Author: Dan Hanger

Hundreds Of Northshore Mining Workers Join United Steelworkers Union

Hundreds of workers at Cleveland Cliffs’ Northshore Mining Company have joined the United Steelworkers Union. The union said in a statement Tuesday that Northshore Mining was the last remaining taconite mine on the Iron Range without a union. Roughly 400 workers mine taconite in Babbitt and make iron ore pellets in Silver Bay. “We chose to unionize so that we…

Essentia Nurses To Picket Friday, Call Staffing Levels ‘Disastrous’

The informational picket will be on the same day Essentia will hold an open house of its new downtown medical center

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association are headed back to the picket line this week amid continued concerns over what they call “disastrous staffing levels.” It’s been six months since nurses at Essentia reached a new contract that gave them more input in the staffing process.  But the Minnesota Nurses Association says Essentia executives aren’t listening…

Essentia Employees With United Steelworkers To Hold Picket Friday

The informational picket will happen with the Minnesota Nurses Association

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia Health coworkers with United Steelworkers Local 9460 will be holding an informational picket Friday along with Essentia workers with the Minnesota Nurses Association. Below is the full statement from USW: “Our union is locked in tough contract negotiations with Essentia Health for our Red Book contract, as well as a Year 3 wage re-opener for our…

U.S. Navy Parachute Member ‘Stable’ After Hard Landing At Duluth Airshow

DULUTH, Minn. – A member of the U.S. Navy Leap Frog parachute team was listed in stable condition Sunday after landing hard during the Duluth Airshow Saturday, according to a spokesperson for the event. “The individual was immediately tended to by emergency personnel and Airlifted to Essentia Health/St. Mary’s where he is in stable condition and being treated for his…

Canoers Discover Human Remains In Nemadji River

CARLTON, Co. — Human remains were recovered from the Nemadji River in Carlton County Saturday. The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office said a family canoeing on the river discovered the body around 1:30 p.m. The remains were found southeast of the SOO Line ATV trail and Highway 23 intersection. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating, including a positive identification of…

Duluth Police Search For Man With ‘Potential Risk To The Public’

Trevor Billings DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is searching for a suspect they considered a “potential risk to the public.” Trevor Billings has active warrants out for his arrest, according to police. “We are concerned for his safety and well-being,” said Mattie Hjelseth, public information office for the police department.  “Trevor poses a potential risk to the public…

Virginia Murder Suspect: “I Woke Up From A Dream And Was Told To Shoot My Brother”

VIRGINIA, Minn. — An attempted murder charge has been filed against a Virginia man accused of shooting his brother in the head. According to the criminal complaint, Robert Cope, 30, told authorities he “…woke up from a dream and was told to shoot my brother.” The shooting happened around 10:20 a.m. July 8 at a residence on 9th Street South…

Reggae & World Music Festival Takes Over Bayfront July 15

DULUTH, Minn. – Excitement is building for the 17th annual Reggae and World Music Festival at Bayfront Park this Saturday. Singers from all over the world will take the stage starting at 1 p.m. and lasting through the night. It’s an all-ages event that keeps getting bigger every year. The Bayfront Reggae Fest’s mission is to provide cultural entertainment through…

Downtown Duluth’s ‘Sidewalk Days’ Starts Wednesday

DULUTH, Minn. — 75 vendors and 15 food vendors will be taking over downtown Duluth for Sidewalks Days this week. The fun kicks off at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Sidewalk Days is described as downtown Duluth’s biggest shopping festival of the year. The event covers Superior Street from Lake Avenue to 5th Avenue West. Local retailers bring merchandise into the street….

