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.
-
And: Questions about investigation go unanswered at Cass County sheriff candidate forum. -
The new 3-year contract includes wage increases for around 40 nurses serving the Deer River hospital and clinic. -
The project uses aeration and a gravity filter to treat iron and manganese. -
A misconduct complaint and investigation into Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk were not addressed at a Sept. 8, 2026, forum. His opponent, Deputy Aaron Ammerman, said the office is “fractured from within.” -
Authorities state they believe one adult and four pets died in a Wadena County mobile home fire on Sept. 7, 2026. -
Plus: Essentia Health, nurses' union reach labor agreement for Deer River hospital; DNR finds "gaps" in review for Hermantown data center; and the fall color finder map is now live.
-
Cones from the state tree are expected to be particularly prolific this year. -
The trail spans from the Mississippi River in Grand Rapids to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Ely. -
Police say the incident at the annual Obaashing Labor Day Celebration was isolated, and there is no threat to the public. -
Aging with Alzheimer’s and dementia in rural communities can be especially hard.
