a listening session and expungement clinics.
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Grand Rapids' Public Works and Engineering departments cover a wide range of responsibilities that keep the roads smooth and the city pretty.
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Plus: Bill updating gun storage requirement passes House with GOP opposed; drought conditions lessen but continue in Northern MN; and wind turbines mean tax revenue for some counties.
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Free Range Food Co-op began in 2016 and shared the future location of its grocery store with the public Friday, May 3.
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The co-op began in Grand Rapids in 2016. Brandon Otway, chair of the board of directors, shares how he feels about the site announcement and what's next for the co-op.
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Plus: a new ATV ordinance will soon be in effect in Cass County, and AI is improving outcomes for stroke patients.
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And: Labor leaders and government officials in Minnesota say there are safety concerns with broadband workers digging underground with little training.