Beltrami County

Plus: The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Northland continue to deal with staffing challenges; and MnDOT crews will begin a project on Highway 2 in Grand Rapids starting Monday, July 21.

The devastating storms that impacted Bemidji and surrounding areas prompted the extension of a local emergency. The Beltrami County Board also heard an update on its temporary disposal site near Target.

Crews are resurfacing the road from Highway 219 to the Roseau County line. Work is expected to be complete by late August.

Starting Tuesday, July 8, 2025, around 30 "Greyshirt" volunteers will spend the next two weeks serving Bemidji residents affected by the disaster.

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs can activate the State Soldiers Assistance Program's Disaster Relief Program to help with housing, utilities and other needs.

The internet and cable provider said the Bemidji derecho caused damage in hundreds of locations, and crews worked long hours to restore service.

Plus: Second Harvest food bank shutters Grand Rapids warehouse but maintains food shelf will remain open.

Also Greater Bemidji, partnering with other economic development groups, is launching a rapid-response no-interest loan program to assist storm-damaged small businesses.

The emergency declaration follows a severe windstorm on June 21, 2025, that downed thousands of trees and caused widespread power outages.

Whether in search of supplies, groceries or even a hot meal, Bemidjians flocked to the location as the first day of operations began for the new center.