AITKIN — A 32-year-old Mora man and a 42-year-old Hinckley woman face third-degree murder charges in Aitkin County following an investigation into an overdose death in June.
Authorities responded to a call of an unresponsive man in Malmo Township and administered Narcan, but the life-saving attempts were unsuccessful.
The Aitkin-Itasca-Mille Lacs Violent Crimes Enforcement Team started an investigation into the death and through that investigation, two suspected fentanyl dealers were identified.
Both are in the Aitkin County Jail.
Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, and any amount of fentanyl is considered deadly.
The Aitkin-Itasca-Mille Lacs Violent Crimes Enforcement Team was created in January 2022 and received state grant funding to investigate, identify, and disrupt illegal drug activity.
Itasca County responds to criticism of Lakeview Behavioral Health contract cancellation
As community members continue to express concern about the planned contract termination between IMCare and Lakeview Behavioral Health, IMCare Director Sarah Anderson addressed the Itasca County Board Tuesday, Sept. 26.
KAXE/KBXE Reporter Larissa Donovan has more.
Grant boosts planned 61-mile ATV trail
Plans are in motion for a new all-terrain vehicle trail system in northern Itasca County after a big financial boost from Yamaha.
Wilderness Wheelers ATV Club in Bigfork was recently chosen as one of only 18 national recipients of the highly competitive Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative Grant.
This $25,000 grant will further the club’s efforts to expand ATV trail access in Northern Minnesota through construction of the new 61-mile Wilderness Trail.
Projected to be completed by fall 2024, the Wilderness Trail will feature an internal loop affording two-way travel to established ATV trail systems to the east and west.
It also will see expanded access to Minnesota’s Edge of Wilderness businesses that offer lodging, food and other amenities, according to the club.
Grant funds will be used to provide a trail connection through the town of Marcell, Minnesota, which will facilitate a 40-mile loop for riders to experience the Chippewa National Forest.
Old-growth forests added to national network
Two renowned Northern Minnesota old-growth forests will be the first in the state to join the national Old-Growth Forest Network.
The forests are the Lost 40 Scientific and Natural Area in Itasca County and the Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary SNA in Clearwater County.
The network recognizes existing old-growth forests across the nation and highlights the importance of preserving these areas.
Events in October will celebrate the additions and kick off a series of public hikes over the next several years in publicly accessible old-growth forests in Minnesota.
A short interpretive hike in the Lost 40 will be Oct. 12, while a full day of fun and educational activities will take place at the Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary Oct. 13.
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The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office responded at 2:32 p.m. July 3, 2026, to the crash site, about a half-mile east of Highway 25 on County Highway 22. -
We've partnered with ICTV to interview local candidates for the 2026 election. District 1 is in northwestern Itasca County, and three candidates are headed to a primary. -
The vehicles collided at an intersection near Cook on July 1, 2026. Ayden Houde, 20, of Orr suffered life-threatening injuries. -
The Brainerd lakes area city celebrates the Fourth of July before a quick turnaround to prep for its signature event: Bean Hole Days. -
Prosecutors say the 20 TB of data in their possession includes surveillance footage from drones, body-worn cameras and cameras on federal property. -
The National Weather Service confirmed the Murphy Lake Tornado on July 2, 2026, based on drone imagery and local resident reports of damage. -
The Strictly Mushrooms vendor market is open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. every Sunday in Pine River. The market has various goods, different classes and games for kids. -
New social media and domestic violence laws took effect Wednesday, July 1, 2026. -
The Minnesota State Patrol reports the fatal crash on June 30, 2026, occurred when a motorcyclist struck the rear end of a northbound pickup truck on Highway 371. -
The agreement provides funding for activities and programs, with three main areas where White Earth will take over responsibility — water and wild rice management, forestry and visitor services.
