Author: Dan Hanger

Exec. Dir.: DECC’s $1M Loan Request From City Among Multiple Operational Challenges

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth City Council will decide whether to loan the DECC a $1 million line of credit. This comes as the DECC’s executive director, Dan Hartman, said the entertainment venue’s current business model needs to be reimagined. Hartman has been the DECC’s leader since 2021.  He said the DECC’s reserves are around $891,000, which is usually at…

Heavy Rainfall Leads To Washed-Out Roads In St. Louis County

This weekend’s heavy rainfall has led to flooding in several areas of southern St. Louis County, especially at the intersection of Maple Grove Road and Mall Drive in Duluth, which has remained closed Sunday. Several other lesser traveled county roads also have been damaged due to washouts, including portions of: Cant Road south of Lismore Road Pioneer Junction Road between…

City of Duluth: Flooded Roads Continue As Creeks, Streams, Sewers Overflow

DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth continues to feel the effects of heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours that has caused creeks, streams and some sanitary sewers to overflow.  The information below is a news release from the city about road closures, as of 5:30 p.m. Sunday.   Chester Creek: -Niagara Street -Norton Road at the crossing nearest…

‘Chester Park Playground Celebration’ Set For Late Barry Family

Barry family DULUTH, Minn. — It’s been about a year and a half since the Barry family was killed in their Duluth home by a relative. And now, the community is close to celebrating improvements at Chester Park in the name of the Barry’s daughters – Shiway and Sadie. The community helped raise $22,000 to install a new spinner element,…

Duluth Developer To Transform Downtown Building Into Workforce Housing

DULUTH, Minn. – New workforce housing is coming to a prominent location in downtown Duluth.  But it won’t be in the form of a new building. Duluth-based Titanium Partners will soon be transforming the historic Ordean Building across from Maurices on West Superior Street into 35 new apartments, according to Brian Forcier, owner of Titanium Partners. The units will be…

Downtown Duluth Study: 2,500 New Housing Units Possible Within 5 Years

DULUTH, Minn. – A downtown Duluth housing study shows the potential for as many as 2,500 new housing units within the next five years. It’s a welcomed projection for a downtown that’s seen undesirable vacancy rates since the pandemic, like other cities have experienced across the country. The outside firm, Zimmerman-Volk Associates, presented its findings publicly Tuesday, which shows downtown…

Duluth Playhouse Now Owns The Historic NorShor Theatre

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Playhouse — one of the nation’s oldest non-profit theatres — has officially been handed the key to the historic NorShor Theatre as the new owners of the state-of-the-art facility. Sherman Associates, the developer that took on the $29.5 million overhaul of the theatre in 2017, officially closed its chapter on the project Tuesday with a…

Volunteers Needed: ‘Bentleyville Tour Of Lights’ Setup Begins Saturday

DULUTH, Minn. — Believe it or not, it’s time to talk Christmas and Bentleyville Tour of Lights! On Tuesday, some of the storage trucks and equipment – even some decorations — were already in the parking lot at Bayfront Festival Park. The first day of volunteering starts this Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.  That schedule will continue every…

Superior Mayor Calls 2024 Budget Proposal The Best In Decades

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Superior Mayor Jim Paine is touting his 2024 budget proposal as the largest public investment in the city in decades. Mayor Paine on Tuesday said the city is well positioned to invest in city services and public infrastructure, while decreasing taxes. Paine said the growing local economy, a restructured budget he and his predecessor designed to function…

Klobuchar, Stauber Call On FAA To ‘Expedite’ Approvals For New DLH Air Traffic Control Tower

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber have joined forces to help rebuild Duluth’s aging air traffic control tower. The two have sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his team to urge the FAA to expedite any reviews and approvals necessary for the Duluth International Airport to pursue a federal grant to help get a…

Homeless Advocates Convene At DECC As Another Duluth Encampment Is Pushed Out

DULUTH, Minn. — Another growing homeless encampment in Duluth got torn down and moved out Monday. It comes as local and state leaders try to strike a balance between public health and safety, and caring for those facing their worst days without a roof over their heads. The lack of affordable housing in Duluth continues to be highlighted by the…

