Author: Dan Hanger

Convicted Killer From Duluth Sentenced For Kidnapping, Rape

DULUTH, Minn. — A convicted killer from Duluth is sentenced again for a serious crime he committed while out on parole. Dennis Hannuksela, 64, kidnapped, bound and raped a woman on a logging road near Duluth in May of 2021. In court Monday, Hannuksela got the maximum sentence of 19 years in prison. He was previously convicted of first-degree murder…

People Pack Bentleyville As Christmas Nears

DULUTH, Minn. — With Christmas one week away, Bentleyville Tour of Lights was busier than ever Sunday at Bayfront Park. Thousands of families enjoyed all of the lights, displays and joy Bentleyville has to offer. It’s the attraction’s 20th season at Bayfront. And while it’s the largest free walk-through display in America, some decided to run through it Sunday evening,…

‘Hairball’ Coming to Black Bear; Vocalist Drew Hart Wowed By Age Range Of Fans

Hairball, one of the most popular tribute bands in America, is hitting the big, big stage this New Year’s Eve, performing at half-time at U.S. Bank Stadium for the Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers game. But before that, Hairball is headed back to Black Bear Casino this Friday to perform. Drew Hart, one of the lead vocalist for Hairball,…

Mayor-Elect Reinert Makes First Shakeup At Duluth City Hall

DULUTH, Minn. — A shakeup has begun at Duluth City Hall.  Mayor-Elect Roger Reinert announced new nominations Wednesday for Chief Administrative Officer and City Attorney. Reinert has tapped Dave Montgomery to return to the role of CAO.  Montgomery retired from that position in 2018 after serving nine years under Mayors Emily Larson and Don Ness. Reinert said Montgomery will only…

DOJ Arrests 10 Wanted Fugitives In Twin Ports

TWIN PORTS, Minn. – Ten wanted fugitives are off the streets of the Twin Ports after an operation lead by the U.S. Department of Justice. During the arrests between Dec. 8 and the 12th, three handguns were recovered, along with 69 fentanyl pills, meth and cocaine. Five of the suspects were wanted for firearms-related crimes, according to authorities. A half-dozen…

BCA: Third Suspect Turns Himself In After Eveleth Kidnapping, Sexual Assault

DULUTH, Minn. — A third suspect is under arrest in connection to a kidnapping and assault in Eveleth that took place over multiple days. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension on Monday said the 38-year-old man is from Eveleth. He turned himself into the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia Monday morning. The other men under arrest are a…

Council OKs Mayor Larson Appointments Against Mayor-Elect Reinert’s Plea To Deny

DULUTH, Minn. – Without discussion and against the wishes of Mayor-Elect Roger Reinert, the Duluth City Council approved three appointments by outgoing Mayor Emily Larson at Monday night’s city council meeting, and it included appointing former city councilor Zack Filipovich to the DECC’s board. Reinert had called on the council to deny Larson’s appointments, He said the 60-40 win on…

Hibbing Man, 20, Killed In Head-On Crash; ‘You Are Loved By So Many’

HIBBING, Minn. –  Family and friends on the Iron Range are in mourning after a young man was killed over the weekend in a head-on crash. Levi Greenwood, 20, of Hibbing graduated last year from East Range Academy of Technology and Science. Levi and family The Minnesota State Patrol said the accident happened around 4:30 a.m. Saturday. They said Greenwood…

Mayor Larson Appoints Filipovich To DECC Board, Mayor-Elect Reinert Asks Council To Deny

This comes after Reinert asked Larson to let him appoint board, commission seats opening in December

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Mayor Emily Larson is in power until Jan. 2, and she is using that power to appoint former city councilor Zack Filipovich to a seat on the DECC board that’s opening up at the end of the year. It’s a move by Larson that goes against the request of Mayor-Elect Roger Reinert. Last week, Reinert told…

DECC Exec. Dir.: $1M Line Of Credit Untouched, Year-Round Business Model Sought

DULUTH, Minn. — DECC Executive Director Dan Hartman gave an update Sunday on the venue’s struggling financing, saying he is proud to report the DECC has not used a dime of the $1 million emergency line of credit, which the city council reluctantly approved in September. Hartman said business has picked up, and it has been strong. The William A….

‘Northern Lights Drone Show’ Wows Crowds Over Lake Superior, Winds Cancel Day 2

Saturday's shows were canceled because of strong winds

DULUTH, Minn. – Saturday night’s strong winds canceled the Northern Lights Drone Show outside Fitger’s. But Friday’s show amazed crowds of people. The holiday show performed multiple times during the evening was put on by the North Shore Scenic Railroad and Fitger’s. 100 lighted drones took to the sky over Lake Superior forming animated scenes to music. Firefly, which created…

On Stage Dec. 8-17: ‘A Don’t Hug Me Christmas Carol’

DULUTH, Minn. — If you like Charles Dickens’ famous “A Christmas Carol,” there’s a Minnesota spoof of the production hitting the stage in Duluth this weekend. “A Don’t Hug Me Christmas Carol” takes place Christmas Eve in Bunyan Bay, Minnesota.  Jason Vincent, of Boat Club Productions, explains the rest! “So, the bar owner, Gunner Johnson, gets into a snowmobile accident…

