Local and Regional News, Wednesday 5/27/2026
An Emo man is facing multiple charges following two separate investigations by Rainy River District OPP.
Police say 63-year-old Rodney Michael Godbout is charged with breaching a Conditional Sentence Order after investigators alleged he violated residence conditions tied to the order.
In a separate incident during the Emo Walleye Classic weekend, officers conducting a RIDE check on Colonization Road say a driver failed a roadside screening test and was taken for further breath testing.
Godbout is now charged with impaired operation, driving over the legal alcohol limit, and another breach of a Conditional Sentence Order. His licence was suspended for 90 days, the vehicle impounded for seven days, and he’s scheduled to appear in Fort Frances court June 25th.
Meanwhile, Essentia Health says CEO Dr. David Herman has been appointed to the Board of Commissioners for the Joint Commission, one of the nation’s leading healthcare quality and safety organizations.
The Joint Commission accredits more than 22-thousand healthcare organizations across the country and helps shape national standards for patient care and safety.
Dr. Herman says it’s an honor to help advance quality, safety, and healthcare accessibility, especially in rural communities.
Essentia Health says the appointment reflects Dr. Herman’s work expanding rural healthcare access and improving patient safety across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.
And communities across Minnesota are preparing for another busy summer farmers market season.
Save the Boundary Waters Action Fund has announced a new slate of endorsements in Minnesota legislative races ahead of the November election.
The organization says the endorsed candidates support permanent protections for the Boundary Waters watershed from sulfide-ore copper mining and recognize the region’s environmental, cultural, and economic importance.
Among those endorsed are Minnesota House candidates Reed Olson in District 2-A and Emily Thabes in District 2-B, along with Senate candidates Bjorn Solberg in District 1 and Kari Dorry in District 12.
The group says polling shows roughly 70 percent of Minnesotans support permanent protection of the Boundary Waters watershed and points to studies suggesting mining near the wilderness could threaten tourism and outdoor recreation jobs.
A complete endorsement list is available through Save the Boundary Waters Action Fund.
Meanwhile, two Fort Frances residents are facing fraud-related charges after police say a stolen wallet was used to make several purchases around town.
The wallet was reportedly stolen from a parked vehicle on Riverview Drive on May 21st. Investigators reviewed transaction records and surveillance footage before arresting two suspects.
Forty-six-year-old Stanley Wenell-Jack faces several charges including fraud under five-thousand dollars, possession of property obtained by crime, use of a credit card obtained by crime, and failing to comply with court orders.
Twenty-two-year-old Colton Lengyel is charged with seven counts of fraud under five-thousand dollars along with additional property and credit card offences.
Both remain in custody and are scheduled for bail hearings May 29th in Fort Frances.
Police are reminding residents to lock their vehicles, remove valuables from sight, and report suspicious activity.
And at Voyageurs National Park, educational programming is expanding for the summer tourism season.
Voyageurs Conservancy says visitors can take part in guided hikes, eagle presentations, geology talks, dark sky programming, and special “Park After Dark” events.
More details on summer events and programming are available through Voyageurs Conservancy.