Latest news with #BeckerCounty
CBS News
20-07-2025
- CBS News
Domestic assault suspect charged after being shot by officials at Minnesota rest stop
A domestic assault suspect shot by law enforcement at a western Minnesota rest stop has been charged. Todd Ole Burris, 36, of Bemidji, Minnesota, has been charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer, two counts of first-degree assault of a peace officer, two counts of second-degree assault and fleeing, according to the criminal complaint. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says the Becker County Sheriff's Office first responded to a reported assault on July 9 around 5:36 p.m. According to the complaint, Burris left a home on Highway 21 after assaulting someone, slashing her tires and taking a firearm. Authorities found Burris's car in Detroit Lakes and attempted a traffic stop, according to the complaint. Becker County officials say Burris initially stopped his car, before fleeing the area at speeds exceeding 100 mph. The complaint says Burris pulled into the parking lot of a rest stop on Highway 10 in Frazee, Otter Tail County. According to the BCA, Burris "partially exited his vehicle" and pointed a handgun at Lieutenant Luke Sweere with the Becker County Sheriff's Office. "An exchange of fire took place" between Burris, Sweere and Detroit Lakes police officer Philip Vaughn, the BCA said. Officials initially reported Burris had been shot in both legs, but charges say he was shot in one leg. Officers gave him medical aid before he was taken to a Fargo, North Dakota hospital. Investigators recovered a handgun and shell casings at the scene. No law enforcement personnel were injured. Burris' next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 11. Domestic Violence Resources: For anonymous, confidential help, people can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224. NOTE: Video is from July 10, 2025.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Yahoo
Minn. State Senator Found Guilty of Breaking Into Her Stepmother's House
NEED TO KNOW Minnesota State Senator Nicole Mitchell was found guilty of felony first-degree burglary and possession of burglary or theft tools She broke into her stepmother's home in Detroit Lakes, Minn., in 2024 She faces a mandatory minimum of 180 days in jailMinnesota State Senator Nicole Mitchell was found guilty of felony first-degree burglary and possession of burglary or theft tools for breaking into her stepmother's home in Detroit Lakes, Minn., by a Becker County jury on Friday, July 18. Mitchell, 50, who is from Woodbury, Minn., allegedly broke into the home on April 22, 2024, dressed in black and equipped with a flashlight covered with a sock, per local news outlet MPR News. The jury of nine men and three women deliberated for about three hours after getting the case at 12:38 p.m. local time on July 18. The state senator claimed that she entered her stepmother's house without permission for a welfare check on Carol Mitchell, who allegedly has Alzheimer's disease. This was contrary to what she told police officers who arrested her after Carol called 911 to report an intruder at the time, the outlet reports. Becker County Attorney Brian McDonald brought up the police body cam footage during his closing arguments. He began by repeating a statement Mitchell made while in police custody: "I know I did something bad.' McDonald added, 'Now she wants to lie about it.' He continued, 'This is convenient testimony by an admitted liar. Ladies and gentlemen, do not buy it.' The Becker County attorney concluded that he was "pleased for Carol Mitchell, for some justice." Mitchell's Defense attorney Dane DeKrey said his team said there are "arguments for mercy" in Nicole Mitchell's sentencing. The judge overseeing the trial said Mitchell could remain free pending sentencing. A date for sentencing has not yet been set, per CBS News. She faces a mandatory minimum of 180 days in jail, the outlet reports. Take PEOPLE with you! to get the latest details on celebrity news, exclusive royal updates, how-it-happened true crime stories and more — right to your mailbox. Democratic Minn. Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy said Mitchell "has told colleagues that she intended to resign if found guilty of this crime, and I expect her to follow through on that pledge." Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson said the verdict confirms Nicole Mitchell's actions "failed to meet the level of ethical behavior we expect from elected officials, and her continued participation in the Minnesota Senate leaves the body with a stain on its record for every time her vote was the deciding vote in passing legislation." Read the original article on People
