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 Beltrami County Board is considering what to do with its current jail in downtown Bemidji as progress continues on a new facility in the city’s Industrial Park. -
The ruling didn’t strictly address the legality of binary triggers, but instead focused on the 1,400-page bill in which the binary trigger ban was included last year. -
MN and other states have brought suits against social media companies using a similar playbook that led to billions in damages levied against Big Tobacco in the 1990s. -
Plus: The Minnesota Attorney General is suing TikTok for violating consumer protection laws; and the International Falls city council is seeking public input on how to rebuild Smokey Bear Park after a fire destroyed its bandshell in 2024. -
The future of a mosaic mural in the Nashwauk-Keewatin High School library is up in the air as the district moves into a new school. A ribbon-cutting is planned for Aug. 20, 2025. -
The Minnesota Attorney General's Office conceded to misconduct in the case against Mylene Vialard, who protested in 2021 at an Enbridge pumping station in Aitkin County. -
The projects are among 15 in Northern Minnesota included in Senate appropriations legislation that now goes to the House of Representatives for a vote. -
Plus: 4 girls were rescued after getting stranded on Lake Superior near Silver Bay; the Lake Itasca Region Pioneer Farmers hosted their 49th annual show Aug. 15-17, 2025; MnDOT will host an open house Aug. 20 ahead of a 2027 project in downtown Crookston; and three Northern Minnesota cities received contamination cleanup grants.
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Agricultural heritage was on full display near the Itasca State Park Aug. 15-17, 2025. -
The Itasca County Sheriff's Office said the crash was on Prairie Lake Road on Aug. 17, 2025.
