Stories from surrounding communities, closest first.
Grand Forks Herald · Nisswa, MN
Nearby: Nisswa, MNNISSWA, Minn. — The former owner of Nisswa Inn and Suites is accused of misleading a woman with a free trip to Nisswa — then forcing her to work at the hotel against her will. Vijay Kumar Ramanbhai Patel, 52, of Deerwood, Minnesota, was charged Tuesday, Nov. 10, in Crow Wing County District Court with one count of felony labor trafficking and one count of felony threats of violence. Patel is not in custody and is scheduled to make his first appearance on the criminal charges Dec. 7 in Crow Wing County District Court. According to the criminal complaint and summons filed against Patel, on Sept. 13, 2024, a Crow Wing County Sheriff’s investigator met with the victim, a woman from Guyana in South America, who said she was in New York City visiting family when she responded to an advertisement that offered her a free trip to see Nisswa. The woman bought a plane ticket, which she was told would be reimbursed, and arrived in Minnesota around July 28, 2024.
Pine and Lakes Echo Journal · Nisswa, MN
Nearby: Nisswa, MNNISSWA — The former owner of Nisswa Inn and Suites faces criminal charges after he allegedly misled a woman with a free trip to Nisswa then forced her to work at the hotel against her will. Vijay Kumar Ramanbhai Patel, 52, was charged Tuesday, Nov. 10, in Crow Wing County District Court with one count of felony labor trafficking and one count of felony threats of violence. Patel, of Deerwood, is not in custody and is scheduled to make his first appearance on the criminal charges Dec. 7 in Crow Wing County District Court. According to the criminal complaint and summons filed against Patel, on Sept. 13, 2024, a Crow Wing County Sheriff’s investigator met with the victim, a woman from Guyana in South America, who said she was in New York City visiting family when she responded to an advertisement that offered her a free trip to see Nisswa. The woman bought a plane ticket, which she was told would be reimbursed, and arrived in Minnesota around July 28, 2024.
Pine and Lakes Echo Journal · Nisswa, MN
Nearby: Nisswa, MNBRAINERD — CJK Group, Inc., headquartered in Brainerd, announced it has acquired Viking Label & Packaging, Inc., a label and packaging manufacturer based in Nisswa. Viking will continue to operate under the Viking Label & Packaging name as a standalone CJK Group company, led by its existing management team, a news release said. Founded in 1965, Viking Label & Packaging produces custom pressure-sensitive labels and inserts, with capabilities that include RFID inlay insertion and encoding, variable data and QR codes, multi-panel booklets, embossing, cold foil, tamper-evident and outdoor-durable labels. "Viking has built an outstanding reputation for quality, responsiveness and partnership with its customers," Chris Kurtzman, CEO of CJK Group, said in the release. "This acquisition extends our portfolio into label and packaging manufacturing, a natural complement to the print and production expertise across CJK Group.
Pine and Lakes Echo Journal · Crosby, MN
Nearby: Crosby, MNAs most Minnesotans will attest, there are few things better than a just-picked, garden-grown tomato. Fresh, healthy food just seems to feed both the body and soul. Knowing this, the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Volunteers in Crow Wing County have made growing, and sharing, fresh food something of a mission. This past year, they distributed over 10,000 servings (5,008 pounds) of locally grown fruits and vegetables to food shelves county-wide, including: Baxter Food Shelf Community Table in Crosby Central Lakes College Food Pantry Crow Wing Community Services/WIC Cuyuna Range Food Shelf Crosslake Food Shelf Garrison Area Caregivers Lakes Area Food Shelf (Pequot Lakes) Lighthouse Beginnings Relationship Safety Alliance Salvation Army This initiative of volunteers growing and donating food is called Giving Gardens, and began in 2020. Since that time, they have donated over 25,000 pounds of food.
Pine and Lakes Echo Journal · Pequot Lakes, MN
Nearby: Pequot Lakes, MNPEQUOT LAKES — Pequot Lakes Community Education offers the following upcoming classes. See full descriptions and register online at pequotlakes.arux.app. Micro Mosaics (Ages 16+): 10 am to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Pequot Lakes High School. Use tiny pieces of glass and stone to design and assemble your own intricate work of art. The 10 Important People You Need for Your Estate Plan to Work: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11. Live virtual presentation. Learn the roles and how to choose an attorney-in-fact, health care agent, estate executor, trustee, guardian and more. Knead to Know: A Bread-Making Class for Beginners and Beyond: 4-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. Live virtual instruction. Learn the essential skills and techniques to make the three foundational breads every home baker should know. ]]>
Pine and Lakes Echo Journal · Breezy Point, MN
Nearby: Breezy Point, MNBREEZY POINT — The Breezy Point City Council, at its Monday, Nov. 9, regular meeting, opened the search for a new council member, declaring a vacancy that begins Jan. 1 and inviting interested residents to apply through Dec. 18. The seat is open after council member Brad Scott chose not to file for reelection and only incumbent Michael Moroni filed for one of two open seats. No write-in candidates asked to have write-in votes counted by the Oct. 15 deadline. “The city did not receive any request and now must proceed with an appointment process,” City Administrator Allie Polsfuss told the council. The city will accept applications at city hall until noon Friday, Dec. 18. Applications go to the city clerk and then to the mayor, who will recommend a candidate at the council’s Jan. 4 meeting. The council will then vote. The appointee will serve through Dec. 31, 2028, and the seat is expected to be on the November 2028 ballot. Mayor Todd Roggenkamp said the process is familiar.
Pine and Lakes Echo Journal · Breezy Point, MN
Nearby: Breezy Point, MNAbout three years ago, northern Minnesota resident Dean Schliek and his family of five, who live in Breezy Point, decided to travel to the Canada border. They approached their trip not by traveling in a passenger car or SUV, but instead the family loaded their tents and sleeping bags on an all-terrain vehicle and hit the trails. It was a fun, three-day adventure traversing 245 miles of backcountry they had never experienced previously. Instead of getting a hotel room, their lodgings were the forests. During one stretch of their journey, they encountered a trail flooded by the spring melt. “Most of the terrain was pretty smooth sailing, probably 90% to 95% were ATV trails. All of them were fairly maintained and it went pretty smoothly until we got way into northern Minnesota,” he said. “A vast majority of northern Minnesota is pretty much all swamp.