CBS News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Defense to present case in day 3 of Minnesota state Sen. Nicole Mitchell burglary trial
The burglary trial of Minnesota state Sen. Nicole Mitchell goes into its third day on Thursday, and could soon go to the jury. The Woodbury Democrat is accused of burglarizing the Detroit Lakes home of her stepmother, Carol Mitchell, on April 22, 2024, and is charged with felony first-degree burglary and possession of burglary or theft tools. The senator pleaded not guilty and has said she was in the home to retrieve some of her late father's items, as well as check on her stepmother, who lives with Alzheimer's disease. The prosecution wrapped its case on Wednesday, and the defense will present its case on Thursday. It's still unknown whether Nicole Mitchell will take the witness stand herself. On Wednesday, Becker County Attorney Brian McDonald rested his case after showing new body camera video of the senator's stepmother, Carol Mitchell, telling officers what happened. "I couldn't figure out what woke me, if it was a loud sound or if what," Carol Mitchell told an officer in the body camera video. "I stepped down and I stepped on a body." Police say that body was Nicole Mitchell. Prosecutors claim she was caught "red handed" breaking into her stepmother's home last year. The defense disagrees, claiming the senator went to the home early that morning concerned about her stepmother. They showed text messages between Nicole Mitchell and other family members raising their concerns. Nancy Lund, Nicole Mitchell's aunt, testified that Carol Mitchell was forgetting things. "She was having a lot of trouble trying to keep things together and concern that she would be a vulnerable adult who could be taken advantage of," Lund said. The defense plans to call a handful of other witnesses on Thursday, which means they could soon wrap up their case. The trial reconvenes Thursday at 9 a.m. The trial saw two delays before finally beginning this week — one until after the legislative session at Nicole Mitchell's request and another following the June shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses. Nicole Mitchell has survived multiple expulsion attempts by her Republican Senate colleagues, but the body's DFL Caucus did remove her from committee assignments and caucus meetings days after her arrest. WCCO will offer special, extended coverage of Mitchell's trial online and on CBS News Minnesota.
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Female state senator's shocking CAT BURGLAR sideline emerges after clash with stepmother
Police bodycam footage of a female Minnesota senator allegedly burglarizing her stepmother's home was played in court this week. The video – taken the night of the incident on April 22, 2024 – captures the dramatic moment police officers discovered Senator Nicole Mitchell in the basement of her stepmother's Detroit Lakes home. Mitchell was found in an all–black outfit, carrying a flashlight. Her black garb and matching black hat has comically been compared to that of a cat burglar on social media. 'Apparently, Senator @NicoleMitchell watched a cartoon as to how to dress up as a cat burglar,' someone on X wrote. Mitchell's felony burglary trial kicked off on July 15 and, during jury selection, Becker County Attorney Brian McDonald called into question the state senator's cartoon–like outfit, asking the 23 potential jurors, 'Would you agree that how the person was dressed is relevant to their intentions?' Many of the potential jurors nodded. The bodycam footage revealed in court on Tuesday shows the moments leading up to officers' discovery of Mitchell in the basement. Police entered the home of the stepmother – Carol Mitchell – after she made a 911 call reporting, 'Somebody's broken into my house.' Upon arrival at the house, a seemingly terrified Carol directed them to the location of the intruder in the basement – where her stepdaughter was then discovered and handcuffed. Following Mitchell's arrest upon discovery, the senator called out to her stepmom, 'It's Nicole. I was just trying to get some of my dad's things because you wouldn't talk to me anymore.' When the police officer asked Carol how she knew the intruder, she replied, 'She's my stepdaughter. She's also a Minnesota senator.' Mitchell's father Roderick died without a will in 2023, and a probate court awarded Carol Mitchell 100 percent of Roderick Mitchell's estate. This decision led to a familial dispute over the finances, with Carol accusing Mitchell of 'trying to get money.' The police reportedly found a crowbar and a backpack containing two laptops on the scene and Mitchell was charged with felony first–degree burglary and possession of burglary tools. Testimony for Mitchell's trial began on Tuesday, with Carol testifying that she felt 'extremely violated' when her home was broken into. 