Most kids would jump at the chance to ride along with firefighters, but Bemidji Fire Chief Dave Hoefer’s daughter may be the exception.
“She’s bored. Wants to go back to the fish fry,” Hoefer said after extinguishing a small blaze Wednesday afternoon.
Here’s some shots taken with my trusty iPhone. Continue reading
The family of Les Headbird, killed March 21, is anxious for the trial of his accused killer to begin, County Attorney Tim Faver said Friday. Justin Glawe | Bemidji Pioneer
Leslie Headbird’s family wants to see his accused killer, Damion John Gullickson, brought to justice. But the sheer volume of evidence that must be examined by police in order for the Beltrami County Attorney’s Office to build its case has hampered the speed of the courts process.
Mainly, there is a large amount of blood and DNA evidence that must be processed at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s crime lab in Minneapolis before defense and prosecutors are willing to discuss evidence against Gullickson, and 29-year-old Dora Jean Keezer. Originally booked on second-degree manslaughter, Keezer’s charges have been reduced. She is currently accused of beating a woman at Headbird’s home, 1315 Quill Lane SE, and faces felony assault charges. Continue reading
Dale and Arletta Zeidlik’s home was saved by firefighters Monday. The couple were the first to call in one of two wildfires northeast of Red Lake. Justin Glawe | Bemidji Pioneer
I’ve been to many fires before, but never a wildfire. So Tuesday was new to me. Luckily I had Red Lake Fire Chief Mark Sigana as my guide.
Again, I couldn’t help but be struck by the magnitude not only of the two fires blaring away Tuesday, but of this state in general. As Sigana and I cruised the backroads, trying to spot smoke and helicopters that appeared as dots in the air, I felt entirely insignificant. Sigana’s knowledge of such vast territory impressed me.
A few homes were threatened by the fires, but it doesn’t appear anyone was hurt. Here’s a few shots from my tour with Sigana. Continue reading
“Everybody knows this is nowhere.” Justin Glawe | Bemidji Pioneer
I trekked up to Kelliher Tuesday for an upcoming story. The tale involves a quadruple murder in 1923, and the attempt by two Beltrami County Sheriff’s deputies to memorialize one of the victims – a county cop named James Art Wilson.
Here’s some of the roadside abandonment that caught my eye. Continue reading
The Beltrami County District Courthouse, also known as my second home. Justin Glawe | Bemidji Pioneer
Thursday brought news of the not guilty plea entered by Jacob William Kinn, a 29-year-old Bemidji man accused of possessing child porn.
Kinn is also suspected by authorities as being responsible for posting and ad on Craigslist in February, looking for a “2-9 year old” girl to pose for pictures in his “personal collection.” Continue reading
It’s fitting that after after four months here in the Great White North, the Chicago Blackhawks, my beloved Men of Four Feathers, will be taking on none other than the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs tonight.
Since moving here in late December I’ve been able to watch or listen to only a handful of Hawks games, so I was happy to have an excuse to tell my editor I’d be working an earlier shift today in order to watch Game 1. He’s a Wild fan, so he understands.
Here’s a few of my favorite aspects of being a Blackhawks fan. Continue reading
The home of Darlene Gerbracht, at 406 Getchell Ave., is pictured. Justin Glawe | Bemidji Pioneer
Tuesday brought several moments of reflection.
About 30 of them, in fact, on the drive back from Bagley. It was there that I hit the ground trying to unravel the deaths of two, as-of-then unidentified, people. In the midst of my reporting I received an email.
“Strib has ID’d both of them.” Continue reading
Eli Hartwell, 6, raised this flag every time a bell rang signifying the lighting of a candle to memorialize a victim of violence at “Take Back the Night.” Justin Glawe | Bemidji Pioneer
I imagine for some it might be difficult to write about subjects as sensitive and tragic as sexual abuse and domestic violence.
Even more so, I think, it’s difficult for people to read about. But that doesn’t make it any less important. Continue reading
Linda, Cal and Ann Larson sold almost $1,000 worth of handmade jewelry at Bemidji’s Biggest Indoor Garage Sale and Craft Show Saturday. The Larsons were one of dozens of vendors who sold crafts, collectibles and clothing, among other things, to the 2,764 people who walked through the door Saturday. Justin Glawe | Bemidji Pioneer
I’m not sure how one sells a K’s worth of homemade jewelry, but the Larsons did at the garage sale held at the Sanford Center today. I’m also not sure how one makes that much jewelry and still has time for life, but then again I’m not very good with my hands.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not technically skilled with a camera. But when a kid like this pops up in front of your eyes, it’s pretty hard not to get a good shot. Continue reading
Taken at Peoria Police Headquarters on my last Nite Cops shift for the Journal Star.
Note: I’ve updated this post with some thoughts on scanner-less crime reporting from a fellow journalist just outside Atlanta. Scroll to the bottom to read her take. Also, I’ve created Tumblr and Twitter accounts in an attempt to start a conversation between journalists and law enforcement about what encryption means for the flow of information.
As the manhunt for Dzokhar Tsarnaev intensified and began to focus on a boat in Watertown Friday night, I turned to the Boston Police scanner channel as my primary source of information.
Yes, I was keeping an eye on Twitter. And yes, I was watching CNN and WCVB’s live coverage. But, as is the case while covering crime here in Bemidji, the scanner was my number one. It was interesting to watch thousands, if not tens of thousands of others on Twitter, discover the merits of police frequencies.
But then I got nervous. Here’s why:
