Posted on

Manhunt continues for suspect accused of killing 4 in Montana bar shooting

Sign on Anaconda Deer Lodge County police car in closeup. Anaconda^ MT^ USA - May 6^ 2025

Authorities said on Sunday that the search for the man accused of killing four people at a Montana bar on Friday morning has expanded.

Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest said that more than 16 square miles of parkland is closed through Aug. 16 to facilitate the search for the suspect, Michael Paul Brown, 45. Brown is a former U.S. Army soldier who allegedly gunned down a bartender and three patrons at the Owl Bar next door to his Anaconda home. A motive for the shooting is still unknown.

The national forest’s Pintler Ranger District ordered the area about 8 miles west of Anaconda to be closed through the end of Aug. 16 “to ensure public health and safety during the ongoing law enforcement investigation and search efforts to locate the suspect for the Anaconda murders,” with the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center stating that the closure includes “Barker Lake and surrounding area.”

Montana State Attorney General Austin Knudsen said at a news conference on Sunday “This is a dangerous individual who has committed an absolutely heinous crime against this community and these victims.” Knudsen also announced an initial $7,500 reward for information leading to the capture of the suspect.

Knudsen identified the shooting victims as 64-year-old Nancy Lauretta Kelly, who was the bartender at the time of the shooting; 59-year-old Daniel Edwin Bailey; 70-year-old David Allen Leach; and 74-year-old Tony Wayne Palm. He said Baillie, Leach and Palm were all patrons of The Owl Bar. Knudsen said investigators believe that Brown was familiar with most of the victims, including the bartender: “From what I gather, it sounds like he was a regular at this establishment. He literally lives next door. I think it’s likely that he knew the bartender and these patrons, which even makes it more heinous.”

Brown is believed to be armed and dangerous, according to the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center. Authorities said he was wearing a tie-dye shirt, blue jeans and an orange bandana on Friday. However, a picture released Saturday by the Montana DOJ showed him fleeing the scene, apparently stripped down to just his boxers.

Anyone with information on Brown’s whereabouts are urged to call a hotline that has also been established through the U.S. Marshals Service: (877) WANTED2.

Editorial credit: Ian Dewar Photography / Shutterstock.com

Posted on

‘Sex and the City’ spinoff ‘And Just Like That…’ ending with Season 3

Sarah Jessica Parker wearing dress by Fernando Garcia for Oscar de la Renta attends premiere of And Just Like That by HBO MAX at MoMA New York^ NY - December 8^ 2021

HBO Max’s ‘Sex and the City’ spinoff ‘And Just Like That…’ is officially ending with Season 3. The Season 3 finale, which will be released on August 14, will now be the series finale.

Showrunner Michael Patrick King confirmed that the series will not be returning for more episodes, and will end after a two-part Season 3 finale. King wrote in a statement: “And just like that … the ongoing storytelling of the Sex And The City universe is coming to an end. While I was writing the last episode of And Just Like That season three, it became clear to me that this might be a wonderful place to stop. Along with Sarah Jessica Parker, Casey Bloys and Sarah Aubrey, we decided to end the popular series this year with a two-part finale and extended the original series order from 10 episodes to 12.”

King also shared why they did not announce the news before the debut of Season 3 in May: “SJP and I held off announcing the news until now because we didn’t want the word ‘final’ to overshadow the fun of watching the season. It’s with great gratitude we thank all the viewers who have let these characters into their homes and their hearts over these many years.”

Series star Sarah Jessica Parker also confirmed the news on her own social media account, sharing her 27-year journey as Carrie Bradshaw, the character she has portrayed in the franchise since the premiere of Sex and the City on HBO in 1998. Parker wrote in part: “Carrie Bradshaw has dominated my professional heartbeat for 27 years. I think I have loved her most of all. I know others have loved her just as I have. Been frustrated, condemned and rooted for her.The symphony of all those emotions has been the greatest soundtrack and most consequential companion. Therefore the most sentimental and profound gratitude and lifetime of debt. To you all. MPK and I together recognized, as we have in the past, this chapter complete. AJLT was all joy, adventure, the greatest kind of hard work alongside the most extraordinary talent of 380 that includes all the brilliant actors who joined us. I am better for every single day I spent with you .. It will be forever before I forget .. The whole thing.. Thank you all. I love you so. I hope you love these final two episodes as much as we all do.”

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Posted on

Chris Hemsworth to star in Amazon MGM thriller ‘Subversion’

Chris Hemsworth in Dolce & Gabbana suit attends Men in Black: International premiere at AMC Lincoln Center New York^ NY - June 11^ 2019

Chris Hemsworth is set to star in the Amazon MGM deep-sea thriller “Subversion,” directed by Patrick Vollrath.

Produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura and written by Andrew Ferguson, the story has been described as a “Die Hard on a submarine” style thriller that centers on a “once-promising Naval commander (Hemsworth) who is blackmailed by a cartel-like operation into piloting a dangerous submarine carrying illegal cargo across international waters. Thrust into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, the man must outmaneuver blockades and navigate perilous threats both in and outside of the submarine.”

Director Vollrath received an Oscar nomination for his 2016 short film “Everything Will Be Okay,” and made his feature directorial debut with the airplane thriller “7500” starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Posted on

ARREST/FIRE REPORT AUGUST 4

The Northwest Regional Corrections Center reported the arrest of the following–

William Burton Rysdam, 22, of Crookston, for 3rd Degree DUI/Drive while Impaired with an Aggravation Factor

Renea Jean Battistella, 48, of Winger, for 2nd Degree DUI/Blood alcohol concentration .10 or more within 2 hours

Grabiel Hermosa, 33, of Crookston, for Careless Driving

Crookston Fire Calls

There were no calls for the Fire Department yesterday.

Posted on

ARREST/FIRE REPORT AUGUST 4

The Northwest Regional Corrections Center reported the arrest of the following–

William Burton Rysdam, 22, of Crookston, for 3rd Degree DUI/Drive while Impaired with an Aggravation Factor

Renea Jean Battistella, 48, of Winger, for 2nd Degree DUI/Blood alcohol concentration .10 or more within 2 hours

Grabiel Hermosa, 33, of Crookston, for Careless Driving

Crookston Fire Calls

There were no calls for the Fire Department yesterday.

Posted on

Crookston City Council to declare vacancy for Ward 1 Council Member Seat

The Crookston City Council will meet Monday, August 5, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall in the Council Chambers.

Consent Agenda

Within the Consent Agenda, the council will be asked to approve City of Crookston Bills and Disbursements for $335,009.52, the display of fireworks and pyrotechnics in the City Limits during Ox Cart Days, and the approval of both Irishman’s Shanty Inc. and Drafts Sports Bar dispensing intoxicating liquor on the premises during Ox Cart Days. The last item on the consent agenda is a resolution authorizing a contract for Building Official Services between the City of Crookston and the City of Ada. The City of Ada needs these services to ensure that it complies with state and local building codes, administers inspections, and supports safe construction within the city limits. In the contract, the City of Ada will pay the City of Crookston a monthly amount of $1200 for all building permit fees. Additional fees will be charged for additional services as needed.

Regular Agenda

Council member Kristie Jerde resigned her seat as Ward 1 Council Member on July 9, 2025, after being elected to Ward 1 in November 2024. Jerde cited that her resignation was due to moving out of the ward to which she was elected. The seat now being vacant, the Crookston City Council shall appoint an eligible person to fill the vacancy created by Jerde’s resignation.  The Council will be asked to declare the vacancy for the Ward 1 Council Member seat so that the process for filling the seat can begin.

Posted on

Crookston High School Names Evan Pederson New Activities Director

pirate-logo81630

Crookston High School has announced that Evan Pederson will be the new Activities Director starting this year. Pederson brings a wealth of experience to the school district, as well as some local ties. “I have my undergrad degree from UND,” Pederson says, “I taught at an elementary school for 5 years in Grand Forks, then moved over to the middle school, where I was the Dean of Students/Assistant to the Director for three years.”

Pederson also spoke about how he knew that the Activities Director position was a fit for him. “When I saw it open up, I knew it was something I wanted to do… activites and athletics have always been my life. I enjoyed playing, I enjoyed performing in my younger life, and now I’m strongly focused on showing the kids that same direction, and showcasing the kids we have at Crookston High School.”

Pederson also listed his reason for being excited about the position. “Definitely showcasing the talent that Crookston has… putting the time and effort into their activities and giving them a platform so they can perform and participate and compete.”

In terms of goals, Pederson has a clear-cut goal to “showcase” all CHS athletes, giving them a platform to thrive. “I want to build some character in the kids, teach them about some culture that we have established at Crookston, but also showcase them, give them a platform to show, and develop some traditions, and continue those traditions previously established by the coaches and the previous administration.