Shots Fired Investigation Underway In Two Harbors

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — Two Harbors police are investigating a “shots fired” incident near townhomes. Police responded to the Rustic Creek Townhomes around 7 p.m. Sunday for the report of gunshots. Police called in assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office to conduct a search of the immediate and surrounding…

Duluth Police: Bar Fight Between 2 Women Ended In Assault By 2 Men

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Police Department issued an update Monday involving an assault of a woman at the Rustic Bar in West Duluth. Investigators reviewed surveillance video from inside the bar, which they say shows two females getting into a physical fight with each other before two men get involved by assaulting the 39-year-old female victim. The woman went…

Sheriff: Darkness, Speed, Alcohol Factors In Lake Vermilion Boating Accident

LAKE VERMILION, Minn. — Nighttime darkness, speed and alcohol are believed to be contributing factors in a boating accident on Lake Vermilion over the weekend, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. Officials said two people from the Twin Cities were vacationing on Lake Vermilion when their pontoon slammed into Rainbow Island. The female passenger was thrown from the…

State Patrol Asks For Public’s Help In Itasca Co. Fatal Hit-And-Run

The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating a hit-and-run in Itasca County that killed a pedestrian. The incident happened between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday on Highway 6 between Highway 2 and County Road 19 near Deer River Township. The State Patrol is asking anyone with information about the incident to call the Virginia District Investigator at (218) 735-3729. Officials…

Women’s Course Record Broken At 2023 NorthShore Inline Marathon

DULUTH, Minn. — The weather was perfect for this weekend’s NorthShore Inline Marathon — the largest of its kind in North America. Tone Coughlin Photography The 26.2-mile course is much like the course for Grandma’s Marathon, starting in Two Harbors and taking racers along the Scenic North Shore before entering the tunnels of I-35 and ending by the DECC. The…

Hibbing Man Sentenced To 8.5 Years For Girlfriend’s Death

A Hibbing man who admitted to killing his girlfriend in 2022 will spend the next 8.5 years in prison for the crime In August, Eric James Jarvis, 47, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in connection to the death of 43-year-old Kari Jo Petrich. Police arrested Jarvis in June of 2022 after he called 911 about the woman’s death. When police…

Larson, Reinert Square Off In First Public Mayoral Debate Ahead Of Nov. Election

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth’s mayoral candidates were side-by-side Wednesday for their first candidate forum ahead of the general election Nov. 7. The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce and the Duluth News Tribune are behind the forum. The mayoral race between incumbent Emily Larson and Roger Reinert is clearly the top of the closely watched races in Duluth, among council and…

City Council Approves ‘Armored Rescue Vehicle’ For Duluth Police

DULUTH, Minn. — After years of trying, the Duluth Police department has officially been given the OK to purchase its own Armored Rescue Vehicle (ARV) instead of continuing to borrow Superior’s armored vehicle for the city’s most dangerous calls. The council voted 8-0 Monday night to approve Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa to purchase the nearly $380,000 piece of equipment….

Superior Man Gets 40-Year Sentence In Dismemberment Case

A Superior man has received the maximum sentence of 40 years in prison for murdering and dismembering his own friend. Jacob Johnson, 37, shot Ricky Balsimo Jr., 34, of St Paul multiple times while driving together in the Twin Cities. Court records said Balsimo was threatening other people in the vehicle with a knife before the shooting. Police said Johnson…

Video: Flash Flooding In Duluth Creates Muddy Mess Downtown

DULUTH, Minn. – Flash flooding Monday night in parts of Duluth sent piles of sand, dirt and other materials from nearby construction onto East Superior Street. Tuesday morning compared to Tuesday evening at First Avenue E. and Superior Street The National Weather Service said 2 to 6 inches of rain fell fast on parts of Duluth. All that water sent…

Monday Marks 22 Years Since 9/11 Attacks On America

On Monday, the United States and countries abroad will remember the tragic events of September 11th that killed almost 3,000 Americans 22 years ago. Gov. Tim Walz has ordered Flags at half-staff Monday in honor of September 11th. The order is in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Biden that all United States flags be flown at half-staff at…