Duluth Mayor-Elect Reinert On Inheriting 2024 Budget, Securing Leadership Team, Campaign Promises

DULUTH, Minn. – With one month to go before a change in office at Duluth City Hall, Duluth Mayor-Elect Roger Reinert is wrapping up his civilian life and securing a core leadership team to join him in January.  Beyond that, he told FOX 21 how he’ll handle inheriting Mayor Emily Larson’s budget for 2024, and he addressed his critics who…

Chickens Killed In Barn Fire

FLOODWOOD TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A barn fire killed several chickens in Floodwood Township Saturday evening. St. Louis County Sheriff Office deputies and area fire departments responded around 6:15 p.m. The barn is a total loss. No people were injured. The cause is under investigation, but authorities do not suspect foul play. Categories: Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Public Safety

Duluth Firefighters Tackle Downtown Garage Fire

DULUTH, Minn. – Northland firefighters have been busy lately responding to structure fires. In Duluth Thursday, firefighters tackled a garage fire on the 100 block of East Third Street. No injuries were reported. Damage is estimated around $10,000. The Duluth Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a cause. Categories: Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Public Safety

‘Essentia East Market’ Healthcare Workers Want To Unionize

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia healthcare workers have announced their filing to join the Minnesota Nurses Association. The healthcare workers wanting to unionize include nurse practitioners, physician associates, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists. They’re part of what’s called the Essentia East Market, which extends from Brainerd north to International Falls and Duluth, and east to Ashland and Hayworth, Wisconsin. The…

Construction Returns To Duluth Housing Project With ‘Cash,’ No Financing

DULUTH, Minn. – FOX 21 learned Tuesday that construction crews are back on site of a delayed housing development (Urbane 218) in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. But the final piece of funding from LISC, which halted the project in August, is still not in the developer’s hands. Merge Urban Development told FOX 21 Tuesday the company is “currently paying for…

‘Steam-Powered Christmas Tree Train’ Chugs Through Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — An old-fashioned, steam-powered Christmas Tree Train departed the Duluth Depot for Knife River over the weekend. When the locomotive arrived to its destination at the train station in Knife River, riders could pick out a tree, wreaths and garland, which was hauled back to the Depot by train car. The unique ride is made possible because the…

3 Men of Palestinian Descent Shot, Injured Near University of Vermont

Three young men of Palestinian descent who were in Burlington for a Thanksgiving holiday gathering were shot and injured — one seriously — near the University of Vermont, police said Sunday. Authorities said the attack may have been a hate crime. The shootings occurred at about 6:25 p.m. Saturday near the UVM campus, according to Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad….

MN State Patrol: Driver Of I35 Rollover In Duluth Arrested For DWI

DULUTH, Minn. (Thursday) — The Minnesota State Patrol told FOX 21 on Thursday that the driver who rolled his vehicle on I-35 in downtown Duluth last week was arrested for DWI. Video from a MnDOT camera on Southbound I-35 near the Lake Avenue exit shows a 2022 Dodge Charger rolling multiple times. A public information officer for the Minnesota State…

Mayor-Elect Roger Reinert Visits Duluth Police, Fire on Thanksgiving

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth firefighters and police officers got a visit this Thanksgiving from Duluth Mayor-elect Roger Reinert. The Duluth Fire Union and the Duluth Police Department posted pictures on social media Thursday of Reinert’s visits. Both agencies thanked Reinert visiting them on Thanksgiving. The fire and police unions endorsed Reinert for mayor this past election. Categories: Minnesota, News, Political,…

Man Seriously Injured In Garage Fire

BREVATOR TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A structure fire in Brevator Township seriously injured a man. The fire broke out around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday on the 3500 block of Nelson Road. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said the 64-year-old man was injured while trying to save items in a burning garage. The man was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in serious…

Glensheen Mansion Flips For Christmas; Santa, Reindeer Arrive At Fitger’s Friday

DULUTH, Minn. – Christmas has arrived at the historic Glensheen Mansion with candlelight tours! Marketing Manager Mike Mayou said visitors will experience the magic of Christmas and be taken back to the early 1900s when Glensheen was built. The rooms and hallways are full of Christmas lights, 27 trees and hundreds of feet of garland. There are even 25 elves…

Coast Guard Fries Turkeys For St. Scholastica’s Free Thanksgiving Buffet At DECC

DULUTH, Minn. — Thanksgiving may be two days away, but a massive cooking operation is well underway at the DECC for the annual St. Scholastica free Thanksgiving Buffet. Volunteers from Minnesota Power took over the DECC’s big kitchen Tuesday to help prepare more than 6,000 cups of cranberry and help peel 1,800 pounds of potatoes. The turkeys weight in at…

Snowmaking Begins At Spirit Mountain, Mont Du Lac

DULUTH, Minn. — Snowmaking season began at Spirit Mountain Tuesday evening.   This comes after frustrations from staff because of the unseasonably warm weather for much of November.  Usually the ski hill opens on Black Friday, but that won’t be happening this season.  None the less, opening day will arrive soon, as temperatures are forecast to continue to be well below…