'It was frightening,' she said. 'I didn't dare to stay there. I moved out.' Mitchell's defense attorney, meanwhile, is arguing that the senator broke into her house because she was concerned over her stepmother's declining health. Mitchell also told police on the scene that her stepmother has Alzheimer's and is 'paranoid'. In court on Tuesday, Mitchell's defense attorney said, 'Losing a parent is always hard. For Nicole, her father Rod's death seemed to come too early, and it also came at a time when Carol was in decline.' The attorney continued, 'By the time Nicole drove to Carol's in April of 2024, Nicole's dad had been dead for more than a year. A year of Carol throwing out, giving away, and donating Rod's things. For all Nicole knew, there may not have been any of Rod's personal belongings even left in the house. Nicole knew that Carol was declining and eventually Carol wouldn't be able to take care of herself.' However, when Carol was asked if her stepdaughter cared about her safety or well–being, she told the court 'I don't believe so. Nicole never let me get close to her.' Mitchell has pleaded not guilty to first–degree burglary and possession of burglary tools. If convicted, she will face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. If found guilty of possession of burglary tools, she will face a maximum sentence of three years in prison.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Region 2 Arts Council awards $5,580 in Sudden Opportunity Grants
Jun. 1—The Region 2 Arts Council recently allocated $5,580 in Sudden Opportunity Grant funding to individuals and small organizations in the Bemidji area. With up to $500 available in funding, the new grant is designed to support urgent needs. The program offers a rolling deadline to cover expenses related to essential travel, training, transportation and project-related supplies. "The goal is to provide support for creative people and projects that is available quickly to respond to dynamic circumstances," a release said. The grant is open to artists and culture bearers living in the Minnesota counties of Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen or Roseau. It is also available for small organizations located in the Minnesota counties of Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods or Mahnomen that perform or teach music, theater, and/or other arts and cultural programming. The following artists and organizations were selected for this round of funding: Charles Alberti of Bemidji was awarded $500 to create posters to market the "Windows and Books" exhibit/show at Loon Country Arts Gallery in Bemidji in March. Josiah Wood of Bemidji was awarded $280 to repair a broken film sprocket on their Canon A1 camera. Michael Bowman Sr. of Bemidji was awarded $500 to expand his woodworking skills by taking a course at the North House Folk School. David Paquette of Cass Lake was awarded $500 to purchase materials and cover transportation costs to and from his shop in Bemidji. Jesica Smith of Ogema was awarded $500 to purchase print supplies and to create new artworks in a larger format for exhibition at local galleries. Lead for Inclusion in Bemidji was awarded $500 to purchase arts supplies, including adaptive arts supplies, and pay artist instructors and co-leaders to organize inclusive arts and theater workshops as part of their Youth Summit. Lenore Siems of Bemidji was awarded $500 to cover travel expenses to attend fiddle and dance workshops at the mid-winter Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association in Plymouth, Minn. Project for Change of Bemidji was awarded $500 to host a free community paint party, to paint an affirmational image, have community conversation, discuss the community strengths and opportunities for growth and use art as healing. Tawnee Corning of Bagley was awarded $500 to register in Zoey Frank's online painting workshops, "Breaking the Surface Part 1 and Part 2: Exploring the History of Pictorial Space" and "Painting Change: Still Life in Motion" to further develop her craft. Petra Ybarra-Johnson of Redby was awarded $500 to buy beading supplies to fulfill current commissions and create work for upcoming summer vendor shows. Isabelle Harmon of Shevlin was awarded $500 to purchase an H-Frame easel to use in demonstrating painting techniques in upcoming painting classes she is teaching in Bagley and Park Rapids. Emmy May of Red Lake was awarded $500 to purchase beads and beading supplies to keep up with requests for graduations and powwow season.