Pederson also mentioned that he has a goal to grow; not only the current programs and potential new ones, but the participation within those programs. The first opportunity for student-athletes and parents to meet Evan Pederson will be at the Crookston PAC meeting on Monday, August 4th, at the Crookston High School Auditorium.

Posted on

Crookston High School Names Evan Pederson New Activities Director

pirate-logo800265

Crookston High School has announced that Evan Pederson will be the new Activities Director starting this year. Pederson brings a wealth of experience to the school district, as well as some local ties. “I have my undergrad degree from UND,” Pederson says, “I taught at an elementary school for 5 years in Grand Forks, then moved over to the middle school, where I was the Dean of Students/Assistant to the Director for three years.”

Pederson also spoke about how he knew that the Activities Director position was a fit for him. “When I saw it open up, I knew it was something I wanted to do… activites and athletics have always been my life. I enjoyed playing, I enjoyed performing in my younger life, and now I’m strongly focused on showing the kids that same direction, and showcasing the kids we have at Crookston High School.”

Pederson also listed his reason for being excited about the position. “Definitely showcasing the talent that Crookston has… putting the time and effort into their activities and giving them a platform so they can perform and participate and compete.”

In terms of goals, Pederson has a clear-cut goal to “showcase” all CHS athletes, giving them a platform to thrive. “I want to build some character in the kids, teach them about some culture that we have established at Crookston, but also showcase them, give them a platform to show, and develop some traditions, and continue those traditions previously established by the coaches and the previous administration.

Pederson also mentioned that he has a goal to grow; not only the current programs and potential new ones, but the participation within those programs. The first opportunity for student-athletes and parents to meet Evan Pederson will be at the Crookston PAC meeting on Monday, August 4th, at the Crookston High School Auditorium.

Posted on

Dale Bakken – OBIT

obit-photo-sized541970

Dale Bakken, 74, of West Fargo, ND, passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2025, in Fargo, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, love for adventure, and a deep appreciation for the outdoors.

Dale Allen Bakken was born August 8th, 1950, in Fosston, Minnesota. Dale was the son of Lowell and Ruby (Olson) Bakken. He grew up in Crookston and attended McKinley Elementary and Central High School, where he graduated in 1968. He served his country with honor as a member of the Army, a point of pride in his life’s journey. He was discharged from the Army in 1975.

After leaving the army Dale went to tech school for civil engineering. Not long after that he went to work at Hogenson Construction where he cribbed wood elevators. With his degree, he then went on to draft and design wood elevators and slip form concrete elevators. He would eventually own and operate Hogenson Construction. He dedicated many years to operating his business and took pride in his work. Many of his customers became lifelong friends of his, even into retirement. He retired in the fall of 2015.

Dale was united in marriage to Josephine Bakken in June 1977. Together, they moved to Fargo, where he spent the majority of his life. They raised their two children, Jonathan and Elizabeth.

Dale was an active member of the tennis community for many years. Dale loved to spend time traveling with friends and family over the years, with trips to Mexico, Uruguay, and the Caribbean. Dale was a lover of the outdoors. He spent time a lot of time at “the shack” where he enjoyed hunting, working on deer stands, and riding ATVs. For a long time, every June he would go to Nungesser Lake in Canada to fish for walleyes and northern with his friends and family.

Dale was known for his quick wit and an ever-present sense of humor that could lighten any moment. He was always good for a harmless prank or two as well.

He leaves behind his, son Jonathan Bakken: his daughter Elizabeth (Josh) Maynard as well as his most treasured gifts his grandchildren: Christian, Cullen, Beckett and Jovi; his sisters, Carol (Punky) Johnson and Catherine Bell; his brother Paul (Charlow) Bakken; as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends; too many to count. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Lowell and Ruby Bakken, and Brother, Ryan.

Memorials are preferred to the Alzhiemers Association or Hospice. As a family, we truly feel we were blessed with the time enjoyed with him. We will continue to love you and miss you forever.

Celebration of Life: Friday, August 16, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., at V.F.W in West Fargo.

Posted on

Demers Ave. under the Columbia Road Overpass in Grand Forks to go to one lane starting Monday, August 4

city-of-grand-forks-logo-e1692913463993-150x150-1110896

The City of Grand Forks has released this statement about a lane closure starting next week.

Demers Ave. will be reduced to one lane in each direction under the Columbia Road Overpass starting on Monday, August 4, 2025. The lane closures will allow the crews to continue their work on the Columbia Road Overpass directly over Demers Ave.

The lane closures on Demers Ave. will be in place for 2 weeks, weather permitting.