Duluth Firefighters Battle Garage Fire, Vehicles Driving Over Hydrant Line

DULUTH, Minn. –  A structure fire in Duluth’s Lakeside/Lester Park neighborhood has turned into another plea from firefighters to residents, after vehicles once again got in the way of fighting a fire. The department said five vehicles drove over one of the hydrant lines being used to fight the fire Monday afternoon. Assistant Fire Chief Dennis Edwards told FOX 21,…

Clinton Fire Dept. Accepts 2,352 Cans Of Drinking Water From Anheuser-Busch

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Minn. – The Clinton Volunteer Fire Department & EMS received thousands of cans of drinking water from Anheuser-Busch. Fire Capt. Eric Monson said the 2,352 canned waters will help first responders stay hydrated when they battle wildfires and other disasters. “This generous donation will significantly enhance our emergency response capabilities and ensure that we can better serve and…

Update: Superior Firefighters Battle Wind-Driven Fire On Wisconsin Point

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior firefighters battled a wind-driver wildfire on Wisconsin Point Thursday evening. Multiple fire department units responded around 4:30 p.m. in the area of Moccasin Mike Road and Lake Shore Drive. Fire crews arrived on scene and reported “a sizable” fire on the beach area between Schafer Beach and Wisconsin Point Lot #1. “Fire crews utilized bladder packs,…

Cenovus Superior Refinery Responds To Third-Party Railcar Leak

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Cenovus Superior Refinery responded to an emergency railcar leak Tuesday. Cenovus Energy told FOX 21 the railcar was not theirs but belonged to a railroad company with cars at the plant. On Wednesday, Cenovus said the issue had been resolved and no external emergency response was required. Superior Fire Chief Cam Vollbrecht told FOX 21, it’s his…

Joel Sipress On Duluth Mayoral Race: ‘State DFL’s Hit Job On Roger Cost Emily Votes’

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s been a week since one of the most contentious mayoral races in Duluth’s history came to an end with Roger Reinert defeating incumbent Emily Larson. And now, leaders in the DFL Party who backed Larson are analyzing what went right and what went wrong. One of those people is Joel Sipress, former Duluth city councilor of…

Superior Mayor, Some Councilors Now Against Proposed Natural Gas Plant; Labor Not Happy

Mayor Jim Paine first supported the project in 2017

SUPERIOR, Wis. – If Superior Mayor Jim Paine has it his way, Minnesota Power and its partners will not be allowed to build a natural gas plant (Nemadji Trail Energy Center) near the Enbridge Energy Terminal and Cenovus Energy. “All this project will do is raise our utility rates, pollute our city, and desecrate a cemetery. I don’t know who…

St. Louis Co. Sheriff’s Office Makes Arrest In ‘Severe Animal Neglect Case’

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office announced an arrest Monday evening in what investigators call “a severe animal neglect case.” The Sheriff’s Office posted on social media to say a pit bull named Gio was brought to Animal Allies barely clinging to life.  And after attempts to save its life, Gio, who was also known as Lovebug, died. The suspect…

Duluth Police Union: 3 Council Candidates Have ‘Extreme Views’ Against Police; Candidates React

DULUTH, Minn. — In a rare move by the Duluth Police Union, and just days before the Nov. 7 election, its members are calling out three Duluth city council candidates — Jenna Yeakle, Miranda Pacheco and Wendy Durrwachter. The union says the three candidates have “extreme views against public safety and law enforcement officers.” Below is the union’s full statement,…

2 Days To Go: Larson, Reinert Race To The Duluth Mayoral Finish Line

DULUTH, Minn. – The General Election is two days away on Nov. 7, and Duluth mayoral candidates Emily Larson and Roger Reinert were out Sunday continuing to door knock for votes. Both candidates posted to their social media Sunday about the campaigns. Larson posted a video saying in part: “Hey everybody, it’s Emily. It is Sunday night and, why yes,…

Mother, Son Suffer Severe Burns In Cabin Propane Tank Explosion

Courtesy: Northland FireWire BALKAN TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A mother and her son are being treated for severe burns after a propane tank exploded inside a cabin in Balkan Township. The accident was reported around 10:45 a.m. Sunday in the 11600 Block of Countryside Lane. Northland FireWire “Investigation of the incident revealed that a 20lb propane tank had been attached to…

Update: Missing Man In Itasca County Found Deceased

6 p.m. update:  The BCA released the following statement Sunday involving John Derrick’s disappearance: “***CANCELED*** The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office has canceled the missing person alert for John Derrick. He was located deceased. Thank you to everyone who assisted in locating him and for sharing the information.” The cause of death was not immediately released Sunday night, as of 6…

Adam Johnson’s Aunt Speaks Out; Public Funeral To Be Held At Hibbing Hockey Arena

HIBBING, Minn. (FOX21/FOX 9) – After his tragic death on the ice, funeral plans have now been set for hockey star Adam Johnson in Hibbing. Johnson, who was a hometown hockey hero before playing for Duluth and later in the NHL, was killed last weekend after his neck was slashed by another player’s skate. Johnson was playing in the United…