Officials: Wildfire In Carlton County Started By Human

A human-caused wildfire in Carlton County is now 98-percent contained, according to the Minnesota Incident Command System. Crews were working hot spots Sunday. Heavy machinery and firefighters continued to mop up hot areas of the 82-acre fire in Barnum near County Road 11. This comes after an infrared flight Saturday located hot spots that needed attention. All evacuation orders and…

New USW Members At Northshore Mining Reach First-Ever Contract With Cliffs

Hundreds of workers at Northshore Mining in Babbitt and Silver Bay have voted to ratify a first-ever three-year contract with their employer, Cleveland Cliffs. The workers recently joined the United Steelworkers Union. USW District 11 Director Emil Ramirez said the agreement “includes a lump sum bonus, annual wage increases, enhanced protections for job security and improvements in occupational health and…

Bass Lake Residents Clean Up After Wind Topples 200-Plus Trees

BASS LAKE, Minn. — Wild weather Tuesday evening on the Iron Range created damaging winds that hit the Gilbert, Aurora and Hoyt Lakes region. Courtesy: Alicia Schroeder Powerlines came down, along with hundreds of trees, especially on Bass Lake – just southeast of Gilbert. The National Weather Service does not believe a tornado caused the damage.  They believe it was…

20 Trees Catch Fire In Solway Township

SOLWAY TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A wildfire took over nearly two-dozen trees in Solway Township Tuesday. Fire Chief Brandon Porter said 20 large trees — mostly pine — started on fire around 12:45 p.m. The fire happened on the 4300 block of Caribou Lake Road on private land. Grand Lake and Hermantown fire departments responded as mutual aid, along with the…

Superior Mayor Jim Paine: Double Emergencies At Cenovus Refinery ‘Unacceptable’

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Cenovus Energy is now dealing with two critical incidents at its newly built refinery within the past two days (Wednesday and Thursday) – a propane leak and a “heavy fuel oil release,” according to the Superior Fire Department.  Both incidents caused evacuations. Nobody was injured. Superior Mayor Jim Paine told FOX 21 on Thursday that he’s proud…

Underage Alcohol Party Ends In Fatal Hit-And-Run

SAND LAKE, Wis. — A teenage girl is dead after a hit-and-run related to an underage alcohol party, according to the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office. The crime happened just before 7 a.m. Aug. 19. Kaylie Schwingle, 18, of Chippewa Falls Wisconsin was run over by a 16-year-old boy driving a Ford F-350. Officials said the victim was sitting along Snowmobile…

‘Heavy Fuel Oil Release’ At Superior’s Cenovus Refinery One Day After Propane Leak

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Just one day after an emergency evacuation at Cenovus Energy because of a propane leak, another emergency situation unfolded Thursday involving a “heavy fuel oil release,” according to the Superior Fire Department. The call for help came in around 1 p.m. Superior fire crews responded to a report of a “release of heavy fuel oil in a…

Father Of The Veteran Who Was Shot And Killed By Duluth Police Says Death Was Avoidable; Police Video Released

DULUTH, Minn. – Body camera footage has been released involving a February officer-involved shooting that killed a Duluth veteran. Last week, that officer was cleared of any charges after an outside investigation. And now, the man’s father tells FOX 21 deadly force could have easily been avoided. Zachary Shogren We begin with the Feb. 24 encounter that lead up to…

Video: Severe Storm Rips Off Barn’s Roof, Uproots Trees

MAPLE, Wis.  We’re getting a look at just how bad some of the severe weather was Wednesday in parts of the Northland, like in Maple. Jason and Mandy Crozier of Maple took dramatic video of straight-line winds outside their home that had rain almost falling sideways. After the storm passes, five large trees partially ripped out of the ground.  Two…

Coast Guard Trains On Lake Superior While Drifting Tubers Get Help To Shore

DULUTH, Minn. –  There was some confusion Wednesday for people looking out on Lake Superior from Duluth’s shoreline when they saw a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter hovering over the water with a Coast Guard vessel. Coast Guard training Wednesday A spokesperson for the Coast Guard told FOX 21 it was not a water emergency but rather a scheduled training exercise…

DOJ Investigating Fatal Shooting Involving Ashland County Sheriff’s Deputy

TOWN OF MORSE, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in the Town of Morse in Ashland County. The incident happened around 6 p.m. Tuesday in the 33000 block of N. Foley Road. Upon arrival, deputies with the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office witnessed a male assaulting two adult females with a “bladed weapon,” according…

