13-May-2026

Drug Bust

White Earth police executed three search warrants this week that led to five arrests, the seizure of a large quantity of controlled substances and multiple child-welfare reports, authorities said. Police said the warrants were carried out May 12 at locations in White Earth, Naytahwaush and the Roy Lake area. Officers reported seizing what they described as a large amount of controlled substances. Details on the types and quantities of drugs were not immediately released. Authorities also filed several child-welfare reports connected to the searches. Officials did not say whether any children were removed from the homes. Police said additional arrests are expected as the investigation continues. No further details were released.

13-May-2026

Man Dies After Paddle Boat Capsizes

A 19-year-old man died Tuesday when the paddle boat he was on capsized on a Crow Wing County lake. According to a press release from Crow Wing County, the man called 911 while in the water, saying he and two women were in the water and that their paddle boat had capsized on Little Emily Lake, located about five miles north of Emily. The call then unexpectedly disconnected. When first responders arrived, they located the two women, ages 20 and 22, who reported the man had not returned to shore. Crow Wing County Boat and Water personnel, along with Dive Team members, initiated search operations, and just before 3 this afternoon, responders located and recovered the body of the man in roughly 23 feet of water. One of the women was transported by ambulance for injuries related to cold exposure. Crow Wing County Sheriff Eric Klang says the individuals involved were college students visiting the area.

13-May-2026

Sauk Centre Fire

Fire damaged a number of businesses and apartment units in downtown Sauk Centre on Monday night. The Sauk Centre Police Department says an officer was on routine patrol just before midnight when he came upon flames and smoke coming from a two-story building. The fire was located in the 300 block of Main Street South. The officer immediately called for the fire department and, with the help of another officer, began evacuating apartments on the second floor of the buildings. The Sauk Centre Fire Department arrived and made entry into the buildings and put out the flames. Police say five apartments and three businesses were significantly damaged by the blaze. Authorities helped make arrangements for the displaced residents. The Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire, and no damage estimate is available. Fire departments from Melrose, Long Prairie, Elrosa, and Osakis assisted at the scene. Several other agencies, including the sheriff's offices of Stearns and Todd County, Sauk Centre Ambulance, and the Minnesota State Patrol, also assisted in the effort.

12-May-2026

ATV Accident

On Thursday 05-07-2026, at approximately 6:21 pm , the Todd County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 regarding an ATV accident that happened at  32695 Highway 71, in rural Browerville. A juvenile was riding her bicycle when she was hit head on with the side by side, that was being driven by their brother, reported injuries to her face. Browerville Ambulance and Browerville Fire Department were dispatched to the scene. The victim was transport from the scene by the ambulance.

12-May-2026

Semi and Car Collide On I-94

A Freeport woman was hurt in a crash near Albany on Monday morning.  The Minnesota State Patrol says the crash happened about 7:15 a.m. on Interstate 94. According to the State Patrol, an SUV being driven by 23-year-old Linzey Gerads of Freeport and a semi-truck being driven by 62-year-old David George of Eagle Bend were both going west on I-94 when they collided near milepost 145. Gerads was taken to the Melrose Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. George was not hurt in the crash.

12-May-2026

Train Hits Unoccupied Truck

Investigation underway after train collides with a pickup truck near Dent. On May 8 at 11:45 p.m. Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports from Canadian Pacific Railroad employees that a train had struck a pickup truck. The truck was unoccupied. The owner of the truck was later contacted and was not hurt. No damage was done to the track or the train. No injuries were reported on the train. The truck sustained severe damage. The incident is under investigation.

12-May-2026

White Earth Man Dies After Fleeing Police

A White Earth man died Friday, May 8, after fleeing from a Becker County deputy on an ATV, according to the Becker County Sheriff’s Office. 47 year old Michael  Azure, was found unresponsive in a wooded area south of White Earth after a brief pursuit. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident began at approximately 2:11 p.m. Friday when a Becker County deputy on patrol in White Earth observed a man driving an ATV on the highway at the east intersection of County Highway 34 and County Highway 21. The deputy recognized the driver as Azure and had prior knowledge that his driving privileges were cancelled-inimical to public safety. After the deputy activated his squad’s emergency lights, Azure fled, accelerating rapidly southbound onto Mission Road. A short pursuit ensued before Azure entered a gravel trail on the south side of White Earth. The deputy lost sight of the ATV and the pursuit was terminated. The ATV was located abandoned in a field south of White Earth at approximately 2:25 p.m. Deputies searched the area and found Azure unresponsive in a wooded area nearby. Deputies immediately began life-saving measures. Those efforts were continued by additional emergency personnel. Azure was transported to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. The cause of death remains under investigation.