Mar. 23—March 23, 2014 — Busby the Big Buck, a statue that makes its home in front of the Bemidji Woolen Mills, has been stolen. It’s thought the art installation was stolen between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, and a $500 reward is being offered for the statue, which is valued at $10,000.

March 23, 1999 — There might still be snow on the ground, but signs of spring are starting to arrive. Among them are several migratory bird species arriving back in Bemidji or making their way further north. Area bird watchers are putting together information for anyone interested in identifying species they encounter.

March 23, 1974 — An early morning fire at the Bemidji Hotel forced residents to flee just after midnight Wednesday morning. No one was injured during the blaze, though one of the 60 residents is in the hospital for observation after smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

March 23, 1924 — The state auditor has announced that several thousand acres of new land will be available for sale this year in northern Minnesota, many of which will be in the Bemidji area. The land reclassification will affect 48,000 acres, with much of that land on good soil and in prime locations.