Mental Health, the System, and Crime: A Mother’s Journey

Mental Health, The System & Crime: One Mother's Story BAGLEY, MN (trfnews.i234.me) Earlier this month we told you about a man charged with stealing a police car in Bagley, Minnesota. His mother tells TRF News that she tried to get him help for mental health issues over and over, before the crime happened.

Man Arrested After Standoff in Grand Forks: A Cautionary Tale of Mental Health and Law Enforcement

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (trfnews.i234.me) – A 36-year-old man was arrested after a prolonged standoff with Grand Forks Police Department in North Dakota. The incident began when officers were dispatched to a residence on Cherry Street due to reports of suicidal comments made by the individual. Initially, phone contact was established with the subject, who claimed… Continue reading Man Arrested After Standoff in Grand Forks: A Cautionary Tale of Mental Health and Law Enforcement

Chilling Case of Mental Health Crisis in Bemidji

Frightening Example Of A Mental Health Issue In Bemidji BEMIIDJI, MN (trfnews.i234.me) Police on an almost daily basis deal with mental health issues in towns across our region. Here’s an example of a frightening one in Bemidji.

UPDATE: Incident Report of Sunday Night Stabbing and Mental Health Call in Grand Forks

UPDATE: Report Of Sunday Night Stabbing & Mental Health Call In Grand Forks GRAND FORKS, ND (trfnews.i234.me) We have an update regarding a report of a possible stabbing and a separate mental health call in Grand Forks Sunday night.

UPDATE: Polk County Health Department Addresses COVID-19 Allegations at Crookston’s Care & Share Facility

UPDATE: Polk County Health Dept. Responds To Claims Of COVID-19 At Crookston's, Care & Share CROOKSTON, MN (trfnews.i234.me) The Polk County Health Department has responded to claims of COVID-19 exposure to people who used the food shelf at Crookston’s, “Care & Share” shelter.

North Dakota Police Officer Succumbs to Mental Health Struggles

North Dakota Police Officer Loses Battle With Mental Illness ROLLA, ND (trfnews.i234.me) A Rolla, North Dakota police officer has died, following a losing battle with mental illness, according to his GoFundMe page. https://gofund.me/f03c653b

Orthopedic Surgeon Wins $290K Verdict Against Sanford Health for Sending Unauthorized Letter to Patients

FARGO — Dr. Matthew Friederichs, an orthopedic surgeon, has won a nearly $290,000 verdict against Sanford Health after a jury found the health system violated state and federal law by sending an unauthorized letter to his patients. The decision came on Friday, Sept. 6, following a two-week civil trial in U.S. District Court. Friederichs, who… Continue reading Orthopedic Surgeon Wins $290K Verdict Against Sanford Health for Sending Unauthorized Letter to Patients

Judge Orders Second Mental Health Evaluation for Thief River Falls Murder Defendant

Jorge Luis Benitez-Estremera

Thief River Falls, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – Judge Tamara Yon has granted a state motion for a second mental health evaluation of Jorge Luis Benitez-Estremera, 33, who is facing charges of first-degree premeditated murder and second-degree murder. Benitez-Estremera is accused of intentionally killing 61-year-old Steven Opdahl on May 9, 2023, outside DigiKey in Thief River Falls.… Continue reading Judge Orders Second Mental Health Evaluation for Thief River Falls Murder Defendant

“Voices Told Me to Kill Him”: St. Paul Man Charged with Murdering Priest

Nathan Wondra

ST. PAUL, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – A St. Paul man, Nathan Wondra, 32, has been charged with second-degree murder after reportedly strangling a 76-year-old priest, Lawrence Johnson, along Interstate 94. Wondra called 911 around 12:40 p.m. Thursday, claiming he was having a psychotic break and had “choked out” Johnson, who was taking him to Regions Hospital… Continue reading “Voices Told Me to Kill Him”: St. Paul Man Charged with Murdering Priest

Moorhead Man Accused of Killing Mother Waits Nearly a Year for Mental Health Treatment

James Diawo Kollie

MOORHEAD, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – A Moorhead man accused of killing his mother has waited in jail for almost a year for treatment at a state mental health facility so his ability to stand trial can be restored. And he isn’t alone. On Sept. 13, Clay County Judge Tammy Merkins determined James Diawo Kollie, 26, was… Continue reading Moorhead Man Accused of Killing Mother Waits Nearly a Year for Mental Health Treatment

🚨 Pantsless Man Strolls Through Grand Forks, Undergoes Mental Health Evaluation

GRAND FORKS, ND (trfnews.i234.me) – A peculiar incident caught the attention of Grand Forks residents on Sunday morning. A man was seen walking down the 1700 block of South 17th Street, behind Grand City’s Mall, wearing only shorts that were pulled down. A photo of the scene was submitted by a TRF News viewer, sparking… Continue reading 🚨 Pantsless Man Strolls Through Grand Forks, Undergoes Mental Health Evaluation

Bemidji Police Use Pepper Balls to Subdue Knife-Wielding Man in Mental Health Crisis

BEMIDJI, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – We have an update from Bemidji Police regarding a subject who was pepperballed Thursday night. The male subject was apparently suffering a mental health episode. On July 11th, at 8:45 p.m., Bemidji police responded to a welfare check at a residence on 21st Street Northwest. Officers learned that a 35-year-old male… Continue reading Bemidji Police Use Pepper Balls to Subdue Knife-Wielding Man in Mental Health Crisis

Bemidji Police Issue Exclusive Video Update on Pepperballing Incident and Subsequent Mental Health Evaluation

BEMIDJI, MN (trfnews.i234.me) We have an update from Bemidji Police regarding a subject who was pepperballed Thursday night. The male subject was apparently suffering a mental health episode.