Motorcyclist, SUV Collide Near Island Lake Killing 1, Injuring Another

DULUTH, Minn. – A motorcyclist was killed and his passenger was critically injured Thursday evening near Island Lake when their motorcycle collided with a vehicle. The accident happened around 6 p.m. near the 7400 block of Rice Lake Road in Duluth. Michael Allen Scott, 62, of Duluth, died at the scene. His female passenger who was not identified by the…

Motorcyclist’s Tire Locks Up, Loses Control

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police were called to a motorcycle accident in the Kenwood neighborhood Thursday. The incident happened around 11:45 a.m. at the intersection of Kenwood Avenue and West Arrowhead Road. The motorcyclist said he fell off his bike when the rear tire locked up while downshifting and changing lanes, according to police. The motorcyclist sustained minor injuries and…

Routine Inspections On Blatnik Bridge Start July 10

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Transportation will be conducting routine bridge inspections on the Blatnik Bridge starting on July 10. Motorists can expect right lane closures between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Work will begin on the Superior-bound side of the bridge. Inspections will take about three weeks to complete. Categories: Minnesota, News, News –…

Woman Killed In Two-Vehicle Accident In Hermantown

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — A woman was killed Monday afternoon in a two-vehicle accident in Hermantown, according to a news release. Hermantown police identified the victim as 46-year-old Penny Jean Polaski. Investigators believe the Kia Rio Polaski was riding in as a passenger was driving south on Lavaque Bypass near Ugstad Road around 2:20 p.m. when it crossed the center line…

Camp Esquagama Holds Free Activities Day At Duluth Depot

DULUTH, Minn. – Camp counselors from around the world held a one-day, fun-filled camping experience at the Duluth Depot this weekend. Camp Esquagama lead a variety of activities for free Saturday — from arts and crafts to outdoor games and sing-alongs. The camp is based out of Gilbert and has a goal of creating lasting friendships, building self-confidence, developing lifelong…

Duluth’s CAO Responds To Concerns About $195K Tiny Home

DULUTH, Minn. — A new tiny home in Duluth with a sale price of nearly $200,000 is getting quite the sticker-shock response and concerns from locals. The concerns are being heard by the city’s chief administrative officer who addressed the issue to the council with some background and perspective. The tiny home is located along 6th Avenue East. It’s a…

Hairball’s Dave Moody On Bayfront Park Concert July 3: ‘Duluth Is The King Of Energy’

DULUTH, Minn. – Hairball — one of the most popular cover bands in America — is taking the stage at Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth on July 3. It’s an annual rock-and-roll tradition for the band to perform to thousands of fans at Bayfront during the 4th of July holiday. Dave Moody The band jams out to all the greatest…

Sheriff Issues Warning After Double Drowning In Lake Superior

SILVER BAY, Minn. — Two teens who died Sunday cliff diving into Lake Superior were identified Monday. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said they are Austin Henning, 18, from South St. Paul and Maximillion Williams, 18, of Inver Grove Heights. The U.S. Coast Guard said the men resurfaced after their jump at Black Beach in Silver Bay Sunday afternoon but…

Police: Man, 25, Attacked In Piedmont Heights Neighborhood

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police are investigating after a man was attacked in the Piedmont Heights neighborhood. The crime was reported around 12:30 a.m. Friday near the intersection of Hutchinson Road and Hagberg Street. Police told FOX 21 Monday the victim is a 25-year-old man. The man was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Officers were not…

Historic Civic Center’s Fountain Broken, Could Be Dry All Summer

The city says work on the fountain will take at least 12 weeks

DULUTH, Minn. — One of Duluth’s oldest fountains in one of Duluth’s most historic places is still shut down from the winter, and it’s likely going to stay that way for the rest of the summer. We’re talking about the decades-old Priley Fountain in the Civic Center.  The 1970 structure usually has multiple sources of water shooting into the air,…

Teen Identified In BWCAW Drowning

BWCA, MINN. — Authorities have released the name of a teen that drowned in the Boundary Waters (BWCAW). Lester Hochstetler, 18, of Clear Lake, Wisconsin drowned Wednesday evening in Gillis Lake. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office said the victim was in a canoe with other fishermen when it overturned. Hochstetler was not wearing a personal flotation device, according to the…

Lutsen’s Papa Charlie’s Ruled A Total Loss After Fire

LUTSEN, Minn. – Papa Charlie’s at Lutsen Mountains is considered a total loss after fire ripped through the beloved restaurant and bar over the weekend. The call for help came in around 6 a.m. Saturday. The Lutsen Fire Department and mutual aid from departments in Cook County responded. Fire officials said suppression efforts were at a high level but the…

Fire Destroys Restaurant At Lutsen Mountains Ahead Of Busy ‘Lutsen 99er’

