LOCAL

Optivation offers certification course

BEMIDJI – Beginning June 13, a 74-hour classroom and hands-on Building Operator Certification course will be offered by Optivation.

May 20, 2012

Students in the news

The following students were presented with scholarships from Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig-School May 15: Chad Morrison, Vernon Howard, Mary Budeau, Seth Raines, Ashley Anderson and Mary Goggleye.

May 20, 2012

DFL to focus on property taxes

BEMIDJI – DFL legislators are saying they weren’t surprised when property taxes rose in response to a Republican-supported effort last year.

By Bethany Wesley , May 20, 2012

Pioneer Previews: Bemidji Sculpture Walk awards around the corner

The Bemidji Sculpture Walk Reception and award ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at the Blue Ox Bar and Grill. Information on how to vote for your favorite installation for 2011 is in today’s Pioneer.

By Patt Rall , May 20, 2012

Bemidji City Council: DWI Court, Chief Bemidji sculpture to be discussed

BEMIDJI – The agenda for the regular City Council meeting Monday evening includes an update on the county’s DWI Court.

May 20, 2012

Bemidji School Board: Board to look at anti-bullying program

BEMIDJI – As a follow-up to the Governor’s Task Force on the Prevention of School Bullying meeting held in April in Bemidji, the Bemidji School District’s Board of Education will review the district’s code of conduct and current anti-bullying actions.

By Kayla Prasek , May 20, 2012

Republicans leave state convention with problems, optimism

ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Their party faces a $1.3 million debt, ideological differences and lingering questions about a sex scandal, and Republicans leaving their state convention Saturday both acknowledged the problems and kept their chins up.

By Don Davis , May 20, 2012

Learning rules of biking

A bike exchange and rodeo was held at the Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area with more than 50 new bike helmets given away to young riders. The students learned the rules of riding the road from a host of volunteers. Above, Samantha Krueger gets instructions from Marlene Faugstad on how to ride an obstacle course. Monte Draper | Bemidji Pioneer

May 20, 2012

Local artists receive awards

Six local artists competed in the Artists of Minnesota Spring Show in Hutchinson, Minn., and came home with ribbons. From left are Judith Selby, with “Pepper Study,” second place, Advanced Watercolor, and “Winter Days,” second place, Advanced Mixed Media; Barbara Jolly, with “Himba, Child of Africa,” Merit in Drawing; BeverLee Olson, “Orchid Bling,” Merit Award; behind her, Terry Honstead, “Memories of the Past,” Merit in Advanced Transparency; Danielle Stone, “Balancing Act,” first place, Intermediate Opaque; and Kathy Gustafson, “Heading Home,” first place, Super Gold. Monte Draper | Bemidji Pioneer

May 20, 2012

TrekNorth students shine as volunteers

BEMIDJI – While the school year is winding down, final exams are being taken and lockers are being cleaned out, TrekNorth Junior & Senior High School students can pat themselves on the back for the more than 2,000 volunteer hours they gave to the Bemidji Community.

By Brian Matthews , May 19, 2012

Legally blind kayaker going down Mississippi solo

BEMIDJI — Doug Pace had wanted some adventure in his life.

By Jack Hittinger , May 19, 2012

Students learn about careers

The Bemidji Middle School hosted its 19th annual Career Day Friday afternoon, featured 62 people who spoke about their fields of work. Jaret Wittwer, shown talking to students about dirt bike racing, brought five different dirt bikes used in motocross or cross country racing. Monte Draper | Bemidji Pioneer

May 19, 2012

Cass Lake man shot Thursday evening

CASS LAKE - A 19-year-old Cass Lake man was shot Thursday night but did not suffer life-threatening injuries, according to a press release form the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

May 18, 2012

Man dies after boom lift touches power line

BEMIDJI - A 49-year-old Bemidji man died Thursday when the boom lift he was operating came into contact with a power line.

By Pioneer Staff Report , May 18, 2012

Bemidji mail center safe from cuts for now

BEMIDJI – The plan to consolidate some of the United States Postal Service’s processing centers is moving forward, but Bemidji’s sorting facility won’t be among the first to close.

By Pioneer Staff Report , May 18, 2012