Duluth Public Info. Meeting Wed. About ‘Armored Rescue Vehicle’ Purchase

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa and his team will hold a community informational meeting Wednesday about the possible purchase of an Armored Rescue Vehicle. The meeting is happening from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Evergreen Senior Center. Chief Ceynowa told FOX 21 it’s time to invest in the life-saving tool and stop borrowing Superior’s Armored…

Duluth Council Bans Smoking Pot In Parks, Fines Undecided

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth City Council passed an ordinance Monday night banning the smoking of marijuana and other controlled substances involving smoke from city parks, like cigarettes and vaping. This comes after the state of Minnesota passed a law legalizing adult recreational use of marijuana beginning Aug. 1. The smoking violation fines became a discussion Monday night between some…

Superior School Board Member Resigns Amid Election Fraud Charges

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Embattled Superior School Board member Steven Stupak resigned Monday morning amid election fraud charges against him. Board President Steve Olson confirmed the resignation at Monday night’s board meeting. It was not immediately known Monday night what the board’s process will be moving forward with the vacant seat. Stupak’s announcement comes just one week after former school board…

Body Of Canoeist Discovered In BWCA

Justin Sperl/Facebook COOK COUNTY, Minn. —  The body of a canoeist was found Monday in the Brule Lake area of the BWCA. The body was discovered by other canoeists who notified authorities, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. The remains have been identified as Justin Sperl, 32, of Marshall, Minnesota. “Sperl had been the subject of a missing person…

Duluth Investigator Cleared Of Charges In Feb. Fatal Shooting

Scene of February shooting DULUTH, Minn. — Charges will not be filed against a Duluth police officer who shot and killed a suspect earlier this year. The shooting happened Feb. 24, 2023 in an alley on the 1500 block of East Third Street during a felony arrest for threats of violence. Investigators said shots were fired after Zachary Shogren, 34,…

Mixed-Income Housing Development Underway In Duluth’s East Hillside

DULUTH, Minn. — Construction is underway in Duluth’s East Hillside for 52 mixed-income apartment units. The property is located on the corner of 6th Avenue East and 4th Street. One Roof Housing and Three Rivers Community Action are developing the property. The site used to be a gas station, which was heavily contaminated, making the prime real-estate difficult to develop….

Work On Lincoln Park Housing Development Temporarily Suspended

DULUTH, Minn. — Construction work is temporarily suspended on a new apartment building in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Merge Urban Development told FOX 21 there are two reasons for the delay in the Urbane218 project at the former Esmond and Seaway Hotel site. Engineers are making changes to the heating and cooling design per the request of the city’s building…

Downtown Duluth High Rise Delayed, City Optimistic For Completion

DULUTH, Minn. — The site of a proposed 15-story high rise in downtown Duluth continues to sit idle, but officials tell FOX 21 they are optimistic the project will happen. The site is located between the Sheraton Hotel and Essentia Health on the 300 block of East Superior Street, which is the former site of the Voyageur Lakewalk Inn. The…

Duluth Police Dept. Plans To Purchase Armored Vehicle, Stop Borrowing Superior’s

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa is looking to make his biggest investment yet since becoming chief nearly one year ago – the purchase of an Armored Rescue Vehicle.  Ceynowa says it’s a safety tool his department should no longer be borrowing from the Superior Police Department, as FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports. From schools, to supermarkets, to…

Duluth’s Historic Priley Fountain Running After Summer-Long Repairs

DULUTH, Minn. — The historic Priley Fountain in Duluth’s Civic Center is back in operation after being off most of the summer. The multi-shooting fountain from the 1970s got a new pump installed. Tt wasn’t a fast re-build, which is why the fountain wasn’t turned on this summer until now. Repairs cost around $4,000. The Priley Fountain was named after…

Larson, Reinert React To Primary Election Results

DULUTH, Minn. – Mayor Emily Larson and Roger Reinert were already examining the Primary Election returns Wednesday from all 34 Duluth precincts, looking for ways to make sure their strategies remain focused before the next big vote come Nov. 7. Mayor Larson told FOX 21 she never takes any race for granted.  She said Tuesday’s results actually have her supporters,…