LUTSEN, Minn. — A fire has destroyed Papa Charlie’s restaurant at Lutsen Mountains. Courtesy: Matthias Orfield The fire broke out sometime before 5 a.m. Saturday, according to a time stamp on a Lutsen camera. This fire comes on the same day of the start of a busy weekend with the Lutsen 99er Gravel Bike Race. “A fire at Papa Charlie’s…

Uninsured Home In Solway Township Destroyed By Fire

SOLWAY TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A home in Solway Township was destroyed by fire Friday afternoon. The call for help came in around 4:15 p.m. for a structure fire on the 3900 block of Crosby Road. “The structure was a complete loss with estimated value of $100,000 for the structure and $70,000 for contents,” according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s…

Dolce Vita Restaurant To Close After 2 Years In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Dolce Vita Restaurant announced Saturday that it will close Thursday, June 29 after two years of business in Superior. “As many other establishments in America at this time, market conditions and staffing issues are making it tough for us to remain open,” owner Zudi Maksutoski said in a statement. “We have not come to this decision lightly; and…

Canoeist, 18, Presumed Dead After Capsizing In BWCAW Lake

An 18-year-old canoeist is presumed dead after capsizing on Gillis Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The accident happened Wednesday evening. Gillis Lake is located about four miles west of Round Lake and Tuscarora Lodge & Canoe Outfitters in Cook County, according to WTIP Radio. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office got a report around 6:45 p.m. that fishermen…

FOX 21’s Rusty Mehlberg Welcomes New Baby Boy

FOX 21 Chief Meteorologist Rusty Mehlberg and his wife, Jacque, welcomed a new addition to their family Wednesday morning. Micah Lee was born at 9:08 a.m. weighing in at 7 pounds, 6 ounces and 20 inches. Rusty said mom and daughter, Molly, are doing great. Molly is two years old now.  And get this! She was born weighing 7 pounds,…

Littlefork Lumberyard Catches On Fire; Nearby Forest Not Affected

LITTLEFORK, Minn. — A fire broke out Wednesday at a longtime lumberyard in Littlfork. According to The Littlefork Times, piles of wood and woodchips caught fire around 1 p.m. at Green Forest Wood Products off Highway 71. The Littlefork Times Fire Chief Dan Wendt told the Times Wednesday evening that the flames stayed away from the nearby woods, according to…

Investigators Believe Human Caused BWCAW Wildfire

  Fire investigators believe a human caused a large wildfire within the Boundary Waters. The Spice Lake Wildfire is currently 22 acres and 65 percent contained. Spice Lake is located southwest of Seagull Lake, about 10 miles west of the Gunflint Trail. Sunday’s update showed fire activity “creeping and smoldering” in mixed timber and brush. Crews continue to fight the…

I-35 Construction: 27th Ave. West Southbound Off Ramp To Close

  DULUTH, Minn. – A busy exit ramp on southbound I-35 in Duluth is closing Monday. Minnesota Department of Transportation crews will be working to remove and reconstruct the 27th Avenue West southbound ramp. Work is expected to last 30 days. Crews will also be paving the southbound lanes adjacent to the ramp. Drivers needing to detour will follow southbound…

Minnesota’s Attorney General Warns Taylor Swift Fans Of Scammers

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is warning Taylor Swift fans in Minnesota of various ticket scams related to swift’s “Eras” tour, which comes to U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Friday and Saturday Ellison said buying second-hand tickets online is risky. Scammers can easily screenshots of tickets that don’t exist. He said it’s best to buy tickets through a trustworthy…

Homeowner Burned After Lawnmower Catches Fire

Courtesy: St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office A northern Minnesota homeowner was hospitalized Saturday night after their lawnmower caught on fire inside a garage. It happened around 11 p.m. on the 8900 block of Highway 73, southwest of Cook. The homeowner’s burns to their arms are not believed to be life-threatening, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. Categories: Minnesota,…

Closures Begin As Wildfire Burns In BWCAW

The Superior National Forest said a 20 to 30 acre wildfire continues to burn in the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness Thursday. The fire broke out this week near Pike Lake about 10 miles away from the end of the Gunflint Trail No buildings have been damaged. However, officials have issued an emergency forest order by closing all trails, portages,…